81 Heritage volunteer roles

Prison-based volunteers are the backbone of Fine Cell Work (FCW). Supported by the Fine Cell Work programmes team and by other staff at the FCW office, they teach and administer FCW stitching groups in prisons.

Prison volunteers work in teams to organise classes and teach our stitchers, as well as providing information about the group to the prison and to the FCW office. The precise mix of skills will vary from prison to prison.

Volunteering in prison for Fine Cell Work requires ideally a good level of needlework skill (or a willingness to learn), some teaching experience and/or experience of working with socially-excluded groups. Volunteers must be patient and non-judgemental in order to work effectively. As a prison volunteer you will be:

• Developing skills and confidence
• Teaching prisoners to stitch FCW products within the framework of our training programme
• Encouraging and supporting prisoners to volunteer as class coordinators and peer mentors
• Encouraging and helping prisoners who wish to undertake their own creative projects

It is essential for volunteers to support FCW's ethos, believe in rehabilitation, be an excellent teamworker, observe personal boundaries, be reliable and patient to ensure cell groups run smoothly, and have record-keeping skills and have some knowledge of needlework.

Volunteers work in prisons around the UK dependent on where groups are based, therefore it is requred that volunteers will be able to travel to the relevant prisons. Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the charity. 

Please take some time to read the role description to find out more details about the role and what we offer to our volunteers.

At Fine Cell Work, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in FCW’s workforce.

These include applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQI+, and male identifying applicants as these are currently under-represented in our volunteers groups.

Join us as a Volunteer Coordinator and help create a welcoming, supportive experience for volunteers across our community programmes.

About us

Cede Foundation is a community-led charity dedicated to reducing poverty by empowering individuals and fostering sustainable communities.

We provide practical, personalised support to people who may be facing barriers to inclusion, independence and participation. Our work includes programmes and activities across employability and skills, health and wellbeing, social inclusion, active citizenship, environmental sustainability, youth engagement, and arts and culture.

Volunteers play a vital role in extending our reach and delivering meaningful support to the communities we serve.

We are seeking a friendly, organised, and reliable volunteer coordinator to recruit, support, and retain volunteers across our programmes.

About the role

As Volunteer Coordinator, you will help ensure volunteers feel informed, valued and supported in their roles.

You will be the main point of contact for volunteers, matching them with suitable opportunities and ensuring a positive, inclusive experience.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with people, is well organised, and is committed to creating a positive volunteering experience.

What you will be doing

You will coordinate daily volunteer activities, including:

• Promoting volunteer opportunities.
• Responding to volunteer enquiries.
• Supporting recruitment, onboarding and induction.
• Matching volunteers to suitable roles.
• Coordinating rotas, schedules, and activities.
• Maintaining up-to-date volunteer records.
• Promoting inclusive volunteering practices.
• Recognising and celebrating volunteers’ contributions.
• Supporting monitoring and feedback processes for volunteers.

What we are looking for

This role is suitable for someone who is:

• Friendly, approachable and reliable.
• Organised and able to follow through on tasks.
• A good listener and confident communicator.
• Comfortable using basic digital tools and systems.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Committed to equality, inclusion, and treating everyone with dignity.
• Interested in community work, volunteering or the charity sector.

Experience in administration, volunteering, recruitment, HR, community work, or events is helpful but not required. Full guidance and support will be provided.

Time commitment

We are looking for someone who can commit to 4–6 hours per week.

Volunteering times will be agreed based on your availability and organisational needs.

Location

This role is primarily in-person in Manchester, with some agreed tasks completed remotely where appropriate.

What you will gain

This is an opportunity to contribute to community-focused work while developing your skills and experience.

You will:

• Gain experience in volunteer coordination and charity operations.
• Build skills in communication, organisation, recruitment and people engagement. 
• Meet new people and be part of a friendly team.

Support and expenses

You’ll receive an induction and ongoing support so you feel confident in the role.

Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel costs, will be reimbursed in line with our volunteer expenses policy.

Safeguarding and checks

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we work with. Depending on the nature of the role, references and a DBS check may be required. We will discuss this with you during the application process.

Equality and inclusion

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and accessible environment, and we will make reasonable adjustments where possible.

How to apply

To apply, please click 'Apply' below and submit a brief expression of interest.

Please tell us why you are interested in the role, any relevant skills or experience you would like to share, and your general availability.

If you feel this role is a good fit, we would love to hear from you.

Babylon Migrants Project, currently a CIC, is embarking on an exciting journey to become a registered charity. We’re looking for a Finance Advisor to support us through this important transition period, eventually becoming our charity Treasurer. 

Babylon Migrants Project is a grassroots arts organisation led by and for young people from refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant backgrounds. We deliver creative and community-building activities that support displaced young people to build creative skills, confidence and support networks as they navigate life in the UK.

We work with young people aged 16–30 who are facing isolation, systemic barriers and a lack of safe and relaxed spaces. Our work takes place across our two hubs in London and Stoke-on-Trent, where participants take part in creative workshops led by expert facilitators, supported by a welcoming team of staff and volunteers.

Our three key aims are:

• Reducing social isolation amongst young people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds
• Growing lived experienced leadership across the arts and refugee sectors
• Shaping more informed and human conversations about migration

We are in the process of registering as a charity, which will hopefully unlock vital funding and help us to grow as an organisation, ultimately supporting more young people in need. We are looking for a finance expert who, in addition to contributing generally advisory board (and subsequently, trustee board meetings), can support our ambition by:

• Advising on financial matters, particularly through the transition to becoming a charity
• Supporting us to improve financial processes
• Contributing to our understanding of the risks facing our organisation
• Supporting us to comply with HMRC requirements
• Helping us to create financial forecasts for the future as we develop and expand.

We currently have an Advisory Board that has no legal responsibility, the members of which we hope will stay on as Trustees of the new charity. The expertise represented by the current board are: fundraising, safeguarding, communications, and strategy & business planning. We therefore seek a finance expert to help ensure the success of the transition to charitable status, and who can hold responsibility for finances and risk for the new charity. 

As our organisation is led by lived experience, we would particularly encourage applications from people from migrant or refugee backgrounds. 

Who are we looking for?

• Formal finance qualification
• Experience/understanding of financial forecasting, payroll, corporation tax & charity accounting
• Experience of being on a trustee board before, particularly in a role relating to finance (preferable)
• Lived experience of migration or displacement (preferable)
• Willingness to attend quarterly advisory board meetings (and subsequently, trustee board meetings) as well as provide more ad hoc financial advice to the directors.
• Ability to operate at both strategic and practical levels
• Willingness to speak one's mind, listen to the views of others and constructively challenge
• Willingness to commit the necessary time and effort to being a board member (roughly 1 day per quarter, possibly rising to 2 where required).
• Commitment to our vision and values

As a financial advisor and later trustee with responsibility for finances and risk, you will help ensure the financial sustainability and compliance of the organisation, helping to ensure we can maintain and grow our support for young people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds, at a time when support is needed more than ever. 

At Cede Foundation, we create safe, welcoming spaces where children can learn, play, build confidence and enjoy positive experiences during the school holidays.

We are looking for friendly, caring and reliable volunteers to support our holiday club activities. Volunteering with us is a great way to help children take part in fun activities, make friends and enjoy a supportive space during their school break.

As a volunteer, you will work alongside staff and other volunteers to help the day run smoothly and make sure every child feels welcome, included and encouraged.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys spending time with children, likes hands-on volunteering and wants to make a positive difference in their community.

What you will be doing

You will help make our holiday club a safe, positive and fun place for children.

Your tasks may include:

• Helping to prepare activity spaces before children arrive
• Welcoming children and families and helping with registration
• Assisting with games, creative activities, sports and group sessions
• Encouraging children to join in and feel confident taking part
• Supporting children during transitions between activities
• Helping with snacks, resources and general session coordination
• Assisting staff with attendance, feedback or simple record-keeping tasks where needed
• Helping to tidy activity spaces at the end of the day
• Promoting a friendly, inclusive and respectful atmosphere throughout the session

You will not be expected to lead sessions alone or take on staff responsibilities. A staff member or an activity leader will be there to support you throughout.

Who we are looking for

You do not need formal experience to apply, but you should be comfortable around children and willing to follow guidance.

This role could be a good match for you if:

• You enjoy working with children or would like to gain experience in this area
• You are friendly, patient and approachable
• You are reliable and able to attend the sessions you agree to support
• You work well as part of a team
• You are willing to follow guidance on safeguarding, health and safety and confidentiality
• You can encourage children in a positive and respectful way
• You have an interest in community work, play, sports, arts, crafts or children’s activities

Previous experience with children, youth work, education, sports, arts or community activities is welcome but not required.

What you will gain

This is a great opportunity to:

• Gain experience supporting children’s activities and community programmes
• Build confidence in teamwork, communication and activity support
• Learn more about how holiday clubs and community projects are delivered
• Meet new people and be part of a welcoming volunteer team
• Make a positive difference to children and families during the school holidays

Time commitment

Our holiday club sessions run during the school holidays, usually from 10 am to 2 pm on selected programme days.

You can volunteer for one or more days, depending on your availability. You may be asked to arrive a little earlier to help with set-up and attend a short briefing before the session begins.

Reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses will be reimbursed in line with our volunteer expenses policy.

Our next holiday club starts on October, 27 October 2026.

Safeguarding and Inclusion

Cede Foundation is committed to keeping children, young people and adults safe. Volunteers will receive the guidance they need before starting and are expected to follow our safeguarding, confidentiality and conduct policies.

Depending on the role and level of supervision, volunteers may need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and will do our best to make reasonable adjustments so everyone can take part.

Open Studio Mental Health Arts group

We are looking for a creative, enthusiastic Volunteer to support our Mental health art group ‘Open Studios’ for adults on Thursday afternoons.

Open Studios is a friendly space where people can paint, draw or create without pressure.

This is a workshop space to work on your own choice of art. It is not a taught session, but guidance is available from our artists. Aimed at those who are experiencing social isolation or who are working towards healthier mental wellbeing.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll work closely with the Magic Carpet Artist practitioner/s to create a safe and welcoming space for group members to explore their creativity.

Tasks may include:

• Setting up tables and chairs ready for the group
• Making teas and coffee
• Getting out art materials and resources
• Supporting group members to decide what they might like to do
• Being ‘alongside’ group members (this may include spending time working on your own artwork)

We’re looking for someone who:

• Enjoys supporting people to improve their mental health and wellbeing
• Believes in art and creativity as a powerful tool for prompting wellbeing
• Is reliable, friendly, and comfortable working with people
• Cares about community, creativity, and inclusive arts
• Is willing to abide by ECIs code of conduct and safeguarding procedures.

Time commitment

• 2.5 hours per week (1.45pm – 2.15pm)
• Occasional volunteer meetings and training sessions

What you’ll get

• Hands-on experience with a creative arts project
• An opportunity to work alongside an experienced and professional artist practitioner
• Experience working with people with mental health support needs (this may also include Neuro divergence and mild learning disabilities).
• Agreed expenses if applicable
• Tea and lots of gratitude!