Homelessness volunteer roles

"Hosting breaks down barriers and helps you realise how similar everyone is."  

Do you have a spare room in your home?

We are looking for people with a spare room who are willing to offer a temporary home and a helping hand to a refugee or person seeking asylum as they plan their next steps in the UK. Hosting is only ever temporary and you decide how long you are willing to host for; it can vary from a few nights to several months and anything in between. 

Who can be a host?

Anyone with a spare room, or even a sofa bed, that is well connected and has good public transport systems can apply to host. This enables guests to travel to college, school, support groups or jobs, and retain their independence.

All hosts will need to complete an application form, provide two references and have a home visit. 

Support available

We carefully assess each guest and host, match according to preferences, advise on hosting arrangements and preparations, and provide ongoing support to hosts throughout the placement. We stay in contact with you when you have a guest staying with you, and someone from the team is available seven days a week if you have any questions or problems.

We will discuss with you any preferences, such as if you would prefer not to host someone who has not been vaccinated against covid, or who smokes. This will be recorded on your profile on our database so that our whole Placement Team can access this and match you with a guest who fits your circumstances.

All guests, hosts and households are different. Some hosts share meals and do activities with guests; others just give guests a key, show them round and get on with their busy lives. Our team are available to support you through every stage of the process.

Why is hosting needed?

Refugees and people seeking asylum are fleeing war or persecution in their own countries. But many who come to the UK in search of safety find themselves facing homelessness and destitution. They may be without statutory support for long periods, or need some additional help to build new lives.

Hosting is such a practical way to support refugees and it sends a powerful message of welcome, that the UK is in fact kind and compassionate to those who are trying to rebuild their lives here.

Don't have a spare room?

Maybe you have a friend or family member who does. Consider speaking to them about hosting.

"There are so few times you can do something practical to help. Hosting refugees felt like a practical thing to do."

Refugees at Home is the UK’s largest independent hosting charity, connecting those with a spare room in their home to refugees and people seeking asylum in need of somewhere to stay. Our vision is for every refugee and every person seeking asylum to have a safe place to stay. 

Many of our guests come to us on the verge of homelessness – some have already spent time sleeping on the streets. Since starting in 2016, we have supported over 7,500 guests into hosting, but the need is not going away.

Help4Homeless is a youth-led charity in Peterborough delivering £10 wellbeing packs to people sleeping rough in our city. As our Community Outreach Volunteer, you'll be the eyes and ears of Help4Homeless - heading out into Peterborough to locate rough sleepers, build trusted relationships with them, and report back so we can get packs to the right people at the right time.

No experience needed. Just compassion, reliability, and a genuine desire to help the people in our community who need it most.

What you'll do

• Patrol areas of Peterborough to locate rough sleepers
• Build trusted relationships with people experiencing homelessness
• Report locations and needs to coordinate pack deliveries
• Provide information about available local support services

Requirements

• Age 16 or older
• Must live or work locally in Peterborough
• Willing to undergo background checks

What we're looking for

• Compassion and empathy for people in difficult circumstances
• Good communication skills - comfortable talking to strangers
• Reliable, trustworthy, and able to work independently

Time commitment

Flexible scheduling based on your availability. Most volunteers contribute 2–4 hours per week, but we can work around your schedule. Evening and weekend opportunities are available.

 As an Outreach & Hub Support Volunteer you will make a difference by supporting clients to engage with us in different ways including providing hands on street outreach in line with our assertive outreach approach, and supporting clients in our Hub.

About Crisis

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We believe everyone should have somewhere safe and warm to call home and are committed to ending homelessness. Every year we work side by side with thousands of people from all sections of our communities to help them rebuild their lives and leave homelessness behind for good.

You will contribute to ending homelessness by:

Providing efficient and effective administration and support to the London-wide Services Christmas Case Management Team (CCMT). CCMT support people experiencing homelessness to move on from the Crisis at Christmas project into accommodation and to access relevant services.  We work with our members throughout the year after Christmas and take additional referrals from trusted partner agencies.  We are a pan-London, outreach-based service, committed to ending homelessness for each person we work with.

Core tasks

• Research and identify external services and provision across London that could be beneficial to help our members transition out of homelessness
• Creating and regularly updating a Central Services Spreadsheet accessible to all our London-based member-facing staff
• Contacting services via telephone and email
• Liaising with colleagues within the London-wide Services Teams and the London, Brent and Croydon Skylights
• Work collaboratively with and help support fellow volunteers on the project
• Assist with other general admin tasks (e.g., printing, photocopying, scanning and shredding), as required

Who we are looking for

• Strong IT skills and experienced in using Microsoft Excel and Outlook
• An excellent communicator, confident interacting by phone and email
• Good organisational skills, reliable and able to prioritise tasks
• Able to work efficiently as part of a team and proactively using own initiative
• Friendly, patient and non-judgemental
• Understands the importance of confidentiality and data protection
• Someone passionate about ending homelessness
• Is able to commit to the role for a minimum of six months

What you will gain

• Workplace experience in a national organisation
• The opportunity to share existing skills or develop new skills in a welcoming and supportive environment
• A platform for building confidence
• The opportunity to be part of a friendly team who are committed to ending homelessness
• Full induction and training for the role followed by support and supervision from a dedicated Volunteer Supervisor
• A reference from a reputable organisation

We are looking to grow our Board of Trustees to help to increase our reach, enhance our profile, spread our message and continue to develop sustainably.

We are seeking Trustees who will bring creative vision champion the role art plays in public cohesion and transforming people’s lives.We would like to recruit up to three new Trustees during 2026, ideally with experience of Finance, Fundraising or Artistic Programming.Arts at the Old Fire Station (AOFS) is known and respected for its values-led approach and passion for social change, and all Trustees are expected to share that commitment.  

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are passionate about physical activity and community wellbeing.

Project Resilience provides easily accessible opportunities for our hostel residents to take part in a variety of social and sporting activities to boost overall health and wellbeing.

You will play a key role in promoting healthy lifestyles by delivering fun, inclusive, and accessible physical activity sessions for people of all ages and abilities.

We would welcome qualified instructors from a range of activities such as:

·Boxercise

·Yoga

·Pilates

·Dance

·Football

·Basketball

·Circuit Classes

·Supported Gym workouts

However if you have another sport or activity that you would like to offer our residents, please get in touch!

This role offers a dynamic and rewarding opportunity to inspire and mentor vulnerable residents, contributing to their health and personal growth. Your commitment to excellence in coaching and resident engagement will not only enhance your professional skills but also make a significant impact on the community. 

You will :

·Plan and lead, safe, engaging fitness sessions for small groups of residents

·Adapt exercises to suit varying levels of mobility, ability, and health conditions.

·Monitor participants' safety and wellbeing during sessions.

·Encourage participation and build confidence through motivation and support.

·Log attendance and feedback as required.

·Work in line with safeguarding, health and safety, and risk assessment protocols.

Skills required:

·Recognised Fitness Qualification, Exercise Class Qualification or Sports Qualification, recognised in the UK 

What we will provide:

·Access to communal garden area and nearby fields for outdoor activities

·Access to a small internal gym (bench, weights, exercise equipment)

·You will be required to undertake mandatory e-learning and a menu of optional training will be made available

·Ongoing supervision and support from your line manager

·Travel expenses reimbursed (if applicable).

·Access to events, networking, and training and development opportunities.

Please note, you will be required to undergo a DBS check and we will need details of 2 x referees.

Welcome and Reception Support Volunteer

Bilingual / Multilingual

As a Welcome and Reception support volunteer, you will be an invaluable part of the Manchester Hub team, supporting the hub to deliver vital frontline services. You'll be the first point of contact for clients and visitors, assisting the administration team with reception duties, and supporting the operation of the Shelter office in their day-to-day business 

You’ll act as the first point of contact for our clients, help to understand their needs and help them access necessary support through the duty or appointment services. Being a positive presence in hubs to ensure visitors feel comfortable and welcomed.

This role is an opportunity to make a real difference to the individuals we support. You’ll be developing your own knowledge and skills to support local people with a range of housing issues as well as providing practical support with form filling and providing a friendly, listening ear. You will gain experience of volunteering within a recognised national housing charity, while supporting your local community. 

Suggested Involvement: Approximately one day per week (can be more & can be flexible around your commitments) 

Availability: This volunteering opportunity will take place within our working hours, Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm 

Location: Shelter Manchester Hub, Unit 3, Great North Tower, 5 Watson St, Manchester M3 4EE 

Supervised by: Office Administrator

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why volunteer with Shelter? 

A home is a fundamental human need, as vital as education or healthcare. But in Britain today, that right is denied to millions of people whose lives are blighted by homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. The time for change is now.

As a Welcome and Reception Support Volunteer, you’ll be supporting the day-to-day work of Shelter’s housing advisors as they provide advice, support and guidance to the people visiting the Manchester Hub. 

Volunteers are essential to Shelter’s mission to end housing injustice. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. The insights and life experience our volunteers bring to Shelter are valued as much as their contribution through volunteering. 

We aim to provide our volunteers with a positive experience. This is by prioritising accessibility and tailoring the support we provide to the needs of the individual. We make sure our policies and processes are equitable, which means that no-one is unfairly disadvantaged while volunteering because of their background or identity. 

Main Tasks include 

• Cover reception and greeting people who come to the office. 

• Communicating with clients via phone and email to share updates on their case and to gather information. 

• Assisting clients with form filling, paperwork and applications around housing and benefits. 

• Supporting clients with digital skills, for example navigating online systems and forms. 

• Signposting clients to relevant services and providing useful information. 

• General administrative tasks (e.g. minute-taking, photocopying, scanning, and filing). 

Skills and experience required 

• Fluent in English and one of the following languages: Urdu, Arabic, Tigrinya, Kurdish Sorani 

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to understand the needs of our clients 

• Interest in social welfare law, e.g. housing; welfare benefits; debt; community care 

• The ability to work as part of a team and value and communicate effectively with others

• Confident using Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel and PDF documents to a good standard 

• Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies, including volunteering, health & safety, equality & diversity, confidentiality & data protection 

To enable you take part in this opportunity Shelter will

• Provide a volunteer pack including a Handbook and all Policies and Procedures. 

• Provide an induction into your role.  

• Provide access to our learning on data protection, safeguarding and screen wellness as well as other appropriate role specific training. 

• Reimburse “out of pocket” expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy. 

Benefits of Volunteering with Shelter 

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness. 

• Gain valuable work experience and enhance your CV. 

• Meet new people and be part of a great team. 

• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills. 

Next steps 

Please complete an online application for this role.

Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to a recruitment conversation to discuss the role further. 

Please note, upon offer of role, you will be asked to declare any unspent convictions and undergo a basic DBS check. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us. It may limit the different ways that you can get involved, but please contact us if you require more information. 

This is a voluntary position that supports the work of our services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff. This role profile does not form part of any contract of employment.

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY COACH

Time: Evenings, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (weekly)

Location, Fishermead Supported Accommodation

Connection Support provides a range of services supporting people who may be at risk of homelessness or who require social care. We work with people who may have experienced challenges such as debt, family circumstances, mental health difficulties, substance misuse, being a care leaver, learning disabilities, age-related needs, or physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in helping us provide meaningful activities that improve wellbeing and reduce loneliness.

Could you help prevent loneliness and isolation in your community by running a weekly activity night?

· Do you have 1–2 hours a week in the evening (6:00 pm – 8:00 pm) to support residents by running fun and engaging activities?

· Can we rely on you to commit to a period of up to 12 weeks?

· Can you build positive, professional, and trusting relationships with residents in a friendly and non-judgemental way?

If you can answer “yes”, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

· Planning and hosting a weekly activity evening for residents between 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

· Running activities such as general knowledge quizzes, music rounds, bingo games, picture rounds, and other fun group activities

· Encouraging residents to participate, socialise, and work together

· Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment

· Acting as a positive and supportive role model

Skills Required

· Good communication and people skills

· Ability to engage and encourage people from a range of backgrounds

· Creativity in planning fun activities and games

· Enthusiasm and a positive attitude

· Good organisation and time-keeping

· Experience to enhance your CV and future career opportunities

· Ongoing support and guidance from the team

· Opportunity to request a reference after your volunteering period

Help4Homeless is looking for experienced professionals to join our Governance Committee and help guide the strategic direction of our youth-led charity.

This is a genuinely low-commitment opportunity focused entirely on governance and strategic oversight. There are no operational duties, fundraising targets, or delivery responsibilities, just informed decision-making and supporting the long-term development of the organisation.

We value practical thinking, good judgement, and people who care about making a meaningful difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness.

What you’ll do

• Attend one short monthly governance meeting (online or occasionally in person)
• Contribute to strategic discussions and organisational planning
• Offer professional insight within your area of expertise
• Support good governance, accountability, and decision-making
• Review occasional documents or policies before meetings

We’re looking for

• Professionals with experience in business, finance, legal, operations, HR, safeguarding, governance, or leadership
• People who care about homelessness and social impact
• Strong judgement and collaborative thinking
• Previous charity or board experience is welcome but not essential
• Connections to Peterborough or the surrounding area are a bonus

Time commitment

• One monthly meeting (around 1 hour)
• Approximately 10 minutes of reading beforehand
• Optional annual strategy session (2 hours, lunch included)

Why join us

• Use your professional skills to support meaningful community impact
• Gain experience in charity governance and strategic leadership
• Help shape the future direction of a growing organisation
• Collaborate with passionate and community-minded professionals

£Volunteer - Travel expenses only

Flexible - Monday to Friday

West Midlands Area – based around local treatment services - Bloxwich, Bournville, Coventry, Oldbury,

Perry Barr, Stechford and Wolverhampton

Closing date: 31st August 2026 at 9.00am

Interview date: Rolling Basis

Ref LEP 252

Are you a proactive, collaborative and compassionate individual with proven experience of working positively with adults to engage successfully despite ‘challenging’ behaviour?  Do you have the ability to be a positive role model, demonstrating the virtues of engaging with treatment support services?

If so, St Giles is looking for a Lived Experienced Peer Volunteer to join our team and provide interventions and build meaningful, peer-led relationships with service users to encourage them to engage in drug and alcohol treatment following arrest.

About St Giles Trust
An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need.  Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

About this key role

As a Peer Volunteer, you will increase client engagement with drug and alcohol treatment services by providing vital peer-led support and building trust and motivation among a client group that has been historically disengaged/not offered support previously.  You will provide holistic, short-term intervention to bridge the gap between referral and full treatment engagement, capture client experiences and barriers to improve service design and accessibility and develop a strong service user voice to inform future service improvements.

Areas of support from Peer Volunteers may also include initial engagement and motivation such as welcome calls, check-ins, peer-led conversations and motivational chats over coffee.  You may also offer practical support such as appointment reminders, transport assistance and paperwork support, plus help to build positive routines such as activity-based engagement and supporting small lifestyle changes, including meal planning, budgeting, and time management.

What we are looking for

• Personal experience of the criminal justice system or lived experience of the issues facing this client group (i.e. experience of substance misuse and recovery)
• Proven experience of working in a high intensity environment, being self-motivating, with an ability to effectively manage your own wellbeing
• Knowledge of the issues facing those arrested for potential criminal offences
• Knowledge of, and commitment to, safeguarding practices and policies
• The ability to use monitoring systems to record all aspects of the work
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills, verbal and written.

Please note:  as an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients and successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Child Workforce with Child Barred list DBS.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

To apply visit our website via the apply button.

We will be reviewing applications as they are received and reserve the right to close this advert early if a suitable candidate is appointed. We therefore strongly encourage early applications to avoid any disappointment.

Help4Homeless is looking for an Event Organisation Manager to lead creative fundraising events that directly support people experiencing homelessness in Peterborough. This is a flexible, remote volunteer role where your ideas can turn into real-world impact.

�� About Help4Homeless

Help4Homeless is a youth-led initiative founded in Peterborough with a simple mission: provide practical support to people sleeping rough through £10 wellbeing packs.

Each pack includes essentials like socks, hygiene products, snacks, and warmth items, and 100% of donations go directly into these packs. No admin fees, no overheads, just real help for real people.

�� The Role

As Event Organisation Manager, you’ll take the lead in planning and coordinating fundraising events and campaigns that grow awareness and raise vital funds.

�� Key Responsibilities

• Plan and organise fundraising events (online and community-based)
• Develop creative campaign ideas (e.g. challenges, themed events)
• Coordinate timelines and ensure events run smoothly
• Work with the wider team to promote events and maximise reach
• Track outcomes and suggest improvements for future events

�� Who We’re Looking For

• Organised and proactive
• Interested in event planning, fundraising, or community work
• Creative thinker with strong ideas
• Good communication and teamwork skills
• Passionate about making a difference

No formal experience required, just commitment and initiative.

�� Why Join?

• Make a direct impact in your local community
• Gain hands-on experience in event management and leadership
• Be part of a fast-growing, youth-led project
• Flexible, remote volunteering
• Build skills for future careers

�� Our Current Campaign

We’re currently running “31 Days, 31 Packs” (May 2026), aiming to fund one wellbeing pack per day. Your role will help shape and deliver campaigns like this.

Stories Volunteer

Do you love the challenge of telling a good story? Do you enjoy listening to other people and learning about their experiences? We’re looking for a great communicator with a flair for the written word to help us develop a bank of stories about our volunteers. 

We have more than 2000 volunteers who help us deliver life-changing services, raise money and campaign for change. Our volunteers have a wealth of experiences, backgrounds and stories to tell. We’re looking to capture these stories so we can recognise and demonstrate the impact our volunteers have and share the news of their amazing contribution.

Suggested Involvement: Flexible and ongoing. Approximately 1-2 stories per month.

Location: Remote/online

Supervised by: The Volunteering Team

Main Tasks

• Interviewing volunteers by phone or video call

• Writing up volunteer stories engagingly for various channels e.g. social media, Shelter website, intranet and our volunteer newsletter

• Ensuring permissions are collected and recorded

• Maintaining a positive relationship with the volunteer while interviewing them, writing up their story and following up with any subsequent questions

Skills and experience required

• Experience with writing and publishing pieces either as part of your work, hobby or previous volunteering. 

• Experience with researching and/or interviewing to gather information.

• Accurate spelling and grammar as well as a creative and engaging approach to telling stories.

• Confident use of IT and awareness of online platforms.

• Excellent communication and listening skills. 

• Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies including Volunteering, Data Protection, Confidentiality and Equality & Diversity.

Induction, learning & development

To enable you to take part in this opportunity, Shelter will:

• Provide you with a Volunteer Handbook and all policies and procedures

• Provide an induction into your role

• Provide access to learning on Data Protection, Safeguarding and Screen Wellness

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness

• Gain valuable experience and enhance your CV

• Meet new people and be part of a great team

• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills

Next steps

• Please complete an online application for this role by clicking ‘fill in an application’. 

• After you have applied, we will invite successful candidates to an informal interview to discuss the role further. At this point, we will also you to share a piece you have written of approximately 500-1,000 words.

• Please note, you will be asked to declare any unspent convictions. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us. It may limit the different ways that you can get involved, but please contact us if you require more information.

This is a voluntary position that supports the work of our services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff. This role profile does not form part of any contract of employment. 

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY COACH

Time: Evenings, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (weekly)

Location, Oasis House, Northampton

** Must have experience supporting vulnerable adults **

Connection Support provides a range of services supporting people who may be at risk of homelessness or who require social care. We work with people who may have experienced challenges such as debt, family circumstances, mental health difficulties, substance misuse, being a care leaver, learning disabilities, age-related needs, or physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in helping us provide meaningful activities that improve wellbeing and reduce loneliness.

Could you help prevent loneliness and isolation in your community by running a weekly activity night?

· Do you have 1–2 hours a week in the evening (6:00 pm – 8:00 pm) to support residents by running fun and engaging activities?

· Can we rely on you to commit to a period of up to 12 weeks?

· Can you build positive, professional, and trusting relationships with residents in a friendly and non-judgemental way?

If you can answer “yes”, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

· Planning and hosting a weekly activity evening for residents between 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

· Running activities such as general knowledge quizzes, music rounds, bingo games, picture rounds, and other fun group activities

· Encouraging residents to participate, socialise, and work together

· Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment

· Acting as a positive and supportive role model

Skills Required

· Good communication and people skills

· Ability to engage and encourage people from a range of backgrounds

· Creativity in planning fun activities and games

· Enthusiasm and a positive attitude

· Good organisation and time-keeping

· Experience to enhance your CV and future career opportunities

· Ongoing support and guidance from the team

· Opportunity to request a reference after your volunteering period

The Role:

Our Day Centre provides vital support to individuals experiencing rough sleeping by offering a safe, welcoming space. Here, they can find warmth or shade, enjoy a hot meal, connect with positive company, and engage with essential services in a neutral, supportive environment.

We are currently looking for compassionate and dedicated people to join us in supporting the day-to-day operations of our Day Centre. This role is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping ensure vulnerable members of our community receive the care and support they need.

What you’ll be doing?

• Welcoming and registering attendees 
• Managing refreshments – providing tea, coffee and biscuits to our clients
• Assisting with serving food
• Supporting staff with the delivery of activities
• Helping to set up, clean and tidy at the end of the session
• Chatting with our clients and occasionally playing games

Desirable skills and qualities:

Your enthusiasm for our cause and your willingness to get stuck in are the most important, along with a calm and friendly manner, good listening skills and having empathy for our clients.

What’s in it for you?

• The feel-good factor that comes from doing something worthwhile which makes a real difference to people's lives
• Full induction into the role
• Access to free training courses through Julian House
• Learning new skills, such as basic hospitality and customer service skills

DBS Checks and references

Our services aim to reflect the diversity of the communities they’re based in. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, and particularly people with lived experience.

All applicants who volunteer with our clients will be expected to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. A criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from becoming a volunteer, the decision will depend on the type of offence and its relevance to the role. If you would like to discuss any convictions you may have, please contact the person named in the advert.

All information will be dealt with according to our Data Protection Policy. We also request contact details for us to obtain references, ideally we need two.

Get in touch

To find out more, just click on the Application tab above and submit your contact details, so we can call you for an initial chat, no need to worry about a CV or letter.

We look forward to speaking with you soon!