128 Housing management volunteer roles

Join us in shaping the next chapter at Harrison Housing

We have a proud history, a clear purpose and an ambitious future.

We are looking to recruit a Chair of Trustees and Three Trustee. These are all voluntary roles based in London.

Founded in 1869, Harrison Housing supports older people through almshouse and social housing. Today, we provide 75 sheltered homes and 19 general-needs homes, and manage a further 139 properties across London for other almshouse providers. Our purpose is safe, well-maintained homes for older people in housing and financial need and our vision is supporting residents to live independently. We are building on our strong foundations to support more people, strengthen almshouse partnerships and improve our homes and services.

Chair of Trustees

We are seeking an inspiring, collaborative and strategic leader to chair our Board and help shape Harrison Housing's next chapter. You will lead an effective Board, provide strategic direction and constructive challenge, work closely with the Chief Executive, and ensure strong governance, financial oversight and risk management. You will keep residents and our charitable purpose at the heart of decision-making, lead Board development and succession planning, and represent Harrison Housing with key stakeholders. Previous Chair experience is desirable but not essential. You will have senior leadership, governance, committee or Board experience, sound judgement and an understanding of the challenges facing people in social housing.

Commitment: On average 4–6 hours per month, including quarterly Board meetings and an annual Strategy Away Day.

The current Chair's term ends in February 2027. The successful candidate will join ahead of this, including the December 2026 Board meeting as part of the handover.

Three Trustees

We are seeking three new Trustee to bring skills, experience and fresh perspectives to our Board.

Previous Trustee experience is not required. We are looking for sound judgement, strategic insight, constructive challenge and commitment to our purpose.

We are looking for candidates who understand the challenges of a small organisation and will particularly welcome expertise in:

• Financial strategy and sustainability
• Strategic growth and organisational development
• Property and asset strategy
• Fundraising and income generation
• Resident engagement and the resident voice
• Social housing or the almshouse sector
• Governance, regulation or public bodies

Collectively, Trustees oversee strategy, performance, finances, risk and governance, ensuring residents and our charitable purpose remain central to decisions.

Commitment: Trustees are expected to attend 4 Board Meetings per annum plus a Strategy Day. They are also expected to take part in a Committee in accordance with their skills, interests & experience (an additional 4 Meetings per annum).

For both roles, you will bring:

• Commitment to Harrison Housing's purpose and values
• Strategic thinking and sound judgement
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Collaborative working and constructive challenge
• Integrity, openness and accountability
• Commitment to good governance and equality, diversity and inclusion

Knowledge of social housing, almshouses, charity governance or regulation is an advantage. We particularly welcome people who can bring new perspectives, professional expertise or lived experience to our Board.

Why Harrison Housing?

 These voluntary roles offer the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to older people's lives and help shape the future of an organisation with a long and proud history.

You will help us provide safe, good-quality homes, support independent living, reach more people, strengthen almshouse partnerships across London and build a strong, sustainable and well-governed organisation.

For more information on the positions please download the attached recruitment packs.

Key dates

Chair Closing date: 9am, Monday 28 September 2026 Interview: week commencing 19 October 2026

Trustees/NEDs  Closing date: Monday 19 October 2026 Interview: Monday 26 October 2026

How to apply Please submit:

• CV: Maximum 3 pages, covering your current/most recent roles and relevant experience from the last 10 years.
• Personal statement: Maximum 3 pages, explaining your motivation, why Harrison Housing interests you, and the experience, skills and perspective you would bring.

All Trustees are subject to a DBS check, paid for by Harrison Housing. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed in line with our policies.

Harrison Housing is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people from all backgrounds, including lived experience.

Chair of the Board — United St Saviour's Charity

For almost 500 years, we've supported Southwark's communities. Now we're looking for a new Chair to help lead our next chapter — including delivering the RIBA Stirling Prize-winning legacy of Appleby Blue into a bold ten-year strategy.

United St Saviour's Charity is a place-based community investor in Southwark, providing almshouses, grant-funding and community programmes that build resilience and connection across the borough. Over the last decade we've nearly doubled our housing provision and delivered Appleby Blue — a social housing development for older people that went on to win the RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK's most prestigious architecture award.

This role is for you if:

• You have board leadership experience, ideally including previous experience chairing a board or significant committee
• You've held senior leadership roles within a medium-to-large charity or purpose-driven organisation, ideally through periods of growth, complexity or strategic change
• You bring strength in one or more of: housing and property development, organisational governance, community development, or finance and accounting
• You have a genuine, lived or learned understanding of Southwark and its communities
• You're as comfortable challenging and questioning as you are supporting — leading with influence rather than authority

What you'll do

As Chair, you'll lead our Board of Trustees and work in close partnership with our Chief Executive, Martyn Craddock, providing support, guidance and constructive challenge to help the organisation deliver its strategic plan. You'll ensure the charity remains well governed, financially sustainable, and focused on delivering lasting impact for the people of Southwark — while acting as an ambassador for our values, purpose and reputation, including in situations that require urgent decision-making.

You'll be joining at a pivotal moment: we're scaling up our housing development pipeline, delivering a new Community Investment Strategy for 2025–2030, and increasingly being asked to share what we've learned with other boroughs and housing providers as our national influence grows.

Location and time commitment

Based in the London Borough of Southwark — Board and committee meetings take place at our offices and almshouses. This is a voluntary role (reasonable expenses met) requiring approximately 2–3 days a month, including four Board meetings a year, a Strategy and Reflection Day, and membership of one to two committees.

How to apply

Send a CV and covering letter to Alison Benzimra, Director of Strategy and Operations by 14 October 2026, setting out why you're interested and how your skills, experience and background fit what we're looking for. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with a panel drawn from the Board in 23 November 2026.

For almost 500 years, we've supported Southwark's communities. Now we're looking for two new Trustees to help shape our next chapter — including building on the legacy of Appleby Blue, our RIBA Stirling Prize-winning almshouse.

United St Saviour's Charity is a place-based community investor in Southwark, providing almshouses, grant-funding and community programmes that build resilience and connection across the borough. Over the last decade we've nearly doubled our housing provision and delivered Appleby Blue — a social housing development for older people that went on to win the RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK's most prestigious architecture award.

This role is for you if:

• You understand what effective governance looks like — strategic planning, risk management, and change management
• You have a strong lived or learned understanding of Southwark and its communities, including both local strengths and the barriers that affect opportunity and wellbeing
• You bring experience in one or more of: housing and property development, organisational governance, community development, or finance and accounting
• You're comfortable raising challenge and disagreeing constructively, while standing by decisions the Board reaches collectively
• You have a good level of IT literacy
• No previous trustee or board experience is required — a genuine willingness to learn matters just as much

What you'll do

As a Trustee, you'll share collective responsibility for our governance, working alongside fellow Trustees and the Chair to hold the organisation to a clear strategy, ensure our assets and resources are used well You'll contribute your own skills and experience to strengthen the Board's decision-making, sit on at least one, and up to two, committees, and act as an ambassador for the charity's values and reputation.

You'll be joining at a pivotal moment: we're scaling up our housing development pipeline, delivering a new Community Investment Strategy for 2025–2030, and increasingly being asked to share what we've learned with other boroughs and housing providers as our national influence grows.

We're looking for people with experience in one or more of:

• Organisational development and governance — overseeing organisational development, governance, HR, or strategic oversight
• Community development — community work and wealth, charitable organisations, social investment, or grant-making
• Housing, land and property — housing, property development, planning, property management or property investment
• Finance and accounting — accounting, financial management, investment portfolios, and managing financial risk responsibly

You don't need all four — one or more is enough. Alongside that, we're looking for a strong lived or learned understanding of Southwark and the communities we serve, and a good level of IT literacy. No previous trustee or board experience is required.

Location and time commitment

Based in the London Borough of Southwark — Board and committee meetings take place at our offices and almshouses. This is a voluntary role (reasonable expenses met) requiring four Board meetings a year, a Strategy and Reflection Day, and membership of one to two committees, each typically meeting four times a year.

How to apply

Send a CV and covering letter to Alison Benzimra, Director of Strategy and Operations, by 14 October 2026, setting out why you're interested and how your skills, experience and background fit what we're looking for. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with a panel drawn from the Board in November 2026.

Finance Trustee (and Co-Chair, Finance, Audit & Risk Committee)

Help end homelessness and shape the future of one of the UK's leading charities.

At Crisis, we believe that homelessness should not exist, and together we can end it. Our bold 10-year strategy is already driving change but with homelessness rising and funding challenges increasing, we know we must think differently, act courageously, and inspire more people to join us. For the first time in Crisis' nearly 60-year history, we are also becoming a direct housing provider.

We are now seeking an exceptional finance leader to join our Board of Trustees and help guide the organisation through an exciting and ambitious phase of our work.

This is an opportunity for a senior finance professional to use their expertise and strategic insight to influence decisions at the highest level, strengthen organisational resilience, and help drive lasting change for people experiencing homelessness across the UK.

About Crisis

We are the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We help people out of homelessness and campaign for the changes needed to solve it altogether.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do. We're bold in our ambition, impactful in our approach, collaborative in how we work and equitable in championing fairness and inclusion.

About the role

As a Trustee, you will play a vital part in ensuring Crisis remains well governed, financially sustainable, and focused on achieving its mission.

Alongside the statutory responsibilities of being a trustee, you will bring specialist financial expertise to the Board and co-chair our Finance, Audit and Risk Committee. You will also contribute to oversight of our growing housing delivery function through membership of the relevant committee.

Working alongside fellow trustees and senior leaders, you will help shape long-term strategy, scrutinise performance, oversee risk, and ensure the organisation remains accountable, transparent and financially strong.

We are looking for someone with:

• Significant senior leadership experience with responsibility for organisational finances.
• The ability to interpret complex financial information and assess the longer-term financial implications of strategic decisions.
• Experience of organisational governance, either as a trustee, non-executive director or member of a senior leadership team. Experience of chairing or serving on a Finance, Audit or Risk Committee.
• Strong understanding of financial risk management, audit, compliance, internal controls and organisational sustainability.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A commitment to collaborative governance and collective decision-making.
• A genuine passion for Crisis' mission and a determination to help end homelessness.
• Knowledge of charity accounting (SORP) and Charity Commission requirements is desirable but not essential.
• ACA, ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW or equivalent accounting qualification desirable but not essential.

What you'll bring

We're looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with sound judgement and a collaborative approach. You'll be a trusted adviser who can challenge constructively, contribute to robust debate, and support effective decision-making. Most importantly, you'll share our belief that homelessness can be ended and be committed to helping make that vision a reality.

Diversity is hugely important to us at Crisis, and we want to make sure that our Trustees, staff and volunteers represent communities we support. As we continue to strengthen and broaden the perspectives represented on our Board, we particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of homelessness, whose insight is invaluable to our work. We also encourage applications from people from LGBTQ+ communities, ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, and others who bring experiences and viewpoints that can contribute to a more inclusive and effective Board. Above all, we welcome candidates who share our values and are passionate about creating positive change.

Time commitment: Overall, the role requires approximately one day per month.

• Board meetings: Six meetings per year, held in person at Crisis locations across the UK. Two are full-day meetings and at least one includes an overnight stay.
• Finance, Audit and Risk Committee: Monthly online meetings.
• Housing Committee: Quarterly online meetings.
• Additional engagement: Occasional advice and support between meetings.

Remuneration

This is a voluntary, unremunerated trustee role.

Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. We are also committed to removing barriers to participation and may consider support where loss of earnings would otherwise prevent involvement.

Term of appointment

Trustees are appointed for an initial three-year term, with the opportunity to be reappointed for a second term.

This is a rare opportunity to use your financial leadership and governance expertise to make a tangible difference to the lives of thousands of people experiencing homelessness.

If you are an experienced finance leader who wants to contribute your skills to a cause of national importance, we would love to hear from you, whether your background is in the private, public or voluntary sector.

How to apply:

Please apply by submitting a copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter, not exceeding two pages, highlighting your suitability for the position and why you are interested.  You can apply via our website, Crisis Jobs, or by using the links contained in the 'Additional Resources' documents below.

Please also let us know if you require an informal conversation prior to applying for this role.  All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

· Closing date: 9 October 2026

· Interviews held on: 2 November 2026

· Location: Central London, in-person.

Please let us know if you anticipate any issues with these dates

Here at One YMCA we wouldn’t be able to do the work that we do without the amazing volunteer staff that help run the day-to-day operations of the hostels and supported living facilities. These vital roles are open to all YMCA residents, and we are currently looking for volunteers to help out with our accommodation.

What do we do?

We run hostels across the Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire areas with over 400 rooms. In addition to this, we run programmes for those needing supported housing including asylum seekers.

Helping to run an activity that enables our Residents to flourish in body, mind and spirit. Responsibilities would include:

• Helping to plan and advertise the group in conjunction with the Activity Leader
• Proactively engaging with Residents and staff to encourage participation in the activity
• Helping the Activity Leader to organise and run the activity
• Be a non-judgemental, approachable presence to enable the most vulnerable Residents to take part
• Maintaining records of participation
• Signposting residents to other groups & support available
• Attend regular volunteer team meetings
We can discuss together the nature of the activity, taking into account your skills & passion as well as the current needs within the scheme.

Training/Support:
• A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided
• A menu of optional training will be made available
• Online training: Safeguarding (adults & young people), Fire
Awareness, Manual Handling
• Ongoing support and regular 1:1 meetings with your line-manager
• Team meetings and social events
• Mileage and expenses may be payable

• You will undergo a DBS check as the role involves adults at risk (we will apply for and fund this)
• Two references may be undertaken prior to start

We also have opportunities to support residents in other way and can be flexible with roles!

Help Shape Aspire Oxfordshire's Next 25 Years

As Aspire Oxfordshire approaches its 25th anniversary, we are looking for new Trustees to help shape the next chapter of our journey.

For almost 25 years, Aspire has supported people across Oxfordshire experiencing homelessness, poverty and disadvantage to build safer, healthier and more independent lives. Through supported accommodation, employment and training, homelessness prevention and personalised support, we help people create lasting change.

As we look ahead, we have ambitious plans to grow our impact, strengthen partnerships, increase fundraising and continue delivering high-quality, person-centred services. We are seeking passionate, values-led individuals to join our Board and help guide our future.

As a Trustee, you will provide strategic leadership, constructive challenge and oversight, working alongside fellow Trustees and our Executive Leadership Team to ensure Aspire remains well governed, financially sustainable and focused on delivering the greatest possible impact.

Previous Trustee experience is not essential. We welcome people who share our values, bring professional expertise and want to make a positive difference. A full induction and ongoing support will be provided.

We are particularly interested in people with experience in:

Fundraising, Communications and Social Media
Helping diversify income, build supporter engagement and raise Aspire's profile.

Charity Governance and Employment
Knowledge of the charity sector, governance, HR or employment law to support good governance and organisational development.

Social Housing and Welfare
Experience of housing, homelessness, welfare benefits or housing policy to strengthen our understanding of the sector and the people we support.

Charity Finance and Risk Management
Experience in finance, accountancy, audit or risk management to support effective financial oversight and long-term sustainability.

As a Trustee you will:

• Help shape Aspire's strategic direction.
• Ensure strong governance, compliance and financial sustainability.
• Provide independent support and constructive challenge.
• Act in the best interests of the charity and the people we support.
• Champion Aspire and help strengthen partnerships and opportunities.

Time Commitment

The role is voluntary and designed to fit alongside professional and personal commitments.

Trustees will typically attend:

• Four hybrid Board meetings each year.
• Four online meetings each year as a member of one Board sub-committee.
• Occasional additional meetings or events where appropriate.

Why Join Aspire?

This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference while helping shape the future of an ambitious and growing charity. You'll work alongside an experienced and supportive Board, helping more people secure safe housing, employment and independence.

Aspire Oxfordshire is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We believe a diverse Board leads to stronger governance and better outcomes for the communities we serve.

Join us as we celebrate 25 years of changing lives—and help shape the next 25 years.

If you are passionate about making a difference and would like to use your skills and experience to support a growing local charity, we would love to hear from you.

Whether this is your first Trustee role or you are an experienced Board member, if you share our values and believe everyone deserves the opportunity to build a safe, independent and fulfilling life, we encourage you to apply.

Together, we can help shape Aspire Oxfordshire's next 25 years.

Join Our Board: Chair-Elect & Trustee Opportunities
 

Cambridge House is an equity-based multiservice social action charity established in 1889 and now
working across 29 London and 17 English and Welsh local authorities.

Our services include a Law Centre, statutory advocacy services, disabled peoples empowerment services, and advice services for private rented sector tenants.

We Transform Lives through personalised, place-based access-to-justice and resilience-building services
for families and people facing crisis, deprivation and social inequity.

We Transform Society by producing evidence, research and thought leadership to improve policy and
practice and challenge structural barriers.

We’re particularly looking for people with the following knowledge and experience:
▪ Frontline delivery — charity services in community settings, particularly legal/advice
▪ Campaigning & influencing — political/parliamentary affairs at a national level
▪ Commissioning & systems — public sector commissioning across welfare, health, housing,
refugee/asylum and/or social care
▪ Strategic enablers — AI in the workplace/service delivery, or marketing/communications/PR, or donor
development/corporate partnerships and fundraising
Diversity and Inclusion

To address underrepresentation on our current Board, we especially welcome applications from people
with lived experience of insecure housing/homelessness, the welfare/disability benefits system, and/or
minoritised faith/language groups, and people who are:
▪ Queer/LGBTQIA+ and/or from Black, Asian and global majority communities
▪ Women or Trans/Non-binary
▪ Disabled, neurodiverse and/or living with a mental or physical health condition

St Basils is looking for a new Non-Exec Director / Trustee with Marketing & Communications experience to join our Board

About Us

St Basils works with young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, to enable them to find and keep a home, grow their confidence, develop their skills, increase opportunities and ultimately prevent homelessness.

We help just over 4,000 young people each year across the West Midlands, with services in Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Solihull, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Our services range from providing supported accommodation to outreach, advice, support, employability and engagement services to help young people regain the stability they need to rebuild their lives, gain skills, confidence and employment and move on. The aim is to help them successfully break the ‘cycle of homelessness’ so that they can go on to experience a bright, fulfilling future and never return to a state where they are at risk of homelessness again.

About our Board

We are a registered provider of social housing, a charity and a company limited by guarantee, meaning our Board members are both Directors and Trustees.

To navigate our challenging regulatory landscape, we need to be tightly governed. At the heart of this is a Board with the right knowledge, values, skills and diversity, all whilst working towards our vision that homelessness should not be part of growing up.

As a member of St Basils’ Board, you will be a guardian of St Basils’ charitable purpose. You will be responsible for holding the Senior Leadership Team to account through constructive challenge and support, and for ensuring St Basils’ strategic priorities are met.

You will form part of St Basils’ governance framework, providing oversight of key business areas, such as business planning, safeguarding, risk, finance, health and safety, EDI and business development. 

Our Board is made up of 14 members, 2 of which are designated for young people who have lived experience of homelessness and / or St Basils’ services.

St Basils has adopted the RACE Equality Code and is actively seeking applications from those from Black communities to ensure our Board is reflective of both the young people that we serve and our dedicated workforce.

About the Role

We are looking for a voluntary Director / Trustee with expertise in marketing, communications and/or public engagement to increase the reach of our campaigns. Our new Board member will need to strong networking and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to open doors and build relationships.

As our Marketing & Communications Board Member, you will:

· Ensure marketing initiatives align with the organisation’s goals and regulatory requirements.

· Support St Basils’ PR and marketing initiatives by bringing knowledge of current marketing tools

· Help identify opportunities to increase the visibility and impact of St Basils’ campaigns.

· Leverage personal and professional networks to enhance the charity’s reach, partnerships and fundraising potential.

· Work closely with the Director of Income Generation & Value Capture to ensure St Basils’ marketing and communications strategies are being implemented effectively.

• Contribute to trustee discussions and decisions on broader charity strategy, risk management and financial oversight.

Our new Director / Trustee will sit on our Business Support & Audit Committee which oversees central functions, including Finance, HR, Fundraising and Marketing. This committee meets virtually, one a quarter.

Although the role is voluntary, reasonable expenses will be paid for costs incurred in undertaking the role.

About You

You will be an experienced professional in marketing, communications, PR or brand strategy, ideally with experience in the youth or homelessness sectors.

You will demonstrate sound judgement and be able to challenge confidently and constructively, although you do not need to have Board experience.

Understanding of governance and the responsibilities of a charity trustee is desirable, but training will be provided.

You will work within the principles of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and understand the needs of the diverse young people we serve.

You will put the needs of young people first, be passionate about ending youth homelessness and share our mission, vision and principles.

Time Commitment

You will need to be able to attend the majority of Board and Committee meetings, one of each is held each quarter (8 meetings total per year). Each meeting will last around 2 hours and will normally be held late afternoon/early evening (usually 4pm – 6pm). Board meetings are held in person at St Basils’ Head Office in Birmingham, and Committee meetings are held virtually via Microsoft Teams. The dates for meetings are set by calendar year, towards the end of the previous year.

Meeting papers will be shared via an online portal one week in advance of the meeting to allow for sufficient preparation time.

A Board away day is held each year, usually October, and every other year this includes an overnight stay. This will be fully paid for by St Basils.

We encourage Board members to visit our accommodation services to deepen understanding of our work and support effective governance and decision-making. We would like all Board members to make 2 visits a year if possible.

All travel expenses incurred in attending Board meetings / conducting site visits will be reimbursed by St Basils.

What’s in it for you?

We offer a series of essential online training courses (for example GDPR, Cyber Security, EDI, Safeguarding, Risk Management) and the opportunity to do additional online or in-person training, such as Psychologically Informed Environment training. As part of our commitment to race equality, we provide mandatory Anti-Racism training for all staff and Board members.

You will be part of a knowledgeable and supportive Board and have the opportunity to work alongside young people with lived experience.

You will have the guidance of a knowledgeable Chair to support your development as a Director / Trustee, and you will have access to St Basils’ Senior Leadership Team to help you fulfil your role.

St Basils is a learning organisation and therefore we are able to support and develop Board members who are new to the role. In addition, St Basils has membership with the Board Development Agency, which provides our Board Members with access to webinars and development tools specific to housing sector Boards.

Being a Director / Trustee at St Basils is more than just attending meetings – if you would like to contribute to an organisation that has young people at its core, where you can visibly see the difference you are making, then this is the role for you.

For further information please see the link to the full job pack.

We welcome early applications and will interview on a rolling basis.

RETAIL VOLUNTEER SUPERVISOR  

Faversham Shop

Are you ready to develop your retail and leadership skills?... Then this could be the volunteer role for you! We're looking for enthusiastic people to support the management teams in running one of our fabulous community shops.

From helping to recruit new volunteers and leading the shop team when the manager is off, to driving sales and donations and creating eye catching window displays this is a varied and engaging role that will have an impact on the store, the local community and the fight to defend the right to a safe home.

Because Home is Everything

Suggested Involvement: It’s up to you! We have volunteers who support for one hour a week and others who volunteer more. Many people volunteer for a morning or an afternoon each week, but we’ll have a chat about your availability after you’ve applied. 

Availability: The shop is open Monday - Saturday 09:00-17:00 and Sunday 10:00-17:00

Location: Shop in Faversham

Supervised by: Community Shop Manager 

Why get involved with Shelter? Home is a human right. It's our foundation and it's where we thrive. Yet, every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency. 

We are passionate about what we do and are proud to give pre-loved items a second chance and represent Shelter on the High Street.  Our shop teams ensure fighting the housing emergency never felt so fun.

Main Tasks can include:  

• Supporting our Community Shop Managers to run an exciting and inviting store.  
• Using the till system to process sales, refunds and Gift Aid 
• Opening and/or closing the shop, including cashing up at the end of the day 
• Supporting other volunteers
• Using and updating our volunteer database
• Providing excellent customer service 
• Photographing and selling key items on our online shop 

• Creating posts to promote our shops on Instagram

Skills and Experiences Required: Not essential as full training will be provided, however some retail or supervisory experience would be beneficial, as would confidence in the use of technology.

What’s important to us is that you want to be part of our team and come ready to share your individual skills and experiences.  

We do ask for a willingness to follow Shelter’s policies, including volunteering, health & safety, equality & diversity, safeguarding, confidentiality & data protection.  

You will be required to complete some essential learning and a full induction before you start in this role. 

Induction, Learning and Development: To enable you to take part in this opportunity Shelter will:  

• Provide you with a Volunteer Handbook and all relevant policies and procedures
• Provide learning including Health and Safety, Data Protection and Safeguarding

• Provide an on-the-job induction  
• Pay “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 in a supervisory role 
• Be part of a great team, both in your shop and within Shelter Retail 
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills 
• Enhance your CV – this is the perfect role for you to demonstrate the step from sales advisor to supervisory/management roles  
• Opportunities to develop your retail skills further out at events like Charity Supermarket and pop-up shops 

What Our Volunteers Say:

“Shelter was one of the first physical places where I felt I could fully be myself."

“Genuinely the highlight of my week. Feel like I’m part of something bigger.”

“Helping in the shop gives me satisfaction and gives me a place to go if feeling lonely and down.”

Next Steps: Please complete an application form online. After you have applied, we will review your application and invite successful candidates to attend a recruitment conversation.

Please note, you will be asked to declare any unspent convictions. As the role you are applying for has been designated as a regulated role, we will require you to undertake a basic Criminal Record 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.  

At Chestnut Tree House, making memories for families is at the heart of what we do. We're looking for skilled sewing volunteers with their own sewing machine to help transform treasured clothing into memory bears and keepsakes through our Material Memories service. Using a supplied pattern and guidance from our support workers, you'll create unique items that reflect each family's wishes. Volunteers attend monthly sewing groups to collect materials and discuss projects, then complete the work at home. By sharing your sewing skills, you'll help create lasting keepsakes that bring comfort and connection to families for years to come.

This role is ideal for experienced needle workers who have their own sewing machine and are happy to work on projects at home. We hold monthly sewing groups, where you'll receive materials, chat through briefs, and meet other volunteers (you'll need to bring your machine with you). There may also be opportunities to help repair and restore memory blankets for the children and young people who use Chestnut Tree House.

You will need a car to attend the monthly sewing groups because of the location.

Please note you must be over 18 to apply for this role.

Monday to Friday (any day welcome) 2 to 4pm (However happy to consider mornings in our High Wycombe hostel Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays)

We are looking for a friendly and reliable Resident Engagement Support Volunteer to help create a welcoming and positive environment for residents living in our accommodation in Welwyn Garden City, Hatfied and High Wycombe hostels.

This is a flexible role that will begin with a focus on befriending and social connection. Volunteers will help open the residents’ café, serve teas and coffees, and spend time chatting with residents to help build rapport and reduce social isolation.

As confidence and relationships develop, the role can be shaped around the volunteer’s interests, skills and ideas. We welcome volunteers who may wish to support additional activities such as games, quizzes, crafts, wellbeing activities, cooking sessions, or sharing practical life skills.

No specialist experience is required - just a warm approach, good listening skills and a willingness to engage with people.

Key Responsibilities

· Opening and helping run the residents’ café during the afternoon session.

· Preparing and serving teas, coffees and refreshments.

· Offering a friendly welcome to residents.

· Spending time talking with residents and building positive relationships.

· Encouraging residents to take part in social activities, signposting to staff where additional support is needed.

· Supporting or helping to organise simple activities such as board games, crafts or quizzes.

· Sharing personal skills or hobbies where appropriate (for example cooking, baking or creative activities).

· Co-designing activities based on resident feedback and interest

· Work alongside staff to create a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for residents.

· Uphold One YMCA’s safeguarding, confidentiality, and health & safety policies at all times.

Skills / Abilities / Experience / Qualities

· Friendly, approachable, and non-judgemental.

· Good listening and communication skills.

· Flexible, reliable, and willing to help in a variety of ways.

· Creativity and good knowledge on specific activities to be delivered

· Able to work as part of a team while respecting professional boundaries.

· Experience of working or volunteering with vulnerable people who may have experienced challenges such as homelessness and mental health (desirable). Volunteers should be able to respond with empathy to residents' emotions, maintain appropriate boundaries, and recognise when concerns or situations need to be escalated to a member of staff.

· Respectful of diversity and inclusive of people from all backgrounds.

Training / Support

· A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided.

· Requirement to undertake One YMCA online training courses, including safeguarding; Health & Safety Awareness and Manual Handling where appropriate.

· To understand and implement One YMCA’s policies.

· Ongoing support and regular 1:1 meetings with your line manager

· Access to organisational events throughout the year including a Volunteer’s Celebration and Annual conference

Additional Information

· You will be required to undergo a DBS check

· Two references will be required

Do you enjoy organising, sorting, and bringing order to busy spaces? Our Goods Sorting Volunteer role is a vital way to make a real difference behind the scenes and to the people we serve. 

At Wycombe Homeless Connection, we are fortunate to receive generous donations of food, clothing, and essential items from individuals and groups in our community. These items are part of our emergency response for people experiencing a housing crisis, including those who are homeless. They are given out to help people get through immediate, difficult situations and meet basic needs with dignity.

Keeping everything sorted, stocked, and easy to access means we can respond quickly when someone needs urgent support and that’s where you come in.

Our goods sorting team meets regularly to process donations, organise storage areas, and make sure our emergency supplies are ready to go when they are needed most.

What you’ll be doing

• Sorting donations by type, size, and best-before dates. 
• Emptying, labelling, and refilling storage boxes. 
• Organising cupboards and storage areas so emergency items are easy to find. 
• Helping keep spaces tidy, clear, and well organised. 
• Occasionally transporting surplus items to charity shops or other locations.

What the role is like

This is a practical, hands-on role where small tasks make a real difference to people in urgent need. A well-organised shelf or clearly labelled box can mean someone in a housing crisis gets essential support quickly.

You’ll be working alongside a friendly team of volunteers, sharing tasks, chatting as you go, and helping keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Who this role suits

This role is ideal for someone who:

• Enjoys organising, sorting, and tidying. 
• Likes working as part of a team. 
• Is organised and able to work efficiently. 
• Is comfortable with light physical activity, including moving boxes and goods.

What we offer

You’ll receive full induction and role-specific training so you feel confident and supported from day one. Wycombe Homeless Connection is an award-winning charity with a small, experienced team working closely with dedicated volunteers who make this work possible.

Without volunteers, we simply couldn’t do what we do.

When you’ll volunteer

10:00am – 12:30pm, one Wednesday per month

Flexible, occasional commitment based on your availability

Interested?

If you’d like to find out more, we’d love to hear from you.

Swimming sessions are available to families on weekly or fortnightly evenings, weekends or weekdays at Chestnut Tree House. The swimming sessions allow families to enjoy life and make memories together in a safe and specially adapted environment.

You will be supporting staff and families, helping to set up the equipment needed and making everyone feel at home. You will be trained to spot if there are problems and act accordingly alongside qualified staff.

Please note a car is required to access Chestnut Tree House due to it's location.

Please note this role is to start in September when additional training will be required.

Bespoke training is provided by the hospice so we ask for volunteers who would be willing to give a longer term (1 year +) commitment to the role.

Please note you must be over 18 to apply for this role.

Client Feedback Volunteer

Shelter Norfolk

Are you comfortable speaking with people? Would you like to gather meaningful data for Shelter while you do so?

Information about the role

In this role, you’ll be phoning people who have previously contacted Shelter for advice. The purpose is to gather feedback from them on their experience with Shelter and how that has impacted upon their housing and general wellbeing. This helps us identify the impacts our service is having, and whether there is anything we should do differently.

Location: Shelter Hub, Norwich

Suggested contribution: One day per week (can be flexible around your commitments).

Availability: Volunteering will take place at a time that suits you, within Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm

The above is the essential information you need to know. You can apply now by clicking ‘fill in an application’ or read on more for details.

Main activities may include:

· Phoning clients around 8-10 weeks after they accessed our services.

· Asking clients set questions to gather information on their experiences with Shelter and the difference it has made to them.

· Recording the phone calls and the responses given onto our client database (CRM).

· Presenting findings from the feedback calls in an accessible format e.g. using Word or Excel.

· Identifying key findings and/or trends and sharing with a relevant team member.

This role fights the housing emergency by identifying the impacts our advice services are having on clients, as well as whether there’s any changes we should make.

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter

Volunteers are essential to Shelter’s mission to end housing injustice. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. The insights and life experiences 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.

Your skills and experience

The volunteer in this role will need to have basic IT skills, be comfortable speaking over the telephone and be considerate of their language and tone. We also recommend the volunteer to have some resilience to potentially challenging conversations. But the most important thing is that you care about fighting the housing emergency!

Supporting you

· You will be provided with an induction into your role, access to relevant learning and a copy of our volunteer handbook.

· The role, including learning and communications, are flexible, so can be tailored so they best suit your needs and preferences.

· You will be able to claim reasonable volunteering expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy. Where financial circumstances would be a barrier to volunteering, we may be able to offer these funds in advance.

· You will be able to access our volunteer support package, including our colleague assistance programme and Shelter’s network of mental health first aiders.

Next steps

You can apply for this role by clicking ‘fill in an application’. If you need to apply by an alternative method, please contact us to see what options are available.

We will then get back to you about your application. Shortlisted applicants will have a recruitment conversation to discuss the role further.

Upon offer of role, you will be asked to declare any unspent convictions and complete a basic level Criminal Record Check. Having a criminal record does not automatically mean you can’t volunteer with us. We will have a conversation with you to discuss the convictions in relation to the role you have applied for. Sometimes it may limit the ways you can get involved. Please contact us if you require more information.