Learning volunteer roles

Join the pack. Lend a hand. Change lives. Join your local fundraising group as a volunteer.

Are you looking for a volunteering opportunity where you can meet new people and raise funds that will change lives?  Join a Guide Dogs group near you for fun, fundraising and four-legged friends.

Did you know it costs £102,000 to raise, train, and support a guide dog from birth to retirement.

We have a range of roles from being a group member, to taking on a lead role such as Group Coordinator, Deputy Coordinator, Treasurer, Merchandise Coordinator or Collection Box Coordinator.

Why become a fundraising volunteer:

As well as making a huge difference to people’s lives, volunteering with your local Guide Dogs fundraising group is a great way to spend some of your free time and give back.

• Inspire people to support Guide Dogs and make a difference to someone with sight loss.
• Have fun finding new events and places to volunteer at.
• You’ll meet lots of special dogs – from young puppies in training to incredible guide dogs in partnership.
• You’ll empower others to get involved with Guide Dogs.
• You’ll learn new skills and we’ll provide all the training you need for your role.
• You can take on as much or as little as you want, and you can fit the role around your other commitments.

Who you are:

We appreciate our volunteers’ passion and energy, but we also value your unique skills, perspectives and personalities.

• Inspire others: Do you have lots of ideas that could motivate others? We need more inspirational volunteer leaders and fundraisers who can bring their energy and unique perspective to our local fundraising groups.

• Bring your skills: Could you help organise a calendar of events, take care of ordering merchandise, or count the funds raised by your local team? We need more volunteer treasurers, secretaries, and merchandise coordinators to support our fundraising groups.

• Help take Guide Dogs into your community: Are you well connected or do you love going to new places and meeting new people? We need more volunteer fundraisers to help at our events and spread the word about our work.

Training and pre-agreed expenses available.

Visit our webiste to see what roles are available where you live. 

Volunteer Project & Outreach Assistant (Youth & Community Development)Help shape opportunities for young people in London while gaining hands-on experience in fundraising, outreach, and project delivery.

Skills Development Training (SDT) is a London-based organisation dedicated to empowering young people through creative, educational, and wellbeing-focused programmes. We are looking for a proactive and passionate Volunteer Project & Outreach Assistant to work closely with our Director and support the growth and delivery of our community initiatives.

This is a flexible opportunity (1–2 days per week, remote and/or in-person) ideal for someone looking to gain practical experience in the charity sector, social enterprise, or community development.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting outreach and engagement with young people, partners, and community organisations

• Assisting with fundraising activities, including research and identifying funding opportunities

• Helping to promote programmes and events (social media, email, and local outreach)

• Providing general administrative support (emails, documents, coordination)

• Contributing ideas to grow the organisation’s impact and visibility

• Assisting in the planning and delivery of workshops, events, or training sessions

What we’re looking for

• Strong interest in youth development, community work, or social impact

• Good communication and organisational skills

• Self-motivated and able to take initiative

• Basic digital skills (email, documents, social media)

• A positive, can-do attitude and willingness to learn

What you’ll gain

• Direct experience working with a grassroots organisation making real community impact

• Insight into fundraising, outreach, and project management

• Mentorship and support from an experienced Director

• Opportunity to build your CV and develop practical skills

• Potential pathway to future paid opportunities or references

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those passionate about supporting young people and making a difference in their communities

Summary

The gardening and growing volunteer will support our accommodation sites in maintaining their outdoor spaces at our sites across Hertfordshire and Bucks including

Brindle Court, Watford
Northgate End, Bishop's Stortford
Our smaller sites in Stevenage, Hoddesdon and Hemel Hempstead 
Crest Rd, High Wycombe

Detailed description

Having access to a secure garden or outdoor area can be crucial for providing opportunities to socialise and relax, which can be invaluable for the mental well-being of our residents.

The gardening and growing volunteer will support our accommodation sites in maintaining their outdoor spaces, including:

·Weeding

·Sweeping

·Pruning

·Clearing leaves and large twigs

·Watering plants

·Planting bulbs and tidying up flower beds

We would love for this to be an opportunity to involve our residents and potentially lead a gardening activity with them, equipping them with knowledge and skills to maintain their own green spaces in the future. 

You will need:

• Enjoy working outside in all weathers.
• An interest/basic knowledge of gardening
• Role requires some degree of physical work and lifting/manual handling
• To work under your own initiative.
• Good communication skills
• Opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills

A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided as well as access to training and events throughout the year!

Some sites have basic tools however any additional tools and material required can be discussed with your volunteer manager .

What volunteers need:
You will be required to under go a Disclosure and Barring Service check and provide details of 2 x referees

What we will provide to volunteers:

• Reimbursement of costs
• Full training and induction
• Access to events and celebrations throughout the year 

OVERALL PURPOSE OF ROLE

MAIN ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Using the voluntary working practices, policies, procedures and values set by Alex TLC, work with paid staff to ensure the charity shop business is run accordingly.

Work to the high standards expected at all Alex TLC shop premises according to the requests of the Shop Manager.

Work as a team member, taking full responsibility for all shop duties undertaken.

Participate in all training and legislative checks required by Alex TLC, statutory and specific to role.

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES (INTERNAL & EXTERNAL)

Maintain excellent levels of customer service (remembering customer service extends to colleagues and service providers, as well as customers), going above and beyond where possible.

TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Expert knowledge of the safe and correct use of all equipment used in the day to day running of the charity shop, for example the till, steamer, pricing equipment. Training is provided.

OTHER FEATURES OF JOB

Hours of work are according to those agreed between yourself and the Shop Manager.

Opportunity for paid employment in our charity shops.

Opportunity to attend the Alex TLC Community Weekend and meet sufferers of leukodystrophy and their families. Volunteers assist in the running of activities during the Weekend and attend the social events included.

LOCATION

South East London Alex TLC charity shop premises.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

DESIRABLE:

· GCSE, ‘O’ Level or equivalent Mathematics and English Language

· customer service

EXPERIENCE

DESIRABLE:

· Willingness to learn about leukodystrophy and the challenges our beneficiairies face

· charity shop or other retail

WORK BASED COMPETENCIES

DESIRABLE:

· Good customer service skills

· Good telephone skills

· Good writing skill

· Good numerical ability

· Good organisational ability

· Flair for display

· Computer literacy

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

ESSENTIAL:

· Motivated

· Honest

· Committed

· Ability to work in a team

DESIRABLE:

· Enthusiastic

· Articulate

· Calm under pressure

· Methodical

· Resourceful

· Commercial acumen

We are only able to accept applications from UK residents.

Join FARA, a charity with over 30 years of experience and 39 charity shops across London. Our FARA Chiswick Kids shop is looking for a friendly and enthusiastic Customer Service and Till Volunteer to help create a welcoming and positive experience for all our customers.

By volunteering with us, you’ll directly support our mission, help promote reuse through donation and recycling, and contribute to a positive experience for our customers and online community.

The Role: 

As a volunteer, your responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Assisting with stock placement and replenishment on the shop floor
• Creating and maintaining eye-catching and engaging product displays
• Greeting customers and fostering a welcoming atmosphere in the shop
• Assisting customers with queries and providing excellent service
• Operating the till and handling transactions
• Staying informed about products and current promotions

The Volunteer: 

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a passion for volunteering
• Is friendly, approachable, and enthusiastic
• Is reliable and able to work as part of a team
• Is ideally connected with the local area
• Previous retail or customer service experience is a bonus, but not essential

What’s in it for You?

At FARA, our shops are run by welcoming and collaborative teams where everyone works together. You’ll gain valuable experience, working alongside supportive colleagues who help each other develop, learn, and celebrate achievements. Full training is provided, and we offer a positive, inclusive, and safe volunteering environment.

Your Time:

Our shop operates from 09:30 to 17:30, and we’re looking for someone who can volunteer for a minimum of 4 hours either in the morning or afternoon, whenever you are available in arrangement with the shop manager.

FARA is committed to creating an inclusive environment. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

National Relief Trust, we are dedicated to making a real difference through charity support, community development, and focused health initiatives. To keep our programs running smoothly and reaching the people who need them most, we rely on a strong behind-the-scenes team.

The Role We are looking for a highly organized and reliable volunteer to join us remotely as an Operations Support Coordinator. In this role, you will be the glue that holds our daily operations together. If you love keeping things tidy, organizing information, and supporting a busy team from the comfort of your own home, we would love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

• Day-to-Day Admin: Helping our team with general administrative tasks to keep projects moving.

• Data Entry & Organization: Keeping our records, files, and databases accurate and up to date.

• Team Support: Assisting with scheduling virtual meetings, taking notes, and organizing digital workspaces.

• Communication: Acting as a friendly point of contact for basic team inquiries and helping route emails to the right people.

What We’re Looking For

• Organized: You have a great eye for detail and like keeping things neat and structured.

• Tech-Comfortable: You are confident using standard tools like email, word processors, and spreadsheets (e.g., Microsoft Office or Google Workspace).

• Self-Motivated: Since this is a remote role, you are happy to work independently and manage your own time.

• Friendly Communicator: You are comfortable reaching out to team members online and writing clear, polite emails.

• No prior charity experience is strictly required, just a willingness to learn and pitch in!

What’s In It For You?

• Gain practical, hands-on experience in operations and charity administration.

• Work flexibly from home, fitting your volunteering around your current schedule.

• Join a welcoming, passionate team dedicated to health and community development.

• Make a genuine, lasting impact on the causes we support.

Description

You'll be raising awareness, & improving understanding of sight loss through delivering RNIB’s Awareness to Action sessions in your local community. Through these engaging sessions, you'll inspire participants to make small changes to their behaviour that make a massive difference in the day-to-day lives of people with sight loss. As a Community Change Champion, this will involve:

• Talking directly with community leaders, businesses, & local groups about ways they can get involved & inviting them to join an Awareness to Action session.
• Delivering RNIB’s Awareness to Action sessions either in person or online, using our resources. You may do this on your own or with a team of other local volunteers, both sighted and with sight loss.
• Sharing RNIB’s information & initiatives so people know we’re here for them.
• If you have a personal link to sight loss, sharing your experience during the session to help give a tangible example of how local people can make a real difference.
• Telling us about any activities you have engaged in via a Microsoft form.

What will you gain from the role?
• First-hand experience in grassroots community engagement & charity outreach.
• The opportunity to develop communication & networking skills.
• Support to learn & or use presentation skills to deliver the Awareness to Action Session in person and virtually.
• If you have lived experience of sight loss, support to tell your story to make the most positive impact.
• Know that your efforts are improving the public’s understanding, perceptions & behaviour towards blind and partially sighted people.

We will provide:
• Induction to the role & organisation.
• Training and support to help you thrive in your role.
• A resource pack/toolkit to help deliver the message.
• Opportunities to connect with other RNIB volunteers across the UK.
• The chance to get involved in other activities that interest you & to apply for our internal-only job vacancies.
• Support from a volunteering manager.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Action

Key requirements

• One reference

Description

You'll be raising awareness, & improving understanding of sight loss through delivering RNIB’s Awareness to Action sessions in your local community. Through these engaging sessions, you'll inspire participants to make small changes to their behaviour that make a massive difference in the day-to-day lives of people with sight loss. As a Community Change Champion, this will involve:

• Talking directly with community leaders, businesses, & local groups about ways they can get involved & inviting them to join an Awareness to Action session.
• Delivering RNIB’s Awareness to Action sessions either in person or online, using our resources. You may do this on your own or with a team of other local volunteers, both sighted and with sight loss.
• Sharing RNIB’s information & initiatives so people know we’re here for them.
• If you have a personal link to sight loss, sharing your experience during the session to help give a tangible example of how local people can make a real difference.
• Telling us about any activities you have engaged in via a Microsoft form.

What will you gain from the role?
• First-hand experience in grassroots community engagement & charity outreach.
• The opportunity to develop communication & networking skills.
• Support to learn & or use presentation skills to deliver the Awareness to Action Session in person and virtually.
• If you have lived experience of sight loss, support to tell your story to make the most positive impact.
• Know that your efforts are improving the public’s understanding, perceptions & behaviour towards blind and partially sighted people.

We will provide:
• Induction to the role & organisation.
• Training and support to help you thrive in your role.
• A resource pack/toolkit to help deliver the message.
• Opportunities to connect with other RNIB volunteers across the UK.
• The chance to get involved in other activities that interest you & to apply for our internal-only job vacancies.
• Support from a volunteering manager.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Action

Key requirements

• One reference 

• Additional location information

  • Home and local area.

Description

You'll be raising awareness, & improving understanding of sight loss through delivering RNIB’s Awareness to Action sessions in your local community. Through these engaging sessions, you'll inspire participants to make small changes to their behaviour that make a massive difference in the day-to-day lives of people with sight loss. As a Community Change Champion, this will involve:

• Talking directly with community leaders, businesses, & local groups about ways they can get involved & inviting them to join an Awareness to Action session.
• Delivering RNIB’s Awareness to Action sessions either in person or online, using our resources. You may do this on your own or with a team of other local volunteers, both sighted and with sight loss.
• Sharing RNIB’s information & initiatives so people know we’re here for them.
• If you have a personal link to sight loss, sharing your experience during the session to help give a tangible example of how local people can make a real difference.
• Telling us about any activities you have engaged in via a Microsoft form.

What will you gain from the role?
• First-hand experience in grassroots community engagement & charity outreach.
• The opportunity to develop communication & networking skills.
• Support to learn & or use presentation skills to deliver the Awareness to Action Session in person and virtually.
• If you have lived experience of sight loss, support to tell your story to make the most positive impact.
• Know that your efforts are improving the public’s understanding, perceptions & behaviour towards blind and partially sighted people.

We will provide:
• Induction to the role & organisation.
• Training and support to help you thrive in your role.
• A resource pack/toolkit to help deliver the message.
• Opportunities to connect with other RNIB volunteers across the UK.
• The chance to get involved in other activities that interest you & to apply for our internal-only job vacancies.
• Support from a volunteering manager.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Action

Key requirements

• One reference

Description

You'll be raising awareness, & improving understanding of sight loss through delivering RNIB’s Awareness to Action sessions in your local community. Through these engaging sessions, you'll inspire participants to make small changes to their behaviour that make a massive difference in the day-to-day lives of people with sight loss. As a Community Change Champion, this will involve:

• Talking directly with community leaders, businesses, & local groups about ways they can get involved & inviting them to join an Awareness to Action session.
• Delivering RNIB’s Awareness to Action sessions either in person or online, using our resources. You may do this on your own or with a team of other local volunteers, both sighted and with sight loss.
• Sharing RNIB’s information & initiatives so people know we’re here for them.
• If you have a personal link to sight loss, sharing your experience during the session to help give a tangible example of how local people can make a real difference.
• Telling us about any activities you have engaged in via a Microsoft form.

What will you gain from the role?
• First-hand experience in grassroots community engagement & charity outreach.
• The opportunity to develop communication & networking skills.
• Support to learn & or use presentation skills to deliver the Awareness to Action Session in person and virtually.
• If you have lived experience of sight loss, support to tell your story to make the most positive impact.
• Know that your efforts are improving the public’s understanding, perceptions & behaviour towards blind and partially sighted people.

We will provide:
• Induction to the role & organisation.
• Training and support to help you thrive in your role.
• A resource pack/toolkit to help deliver the message.
• Opportunities to connect with other RNIB volunteers across the UK.
• The chance to get involved in other activities that interest you & to apply for our internal-only job vacancies.
• Support from a volunteering manager.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Action

Key requirements

• One reference 

• Who this opportunity will suit

  Minimum age

  • You must be at least 18 years old to apply

  What skills and experience are needed?

  • • Positive attitude towards blind and partially sighted people. • Effective communication skills. • An outgoing friendly approach to meeting new people. • A willingness and ability to complete the Microsoft feedback form.

We are looking for a Community Engagement & Accountability Officer who is responsible for assisting in the implementation of integration activities and projects and ensuring that the needs and opinions of Second Tree community members are used to guide our work.

Your role would include:

• Creating timelines and coordinating plans for community engagement events

• Summarising relevant data collection in reports and project deliverables

• Communicating with community members and building trusting relationships

• Managing the organisation of proposals and other documents created by the CEA team

• Maintaining necessary records, files, reports, databases, and resource materials for the CEA team

• Researching information and gathering data necessary for community reporting

• Working with the wider Second Tree team to ensure that all community engagement events and projects align with organisational and programme strategies

• Supporting the CEA team by ensuring good levels of engagement with the community during activities and projects.

You should be able to:

• Be flexible with changing approaches and processes dependent on adjusting needs and contexts

• Take initiative and show high motivation

• Oversee the delivery of program activities and the completion of vital administrative and logistical tasks

• Be accountable and efficient, making sure that tasks that you take up are completed in the agreed timeframe

• Be honest and transparent, being able to give and receive feedback in the most straightforward way

• Care for people: the interests of the people we work with should always be your first concern

• Prioritise and delegate tasks effectively, ensuring all deadlines are met;

• Manage individuals effectively to create a positive team environment in which shared problem-solving is encouraged

• Communicate in English, both written and orally

• Learn quickly, and manage a wide-ranging and intense workload

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in integrating meaningful community participation premised on thorough needs assessments

• Experience in maintaining and monitoring effective feedback mechanisms

• Experience in integrating community perspectives into planning, evaluation, and reporting of community engagement projects and events

• Training in facilitating focus groups and interviews;

• Knowledge of European projects and deliverables

• Familiarity with project management

• Proficiency in excel and quantitative data collection

What do we offer?

• A nurturing and collaborative working environment. We work hard to help our team members grow, investing in personal and professional development.

• Accommodation in a shared house

• Transportation to/from work

• After completion of a three-month trial, if you commit long-term, a small monthly expenses refund

In certain periods of the year, demand is extremely high, and the shared houses might be full. If you have the means to pay for your own accommodation, please let us know. We would still be happy to host you if space is available. However, in a situation where the shared houses are full, this would allow us to offer an opportunity to someone that cannot afford to pay rent.

Looking for an internship?

If, because of your degree or for any other reason, you would like to have your period at Second Tree credited as an internship, just apply to the vacancy that you’re interested in and mention this. We have agreements with several universities across Europe, and in many other cases, these agreements can be developed on an ad hoc basis.

Join the Team and Help Us Build the Future of The Swadhinata Trust 

The Swadhinata Trust is embarking on a journey of significant growth and transformation. Having recently refreshed our purpose, mission, and brand, we are now ready for our next big leap: transitioning from a grassroots volunteer organisation to a scalable charity with paid staff and expanded reach.

To reach our full potential, we need 'roll-up-your-sleeves' leaders who are eager to help us transform. This isn’t just about giving advice from the sidelines; it’s about being the engine of our transformation. Whether you are an expert in your field or looking to develop new skills, joining us as a collaborative partner offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible, lasting impact on our journey.

How Can You Help 

We are looking for both professionals and enthusiasts eager to use their skills to help us transform. Whether you can offer 2 hours a week or 10, your expertise will be a vital part of reaching our big goals. You don’t need to be a veteran in your field; we value a 'roll-up-your-sleeves' attitude and a commitment to our mission just as much as a CV.

Operations Volunteer

The Goal: You are the engine room! You’ll help ensure our day-to-day systems, from IT to HR, are smooth and supportive.

We’d love help with:

• Daily Support: Helping with office admin, logistics, or coordinating meetings.

• Improving Systems: Assisting with our CRM (database) or helping the team get the most out of our tech.

• People Support: Helping with the "welcome" process for new staff or volunteers.

What you bring:

• A proactive, "can-do" attitude and a knack for multitasking.

• Great people skills and an organised approach to busy days.

• Tech-savviness (or a quick ability to learn new software).

At St John Ambulance, we are looking to develop our volunteering offer and become an even more integral part of our communities through delivering community first aid and education. 

If you would like to learn new skills and have a caring nature and a few hours to spare

We are looking to recruit Emergency Responders for Havering, Romford, Hornchurch, Upminster, Gidea Park, Elm Park, Harold, Hill, Harold Wood

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference. Through volunteering as an Emergency Responder, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering essential first aid and lifesaving clinical care at community and major events in your areas, including at sporting events, concerts, community festivals.

We will make sure you will have access to a proper induction to volunteering with SJA and the training you need for the role you take on. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

We will be running a number of information events locally and these are:

• Date, Times and Location to be advised

We are looking to run a volunteering selection session on:

• Date, Times and Location to be advised

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

• Welcome Event (Induction) - Date, Times and Location to be advised
• Training for role - Date, Times and Location to be advised

Closing date for these opportunities is: 30/11/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

We need empathetic and motivated people, who are committed to welcoming people seeking safety, to join our Sussex volunteer team. 

What you will receive: 

• Comprehensive training to equip you in your role; including safeguarding training, Induction Training, Activities and Distribution Training and Boundaries and Resilience Training. 

• Support from a wonderful team

• Opportunity to develop skills, including casework, networking, and interpersonal skills

• Greater understanding of the UK asylum system

As a volunteer, there is a range of activities you can choose to get involved in. Some activities include:

• Drop-ins - a weekly social space to share a hot drink, play games and sport, help with requests and signposting to support, and help people learn and practice English.

• Distributions - provide essential items like clothing, shoes, toiletries. 

• Trips - organise trips to places such as the park or museum.

• Events - mark specific days or holidays to get people together and celebrate. 

Care4Calais strongly encourages people with experience of the asylum system to apply, and recognises the specific value that lived experience brings to an organisation.

About Care4Calais 

Care4Calais is a volunteer-led charity delivering essential aid and support to people seeking asylum living in the UK and Northern France. We provide direct aid and advocate for a fair asylum system, including safe routes to claim asylum.

The UK Direct Aid team delivers essential support through practical services; such as running distributions, delivering English classes and casework-style support through drop-ins. The UK Direct Aid team also provides services to promote wellbeing such as trips and sports activities.

You can find out more about Care4Calais on our website or Instagram