Learning and development volunteer roles

Trustee Recruitment – Join Our Board and Help Shape Our Future

We are seeking new Trustees to join our Board and bring fresh expertise, insight, and strategic leadership as we continue to grow our impact. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute your professional skills to a mission‑driven organisation that makes a real difference in our community.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences, and we are particularly keen to strengthen our Board with expertise in the following areas:

Legal

Experience in charity, commercial, employment, safeguarding, or property law.

HR

Experience in HR leadership, people management, organisational development, employee relations, or workforce strategy

Marketing & Communications

Skills in digital comms, PR, brand development, or audience engagement.

Fundraising / Philanthropy

Knowledge of income generation, donor stewardship, corporate partnerships, or grant‑making.

Commercial Tourism

Experience in visitor attractions, hospitality, destination marketing, or customer experience.

Adult Social Care

Understanding of care provision, safeguarding, regulation, or community support services.

Property / Surveying

Expertise in estates, facilities, compliance, capital planning, or asset management.

You do not need previous trustee experience - we value your professional insight, strategic thinking, and commitment to our mission.

About the charity: 

COT has been at the forefront of learning disability support for over 40 years. Our innovative approach blends high-quality care, supported living, and life skills development with a thriving 100-acre farm that doubles as a popular family visitor attraction. This rare combination enables people with learning disabilities and autism to develop skills in areas such as animal care, horticulture, customer service, and the culinary arts, while fostering a strong sense of community and inclusion.

With a mission to empower individuality and achieve happiness, we support over 96 people in community settings, offering residential and supported living services, as well as an additional 70 external students in life skills. We are known for our holistic, person-centred approach and commitment to environmental stewardship and ethical farming. Our close-knit team of dedicated staff and volunteers is guided by values of courage, opportunity-seeking, collaboration, and doing the right thing.

About the Role

As a Trustee, you will play a key role in shaping our strategy, ensuring strong governance, and supporting the organisation's long‑term sustainability. You will work collaboratively with fellow Board members and the senior team to guide our direction and champion our values.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing strategic oversight and constructive challenge
• Bringing your professional expertise to Board discussions
• Ensuring good governance, financial sustainability, and risk management
• Acting as an ambassador for the organisation
• Supporting the senior team with insight, advice, and networks

 Time Commitment

• 4–6 Board meetings per year (in person)
• 4-6 Committee meetings (online)
• Occasional support between meetings, depending on your expertise
• A typical commitment is around 10–15 hours per month, flexible around your availability

What You’ll Gain

• A meaningful leadership role in a purpose‑driven organisation
• The opportunity to use your skills for social good
• Experience in governance and strategic decision‑making
• A supportive, collaborative Board environment
• The satisfaction of helping shape our long‑term impact

 We Welcome Diverse Perspectives

We are committed to building a Board that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. We particularly encourage applications from people who bring lived experience, come from underrepresented backgrounds, or have non‑traditional career paths.

Our workplace is built on acceptance, respect and inclusion where everyone feels they belong and can make meaningful contributions. We encourage applicants regardless of religion, ethnicity, nationality, disability status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status. If you need any assistance during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Unfortunately cats can occasionally stray or get lost, which can be extremely distressing for their owners. Our lost and found volunteers are passionate about reuniting lost cats and bringing families back together. They help cats and their owners by advertising lost cats and providing support, advice and guidance to people searching for their cats.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

Join the MINDSET Programme Development Committee

Help Us Design and Launch Our First Pilot Programmes

MINDSET is a brand‑new men’s wellbeing and personal growth charity — and we’re looking for a small group of thoughtful, committed volunteers to join our Programme Development Committee.

Our mission is to help men build resilience, confidence, emotional awareness, and healthier coping skills through practical, reflective, skills‑based support. To launch successfully, we need to design and deliver high‑quality pilot programmes that truly make a difference.

If you can spare just a few hours a month and want to help shape the core of what MINDSET will offer, we’d love to hear from you.

What the Programme Development Committee Will Do

We’re looking for volunteers who can help us:

• Design the structure and content of our first pilot programme(s)

• Develop practical, reflective, skills‑based session plans

• Shape the MINDSET Skills Framework and learning outcomes

• Create engaging activities, tools, and resources for participants

• Support the setup and delivery of pilot workshops

• Gather and review feedback to refine the programme

• Ensure sessions are safe, accessible, and aligned with our non‑clinical approach

• Bring ideas that help men learn, reflect, and grow

You don’t need to be a professional facilitator — just someone who cares about men’s wellbeing and enjoys creating meaningful experiences.

Who We’re Looking For

People who are:

• Passionate about men’s wellbeing and personal development

• Creative thinkers who enjoy designing sessions, activities, or learning experiences

• Reflective, open‑minded, and good at working with ideas

• Organised and reliable

• Comfortable contributing to discussions and taking on small tasks

• Excited to help build a programme that could change lives

Experience in facilitation, coaching, teaching, training, psychology, or wellbeing is helpful but not essential.

Time Commitment

• A few hours per month, flexible around your schedule

• Occasional online meetings

• Short, manageable tasks you can do from home

Ideal for someone who wants to make a meaningful impact without a big time commitment.

Why Join Us?

• Play a central role in shaping MINDSET’s core offer

• Help design the sessions that will support men in your community

• Gain experience in programme development and charity start‑up work

• Be part of a supportive, purpose‑driven team

• Help us launch successfully and build something that lasts

Your ideas will directly influence the quality and impact of our first programmes.

Interested?

Tell us a little about yourself and why you’d like to get involved.

Are you passionate about creating inclusive, anti-sectarian, and empowering spaces for Muslims?

Inclusive Mosque Initiative is looking for a Chair of Trustees to help lead our mission forward.

The Chair provides visionary and strategic leadership to the Board 
of Trustees of IMI, ensuring effective governance, accountability, and alignment with IMI’s 
mission to create inclusive, safe, and inter-sectarian spaces for Muslim worship, learning, and 
community building. This pivotal role supports the organisation’s growth and impact while 
fostering a values-driven, accessible, and collaborative board culture.

Why Join the Board?

• Be a Changemaker: Help steer a mosque committed to justice, inclusion, and community.
• Use Your Skills for Good: Whether your expertise is finance, governance, community engagement, or advocacy, your contribution will help us grow.
• Grow and Learn: Access free training in governance, leadership, and social justice while working alongside passionate Muslim leaders.
• Shape the Future: Play a pivotal role in guiding IMI’s growth, from expanding community programs to strengthening our financial sustainability.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome Trustees who:

• Are Muslim.
• Are passionate about IMI’s Core Values and mission.
• Bring diverse professional and lived experience and skills to strengthen the Board.
• Are ready to collaborate, challenge, and support in a dedicated team.

To apply, see the role description packs and fill in the online form

We’re looking for a patient and kind volunteer to support an active and energetic man in Streatham. He’ll take some time to get to know you, so you’re first few visits will likely be spent going for walks around the local area with a member of his support team. This gentleman is non-verbal and will communicate with you through sounds, gestures and movements.

He takes a little while to warm up to new people, so you will need to be patient while he takes his time becoming comfortable with you. It would be great if his new volunteer had some experience with people with learning disabilities, though this isn’t at all necessary as long as you have a positive attitude. It’s important to know that his care team would always be on hand, and that his not-so-secret kryptonite is chocolate!

We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing. In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.

This is a Stop and Stay visit role, meaning that the person you’ll be visiting might have some verbal communication skills or they use sounds and/or facial/body expressions to communicate with you. The person you visit might choose to take part in simple activities or watch you doing the activities. Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tend to be around half an hour to an hour long.

In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like:

• Sitting and having a chat
• Checking in on their well- being
• A craft activity at home
• Reading a book/magazine together

As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:

• Friendly and approachable
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
• Reliable and patient
• Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.

As a Mencap visitor you will:

• Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit
• Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training
• Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed
• Meet new people
• Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

We are looking for a friendly, patient and kind volunteer befriender to visit a gentleman with a calm soul, in Ickenham. Spending time together might involve sitting in the garden or in his flat, perhaps looking at pictures or magazines of trains, which he is particularly fond of, or going for small walks in the local community joined by one of his carers. He is hard of hearing and doesn’t communicate verbally, so a calm and friendly approach is key. If you’re someone who values quiet connection and meaningful moments, we’d love to hear from you

We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year and, in many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.

This is a Check in visit role, meaning that your visits are likely to be short - on average 30 minutes or less. Some of the people we visit may be unable to communicate with words. Sometimes the person might choose not to meet with their visitor. Your visit is however very important, and these are some of the things you could be doing on a visit:

• Checking in on their well-being and speak to support staff to get an update on how the person is doing
• You might be able to bring a treat that the person enjoys, like chocolates or fruit.
• Some people we support enjoy sensory experiences so items that will stimulate their senses can also help you create a sense of connection with the person you visit.

Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions.

As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:

• Friendly and approachable
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
• Reliable and patient
• Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.

As a Mencap visitor you will:

• Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit
• Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training
• Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed
• Meet new people
• Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

The Befriender 'In Home' Volunteer will play an important role by providing companionship to someone we support at our supported living service by spending time with them, visiting them in the home and doing activities they enjoy. These might include chatting over a cup of tea, reading books, playing board games, etc.

Skills Required

· To be kind, empathetic and friendly

· To have a good sense of humour and love to chat

· To be punctual and reliable

· To be able to deal with information in line with our data protection and confidentiality procedures

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

· Safeguarding

· H&S

· Manual Handling

· How to be Eye Care Aware

· Fire Safety

· Infection Control

· Data Security and Confidentiality

· First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

· This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others. 

· Befriending is a great way to keep active and meet new people.

· SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

· Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time. SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

Two small community based organisations in Malawi are seeking practical finance support to strengthen day to day financial management, reporting and controls.

Both organisations work across vocational training, youth development and livelihoods support, with small local teams and simple finance systems.

The volunteer will work closely with staff to improve budgeting, cashflow management, financial reporting, record keeping, controls and procedures.

This is a very practical grassroots placement, focused on helping local teams build confidence, consistency and simple sustainable systems.

It would suit a collaborative and adaptable volunteer who is comfortable working hands on with small organisations and providing patient, practical mentoring.

________________________________

Accounting for International Development, AfID, matches experienced accountants with charities, NGOs and social enterprises around the world. Our volunteers provide practical finance support, helping partners strengthen systems, reporting, controls and confidence.

The Befriender 'In Home' Volunteer will play an important role by providing companionship to someone we support at our supported living service by spending time with them, visiting them in the home and doing activities they enjoy. These might include chatting over a cup of tea, reading books, playing board games, etc.

Skills Required 

• To be kind, empathetic and friendly

• To have a good sense of humour and love to chat

• To be punctual and reliable

• To be able to deal with information in line with our data protection and confidentiality procedures

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

• Safeguarding

• H&S

• Manual Handling

• How to be Eye Care Aware

• Fire Safety

• Infection Control

• Data Security and Confidentiality

• First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others. 

Befriending is a great way to keep active and meet new people.

SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About us 

About Us 

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time.

SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats and kittens each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups. We have branches across the UK, all of which help our cats in different ways. Branches take in stray and abandoned cats and ensure they receive the veterinary care and attention they deserve; help raise funds, promote neutering and help spread cat welfare messages. Our branch team leader volunteers lead their local team by supporting and managing volunteers within their group, maintaining communications with both volunteers and employees, and helping promote a positive and professional image of Cats Protection.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

The Befriender 'In Home' Volunteer will play an important role by providing companionship to someone we support at our supported living service by spending time with them, visiting them in the home and doing activities they enjoy. These might include chatting over a cup of tea, reading books, playing board games, etc.

Skills Required

· To be kind, empathetic and friendly

· To have a good sense of humour and love to chat

· To be punctual and reliable

· To be able to deal with information in line with our data protection and confidentiality procedures

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

· Safeguarding

· H&S

· Manual Handling

· How to be Eye Care Aware

· Fire Safety

· Infection Control

· Data Security and Confidentiality

· First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

· This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others. 

· Befriending is a great way to keep active and meet new people.

· SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

· Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time. SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

As a maintenance (handyman) volunteer at SeeAbility, you will support the facility in maintaining a safe, functional, and pleasant environment for people we support and our teams.

This position requires a reliable, skilled, and proactive individual who can carry out general maintenance tasks and assist with small repairs around the property. Your efforts will directly contribute to the well-being of the people we support and ensure that the home remains a comfortable and secure place for all.

Skills Required 

• Perform general maintenance and minor repairs to the building and facilities, including but not limited to:  carpentry, painting, decorating and repairing

• Assist with the installation of furniture, fixtures, or equipment, ensuring they meet safety standards.

• Ensure that all tools and materials are properly maintained and stored safely.

• Help identify potential maintenance issues before they become problems.

• Report more complex repairs or safety concerns to the Facility Manager or Maintenance Supervisor.

• Support the care home during renovation or redecoration projects.

• Work collaboratively with other volunteers and staff to ensure the upkeep of the home.

• Would not be asked to carry out and electrical or plumping works

• Adhere to health and safety guidelines, ensuring all tasks are completed with care and in compliance with regulations

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

• Safeguarding

• H&S

• Manual Handling

• How to be Eye Care Aware

• Fire Safety

• Infection Control

• Data Security and Confidentiality

• First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours

Benefits

Being a maintenance (handyman) volunteer provides a key service by helping to keep our homes in good condition. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others.

SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us 

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time.

SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Without the passionate and committed teams of volunteers across Cats Protection we wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us for help. The purpose of this role is to support the organisation with communications and administration at a local level. You’ll play an active part in the branch committee and support the branch with record keeping and planning, thus enabling more cats to be helped.

You expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Disseminating relevant organisation-wide information and updates to the branch volunteers
• Supporting engagement and communication between the branch and wider organisation
• Drafting committee meeting agendas and taking and sharing meeting minutes
• Supporting the efficient running of the branch by ensuring administration processes are carried out effectively
• Supporting the administration and update of the branch annual plan 
• Sign-posting queries from members of the public
• Keeping branch records and information up to date and secure, using Cats Protection systems – training will be provided