Learning and development trainer volunteer roles

About Make A Smile

Make A Smile is a UK charity dedicated to bringing joy, play, and magical experiences to children facing illness, disability, or disadvantage. Volunteers dress as beloved characters and deliver uplifting activities, from hospital visits and care‑centre sessions to arts, crafts, stories, and games - ensuring every child gets the chance to enjoy their childhood. Our Trustees and Central Officers help keep the charity running smoothly across the UK, acting “in the best interests of Make a Smile” and ensuring volunteers are well‑trained, supported, and empowered.

About the Role

The Sign Language Officer leads Make A Smile’s British Sign Language (BSL) and Makaton training programme, ensuring volunteers gain the communication skills needed to create magical, inclusive interactions at events. You will oversee teachers, develop engaging lesson plans, and ensure volunteers progress through training effectively.

Key Responsibilities

You will play a central role in developing and delivering high‑quality sign language training. Responsibilities include:

● Overseeing BSL and Makaton teachers and supporting them in running weekly sessions.

● Recruiting suitable teachers or supporting new teachers to develop their skills to the required level.

● Ensuring the charity can offer training at multiple levels (Beginners, Improvers, Novice, Intermediate) for both BSL and Makaton.

● Reviewing and approving lesson plans, ensuring content focuses on vocabulary and phrases useful for Make A Smile events.

● Managing volunteer applications for training, selecting participants based on commitment and likelihood of attending events.

● Supporting weekly sessions by ensuring attendance is taken, volunteers are engaged, and teachers have the resources they need.

● Stepping in to run a session or arranging cover if a teacher is unavailable.

● Monitoring volunteer engagement and removing volunteers from the programme if attendance or participation is consistently poor.

● Ensuring asynchronous training materials on the dashboard remain relevant and accessible.

● Reporting on training progress, volunteer engagement, and teacher needs at monthly Charity Leadership Meetings.

Skills and Qualities We’re Looking For

This role suits someone organised, supportive, and passionate about inclusive communication. You’ll thrive if you bring:

● Strong organisational and coordination skills.

● Confidence in supporting and guiding teachers.

● Creativity in helping shape engaging, event‑focused lesson plans.

● A proactive, solution‑focused mindset. 

● Professionalism, dedication, and alignment with Make A Smile’s ethos (“Show dedication… Enjoy it!”).

● An interest in BSL or Makaton (you do not need to be fluent - teachers deliver the content).

Time Commitment

Sign Language Officers are expected to contribute around 4 hours per week, including supporting teachers, reviewing lesson plans, managing training groups, and attending monthly Charity Leadership Meetings.

Training and Support

You will receive:

● Full Trustee Training (online).

● A comprehensive handover and access to all systems (OneDrive, Simvoly, WhatsApp communities).

● Guidance from the Chair and fellow Trustees.

● Access to existing lesson plans, training materials, and templates.

● Opportunities for personal development through CPD and charity‑funded training.

What You’ll Gain

● Experience managing a training programme within a national charity.

● Skills in coordination, leadership, and inclusive communication.

● The chance to shape how volunteers interact with children who use BSL or Makaton.

● A meaningful role that directly enhances the accessibility and impact of Make A Smile events.

● The joy of helping volunteers develop skills that create magical, inclusive moments for children.

Safeguarding and Eligibility

Sign Language Officers must act in line with charity standards, including professionalism, confidentiality, and reliability. You must be able to attend monthly meetings and engage actively in communication channels. A DBS check may be required depending on involvement with events.

How to Apply

To express your interest, please send a CV along with a short message outlining your experience, interest in sign language, and why you’d like to support Make A Smile’s training programme.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who share our passion for helping children smile.

St John Ambulance Cymru is inviting applications from committed and values‑driven volunteers for the role of County Safeguarding Lead.

This is an important leadership position supporting the highest standards of safeguarding practice, culture and compliance across your county. You will play a key part in ensuring that children, young people and adults are safe, supported and empowered within St John Ambulance Cymru.

Working as part of the national safeguarding structure, you will collaborate closely with volunteers, unit teams and county leadership to promote a positive safeguarding culture, respond to concerns, and strengthen safeguarding understanding at every level of the organisation.

County Safeguarding Leads work closely with the National Safeguarding Team to ensure that safeguarding principles, policies and commitments are understood, embedded and upheld across all activities, in line with our Strategy 2025–30 “A Community of Lifesavers,” and its priorities of improving the experience of our people, enabling children and young people to thrive, and strengthening inclusion and wellbeing across Wales.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a measurable impact on the safety, confidence and culture of St John people within your county — ensuring every volunteer can thrive in a safe, supportive environment.

Key Information

Role type: Volunteer
Term: Three‑year appointment (with potential for a second term; maximum six years)
Time commitment: Approximately 30 hours per month
Location: One of the seven counties across Wales Cardiff & The Vale, Dyfed, Gwent, Mid Glamorgan, North Wales, Powys, West Wales (some travel within the county required)
Reporting to: National Safeguarding Manager
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed, or be willing to complete, required safeguarding training

What you'll need to be successful

We want to hear from you if you have:

• A passion for safeguarding and protecting people from harm
• Strong interpersonal skills and the confidence to support, guide and influence others
• The ability to handle sensitive conversations with empathy and professionalism
• A commitment to maintaining confidentiality and high standards of record‑keeping
• Confidence in promoting positive safeguarding culture and challenging poor practice
• Digital literacy, including using Outlook, Teams and SharePoint
• A willingness to undertake required training and ongoing development
• Values aligned with Compassion, Quality, Inclusion and Integrity

Experience in safeguarding, teaching or training is desirable but not essential

St John Ambulance Cymru is inviting applications from committed and values‑driven volunteers for the role of County Safeguarding Lead.

This is an important leadership position supporting the highest standards of safeguarding practice, culture and compliance across your county. You will play a key part in ensuring that children, young people and adults are safe, supported and empowered within St John Ambulance Cymru.

Working as part of the national safeguarding structure, you will collaborate closely with volunteers, unit teams and county leadership to promote a positive safeguarding culture, respond to concerns, and strengthen safeguarding understanding at every level of the organisation.

County Safeguarding Leads work closely with the National Safeguarding Team to ensure that safeguarding principles, policies and commitments are understood, embedded and upheld across all activities, in line with our Strategy 2025–30 “A Community of Lifesavers,” and its priorities of improving the experience of our people, enabling children and young people to thrive, and strengthening inclusion and wellbeing across Wales.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a measurable impact on the safety, confidence and culture of St John people within your county — ensuring every volunteer can thrive in a safe, supportive environment.

Key Information

Role type: Volunteer
Term: Three‑year appointment (with potential for a second term; maximum six years)
Time commitment: Approximately 30 hours per month
Location: One of the seven counties across Wales Cardiff & The Vale, Dyfed, Gwent, Mid Glamorgan, North Wales, Powys, West Wales (some travel within the county required)
Reporting to: National Safeguarding Manager
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed, or be willing to complete, required safeguarding training

What you'll need to be successful

We want to hear from you if you have:

• A passion for safeguarding and protecting people from harm
• Strong interpersonal skills and the confidence to support, guide and influence others
• The ability to handle sensitive conversations with empathy and professionalism
• A commitment to maintaining confidentiality and high standards of record‑keeping
• Confidence in promoting positive safeguarding culture and challenging poor practice
• Digital literacy, including using Outlook, Teams and SharePoint
• A willingness to undertake required training and ongoing development
• Values aligned with Compassion, Quality, Inclusion and Integrity

Experience in safeguarding, teaching or training is desirable but not essential

Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Pursuing the role

• Interview - 01/06/2026, time and location to be confirmed
• Welcome Event (Induction) - 27/07/2026, time and location to be confirmed
• Training for role - date, time and location to be confirmed

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

Closing date for these opportunities is: 31/05/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

St John Ambulance Cymru is inviting applications from committed and values‑driven volunteers for the role of County Safeguarding Lead.

This is an important leadership position supporting the highest standards of safeguarding practice, culture and compliance across your county. You will play a key part in ensuring that children, young people and adults are safe, supported and empowered within St John Ambulance Cymru.

Working as part of the national safeguarding structure, you will collaborate closely with volunteers, unit teams and county leadership to promote a positive safeguarding culture, respond to concerns, and strengthen safeguarding understanding at every level of the organisation.

County Safeguarding Leads work closely with the National Safeguarding Team to ensure that safeguarding principles, policies and commitments are understood, embedded and upheld across all activities, in line with our Strategy 2025–30 “A Community of Lifesavers,” and its priorities of improving the experience of our people, enabling children and young people to thrive, and strengthening inclusion and wellbeing across Wales.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a measurable impact on the safety, confidence and culture of St John people within your county — ensuring every volunteer can thrive in a safe, supportive environment.

Key Information

Role type: Volunteer
Term: Three‑year appointment (with potential for a second term; maximum six years)
Time commitment: Approximately 30 hours per month
Location: One of the seven counties across Wales Cardiff & The Vale, Dyfed, Gwent, Mid Glamorgan, North Wales, Powys, West Wales (some travel within the county required)
Reporting to: National Safeguarding Manager
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed, or be willing to complete, required safeguarding training

What you'll need to be successful

We want to hear from you if you have:

• A passion for safeguarding and protecting people from harm
• Strong interpersonal skills and the confidence to support, guide and influence others
• The ability to handle sensitive conversations with empathy and professionalism
• A commitment to maintaining confidentiality and high standards of record‑keeping
• Confidence in promoting positive safeguarding culture and challenging poor practice
• Digital literacy, including using Outlook, Teams and SharePoint
• A willingness to undertake required training and ongoing development
• Values aligned with Compassion, Quality, Inclusion and Integrity

Experience in safeguarding, teaching or training is desirable but not essential

St John Ambulance Cymru is inviting applications from committed and values‑driven volunteers for the role of County Safeguarding Lead.

This is an important leadership position supporting the highest standards of safeguarding practice, culture and compliance across your county. You will play a key part in ensuring that children, young people and adults are safe, supported and empowered within St John Ambulance Cymru.

Working as part of the national safeguarding structure, you will collaborate closely with volunteers, unit teams and county leadership to promote a positive safeguarding culture, respond to concerns, and strengthen safeguarding understanding at every level of the organisation.

County Safeguarding Leads work closely with the National Safeguarding Team to ensure that safeguarding principles, policies and commitments are understood, embedded and upheld across all activities, in line with our Strategy 2025–30 “A Community of Lifesavers,” and its priorities of improving the experience of our people, enabling children and young people to thrive, and strengthening inclusion and wellbeing across Wales.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a measurable impact on the safety, confidence and culture of St John people within your county — ensuring every volunteer can thrive in a safe, supportive environment.

Key Information

Role type: Volunteer
Term: Three‑year appointment (with potential for a second term; maximum six years)
Time commitment: Approximately 30 hours per month
Location: One of the seven counties across Wales Cardiff & The Vale, Dyfed, Gwent, Mid Glamorgan, North Wales, Powys, West Wales (some travel within the county required)
Reporting to: National Safeguarding Manager
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed, or be willing to complete, required safeguarding training

What you'll need to be successful

We want to hear from you if you have:

• A passion for safeguarding and protecting people from harm
• Strong interpersonal skills and the confidence to support, guide and influence others
• The ability to handle sensitive conversations with empathy and professionalism
• A commitment to maintaining confidentiality and high standards of record‑keeping
• Confidence in promoting positive safeguarding culture and challenging poor practice
• Digital literacy, including using Outlook, Teams and SharePoint
• A willingness to undertake required training and ongoing development
• Values aligned with Compassion, Quality, Inclusion and Integrity

Experience in safeguarding, teaching or training is desirable but not essential

We are looking for up to ten UK university students to join our volunteer Student Ambassadors team and help Ygam achieve its social purpose by reaching out to students at university. This will be achieved by advising Ygam on the needs of students, supporting with content development, organising activities at your campus, and join us at events to raise awareness of gaming and gambling harms.

We are seeking individuals who are outgoing, with a confident personality. You will enjoy engaging with other students and be able to advise us on the experiences of students with regards to gaming and gambling. 

St John Ambulance Cymru is inviting applications from committed and values‑driven volunteers for the role of County Safeguarding Lead.

This is an important leadership position supporting the highest standards of safeguarding practice, culture and compliance across your county. You will play a key part in ensuring that children, young people and adults are safe, supported and empowered within St John Ambulance Cymru.

Working as part of the national safeguarding structure, you will collaborate closely with volunteers, unit teams and county leadership to promote a positive safeguarding culture, respond to concerns, and strengthen safeguarding understanding at every level of the organisation.

County Safeguarding Leads work closely with the National Safeguarding Team to ensure that safeguarding principles, policies and commitments are understood, embedded and upheld across all activities, in line with our Strategy 2025–30 “A Community of Lifesavers,” and its priorities of improving the experience of our people, enabling children and young people to thrive, and strengthening inclusion and wellbeing across Wales.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a measurable impact on the safety, confidence and culture of St John people within your county — ensuring every volunteer can thrive in a safe, supportive environment.

Key Information

Role type: Volunteer
Term: Three‑year appointment (with potential for a second term; maximum six years)
Time commitment: Approximately 30 hours per month
Location: One of the seven counties across Wales Cardiff & The Vale, Dyfed, Gwent, Mid Glamorgan, North Wales, Powys, West Wales (some travel within the county required)
Reporting to: National Safeguarding Manager
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed, or be willing to complete, required safeguarding training

What you'll need to be successful

We want to hear from you if you have:

• A passion for safeguarding and protecting people from harm
• Strong interpersonal skills and the confidence to support, guide and influence others
• The ability to handle sensitive conversations with empathy and professionalism
• A commitment to maintaining confidentiality and high standards of record‑keeping
• Confidence in promoting positive safeguarding culture and challenging poor practice
• Digital literacy, including using Outlook, Teams and SharePoint
• A willingness to undertake required training and ongoing development
• Values aligned with Compassion, Quality, Inclusion and Integrity

Experience in safeguarding, teaching or training is desirable but not essential

Ben is the charity supporting the health and wellbeing of people who work or have worked in the UK automotive industry. As the sector continues to transform, Ben is entering an ambitious new phase to significantly expand its reach, strengthen its role as the industry’s trusted wellbeing partner and deliver its goal to treble impact and double fundraising by 2030. With strong financial foundations and clear ambition for growth, we are now seeking new Trustees to help shape this next chapter.

Board of Trustees  (Voluntary)

As a Trustee, you’ll play a key role in guiding Ben’s strategy, championing good governance and supporting our senior team. You’ll help us stay connected to the needs of today’s workforce and ensure our impact keeps growing.

We’re particularly keen to bring fresh perspectives onto our Board, and we actively encourage younger people and early‑career leaders to apply - including those who may not have been a trustee before. If you’re motivated by improving wellbeing and want to build your leadership experience, we’d love to hear from you.

We are looking for Trustees who can bring insight in one or more of the following areas:

• Automotive industry (retail, manufacturing or aftermarket)
• Fundraising, philanthropy, income generation or business development
• Welfare, health and wellbeing
• Impact measurement, evaluation or outcomes frameworks
• Brand, marketing, communications, social media or customer experience
• Finance, audit and risk
• Technology, digital or data
• Research and development
• Governance

We’d especially love to hear from you if you:

• Are values‑driven and excited about helping others
• Bring a collaborative, open‑minded approach
• Want to develop board‑level experience
• Can offer a different generational or lived‑experience viewpoint

We welcome values driven leaders who bring strong judgement, collaboration and diverse perspectives, and who are motivated by improving wellbeing across the automotive industry.

The Board meets 4 times a year, with approximately 50% of those taking place in-person. 

Martlets Café offers a warm and welcoming environment for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are a member of staff, a patient, or a visitor, it’s a friendly place to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. We also encourage members of the local community to stop by, learn about our hospice, and explore the range of services we provide.

We’re currently looking for volunteers to support our catering team. By assisting with serving customers and helping with day-to-day tasks, you can contribute to the smooth operation of the café and be part of a supportive environment that makes a positive impact. Shifts will be 2-3 hours in length.

Do you enjoy walking, meeting others and having a good chat? If so, we have the perfect volunteering role for you!

Join our team and inspire others to exercise through a weekly walk. You will create an opportunity for people to support each other, provide that additional boost to exercise and go for a walk even when they may not be feeling the motivation.

What you will be doing

• Coordinate and facilitate weekly walks in local parks to the service alongside other volunteers
• Meet with the walking group weekly
• Hold conversations with people attending the group, checking in on their wellbeing and providing a listening ear/friendly face
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages participation

The skills you need

• Inspire and motivate people to attend the walking group
• Ability to identify, manage any possible risks that may arise during the walking group. Training will be provided
• Willing and able to go on a weekly walk lasting approximately 60-90 minutes
• Good communication skills
• Calm and patient approach

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun.s

Are you interested in facilitating a peer support group for people who are struggling with their mental health? We are looking for passionate volunteers to facilitate a weekly online or face-to-face group, to discuss topics relating to mental health. We are hoping to find someone who has either ‘lived experience’ of mental health issues and is now at a positive place with their own recovery or someone who has good knowledge of mental health and looking to support others.

What you will be doing

• Facilitating weekly peer support groups, covering topics related to mental health.
• Promote a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental atmosphere where all members feel valued and heard
• Encourage mutual support, active listening, and shared problem-solving within the group
• Manage group dynamics sensitively, ensuring discussions remain constructive and inclusive
• Collaborate with staff to monitor group wellbeing and escalate any concerns appropriately
• Assist in planning and preparing for each session, including topic prompts or themes if needed
• Maintain confidentiality in line with organisational policies and safeguarding standards.

The skills you need

• Lived experience of mental health challenges is highly valued and can be a strong foundation for this role
• Good communication and active listening skills
• Ability to facilitate group discussions with empathy and patience
• Understanding of boundaries and confidentiality in a mental health context.
• A non-judgmental, supportive, and encouraging attitude
• Experience in peer support or group facilitation is an advantage but not essential; training will be provided

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with VoiceAbility,

About VoiceAbility

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations. 

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.

Why Volunteer with VoiceAbility

Volunteering with VoiceAbility gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your community by helping others ensure their voices are heard and valued. The roles we offer are deeply rewarding and may challenge you in new ways. You’ll develop your communication skills, meet new people, and gain a greater understanding of others, while enjoying a sense of personal fulfilment along the way!

Whether you're looking to give back to your community, learn something new, or simply enjoy connecting with others, we’d love to have you on board!

Independent Visitor Volunteer

Our Independent Visitor Volunteers provide consistent and supportive relationships to children and young people in care, offering emotional support, companionship, and guidance through shared activities and time together.  The Independent Visitor plays a vital role in helping the young people build confidence and feel secure while enhancing their personal, social, and cultural development.

As an Independent Visitor Volunteer in England, you might:

• support the child/young person to experience enriching activities that contribute to their personal and cultural development 
• engage in activities such as pursuing hobbies, meeting for meals, or socialising in a community setting 
• listen to and support the young person, fostering a sense of safety and trust 
• help the young person develop social skills and increase their involvement in their community 
• develop a positive and lasting relationship, ensuring the young person feels valued and supported

You will need to be over 18 years old and be living in the UK. Please note that the Independent Visitor Volunteers generally volunteer at evening and weekends due to the children’s and young person’s availability.

Safeguarding Commitment Statement

VoiceAbility are committed to safeguarding all clients who access our services. All Volunteers will be required to undertake a DBS check at the appropriate level and provide contact details for a minimum of two referees in line with our safer recruitment practice.

ED&I Statement

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact the Volunteering team for further options.

To find out more click “Apply Now”. 

Volunteer Role: Operations Support (On-site)

Location: Wolverhampton (On-site)
Commitment: Minimum 12 hours per week (Flexible)
Start Date: ASAP (This Week or Early Nextweek)

About the Role

We are urgently looking for Operations Support Volunteers to help run and scale our Baby Bank services. This is a hands-on role where you will support day-to-day operations and help deliver essential items to families in need.

This is a fast-moving opportunity, and volunteers can start immediately.

Areas You May Be Assigned To

Depending on your availability and strengths, you may be assigned to one or more of the following:

1. Baby Bank Operations

• Prepare and organize items for families
• Support distribution of clothing and essentials
• Assist with packing and handling donations

2. Stock & Inventory

• Sort and categorize donated items
• Maintain clean and organized storage areas
• Support basic tracking of stock

3. Admin Support

• Assist with simple data entry and tracking
• Help manage inquiries and basic coordination
• Support scheduling and documentation tasks

4. Outreach & Community Engagement

• Help promote services locally
• Distribute flyers and connect with the community
• Support awareness and volunteer recruitment efforts

5. Social Media & Marketing

• Assist with posting updates and recruitment content
• Help increase visibility of the organization
• Capture simple photos/videos of activities

What We’re Looking For

• Reliable and able to commit to scheduled shifts
• Willing to support in different areas as needed
• Positive attitude and team player
• No experience required (training provided)

Why Join Us

• Make a real impact in your community
• Gain hands-on experience in operations and teamwork
• Be part of a growing and purpose-driven initiative
• Flexible volunteering based on your availability
• CV Development for your career goals

Recruitment Process (Fast Track)

• Apply → Join Intro Call → Start Volunteering
• No long interviews
• Immediate onboarding for committed applicants

We are currently hiring for immediate start this week or next week, so early applicants will be prioritized.