60 Literacy volunteer roles

Purpose of the Role:

ESOL Teaching Support Volunteer To provide one-to-one support to students who need extra help in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and Literacy classes at the Baytree Centre. Working under the guidance of the class teacher, you will reinforce lesson content, help students build confidence, and contribute to an inclusive and positive learning environment for adult learners from diverse backgrounds.

Main Responsibilities:

- Work alongside the teaching team to support ESOL and Literacy classes.

- Provide one-to-one assistance to students who require extra support, following the teacher’s delivery.

- Reinforce learning activities and encourage student participation.

- Acknowledge achievements and promote positive behaviour to motivate learners.

- Adhere to Baytree Centre policies and procedures.

Skills and Qualities Required:

- Strong communication skills to effectively interact with both students and educators.

- Empathy, patience, and cultural sensitivity to support students with diverse needs.

- Good organisational skills to help ensure smooth running of classes.

- Ability to collaborate as part of a team while remaining flexible to classroom needs.

- Reliable, punctual, and committed to supporting learners’ progress.

- Interest in language learning, education, or community support.

Commitment:

- Assist in one ESOL and Literacy class (day and time subject to the timetable).

- Minimum commitment of 2 terms.

- Location: The Baytree Centre.

Benefits:

- Gain experience in supporting adult language learning and classroom facilitation.

- Develop cross-cultural communication and organisational skills.

- Contribute to the confidence, skills, and integration of adult learners.

- Be part of a supportive and inclusive volunteer community

This role is open to female applicants only (Equality Act 2010: Schedule 9: Occupational Requirements). Applicants must be 18 years or older.

Learn to Love to Read offers one-to-one support to children who find learning to read challenging, in schools and online via Zoom.Our In-school volunteers are asked to commit 90 minutes, one afternoon a week, usually between 1-3 pm.
Our virtual volunteers are asked to commit 30-60 minutes, one afternoon a week, usually between 4-6 pm.

Full training and ongoing support is provided for all volunteers to provide them with a framework which supports children's reading skills, while also building their self-esteem, confidence and love of reading. Our volunteers support the same children each week, providing 20 minutes of one-to-one support for the whole academic year. This ensures a consistent and rewarding experience for both the volunteer and the children.

In Wandsworth, post-COVID, 20% of Key Stage 1 and 25% of Key Stage 2 children did not reach the expected standard of reading in summer 2025. Low literacy is linked to poverty and social exclusion, limiting options in life. Early literacy intervention is crucial to break this cycle. School closures due to COVID-19 have been tough for children from disadvantaged families.
 

Please note we only work with schools in the London borough of Wandsworth and all our volunteers need to live in or within easy reach of that borough. 

In line with Safer Recruitment, all applicants are asked to complete an application form, provide references, take part in a face-to-face interview and ID check, and attend online training which includes safeguarding. All volunteers must have an enhanced DBS check which we arrange on your behalf. You will also be required to obtain checks from any country in which you've lived for more than three months from the age of 16 in line with Wandsworth's guidance. Once you have registered, we’ll send you a link to the application form.

Learn to Love to Read is committed to working without bias and offering equal opportunities for our volunteers. We are committed to valuing diversity and working inclusively across all our activities. Our aim is that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Read Easy UK is a registered charity that works through affiliated local groups to provide one-to-one reading coaching to adults, using trained volunteers. By enabling people to tackle their reading difficulties, Read Easy also allows each individual to grow in confidence and self-esteem, become more independent, move on to other forms of education if they wish, and improve their employment opportunities. Each affiliated Read Easy group is run entirely by volunteers and aims to provide interesting and rewarding opportunities to all involved to help change lives for the better. 

What you would be doing:

• Developing the literacy skills of an adult Reader who has difficulty with reading
• Meeting with your Reader for two separate half hour sessions each week face to face in an approved venue or remotely on a video call or a combination of both
• Providing non-judgemental literacy support to your Reader
• Utilising your empathy and understanding to support your Reader
• Delivering the phonics based Turning Pages programme with guidance for coaches on every page and using other approved resources
• Keeping records of your meetings
• Liaising with your allocated Coordinator and Literacy Specialist.

Personal Qualities Required to be a Reading Coach:

• Confident reading skills
• Clear communicator
• Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding whilst maintaining boundaries
• Ability to talk and listen to the person you coach in a patient, positive, encouraging and purposeful way
• A non-judgemental attitude and a positive respect for others, regardless of abilities, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation or age
• Ability to focus on your Reader and their needs
• Ability to work alone, seeking support when necessary

We are looking for a reliable, confident volunteer with strong communication, literacy and digital skills to help older people access the support they are entitled to.

About the Service

Our Information & Advice service provides free, confidential and independent support to people aged 50 and over. We are looking for a reliable and confident volunteer to help clients complete important paper and online forms.

About the Role

As a volunteer, you will help older people complete welfare benefit applications, online application forms, and other documents in person, by telephone or during a home visit. Your clear and accurate support can help clients overcome complex forms, health barriers or limited digital skills.

Task may include:

• Help clients complete paper and online forms accurately.
• Explain practical next steps within the boundaries of your training and role.
• Support appointments at our offices and outreach venues, by telephone, and in clients’ homes.
• Data entry to ensure clear and accurate records of client contact
• Work closely with staff and other volunteers

Where?

Various Locations in Sandwel with home visits - a link to a pin pointed map of key areas can be provided

Who would this role be suitable for?

· This role would suit someone who is patient, caring and non-judgemental, with strong communication, literacy and digital skills.

· You will need to be confident using IT systems and online forms, able to explain information clearly and comfortable handling personal information confidentially.

· Experience in administration, advice, teaching, health or social care may be helpful, but it is not essential.

· Full role-specific training will be provided before you begin supporting clients independently.

Training

You will receive core volunteer training, GDPR and data protection training, form-filling training and guidance on lone working. You will initially work alongside experienced staff in office and outreach settings.

There may also be an opportunity to work towards a Level 2 qualification in Information, Advice or Guidance and to access optional adviser training over approximately 12 months. Although this does not guarantee employment, it can provide valuable knowledge, skills and experience.

Due to the training involved and the nature of the work, we are ideally looking for volunteers who can offer regular, longer-term support.

Working Safely

The service completes a risk assessment before every client home visit. Volunteers must use the lone-working app and follow all agreed safeguarding, confidentiality and safety procedures.

DBS

A DBS check is required for this role. Risk assessments are completed before home visits, and volunteers are supported to follow all safeguarding, confidentiality and lone-working procedures.

Our next volunteer induction will be held in September 2026, so please apply ASAP to be able to join.

Action for Refugees in Lewisham works to relieve poverty and isolation amongst refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants in Lewisham. At the Rainbow Club Saturday Supplementary School we aim to help children between the ages of 4 and 11 to improve their literacy, numeracy and social skills in a friendly and supportive environment.  We need your skills and enthusiasm to assist the teacher in the delivery of a literacy and numeracy class and work with other volunteers to develop a programme of recreational activities. The Rainbow Club runs on Saturday mornings during term-time.

Your duties will include:

• Arriving punctually for the 9am briefing by the Rainbow Club Headteacher;
• Working in a team with other volunteers and teachers to deliver literacy, numeracy, arts, sport activities – this includes ensuring children remain engaged throughout the lesson and carry out set tasks as instructed by the teacher;
• Working one-to-one with specific children if and when required;
• Filing classroom work and homework in children’s individual files and keeping all materials and resources tidy and properly stored;
• Liaising with parents as and when required for example distributing leaflets and news about future meetings and events and also assisting with parents' day;
• Following the teacher’s policies on discipline and classroom management;
• Supervising the children during break times;
• Supporting the children during class trips;
• Ensuring classrooms are clean and tidy at the end of each day – this may include being part of a regular team rota;
• Providing feedback and comments to the Rainbow Club Headteacher when required.

Read Easy provides free, confidential, one to one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, through a network of volunteer groups. 

The Coordinator is the first point of contact for those who want to learn to read. They are vital in matching our Reader and Coach pairs and supporting them as they make progress.

Role of a Coordinator:

● Help interview new Coaches when recruited and shortlisted by the Volunteer Recruiter
● Enrol and assess new Readers, using the simple resources provided
● Match Readers with Coaches, make introductions, and help them organise their reading sessions (which will take place in an approved venue or online)
● Visit your reading pairs to provide encouragement, presenting certificates on occasion
● Work collaboratively with any other Coordinators in the group.
● Contribute to Coach meetings where volunteers discuss their experiences and receive further support. (Run by the Management Team typically every 8 weeks)
● Attend Management Team meetings when invited, typically every 6-8 weeks either in person or remotely
● Record progress of your reading pairs using resources provided, sharing these with the Management Team to keep them fully informed and submit expenses for payment regularly 

Skills needed:
● A passion for supporting others achieve either their reading or coaching goals
● A willingness to become familiar with the methods of the phonics based Turning Pages coaching manuals, so that you can confidently guide others
● Good communication and people skills, with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality
● Strong organisational, time management and record keeping skills
● Self-awareness, personal responsibility and a professional approach
● Reasonable confidence in using IT (accessing documents, completing electronic forms and records, email, Teams/Zoom meetings)
● The ability to use initiative and willingness to work independently and as part of a team
● A willingness to abide by Read Easy policies and procedures;
● An open attitude that encourages two-way communication and willingness to ask for support from the Management Team
● A non-judgemental attitude and respect for others, with a commitment to equality and diversity, so that you can make everyone feel valued and included
● Energy and enthusiasm with an average of 2-3 hours a week to commit to the role 

Ideally you will be based in the Keynsham area. The role can be done mainly from home but there will be occasional travel to meet Coaches and Readers. This role is very flexible and can fit around other commitments.

Royal Trinity Hospice's Patient and Family Support team offer psychological support and counselling to individual patients, as well as family members who have been affected by a patient’s illness. 

We are looking for qualified volunteer supervisors to join our Bereavement Service. As a volunteer supervisor, you will provide group supervision to our trainee and qualified volunteer counsellors.

Key responsibilities of the role:

· Facilitating fortnightly/monthly group supervision sessions for trainee and qualified volunteer counsellors

· Creating a safe, supportive and reflective working environment

· Facilitating discussions around client work, ethical dilemmas, and professional development

· Encouraging self-awareness, critical thinking, and the integration of theory and practice

· Providing constructive feedback and guidance to trainees

· Monitoring trainee progress and identify areas for development

· Providing reports to support clinical placements as required

Essential criteria:

· A qualified counselling supervisor, with a recognised counselling and supervision qualification (We may be able to consider someone working towards a supervision qualification)

· A member of a relevant professional body (e.g. BACP, UKCP) and able to adhere to their ethical framework

· Significant experience in providing counselling supervision, particularly in a group setting

· Demonstrable experience of counselling theory, practice and ethical guidelines, especially around bereavement and loss

· Excellent communication, interpersonal and facilitation skills

· The ability to create a safe and supportive learning environment

· A commitment to ongoing professional development

· IT literacy and the ability to maintain clear and accurate records

Volunteer Reading Coordinator

The Coordinator is the first point of contact for those who want to learn to read. Using a simple assessment, the Coordinator will explain to a potential new ‘Reader’ how Read Easy may be able to help them. The Coordinator pairs up new Coaches with those who want to learn to read and provides ongoing support to these reading pairs. They visit reading sessions occasionally and maintain support through regular calls with both Reader and Coach to check all is going well, calling on the group’s Literacy Specialist to respond to any literacy related difficulties a pair may be having.

Being a Read Easy Coordinator is very flexible. You decide how much time you have to offer, and this will determine the number of reading pairs you look after. The role provides lots of variety, is home-based and can work well around other commitments. 

How we will support you:

You will be provided with the Coordinator Handbook, training, induction, policies, resources and guidance specifically needed for this role, including access to support from a Read Easy UK Regional Adviser. In addition, the Coordinator Supporter will meet with you regularly to provide support and find out how your Reading Pairs are getting on. You will be invited to Read Easy UK’s volunteer forums and National Conference which gives volunteers an opportunity for networking with those from other groups.

What you will be doing:

● Help interview new Coaches when recruited and shortlisted by the Volunteer Recruiter.

● Enrol and assess new Readers, using the simple resources provided.

● Match Readers with Coaches, make introductions, and help them organise their reading sessions (which will take place in an approved venue or online).

 ● Visit your reading pairs to provide encouragement, presenting certificates on occasion.

● Work collaboratively with any other Coordinators in the group.

● Contribute to Coach meetings where volunteers discuss their experiences and receive further support. (Run by the Management Team typically every 8 weeks.)

● Attend Management Team meetings when invited, typically every 6-8 weeks either in person or remotely.

● Record progress of your reading pairs using resources provided, sharing these with the Management Team to keep them fully informed and submit expenses for payment regularly.

The skills you will need:

● A passion for supporting others achieve either their reading or coaching goals;

● A willingness to become familiar with the methods of the phonics based Turning Pages coaching manuals, so that you can confidently guide others;

● Good communication and people skills, with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality. Strong organisational, time management and record keeping skills;

● Self-awareness, personal responsibility and a professional approach;

● Reasonable confidence in using IT(accessing documents, completing electronic forms and records, email, Teams/Zoom meetings);

● The ability to use initiative and willingness to work independently and as part of a team;

● A willingness to abide by Read Easy policies and procedures;

● An open attitude that encourages two-way communication and willingness to ask for support from the Management Team; ● A non-judgemental attitude and respect for others, with a commitment to equality and diversity, so that you can make everyone feel valued and included;

● Energy and enthusiasm with an average of 2-3 hours a week to commit to the role.

What's in it for you? You will:

● receive outstanding Reading Coach Training;

● meet and work collaboratively with new people, and

● be active and engaged, adding value to your local community.

● Gain access to ongoing support and development.

● Out of pocket travel expenses reimbursed.

Across the UK, our volunteer groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS, bringing people together and connecting our local MS communities.

As a Communications Volunteer you’ll play a key role in promoting your group to people in your area affected by MS, and helping them feel connected. You could be editing newsletters, responding to information requests, or developing engaging content for social media — depending on what the group needs.

In this role you’ll develop your writing skills, and gain experience of communicating across a range of digital channels.

Most importantly you’ll be helping us engage with lots of people and get the word out to people with MS about support to help them live their lives to the full.

Read Easy provides free, confidential, one to one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, through a network of volunteer groups. 

The Referrals Networker builds relationships with local agencies who may be able to refer potential Readers to the group.

Role of a Referrals Networker:
● Liaising with your group to establish which organisations have already been contacted, so that you can build on that initial work
● Managing the relationship between the referral agencies and the group
● Seeking out new referral agencies as the group grows in capacity
● Familiarising yourself with the Publicity Organiser’s resources available to you
● Creating a record of organisations and agencies who are likely to come into contact with those who don’t read and the dates you are in touch with them
● Contacting these organisations regularly to provide information about what your group offers and identify how they can best inform their personnel to make referrals
● Keeping your local group informed about your activity and identifying how many of your contacts refer new Readers
● Attending Management Team meetings, typically every 6-8 weeks 

Skills needed:
● Confidence to promote the work of Read Easy and how it can support local people who would like to improve their reading skills
● Ability to develop strong working relationships with local referral agencies and to manage expectations
● Good communication and people skills, with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality
● Reasonable confidence in using IT
● The ability to use initiative and work independently
● A willingness to abide by Read Easy policies and procedures
● An open attitude that encourages two-way communication and willingness to ask for and offer support to the Team
● A non-judgemental attitude and respect for others, with a commitment to equality and diversity, so that you can make everyone feel valued and included
● Energy and enthusiasm with an average of two hours a week to commit to the role 

***Please note that this is an opportunity based in Nottingham (shire) in the United Kingdom and we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

Age UK Notts are seeking individuals who would like to be considered as a volunteer for our Companion Service.

Volunteers will be supporting people in their own homes and in the community within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and ideally, we ask all applicants to provide a minimum of 1 hour volunteering a week.

The companion service volunteer can choose to be:                                                           

• A companion within the person’s home

• A companion outside the person’s home

Examples of the type of support the service offers include:

• Supporting an older person/s hobbies and interests or simply chatting with them in their own home on a regular basis.

• Supporting with digital access & building confidence skills & motivation to access the opportunities of the internet.

• Supporting the person outside of their home e.g., by accompanying them on a walk, to the shops, to a café, garden centre, theatre or cinema or other social activities / community groups. 

• Where appropriate, supporting the older person to access other services through information and signposting or referring to the Companion Service Coordinator for support.

We are looking for the following skills/interests:

• Individuals with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of older people who are committed to volunteering on a regular basis.

• Commitment to complete our Volunteer Report Form accurately and regularly. 

• Ability to travel for visits in the local community either by car or public transport for those volunteers who choose to participate in this type of activity.

• Digital literacy for those volunteers who choose to participate in this type of activity.

We are looking for volunteers with good daytime availability in specific areas of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Please contact the volunteering team for further information on where specifically in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

We are seeking a qualified barrister or solicitor with at least 15 year’s post qualification legal experience to join our Board of Trustees* as a Legal Trustee, bringing sound legal judgement, empathy and a strong commitment to improving the lives of our beneficiaries.

You will bring:

• Understanding of Court of Protection issues and challenges.
• Experience of working with older people, disabled people or people with a cognitive impairment.
• Warmth, empathy and a non-judgmental approach. 
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and an ability to develop positive relationships with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. 
• Judicial Experience is desirable

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to use your legal expertise to make a meaningful, lasting impact.

As a Trustee, you will contribute strategic insight, sound judgement and compassionate leadership to help ensure the Trust continues to meet the changing needs of its beneficiaries.

About Us

The Thalidomide Trust is a unique organisation supporting beneficiaries, now all in their 60s, born with disabilities as a result of their mother taking the drug, thalidomide, during pregnancy. 

They are a remarkable group of people, who have achieved a great deal despite often living with extreme levels of disability, including limb damage, hearing and visual impairment, brain and sensory impairment and damage to internal organs.

Our beneficiaries have very complex and varied needs which are increasing as they age. We have gained an in-depth understanding of their evolving needs through our high level of contact with beneficiaries and our structured programme of three-yearly Holistic Needs Assessments (HNAs).

Commitment

• This is a voluntary role, but reasonable expenses incurred will be reimbursed.
• London / St Neots / Hybrid
• You should also be willing and able to devote approximately 15 – 20 days (plus travel time) per annum to the Trust –and specifically be available to attend three full day board meetings and one morning virtual meeting.

Interested?

If you have the skills, experience, and motivation to help shape the future of the Trust, we would love to hear from you.

More information:

• No contact from agencies or media sales.
• We particularly welcome applications from the BAME community and people living with disabilities.

Application deadline: Wednesday 30 September 2026 at 9am

Date for Interview: Wednesday 14 October 2026 (Central London)

* Following a restructuring exercise in January 2018, your formal title will be a Director of the Thalidomide Trust Company. However, you will operate as a charitable Trustee and will be governed by the Charity Commission.

Job Description:
Youth Advantage UK is seeking a volunteer Head of Local Operations to lead the launch and on-going delivery of its commissioned research projects in England and Wales. The focus of these projects will be obtaining and analysing primary and secondary data in order to help smaller community organisations improve their ways of working and effectively report on their impact. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring their teams deliver these projects within the agreed time-scales and in line with the goals agreed with the commissioning organisations, growing Youth Advantage’s reputation and reach.

Working closely with the Departmental Director, the ideal candidate will use their prior experience to effectively contribute to the organisation’s ability to enable evidence-based, positive local change. They should have excellent leadership, writing and speaking skills, IT literacy, and the ability to work well independently and in a team.

This role reports directly to the Director of Local Operations.

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.