Medical volunteer roles

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.

China Plate are looking for new Trustees to join our friendly and dynamic Board. If you are interested in the ways arts and culture can have a positive impact on the world, we’d love to hear from you.

China Plate is an arts charity based in Birmingham and working across the West Midlands, the UK and internationally. We’re producers: we work with people to make creative projects happen. Our projects include theatre shows, training programmes, audio anthologies, short films and bus stop galleries.

Our artistic programme is underpinned by our four core values: creativity, optimism, integrity and inclusivity. We’re now looking for new Trustees who share these values and who, like us, are interested in bringing communities together to produce creative projects that fire the imagination, make positive change and are open to all.

Our Trustees meet four times a year to discuss the company’s strategy and progress, and to ensure we are meeting all our legal requirements. These Board meetings are hybrid: you can join us online or in our Birmingham office.

Trustees are not paid: they are volunteers who give their time to support charities. However, at China Plate we can cover costs like travel expenses for meetings and events. If Trustees have access requirements – for example if you require BSL interpretation, captioning, or information provided in particular formats – we will also put these into place.

You do not need to have been part of a Board before to join. You could be based in the West Midlands or elsewhere in the UK. We are looking to recruit new Trustees from either inside or outside the arts sector, including those who may not yet be familiar with our work. We’re interested in hearing from anyone who shares our values, is excited by what we’re doing and is keen to support, question and challenge us.

We would particularly like to recruit one Trustee who is a young person (18-30) who has previously taken part in one of China Plate’s Training & Development programmes – such as The Optimists, Young Producers, or our internships and placements.

Deadline to apply is 12pm (midday) on Wednesday 30th September 2026.

If you’d like to find out more, please visit our website to download the Trustee Recruitment pack.

If you’d like to have a conversation about the role prior to applying, please email our Executive Director Chloe. 

Our shops help raise vital funds, and volunteering with us is a great way to make a difference, meet new people, and join a fantastic team. Volunteering in our shops offers a variety of exciting tasks. From sorting, steaming, and pricing donations to spotting hidden gems, you'll roll up your sleeves in the backroom and assist on the shop floor. Engaging with customers is key, whether you're serving with a smile, working the till or helping donors complete Gift Aid forms.

Creating a warm, friendly and inviting space is just as important. You'll help design eye-catching window displays, keep the space tidy, and use your creativity to ensure everything looks its best, encouraging customers to return.

No special skills are needed as we’ll show you what to do, and we provide all the training you’ll need. 

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

Make a Smile is seeking a motivated and organised Chapter President to lead one of our local Chapters. This is a key leadership position responsible for overseeing committee operations, supporting volunteers, and ensuring the smooth running of all Chapter activities.

About Make a Smile

Make a Smile is a charity dedicated to bringing joy to children through character visits, events, and community engagement. Each Chapter is run by a volunteer committee, and the President plays a central role in guiding and supporting that team.

Role Overview

The Chapter President is responsible for the overall management, development, and compliance of their Chapter. You will lead the committee, coordinate activities, and act as the main link between your Chapter and the national Board of Trustees.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys leading teams, solving problems, and making a meaningful impact in their community.

Key Responsibilities

• Local Leadership
• Oversee the day‑to‑day running of the Chapter and support committee members in their roles.
• Provide direction, guidance, and oversight across volunteer recruitment, events, fundraisers, and costume management.
• Chair committee meetings and ensure tasks are completed efficiently and on time.
• Identify when committee members need support and step in with advice, delegation, or hands‑on help.
• Complete and maintain the Chapter Development Plan and work towards improving Chapter performance each year.
• Ensure all activities comply with the charity’s constitution, handbook, and legal requirements.

National Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact between your Chapter and the Board of Trustees.
• Submit a monthly report on Chapter progress, challenges, and key decisions.
• Attend the monthly Charity Leadership Meeting to share updates and contribute to national planning.
• Implement national guidance and changes communicated by Trustees.
• Manage your Chapter’s allocated budget and support fundraising targets.
• Ensure all required paperwork is kept up‑to‑date, including logs, finances, and post‑event forms.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to motivate and support a team.
• Organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple responsibilities.
• Confident decision‑maker with a collaborative approach.
• Passionate about Make a Smile’s mission and working with volunteers.
• No prior charity leadership experience required — full training and guidance provided.

What You’ll Gain

• Leadership and management experience.
• Opportunities to develop strategic planning and organisational skills.
• A chance to make a real difference in your community.
• Experience working closely with a national charity board.
• A rewarding role where you help create magical experiences for children.

Summary

As Chapter President, you will:

• Lead and support your committee.
• Ensure effective operations and compliance.
• Drive Chapter development and improvement.
• Represent your Chapter at national level.
• Lead by example and uphold the values of Make a Smile

Our shops help raise vital funds, and volunteering with us is a great way to make a difference, meet new people, and join a fantastic team. Volunteering in our shops offers a variety of exciting tasks. From sorting, steaming, and pricing donations to spotting hidden gems, you'll roll up your sleeves in the backroom and assist on the shop floor. Engaging with customers is key, whether you're serving with a smile, working the till or helping donors complete Gift Aid forms.

Creating a warm, friendly and inviting space is just as important. You'll help design eye-catching window displays, keep the space tidy, and use your creativity to ensure everything looks its best, encouraging customers to return.

No special skills are needed as we’ll show you what to do, and we provide all the training you’ll need. 

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

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, by clicking 'redirect to recruiter' at the top or bottom of this page.

As a Volunteer Health Walk Leader, you will play a key role in supporting our residents to become more active and improve their wellbeing through social walks!

Project Resilience provides easily accessible opportunities for our hostel residents to take part in a variety of social and sporting activities to boost overall health and wellbeing.

You’ll help lead short, safe, and friendly group walk, especially for those who may be inactive, recovering from illness, or looking to improve their physical and mental health.

You will:

·Plan and lead regular health walks in your local area

·Welcome and support all participants, ensuring a positive and inclusive atmosphere

·Carry out basic safety checks and risk assessments for walk routes

·Encourage conversation and connection among walkers

Monitor attendance and report back to the coordinator as required

Skills required:

·First Aid Qualification

·Friendly, approachable, and reliable

·Good communication and people skills

·An interest in walking and promoting healthy lifestyles

·Able to walk at a steady pace for 30–60 minutes

What we offer:

·A full induction to the role and site will be provided

·Access to communal garden area and nearby fields for outdoor activities

·You will be required to undertake mandatory e-learning and a menu of optional training will be made available

·Ongoing supervision and support from your line manager

·Travel expenses reimbursed (if applicable).

·Access to events, networking, and training and development opportunities.

Please note, that you will be required to undergo a DBS check and we will require details of 2 x referees.

Our shops rely on a steady flow of stock to help raise vital funds for hospice care, and we're looking for friendly, reliable volunteers to help keep things moving.

As a Volunteer Van Mate, you'll travel with our drivers, delivering and collecting boxes, bags and other stock between our Distribution Centre and shops across Brighton, Hove and the surrounding area. It's a great opportunity to get out and about, be part of a supportive team, and make a real difference to the success of our charity shops.

Available shifts:

Tuesday and Wednesday: Morning or afternoon shifts available Thursday: Full-day availability required, as vans will be visiting our shops further afield

Please note: Collection and delivery schedules can vary, and vans may not always return at the expected time. We therefore ask volunteers to be flexible, particularly at the end of their shift.

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

Our shops help raise vital funds, and volunteering with us is a great way to make a difference, meet new people, and join a fantastic team. Volunteering in our shops offers a variety of exciting tasks. From sorting, steaming, and pricing donations to spotting hidden gems, you'll roll up your sleeves in the backroom and assist on the shop floor. Engaging with customers is key, whether you're serving with a smile, working the till or helping donors complete Gift Aid forms.

Creating a warm, friendly and inviting space is just as important. You'll help design eye-catching window displays, keep the space tidy, and use your creativity to ensure everything looks its best, encouraging customers to return.

No special skills are needed as we’ll show you what to do, and we provide all the training you’ll need. 

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

Our shops help raise vital funds, and volunteering with us is a great way to make a difference, meet new people, and join a fantastic team. Volunteering in our shops offers a variety of exciting tasks. From sorting, steaming, and pricing donations to spotting hidden gems, you'll roll up your sleeves in the backroom and assist on the shop floor. Engaging with customers is key, whether you're serving with a smile, working the till or helping donors complete Gift Aid forms.

Creating a warm, friendly and inviting space is just as important. You'll help design eye-catching window displays, keep the space tidy, and use your creativity to ensure everything looks its best, encouraging customers to return.

No special skills are needed as we’ll show you what to do, and we provide all the training you’ll need. 

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

Our shops help raise vital funds, and volunteering with us is a great way to make a difference, meet new people, and join a fantastic team. Volunteering in our shops offers a variety of exciting tasks. From sorting, steaming, and pricing donations to spotting hidden gems, you'll roll up your sleeves in the backroom and assist on the shop floor. Engaging with customers is key, whether you're serving with a smile, working the till or helping donors complete Gift Aid forms.

Creating a warm, friendly and inviting space is just as important. You'll help design eye-catching window displays, keep the space tidy, and use your creativity to ensure everything looks its best, encouraging customers to return.

No special skills are needed as we’ll show you what to do, and we provide all the training you’ll need. 

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

Are you a dog lover with room in your home to look after a dog during evenings and weekends? This could be the perfect role for you!

As a Training Dog Fosterer, you’ll provide a loving temporary home to a dog in training, typically for a period of 12 to 20 weeks, as they begin their journey to become a guide dog. You’ll get to see the progress your furry companion is making in their training and be a vital part of their journey, without the commitment of looking after a dog full time.

What you’ll be doing:

In this rewarding role, your support for a guide dog in training will include:

• Doing the school run for your dog in training! This will typically involve dropping them off and picking them up at an agreed time Monday to Friday at one of our regional centres or community teams, however, some sites may vary. There are some locations where we will be able to collect and return the training dog from your home. 
• Caring for your dog in your home such as feeding, grooming, free running and playing, following the advice of our expert staff.
• Helping your dog keep up with their training by reinforcing the techniques at home from our first-class training programme.
• Making sure your dog is not left alone for more than four hours in a 24-hour period. If you’re planning on going on holiday, let us know at your initial phone call so we can plan alternative cover for your future life changer.

Can I foster a dog?

If you’re hoping to foster a guide dog in training, here’s what we ideally look for:

• Being close to one of our regional centres or community teams so that your dog can get to their training. 
• The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in your home if you rent your home.
• A safe and secure area outside for the dog to go to the toilet.

However, we try to be flexible – for example, you’ll still be able to foster a dog if you live in London, even if you don’t have access to outside space. 

What you’ll get:

• The opportunity to have a lovable canine companion!
• The satisfaction in knowing you’re supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
• The rewarding feeling of seeing your dog learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog.
• An insight into our bespoke world-class training programme so that your dog’s training stays consistent at home, which can also help you train your own dogs or advance in a future career in dog handling.
• The opportunity to be part of the Guide Dogs community, meeting like-minded people in your area.
• A dedicated volunteer manager and fellow peers who will help support you throughout your role.

Training and support

You’ll attend a training workshop to understand the basics of our bespoke training techniques so you can confidently support your dog’s training at home. You’ll also receive ongoing guidance from your volunteer manager. If you have questions about the training requirements, we can answer these at your initial phone call along with any other support or accessibility needs you may have.

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any pre-agreed expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, dog food costs and other materials needed for your dog’s training.

Minimum age for volunteer is 18.

We also have a respite fosterer role available in some areas, where a dog would stay with you full time before moving on to the next stage of its journey.

Please check out our website by clicking 'redirect to recruiter' at the top or bottom of this page to see what roles are available where you live.

Do you live within 10 miles of Antrim Area Hospital?

We’re currently looking for Companion Volunteers at Antrim Area Hospital. You don’t need medical experience or all the answers, just a kind heart, a listening ear, and a little time to give. Be there when it matters most and make a real difference by supporting patients who may simply need someone by their side.

Availability: Up to 3 hours per week - flexible to suit

Time: Mornings, afternoons or evenings

Criteria: Minimum 18 years or older

What you’ll do: 

• Visit different patients at Antrim Area Hospital, Bush Road, Antrim BT41 2RL
• Each visit may be with a different person, offering variety and new conversations
• Share a cup of tea, a chat, or simply quiet companionship to patients who are anxious or offer a break for families
• Be there when family members cannot, outside of normal visiting hours

You’d be a great fit if you’re:

• Caring and compassionate nature
• Patience and good listening skills
• Comfortable with sensitive topics, such as death, dying and bereavement
• Comfortable with email and completing a brief visit report
• Respectful of boundaries and confidentiality

What you’ll gain:

• A sense of meaning and purpose
• Thorough training and continued support
• A friendly network of volunteers
• Recognition for your time
• Travel expenses covered

Kindness doesn’t have to be big to be life changing.

Our shops help raise vital funds, and volunteering with us is a great way to make a difference, meet new people, and join a fantastic team. Volunteering in our shops offers a variety of exciting tasks. From sorting, steaming, and pricing donations to spotting hidden gems, you'll roll up your sleeves in the backroom and assist on the shop floor. Engaging with customers is key, whether you're serving with a smile, working the till or helping donors complete Gift Aid forms.

Creating a warm, friendly and inviting space is just as important. You'll help design eye-catching window displays, keep the space tidy, and use your creativity to ensure everything looks its best, encouraging customers to return.

No special skills are needed as we’ll show you what to do, and we provide all the training you’ll need. 

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