People volunteer roles

Our Second Home is a youth movement that empowers migrants and refugees to flourish in the place that they call home. Our overnight activity camp for young people aged 14-18 is a chance for young people to come together and have five days of fun and excitement, supported by a dynamic and dedicated team of leaders and staff.

An OSH Leader is a supportive adult, a role model, and someone young people can feel safe being themselves around. It’s about creating a warm, fun, and consistent presence during residentials — helping young people with refugee and migrant backgrounds feel welcomed, included, and at home.

Youth Leaders for this project will be responsible for facilitating the camp, and will be directly in contact with, and responsible for, the participants. During the camp they will be ‘on duty’ full-time, meaning that they will spend the whole time with the participants, including at meals.

THIS ROLE IS ONLY FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE UK. We will arrange Zoom interviews with applicants separately.

Responsibilities:

• Interacting and forming a bond with the participants
• Creating and running fun and engaging activities for the participants
• Looking after the participants’ welfare, and ensuring that they feel cared for and secure
• Managing the participants’ behaviour and setting clear boundaries

Expectations and requirements:

• All applicants must be interviewed and be willing to provide references on request.
• Youth Leaders must set a positive example of behaviour and involvement for all participants, and adhere to the volunteer guidelines.
• Youth Leaders may be required to prepare activities for participants at the camp. If asked, this must be completed in plenty of time to allow any materials or equipment to be sourced.
• Applicants should be aged 20 or above.
• Applicants must be eligible for DBS clearance (no criminal record that prevents applicants from working with children)
• Youth Leaders must raise any safeguarding concerns swiftly and follow safeguarding procedures
• Youth Leaders must follow all Our Second Home policies and procedures of (which will be explained at the Camp training days).
• Anyone attending an OSH residential must test negative for COVID-19 prior to attending the programme, regardless of whether they have received a vaccine or not.

Essential skills:

• Flexibility, adaptability and ability to improvise
• Ability to build connection quickly with peers and young people
• Ability to work in a team and communicate effectively
• High level of organisation
• High levels of empathy and patience
• Awareness and sensitivity that some participants might be suffering from trauma

Additional desired skills:

• Experience working with and/or caring for young people aged 14-18
• Experience working with refugees and/or asylum seekers
• Experience working with young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities
• Language skills: Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Tigrinya, Somali
• First Aid training
• Creative or artistic abilities
• Sports leadership
• Ability to prepare fun and engaging activities for young people

We particularly encourage applications from those who have lived experience of being a refugee.

Please ensure you are available to come to all the following events - specific dates can be found on the application form:

• Training
• Pre-Residential Prep Day (on site)
• Residential, in full
• Feedback & thank you afternoon

QUOTES:

• “Having the professional [welfare] support made me feel very support and more comfortable with the work” – BT
• “The atmosphere of fun, respect, care, and community is what made the young people so comfortable and connected” – BT
• “The leaders were all awesome – it was incredible to work in a team so full of hard working, intelligent, experienced people” – BT
• “Seeing the kids bursting out of their shells and that being the norm rather than just exceptions was just incredible.” – CA
• “It honestly surpassed anything I could have hoped for” – LK

Structure:

Youth Leaders will be supported by the Welfare Support Lead(s), who will be their main contact in the build to and throughout the camp. The Welfare Support Lead(s) will run team meetings at the end of each day and be on hand to advise and manage the Youth Leaders.

Do you live in Wales and want to gain valuable skills, have new experiences, and support vulnerable people?

We are offering 2 young people aged 18-25 the opportunity to volunteer with the Portuguese Red Cross in Braga, Portugal. Next placement dates are planned for: 5th January - end of August 2026.

You will be working on a range of projects, which will give you the chance to explore the different kinds of social action that the Portuguese Red Cross undertake in Braga. 

Typical tasks may involve:

• Supporting the charity shop, Ponto Vermelho, with social media, sorting donations and organising the displays.
• Supporting in the Youth Centre for the Roma Community – organising and delivering activities, helping with homework.
• Supporting in the Foster Care for Unaccompanied Minor Refugees.
• Supporting the Social Kindergarten.
• Assisting with projects which help the homeless and the elderly.
• Assisting in the writing of project proposals and funding bids.

It's a fantastic opportunity to get involved in projects and find out what you are interested in. For more details on the role and the projects available, have a look at the role description. The main thing we want to see is your motivation for this placement! These are fully funded placements, with return flights, accommodation and health insurance covered - volunteers receive a small monthly stipend for living expenses.

Please note that only young people based in Wales can apply for this role, as it is Taith funded. Interviews will take place online with shortlisted candidates.

We are keen to hear from individuals especially those who do not normally get the chance to volunteer overseas, who are passionate and motivated about working in the humanitarian sector and international volunteering but who also understand that these types of placements require adaptability and resilience. We are especially interested in applications from those who are from low socio-economic backgrounds, are carers or are care experienced, have accessed free school meals, are refugees or asylum seekers and those with disabilities or additional needs.

Spare Tyre Theatre Company are recruiting voluntary non-executive board members with a passion for participatory theatre arts. New trustees will be joining us at an exciting time for the company, as we implement our next 3-5 year strategy; prepare for our 50th anniversary year in 2027; continue our year-round programme of creative participatory workshops; and develop two new touring productions: What Will Happen to the Cat? and Vanishing Point.

Spare Tyre is one of the UK’s leading participatory theatre companies. We are an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation and are an artist, disability and female led charity. We make inclusive arts and theatre productions, experiences and projects in arts venues and non-traditional arts spaces with people that are under-represented in arts, culture and society’s wider decision making. Built on nearly 50 years’ experience, our work is participatory, collaborative, immersive, taboo-busting and above all responsive to the passions and talents of the people who make it. 

We are recruiting 2 – 3 voluntary non-executive board members. We do not require trustees to have specific experience in the arts, and are seeking to increase the experience and diversity of our board, particularly in the areas of:

• Lived experience and/or a professional background working with people in the Care sector and/or people living with dementia and/or long-term health conditions

• Experience of, or a desire to, engage with inclusive working practices 

• Participatory arts practitioners

• Environmental responsibility

• Digital and social media

• Marketing and PR

• Understanding of publicly funded arts at a strategic level

Key Accountabilities of a Trustee are to:

• Act as ambassadors, champions and advocates for the organisation

• Approve strategic plans, budgets, annual accounts and policies

• Be willing to contribute your time and share your knowledge

• Provide advice and support for the Executive team

• Sit on committees and panels as required

• Engage in the fundraising strategy and development activities wherever possible

• Attend performances and other events by Spare Tyre and peer companies

• Understand the commitment required to join the Board

• Understand the legal requirements of being a charity Trustee: Gov UK have prepared some 5-minute guides for charity trustees that can be accessed here

Key Characteristics of a Spare Tyre Trustee are to:

• Promote and model Spare Tyre’s culture of inclusion, openness and collaboration

• Monitor and evaluate progress against targets and ACE Investment Principles

• Be passionate about the company’s work

• Be ready to challenge and provoke

• Be excited to promote an inclusive culture 

After six transformative years, our Chair is stepping down. This is your chance to lead a charity that's reached 2.5 million LGBTQ+ young people – and heard them say "I'm still alive because of you."

Full description:

It Gets Better UK is at an exciting moment. Over the past six years, we've grown from a grassroots initiative into a charity reaching millions of LGBTQ+ young people across the UK. Through digital storytelling, educational resources, and community engagement, we're combating isolation and discrimination – ensuring every young person knows their power and worthiness as individuals.

Now we're looking for our next Chair of Trustees to lead us into our next chapter.

What makes this role special?

This isn't just governance for governance's sake. The impact is immediate and profound. Young people tell us our content helped them through their darkest moments – some say we're the reason they're still alive. You'll work with a passionate board and our CEO/Founder Dr Alex Rhys OBE, whose vision, resilience and commitment to the mission has been extraordinary. The team – both volunteer and paid – is genuinely special.

The opportunity:

You'll provide strategic leadership at a pivotal time, helping us build on our momentum while navigating the challenges every growing charity faces. We need someone who can balance big vision with practical governance, understand charity finance and risk, and chair meetings that drive real decisions while creating space for genuine discussion.

What we're looking for:

Essential:

• Demonstrable commitment to LGBTQ+ equality and youth rights
• Proven governance experience, ideally as a trustee or board member
• Strong understanding of charity governance and trustee responsibilities
• Excellent chairing skills with ability to facilitate constructive discussions
• Strategic thinking balanced with practical implementation
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

Desirable:

• Experience in charity/voluntary sector, particularly youth or LGBTQ+ organisations
• Understanding of digital engagement and online community building
• Financial management and fundraising knowledge
• Networks within funding, policy, or LGBTQ+ advocacy circles
• Experience with organisational growth and transformation
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks

Why now matters:

LGBTQ+ young people face unprecedented challenges – rising hate crime, attacks on trans rights, mental health crises. Our work has never been more vital. The next Chair will help ensure we're here for every young person who needs us, with the governance, strategy, and sustainability to deliver real impact.

If you care about LGBTQ+ equality, have governance expertise to share, and want to make a genuine difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Time commitment: Approximately 6 hours per month | Term: 3 years (renewable) | Location: Remote (quarterly video meetings, occasional in-person) | Deadline: 10pm Sunday 1st February

Volunteer Toddler Activities Assistant (Term Time)

About The Role

At WWT we shape unforgettable experiences; we want people to feel part of something amazing and this includes our youngest of visitors and the people they visit with.  We are therefore looking for keen and enthusiastic people to help run our weekly Wednesday term time toddler group: The Gosling Gang. You will enjoy working with other volunteers, families and young children; have good communication skills, an outgoing personality and an ability to think on your feet.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You’ll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 
 
If you are interested in volunteering for WWT but don’t wish to apply online, please email us, give us a call and leave us a message with your name and number. 
 
Just to let you know, some of our roles are very popular. To help our teams and minimise disappointment for people kind enough to want to support us, we might take roles down before the closing date if we get a lot of applications. If you do miss a role, or are looking for something particular, you can sign up to opportunity alerts. 

About You

No formal qualifications are required. However, for this role it is essential that you have:

• Experience of working with the toddler age group
• Excellent communication skills
• Willingness to talk to visitors both on a one-to-one level and to larger groups
• An interest in Education related activities
• Previous experience in running similar events would be desirable

Unfortunately this role is not suitable for Under 18’s.

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love volunteering at WWT

• Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers
• Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife – talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake…
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships
• Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life

How to Apply

For more information on this fun role, and others, and to apply please visit our webpage. 

Thank you for your interest in supporting our work, we look forward to hearing from you! 

Help shape the future of a youth mental health charity.

YES is seeking a Trustee with Human Resources expertise to join our Board and help
ensure we are well-governed, sustainable, and able to support the mental health and
wellbeing of children and young people.

As a Trustee, you will contribute to the strategic direction of the charity and, as our HR lead
Trustee, provide insight and constructive challenge on people and workforce
matters. This is a strategic, non-operational role where your professional experience
can make a real difference.

What you’ll be doing

• Acting as the Board’s lead Trustee for Human Resources
• Providing strategic HR insight to support decision-making
• Advising on HR policies, workforce planning, and best practice
• Helping ensure compliance with employment law, Charity Commission guidance, and good governance

What we’re looking for

• Professional experience in HR or people management
• Ability to think strategically and offer constructive challenge
• Commitment to equality, inclusion, and ethical leadership
• A passion for improving outcomes for children and young people
• Trustee or charity experience is welcome but not essential

What difference will you make?

Your expertise will help YES build a strong, supported workforce, manage risk
eFectively, and grow sustainably - ensuring more children and young people can
access high-quality mental health support.

About the role

We are a charity dedicated to providing loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia. Alongside our care Homes, we also deliver services that support people to live well in their own homes and communities.

We are looking for kind, committed individuals to join us as Telephone Friends.

This free service offers regular, friendly telephone calls to veterans and their partners who may be feeling lonely or isolated. By giving a little of your time, you can make a meaningful difference. Offering companionship, a listening ear, and a reassuring voice.

Full training and ongoing support are provided, so you’ll feel confident and supported every step of the way.

What you'll do

• Make regular, friendly telephone calls to veterans and their partners

• Offer companionship, conversation, and emotional support

• Help reduce loneliness and promote wellbeing

• Build positive, respectful relationships over time

Who we're looking for: 

We’re looking for people who:

• Are caring, compassionate, and respectful

• Enjoy talking and listening to others

• Put people first and value meaningful connections

• Share our values and want to make a positive difference

• Have a passion for helping others live life to the fullest

You don’t need previous experience. 

Time commitment

Minimum of 1 hour per week. There is no time limit on the length of service, but Telephone Friends are asked to make a commitment for a minimum of 12 months.

Wheels for All is a national charity that helps people of all abilities enjoy cycling in a way that works for them. Supporting more than 100 inclusive cycling hubs with over 30 years of experience, we’ve seen first-hand how cycling can change lives - improving health, confidence and community connection.

We’re now growing our national reach and impact, and we’re looking for new Trustees to join our Board and help guide us through this exciting next stage.

About the role

As a Trustee, you’ll help shape the direction of the charity, support good decision-making, and make sure we stay focused on our mission to make cycling accessible for everyone. We’d especially like to hear from people who:

• Have experience in communications, PR, campaigning or public engagement, and can help us share the power of inclusive cycling with more people across the UK
• Have strong networks or local knowledge in areas that are currently least well served by inclusive cycling - especially the North East, East Midlands or South West

If that’s not your background, please don’t be put off. We welcome people from all walks of life who share our passion for inclusion and want to make a difference.

Our Trustees also get involved in one or more of our focus groups, including:

• Governance and Risk
• Nominations, People and EDI
• Welfare, Safety and Safeguarding
• Finance
• Income Generation

We follow the Tier 3 Code for Sports Governance, which means we’re serious about running the charity to the highest standards - but we do it in a supportive, friendly and collaborative way. Full induction and training is provided.

Who we’re looking for

You don’t need to have been a Trustee before - we’ll help you learn the ropes. You just need to bring:

• A thoughtful, practical approach
• Willingness to ask questions and share ideas
• The ability to work well with others
• Commitment to equality, inclusion and fairness
• A bit of time and energy to get involved

How to apply

• Apply via othe link, and please upload your CV and a cover letter showcasing how you’re the perfect fit for the role

The purpose of the role is to design and facilitate gardening activities at our community allotment with refugees and people seeking asylum, alongside our other gardening volunteers.

The role includes:

• planning and facilitating seasonal gardening activities with small groups
• supporting participants to bring their own ideas, work independently or lead their own activities where appropriate, providing support and guidance as needed
• fostering a positive culture of support and community
• raising any safeguarding or support concerns with our People Support Team
• setting up/packing down around sessions, generally contributing to the smooth running of sessions
• maintaining tools
• contributing to overall running of the charity (attending monthly online meetings, taking on organisational tasks)
• maintaining participant confidentiality
• attending training sessions as needed

At the garden we run gardening, art and craft activities. Through these sessions we maintain our beautiful community garden, grow and harvest vegetable/fruit crops and create wildlife and social areas. We always try to make sure there are a range of activities to choose from to fit with a range of energy/ability levels. All new ideas for activities to do at the garden are welcome!

Our sessions are on Tuesday mornings and afternoons and Friday mornings

Gardening expertise is not necessary for this role, although it is always very welcome.

As this is an on site role we will consider applicant who are based in Greater Manchester,UK. 

YES is a registered charity supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and
young people in the Wycombe district. We are seeking a Trustee with legal expertise
to join our Board and help ensure strong governance, regulatory compliance, and
effective risk management.

This voluntary role offers the opportunity to use your knowledge to make a meaningful difference to young people’s lives.

About the Role

As a Trustee, you will share collective responsibility with your Board colleagues for the
governance and strategic direction of YES. As our Trustee with legal expertise, you will:

• Provide Board-level oversight on legal and regulatory matters
• Support the identification and management of legal risk
• Review key contracts, agreements, and governance documentation
• Advise the Board on relevant legal and policy developments

This is not a legal counsel role, but a strategic governance position. External legal advice will be sought where required.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has appropriate qualifications or substantial experience
• Understands (or is willing to learn) charity governance and regulation
• Can provide constructive challenge and clear advice to a Board
• Is committed to improving mental health outcomes for children and young people

We particularly welcome applications from people with diverse lived experience, including LGBTQ+ communities, global majority backgrounds, and lived experience of mental health challenges.
 

Chatterbox Befrienders offer one-to-one telephone support and will call a client once a week offering companionship and a listening ear for an individual who might otherwise go unheard. Chatterbox volunteers befriend a variety of people including carers, socially isolated individuals who are struggling with loneliness, people with ill health and those that 
have been bereaved. 

THIS ROLE COULD BE FOR YOU IF:

- Would like to make a real difference in someone’s life

- Want to challenge loneliness and can commit to a weekly phone call

- Are a good listener

- Are empathetic, patient and of a caring nature

- Have good verbal and inter-personal communication skills

- Recognise the importance of confidentiality and can uphold this in practice

- Are committed to inclusion and treating people with dignity and respect

REQUIREMENTS OF A BEFRIENDER INCLUDE:

- Calling your client once a week for a chat of up to 45 minutes; this is a 26 week initial commitment, at the end of which each client’s needs are reviewed

- Completing an online call log record promptly after each phone call

- Ensuring immediate contact with the Chatterbox Coordinators if you feel that the client might be a risk to themselves or others

- Liaising with the Chatterbox Coordinator on a regular basis regarding the service, as well as discussing personal learning and development needs

- Respecting service standards, appropriate boundaries and recognising the range of policies and procedures that impact on befriending vulnerable adults

BENEFITS OF THE ROLE MAY INCLUDE:

- Knowing you are making a difference to someone’s life

- Joining the Omega Team who are taking action against loneliness and isolation

- An opportunity to enhance your CV or learn new skills

- An opportunity to engage with your community

SUPPORT AND TRAINING PROVIDED:

- Omega Chatterbox induction program

- Safeguarding training

- Ongoing support from Chatterbox Coordinators for all questions, concerns, and support

- Out of pocket expenses are reimbursed and a mobile phone can be provided if appropriate

- Monthly Befriender group support meetings via the Zoom app

LOCATION OF THE ROLE:

- Home-based

WHEN ARE YOU NEEDED:

- Provided on enquiry

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this role. If you have a criminal record this does not automatically prevent you from being considered as an Omega Chatterbox Befriender. We will take into account the nature of the offence, when it happened and whether it is relevant to the voluntary role. If you are shortlisted, this will be discussed with you during the recruitment process.

Overview of the role

We are seeking three or four individuals to be active members, and maybe a future Vice-Chair, of our Board of Trustees, working collaboratively with other trustees, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders to help the Foodbank in pursuit of its Vision and Strategic Plan. The Trustee will also be expected to lead on certain areas and initiatives, as required by the charity, and which utilises the Trustees experience and skills.

Volunteering is a fantastic way for you to be involved in your local community and volunteers are at the heart of all that we do as a Foodbank. The role of volunteers who dedicate their time and skills to support people in crisis will continue to be critical as we work together to fulfil our vision of seeing a UK without the need for Foodbanks.

Key Tasks:

· ensure that Stratford Upon Avon Foodbank complies with and pursues its objects as defined in its governing document, charity and company law, and other relevant legislation or regulations

· ensure that the Foodbank applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects

· give firm strategic direction to the Foodbank contributing to the Foodbank’s strategic plan, helping set policies, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets

· appoint the Foodbank manager and monitor their performance

· safeguard the good name and ethos of the Foodbank

· ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Foodbank

· lead and/or serve on sub-committees and attendance at various other meetings, including with the charity’s staff, volunteers, and stakeholders. 

· ensure an understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of equality, equity, diversity and inclusion

It is hoped that Trustees will also undertake additional work for the charity between meetings subject to their availability and skill set.  

About you:

We are looking for people who want to help their local community and work towards the eradication of food poverty whilst support the Foodbank to continue to provide emergency food to people who find themselves in crisis. Our ideal candidates would demonstrate:

· a desire for helping and making a difference to people who do not have enough money to afford the essentials

· a passion for, and commitment to, Stratford Upon Avon Foodbank

· ideally have current or previous third-sector experience

· compassion, honesty, openness, kindness, and integrity

· an ability to listen and engage effectively

· an ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment.

The Foodbank would welcome applications from those who believe they have experience and skills that would be helpful to us and particularly those with experience and/or skills in one or more of the of the following areas: 

· Communications and/or Public Relations

· Facilities Management

· Digital/Technology applications in the Charity Sector/Cyber Security

· Charity Governance

What’s in it for you?

· feeling you are making a difference whilst volunteering with us

· meeting new people and being part of a motivated team who share a passion to eradicate poverty in our community

· building a movement of change with our volunteers, staff, and the people who use our Foodbank

· bringing our staff, volunteers, and trustees together to achieve our vision and strategy

· gaining a greater insight and understanding of local agencies and partnerships.

Whatever your background, we want to make sure you are supported and empowered and enjoy your time volunteering with us. We know that having volunteers from a diverse range of backgrounds, with varying experiences, can help to make what we do as effective as possible. As such, we welcome all applicants regardless of age, religion or beliefs, disability, ethnic background, gender reassignment, sex, or sexual orientation. We also encourage those with lived experience of poverty to apply.

Please note:

· you must be 18 or over and must not be disqualified from acting as a trustee and you must declare any conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a trustee

· a Trustee for the charity will serve a maximum of a three-year term to be eligible for re-appointment for two additional terms.

· all new Trustees are required to complete our Volunteer Form and a Fitness to Practice Form

· the Foodbank’s code of conduct will be shared with you, and all applicants will be expected to confirm that they would adhere to it.

Our Befriending Project supports people who are socially isolated in Ealing and Hounslow. They may have a physical or sensory disability, or they may have mild dementia, and are sometimes housebound.

This is an opportunity to become a Befriender.

On successful completion of the training, Befrienders are matched with someone who lives close to them.

They make a weekly 1-2 hour visit to the client's home, where they might stay in and chat over a cup of tea or, where possible, go out for a walk together, visit a café or undertake a local activity.

These visits make such a difference for the client, but volunteering with BEfriend not only enriches the lives of those who are isolated, it also offers immense personal rewards.

As a Befriender, you’ll get to know inspirational people with fascinating stories, develop new skills and be part of a supportive team that values compassion and connection.

Could you be the heart of our shops, welcoming customers, spreading smiles, and helping create a warm, positive shopping experience.

• Welcome and assist customers, make every visitor feel valued and part of something special.
• Serve at the till with a smile. Every sale helps fund the rescue, care, and rehoming of animals in need.
• Refresh and restock displays, create an inviting shop that inspires customers to browse, buy, and support PACT.
• Share PACT’s mission and events, spread the word and help more people discover how they can make a difference for animals.

A full list of available locations can be found on the application form