819 Social volunteer roles

Purpose of the Role:

To deliver engaging and inspiring wellbeing sessions at the Baytree Centre, fostering a healthier and happier community. By sharing your expertise and creating a supportive environment, the role empowers participants to explore different aspects of wellbeing and adopt positive lifestyle choices. Topics may include mindfulness, creative arts, physical fitness, nutrition or other wellbeing-related activities.

Main Responsibilities:

- Lead and deliver wellbeing workshops on agreed topics.

- Prepare and set up the space, ensuring all materials and resources are available and organised for each session.

- Create a supportive and inclusive environment where participants feel comfortable to learn, share, and engage in discussions.

- Encourage connections between participants.

- Provide guidance, encouragement, and practical tips to help participants integrate wellbeing practices into their daily lives.

- Adhere to Baytree Centre policies and procedures.

Skills and Qualities Required:

- Expertise or experience in one or more wellbeing areas such as mindfulness, creative arts, fitness, nutrition, or similar.

- Strong facilitation skills to engage participants and encourage active involvement.

- Patience, empathy, and cultural sensitivity to support participants from diverse backgrounds.

- Good organisational skills to ensure smooth preparation and delivery of sessions.

- Excellent communication skills to convey information clearly and encourage meaningful discussion.

- Interest in health, wellbeing, or community engagement.

Commitment:

- Deliver wellbeing workshops, (day and time subject to the timetable).

- Minimum commitment of 2 terms for continuity and effectiveness.

- Location: The Baytree Centre.

Benefits:

- Gain experience in delivering community-based wellbeing activities.

- Develop skills in facilitation, teaching, and cross-cultural communication.

- Contribute to participants’ confidence, wellbeing, and social connections.

- Be part of a supportive and welcoming volunteer community.

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

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital funds for our work and act as incredible advocates for the rights of children both in the UK and around the world.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. Candidates must be over 18 to apply.

Volunteering in the shop

Our gorgeous shop in historic Windsor has been at the heart of the community since the early 1990’s (it’s truly vintage!) and has in recent years been transformed into a bespoke Mary’s Living & Giving store. 

Our Windsor Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied.

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick.

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children. 

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related). 

How to apply

Express your interest on email via the apply button. 

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. Candidates must be over 18 to apply.

Monday to Friday (any day welcome) 2 to 4pm (However happy to consider mornings in our High Wycombe hostel Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays)

We are looking for a friendly and reliable Resident Engagement Support Volunteer to help create a welcoming and positive environment for residents living in our accommodation in Welwyn Garden City, Hatfied and High Wycombe hostels.

This is a flexible role that will begin with a focus on befriending and social connection. Volunteers will help open the residents’ café, serve teas and coffees, and spend time chatting with residents to help build rapport and reduce social isolation.

As confidence and relationships develop, the role can be shaped around the volunteer’s interests, skills and ideas. We welcome volunteers who may wish to support additional activities such as games, quizzes, crafts, wellbeing activities, cooking sessions, or sharing practical life skills.

No specialist experience is required - just a warm approach, good listening skills and a willingness to engage with people.

Key Responsibilities

· Opening and helping run the residents’ café during the afternoon session.

· Preparing and serving teas, coffees and refreshments.

· Offering a friendly welcome to residents.

· Spending time talking with residents and building positive relationships.

· Encouraging residents to take part in social activities, signposting to staff where additional support is needed.

· Supporting or helping to organise simple activities such as board games, crafts or quizzes.

· Sharing personal skills or hobbies where appropriate (for example cooking, baking or creative activities).

· Co-designing activities based on resident feedback and interest

· Work alongside staff to create a safe, inclusive, and positive environment for residents.

· Uphold One YMCA’s safeguarding, confidentiality, and health & safety policies at all times.

Skills / Abilities / Experience / Qualities

· Friendly, approachable, and non-judgemental.

· Good listening and communication skills.

· Flexible, reliable, and willing to help in a variety of ways.

· Creativity and good knowledge on specific activities to be delivered

· Able to work as part of a team while respecting professional boundaries.

· Experience of working or volunteering with vulnerable people who may have experienced challenges such as homelessness and mental health (desirable). Volunteers should be able to respond with empathy to residents' emotions, maintain appropriate boundaries, and recognise when concerns or situations need to be escalated to a member of staff.

· Respectful of diversity and inclusive of people from all backgrounds.

Training / Support

· A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided.

· Requirement to undertake One YMCA online training courses, including safeguarding; Health & Safety Awareness and Manual Handling where appropriate.

· To understand and implement One YMCA’s policies.

· Ongoing support and regular 1:1 meetings with your line manager

· Access to organisational events throughout the year including a Volunteer’s Celebration and Annual conference

Additional Information

· You will be required to undergo a DBS check

· Two references will be required

Inclusive Boards is delighted to be supporting Oaklea Trust in their search for their next Chair of Trustees. 

About Oaklea Trust

The Oaklea Trust is a charitable organisation whose purpose is to give vulnerable people the opportunity to live and work as independently as possible within their community. Established in 2002 and based in Cumbria, County Durham and Northumberland, we support disabled, disadvantaged and vulnerable children and adults. Our charitable work supports people of all ages who have Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Mental Health needs, and/or Dementia.

The Oaklea Group is made up of the charity, Oaklea Trust, and its commercial arm, Right2Work. Together, they support people and communities to learn, develop and thrive through person-centred care and support, learning opportunities, and pathways into employment.

This is a unique opportunity to help lead a values-driven organisation that supports people and communities across the North of England to learn, develop and thrive.

About the Chair opportunity

As Chair, you will energise and empower the Board and the Group as a whole. You will foster a culture of openness, collaboration, and constructive debate. You will inspire confidence and ensure the highest standards of governance, integrity and accountability. 

You will also help shape the Group’s future impact, supporting our mission to reduce inequality and create opportunities for people and communities to thrive. Through your strategic insight and advocacy, you will help extend our reach, strengthen partnerships and ensure more people can access the care, support and opportunities they need and deserve.

The Chair of the Oaklea Board of Trustees will:

• Ensure the Board functions effectively
• Guide Oaklea Trust’s strategic direction
• Ensure governance oversight
• Represent Oaklea Trust internally and externally
• Evaluate and support the Chief Executive
• Champion the leadership of Committees

We are seeking a new Chair of Trustees who can bring the following experience and capabilities to the role. We recognise that lived experience can offer valuable insights that greatly enhance a role like this, especially when combined with professional expertise.

Experience/Background:

• Experience of strategic leadership and governance within an organisation of equivalent size and complexity to Oaklea Trust, ideally within a Group structure. 
• A track record of driving growth and innovation, with the ability to apply insight to support the achievement of Oaklea Trust’s strategic objectives. 
• Understanding of the challenges associated with leading and delivering regulated services and the management of the associated risks.
• Ability to constructively challenge and hold space for compassionate and constructive conversations.
• Financial and commercial acumen, including experience in financial planning, oversight, risk management, and the establishment and monitoring of systems of control and accountability. 
• Ability to scrutinise and manage financial risk, ensuring long-term financial sustainability and safeguarding against fraud. 
• Ability to open doors, build networks and maximise opportunities with a range of stakeholders, funders and partner organisations.
• Previous trustee and/or Chair/Vice Chair experience is desirable.

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 local group Support Volunteer you’ll signpost people affected by MS to information about local and national services. That could be helping someone access information about the care or benefits they need or giving them a hand with a grant application.

In this role you’ll develop your listening and communication skills, as well as your knowledge of local services.

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital funds for our work and act as incredible advocates for the rights of children both in the UK and around the world.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. Candidates must be over 18.

Volunteering in the shop

Mary's Living & Giving for Save the Children is unique - a vibrant result of the generous gifts of local individuals and companies being turned around by the skills and passions of volunteer teams, to create a destination retail experience. Selling womenswear, menswear, shoes, and bags to household goods, our shops can be found in the London villages and bring in vital funds for Save the Children.

Our Little Venice Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied.

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick.

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children. 

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related). 

How to apply

Express your interest on email via the apply button. 

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. Candidates must be over 18.

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital funds for our work and act as incredible advocates for the rights of children both in the UK and around the world.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. Candidates must be over 18 to apply. 

Volunteering in the shop

Our Bournemouth Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied.

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick.

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children.

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related).

How to apply

Express your interest on email via the apply button.  

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. Candidates must be over 18.

The online marketplace is a fantastic way to support our fundraising efforts and boost vital donations for the Hospice. When selling items online, we take the time to research each item, snap some great photos, set fair prices, and list them on the right platforms. If you enjoy online shopping, have a good eye for detail and a flair for photography, then this could be the perfect role for you!

Ideally, you will commit to a 4 hour shift between 10am and 2pm on either Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and/or Fridays.

You’ll be comfortable using online marketplace platforms (especially Ebay), confident writing product descriptions, and taking photos with the provided smartphone on a white background. By volunteering as an E-commerce Assistant Volunteer, you’ll not only gain new skills, knowledge, and social networks, you’ll be making a difference in your local community.

Chair of the Board — United St Saviour's Charity

For almost 500 years, we've supported Southwark's communities. Now we're looking for a new Chair to help lead our next chapter — including delivering the RIBA Stirling Prize-winning legacy of Appleby Blue into a bold ten-year strategy.

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 have board leadership experience, ideally including previous experience chairing a board or significant committee
• You've held senior leadership roles within a medium-to-large charity or purpose-driven organisation, ideally through periods of growth, complexity or strategic change
• You bring strength in one or more of: housing and property development, organisational governance, community development, or finance and accounting
• You have a genuine, lived or learned understanding of Southwark and its communities
• You're as comfortable challenging and questioning as you are supporting — leading with influence rather than authority

What you'll do

As Chair, you'll lead our Board of Trustees and work in close partnership with our Chief Executive, Martyn Craddock, providing support, guidance and constructive challenge to help the organisation deliver its strategic plan. You'll ensure the charity remains well governed, financially sustainable, and focused on delivering lasting impact for the people of Southwark — while acting as an ambassador for our values, purpose and reputation, including in situations that require urgent decision-making.

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.

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 approximately 2–3 days a month, including four Board meetings a year, a Strategy and Reflection Day, and membership of one to two committees.

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 23 November 2026.

South Shields Memory Walk is back for 2026, and so are our amazing volunteering opportunities. Memory Walk is so much more than a sponsored walk. Every year thousands of people come together to remember and bring hope for a brighter future.  It will take a society to beat dementia and by volunteering at Memory Walk you can be a part of it.

This is a walk like no other; this is thousands of people walking for a better future for those with dementia. Join the volunteer team on Saturday 10th October at Bents Park in South Shields. 

There is something for everyone, with roles based in the event site and along the route. Be part of an unforgettable event experience as you cheer at a marshal point, follow the route as a back marker, sell some goodies or congratulate walkers with their finish line medal. You will have the opportunity to pair up with a friend or another volunteer and we’ll make sure you have everything you need! 

Sign up to volunteer at Memory Walk this October! 

Manchester Memory Walk is back for 2026, and so are our amazing volunteering opportunities. Memory Walk is so much more than a sponsored walk. Every year thousands of people come together to remember and bring hope for a brighter future.  It will take a society to beat dementia and by volunteering at Memory Walk you can be a part of it.

This is a walk like no other; this is thousands of people walking for a better future for those with dementia. Join the volunteer team on Saturday 3rd October at Heaton Park, in Manchester.

There is something for everyone, with roles based in the event site and along the route. Be part of an unforgettable event experience as you cheer at a marshal point, follow the route as a back marker, sell some goodies or congratulate walkers with their finish line medal. You will have the opportunity to pair up with a friend or another volunteer and we’ll make sure you have everything you need! 

Sign up to volunteer at Memory Walk this October! 

Oasis House is a supported accommodation service in Northampton, supporting clients to develop confidence, independence and practical life skills.

The Grow, Cook & Eat project gives clients the opportunity to grow their own fruit and vegetables, learn how to cook healthy meals and enjoy the food they have grown.

Volunteers will play a key role in supporting clients who choose to commit to the project. Full training will be provided.

Could you help our clients grow, cook and eat their way to greater independence?

· Do you have an interest in gardening, growing food, or cooking

· Can you encourage a client to learn new practical skills and build confidence?

· Would you enjoy teaching someone how to grow vegetables, fruit and herbs?

· Can you help clients turn what they grow into simple, healthy and affordable meals?

· Would you like to help create positive social activities and stronger community connections at Oasis House?

If you can answer 'yes' to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

About the Grow, Cook & Eat Project

Grow, Cook & Eat is a community-focused initiative designed to build practical skills, improve food choices, promote wellbeing and strengthen social connections.

At Oasis House, the project will be delivered in a practical and supportive way. Clients who want to commit to the programme will be encouraged to take part in growing, cooking and eating activities, with volunteers providing guidance and encouragement

Key responsibilities

Your role will include, but is not restricted to, the following tasks:

· Teach clients how to plant seeds and seedlings and care for fruit, vegetables and herbs.

· Help clients understand simple, seasonal and low-cost ways of growing food.

· Encourage clients to take responsibility for watering, maintaining and looking after their growing areas.

· Support clients to recognise when produce is ready to harvest and show them how to harvest it safely.

· Help clients use produce they have grown as part of cooking activities.

· Help clients explore affordable meals, meal planning and ways to reduce food waste.

· Encourage clients to cook for themselves rather than doing tasks for them, promoting independence wherever possible.

· Create a friendly and inclusive environment where clients feel comfortable learning and trying new things.

· Follow Oasis House policies, safeguarding procedures, health and safety guidance and professional boundaries.

What difference will you make?

By supporting this project, you can help clients develop practical life skills that can be used both inside and outside Oasis House.

· Build practical skills in growing and cooking healthy food.

· Improve confidence and independence.

· Encourage healthier food choices.

· Develop budgeting and meal-planning skills.

· Promote wellbeing through purposeful activities.

· Reduce loneliness and isolation through shared activities.

· Strengthen social connections and a sense of community.

· Give clients a sense of achievement from growing, cooking and eating food they have produced.

The approach

The volunteer's role is to teach, encourage and support. The aim is not for volunteers to do everything for clients, but to help clients learn how to do things for themselves.

All volunteers will receive full training prior to teaching client.

Tech Buddies is a project with a huge positive impact on social connectedness and mental health among our older neighbours. The aim of Tech Buddies is to inspire and then support older people to get digitally connected and confident, to stay safe online and to use the internet regularly until they are happy to do so on their own. Together, the Tech Buddy volunteer and learner explore what technology can offer.

Wednesdays and/or Saturdays you’ll be helping members aged 60+ get savvy using their smart phones, tablets, and laptops. You could be helping with anything from sending emails to installing apps.

Qualities you need for this role:

• Tech Buddy volunteers need to be regular users of technology (e.g. computers/tablets/smartphones) with a genuine desire to share your skills and help older people use technology. 

• Warm and friendly, a good listener

• Reliable and dependable (good timekeeper)

• Non-judgmental, patient with a good sense of humour!

• A good communicator who knows their boundaries and has good spoken English 

Support groups are essential for parents and families seeking support. They provide an opportunity for families to meet others who are also living with a family member who has autism, they provide a safe environment for people with autism and their families to attend and meet and they offer an opportunity for families and individuals to share their own experience and listen to others.

What you will be doing

• Ensuring members are informed when there are support groups meetings coming up (via official branch NAS e-mail, social media or text, for example).
• Advertising the support group (posters, leaflets, etc.)
• Attending the weekly support group sessions.
• Sharing information (full training will be given).
• Signposting to other support, professionals, organisations etc.
• Welcoming new members.
• Liaising with other volunteers to ensure there is a volunteer present for the duration of the meeting.
• Accompanying group members in local outings.