Social welfare volunteer roles

Brightview Farm – Trustee Opportunity

Help shape a charity that actually changes lives, not just policies.

Brightview Farm isn’t a typical education charity. It’s a place where young people with Special Educational Needs find safety, purpose and a way back into themselves through animals, land, meaningful work, and steady adult relationships.

We’re growing — in impact, ambition and responsibility — and we’re looking for new Trustees who want to use their expertise where it genuinely matters.

Why Join Us?

As a Trustee, you’ll play a key role in guiding a charity that blends education, care and nature-based practice to help young people build confidence, skills and independence. You’ll be joining a Board that believes in doing things properly: thoughtful governance, trauma-informed practice, and a deeply human approach to learning.

You’ll help us:

• Set a clear, values-driven strategic direction
• Support a passionate CEO and a team working at the sharp end of SEN provision
• Strengthen and expand our high-quality Alternative Provision offer
• Ensure the environment remains safe, nurturing, and genuinely transformative
• Bring your insight, curiosity, judgement and lived experience into conversations that shape the future of the farm and the young people we serve

Who We’d Love to Have Around the Table

You don’t need to be an expert in everything — nobody is. But experience in any of the following would be a real asset:

• SEN, education, youth work or social care
• Mental health, behaviour support, occupational therapy
• Horticulture, farming, land management or animal care
• Safeguarding, charity governance, fundraising, finance or communications

What Matters Most

• A grounded commitment to inclusion and person-centred practice
• An understanding — or willingness to learn — about the realities faced by young people with SEN and their families
• Integrity, humility, and good judgement
• The ability to both challenge and support in equal measure
• A belief that diverse voices make better decisions

If you want your time and expertise to directly support young people who deserve better than the system often gives them, we’d love to talk. We are ideally looking for someone in Essex/Herts who would be able to visit our site and meet other trustees/staff face to face on occasion

Get in touch for an informal conversation. We are currently based near Great Dunmow Essex.

We are looking to create a team of fashion and clothing students (ideally final year) and/or people with knowledge, experience in and passion for fashion for an exciting project launching the new PINT fashion brand. We are looking for people across a range of disciplines including fashion design, marketing, social media and branding to help build a brand from scratch. It really is a blank canvas!

This is a unique project that will need a broad range of skills to deliver, so we are very open minded to volunteers that might be interested to get involved. We expect the following skills will be required - leadership/project management, fashion design, marketing, social media, logistics and branding. 

Are you passionate about wanting to help young people? 

Do you have 2 to 4 hours to spare, once a month? 

Are you ready to make a long-term, regular, commitment? 

If the answer is yes and you would like to support a child or young person currently in the care of their local authority, then we would love to hear from you. 

Our Independent Visitor Service is looking for volunteers in or near to Derby.

For many children and young people living in foster care can be unsettling. You can make a difference by volunteering as an Independent Visitor. 

We are looking for fun, reliable, and pro-active volunteers from all different cultures, backgrounds and experiences who have a genuine interest in making a difference to the lives of children and young people. 

You will decide with your young person what to do, but activities could include going to the cinema, bowling, playing football, going to a restaurant, riding a bike, or walking in a park. We will match you with a child you share common interests with. 

You do not need experience of working with children and young people, just an interest in their development and welfare. Full training and support are provided 

Here’s a few of the young people we have waiting for a volunteer: 

• Amy (12) lives with an older carer, she would like an active Independent Visitor who can do sports with her. 

• Brad (13) lives in residential care with other young people, he doesn’t have anyone in his family visit. He would like an Independent Visitor to take him out and have fun, like the other young people. 

• Cassie (16) lives with carers in a new town, she doesn’t have any friends in the area yet. She would like an Independent Visitor to help with her confidence and going out in the local area, she loves hot chocolate and cake. 

• Danny (11) lives with foster carers and attends a special school. He would like an Independent Visitor to help him be more independent, he likes parks, aeroplanes, and animals. 

• Emma (9) lives with her carer in a very busy household, she would like an Independent Visitor to spend some time with her on her own trying different activities together. 

*names have been changed 

The Application 

• Volunteering mainly happens at weekends and after school hours as the young people are usually in school during the daytime 

• The role requires commitment of at least 24 months with one visit per month; this ensures stability for the Child or Young Person 

• Complete the Personal Statement section on the application form as fully as possible; tell us all about you; it forms part of the shortlisting process 

The Befriender 'In Home' Volunteer will play an important role by providing companionship to someone we support at our supported living service by spending time with them, visiting them in the home and doing activities they enjoy. These might include chatting over a cup of tea, reading books, playing board games, etc.

Skills Required

· To be kind, empathetic and friendly

· To have a good sense of humour and love to chat

· To be punctual and reliable

· To be able to deal with information in line with our data protection and confidentiality procedures

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

· Safeguarding

· H&S

· Manual Handling

· How to be Eye Care Aware

· Fire Safety

· Infection Control

· Data Security and Confidentiality

· First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

· This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others. 

· Befriending is a great way to keep active and meet new people.

· SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

· Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time. SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

Are you passionate about wanting to help young people? 

Do you have 2 to 4 hours to spare, once a month? 

Are you ready to make a long-term, regular, commitment? 

If the answer is yes and you would like to support a child or young person currently in the care of their local authority, then we would love to hear from you. 

Our Independent Visitor Service is looking for volunteers in or near to Droitwich Spa.

For many children and young people living in foster care can be unsettling. You can make a difference by volunteering as an Independent Visitor. 

We are looking for fun, reliable, and pro-active volunteers from all different cultures, backgrounds and experiences who have a genuine interest in making a difference to the lives of children and young people. 

You will decide with your young person what to do, but activities could include going to the cinema, bowling, playing football, going to a restaurant, riding a bike, or walking in a park. We will match you with a child you share common interests with. 

You do not need experience of working with children and young people, just an interest in their development and welfare. Full training and support are provided 

Here’s a few of the young people we have waiting for a volunteer: 

• Amy (12) lives with an older carer, she would like an active Independent Visitor who can do sports with her. 

• Brad (13) lives in residential care with other young people, he doesn’t have anyone in his family visit. He would like an Independent Visitor to take him out and have fun, like the other young people. 

• Cassie (16) lives with carers in a new town, she doesn’t have any friends in the area yet. She would like an Independent Visitor to help with her confidence and going out in the local area, she loves hot chocolate and cake. 

• Danny (11) lives with foster carers and attends a special school. He would like an Independent Visitor to help him be more independent, he likes parks, aeroplanes, and animals. 

• Emma (9) lives with her carer in a very busy household, she would like an Independent Visitor to spend some time with her on her own trying different activities together. 

*names have been changed 

The Application 

• Volunteering mainly happens at weekends and after school hours as the young people are usually in school during the daytime 

• The role requires commitment of at least 24 months with one visit per month; this ensures stability for the Child or Young Person 

• Complete the Personal Statement section on the application form as fully as possible; tell us all about you; it forms part of the shortlisting process 

The Befriender 'In Home' Volunteer will play an important role by providing companionship to someone we support at our supported living service by spending time with them, visiting them in the home and doing activities they enjoy. These might include chatting over a cup of tea, reading books, playing board games, etc.

Skills Required

· To be kind, empathetic and friendly

· To have a good sense of humour and love to chat

· To be punctual and reliable

· To be able to deal with information in line with our data protection and confidentiality procedures

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

· Safeguarding

· H&S

· Manual Handling

· How to be Eye Care Aware

· Fire Safety

· Infection Control

· Data Security and Confidentiality

· First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

· This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others. 

· Befriending is a great way to keep active and meet new people.

· SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

· Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time. SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

The Befriender 'In Home' Volunteer will play an important role by providing companionship to someone we support at our supported living service by spending time with them, visiting them in the home and doing activities they enjoy. These might include chatting over a cup of tea, reading books, playing board games, etc.

Skills Required

· To be kind, empathetic and friendly

· To have a good sense of humour and love to chat

· To be punctual and reliable

· To be able to deal with information in line with our data protection and confidentiality procedures

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

· Safeguarding

· H&S

· Manual Handling

· How to be Eye Care Aware

· Fire Safety

· Infection Control

· Data Security and Confidentiality

· First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

· This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others. 

· Befriending is a great way to keep active and meet new people.

· SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

· Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time. SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

Are you passionate about wanting to help young people? 

Do you have 2 to 4 hours to spare, once a month? 

Are you ready to make a long-term, regular, commitment? 

If the answer is yes and you would like to support a child or young person currently in the care of their local authority, then we would love to hear from you. 

Our Independent Visitor Service is looking for volunteers in or near to Crewe.

For many children and young people living in foster care can be unsettling. You can make a difference by volunteering as an Independent Visitor. 

We are looking for fun, reliable, and pro-active volunteers from all different cultures, backgrounds and experiences who have a genuine interest in making a difference to the lives of children and young people. 

You will decide with your young person what to do, but activities could include going to the cinema, bowling, playing football, going to a restaurant, riding a bike, or walking in a park. We will match you with a child you share common interests with. 

You do not need experience of working with children and young people, just an interest in their development and welfare. Full training and support are provided 

Here’s a few of the young people we have waiting for a volunteer: 

• Amy (12) lives with an older carer, she would like an active Independent Visitor who can do sports with her. 

• Brad (13) lives in residential care with other young people, he doesn’t have anyone in his family visit. He would like an Independent Visitor to take him out and have fun, like the other young people. 

• Cassie (16) lives with carers in a new town, she doesn’t have any friends in the area yet. She would like an Independent Visitor to help with her confidence and going out in the local area, she loves hot chocolate and cake. 

• Danny (11) lives with foster carers and attends a special school. He would like an Independent Visitor to help him be more independent, he likes parks, aeroplanes, and animals. 

• Emma (9) lives with her carer in a very busy household, she would like an Independent Visitor to spend some time with her on her own trying different activities together. 

*names have been changed 

The Application 

• Volunteering mainly happens at weekends and after school hours as the young people are usually in school during the daytime 

• The role requires commitment of at least 24 months with one visit per month; this ensures stability for the Child or Young Person 

• Complete the Personal Statement section on the application form as fully as possible; tell us all about you; it forms part of the shortlisting process 

Our Gardener Volunteers support our homes by helping to maintain their outdoor spaces through weeding, pruning and planting, so that the people we support can enjoy spending time in a beautiful environment. 

We are currently looking for volunteer gardeners for one of our services, who can support with the following tasks:

• Create planters

• Provide general maintenance of our gardens

• Watering, planting, weeding and pruning

• Maintaining flower beds

• Creating/improving/maintaining our sensory garden spaces

Skills required 

In order to become one of our gardener volunteers you will be:

• Knowledgeable about plants

• Confident using gardening equipment

• Punctual and reliable

• Friendly and approachable.

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

• Safeguarding

• H&S

• Manual Handling

• How to be Eye Care Aware

• Fire Safety

• Infection Control

• Data Security and Confidentiality

• First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

This is a fantastic opportunity to give something positive back to society and have a direct impact on people’s lives.

Gardening is a great way to get out and about, stay fit and meet new people.

Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us 

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time.

SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

Are you passionate about wanting to help young people? 

Do you have 2 to 4 hours to spare, once a month? 

Are you ready to make a long-term, regular, commitment? 

If the answer is yes and you would like to support a child or young person currently in the care of their local authority, then we would love to hear from you. 

Our Independent Visitor Service is looking for volunteers in or near to Stoke on Trent.

For many children and young people living in foster care can be unsettling. You can make a difference by volunteering as an Independent Visitor. 

We are looking for fun, reliable, and pro-active volunteers from all different cultures, backgrounds and experiences who have a genuine interest in making a difference to the lives of children and young people. 

You will decide with your young person what to do, but activities could include going to the cinema, bowling, playing football, going to a restaurant, riding a bike, or walking in a park. We will match you with a child you share common interests with. 

You do not need experience of working with children and young people, just an interest in their development and welfare. Full training and support are provided 

Here’s a few of the young people we have waiting for a volunteer: 

• Amy (12) lives with an older carer, she would like an active Independent Visitor who can do sports with her. 

• Brad (13) lives in residential care with other young people, he doesn’t have anyone in his family visit. He would like an Independent Visitor to take him out and have fun, like the other young people. 

• Cassie (16) lives with carers in a new town, she doesn’t have any friends in the area yet. She would like an Independent Visitor to help with her confidence and going out in the local area, she loves hot chocolate and cake. 

• Danny (11) lives with foster carers and attends a special school. He would like an Independent Visitor to help him be more independent, he likes parks, aeroplanes, and animals. 

• Emma (9) lives with her carer in a very busy household, she would like an Independent Visitor to spend some time with her on her own trying different activities together. 

*names have been changed 

The Application 

• Volunteering mainly happens at weekends and after school hours as the young people are usually in school during the daytime 

• The role requires commitment of at least 24 months with one visit per month; this ensures stability for the Child or Young Person 

• Complete the Personal Statement section on the application form as fully as possible; tell us all about you; it forms part of the shortlisting process 

Graphic Designer (MINDSET Charity) - VOLUNTEER ROLE

Remote | Very Flexible 

Help shape the visual identity of a national movement for men’s wellbeing

MINDSET is building a bold new movement for men’s mental wellbeing and personal growth in the UK — rooted in action, challenge, brotherhood, and real‑world transformation. To bring this mission to life, we urgently need a talented Graphic Designer who can help us create powerful, professional visuals that will put MINDSET firmly on the map.

This is a role for someone who wants their creativity to matter — someone who wants to design work that directly supports men across the UK.

Why This Role Matters

Our programmes, campaigns, and recruitment efforts rely on clear, compelling, and consistent design. Your work will help us:

• Reach men who need support

• Build trust with partners and communities

• Strengthen our national identity

• Communicate our mission with clarity and dignity

Every banner, post, booklet, and graphic you create will help us change lives.

What You’ll Design

We urgently need a designer who can create a range of high‑impact digital and print materials, including:

• Roller Banners for events, outreach, and public visibility

• Social Media Posts for campaigns, recruitment, and programme promotion

• Print Materials such as flyers, leaflets, and business stationery

• Digital Assets for our website, online programmes, and volunteer recruitment

• Guide Booklets for our 12‑week Self‑Improvement Programme and other initiatives

You’ll be helping to build a cohesive, professional visual identity for a charity that is growing fast.

What You’ll Do

As our Graphic Designer, you will:

• Create clean, modern, impactful designs that reflect MINDSET’s mission

• Work with the Head of Marketing & Communications to deliver campaign visuals

• Produce both digital and print‑ready artwork

• Ensure brand consistency across all materials

• Bring creativity, clarity, and emotional resonance to every design

• Help shape the visual identity of a national movement

This role is remote, flexible, and ideal for someone who wants to make a meaningful contribution in just a few hours each week.

Who This Role Is Perfect For

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• Skilled in graphic design (Canva, Adobe, or similar tools)

• Able to produce polished, professional designs quickly and reliably

• Passionate about men’s wellbeing, personal growth, and community

• Someone who enjoys turning ideas into visuals that inspire action

• Excited by the idea of helping build a national charity from the ground up

You do not need charity experience. You do not need formal qualifications. You simply need creativity, initiative, and a desire to help men live fuller, healthier lives.

If you want your design skills to make a real difference…

We’d love to hear from you. Join us and help build the visual identity of MINDSET.

​

Hopian is looking for volunteers to be the first point of contact for anyone who gets in touch with our Helpline for those affected by Domestic Abuse and Child Sexual Exploitation.

Hopian is a registered charity that provides advice and support for adults and children who have experienced Domestic Violence and Abuse through the provision of refuge accommodation and community support services.  We also provide support and access to counselling for people affected by Child Sexual Exploitation.

What the role entails:

• Answer inbound calls and respond to general enquiries to help people understand our service and the next steps.
• Take safe contact details and record brief notes so our staff can follow up efficiently.
• Triage and signpost using clear guidance, escalating any higher-risk or complex concerns to a staff member.
• Support email responses to straightforward enquiries and referrals, using agreed templates and safecontact practices.
• Contact people at the end of their support to gather feedback, helping us improve our services and ensure everyone feels heard and valued.

What we are looking for:

• Clear and confident communication, spoken and written,
• Active listening and empathy, with the ability to stay calm under pressure,
• Good judgement about boundaries and confidentiality (you will always have a staff member to escalate to),
• Basic digital skills for call notes and email replies.

Training, supervision & support

You will receive a structured induction, role-specific training, and ongoing group supervision, plus access to the Volunteer Handbook and a supportive team environment.

Recruitment process

Once you submit your CV and covering letter, it will be reviewed and shortlisted against the role criteria. If your application meets the requirements, you will be invited to an interview.

Applicants who are successful at the interview will receive a conditional offer, subject to standard checks. These include identity verification, two satisfactory references, and, where required for the role, a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

We will keep you informed at each stage and will advise you of induction dates once we have made a conditional offer.

Before starting your role, you will need to attend all required induction and role-specific training. Some sessions may fall outside your usual weekly volunteering schedule, particularly in the early stages of onboarding. We ask for a commitment to attend the full training programme so that you feel confident and supported in the helpline.

Would you like to help end food insecurity and tackle climate change in Greater Manchester, whilst gaining valuable experience and skills? Or perhaps you'd just like to keep busy and active and make new friends, whilst supporting a great cause.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

Induction, training and support.
Practical experience and transferable skills in food redistribution and warehousing.
A reference (after 2 months with us).
An understanding of warehousing and logistics.
Expenses:
Reimbursement of travel costs of up to £5 for public transport, and up to £6 for car drivers.
Up to £3 towards lunch, if you have special dietary requirements. (We provide lunch, so will contribute towards the cost of a meal, should you bring your own, if what we are offering isn't considered suitable; e.g. a diet that's restricted for health, ethics or religion).

ABOUT US
As a sustainability charity, we take donated surplus (over-stocked) food and redistribute it to people in need.
The initiatives we support include food banks, schools, community groups and charities.
Our vital work supports people experiencing extreme hardship and prevents good food going to landfill, where it would contribute to climate warming through greenhouse gas emissions. 
We need help in our warehouse to receive and record supplies, load and unload vans, and prepare orders for delivery. In return, we offer training and support to help you obtain skills and experience if you are seeking work. If you're not looking for a job, volunteering with us is rewarding in many other ways; offering an opportunity to make friends, keep physically active and support your community.

This role is vital to FareShare's work, ensuring that the food in our warehouse is sorted, labelled and organised into orders.
It is perfect for someone who is:

a) Looking for a practical activity to keep busy and physically fit.
b) Looking for experience and skills to gain employment in the food industry, warehousing or customer service.
c) Wanting to help their community and help tackle global warming.
d) Wanting to make new friends.

Our volunteer roles are available Monday to Friday, for a whole or half day, with shifts between 8:30-am-12:30pm and 12:30-4:30pm. 
Volunteers are typically involved on one day a week.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
Receiving, sorting, cataloguing and storing chilled and ambient food and preparing orders for delivery. 
Ensuring food quality and safety by checking ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates.
Unpacking deliveries, recording and categorising food.
Assembling food orders.
Assisting our Community Food Members with their order collections.
Maintaining health and safety and hygiene standards. 
Helping with cleaning and other routine tasks.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: You must...
Be reasonably physically fit to carry out tasks, including lifting and loading.
Speak English well in order to communicate clearly with our Community Food Members, and to understand and follow instructions and health and safety rules. 
Have basic literacy and numeracy skills to record details of donated food.
Be able to work to Health and Safety standards.
Be happy to complete tasks independently according to instruction.
Be positive, friendly and enthusiastic about tackling food waste and food insecurity.
Be reliable and able to commit to an agreed session/day.

LOCATION
We are located in Maynard House, New Smithfield Market, Openshaw, M11 2WJ, which is easily reachable on public transport. We have free-onsite parking and secure storage for bicycles.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be a UK resident and living within easy commuting distance of our base in order to volunteer with us. This is because our volunteers must be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for our roles.
We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

A bit about this role

As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our fundraising event helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between!
 

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

• help set up and/or man stalls at events
• help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections
• help at fundraising events such as quiz nights, cake sales and dances
• promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events

Time expectation

This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.

We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.