Training development volunteer roles

Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) are at the heart of the cadet experience. As a CFAV, you will guide and support young people, lead or assist in training sessions, and help create a safe, supportive and rewarding environment. You can volunteer as a uniformed or non-uniformed instructor - no military experience is required, all training will be provided.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Support, mentor and encourage cadets, helping them build confidence and life skills
• Assist with planning and delivering training sessions, including subjects such as; first aid, map reading and navigation, fieldcraft, drill and turnout, expedition and adventure training, leadership tasks and teamwork
• Participate in community events, remembrance parades, competitions and weekend activities and residential camps.
• Help with cadet development, assessments and progression as set out in the Army Cadet Syllabus.
• Promote safeguarding, inclusion and wellbeing.
• Work collaboratively with other volunteers and staff to deliver a varied and engaging programme

Skills & Experience (Not Essential):

• Experience of working with young people (youth work, teaching, coaching or similar)
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Leadership, organisation or teamwork abilities
• Enthusiasm, patience and willingness to learn

If you have none of the above - don’t worry. We provide full training, support and mentoring.

Benefits of Volunteering:

• Full training, including opportunities for accredited qualifications.
• Leadership, instructional and youth-development experience
• Improved confidence, teamwork and communication skills
• Social events, outdoor experiences and personal development
• Uniform provided, and reasonable volunteer expenses covered
• The reward of seeing young people grow, achieve and overcome challenges

Practical Information:

• You must be 18 or over.
• A DBS check and safeguarding training are required (provided).
• We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and levels of experience.
• Commitment is flexible - most detachments meet once or twice a week.
• There are no specific nationality requirements, but volunteers must have leave to remain and be eligible to work in the UK.

About the Army Cadets

The Army Cadet Force is a national, community-based youth organisation that provides young people aged 12–18 with opportunities to challenge themselves, learn new skills and grow in confidence. Through a variety of activities, both military-themed and non-military-themed adventurous activities, teamwork, leadership training and community engagement, cadets develop resilience and skills that last a lifetime. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our amazing adult volunteers.

We're currently recruiting volunteers at the following detachments: Ashburton, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Dawlish, Bovey Tracey, Illfracombe, Ivybridge, Paignton and Torquay.

To apply, please enter your postcode into the Find a Detachment box and click Join as a Volunteer to complete the form.

About us:

H4All is working to advance the health and wellbeing of residents in the London Borough of Hillingdon.

This is done through our Community Champions programme, which is an initiative made up of organisations and local volunteers who promote positive wellbeing messaging and share healthcare information.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for committed volunteers who are interested in public health and meeting people in the community. As a Community Champion, you’ll be conducting community outreach, making new connections and supporting us with Community Health projects.

This is a meaningful opportunity to reduce health and social inequalities in the borough of Hillingdon, while gaining practical experience and benefiting from free training.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with the public as part of community outreach efforts, including attending our roadshow events and speaking with residents about health programs and activities. This role will take place at different locations and venues across the London Borough of Hillingdon.
• Support the community by providing information on health services, resources and support networks.
• Complete a monthly log detailing any health outreach undertaken.
• Assist in survey data collection.

Benefits for you:

• Free, specialised training and mentoring provided, enhancing personal and professional skills.
• Hands-on experience in health outreach and community engagement.
• Networking opportunities with healthcare professionals, community organisations and other volunteers.
• A chance to demonstrate your commitment to community health.

Training and support given:

Mandatory training:

• Online Safeguarding and Suicide Prevention courses
• Current healthcare messaging
• NHS blood pressure testing

Throughout your time volunteering with us, there will be additional online and in-person training that will be offered (depending on interest and projects we are running).

Expenses:

We can provide expenses for travel and parking at events or training.

Skills and attributes required:

• Strong desire to make a difference in the London Borough of Hillingdon and improve the local community’s health.
• Confidence in speaking with the public and engaging with diverse communities.
• Respectful of confidentiality and procedures.
• Empathetic and understanding of others’ cultures, beliefs and backgrounds.

Desirable:

• Ability to speak a community language [e.g. Somali, Punjabi, Polish, Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Mandarin, Spanish] would be beneficial.
• Previous experience in community health or outreach would be beneficial.

Commitment required:

• Full induction and Mandatory online courses, as well as Blood pressure checks training before starting your volunteering.
• Attend relevant training when offered.
• We ask for a commitment of 6 months due to free training and individual support/development offered to our volunteers.
• This is a flexible role, and you can select which outreach events or projects to join based on your commitments. We accept however much time you can spare.

Reporting to: Health and Wellbeing Programme Officer

Documents Required:

• In your application form, you will be asked for 2 references who have known you for at least a year. They can be from a professional, a friend, a support worker etc.
• A basic DBS check is required for public-facing roles.

To apply for this role:

A H4ALL application form must be completed. 

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with VoiceAbility,

About VoiceAbility 

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.  

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website. 

Why Volunteer with VoiceAbility 

Volunteering with VoiceAbility gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your community by helping others ensure their voices are heard and valued. The roles we offer are deeply rewarding and may challenge you in new ways. You’ll develop your communication skills, meet new people, and gain a greater understanding of others, while enjoying a sense of personal fulfilment along the way! 

Whether you're looking to give back to your community, learn something new, or simply enjoy connecting with others, we’d love to have you on board! 

Independent Visitor Volunteer 

Our Independent Visitor Volunteers provide consistent and supportive relationships to children ad young people in care, offering emotional support, companionship, and guidance through shared activities and time together.The Independent Visitor plays a vital role in helping the young people build confidence and feel secure while enhancing their personal, social, and cultural development. 

As an Independent Visitor Volunteer in England, you might: 

• support the child/young person to experience enriching activities that contribute to their personal and cultural development

• engage in activities such as pursuing hobbies, meeting for meals, or socialising in a community setting

• listen to and support the young person, fostering a sense of safety and trust

• help the young person develop social skills and increase their involvement in their community

• develop a positive and lasting relationship, ensuring the young person feels valued and supported 

You will need to be over 18 years old and be living in the UK. Please note that the Independent Visitor Volunteers generally volunteer at evening and weekends due to the children’s and young person’s availability. 

Safeguarding Commitment Statement 

VoiceAbility are committed to safeguarding all clients who access our services. All Volunteers will be required to undertake a DBS check at the appropriate level and provide contact details for a minimum of two referees in line with our safer recruitment practice. 

ED&I Statement 

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential. 

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact the Volunteering team for further options. 

To find out more click “Apply Now”.  

About Kith & Kids
We provide activities, opportunities, information and support for people with a learning disability or autism, their parents and siblings.
For all our projects and activities we are dependent on volunteers.

Our Summer Camp
Wednesday 24th – Sunday 28th June

We are currently looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteers to join us on our action-packed residential Summer Camp. On the camp you will be supporting one of our members with a disability to have a holiday they won’t forget.

What you'll do

On the camp you and a fellow co-volunteers will support one of our members with a learning disability or autism for the 5 days. You’ll support and encourage them to take part in lots of exciting activities such as campfires, treasure trails, swimming, games nights, day trips to the seaside and much more. You’ll also help our members with their day-to-day routines and preparing our meals.

Not only is it five days full of fun and games for you and our members, but you will also play a vital part in supporting them to develop their social skills in a day-to-day environment and of course, to enjoy a fantastic holiday!

Come along and get involved!

Male volunteers especially welcome (we need more)!!

Requirements

What you need
You do not need experience. Full disability awareness training will be provided before you begin volunteering with us.
The only requirements we ask of you are enthusiasm, energy and to be open-minded.
Minimum age for volunteers is 18.

How much time?
The Camp runs for five days, four nights. The dates are Wednesday 24th – Sunday 28th June.

The camp starts and finishes in Tottenham, North London.

We can offer you
We can reimburse your travel expenses for your training days. All meals, transportation and accommodation are provided during the camp.
We'll also provide excellent training before the camp, and lots of helpful support throughout.

By volunteering on our camp, you'll also:

• Use and develop your skills
• Learn something new, get involved in fun activities with others
• Increase your confidence
• Meet new people and make friends
• Gain experience for (other) work
• Give something back to the community
• Do something fun and satisfying in your spare time
• Challenge yourself
   

What about training?
Volunteers must attend in-person training and complete a free DBS check before you begin volunteering.

This is a great opportunity to get to know everyone at Kith & Kids: your fellow volunteers, some of our members you will be working with, and gives the opportunity to develop some new skills and expand your knowledge in our workshops.

Topics we cover include:

• Communication
• Autism
• Supporting emotions
• Safeguarding
• Creativity & Participation
• Epilepsy
   

When do I need to come?
We’ll be meeting individual volunteers online from mid-January.

We'll be running face-to-face training in north London. Training starts from 15th February with other date options.

Training will take place in North London – once we have met you online for a chat, we will send you confirmation of our training venue details. 

Are you a dog lover? Do you have the time to help raise a life-changing puppy? Would you like to make a difference to someone's life? If you've answered yes to these questions, then this role could be perfect for you! 

As a Puppy Raiser, you'll provide a 6-8 week-old puppy with the vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. You'll be looking after a puppy for 12-16 months and will guide him or her through training, socialisation, the introduction of new environments and experiences while providing a loving home.

There might be the odd chewed slipper along the way, but nothing beats the rewarding feeling of loving and raising a puppy who will go on to make an enormous difference to someone living with sight loss.

What you'll be doing:

• Engaging with our world-class training programme to prepare your puppy for the next stages of becoming a guide dog.
• Providing care and support for your puppy at home e.g., loving, grooming and feeding him or her. 
• Socialising your puppy and introducing him or her to a variety of environments to increase confidence – this can be as simple as taking your puppy with you to the shops, office or park as you go about your everyday life.
• Teaching your puppy to be comfortable alone - gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of four hours.
• Taking your puppy to monthly puppy classes, and interacting with other puppy raisers in your community whilst refreshing your training and sharing tips.
• Meeting with your volunteer manager as frequently as needed to discuss any changes or issues with your puppy.
• Completing short questionnaires about your puppy’s development.

You'll ideally have:

• A loving home with enough time to invest in raising a puppy and attending to their needs (e.g. toilet training). If you work from home or have hobbies, you'll need to be available to give the puppy regular attention alongside these.
• Someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg).
• Access to a car, so that you can get your puppy used to travelling.
• The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you rent your home. 
• A safe secure area outside for your puppy to go to the toilet.

What you'll get:

• The satisfaction of knowing you're supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
• The rewarding feeling of watching a mischievous puppy learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog.
• The opportunity to participate in our bespoke world-class training programme – this can help you train your own dogs or advance a future career in dog handling.
• The opportunity to have a loveable, canine companion, proven to reduce feelings of stress and improve fitness – you’ll be out walking rain or shine!
• The chance to be part of the inspirational Guide Dogs community, meeting like-minded people and interacting with a community of puppy raisers in your area.
• A dedicated volunteer manager and fellow peers who will help support you throughout your role.

s a volunteer you'll have access to our world-class training programme, to implement with your puppy in training, a great bonus for any dog owner! This is delivered in an interactive and engaging manner, using a mixture of different learning techniques virtually e.g., videos, documents and e-learning modules. Examples of the modules you'll have access to include:

• Food manners
• Greeting new visitors
• Being home alone
• Settling in new environments

You'll receive plenty of support from your volunteer manager who will help you work through these training modules with your puppy. We also offer puppy classes for puppy raisers in the local area to get together, share stories and provide refreshers on training techniques. 

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any pre-agreed expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs for the puppy and other materials needed for the puppy’s training. We will also pay an optional allowance of up to £100 a year to offset additional costs, and we have working agreements with certain bus and train operating companies, letting you take your puppy on short training journeys free of charge.

Minimum age of applicant: 18.

To find out if this role is available in your area, please click 'Redirect to recruiter' at the top of the page, and use the postcode search function on the Guide Dogs website to explore local opportunities. 

Hertfordshire’s Family Centre Service brings children’s centres, health visiting and school nursing together, to provide a more joined-up service for children, young people, and their families.

The centres deliver a range of support groups and activities for children and their families to help them be healthy, grow and develop. To make it easy for families to fit sessions and services around their busy lives, access is available from any Hertfordshire Family centre. We have locations across the entire county so please do enquire ensuring you have provided your postcode. 

Main Tasks/ Responsibilities/ Activities

To support Public Health Nursing teams by helping parents use baby weighing equipment in a welcoming and safe environment.

Key Responsibilities:

· Welcome parents, carers, and babies to the self-weigh session in a friendly and approachable way.

· Explain how to use the weighing equipment safely and accurately (training provided).

· Support parents to record their baby’s weight on growth charts or apps as appropriate.

· Ensure the weighing area is safe, clean, and ready for families to use.

· Provide reassurance and encouragement to parents and carers.

· Signpost any questions or concerns about a baby’s health or development to a Family Centre staff member

Skills / Abilities / Experience / Qualities

· Friendly, patient, and approachable.

· Good communication and listening skills.

· Confident in supporting parents to use simple equipment (training given).

· Reliable, punctual, and able to work as part of a team.

· Respectful and non-judgemental towards all families.

Training / Support

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

· Requirement to undertake One YMCA online training courses

· To understand and implement One YMCA’s policies.

· Ongoing support and regular 1:1 meetings

· Access to organisational events throughout the year including Socials, Conferences and Training opportunities. 

Additional Information

· Undergo enhanced DBS check

· X2 References required

· Undertake additional training as and when required

· We offer to pay volunteers’ “out of pocket” expenses within agreed guidelines

Helping in our shops is a great way to help CHAS and, as well as helping us raise money to fund our vital services, you'll be part of a really great team of volunteers. You'll be meeting new people, using your skills or learning something new, and making sure our customers get a great welcome and all the assistance they need.

It's always great to see our volunteers chatting to customers and telling them about CHAS - and there's so much more to this role too: you could be sorting donations, getting stock ready for the shop floor, wielding a steamer or a duster, processing Gift Aid, operating the till (we will show you how), merchandising and displaying stock - you'll never have a dull moment.

It would be ideal if you could volunteer one shift each week, which is about four hours (but we're also happy to chat about more flexible times). No special skills are needed as we’ll show you what to do and we provide all the training you’ll need. But if you have any experience or particular interest please tell us, it may come in useful. It’s really easy to get your volunteering started.

Why we want you

As a Charity Shop Volunteer, you will play an important role in helping raise vital funds to support children with life-shortening conditions and their families. There's never a dull moment in our shops and in Kinross you'll be working in a busy team, both in the stock room - sorting and preparing stock - and on our shop floors, providing great customer service.

What you will be doing

• Welcoming and assisting customers and serving at them at the till
• Replenishing the stock on the shop floor
• Merchandising and displaying stock
• Accepting, sorting and preparing donations for sale
• Housekeeping on the shop floor and in the stock room

The skills you need

• A real aptitude for team working
• Good communication skills and attention to detail
• A good understanding of what makes excellent customer service
• The ability to represent CHAS enthusiastically and appropriately

What's in it for you

• Getting involved in your local community and making a difference to CHAS families
• Meeting new people
• Making the most of your existing skills or possibly learning some new ones too (maybe adding to your CV)
• Full training and on-going and support. Plus a range of accredited online courses if you're interested in personal development.

Be part of a project to help shape, test and develop our Active Outdoor Offer. You will shape, lead or support outdoor walking & wheeling adventures to help connect visitors to the outdoors. Varied levels of experience encouraged.

By getting involved, you could:

Play a part in shaping what walks and cycle led tours at Ickworth could look like 

Have a say in what a future, more permanent role in the team after could look like

Join an enthusiastic and varied team, play a part in making change at Ickworth make some likeminded connections in the process 

Meet people from all walks of life, helping them access wildlife, nature and the outdoors along the way 

Let your personality shine and put your communication, planning and working group skills into action being part of a team to lead great outdoor adventures

Help build connections to the outdoors 

Take pride in the knowledge that your contribution is helping to look after our special places for everyone, forever 

Keep fit, Healthy and be part of a growing active community

What's involved?

Supporting, encouraging, and facilitating the creation of new outdoor experiences such as cycling, walking and running. 

Testing out new tours, walks and cycle groups in the outdoors.

Learning a bit of story telling along the way, and being part of choosing what is shared and trained for future group leaders. 

Preparation of equipment and ensuring experiences are carried out safely. 

Being a friendly face for visitors, welcoming them to the estate, answering questions, inspiring people to connect with the outdoors and growing support for the National Trust. 

Being part of a varied and enthusiastic team, working closely with the Visitor Experience team and volunteers to ensure that service across all visitor facing components is consistent. 

Assist staff with route planning and visitor information, with the possibility of offsite promotion and engagement with local groups. 

Taking part in the possible connection with local walking or cycling groups.

Taking part in regular Walk Leader & Cycle Leader training to develop skills. Regular catch-up sessions with our Active Outdoors Development Volunteer Manager. 

Incident management will be covered in detail during the Walk Leader and Cycle Leader training including what Walk & Cycle Leaders’ responsibilities are. 

Being part in evaluation and planning meetings to decide what on Active out door role could look like in future.

This role will suit you if you are:

Passionate about the outdoors and enjoy inspiring others to get involved with nature and the outdoors through activity and experiences. 

Able to take part in, lead or support in routes around Ickworth; as the role will involve varying levels of physical activity including shorter close by and Multi Use trail routes, full parkland bike rides and rambling walks through off path spaces. 

Able to work as a team, connecting people and evaluating work along the way. 

Having a friendly and welcoming style of talking to visitors, to welcome people of all abilities and best connect them with the offer that best suits them. 

Keen to develop and support the National Trust's focus on developing inclusive offers to reach more diverse audiences 

Adaptable in your approach to suit different situations and audiences 

Able to respond and support behavioural changes and product initiatives related to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint 

Enthusiastic about your local environment and are an ambassador for the National Trust's cause to look after special places for everyone, for ever.

Ready to Make a Difference in 2026? Then come and Volunteer with Us.....

We are thrilled to be opening a brand-new Charity Shop in Langney Road, Eastbourne – and we are looking for volunteers to come and join our Team…

Our shops are a hive of activity and the heart of the local community. They raise funds to support our vital work and provide a place for local people to find out more about how we help older people in their area. Our volunteers always enjoy being part of our shop teams; chatting to our customers about the fabulous items we sell and telling them about the fantastic work that we do.

As a Customer Service Volunteer you will get the chance to meet new people and make friends, plus play a vital role in helping to raise funds to support local older people.

You will be working on the shop floor as the welcoming face of our charity. Serving customers with a smile, using the till (don't worry, we will show you how) and handling money and sales.

When people come in to donate items you will be thanking them for their support and helping them to complete Gift Aid signups on our Gift Aid system.

You will help to make our shops look amazing; putting out items that the sorting teams have prepared, helping with merchandising, labelling and ensuring the shop is clean and always looking its' best.

You will need to be ok using a touch screen device as our tills run on a tablet, though we will always provide full training and some time for you to get used to using this first.

Lastly, you may have people enquiring about our work, or asking for help and we will provide you with all the details of where to refer them to within the charity.

It would be ideal if you could volunteer one shift a week, which is about four hours but we're also happy to have more flexible times. No special skills are needed as we will show you what to do and will provide all the training you need.

It’s really easy to get your volunteering started, if you're over 16 years old please apply now.

About Kith & Kids
We provide activities, opportunities, information, and support for people with a learning disability or autism, their parents, and siblings.
For all our projects and activities we are dependent on volunteers.

Our Employability Project
10am to 3pm, Monday and/or Friday during term-time

Our Employment & Life Skills Project (ELSP) helps adults with learning disabilities or autism to access further education, work experience and visits to mainstream community opportunities. 

What you’ll do
You’ll act as a mentor to the members of the group.  You’ll be helping the group(s) develop a range of life skills, things that many of us take for granted.  These include Maths and English skills, independent living, the use of public transport, social skills and even the sourcing of employment. 

For the people in these groups, these things can be very difficult to develop and achieve without regular support. Through regular support and meetings, members and volunteers develop greater trust, skills, and confidence together.

Come along and get involved!

Requirements

What you need
You do not need experience. Full disability awareness training will be provided before you begin volunteering with us.
The only requirements we ask of you are enthusiasm, energy and to be open-minded.
Minimum age for volunteers is 20.

How much time?
The project runs from 10am to 3pm, Mondays and/or Fridays during term-time.
Everyone gets the most out of the project if you come every week for at least a term as you'll build a close relationship with the members you'll have been supporting and will create the most impact.

What we can offer you
ELSP represents a fantastic opportunity for you to share your knowledge and experience built up through a lifetime to a group that is continuing to develop and achieve their targets.

We’ll reimburse your travel expenses and will provide excellent training and lots of helpful support.

By volunteering on our project you'll also:

• Use and develop your skills: time-management, working within a team, problem-solving and adaptability.
• Learn something new, get involved in fun activities with others.
• Increase your confidence.
• Meet like-minded people and make friends.
• Gain experience for (other) work
• Give something back to the community.
• Do something fun and satisfying in your spare time
• Challenge yourself. 

What about training?
Volunteers must attend training and complete a free DBS check before you begin volunteering.

This is a great opportunity to get to know everyone at Kith & Kids: your fellow volunteers, some of our members you will be working with, and also gives the opportunity to develop some new skills and expand your knowledge in our workshops.

Topics we cover include:

• Autism
• Safeguarding
• Creativity & Participation
• Negotiation & Boundaries
   

When do I need to come?

Volunteers must attend training and complete a DBS check before taking part.

We'll be running face-to-face training in north London starting on the 15th February with lots of other dates to choose from.

In the meantime, we'll be meeting volunteers online from mid-January.

Training will take place in North London – once we have met you online for a chat, we will send you confirmation of our training venue details.

Just sign up and you'll receive details of what to do next.

About CARAS: 

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and asylum-seekers living in South West London, and helps them to play their full part in the community. Arriving as an asylum seeker in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. We exist to help people seeking asylum overcome those challenges, and to help them rebuild their lives. 

We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a forced displacement background, providing them the tools they need to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for adults include currently include: ESOL classes; sports; women’s creative writing; women’s coffee morning, and casework. 

About the CARAS Adult Team: 

In the post-pandemic environment, CARAS is responding to the role of digital literacies in our programme delivery to learners of asylum-seeking and refugee background. In contrast to the UK essential Digital skills framework, we have built in language inclusion to create a participatory learning course for Essential Digital Literacies for learners who are new to reading and writing in English. The individuals joining CARAS are highly diverse, with different countries of origin, linguistic and educational backgrounds. We have observed over the last year that many CARAS community members have limited digital skills, particularly in regard to using computers. Community members have highlighted that computers are important for many individuals to achieve their educational and employment goals, whilst increasing confidence and independence. We have co-designed a digital skills program in partnership with CARAS community members to improve computer literacy and skills, focusing on basic computer literacy.

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests. 

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society. 

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes. 

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do. 

About Youth ESOL: 

Our ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.

About the Role: 

CARAS is looking for Digital Skills Volunteer to support our face-to-face study programme for young people.

The Digital Skills group is in Streatham and is an important element of a study programme for young people aged 14 to 18 who are out of formal education. The timings of the digital skills sessions is as follows: 

• Tuesday evenings 4pm to 6pm 

Volunteers are required to attend one session per week. They are also welcome to come early and support ESOL classes before the Digital Skills sessions, where appropriate. 

The Tuesday Digital skills sessions focus on practical, accessible digital skills, such as, but not limited to: 

• Using computers, tablets, or smartphones confidently 

• Keyboard and navigation skills 

• Using email and online communication tools 

• Accessing learning platforms and online resources 

• Online safety and digital wellbeing 

• Using digital tools to support English learning, homework and study skills 

The aim of the Digital Skills sessions is to build independence, confidence, and digital inclusion, supporting young people to engage more fully with formal education and everyday life in the UK. Enrolments to the programme are based on rolling admissions, requiring adaptability to the changing digital skills needs of the group through participatory enquiry led by the ESOL teacher. 

The ESOL teacher will provide guidance, session plans, and tips for supporting learners with emerging English, including how to explain digital concepts in clear, accessible ways. 

Volunteers will typically work with 1–5 students, offering one-to-one or small group support and adapting tasks to different ability levels. 

Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities: 

• Providing one-to-one or small group support during Digital Skills sessions 

• Supporting young people to use digital devices and software confidently 

• Helping to set up the classroom and digital equipment 

• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session 

• Sharing observations on learners’ progress, challenges, and successes 

• Making use of any community languages if any, to support learners’ understanding 

• Working collaboratively as part of a team and helping to shape the project 

• Supporting young people to recognise and celebrate their achievements 

• Showing flexibility to a wide range of ability levels and confidence with technology 

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management, and all other relevant policies 

Requirements: 

Essential: 

• Aged 18 years or older 

• An interest in education, digital inclusion, and supporting young people 

• Confident using computers, smartphones, or tablets 

• Currently resident in the UK or has asylum-seeker or refugee status 

• Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses and willing to undergo a DBS check 

• DBS and proof of residency are not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK 

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to starting 

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (food and travel expenses can be reimbursed) 

• Non-judgemental and able to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds 

• Reliable and punctual, with a commitment of at least one session per week for a minimum of 4 months 

• Good communication skills, especially with people who are new to English 

• Willingness to explain digital concepts patiently and clearly 

• Ability to volunteer during Wandsworth term time 

Desirable 

• Experience supporting young people with digital skills or IT (formal or informal) 

• Knowledge of community languages such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali, or Spanish 

• Experience working with young people, refugees, or learners of English in a work or volunteer capacity 

• Interest in using digital tools to support language learning 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• Meet new members of your local community; 

• Learn about different cultures; 

• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum; 

• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 

• Develop your skills and competencies such as literacy and phonics strategies for emerging learners of English; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering. 

To Apply: 

Successful applicants will be invited to a taster session at CARAS, following which they will have an informal interview with a staff member of the CARAS ESOL team and a community member. All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role. These meetings and the induction training will be on a rolling basis, so apply ASAP!

Ready to Make a Difference in 2026? Then come and Volunteer with Us.........

We are thrilled to be opening a brand-new Charity Shop in Langney Road, Eastbourne – and we are looking for volunteers to come and join our Team.

Our shops are a hive of activity and the heart of the local community. They raise funds to support our vital work and provide a place to find out more about how we help older people in the local area.

Our Stock Preparation Volunteers always enjoy being part of our shop teams; making new friends and helping the charity to maximise the income from the amazing items people donate to us.

In this role you will usually be working in our donation sorting area, which is off the shop floor. Here you will help the team process, prepare and price the items people donate.

We receive hundreds of bags of clothing, bric-a-brac, toys, games and all sorts of items every week. You will help us to turn these into vital funds to support our work.

After full training you will be part of our processing team; sorting through the donated items, identifying those which we should sell, preparing them and pricing before they are put onto the shop floor.

You may have a particular area of experience, such as clothing, books or antiques. Your skills and knowledge will help us to gain the best value for each item and some of our volunteers even coordinate entire sections, such as a book rooms within our stores.

When people come in to donate their items you will be helping to thank them for their support. Many items are Gift Aided so when processing the items you will ensure that Gift Aid labels are attached so that we can gain this additional vital income.

You will help to make our products look amazing; steaming clothes (if this is your area) and helping to clean and make every item look great and ready for sale.

It would be ideal if you could volunteer at least one shift a week, which is about three hours but we're also happy to have more flexible times. No special skills are needed as we will show you what to do and will provide all the training you need.

It’s really easy to get your volunteering started, if you're over 16 years old please apply now!

Volunteer as a princess, superhero or jedi to bring magic to children who need it! 

Make a Smile volunteers can take on a number of different roles:

1. Characters - Visit children in costume, as well-known children's characters (eg princesses and superheroes). Provide support at events of a number of other charities, children's hospitals and council organisations through storytime, interactions and activities. 

2. Magic Makers - Visit children out of costume and provide enrichment such as arts and crafts, games etc. 

3. Committee - Help behind the scenes by organising events, recruiting volunteers, running training sessions, helping sort costumes, running fundraisers etc.

Wherever your skills lie! All training is given and costumes provided so all you need is a bit of enthusiasm! 

About Kith & Kids
We provide activities, opportunities, information, and support for people with a learning disability or autism, their parents and siblings.
For all our projects and activities we are dependent on volunteers.

Our Spring Project
9.30am to 5.30pm, Sat 28th March – Wed 1st April, in north London

We are currently looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteers, to join us on our fantastic fun-filled Spring Social Development Project.

Volunteers and our members who have disabilities get to know each other as they take part in fun and challenging workshops including sports & games, arts & crafts, cooking and enjoying a day out in London.

What you'll do
On the project you and a fellow volunteer will be paired with one of our members with a learning disability or autism. You'll support and encourage them to take part in a wide range of activities led by professional therapists and workshop leaders.

Our core activities are sports & games, arts & crafts, drama, and music. Previous additional workshops have also included photography, football and cooking and you’ll plan your own exciting outing around London with a fellow volunteer and the Kith & Kids member you're linked with.

Not only is it a time full of fun and games for you and our members, but you are also a vital part in supporting our members to develop their social skills in a day-to-day environment.

Come along and get involved!

Male volunteers especially welcome (we need more – women too)!!

Requirements

What you need
You do not need experience. Full disability awareness training will be provided before you begin volunteering with us.
The only requirements we ask of you are enthusiasm, energy and to be open-minded.
Minimum age for volunteers is 18.

How much time?
The project runs for 5 days, 9.30am to 5.30pm, Sat 28th March – Wed 1st April.
Everyone gets the most out of the project if you come for the full five days as you'll build a close relationship with the member you'll have been supporting and will create the most impact.

What we can offer you
We can reimburse your travel expenses and provide a delicious lunch each day.
We'll also provide excellent training before the project, and lots of helpful support.

By volunteering on our project, you'll also:

• Use and develop your skills
• Learn something new, get involved in fun activities with others
• Increase your confidence
• Meet new people and make friends
• Gain experience for (other) work
• Give something back to the community
• Do something fun and satisfying in your spare time
• Challenge yourself
   

What about training?
Volunteers must attend two training sessions and complete a free DBS check before you begin volunteering.

This is a great opportunity to get to know everyone at Kith & Kids: your fellow volunteers, some of our members you will be working with, and gives the opportunity to develop some new skills and expand your knowledge in our workshops.

Topics we cover include:

• Communication
• Autism
• Supporting emotions
• Safeguarding
• Creativity & Participation
• Epilepsy
   

When do I need to come?
Volunteers must attend two training sessions and complete a free DBS check before taking part.

We'll be running face-to-face training in north London starting on the 15th February with lots of other dates to choose from.

In the meantime, we'll be meeting volunteers online from mid-January.

Training will take place in North London – once we have met you online for a chat, we will send you confirmation of our training venue details.

Just sign up and you'll receive details of what to do next

We are following a number of safety measures when meeting service-users & volunteers. Taking temperature checks on arrival, asking a number of Covid-related questions before entry, wearing face masks where necessary, suggesting for volunteers to take a lateral flow test before attending an activity. These measures are regularly reviewed.

• Do sign up on our website and you'll instantly receive an email asking you to verify you really do want us to send you info.
• Please click 'Yes', then you'll receive further info about the activity and how to book an informal online interview.
• Make sure you check your junk mail for our emails, including the verification one!