Trusts volunteer roles

Having joined the National Portfolio of Organisations funded by Arts Council England in 2023, Festival of Thrift is in the process of transitioning from a successful annual festival celebrating sustainable living each year, to a vibrant and multi-faceted arts and sustainability organisation.

We are looking for people to support this work who are passionate about sustainability, champions of our local communities and interested in how arts and culture can benefit people’s lives. We are especially keen to encourage applications from people involved in sustainable businesses in the Tees Valley area and from young people (aged 18+), to offer their ideas to support the organisation.

In addition, we are looking for a Chair of the Board. The Chair leads the Board, ensuring that it governs the organisation effectively, in service of the organisation’s vision and mission, and works with the executive team to ensure smooth running of the Board.

Being a Board member with Festival of Thrift is a great way of using your energy, skills and experience to support your local community, the arts and the environment. You don’t need to have any specific qualifications to join a board, just a willingness to listen, support and challenge the organisation in a positive way. It can also help enhance your own skills, seeing how an organisation works from the inside and adding to your CV.

You do not need previous director experience. We value your perspective and we’ll support you to learn the rest.

We are keen to encourage applications covering a range of skills but are particularly interested in people with knowledge and experience in the following areas:

• Connection to the local community, its strengths and challenges

• Fundraising and commercial income generation

• Tees Valley business networks

• Leadership in arts & cultural organisations (National Portfolio)

• Environmental promotion, activities and campaigning

• Financial management

• Marketing and communications, including PR

We particularly welcome candidates for this role from people who are currently underrepresented within the UK arts sector including those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, people from the Global Majority, people who are disabled and neurodivergent. We are especially keen to encourage applications from people involved in sustainable businesses in the Tees Valley area and from young people (aged 18+), to bring a fresh perspective into the organisation.

Key dates

• Informal information session – 6pm – 6.45pm on Monday 16 March (over Zoom)

• Application Deadline – 9am on Monday 13 April 

We are based in Camden, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth and Westminster.

At Doorstep Library, we’re dedicated to bringing the magic of books and the joy of reading directly into the homes of children who need our support.

With 1 in 4 children in the UK leaving primary school unable to read or write properly, we recruit and train in-person and online volunteers to introduce children from under-resourced areas to the pleasure of reading.

What’s Involved?

As a Doorstep Library reading volunteer, you’ll visit the same families at their homes every week with a backpack full of books to share with the children and encourage their love of reading.

You will:

• Handpick books based on the children’s age, interests, and reading level
• Visit their homes with your volunteer partner for 20-minute reading sessions  
• Leave behind a selection of books for the children to borrow for the week

Our unique home-based approach allows our volunteers to build trusting relationships with families, helping them to connect with the community and equip them with the skills they need to succeed later in life.

When and Where?

We have volunteer opportunities in: Hammersmith, Parsons Green, Fulham Broadway, Shepherds Bush, East Acton, Latimer Road, Euston, Kings Cross, Marylebone, Edgware Road, Queens Park, Pimlico, Brixton, Tulse Hill, and World's End.

• Time commitment: One evening a week (Regular Volunteer), one evening every other week (Semi-Regular Volunteer) or once every 3 weeks (Stand-In Volunteer) during school term times
• Hours per week: 2.5
• Days: Our projects run on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays depending on where you are based from 4:30pm – 7:00pm

 Why volunteer with Doorstep Library? 

• It's incredibly fun! You get to explore your inner child and share your passion for books and reading. 
• We invest in our team of volunteers to ensure they are valued, supported and are developing. 
• You will be a part of the Doorstep Library community of families, volunteers and staff members. 
•  You can make a real difference to the lives of others. Providing you with a real sense of purpose and achievement. 
•  You give back to the community you live in or the community you visit every week. 
• You build your confidence and improve your self-esteem and mental well-being. 
• You will develop skills and enhance your C.V. 

Doorstep Library is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and all those it comes into contact with. All volunteers undergo rigorous safer recruitment processes including specified interview questions, a DBS check, and the collection of written and/or verbal references.  Safeguarding training is a mandatory part of the induction process for all volunteers, and they are expected to always adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures.

Do you want to make a real impact on household carbon footprints and promote sustainable living? Join our innovative crowd-sourced app development team and help us make an impact on climate change and the environment.

What will you be doing?

We’re looking for UK‑based volunteers with expertise in assessing and verifying quantified environmental impacts. You’ll work with a small remote team to audit and verify carbon, waste or water savings linked to lifestyle choices, using open‑source data. 

Your research will help develop robust models and frameworks, ensuring the E‑Save app provides accurate, trusted impact data for users.

What are we looking for?

We’re seeking volunteers with experience in assessing or verifying carbon, waste, water or other environmental impacts. 

You’ll audit data sources, verify existing figures, and research gaps. You’ll help develop consistent frameworks, models and tools, and refine methodologies with the team. 

You’ll need a methodical approach, attention to detail, working knowledge of life‑cycle analysis, and the ability to work independently within a remote team.

What difference will you make?

Your insight and expertise in quantifying household carbon and other environmental benefits that are at the heart of the E-Save app.

Your vital contribution will help ensure the app delivers real environmental impacts. 

You will be at the forefront of innovation, bringing climate action into people’s homes across the UK, making sustainable living part of everyday life.

Outreach Worker

Through your outreach, you’ll provide advice, advocacy and direct frontline support to individuals experiencing homelessness or hardship. You will connect them with survival essentials, safe accommodation and guide them toward vital services that improve wellbeing and independence.

What will you be doing?

You’ll carry out outreach across the community, building trust with people experiencing homelessness or crisis. The role includes distributing essential items, offering advice and signposting around housing, benefits, healthcare and employment, and supporting access to education and training. You’ll also assist with project coordination, fundraising activities and help promote our work and values through social media and community engagement.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for compassionate, reliable people who are comfortable working hands-on in the community and are enthusiastic about supporting vulnerable individuals. You’ll be a good listener and communicator, able to build positive relationships and offer guidance with empathy and respect. A proactive, adaptable and solutions-focused mindset is important. Experience in outreach or working with vulnerable groups is not essential; the right attitude and caring nature matter the most.

What difference will you make?

Your input will have a direct impact on people’s lives and help reduce homelessness in Birmingham. You’ll support individuals to build confidence, resilience and self-worth, helping them regain control by removing barriers that can hold people back and supporting them towards a more secure and hopeful future.

A Peer Mentor is a volunteer who has experienced similar challenges and experiences as the person they are supporting. Being a peer mentor is seen as a positive and secure way to progress towards education, work, or employment.

Volunteers who take on peer support roles can feel empowered, have a greater confidence and a more positive sense of identity.

Could you provide an authentic voice that our clients can relate to?

· Do you have 1-2 hours a week to support a client

· Can you inspire others, give them hope through self-disclosure and by being an example of recovery?

· Build relationships based on trust, acceptance, understanding and an empathy from a shared lived experience?

· Can we rely on you to tap into your own experiences to help us identify barriers and gaps in our services and how we can be improving and identify good practice?

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

Key Responsibilities:

· Inspiring service users by using your own life experiences and by being a positive role model

· Providing a safe sounding space, listen in a non-judgemental way

· Helping to improve wellbeing, confidence, and independence by exploring activities that promote this

· Assist service users to engage with formalised support

· Attend appropriate training and development opportunities as required

We are Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity (Alex TLC).

Alex TLC is a trusted and experienced organisation offering support and information for all those affected by a genetic leukodystrophy. Formerly ALD Life, an internationally recognised centre of excellence for people affected by adrenoleukodystrophy and adrenomyeloneuropathy, the charity was established in 2004.

Due to popular demand, we extended our services to support all leukodystrophies in 2019 and became Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity.

Like many other small charities, we have grown organically from an informal support group to the recognised voice for adrenoleukodystrophy patients and their families. Our charitable work is supported by our chain of five charity shops across south east London.

With scant resources we are always in need of trustworthy and reliable volunteers to assist retail staff.

Could you spare a few hours a week? 

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people.

We need help to give hope and support to people affected by leukodystrophy – could you be that help?

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for volunteers who can:

• sort and clean stock
• serve customers
• create eye catching displays
• identify potentially valuable stock

ABOUT YOU

Candidates should be able to demonstrate the following:

• an interest in Alex TLC and the work that we do
• honesty and trustworthiness
• reliability
• enthusiasm

The role is located in any of our five shops in Forest Hill, Greenwich, Peckham, Penge or Walworth Road.

Alex TLC is committed to promoting diversity. 

We are only able to accept applications from UK residents. 

��️ Join the Heart of the High Street – Volunteer at Oxfam Nicolson Street! ��

Do you love meeting people, making a difference, and bringing a little sparkle to someone’s day? Then we’ve got the perfect opportunity for you!

We're looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers to help us sort donations, stock shelves, and serve customers with a smile. Whether you're a master organiser or a natural chatterbox, your talents will make a real impact.

�� What You’ll Be Doing:

• Sorting through generous donations and discovering hidden treasures
• Creating eye-catching displays that brighten the shop
• Helping customers find their perfect purchase
• Sharing laughs, stories, and cups of tea with a welcoming team

�� What You’ll Gain:

• New friendships and community connections
• Confidence and retail experience
• The joy of helping others while having fun

Come as you are—whether you’ve got a free afternoon or a regular slot in mind, we’d love to have you!

Pop in for a chat, give us a ring, or apply today to start your volunteer journey. Let’s turn donations into action and kindness into community! ����

About Us

Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil is a bold and transformative Community Interest Company (C.I.C.) founded by Mrs. Vienna St Hillaire. Our mission is to create a powerful platform for truth-telling, healing, and systemic change—focused on survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), individuals from broken homes, and young people across all communities.

We are building more than a platform—we are building a movement, an infrastructure, and a legacy system that will:

• Amplify unheard voices
• Provide pathways to healing and opportunity
• Train and employ young people through digital, media, and community-led initiatives
• Challenge and reshape narratives within underserved communities

We are in the early but active stages of development, with a growing volunteer base and foundational systems already forming.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Founding HR Director to join our core leadership team and take full ownership of building and scaling our HR function from the ground up.

This is not a traditional HR role.

This is a legacy-building position for someone who wants to:

• Architect a world-class HR ecosystem
• Lead with purpose, empathy, and innovation
• Build systems that support both people and mission at scale

We strongly encourage applications from individuals who are:

• Currently unemployed, semi-retired, or retired
• Transitioning from corporate HR into purpose-driven work
• Able to commit meaningful time without conflicting employment obligations

Your Mission

To design, build, and lead a high-impact, future-ready HR department that supports:

• A growing volunteer and workforce base
• International recruitment and sponsorship
• Safeguarding and wellbeing for vulnerable communities
• A culture rooted in truth, accountability, and healing

Key Responsibilities

1. HR Strategy & Infrastructure (Foundational Build)

• Design and implement the entire HR architecture from scratch
• Develop policies, frameworks, and SOPs aligned with UK regulations and CIC requirements
• Build scalable systems for onboarding, training, performance, and retention
• Establish a values-led organisational culture framework

2. Team Leadership & Department Scaling

• Lead and manage a team of 6 existing HR assistants/coordinators, scaling to 20 HR personnel
• Create clear role structures, reporting lines, and accountability systems
• Train and mentor junior HR staff—many of whom may be early in their careers

3. Recruitment & Talent Development

• Build ethical, inclusive, and scalable recruitment pipelines
• Design structured onboarding experiences for volunteers and staff
• Implement training and development pathways, especially for young people and survivors

4. Compliance, Safeguarding & Governance

• Ensure full compliance with UK employment law and CIC standards
• Develop robust safeguarding policies for working with vulnerable individuals
• Establish data protection and confidentiality frameworks

5. Home Office Sponsorship Licence (Critical Objective)

• Lead the process of securing a UK Home Office Sponsor Licence within our 5year vision
• Build internal systems required to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS)
• Ensure ongoing compliance with sponsorship regulations and reporting duties

6. HR Tech & Systems Innovation

• Manage open-source HR tools and platforms
• Collaborate on building custom internal systems tailored to our mission
• Explore cost-effective, scalable alternatives to traditional HR software

7. Culture, Wellbeing & Retention

• Build a trauma-informed, supportive HR environment
• Create systems that prioritise emotional wellbeing, especially for survivors
• Foster a culture of trust, truth-telling, and accountability

What We’re Looking For

Experience

• Senior-level HR experience (Director, Head of HR, or equivalent)
• Strong understanding of UK employment law and HR best practices
• Experience building or restructuring HR departments is highly desirable
• Knowledge of Home Office sponsorship processes is a major advantage

Personal Qualities

• Deep alignment with our mission and community movement focus
• High level of ownership, autonomy, and initiative
• Compassionate, strong emotionally intelligent, and resilient
• Comfortable working in a startup, fast-evolving environment
• Passionate about mentoring and developing others

Commitment & Reality of the Role

This is a founding-level commitment requiring:

• Approximately 3–4 hours per day mon-fri
• Flexibility, but consistent engagement and leadership presence
• Willingness to build through uncertainty, complexity, and growth phases

This role is best suited for someone who:

• Has the time, space, and desire to fully immerse themselves
• Is not currently tied to a demanding full-time role elsewhere

What You’ll Gain

• A founding leadership position in a purpose-driven organisation
• The opportunity to build a legacy HR system from the ground up
• Real impact on lives, communities, and future generations
• Potential for equity, long-term leadership, and paid transition as funding grows and scales
• A deeply meaningful journey aligned with truth, healing, and transformation

A Message from the Founder

“This is not just about HR. This is about building a system that truly understands people—especially those who have been unheard, unseen, and unsupported.

We are creating something that has never been done before, and I need someone who is ready to stand at the foundation and build it with me.”
— Mrs. Vienna St Hillaire

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Your CV
• A short statement (max 500 words):
  Why this mission matters to you, and why you are the right person to build this HR function from the ground up

Join us. Build with us. Help us create a system where truth is not just spoken—but supported.

We are looking for the 'practical hands' to help our families reclaim their childhood! From board game marathons to movie afternoons to day trip adventures, you’ll be the friendly, consistent face children look forward to all week and will be helping us create a safe space for joy to return! This role will involve being onsite on Thursdays and supporting with outings on Wednesdays.

We are seeking a diverse, proactive team of volunteers to support a 6-week summer programme (July 20 – Aug 28) across three refuge houses. Our mission is to rebuild parent-child bonds and bring joy back into childhood for families recovering from domestic abuse. You will be volunteering alongside the Children Family workers throughout the summer, and will be invited to join an end of summer party.

What you will be doing

• Host relaxed, fun sessions like board game marathons, film afternoons, craft corners, and general “chill-out zones”.
• Build relationships with the children so you can be a familiar, grounding presence during Wednesday outings.
• Support the team on day trips and outings

The skills you need

• You love games, fun, and going with the flow.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with the women and children
• You’re warm, reliable, and happy to lead high energy small group activities.
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Good communication skills
• Experience in childcare desired
• Ability to speak either Farsi, Bengali, Punjabi, Bangladeshi, or Turkish, Nepalese is desired

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

We are seeking a skilled and compassionate Child Psychotherapist to join our team in Buckinghamshire, with a particular focus on Early Years work with Autistic children aged 0–5 years.

Applicants must have direct Early Years (0–5) experience to be considered.

Working closely with our Paediatric Occupational Therapist, you will co-deliver supportive, evidence-based programmes for young autistic children and their families, including our flagship First Steps programme.

What will you be doing?

• Assess separately and jointly with the Occupational Therapist the needs of the child and their families,
• Writing reports for the family and organisation, as required
• Participate in regular meeting with the Occupational Therapist and Child psychotherapist Team Leader
• Report any concerns to child psychotherapist Team Leader and provide suggestions and recommendations for action

What are we looking for?

• An accredited Professional qualification in Child Psychotherapy -Trained child and adolescent psychotherapist or psychoanalytic psychotherapist or psychodynamic psychotherapist
• Experience of working with multi-disciplinary teams
• Demonstrable experience of working with young autistic children and their families
• Understanding of safeguarding requirements and relevant legislation
• Understanding of data protection requirements and relevant legislation
• Understanding of confidentiality and in service provision and their limitations

What difference will you make?

Transforming Autism is a charity that focuses on early intervention for young autistic children. Our goal is to transform lives through the home-based family services available to families with young autistic children.

What is distinctive about our approach is that it focuses on facilitating a strong trusting relationship between child and their parents/primary caregivers, as primary means of reducing anxiety and enhancing the child's sense of security to enable them to realise their full potential. We also challenge conventional perceptions of autism and offer our own radical and empowering perspective.

Expected hours: 3 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexitime

Work Location: Remote/ Buckinghamshire 

Gift of Friendship Programme Volunteer Befriender  

Background

Age UK Croydon has received a generous donation from The Julia Rausing Trust as part of its wider partnership with Age UK, the national charity, to help fund its crucial friendship services that support older people in the local area.

This ‘Gift of Friendship’ from the Trust aims to help older people experiencing loneliness and isolation. Loneliness often stems from factors like bereavement, living alone and declining health. Loss of mobility or senses can leave many older people feeling disconnected, while financial worries can increase existing feelings of isolation. This can have serious consequences, undermining resilience and increasing risk of physical and mental illness.

Volunteers Befrienders are offering support and company to people who may need that extra confidence to attend a local activity in Croydon. You could accompany someone to a local lunch group or activity or even just going with them to a park for a nice walk. They build relationships in the process, which enable meaningful conversations and help to identify support needs and other services and activities that will help maintain their clients’ mental health. A key aim of the role is to support people with achieving their goals to live a happier life, accompany them, and build their confidence back to get out into the community and feel more independent.

Commitment 

Minimum of 6 months from start of the GoF Befriending match, includes:

· 30-minute informal interview.

· Willing to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

· 1-hour core induction.

· Mandatory training sessions.

· Up to 1-2 hours a week engagement with your befriendee

· Weekly accurate records of interactions with your befriendee

· Regular check-in calls with Befriending Coordinator

Purpose of Role

Staff will assess the client and you will be given their profile and a support plan. Core tasks will include:

· Weekly companionship contact in person.

· Encouraging and accompanying to visits to other social events and activities in the local area e.g., a walk, GP, an IT class.

· Spotting additional needs and identifying services and activities to address these.

· Submitting a weekly report on the contact to include contact type, signposting and any concerns.

Support Provided 

• Full remote training and induction provided.
• We will complete the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application with you.
• Supervision and direct contact with the Befriending

Co-ordinator/Manager.

· Join and participate in peer support groups and meet other volunteers to share experiences and good practice.

Skills and attributes Required

· Good communication with a friendly approachable manner

· Solution focused.

· Comfortable working alone.

· Good record keeping.

· Good listening skills

· Reliable and committed to do at least 1 visit a week for the committed period.

· Applicants must be over the age of 18.

· Basic IT skills may be required depending on client’s needs.

Benefits

· Learn new skills.

· Enhance career prospects.

· Meet people.

· Make a difference.

· Gain confidence

· Travel expenses and hot drinks reimbursed

· Social and celebration events

· Exclusive invites to join and support community projects

We’re looking for someone who believes deeply in the power of creativity and who can help steward the organisation with care, imagination and strategic oversight. It’s a voluntary role, but a hugely meaningful one and a chance to make a lasting difference to the future of the Super Power Agency.

I’ve attached our Chair of Trustees recruitment pack, which gives more detail about the role, the moment we’re in as an organisation and the kind of person we’re hoping to find . You might know someone brilliant who would be a great fit – or you might even feel curious yourself, please get in touchle

About Children With Voices

Children With Voices (CWV) is a grassroots charity supporting children, young people, and families through alternative education, life-skills programmes, wellbeing activities, and community food hubs.
Our mission is to empower children with confidence, resilience, and the tools they need to thrive. We work closely with local schools, families, and partners to create safe, supportive learning environments where every child is valued and heard.

Role: Youth Mentor / Support Worker

Location: Community sites / schools
Hours: 2–4 hours per week (flexible)
Contract: Volunteer
Reports to: Head of Programmes & Education

Role Overview

As a Youth Mentor, you will provide emotional, practical and wellbeing support to young people who need a positive role model. You will help build resilience, confidence, and healthy life-skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 mentoring and group support

• Encourage positive behaviour, engagement and wellbeing

• Support workshops, activities and trips

• Build safe, trusting relationships with young people

• Report safeguarding concerns appropriately

• Log basic session notes and progress

Person Specification

Essential:

• Empathy, patience, and strong listening skills

• Experience supporting young people (formal or informal)

• Commitment to safeguarding and boundaries

Desirable:

• Experience in youth work, coaching or education

Benefits

• Safeguarding, mentoring and youth-work training

• Flexible volunteering

• Excellent experience for education, youth work, or social care careers

• Meaningful impact on young people’s lives

"We are looking few candidates to join our volunteer human resource programme and gain real world experience in your chosen field. While we only have few vacancies available through this programme, other options are available if your skills match our criteria".

About the Role

HR Liaison plays a pivotal role in driving the success of our flagship professional development initiative. This position is responsible for managing the end-to-end execution of the progrmme, ensuring seamless coordination between participants, Heads of Department (HoDs), and stakeholders. The ideal candidate will combine exceptional organizational skills with a passion for fostering professional growth, ensuring participants remain engaged and supported throughout their development journey.

Key Responsibilities

1. Programme Management

   • Oversee the effective implementation of the HR programme, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.

   • Welcome participants to the programme, providing orientation materials and clarifying expectations.

2. Participant Support & Progress Tracking

   • Conduct initial skills assessments to identify individual development needs.

   • Monitor and document participant progress, providing regular updates to stakeholders.

   • Schedule and coordinate meetings between participants and their respective Heads of Department (HoDs).

3. Coordination & Communication

   • Manage day-to-day operations, including scheduling sessions, sending reminders, and maintaining programme documentation.

   • Serve as the primary point of contact for participants, addressing queries and resolving issues promptly.

4. Engagement & Feedback

   • Design and organise feedback sessions to gather insights from participants and HoDs, using data to refine the programme.

   • Develop strategies to ensure active engagement (e.g., interactive workshops, milestone celebrations).

5. Reporting

   • Prepare progress reports for senior leadership, highlighting achievements, challenges, and recommendations.

Required Skills

• Keen Eye for Detail: Ability to manage complex schedules, track progress meticulously, and maintain accurate records.

• Excellent Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication to liaise effectively with participants, HoDs, and stakeholders.

• Relationship Building & Networking: Proven ability to foster trust and collaboration across departments.

• Organizational Agility: Skilled in multitasking, prioritization, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Problem-Solving: Proactive approach to addressing challenges and improving programme delivery.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in coordinating professional development programmes or similar initiatives.

• Familiarity with data analysis to assess programme effectiveness.