Youth work volunteer roles

Make a Smile is seeking a motivated and organised Chapter President to lead one of our local Chapters. This is a key leadership position responsible for overseeing committee operations, supporting volunteers, and ensuring the smooth running of all Chapter activities.

About Make a Smile

Make a Smile is a charity dedicated to bringing joy to children through character visits, events, and community engagement. Each Chapter is run by a volunteer committee, and the President plays a central role in guiding and supporting that team.

Role Overview

The Chapter President is responsible for the overall management, development, and compliance of their Chapter. You will lead the committee, coordinate activities, and act as the main link between your Chapter and the national Board of Trustees.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys leading teams, solving problems, and making a meaningful impact in their community.

Key Responsibilities

• Local Leadership
• Oversee the day‑to‑day running of the Chapter and support committee members in their roles.
• Provide direction, guidance, and oversight across volunteer recruitment, events, fundraisers, and costume management.
• Chair committee meetings and ensure tasks are completed efficiently and on time.
• Identify when committee members need support and step in with advice, delegation, or hands‑on help.
• Complete and maintain the Chapter Development Plan and work towards improving Chapter performance each year.
• Ensure all activities comply with the charity’s constitution, handbook, and legal requirements.

National Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact between your Chapter and the Board of Trustees.
• Submit a monthly report on Chapter progress, challenges, and key decisions.
• Attend the monthly Charity Leadership Meeting to share updates and contribute to national planning.
• Implement national guidance and changes communicated by Trustees.
• Manage your Chapter’s allocated budget and support fundraising targets.
• Ensure all required paperwork is kept up‑to‑date, including logs, finances, and post‑event forms.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to motivate and support a team.
• Organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple responsibilities.
• Confident decision‑maker with a collaborative approach.
• Passionate about Make a Smile’s mission and working with volunteers.
• No prior charity leadership experience required — full training and guidance provided.

What You’ll Gain

• Leadership and management experience.
• Opportunities to develop strategic planning and organisational skills.
• A chance to make a real difference in your community.
• Experience working closely with a national charity board.
• A rewarding role where you help create magical experiences for children.

Summary

As Chapter President, you will:

• Lead and support your committee.
• Ensure effective operations and compliance.
• Drive Chapter development and improvement.
• Represent your Chapter at national level.
• Lead by example and uphold the values of Make a Smile

For many of the children in our programme, OOEF is the first time they have ever seen a live musician or held an instrument. We bring guest musicians into school to perform for them and help them try instruments from our own collection. It is one of our most popular sessions — and one of the most memorable things you are likely to do as a volunteer. Any instrument welcome. Any genre. Amateur or professional. We will sort the instruments — you just need to bring yourself and your music.

About the role

Orchestra of Everything Foundation (OOEF) delivers free, immersive music education to around 250 children aged 7–11 at St Michael's Junior School in Twerton and Whiteway — two schools in nationally ranked deprived communities. Our impact is off the scale: school leaders tell us that 86% of children show improved attitudes to learning across all subjects, and we have been instrumental in a 39% reduction in pupil suspensions. Our work has caught the attention of the Department for Education, and Bath Spa University now incorporates our model into teacher training.

You might visit once or come back regularly. You might play solo, with a colleague, or as part of an ensemble. Sessions are supervised alongside OOEF staff and volunteers throughout — you will never be alone with children. The children's reaction — curiosity, delight, the moment a sound comes out of an instrument for the first time — is something volunteers consistently describe as one of the most joyful experiences of their lives.

What you'll bring

• The ability to play an instrument or sing to a standard you are comfortable demonstrating

• Warmth and confidence engaging with groups of primary-school-age children

• A love of sharing music — the enthusiasm is as important as the skill

Time commitment

Guest musician sessions are fully ad hoc — we confirm dates that suit you. A typical visit is around 1-2 hours. Some musicians come individually; others come as part of ensembles, university music societies or via employer volunteering programmes. There is no minimum commitment — one visit is genuinely valuable.

What you'll get from it

• A genuinely joyful experience — children are the most honest, enthusiastic audience you will ever play to

• The chance to inspire young people who may go on to play themselves

• A place in a growing community of musicians supporting OOEF's work across Bath

• Complete flexibility — one visit or many, entirely on your terms

• DBS check arranged and funded by OOEF

Who are we: 
We are Buttons & Bubbles C.I.C. We are dedicated to increasing inclusion and representation across society for the disability community. We take a positive and proactive disability and illness. We don't conform to society's and the media's view that disability is awful, and you have no quality of life. Although we fully acknowledge it gives rise to come of the most heartbreaking and challenging times you will ever face. We ask everyone who joins Buttons & Bubbles to embrace this perspective. If you don't agree with it, then sadly we're not the right organisation for you. 

About the role: 
 
We are looking for people to help at our Christmas 'Merry Moments' events taking place across November and December 2026. These event will be for disabled children, young people and their families to come along and and enjoy a fun filled sensory extravaganza. And we need extra peopel to support our team to make it all work. We will be running at least 3 Merry Moments events 2 in Windsor and 1 in Wokingham. 

Our values: 

We embrace disability and neurodiversity; it makes us a stronger and more brilliant team. No robots at Buttons & Bubbles, thank you! 

What are we looking for? 

We are looking for a few individuals who may have the following skills and experience. Don't worry if you haven’t as full training will be provided.

Skillset; 

• Communication

• Energetic

• Organised  

• Adaptable  

• Team player 

• Willing to learn and develop  

• An individual with a creative mindset 

• Positive attitude towards disability or illness 

Benefits of joining Buttons & Bubbles C.I.C:  

• Gaining valuable experience. 

• Improving your confidence 

• Allows you to explore potentially different areas of interest. 

Benefits of volunteering with us:  

• Making a difference to the community 

• Makes a positive impact on people 

• Develop your current skill set and gain new skills. 

• Displays your level of commitment to future employers. 

• Displays your ability to balance and schedule your time effectively when seeking future 

• Employment opportunities

Our vision is to help build communities that save lives and serve each other through volunteering for health and first aid.

Young people play a crucial role in helping us realise this mission. As a volunteer with our youth teams, you’ll be trained to provide our young people with both life skills and lifesaving skills – all while having great fun!

You’ll be working with our brilliant Badgers (aged 7-10) or creative Cadets (aged 11-18). You’ll also have the opportunity to design your own role, whether that involves running fun activities – such as outdoor events, summer camps and mountain adventures – or providing ‘behind-the-scenes’ support.

We’ll offer you the chance to become a fully-fledged Youth Leader, which will mean completing extra courses in First Aid or Adventure to broaden your capacity and experience.

Would you like to volunteer once a week or once a month? That’s entirely up to you. With the constant guidance of a friendly volunteer manager and youth team, you’ll have all the support you need to make bold strides and rediscover your inner ‘big kid’.

This role is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitations Offenders Act and as such as Enhanced DBS check will be obtained.

We meet weekly during term time on Friday 17:15 to 18:45

Interviews - Date, time and location to be advised

Training - Date, time and location to be advised

If you are an existing SJA volunteer or employee, please apply here:

If you are external to SJA, please apply below:

ABOUT CHILDREN WITH VOICES

Children With Voices is a grassroots children's charity with over 25 years of experience supporting children and families across London. Based at Fawcett Estate Community Hall in Clapton, Hackney, we run a Community Food Hub, alternative education, SEN support, and community programmes including Jumping Beans. We have supported over 100,000 families and are recognised nationally for our work.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Our children and families programmes are at the heart of everything we do — and this role is at the heart of keeping them running. We are looking for someone who can bring structure, hold the team together, and make things happen without constant chasing.

This is not a passive support role. We need someone who takes ownership, follows through, and keeps programmes moving forward consistently.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Coordination

• Oversee the day-to-day coordination of children and families sessions

• Ensure programmes are planned, organised, and running effectively

• Support scheduling of workshops, facilitators, and activities

Team Alignment & Communication

• Act as the central coordination point between facilitators, volunteers, and leadership

• Ensure everyone is clear on roles, timings, and expectations

• Follow up on actions and make sure tasks are completed

Tracking & Accountability

• Track attendance, engagement, and programme progress

• Maintain simple, useful reporting structures — updates, feedback, outcomes

• Spot issues early and come with solutions, not just problems

Operational Support

• Work closely with leadership to maintain structure across delivery

• Support onboarding and coordination of volunteers within programmes

• Ensure consistency in how sessions are delivered, every time

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Highly organised and reliable

• Strong communication and coordination skills

• Able to take initiative and follow through

• Comfortable managing people and holding accountability

• Passionate about working with children, families, and community

• Committed to safeguarding and child protection

This is a voluntary role with real responsibility. We are not looking for passive support — we need someone who can take ownership, bring structure, and help move programmes forward consistently. If that is you, we would love to hear from you.

Action Tutoring is a national education charity that offers free maths and English tutoring to pupils facing disadvantage. 

By volunteering as a tutor at a local school or online, you'll be supporting children to build their confidence and help ensure they leave school with the grades needed to build a bright future.

What will I be doing?

• Tutoring 1-3 pupils in Year 5 or 6, or Year 7, 10 or 11.

• Commit to one hour a week, for up to 20 weeks. You choose the day and time to sign up to.

• Use our tutor workbooks to guide your pupils through activities that will boost their confidence and grades.

What you'll gain:

• Receive induction training, tutor workbooks and ongoing support.

• Develop skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving.

• Meet like-minded people in our volunteer community.

• Travel expense reimbursement (up to £5 per session).

• Free DBS check.

This volunteer role is perfect for you if you:

• Are passionate about making a difference and helping young people succeed, particularly those facing disadvantage.

• Seek valuable experience working with children and are eager to hone essential skills such as communication, mentorship, and leadership – all highly valued in any career path.

• Have a busy schedule but are keen to contribute to your community, as this flexible role requires just one hour a week, either in-person or conveniently online.

We look for volunteers with:

• Solid subject knowledge in the area they wish to tutor, which may be demonstrated by a degree or grade B at A-level qualification (or equivalent) or relevant experience.

• The ability to explain concepts clearly and patiently.

• A commitment to supporting pupils’ academic progress.

We recognise that valuable experience can be gained through diverse routes, so if your qualifications differ from those mentioned - we still encourage you to apply! Please highlight any relevant experience or skills in your application.

We welcome applications from volunteers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. (Please note: this is a volunteer, unpaid position.)

Our volunteers say:

" The Action Tutoring team has been fabulous in their support: timely updates, always available, closely following progress, and ready to intervene where needed, very professional indeed!"

"Volunteering is very rewarding. I would say the skills that one develops from teaching the pupils are transferable to any walk of life and make you a better person. I would highly recommend it."

No one should die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it. St John Ambulance teaches people first aid so they can be the difference between life and death, and you can help us do this.

As Cadet Group Lead you will be responsible for the overall management of your St John Ambulance Youth unit. You will do this by leading weekly meetings, organising other youth development activities and actively participating in the recruitment, training and retention of the young people and volunteers in your unit. You will ensure that they have a positive and rewarding experience in St John Ambulance, by equipping them with the necessary skills to fulfil our vision; ‘Everyone who needs it should receive first aid from those around them. No one should suffer for the lack of trained first aiders.'

Cadet Group Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Must be available on an evening during the week, must have already completed Youth Leader training or be willing to undertake as soon as possible

Closing date for these opportunities is: 01/08/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Heartwood House is a unique organisation, working to support and empower young people to engage with education and achieve their potential, free from mainstream system constraints. We are a small, values-driven community, and our trustees play a vital role in guiding our mission and ensuring the long-term sustainability of what we do.

At Heartwood House, we deliver full-time education for students experiencing emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA). Our, methodology places wellbeing at the core of students' education, focusing on mental health, personal growth, and positive social interactions alongside academic instruction.

Students have an inherent right to respectful and caring treatment, independent of behaviour or academic performance. As a trustee, you will help uphold and champion our policy of unconditional positive regard, the principle that everyone (staff or student) should always be treated with respect and dignity, no matter the situation.

Education takes place in small groups, with lessons tailored to each student's individual needs and interests. As a trustee, you will gain insight into a genuinely distinctive educational model, and your governance will directly support the staff who build meaningful relationships with every young person in our care.

All staff are invested in and actively participate in student wellbeing, integrating mental health support and personal growth throughout the day, not just in designated sessions. Trustees share responsibility for ensuring this holistic approach is protected and resourced appropriately.

We offer academic instruction from Entry Level to GCSE in subjects aligned with students' interests and future plans. Almost all students study English, Maths, Science, and Art at a minimum, with most pursuing additional subjects at the centre or online. As a trustee, you will help ensure the organisation remains financially and strategically positioned to continue delivering this flexible, student-centred curriculum.

Action Tutoring is a national education charity that offers free maths and English tutoring to pupils facing disadvantage. 

By volunteering as a tutor at a local school or online, you'll be supporting children to build their confidence and help ensure they leave school with the grades needed to build a bright future.

What will I be doing?

• Tutoring 1-3 pupils in Year 5 or 6, or Year 7, 10 or 11.

• Commit to one hour a week, for up to 20 weeks. You choose the day and time to sign up to.

• Use our tutor workbooks to guide your pupils through activities that will boost their confidence and grades.

What you'll gain:

• Receive induction training, tutor workbooks and ongoing support.

• Develop skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving.

• Meet like-minded people in our volunteer community.

• Travel expense reimbursement (up to £5 per session).

• Free DBS check.

This volunteer role is perfect for you if you:

• Are passionate about making a difference and helping young people succeed, particularly those facing disadvantage.

• Seek valuable experience working with children and are eager to hone essential skills such as communication, mentorship, and leadership – all highly valued in any career path.

• Have a busy schedule but are keen to contribute to your community, as this flexible role requires just one hour a week, either in-person or conveniently online.

We look for volunteers with:

• Solid subject knowledge in the area they wish to tutor, which may be demonstrated by a degree or grade B at A-level qualification (or equivalent) or relevant experience.

• The ability to explain concepts clearly and patiently.

• A commitment to supporting pupils’ academic progress.

We recognise that valuable experience can be gained through diverse routes, so if your qualifications differ from those mentioned - we still encourage you to apply! Please highlight any relevant experience or skills in your application.

We welcome applications from volunteers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. (Please note: this is a volunteer, unpaid position.)

Our volunteers say:

" The Action Tutoring team has been fabulous in their support: timely updates, always available, closely following progress, and ready to intervene where needed, very professional indeed!"

"Volunteering is very rewarding. I would say the skills that one develops from teaching the pupils are transferable to any walk of life and make you a better person. I would highly recommend it."

Chair of the Board of Trustees 

This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of a respected and impactful organisation, guiding our strategic direction and supporting our mission to empower and strengthen communities across Lincolnshire. We are looking for an inspiring and values-driven individual to lead a committed Board of Trustees and work closely with the Chief Executive to ensure YMCA Lincolnshire remains ambitious in its vision, financially sustainable, and firmly rooted in its purpose and values.

Hours per week: Quarterly Board meetings that are held on weekdays, starting at 4pm and typically finishing at 6pm. Occasional Saturdays for strategic planning when required 9am - 2pm.

As Chair, you will foster a culture of effective and collaborative governance by encouraging constructive challenge, inclusive discussion, thoughtful decision-making, and collective accountability. You will help create the conditions for the Board to operate at its very best, while ensuring the organisation remains focused on the people and communities it exists to serve.

YMCA Lincolnshire’s work is varied from tackling homelessness, delivering early year education and working alongside young people and communities across the county. In all of these fields we aspire to creating safe spaces, supporting wellbeing, building resilience, and helping people realise their potential. We are looking for someone who understands that lived experience strengthens governance, sharpens strategy, and helps organisations stay connected to the change they are seeking to create.

We are looking for someone who brings:

· Strategic thinking and sound judgement

· The ability to guide and influence with credibility and integrity

· A collaborative and inclusive approach

· Experience of governance, senior decision making or organisational oversight

· An understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing charities and communities today

· The confidence to support, challenge, and inspire others constructively

· A commitment to equity, inclusion and amplifying diverse voices

· Passion for the mission and values of YMCA Lincolnshire

The Chair will be expected to attend Board meetings, Committee meeting where appropriate and key organisational events while maintaining regular contact with the Chief Executive and Trustees.

As Chair you will have the opportunity to help shape the future of the organisation and contribute to meaningful, lasting change across Lincolnshire.

If you are interested in applying, please click on our attached Recruitment Pack for full details about the role and how to submit your application.

Applications close 5pm on Friday 26th June with interviews taking place on Monday 6th July 2026.

Change a life. Mentor a Fatherless Boy. 

Who are we? 

At Chapter2, a Reading-based charity that mentors fatherless boys through a network of 1:1 male volunteers. Our mentoring is long-term and activity based in order to develop meaningful trusted relationships that can have a positive impact on a boy's life. 

What sort of person are we looking for? 

If you are a man living within a 45-minute drive of Reading, Berkshire, then we’d love to hear from you. We recruit, train and match men with boys aged 8 - 16 that do not have a healthy male role model. Our mentoring is activity-based, and we match mentees with a mentor based on their shared interests. You will be committed to walking alongside your mentee for a minimum of 2 years; meeting him for 1-2 hours a week/fortnightly. Most of the mentoring is doing normal activities a father might do with his son ie go for a bike ride, kick a football around, take a walk, etc. We also offer montly group activities that you and your mentee can access for free. In the past these have included paintball, laser tag, bushcraft, footgolf, beach day, go karting, rock climbing, etc. 

What do we offer you? 

You will receive high-quality training at the beginning of your mentoring journey, as well weekly check-ins from your mentor manager, who will support you throughout your time as a mentor.  Additional training is also provided throughout your mentoring journey. Most activities mentors do with their mentees is free, but we do cover some expenses if an activity has an associated cost. 

How do I apply? 

Register your interest on our website and we’ll send you an email within 1 working day. 

Safer Recuritment

The safeguarding and well-being of our mentees is of the utmost importance, and applicants will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check and, where necessary, an overseas background check.

There is also an assessment process which includes an application, references and interview.

Successful applicants will also be required to complete Basic Safeguarding training. 

Trustee - Treasurer

About us: Could you help us get millions of separated children Back to Family?

Orphanages don’t protect children, they harm them. Put simply: the last thing an orphanage can provide is the first thing a child needs - someone to love them. 

Right now, 5.4 million children around the world are locked away in orphanages — even though over 80% of them are not orphans. Orphanages expose children to abuse and trafficking, and physical and psychological trauma that can last a lifetime. A century of evidence shows that the bond between a child and their family is what every child needs to grow, thrive and be safe. 

The role

As Treasurer you will chair our Finance, Risk and Audit Committee and act as the Board’s lead voice on financial matters. Working closely with our CEO, COO and executive team, you will help ensure HHC remains financially resilient and well-governed as we approach our ambitious 2030 goal by:

• Finance — overseeing our planning, budgeting and reporting processes; guiding the Board in approving annual accounts; advising on the financial implications of strategic decisions; and liaising with our external auditors.
• Risk management — providing oversight of our internal controls, financial control framework and risk register, and ensuring appropriate insurance and anti-fraud arrangements are in place.
• Governance — chairing the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee, leading the Board’s duty to ensure proper financial stewardship, and supporting compliance with Charity Commission and other regulatory requirements.

Who we are looking for

You will be a qualified accountant with strong commercial awareness and the ability to translate complex financial information clearly for a Board audience. Beyond the technical qualifications, we are looking for someone who brings:

• Experience of organisational risk management and internal controls
• A solid understanding of charity governance, trusteeship and the legal duties of a trustee
• Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to non-finance colleagues and stakeholders
• The leadership skills to chair a committee and bring people together around shared goals

Above all, you will share our belief that every child deserves to grow up in the love and safety of a family, and our commitment to driving that change with courage, integrity, excellence and being deeply human. 

What we offer

This is a voluntary, unremunerated role. In return you will:

• Engage with our work across nine countries 
• Contribute to systemic change at global scale, helping to shape the future for separated children worldwide
• Be part of an organisation approaching its 2030 goal — a worldwide consensus that orphanages have no place in any child's life

Time commitment

The role requires approximately 12–18 days per year, comprising:

• Four Board meetings per year (in person, London or virtual)
• Four to five Finance, Risk and Audit Committee meetings per year (virtual)
• An annual two-day awayday, which may take place in one of our countries of operation
• Additional time for preparation, ad hoc queries and induction in your first year

The initial term of office is three years, with the possibility of two further three-year terms by mutual agreement.

Closing Date: The final cut off for applications is 5 pm BST Monday 22nd June 2026 so please get in touch if you have the right skills, experience and passion for our cause. 

To apply, please upload your CV and a brief covering letter indicating why you are interested in becoming a Trustee and Treasurer; why you believe your skills, experience, your values and match the requirements of this key trustee position.

Diversity

Hope and Homes for Children actively encourages diversity, equity and inclusion, and we look to recruit a diverse range of people to reflect the communities in which we live. We are keen to see a diverse membership of both the trustee body and committees as we believe diversity brings us closer to our mission of eliminating orphanages.

Thank you for considering this role. Every child deserves to grow up in the love and safety of a family

REF-228 796

The Story Museum is looking for three people to join the Board of Trustees due to existing long-serving (and brilliant!) Trustees coming to the end of their terms. In this round of recruitment we are actively seeking individuals who bring specific skill-sets and experiences from within the legal, fundraising or education sectors.

The Museum opened in its current form in May 2021. We have since welcomed over 420,000 visitors, mostly children and young people, to our amazing exhibitions and events. Through this interaction with stories and storytellers, visitors of all ages nurture their literacy, creativity and wellbeing.  Audience and participant response to the Museum and our work is overwhelmingly positive; people really enjoy what we offer - in their words, The Story Museum is fun, engaging and creative!

Our vision is a world where young people can discover, shape and share great stories.

Our mission is to transform young lives by bringing stories of all kinds to life - through exhibitions, events and learning programmes, at our museum and beyond, inspiring creativity, literacy and wellbeing.

If you're interested in supporting our goals and in joining a group of engaged and committed senior volunteers please read the Recruitment Pack and take part in our collaborative appointment process.  Application deadline: Thursday 23rd July.

A charity  based in  Croydon, Surrey, London, UK is looking for volunteer Charity Team Assistants; to volunteer 30 unpaid hours per week. The Charity serves a multi ethnic community especially people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds. 

Responsibilities:

• To assist GNDFuk's permanent instructors in finding and providing creative forms of engagement for both our youth and adult programmes.
• To assist in project and schedule planning including setting and clearing up 30 minutes before and after projects and events
• To assist in ensuring that activities are executed safely
• To assist in coordinating events and activities to encourage the objectives of GNDFuk

Person Specification:

• Someone enthusiastic and creative who is committed to working towards the achievements of the charities objectives.
• Knowledege of Black and ethnic minority tradition/culture is preferable however not essential.
• Experience is desirable.

This is a non-paid one year temporary position however accommodation and maintenance will be provided.

All interested candidates are required to send us a letter of application, a resume, and contact to the email provided. If your application is accepted, you will be invited for a telephone interview. Any applications received after the closing date will not be considered unless we have been unable to find a suitable candidate for this vacancy.

Successful candidates will require a DBS/POLICE check and references prior to commencement.