Volunteer roles in East midlands

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Join us as a Cat Welfare Support volunteer and make a real difference to the lives of cats and their owners. Whether it’s taking cats to the vet, helping to maintain cat welfare standards, or supporting other volunteers to keep everything organised, your support will help us take care of more cats. Help us create a better life for cats and their families with your compassion and dedication.

You can expect us to

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

What we need from you

This is a really flexible role. We’ll help you choose what you’d like to get involved with, making sure it benefits both you and the team, for example: 

• supporting the team to maintain high standards of cat welfare
• transporting cats to vet appointments or to new homes
• entering records for cats and cat-related activity to track the impact of the team
• supporting with cat admissions and matching cats with prospective owners
• ordering, collecting and delivering cat-related supplies, for example, food, litter, medical supplies
• communicating with the public, offering support with cat ownership or lost and found cats
• supporting the volunteer neutering team

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!

We ask for a minimum commitment of just 3 hours per week, but you’re welcome to volunteer for more if you’d like. 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!

Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR) Support Volunteer - role in Cheshire West

People in care homes should have a voice to communicate their needs wishes and wants. Some people need support with this, but don’t have friends and family available to assist them.  This means they’re entitled to have support from an RPR and volunteer, who are there to make sure they get the care they deserve.  Your role as an RPR Support Volunteer is to collaborate with the VoiceAbility RPR to make sure a person’s views are listened to when decisions are made about their care.

As an RPR Support Volunteer you might:

• Visit people in their care home, to make sure they’re getting the right care and support
• Talk with them about their feelings, thoughts and wishes
• Raise concerns
• Keep detailed notes and records
• Make a real difference to someone’s life

All volunteering will take place Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00.  You will need to be over 18 years old and be living in the UK. Please note that there is no opportunity to volunteer at weekends or in the evening.

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”.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum of 2 court days per month attendance requiured. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

Are you passionate about making a real difference to families facing financial hardship?
Bromley Brighter Beginnings is a local charity founded in 2012 which provides essential baby, child and household items to families facing poverty.
We believe no child should be disadvantaged because of financial hardship, and no parent should have to struggle to meet their family’s basic needs.

Join our team as a Grants & Fundraising Volunteer and help secure the funding that keeps our services going. In this role, you’ll support our Fundraising & Communications Lead with tasks that directly impact how many families we’re able to help.

What You’ll Do

• Research and identify potential grant funding opportunities (“horizon scanning”)
• Help maintain our 'tracker' of funding opportunities
• Assist with drafting and editing grant applications
• Attend relevant online events or webinars to stay up to date with funding trends
• Support the preparation of reports and updates for current funders

 About You

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Experience of researching and / or writing grant applications / funding bids
• Great attention to detail
• Good IT skills
• An understanding of the charity sector (helpful but not essential)
• The ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• A genuine commitment to supporting families living in poverty

For further information on the role and details of how to apply please visit our website.

As a First Response Volunteer, you will help find those rough sleeping quicker, and enable Outreach workers to spend more time supporting those found to move away from the streets and get connected to other local services. First Responders play a crucial role to ensure people sleeping rough receive vital support. This is not a client-facing role and therefore is well suited to somebody looking for their first role in the homelessness sector. However, we do also offer development opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge about rough sleeping for those interested.

On shift, you and a partner volunteer will be given a list of people who have been seen sleeping rough. Your role is to identify those who are sleeping rough, and pass information about referrals to the Outreach team to follow up on – they will help the person find accommodation and link them into non-accommodation-based support for example around physical or mental health. 

We’re on the lookout for a volunteer who’s keen to make a real difference in our communities — and pick up some new skills along the way!

This is a unique opportunity to gain a recognised qualification while helping residents at Asquith Court and Charlotte Court enjoy regular chair-based exercise sessions. These schemes don’t currently have any sessions, but they’re really keen to get started — ideally once a month to begin with (and maybe more if it’s a hit!).

We’ll support you every step of the way, including covering the cost of your Amac Certificate in Chair-based Exercise Instructing - which you can complete online at your own pace. Once you’re qualified, we’ll work with you to build a schedule that fits around your availability.

Each session will last up to an hour, and we’ll also cover your travel expenses between the two schemes.

Because you’ll be working with potentially vulnerable residents, you’ll need to be 18 or over to take on this role.

If you’re passionate about helping others stay active, feel good, and have fun — we’d love to hear from you!

Looking for a way to give back to your local community without a long-term commitment? Not sure exactly what you’d like to do, but know you want to help?

Sometimes we come across one-off community tasks that just need a few volunteers to give us a good old Yorkshire helping hand. We also know life can get very busy and people don’t always have time to commit to a regular volunteering role.

Being a Community Squad volunteer is a flexible way to get involved. You’ll find out when and where one-off tasks are happening near you, and you can choose to help whenever it suits. There’s no ongoing commitment, you’re in control.

As a Squad volunteer, you’ll regularly receive updates about opportunities across Yorkshire. There’s no obligation to sign up for any of them, but if something catches your eye, just put your name forward. We’ll send you all the details you need, and you simply turn up on the day!

Tasks vary widely, so there’s something for everyone. You might help at a community clean-up, plant spring bulbs, hand out leaflets, put out grit or clear a path when it’s snowed for a neighbour. Or you could be handing out popcorn at a cinema event, making cups of tea at a social club, supporting someone with their digital devices, creating glitter tattoos at a children’s event, or writing letters to customers who are isolated.

There will be lots of varied things to help with!

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

If you enjoy driving and would love to use those skills to help our cats, this could be the role for you. Our transport volunteers provide vital assistance to our teams and volunteer groups in the local area by transporting equipment, litter, food – and even cats! They have the essential role of connecting our network of volunteers, sites, vets and supporters.

Without the passionate and committed teams of volunteers across Cats Protection, we wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us for help.

You can expect us to

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

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Arranging and transporting equipment, litter and cat food
• Transporting cats to and from vets, foster homes and centres
• Transporting equipment to and from events

Time expectation

Our transport volunteers usually spend two to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

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

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

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats each year and the majority of these success stories are thanks to the dedication and effort of our passionate volunteers. Our recruitment support volunteers help local volunteer groups and teams by promoting volunteer roles, matching passionate cat loving volunteers to roles and informing potential volunteers about the variety of volunteer roles available at Cats Protection.

You can expect us to

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

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Identifying opportunities for volunteer involvement
• Planning volunteer recruitment campaigns
• Managing volunteer recruitment by advertising and promoting roles
• Overseeing the volunteer application process
• Meeting potential volunteers and providing information about roles
• Matching potential volunteers with suitable roles
• Promoting a culture of volunteering best practice

Time expectation 

Our recruitment support volunteers usually spend 2 to 3 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. 

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

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

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Unfortunately, thousands of cats each year are abandoned or have strayed and rely on charities like Cats Protection for help. Becoming a trap, neuter and return (TNR) volunteer is one way you can make a real difference to cats in your local area. Our TNR volunteers help reduce the number of feral cats by raising awareness of our TNR programmes, setting humane traps to safely capture cats, taking them to local vets to be neutered, and hopefully returning them back to their territory. Local TNR programmes are crucial, as feral and abandoned cats present a huge challenge for communities across the UK.

You can expect us to 

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

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Trapping cats using humane methods
• Taking cats to local vets to be neutered 
• Returning cats to their territory or finding a suitable alternative

The role might also include:

• Regular feeding of feral colonies
• Promoting neutering by building relationships with farmers, land owners and local businesses
• Liaising with vets to promote and arrange neutering 

Time expectation 

This is a flexible role and the hours will vary depending on the number of cats identified for specific TNR campaigns. Our current TNR volunteers spend about 2 to 3 hours per week in this role which can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. 

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

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

A bit about this role

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

You can expect us to

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

What we need from you

You'll be

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

Time expectation

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

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

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

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

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! 

We ask for a minimum commitment of just 3 hours per week, but you’re welcome to volunteer for more if you’d like. 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! 

Support Session Volunteer

You’ll be supporting people over the age of 18 with disabilities, this may include those with poor mental health, learning difficulties, autism and other disabilities.  Your role will include supporting clients to understand and undertake a task on a one-to-one basis.  The task will vary from client to client as will the needs of the individual. 

As a support session volunteer, you might: 

• help people have their say when it matters most
• Helping individuals navigate challenges and ensuring their needs are met
• help people to make complaints and use local services 

All volunteering will take place Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00.  You will need to be over 18 years old and be living in the UK. Please note that there is no opportunity to volunteer at weekends or in the evening. 

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 the role:

We are currently seeking qualified, women solicitor, barrister and qualified legal executive volunteers to provide legal advice on our Sexual Harassment at Work (Employment Law) advice line. All volunteering is done remotely and you must be qualified to practice in England and Wales.

What will you be doing?

Our free telephone advice line provides vital legal advice for women experiencing sexual harassment at work, supported by legal advisors with experience in employment, discrimination and harassment law. We offer a safe space for women to talk about their situation and receive expert legal advice to enable them to make important decisions about their future.

We ask all our volunteers to:

• Provide advice on our advice lines for one 2-hour session a month (minimum);
• Attend the induction training session provided by Rights of Women;
• Give clear and accurate legal advice to callers;
• Be non-judgemental and non-discriminatory in their approach;
• Follow our procedures for making records of calls and obtaining monitoring information;
• Keep up to date with the law for the relevant advice lines;
• Attend all agreed advice line sessions (remotely);
• Inform us as soon as possible if they are unable to attend an agreed session;
• Abide by Rights of Women’s procedures, standards and policies, including equal opportunities and confidentiality in relation to staff, volunteers and users.

What are we looking for?

The qualifications and skills we look for in a volunteer are:

• A woman solicitor, barrister or CILEx member;
• A current practicing certificate;
• Ability to work remotely with adequate internet access and a private space;
• Good communication skills;
• The ability to deliver advice clearly and calmly;
• An empathetic, non-judgemental and non-discriminatory manner;
• A working knowledge of the relevant area of law for their advice line;
• Commitment to equal opportunities;
• Commitment to the aims and objectives of Rights of Women.

A feminist percpective on the law and the issues we advise on is essential.

About Rights of Women

Rights of Women’s vision is to achieve equality, justice and safety in the law for all women. 2025 saw our 50th anniversary!

Our mission is to advise, educate and empower women by:

• Providing women with free, confidential legal advice by specialist women solicitors and barristers
• Enabling women to understand and benefit from their legal rights through accessible and timely publications and training
• Campaigning to ensure that women’s voices are heard and law and policy meets all women’s needs.

What difference will you make?
For decades, our volunteers have been at the heart of Rights of Women’s advice lines. They provide trusted legal guidance, compassionate support and reassurance to women navigating complex and distressing legal situations, often during some of the most difficult periods of their working and family lives.

“I have been a volunteer with Rights of Women since September 2003, which possibly makes me one of the longest-serving telephone advisors on the evening helpline; in a way this speaks for itself! The helpline is an indispensable service and many women have told me that they consider it a lifeline.”

“Dealing with the legal system is often a source of great anxiety, uncertainty and confusion. I have spoken with many women in very difficult situations. It is important that they know that we are here for the and it is rewarding to help.”

– anonymous volunteers