Volunteer roles in Leighton buzzard

Do you want to see more happiness and kindness in the world? We’re looking for dynamic Volunteers to be part of creating exactly that!

About the Role:

Our volunteers bring people together for shared online learning experiences, based on positive psychology, that boost the wellbeing of everyone involved.

Our groups and courses can be run online or in-person in your local area.

- The amazing 6-week Happiness Habits Course is designed to be run by pairs of volunteers.  It features expert videos, science-backed exercises and the chance to form meaningful connections. Our course has been specially designed to gather the insights of the world's leading experts on six fundamental aspects of a happy and meaningful life: Gratitude, Self-Care, Relationships, Resilience, Kindness, and Meaning. It is a very impactful (many say life-changing) experience.

- Alternatively, you can get involved by supporting a Monthly Group, bringing like-minded people together to learn evidence-based tools for creating a happier and more meaningful life. Explore the monthly themes and encourage people to set personal actions towards happiness, that support both themselves and others.

Volunteering with Action for Happiness is a path of action that consistently feels like you are making a difference in the world. You don’t have to be an expert - or be happy all the time. If you are a warm and enthusiastic person that is more than enough to get started.

Why Volunteer with Us?

Do something that matters: spreading happiness and witnessing people transform for the better is a huge source of meaning.

Grow your skills: inspiring others, learning together and reinforcing your own happiness skills all contribute to personal growth.

Build community: meeting like-minded people, building lasting friendships and belonging to a global community contributing to a better future for all.

How do I know it’s right for me?

Try out free VOLUNTEER TRAINING via the Action For Happiness website and decide for yourself.

We've designed it especially to help you answer questions like this as it explains thoroughly what being a volunteer involves and helps you reflect on your readiness.

What is the time commitment?

You'll need to set aside a couple of hours for the training initially and a few more for planning your course or group and connecting with your co-volunteer. Then you'll need a couple of hours per session for facilitating (x6 weekly sessions for a course, or x1 session per month for a group). 

- Apply today! Together, we can inspire change that ripples out through people’s lives, communities and the world.
 

thrivin' together is a national, grassroots Community Interest Company supporting women impacted by their own or someone else's gambling. Incorporated in July 2022, we meet women where they are, offering support that fits around complex, time-poor lives.

We have built strong trust, reach, and credibility. We are now entering a phase focused on:

• Strengthening governance and infrastructure
• Moving beyond founder-reliant leadership
• Clarifying our proposition and impact
• Building sustainable systems for long-term growth
• Increasing our influence in policy and system change

This is a moment of consolidation, clarity, and intentional growth.

As a Board Member, you will help guide the strategic direction of thrivin' together, ensuring we remain values-led, sustainable, and responsive to the women we serve. You will:

• Contribute to governance and strategic planning
• Support the development and sustainability of our services
• Ensure alignment with our mission and lived experience ethos
• Provide constructive challenge and oversight
• Act as an ambassador and help build partnerships 

This is a non-operational role focused on oversight, support, and direction.

We are looking for women who bring a genuine passion for women's wellbeing and social impact. Commitment to supporting those affected by gambling harm and a collaborative, thoughtful, and values-driven approach. Desirable experience:
Finance or accounting
Fundraising
HR or organisational development
Chair or governance experience
Policy, influencing, or systems change
Lived experience of gambling harm (your own or someone else's)
We welcome first-time Board Members and will provide support and induction. 

What you'll gain

• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in women's lives
• Experience of governance and strategic leadership
• Being part of a supportive, women-centred team
• The chance to shape a growing, innovative CIC

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY COACH

Time: Evenings, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (weekly)

Location, Fishermead Supported Accommodation

Connection Support provides a range of services supporting people who may be at risk of homelessness or who require social care. We work with people who may have experienced challenges such as debt, family circumstances, mental health difficulties, substance misuse, being a care leaver, learning disabilities, age-related needs, or physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in helping us provide meaningful activities that improve wellbeing and reduce loneliness.

Could you help prevent loneliness and isolation in your community by running a weekly activity night?

· Do you have 1–2 hours a week in the evening (6:00 pm – 8:00 pm) to support residents by running fun and engaging activities?

· Can we rely on you to commit to a period of up to 12 weeks?

· Can you build positive, professional, and trusting relationships with residents in a friendly and non-judgemental way?

If you can answer “yes”, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

· Planning and hosting a weekly activity evening for residents between 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

· Running activities such as general knowledge quizzes, music rounds, bingo games, picture rounds, and other fun group activities

· Encouraging residents to participate, socialise, and work together

· Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment

· Acting as a positive and supportive role model

Skills Required

· Good communication and people skills

· Ability to engage and encourage people from a range of backgrounds

· Creativity in planning fun activities and games

· Enthusiasm and a positive attitude

· Good organisation and time-keeping

· Experience to enhance your CV and future career opportunities

· Ongoing support and guidance from the team

· Opportunity to request a reference after your volunteering period

This is an excellent opportunity if you are interested in clothes & fashion, photography or e-commerce. The time you dedicate would ensure that we made the most of the incredible donations to our charity shops, which means more funds can go towards our vital animal welfare work.

Our shops play an essential role in raising the profile of the RSPCA in our local community and funds for our branch so that we can continue our vital animal welfare work. Our shops sell a mixture of donated items, including clothes, books, bric-a-brac and collectables, and a selection of new items.

Online Sales Volunteer responsibilities

• Researching and listing the items for sale in our dedicated Vinted store.
• A picture is worth 1,000 words so ensuring that attractive photographs are taken to boost sales.
• Packaging items appropriately before posting them to the buyer.
• Maintaining accurate records of listed and sold items.

What we are looking for in our Online Sales Volunteers:

• Basic knowledge of any online selling platforms (Vinted, ebay, Whatnot)
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail 
• Ability to take clear photographs and write accurate descriptions
• Basic computer skills, including familiarity with email and online payment systems 
• Good communication skills and a friendly, helpful attitude
• Someone who is flexible and can offer an ongoing commitment
• Work both remotely and at our New Bradwell Hub

What we can offer you as an Online Sales volunteer

• You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the animals in your area.
• Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
• Learn e-commerce skills
• Develop your organisational skills
• Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch!

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We may ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependant on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

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 via Zoom every week with eBooks to share with the children and encourage their love of reading.

You will:

• Handpick eBooks from our online portals based on the children’s age, interests, and reading level
• Join families via Zoom with your volunteer partner for 20-minute reading sessions  
• Make notes after the session to keep track of how the child/ren are progressing

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?

You can be based anywhere in the UK to become a Doorstep Library online volunteer.

• 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
• Days: Our projects run on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays from 4:30pm – 6:30pm

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.  

Would you like to lead an innovative health think tank - enabling it to achieve more of its potential and encouraging a more preventative approach to mental and physical ill-health in the UK?

As Chair you’ll:

• Help Health Action Research Group develop more of its potential as an independent health think tank, on a sustainable basis

• Ensure effective governance, including chairing Trustees’ meetings and leading the recruitment and induction of new Trustees

• Represent Health Action Research Group, where appropriate, at external meetings and events

We'd like to hear from you, if you have:

• Experience of being a Trustee

• Experience of helping organisations grow and develop

• At least five years relevant UK experience of health research, health policy and/or health interventions - with a focus on preventing (as opposed to treating) ill-health

• Enthusiasm for our guiding principle that prevention is better than cure and that health in the UK should be more than a postcode lottery.

• The ability to build relationships and advocate for and champion our work.

"Hosting breaks down barriers and helps you realise how similar everyone is."  

Do you have a spare room in your home?

We are looking for people with a spare room who are willing to offer a temporary home and a helping hand to a refugee or person seeking asylum as they plan their next steps in the UK. Hosting is only ever temporary and you decide how long you are willing to host for; it can vary from a few nights to several months and anything in between. 

Who can be a host?

Anyone with a spare room, or even a sofa bed, that is well connected and has good public transport systems can apply to host. This enables guests to travel to college, school, support groups or jobs, and retain their independence.

All hosts will need to complete an application form, provide two references and have a home visit. 

Support available

We carefully assess each guest and host, match according to preferences, advise on hosting arrangements and preparations, and provide ongoing support to hosts throughout the placement. We stay in contact with you when you have a guest staying with you, and someone from the team is available seven days a week if you have any questions or problems.

We will discuss with you any preferences, such as if you would prefer not to host someone who has not been vaccinated against covid, or who smokes. This will be recorded on your profile on our database so that our whole Placement Team can access this and match you with a guest who fits your circumstances.

All guests, hosts and households are different. Some hosts share meals and do activities with guests; others just give guests a key, show them round and get on with their busy lives. Our team are available to support you through every stage of the process.

Why is hosting needed?

Refugees and people seeking asylum are fleeing war or persecution in their own countries. But many who come to the UK in search of safety find themselves facing homelessness and destitution. They may be without statutory support for long periods, or need some additional help to build new lives.

Hosting is such a practical way to support refugees and it sends a powerful message of welcome, that the UK is in fact kind and compassionate to those who are trying to rebuild their lives here.

Don't have a spare room?

Maybe you have a friend or family member who does. Consider speaking to them about hosting.

"There are so few times you can do something practical to help. Hosting refugees felt like a practical thing to do."

Refugees at Home is the UK’s largest independent hosting charity, connecting those with a spare room in their home to refugees and people seeking asylum in need of somewhere to stay. Our vision is for every refugee and every person seeking asylum to have a safe place to stay. 

Many of our guests come to us on the verge of homelessness – some have already spent time sleeping on the streets. Since starting in 2016, we have supported over 7,500 guests into hosting, but the need is not going away.

Why we want you 

We are the RSPCA South Bucks Branch and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Our volunteers play an essential role in helping us carry out our important animal welfare work every day. 

Are you an experienced eBay seller? We are looking for volunteers skilled in online selling and photography to help turn donations into funds. You will have fun, contribute to making our eBay business a big success, and enable us to help more animals!

Overview of the role

This is an excellent opportunity if you are interested in collectables, researching unusual items, and love photographing objects making them look their best! The time you dedicate will ensure that we make more funds from the sale of donated items.

Our shops play an essential role in raising the profile of the RSPCA in our local community and funds for our branch, so that we can continue our vital animal welfare work. This role is based in our Chesham shop which sells a mixture of donated items, including clothes, books, bric-a-brac and collectables, and a selection of new items.

What you will be doing 

• Researching and listing the items for sale in our dedicated eBay store.

• A picture is worth 1,000 words so ensuring that attractive photographs are taken to boost eBay sales.

• Writing detailed and accurate descriptions of items.

• Responding in a timely and professional manner to any enquiries received from potential buyers. 

• Monitoring our eBay listings and account to keep them up to date. 

• Packaging items appropriately before taking them to the local post office and posting to the buyer. Parcels are small to medium sized.

• Maintaining accurate records of listed and sold items.

What we are looking for in a volunteer eCommerce Assistant

• Ideally, you would have experience in selling items on eBay or other online selling sites.

• Can create attractive and accurate listings for a wide variety of items. 

• IT literacy and ability to use our laptop is required, as is the ability to use a mobile phone (provided) to take and upload clear photographs. 

• Capable of researching the origin and value of items using a variety of sources. 

• Reliability and an ongoing commitment are required.  Someone who can offer approximately 2 hours on their chosen day(s).  The shops are open Mon-Sat, between 9.30am-5pm and the role can be carried out at any time during opening hours.  We are happy to divide the role between several volunteers. 

• Capable of working with minimal supervision, once fully trained. 

• Volunteers need to be aged 18 or over.

• This role is subject to a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Services) to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. 

• Must be able to complete online induction training. You will need basic IT skills and access to a computer. 

 What we can offer you as a volunteer eCommerce Assistant

• Satisfaction of knowing that the extra funds you help to raise, will make a huge difference to the welfare of animals in your area.

• Meet new people and make new friends by being part of our friendly team.

• Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and training programme.

• Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

Our volunteer roles are subject to an informal interview, two references, completion of training and a trial period. 

We are looking for up to ten UK university students to join our volunteer Student Ambassadors team and help Ygam achieve its social purpose by reaching out to students at university. This will be achieved by advising Ygam on the needs of students, supporting with content development, organising activities at your campus, and join us at events to raise awareness of gaming and gambling harms.

We are seeking individuals who are outgoing, with a confident personality. You will enjoy engaging with other students and be able to advise us on the experiences of students with regards to gaming and gambling. 

We are looking for 3 experienced creative content writers who will enjoy planning, updating and delivering the content for our website, members magazine as well as other digital and print materials. We are looking for 3 skilled professionals who can write compelling and persuasive content, who will help ensure a consistent tone across all our digital and printed communications to promote awareness and engagement.

We deal with a wide range of people and professions, which means that it can be difficult to consistently communicate with everyone effectively. Therefore, a communication and marketing volunteer will help to market our projects, services and the condition more widely than we are currently able to do. This includes creating and helping to distribute marketing materials, creating content for the Burning Nights CRPS Support website and helping us create and develop a communications and marketing strategy.

Key Tasks and Objectives

• Copywriting: Create well-written and compelling copy for use on our website, members magazine, leaflets, one-page/fact sheets, fundraising/promotional materials and in our membership packs
• Case study writing and storytelling: Help communicate our impact via stories and case studies that we can use on our website, in marketing materials, or for our fundraising materials
• Web copywriting: Create and update engaging content for our website that adheres to our brand
• Communication materials review: Review our existing communications materials. Recommend edits that will provide us with consistency in writing style and tone, accurate spelling and grammar, and a clear and engaging voice for our organisation. Evaluate the way we communicate with volunteers, members of the public and helping us to develop better ways of doing this
• Social media snippets - create information and case study snippets for the various social media platforms
• Press Releases and any content that could be used in different channel
• Annual Review/Brochure writing: Create or update copy for a brochure or our annual review, highlighting our impact current and potential stakeholders

Befriender/Independent Visitor Needed across Cumberland. 

 An Independent Visitor is a positive adult role model who provides support and friendship to a young person in care. You will enjoy fun activities together which will give the young person unforgettable memories and experiences. Your consistent friendship will help the young person raise their aspirations, learn new skills, build self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.

We are looking for fun, reliable, and enthusiastic volunteers from all different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. You do not need any formal qualifications to become a volunteer, but it is helpful if you have some knowledge and practical experience of involvement with children and young people.

Children and young people who are looked after need an adult who has time to spend with them, take them on activities and be someone they can talk to and trust. You can fit your visits in around your own time and work commitments. We only ask that you can commit to a few hours once per month for a minimum of 2 years. 

We urgently require volunteers as an Independent Visitor for children and young people in care. As a volunteer you will:

• Have fun, take young people on outings and maybe share a hobby, sport or interest.
• Offer support and a listening ear and be a positive influence in a young person's life and help build self-esteem and confidence.

You do not need any special qualifications

We are looking for reliable and dependable people from all walks of life

We will provide training and on going support.

Job Type: Volunteer

Schedule:

• Weekdays in school holidays
• Weekend availability needed

Age: 18 years and over?

As part of the recruitment process you will need to complete an application form, interview, enhanced DBS check, references and digital risk assessment.

We offer a full support package including induction training, online mandatory training and one to one support by your IV Coordinator throughout your volunteer journey.

The Wren Project is a volunteer-led charity that provides free, remote, one-to-one, ongoing listening support for people in distress and living with autoimmune disease. There are over 120 autoimmune diseases currently diagnosed by the NHS and these include Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis and Crohn's disease- they are all chronic illnesses which can have life altering impacts.

Volunteers at the Wren Project provide emotional listening support to people with autoimmune disease (our Wrens). In appointments, volunteers offer listening support, where Wrens can talk about how autoimmune disease is impacting their life, without giving advice or offering solutions. Volunteers join a regular fortnightly shift during which they meet with up to 2 Wrens in two 50-minute appointments. 

Volunteers do not need to have qualifications or any knowledge or experience of autoimmune disease. We are looking for warm, empathetic, caring and resilient individuals who want to help others and have the time to offer ongoing, non-judgemental, listening support. 

We are the only charity in the UK who provide support for all autoimmune diseases. Our vision is to build support and community for all four million people in the UK diagnosed with autoimmune disease. Our service would not be possible without the commitment, empathy and support of our volunteers.

WHAT VOLUNTEERING FOR US INVOLVES:

Application and training process:

• Send an application form via our website;

• Attend a group information and discovery conversation where you will learn more about the Wren Project and the listening role 

• Applicants will be invited to participate in a remote, 5-week training programme focusing on listening skills, courageous inquiry, turning towards difficulty and living with autoimmune disease;

• A final one-to-one assessment of readiness before being matched with a Wren.

• Please note, we access an applicant’s suitability for the role throughout the process.

The role:

• Join a regular fortnightly shift, whereby you will support two Wrens in two separate, one-to-one sessions of 50 minutes via telephone/video call/online.

• A self-reflective approach to learning and development supported by staff-led reflective practice sessions. Monthly attendance required for the initial six months.

• Access to ongoing support from other volunteers and the Operations team;

• Opportunities to support the charity in a variety of additional roles.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN VOLUNTEERS:

• A desire to support people in times of distress.

• An empathetic and understanding attitude.

• A commitment to offering ongoing support to those in distress and to reflect upon the experience.

• A quiet and private space to conduct appointments.

• Access to a computer, telephone and a reliable internet connection.

• Confidentiality, professionalism and reliability.

• The commitment to volunteer at the Wren Project for at least one year.

WHAT WE OFFER OUR VOLUNTEERS:

• Lifelong skills in deep listening.

• Extensive training in empathetic listening and supporting distress.

• An excellent opportunity to engage in ongoing personal reflection and development in a supportive charity environment.

• A self-reflective approach to learning and development.

• An insight into life with chronic illness and mental health.

We're looking for volunteers to work alongside parents providing support, motivation, encouragement and advice.  The Thrive initiative supports families in Aylesbury and High Wycombe; empowering them to build their skills, confidence and wellbeing to create a positive environment for their children to thrive.

We're seeking people who are empathetic and friendly, non-judgemental and respectful, great with kids, able to give 2-3 hours of their time per week. 

You'll receive full training and be matched with a family to help them achieve practical goals set by their supervisor such as budgeting, role modelling, setting boundaries and developing family routines.

At Connection Support we feel that nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something, so volunteering is flexible to suit you.

We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds to join our diverse team, if you have any disabilities or health conditions, we will do everything we can to help you access this opportunity.

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.