Volunteer roles in South east

Join us at Shaw Trust as a Volunteer Retail Assistant and help us raise vital funds to support communities across the UK. As a not-for-profit charity, all our proceeds go to helping people around the UK. 

Whether you prefer to volunteer behind the scenes or to engage with customers, there’s plenty for you to get involved with. 

We believe that everyone has something to offer, even if you have no retail experience. We’ll give you all the training and support you need to make you feel comfortable and confident here. 

Key Tasks 

Every day is different in our shop – that’s part of the fun! 

• Sorting donations, including steaming and pricing them

• Serving customers at the till and helping donors/supporters 

• Create stylish window displays 

• Keeping the shop fully stocked and tidy 

What’s in it for you 

• Improve your skills and boost your CV 

• Grow your confidence and meet new people 

• Receive some lunch and travel expenses 

• Flexibility around your health, education, family, work or other commitments 

• You’ll be staying social and active 

What we’re asking for 

• We typically ask for around 4 hours a week but we can be flexible 

• That you’re helpful and happy to be part of a team 

• Volunteers in our shop must be aged 14 or older 

Volunteering is a great way to make a real difference and build your skills. If you have any questions, just ask!  
 

Tempted? Click Apply now and we'll get back to you soon! 

Join Shaw Trust 

Shaw Trust is a national charity which helps people to achieve their potential, find meaningful employment, and boost their wellbeing.

From Glasgow to Glastonbury, our 32 shops raise over £1,000,000 annually to help us support 300,000 people.

We know everyone has something to offer. With over 350 volunteers in our shops, you can be part of a committed and caring team, giving time to improve communities across the UK.

Shaw Trust Registered Charity No. England & Wales: 287785. Scotland: SC039856.   

Do you have 5 hours to spare each week?

Want to help those with challenges in their lives?

We are looking for Client Support Volunteers to assist in the Garden alongside our horticulturists in the supervision of our adult clients and teenagers with a variety of disabilities.

Our volunteers work in the garden with clients, helping them with various tasks such as planting, harvesting, pruning and mowing to name a few, under the guidance of our team of horticulturists. 

As well as general gardening work you will be assisting our clients, both children and adults with the opportunity to achieve a qualification in horticulture.

Other tasks our volunteers help with include general garden maintenance, DIY tasks or craft/cookery activities.

No gardening experience is required, just the ability to get along with others and muck in! This can be a great stepping stone to further education or work opportunities.

At present, we are looking for Volunteers who can offer a regular weekly commitment.

Role Purpose

The Manager leads the Ethics Team as a volunteer, ensuring that all research conducted across the organisation meets high ethical standards. They translate strategic goals into practical plans, support volunteers in their development, and maintain a positive, inclusive team culture. The Manager provides oversight, guidance and operational leadership to ensure ethical, responsible and consistent research practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and support the Ethics Team to deliver high‑quality ethical oversight.

• Translate strategic objectives into clear operational plans and manageable tasks.

• Allocate volunteer capacity effectively and ensure smooth day‑to‑day functioning.

• Provide expert guidance on ethical standards, research integrity and data management.

• Support project teams in designing ethically robust research methodologies.

• Make operational decisions that maintain compliance and effective team performance.

• Monitor and evaluate volunteer performance, supporting development and confidence‑building.

• Promote a positive, inclusive and supportive volunteer environment.

• Resolve conflict, encourage collaboration and strengthen team cohesion.

• Supervise Senior Officers/Senior Researchers/Senior Advisors and provide ongoing support.

Competency Requirements (Manager)

To succeed in this volunteer leadership role, the Manager should demonstrate:

• Strong ethical awareness and the ability to guide others in applying ethical principles.

• Clear, confident and sensitive communication skills.

• Collaborative leadership that encourages shared responsibility for ethical practice.

• Professionalism, integrity and fairness in all interactions.

• Confident problem‑solving and risk‑aware decision‑making.

• The ability to translate strategy into practical, achievable plans.

• Supportive people‑management skills, including coaching, feedback and conflict resolution.

• Effective resource and capacity management.

• A commitment to volunteer wellbeing and positive team culture.

Role Requirements (Manager)

Because this is a senior volunteer leadership role, the following experience is required:

• At least 4 years of experience conducting research and managing ethical considerations, including applying ethical frameworks and handling data responsibly.

• A minimum of 2 years of progressive supervision experience in a research or ethics‑related context (e.g., supervising researchers, overseeing ethical review processes, or leading project teams).

• A strong understanding of research governance, ethical risk and responsible data management.

• Experience supporting others’ development, ideally in a volunteer or mixed‑experience environment.

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

ABOUT MARY’S

At Mary’s Youth Club, we’re not just a youth club – we’re a vibrant, inclusive community where young people aged 10–19 (up to 25 for those with disabilities) come together to share, grow, learn, and enjoy themselves. We believe in creating joyful and enriching experiences that empower every young person who walks through our doors. 

Our open access youth club runs exciting and diverse programmes Monday to Friday, including school holidays. Whether it’s the energy of drop-in activities like gaming, sports, and board games, or the focused buzz of creative arts, health and wellbeing sessions, life skills workshops, or youth-led social action – there’s always something happening at Mary’s. Young people help shape our programmes, and we champion their independence, creativity, and voice. 

Young people describe us as “like a family” – a safe, friendly, and welcoming space where they can be themselves. Our team is deeply rooted in youth work values: inclusion, equality, justice, reflection, and lifelong learning. Together, we work to support young people to navigate challenges and take steps toward brighter futures. 

VOLUNTEER WITH US! 

Volunteer role title: Volunteer Chef/Cook/Kitchen Staff

Hours: 2-3 hours on a Friday evening, from about 4.30/5pm

Help us to meet our goal of creating healthy meals for young people, by volunteering in our kitchen! 

We are looking for volunteers with a passion for cooking, nutrition and healthy eating, to assist in the kitchen independently, as a group, or alongside our youth workers and young people, preparing a warm meal for up to 40 young people.

You are welcome to come along as an assistant volunteering with the rest of the team, but we would also love volunteers who are interested in heathy eating to lead on this initiative, teaching those young people who choose to volunteer in the kitchen, food preparation skills, how to cook nutritious foods, as well as sharing the joy of eating together 

This role will include: 

• helping to prepare hot food by chopping vegetables, cooking etc 

• serving the young people during the Friday evening dinner service. 

• helping with cleaning up the dining room and the kitchen

If you are interested in taking a more active role/lead on this project then you would also lead on the menu planning and budgeting 

The commitment 

• We are looking for people who are able to commit 2-3 hours on a Friday, from 4.30/5pm

• This commitment is during term time (please note that additional volunteering in school holidays is beneficial to Youth Club delivery but not essential) 

Experience 

You do not need to have experience in catering, or to have volunteered before, as you will be well looked after by the team, but if you are interested in leading on this project then it would be beneficial to be able to demonstrate your knowledge/passion 

Training 

You will be given a full induction to Marys Youth Club.

This includes access to our training platform. The mandatory training for this role includes: 

• Food hygiene and safety 

• Safeguarding 

• Health and Safety 

• Equality and diversity 

Essential for This Role

Safer Recruitment Checks:

• DBS is essential for this role (we will provide this)

• Completion of mandatory training modules as outlined above 

• Interpersonal skills

• Time Management skills 

• Team Work

• Ability to get stuck in 

• Commitment to/ interest in, the work that we do 

In return 

You’ll be sharing your time and skills and gaining accreditations and valuable CV boosting skills

We will also provide, references and/or a volunteer certificate 

Reasonable travel expenses can be covered 

Note that we do also have other volunteer roles, both in the office and working directly with young people, so if you aren’t able to commit to Friday evenings, or have interests other than cooking/volunteering in the kitchen, then get in touch to discuss 

Application Process 

All potential volunteers are asked to first attend a volunteer intro call

After this intro call, potential volunteers are invited to come to the youth club to meet the young people and the youth workers, this is a chance to see if volunteering with us is a good fit 

If you are invited to progress with your application, you will be asked to complete a DBS, provide us with 2 references, and complete the mandatory training listed above. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE SPONSORSHIP, THEREFORE YOU DO NEED TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK

Volunteer Opportunity: Fundraising Working Group 

Meeting Time: Tuesday, 6–8pm, Every Other Month (bi-monthly) 
Location: Mary’s Youth Club N1 2TU / In-person or online

Help Build the Future of Mary’s Youth Club! 

At Mary’s Youth Club, we believe in joyful, creative spaces where young people aged 10–19  can grow, thrive, and feel like they truly belong. We're proud of our vibrant, inclusive community – and we’re looking for passionate volunteers to help keep it strong and sustainable. 

We’re inviting community-minded individuals to join our Fundraising Working Group. This is a hands-on, action-focused volunteer team (not a trustee role!) that supports the financial stability of Mary’s by helping to shape and deliver fundraising initiatives throughout the year. 

You’ll be working alongside our Business Operations Manager, with support from the CEO, trustees, and the wider fundraising volunteer group, to bring energy and fresh ideas to everything from annual events and community campaigns to grant applications and local partnerships. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Supporting the planning and delivery of fundraising events and campaigns 

• Contributing to grant research and application processes 

• Generating creative fundraising ideas with the team 

• Helping build community partnerships and local business links 

• Attending bi-monthly evening meetings and following up on agreed action 

We’re Looking For People Who Are: 

• Friendly, reliable, and community-focused 

• Team players with a can-do attitude 

• Creative thinkers and proactive doers 

• Good at organising or helping behind the scenes 

• Interested in fundraising, events, partnerships, or grant writing 

• Happy to offer a few hours every other month (plus some flexible time in between) 

You Might Have: 

• Experience in fundraising or community engagement (great – but not essential!) 

• Transferable skills like events coordination, budget management, marketing, or communications 

• A background in the voluntary, charity, or business sectors 

• A passion for supporting young people and local communities 

What You’ll Get: 

• A chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people 

• Opportunities to grow your experience in fundraising and charity operations 

• A warm, welcoming team environment 

• Joy, connection, and the satisfaction of giving back 

• Volunteer references available on request 

Ready to Join Us? 

We’d love to hear from you! 
 

How to Apply 

Interested? We'd love to hear from you! 
Simply send through your CV and we'll be in touch to discuss next steps

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO OFFER SPONSORSHIP- THEREFORE YOU DO NEED TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK

✨ Together, we can keep Mary’s thriving – and make a lasting impact for young people in our communi 

Guardian Light Foundation

Location: Remote
Commitment: Flexible – approx. 20 hours per month
Role Type: Volunteer
Reports to: Board of directors

�� About Guardian Light Foundation

Guardian Light Foundation exists to protect, support, and empower children, teenagers, and single-parent families facing homelessness, abuse, and extreme hardship.

Many of the individuals we serve are navigating complex legal situations while already dealing with trauma, fear, and instability. Access to safe, ethical, and compassionate legal advice can be life-changing — and that’s where you come in.

⚖️ About the Role

We are seeking a Volunteer Solicitor with experience in family law, safeguarding, or domestic abuse-related legal matters to provide initial legal guidance, signposting, and referrals to vulnerable individuals supported by Guardian Light Foundation.

This role is advisory and supportive, not high-volume casework. Your expertise will help people understand their rights, options, and next steps at critical moments in their lives.

�� Focus Areas

�� Children’s Arrangements

• Custody and contact arrangements

• Child safeguarding concerns

• Schooling and parental responsibility guidance

• Early advice on family court processes

��️ Domestic Violence Injunctions

• Non-molestation orders

• Occupation orders

• Restraining orders

• Emergency protection guidance and referrals

��‍�� Single-Parent Legal Support

• Family court guidance

• Child maintenance advice

• Housing rights and homelessness-related legal signposting

• Referrals to specialist legal services where appropriate

�� What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing initial legal advice and guidance (not ongoing representation)

• Supporting safeguarding decisions where legal insight is required

• Advising on urgent legal options in high-risk situations

• Signposting individuals to appropriate external legal services

• Working closely with GLF’s safeguarding and support teams

• Maintaining clear professional boundaries and ethical practice

��️ Safeguarding & Compliance

Because this role supports vulnerable individuals:

• An Enhanced Volunteer DBS Check is required

• DBS checks are conducted via our trusted partner Serve (Rushden)

• All work must align with GLF’s safeguarding policies

• Confidentiality and GDPR compliance are essential

�� Skills & Experience Required

Essential:

• Qualified UK Solicitor (or equivalent legal professional)

• Experience in family law, domestic abuse, or child safeguarding

• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice

• Ability to explain legal concepts clearly and compassionately

• Commitment to ethical and client-centred practice

Desirable:

• Experience working with charities or vulnerable populations

• Knowledge of housing or homelessness law

• Familiarity with referral pathways and support services

�� Who We’re Looking For

You are someone who:

• Has a genuine passion for protecting children and families

• Believes access to justice should never depend on income

• Can balance professionalism with empathy

• Understands the emotional impact of legal uncertainty

• Wants to use their expertise to create real social impact

⏰ Time Commitment

• Approx. 20 hours per month

• Flexible scheduling

• Fully remote

�� What You’ll Gain

• The opportunity to make a direct, meaningful impact

• Professional fulfilment through purpose-led legal work

• Recognition and appreciation within a growing social enterprise

• Networking with professionals across counselling, housing, and social care

• Opportunity to join an Advisory Board or Board of Directors as the organisation grows

ABOUT US

The Great Friendship Project is an award-winning organisation tackling loneliness through research-informed community programmes, campaigns, and partnerships.

We design and deliver social interventions that help people build real-world friendships, strengthen social confidence, and rise out of loneliness.

Over the past four years, we have delivered hundreds of community activities, partnered with major brands and public institutions, contributed to national research and policy conversations, and built a highly engaged community of tens of thousands of young adults.

As we look ahead, we are now entering a critical next phase of growth, strengthening our foundations in preparation for wider national expansion.

----------------------------

OVERVIEW

We’re excited to be recruiting a brand new Senior Marketing Volunteer to play a vital role in amplifying the mission and activities of The Great Friendship Project.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause, gain hands-on experience in social media and digital marketing within a non-profit setting, and make a positive impact on the lives of young people experiencing loneliness.

As the Senior Marketing Volunteer lead, you will play a critical role in shaping the organisation’s future. Your leadership will not only enhance our marketing efforts but also contribute significantly to our mission of creating a lasting positive impact on the lives of young individuals struggling with loneliness.

----------------------------

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Leadership and Team Management: Lead and mentor a team of marketing volunteers, ensuring they are motivated, supported, and aligned with the organisation’s goals.

- Strategic Planning: Devise and implement a comprehensive awareness strategy that aligns with the organisation’s mission and long-term objectives. Identify key opportunities, set measurable goals, and adjust plans as necessary to drive engagement and impact.

-Analytics and Insights: Regularly review and analyse marketing metrics to assess performance, make data-driven decisions, and optimise strategies for better outcomes.

- Content Direction: Oversee the creation of impactful and mission-driven content across various platforms, ensuring that all content reflects the organisation’s voice, resonates with the target audience, and drives engagement.

----------------------------

ABOUT YOU

- 3+ years of experience leading marketing teams: Proven experience in devising and implementing successful marketing strategies, with the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities.

- Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders

- Passionate: A strong commitment to the mission of reducing loneliness among young adults, with the ability to inspire and lead a team toward shared goal.

- Organisational Skills: Highly organised and proactive mindset, with the ability to manage multiple projects, prioritise effectively, and meet deadlines.

Are  you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families experiencing poverty in our community?  Bromley Brighter Beginnings invites you to join us as a Family Liaison Volunteer - a vital role at the heart of our charity.

As a Family Liaison Volunteer, you'll play a key part in ensuring families receive the essential items they need.  With support from our Operations Manager, you'll be responsible for liaising with referrers and families to understand their specific needs and coordinating the collection and delivery of items.  Items are provided by our generous local supporters through posts you'll put out on our Facebook page.

You'll receive an induction, training and ongoing support to ensure safe and rewarding volunteering.  This role is ideal for someone who enjoys connecting with people and wants to see the direct impact of their work in the community.  By joining our team, you'll bring hope and brighter beginnings to the families who need it most in the London Borough of Bromley.

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

Purpose of the role:

Are you passionate about using technology to empower communities and drive social change?

Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C. is seeking a dedicated Technical Systems & Platform Liaison to join our founding volunteer team. This role is pivotal in connecting our technical infrastructure with the operational and community-facing needs of the organisation, ensuring our open-source membership platform and systems function seamlessly to support survivors, marginalised communities and emerging leaders.

About the role:

As the Technical Systems & Platform Liaison, you will act as the bridge between the CIC’s technical teams, leadership, and community members. You will ensure that digital systems are effectively implemented, maintained, and optimised to serve our mission. This is a hands-on, multi-faceted role combining strategic coordination, operational oversight, and community engagement, providing you with unique experience in systems management and collaborative leadership.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

Essential Technical Competencies:

• Experience in digital platform management, IT operations, systems administration or similar roles where platform functionality and user support were key responsibilities.
• Ability to monitor system performance, identify issues and implement improvements to ensure reliability, scalability and security.
• Act as a liaison between technical teams and end-users to communicate requirements, issues and solutions effectively. 
• Ensure that technical systems and platforms operate efficiently, securely and meet organisational needs.
• Maintain the integrity, reliability and performance of organisational platforms and systems. 
• Provide guidance, training and documentation to staff, volunteers and community members to improve platform adoption and utilisation.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to diagnose technical issues and propose practical solutions.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and manage multiple tasks, projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Work closely with developers, IT staff and platform users to ensure system requirements and issues are clearly communicated.
• Degrees, diplomas, or certifications in IT, systems management, computer science or related fields are desirable but not essential.

Desirable / Can Be Developed:

• Experience or interest in working with technical systems, digital platforms or IT support environments. 
• Ability to act as a bridge between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders.
• Awareness of system integration, data flow or platform coordination concepts, with willingness to learn.

Qualifications:

• Formal qualifications are not required but desirable.
• Relevant study, training or experience in IT, digital systems, computer science or a related field is valued.
• Willingness to complete required induction, safeguarding or data protection training.

Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties

• Coordinate communication and workflow between technical teams (e.g., platform engineers, digital design specialists) and leadership or membership teams.
• Act as a liaison to ensure both technical and non-technical teams understand project goals, priorities and deliverables.
• Work with leadership, staff and membership teams to identify platform needs or improvements.
• Ensure implementation aligns with CIC’s objectives, standards and strategic priorities.
• Monitor system performance, user experience and platform functionality.
• Track platform usage, functionality and user feedback to identify potential issues or areas for improvement.
• Ensure system operations comply with data protection, safeguarding and security policies.
• Provide hands-on guidance on using digital platforms, tools and systems effectively.
• Maintain clear and up-to-date records of technical processes, configuration settings, workflows and platform updates.
• Implement safeguards to protect vulnerable users and sensitive organisational information.
• Provide guidance to staff and volunteers on safe data handling, secure system use and adherence to organisational policies.
• Collaborate with leadership, technical teams and stakeholders to define long-term goals and priorities for digital platforms and systems.
• Ensure that proposed developments align with organisational strategy, community needs and compliance requirements.
• Provide advice and practical support to users to minimise downtime and optimise platform use.

What This Role Offers You:

• Leadership experience in managing and coordinating complex digital systems within a mission-driven organisation.
• Personal growth through hands-on problem-solving, strategic thinking and collaborative team leadership.
• The opportunity to contribute directly to building systems that empower survivors and marginalised communities.
• The satisfaction of shaping the infrastructure and processes of a pioneering, values-led CIC.

What This Role Is Not For:

• Individuals seeking traditional corporate hierarchy, purely financial reward or rigid structures.
• Those unwilling to work within a collaborative, anti-capitalist and community-driven environment.
• People expecting pre-built systems or hands-off technical roles—this position requires active.

Next Steps

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to

• A values-led conversation.
• If you are ready to use your technical coordination skills to make a real-world impact and support the creation of innovative community systems, we want to hear from you.
•  Apply now and be part of building a platform that transforms truth into action.

A Final Word
Technology is a tool to empower people. Bridge the gap between technology and people

If you know that: Keeps people connected.

Volunteer Prospect Researcher
This role supports our fundraising efforts by identifying and researching potential donors, funders, and partners. Responsibilities include online research, data analysis, and preparing prospect profiles to support strategic fundraising.

What we’re looking for:

• Strong attention to detail and good organisational skills

• Comfort working with data, research, or CRM/databases (training can be provided where needed)

• Ability to work independently and maintain confidentiality

• An interest in fundraising and supporting our mission

What we offer:

• Flexible, remote volunteering opportunities

• The chance to develop or apply valuable fundraising and data skills

• A supportive team environment and meaningful contribution to our work