Volunteer roles in Barbican

PiP is seeking a trustee with diverse skills to deliver an ambitious five-year strategy, supporting adults with learning disabilities. Following significant growth over the last five years, we are now seeking to deepen our support offer, expand the number of people we directly support, and scope how we can influence systems change alongside people with learning disabilities.

Our trustees play a significant role in supporting, guiding, & governing our work. They share collective responsibility for governance, compliance and accountability, while also contributing their individual skills, perspectives and experience to board discussions and decision-making.

Our current Board is diverse in terms of gender, race, age, and experience and this is a strength that we're keen to retain. So, if you're a first-time trustee, have a non-typical background, or have access needs, please do especially consider reaching out to discuss the role with our CEO.

Below outlines the broad criteria that PiP desires from the person who fills this post. We expect that the individual appointed may not meet all the criteria below, and that experience, skills, and understanding of our work may come from many areas including voluntary or lived/caring experience.

As Trustee your primary responsibilities will include:

• Ensure our charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
• Comply with our charity’s governing document and the law
• Act in our charity’s best interests
• Ensure our charity is accountable
• Manage our charity’s resources responsibly
• Act with reasonable care and skill

We’re looking for someone with the following skills & experience:

• Experience in one or more of social care, legal, governance, finance, post-16 education, local knowledge, commercial, or lived experience.
• Good communication skills with the ability to inform and engage a wide range of audiences
• An understanding of the importance of PiP’s work and our person-centred approach to addressing inequalities for adults with learning disabilities
• A willingness to commit time and effort to the development of PIP
• The ability to engage comfortably at all levels
• A commitment to PiP’s values

There are six Board meetings each year, typically held on weekday evenings between 5.00 pm and 7.00 pm. Trustees may like to participate in committees or working groups. The role is voluntary and unpaid, but reasonable expenses, such as travel and caring responsibilities, will be reimbursed.

Further information about PiP and the trustee role is available in the attached Trustee Candidate Pack.

For an informal conversation and to arrange a visit, please contact Denise Largin (CEO). Formal applications must include your CV and a covering letter outlining your interests in the role and why you think you will be a good fit for PIP.

Application should be emailed to the CEO by Friday, 27th February. Interviews will take place in the beginning of March.

Volunteer-led East London Waterworks Park won a 2024 NLA award and raised £2m towards buying the 14-acre Thames Water Depot (Lea Bridge Road) to turn into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming, forest schools, and community spaces.

We are looking for user experience researchers to participate in our community-led working group who are growing support of the project. There is opportunity to lead on projects exploring how architects, ecologists, community researchers, political campaigners, fundraisers and communications professions come together to create community infrastructure.  Online meetings are every 4 weeks on a Tuesday evening on Google Meet with remote tasks. 

What are we looking for?

Strong experience in qualitative/quantitative user research, research plan design/execution, data analysis, and synthesizing actionable insights. 

Proven ability to build rapport and engage diverse communities. Excellent collaborative spirit for multidisciplinary teamwork.

Genuine passion for community-led projects, environmental sustainability, and inclusive urban development.

By leading research projects that explore how diverse professionals collaborate to shape community infrastructure, volunteers will directly contribute to the development of a park that reflects the needs and desires of the local community. Your input will help us craft experiences that inspire, educate, and engage, driving support for the park's mission and long-term sustainability.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

We are seeking an experienced professional to volunteer as a Contract & Compliance Advisor. This role is ideal for someone with significant experience in law, compliance, procurement, or contract negotiation, who would like to use their expertise to support a values-led charity.

Key Responsibilities

• Review contracts, agreements, and supplier documentation
• Identify potential risks, liabilities, and areas requiring clarification
• Highlight key terms, conditions, and small print in clear, accessible language
• Provide guidance on compliance, procurement, and contractual best practice
• Support staff to understand contractual implications (non-legal advice)
• Offer input on negotiation points where appropriate

This role is advisory and does not involve acting as Chickenshed’s legal representative.

As a Volunteer Community Connector, you will support the Compassionate Communities programme by helping to grow and strengthen community engagement by encouraging discussion around grief and loss.

Your role will involve:

• Supporting and facilitating ‘compassionate conversations’ in the community and promoting social connectedness. This may include signposting to relevant community support or care provision.

• Offering informal, empathetic listening and engagement around topics such as life limiting illness, caregiving, dying and bereavement.

• Helping to support informal sessions or larger events in partnership with community groups, workplaces, clubs and organisations.

Role Description

The Press/Media Manager will work closely with the Communication Officer to lead on the Pagan Federation's media strategy. You will act as a primary point of contact for journalists, broadcasters, and media outlets working to promote positive coverage of Paganism and to respond appropriately to media interest, engaging in both proactive and reactive.

You will develop and oversee press strategies, prepare statements and press releases, brief spokespersons, and assist the organisation in sensitive communications where required. As this is a council-level role within the Pagan Federation you will be expected to provide regular reports to the Communications Officer and the Council of the Pagan Federation.

This is a voluntary role, and volunteers are expected to work remotely. We have volunteers working across England and Wales. Some travel may be necessary, reasonable expenses will be covered in line with our expenses policy.

Qualifications

• At least two years experience in the field of Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or similar. (Essential)
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to ensure accuracy in media engagement. (Essential)
• Strong organizational and communication skills to effectively assist in strategic communications planning and discussions. (Essential)
• Commitment to supporting the mission, values, and inclusiveness of the Pagan Federation. (Essential)
• Prior experience in volunteer or nonprofit organisations. (Desirable)
• Membership of a professional organisation in Media, PR, or Communications (desirable)

General Requirements

• Must be aligned with the PF's mission, be willing to conform to our Code of Conduct, and unreservedly support the charitable objectives of the PF.
• Knowledge of the Pagan Community

Do you want to improve the lives of people with disabilities and vulnerable people?

Humanity & Inclusion UK is looking for an Institutional Funding Volunteer to join our small, dynamic and friendly team in our London office. You will be supporting the work of our Institutional Relations team, and getting involved in tasks such as identifying new funding opportunities, managing our data and information, and developing internal and external communications content. Your work will be essential in helping our team work internally with technical and programmes colleagues across our countries of operation and externally with potential partners and donors to secure and manage institutional funding from the UK, Australian and Irish governments.

By volunteering with us, you will have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of working for a charity and will contribute to our work supporting people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups worldwide, while learning new skills.

The role and the team

The main purpose of this role is to support the work of HI UK’s Institutional Relations team. The volunteer will work with all the members of our small team and have the opportunity to get involved in supporting a variety of tasks. The team’s work includes:

· Identifying new institutional funding opportunities from our donors relevant to HI’s teams.

· Supporting HI teams across our countries of operation to position with potential partners and develop proposals.

· Completing due diligence assessment requests from our potential partners/donors.

· Coordinating the internal review and signing of new funding agreements/contracts.

· Managing grants, including requesting payments, reviewing and submitting reports.

· Supporting HI UK’s annual audit and other compliance requirements

· Managing and keeping internal information management systems updated including our SharePoint filing system for document management and our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database.

· Maintaining our institutional funding pages on HI’s intranet and developing internal guidance / updates / training for HI teams.

· Producing communications products for external audiences demonstrating our track record in institutional funding and project delivery.

Main duties and responsibilities

The specific duties will depend on the evolving priorities of the team which vary from day-to-day based on the live funding opportunities, deadlines, support requests etc. They are likely to include:

· Looking for new institutional funding opportunities

· Creating communications content to help HI position with potential partners/donors

· Supporting grant management e.g. uploading reports

· Updating our database and ensuring good document management

· Collating documents for the annual audit

· Developing new content for our intranet and website

You will also have the opportunity to gain experience of the humanitarian and international development sector, for example through:

· Completing HI’s e-learning induction package (including a module on disability inclusion)

· Reading/reviewing proposals and reports

· Researching donor trends and strategies

· Attending cross-organisation meetings on a range of topics including updates from our programmes and technical teams

Person specification

We genuinely value diversity and are looking to build a team of people with a wide of range of personal and professional experience. If you don’t meet all of the criteria listed below but feel you would be a good candidate for this role, please apply. If you would like an informal conversation about this, please do send us an email or call us – we would love to hear from you.

Essential criteria

· Excellent attention to detail.

· Competent in the use of Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams). 

· Strong planning and organisational skills. 

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

· Initiative and the ability to work independently. 

· A positive attitude to working as part of a small team.

· An interest in international charities.

Desirable criteria

· Knowledge about institutional funding and the wider international development and humanitarian sectors.

· Experience of entry level design tools (e.g. Canva), updating websites/intranets, CRM databases and SharePoint.

· Lived experience of disability.

Hours

Hours will be agreed with the volunteer, in accordance with availability. Ideally, you would be available for at least 14 hours per week and able to commit to an initial 4 month period with possibility to extend but this is flexible.

This is a voluntary position but we make contributions to lunch (up to £10/day) and travel costs (up to £15.60/day) on presentation of receipts.

Location

Humanity & Inclusion UK’s office is situated in London SE1. It has an open plan setting.

This volunteer role can be done in the office (when other staff are in) or through a combination of coming into the office and working from home/elsewhere. The contributions to lunch and travel expenses will be provided only for days the volunteer comes into the office.

RC Archdiocese of Southwark
Lay Trustee Appointments
Unremunerated

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark covers the geographical area of the whole of London south of the Thames, all of Kent and the eastern parts of Surrey.  With currently 180 parishes, 171 schools and 450 employees it is one of the largest dioceses in the UK.

The Diocese Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is run by a Board of Trustees, who are responsible for determining the strategic direction of the Diocese, management of the assets, the smooth running of the day-to-day administration and the legal discharge of its responsibilities.

The role of a Lay Trustee is about helping the Archdiocese achieve its ambitious vision for evangelisation and leading people to Christ, while especially promoting our diverse and vibrant communities. The Archdiocese is seeking to secure a range of skills and expertise in the appointments, which include legal, property or safeguarding. Experience within the education sector may be helpful.

In addition to the general duties and responsibilities outlined by the Charity Commission of England and Wales, Lay and Clerical Trustees collaborate to help shape the strategic vision of the charity and work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and his team focussed on key functions including education, fundraising and property management.

This will mostly be achieved through attendance at the Trustee meetings, which take place at least once a quarter. There is a minimum requirement of three meetings a year, with additional meetings for the first year.

Lay Trustees must be practicing Catholics, but they do not have to be Southwark Archdiocese parishioners.

How to apply

Application is by way of CV initially followed by a Supporting Statement, which should concentrate on motivation, credentials, experience and knowledge and be around 1,000 words max.

Expressions of interest and applications will be reviewed and progressed on a rolling basis.

Candidates taken forward to interview will be required to complete a formal declaration of eligibility to become a Trustee.

Every effort will be made to facilitate an informal visit to the Archdiocese Offices and the opportunity to meet with the Financial Secretary prior to formal interview.

This flexible home volunteering role is worthwhile and rewarding. Make a real difference writing letters. As a Volunteer Penpal Writer you’ll be a key member of the Letterbox Team. Your letters will cheer someone up and establish a trusting, supportive relationship with a client who might be lonely or socially isolated.

What tasks can this role include (some or all of the following):

• Writing letters to clients
• Building trust and companionship with a client through correspondence. Omega befriends a variety of people including: caregivers, the lonely, isolated or people with ill-health.
• Liaising with the Letterbox Team by email or post.
• Respecting service standards, appropriate boundaries and recognising the policies and procedures that are necessary when befriending adults at risk.
• Making suggestions to help us improve the service we provide to clients and Volunteer Pen pal Writers.

This role could be for you, if you:

• Enjoy writing and receiving letters
• Are enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Associate strongly with Omega’s values and strategy
• Have knowledge or understanding about a variety of client issues including caring, feeling isolated and lonely and its impact on people and society
• Have satisfactory written and inter-personal communication skills
• Recognise the importance of confidentiality and can show this in practice
• Are committed to inclusion, treating people with dignity and respect

What support and training will be provided?

• Feedback from clients and colleagues
• Regular and ongoing support from Letterbox Team Leader
• Answering questions
• Stationary and pre-paid envelopes can be provided making the service free.
• Opportunity for peer support events and invitation to Omega events
• Reward system and opportunity for volunteer of the month rewards

What are the benefits for you?

• Knowing you are making a difference to someone’s life by doing something you enjoy
• Joining the Omega Team, who are taking action against loneliness and isolation as well as helping people in crisis
• An opportunity to enhance your CV or learn new skills
• An opportunity to engage with your community

Location of the role:

• Mainly your home

When are you needed?

• At a time to suit you

Campaigns Lead (Volunteer, Remote)

Do you care about social and environmental issues and want to help turn awareness into meaningful action? Are you organised, thoughtful, and motivated to guide others while contributing to a cause-led organisation?

We’re looking for a Campaigns Lead (Volunteer) to jointly lead our Campaigns team at now-u, helping to shape the content at the heart of our app and inspire people to get involved with causes that matter.

Who we are

now-u is a non-profit organisation that aims to inform, inspire, and empower people to help tackle pressing social and environmental issues, in partnership with charities.

People can often feel overwhelmed by large-scale problems and powerless to help. At now-u, we believe that everyone has the power to drive change. We connect people who want to make a difference with impactful organisations and actions, enabling regular learning and meaningful action on key local and global issues.

By combining individual actions, the now-u community plays an important role in driving positive and lasting change.

About the role

As Campaigns Lead, you’ll work alongside another volunteer to lead the Campaigns team, which is responsible for curating all core campaign content on the now-u app. This includes learning materials, actions, and charity-led campaigns designed to inform people about social and environmental issues and encourage positive action.

You’ll have the opportunity to lead a small team of around three passionate Campaign Researchers, working in an agile and supportive environment. The role also involves contributing to wider organisational strategy and collaborating with other department leads.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys organising work, guiding others, and creating content with real-world impact.

What you’ll be doing

• Jointly leading the Campaigns team alongside another volunteer

• Running weekly sprint meetings and supporting an agile way of working

• Guiding the team in the regular curation of new campaign content

• Reviewing and quality-checking content before it is uploaded

• Supporting the content upload process

• Creating and maintaining a Campaigns calendar, including suggestions from charity partners

• Attending weekly meetings with department leads to discuss progress and strategy

Who we’re looking for

You don’t need to tick every box — we value motivation, organisation, and shared values.

Essential:

• Research experience (mid-level or equivalent)

• Strong organisational and communication skills

• An interest in social and environmental causes

Desirable:

• Some leadership or coordination experience

• Exposure to digital or charity campaigns

Time commitment

• 5–6 hours per week (flexible)

• Fully remote

• Volunteer role

• Expenses are not covered

Why volunteer with now-u?

• Contribute to meaningful social and environmental causes

• Gain leadership and campaign experience

• Work with a friendly, values-driven volunteer team

• Help shape content that encourages real charitable action

About the role:

Cirrus Primary Academy Trust was incorporated in June 2015 as a multi-academy trust for primary schools. The Trust is made up of four primary and one infant school situated in the London Borough of Sutton.

The core purpose of the Trust is to develop the very best organisations to ensure that children do exceptionally well and are prepared for the future, based on the principle of equality of opportunity for all. This core purpose drives our direction, decisions and actions.

Every school in Cirrus Primary Academy Trust has the commitment that it can and should be its own, unique setting. However, each school shares a relentless focus on personalised planning and having the highest aspirations for what children can achieve. This core value of being child-centred is an intrinsic part of every school’s DNA, and is the minimum standard expected of all employees of the Trust.

We have two vacancies for board members to join our Trust Board. The first vacancy is for an experienced HR practitioner, who has time to dedicate to a rewarding volunteer role. The second is for someone with marketing or fundraising experience.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

Work closely with the Trust Executive Team to promote and maintain high standards of educational achievement by offering support, challenge, and encouragement

Ensure that the Trust Board sets a clear vision, ethos, and strategic direction for the Trust

Utilise your personal and professional skills, experience, and knowledge to ensure considered and sound decisions are made

Hold the Chief Executive Officer to account

Oversee the Trust’s financial stability.

To attend the six full Trust Board meetings a year

To attend the allocated sub committee meetings three to six times a year

Support the vision and values of Cirrus Primary Academy Trust and work collaboratively

Key Requirements:

An engaging style, providing ideas and solutions

A willingness to commit the required time and effort

Team focused with strong communication skills

High levels of integrity

An ability to challenge appropriately

How to Apply:

We want our Trust Board to include members with a broad range of experience, backgrounds and skills that not only reflect the community we serve but contribute to our long-term goals and add real value to our strategic decision making. We welcome applications from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds and all appointments are made on merit following a fair and transparent process.

If you would like to be considered for the position please send an up to date CV with a covering letter explaining why you believe you would be suitable for the role via the button below.

The closing date for applications is Friday 6th March 2026 and interviews will take place in April.

All Cirrus Primary Academy Trust board members are required to adhere to the Cirrus Primary Academy Trust Trustees' Code of Conduct, undergo an enhanced disclosure DBS check and make an annual Declaration of Interest. This may require you to withdraw from specific discussions where you, a partner or close relative or associate stands to gain or where you are so close to a matter being discussed that it will be difficult for you to be impartial.

Please note that the majority of the board meetings take place virtually but on site visiting to schools throughout the year is necessary approximately 5 times per year. 

Every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. Which is why we’re here, in people’s homes, centres and communities, focusing on the things a person can do, not what they can’t. We celebrate the moments of connection that bring more joy to life. Together, we always find a way, no matter how many barriers a person might face.

Sense is a leading disability charity with extensive knowledge and expertise in delivering personalised, creative and flexible support for disabled people with complex needs. Our tailored approach ensures that every person is empowered to live fully at every stage of life.

About the role:

As a Shop Volunteer you’ll be joining a friendly, welcoming team of volunteers and staff who support each other and have a lot of fun along the way. We value every volunteer and the unique perspective, skills and energy you bring. 

Whether you’re sorting donations, creating beautiful displays, or chatting to customers, every task you take on helps to build a more inclusive world. 

We value volunteer development, and as part of this role your can develop your skills further by training to become a till user alongside your regular shop volunteer responsibilities, or progressing into a Key volunteer, a role which includes opening, running, and closing the shop in the absence of the manager.

No matter your reason for volunteering – whether it’s to meet new people, build new skills or support Sense’s cause – there’s a place for you in one of our shops. 

Due to the nature of the role, we require all applicants to be aged 16 or over. You must have a UK address to volunteer with Sense.

Key responsibilities: Shop volunteer 

You’ll spend time doing a range of activities, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service, helping create a wonderful shopping experience.
• Receiving donated items from the public, thanking them for their support.
• Sorting, steaming and preparing donations for sale.
• Helping to display stock in eye-catching and exciting ways.
• Keeping the shop floor clean, safe and tidy.
• Talking to customers about Sense and the work we do.

Key responsibilities: Till volunteer

Being a till volunteer includes all the same responsibilities as a shop volunteer, however, when you’re ready, we’ll provide you with additional training to:

• Serve customers on the till in a warm and friendly way.
• Put sales through the till, packing them and thanking the customer for shopping with us.
• Talk to customers about Gift Aid and other fundraising initiatives.

If you are interested in becoming a till volunteer straight away, please select ‘Till volunteer’, as well as ‘Shop volunteer’, when asked which volunteer role/s you are interested in during your application.

Key responsibilities: Key volunteer 

Being a Key volunteer includes all the same responsibilities as a shop and till volunteer. However, if you’re interested in taking on additional responsibilities, you can train to become a Key Volunteer, helping the shop manager by:

• Helping supervise the shop and other volunteers.
• Supporting the shop manager to make sure customers have a great experience.
• Opening and closing the shop when needed.
• Cashing up at the end of the day. 

If you are interested in becoming a Key volunteer straight away, please select ‘Key volunteer’ when asked which volunteer role/s you are interested in during your application.

Skills and qualities:

This role would suit you if you’re:

• Passionate about Sense’s work to support disabled people with complex needs.
• Calm, kind and have a friendly personality.
• A team player who enjoys working with others.
• Enthusiastic, motivated and someone with a positive attitude.
• Respectful of others. 

What we offer you:

As one of our volunteers, you’ll get:

• Full training with ongoing support and guidance from your team.
• A chance to meet new people.
• A great way to develop new skills and share your existing skills.
• The feeling you get knowing you’re making a difference to the lives of disabled people with complex needs.
• A reference to support future applications for paid or voluntary roles.
• Support from our Mental Health First Aiders, should you need it. 

Our values:

Everything we do is underpinned by five core values. These values shape the way we work every day. Our values are:

• We include
• We collaborate
• We find a way
• We challenge
• We celebrate

Are you a positive and motivated team player with a high level of attention to detail and a confident reading ability? Are you looking for a highly rewarding and heartwarming volunteer opportunity?

Look no further, the Sponsorship Communications Volunteer role may be perfect for you! Plan International UK is looking for organised and focus-driven individuals to join our Sponsorship Communications Team.

Plan International UK is a global children’s charity striving for an equal world. One where every child can reach their full potential and every girl can choose her own future. We bring people together to protect children’s rights and keep girls safe, in school and in control of their bodies – even when disaster strikes. And we won’t stop until we are all equal. 

Volunteers are a vital part of our Sponsorship Communications Team. As a team, we pride ourselves on delivering the best possible experience for sponsors and children who exchange communications with each other every year. As a volunteer, you will read, log and send these communications between sponsors and sponsored children, making sure they’re in line with our child safeguarding requirements.

We ask our volunteers to dedicate a minimum of 24 days of volunteering across 3-6 months. The role is office-based, and a laptop is provided. Our usual volunteering hours are Monday to Friday 10am-4pm (including an hour lunch). Whilst this role is unpaid, we pay out of pocket expenses of up to £7.00 for lunch and up to £23.60 for travel per day when you are volunteering with us in the office.

Whether you are looking to gain experience in the charity sector, contribute your time to benefitting children across the world, or join a team of incredible volunteers, we would love to hear from you.

Please click on the button above to apply.

For more information, please download the task description.

The deadline for applications is 10am on Monday 16 February 2026

Interviews are scheduled to take place in our office on Monday 23 February 2026

We are committed to the safeguarding and protection of children, young people and adults in our work.  We, therefore, apply rigorous volunteer recruitment and selection processes to ensure that only those who are suitable are recruited to volunteer with us.  Accordingly, appointment to all our volunteer opportunities is subject to a range of vetting checks and for this role this will include a Basic Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us; this will depend on the circumstances of any offences.

Please note: If successful following the interview, and subject to the above background checks, the earliest potential start date for this role will be from the last week in March 2026.

Plan International UK is committed to being an inclusive employer and we welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

Volunteering for Sense

Sense is a leading disability charity with extensive knowledge and expertise in delivering personalised, creative and flexible support for disabled people with complex needs. Our tailored approach ensures that every person is empowered to live fully at every stage of life.

Due to the nature of the role, we require all applicants to be aged 16 or over. You must have a UK address to volunteer with Sense.

What your role will involve

You’ll get the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of activities, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service, helping create a wonderful shopping experience.
• Receiving donated items from the public, thanking them for their support.
• Sorting, steaming and preparing donations for sale.
• Helping to display stock in eye-catching and exciting ways.
• Keeping the shop floor clean, safe and tidy.
• Talking to customers about Sense and the work we do. 

When you’re ready, we’ll provide you with additional training to:

• Serve customers on the till in a warm and friendly way.
• Put sales through the till, packing them and thanking the customer for shopping with us.
• Talk to customers about Gift Aid and other fundraising initiatives.

If you’re interested in taking on additional responsibilities, you can train to become a Key Volunteer, helping the shop manager by:

• Helping supervise the shop and other volunteers.
• Supporting the shop manager to make sure customers have a great experience.
• Opening and closing the shop when needed.
• Cashing up at the end of the day. 

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Passionate about Sense’s work to support disabled people with complex needs.
• Calm, kind and have a friendly personality.
• A team player who enjoys working with others.
• Enthusiastic, motivated and someone with a positive attitude.
• Respectful of others. 

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• Full training with ongoing support and guidance from your team.
• A chance to meet new people.
• A great way to develop new skills and share your existing skills.
• The feeling you get knowing you’re making a difference to the lives of disabled people with complex needs.
• A reference to support future applications for paid or voluntary roles.
• Support from our Mental Health First Aiders, should you need it. 

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.