Volunteer roles in Lewes

Are you looking for a skilled volunteering opportunity to support your career progression? Do you have a passion for improving outcomes for all children? Could you use your professional skills to help shape the future of education?

As a school governor, you’ll operate at board-level and develop strategic leadership skills and assist in making decisions on a wide range of topics; all while collaboratively improving education within your local community.
We’re currently recruiting volunteers for schools in Eastbourne to strengthen their governing boards and enhance outcomes of pupils within your communities. If you feel, you want to make a difference within your community, read on for more details about the role of a governor and how to apply.

Governors make decisions that affect schools and their pupils for years to come; our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. Becoming a governor gives you ample opportunity for personal and professional development, including exposure to finance and budgeting, safeguarding, HR, strategic planning, and more.
As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role as well as have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand. Governors act as a ‘critical friend’ to their head teacher ensuring accountability and helping to monitor and evaluate the schools progress, budget and staffing. You’ll also help to shape and implement future plans and guide the schools aims, ethos and values.

You don’t need to be a parent or have any specific skills to become a governor as long as you’re over 18 and happy to have a DBS check, you can apply! Professional skills such as HR, finance, law or project management are useful but governing boards are often needing softer skills such as leadership, communication and problem solving alongside a fresh perspective and lived experience within their communities. As a governor, you’ll be supported by the Chair, head teacher and the rest of the governing team.

This vacancy is for an alternative provision looking to find a governor to sit on their board who is passionate about making a difference. The school is passionate about offering young people the chance to realise their unique talents and potential. 

If you’re interested in becoming a school governor, fill out the short application form on our website.

Who are Governors for Schools?

Governors for Schools operates across England and Wales to improve educational standards and ensure all children and young people have the chance to realise their full potential.

We believe the key to improving school performance is effective governance. By finding, nurturing and supporting a committed network of governors, we drive positive systematic change that benefits each and every student, regardless of their background.

Governors for Schools recruits and matches volunteers with school governing boards and provides ongoing support.

What’s involved?

There are governor vacancies across England and Wales. Some schools are also looking for remote governors who don't need to live near the school they support.

Governors volunteer at board level to set the strategic vision for their school. This involves constructively challenging current processes, using your unique skills to support senior leaders, and overseeing school finances. You’ll be involved in areas such as monitoring, budget management, and data analysis. As well as putting your expertise to good use, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your professional skills. Ultimately, you’ll work towards facilitating the delivery of a broad and exciting curriculum and oversee wellbeing and inclusion initiatives. Governance represents a fantastic opportunity to develop yourself while making a real impact on the education of children and young people.

Governors work collaboratively with the headteacher and other members of the board, including parents and school staff. In most schools, full board meetings are held termly, as are committee meetings. Many governors will sit on a committee linked to their expertise or interests, such as teaching and learning or finance and resources. In addition to attending meetings, governors will need to read the papers in advance, complete training courses, and occasionally visit their school.

Governors usually support schools for a period of four years and with an estimated time commitment of 7 hours per month. During these hours, you will attend meetings, read papers, attend training sessions, and make occasional visits to school.

Who can be a governor?

The most important part of being a governor is the ability to ask questions, provide support and have the best interests of the school at heart. You don't have to be a parent or have experience in education to become a governor. Schools seek a  wide range of skills to support the board, including finance, HR, and data analysis.

Boards also need governors with a diversity of backgrounds and lived experiences to ensure a range of perspectives are considered during board meetings.

Schools welcome professional experience, as well as community insight and experience of working collaboratively.

You need to be aged 18 or above and there are certain criminal convictions that would exclude you from the role. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be carried out by the school.

What’s the process?

You can find out more about the school governor role by attending one of our recruitment webinars.

You can complete your online profile on the website, including your motivation to take on the role, your skills and your school preferences. Your regional Partnership Manager will then look at vacancies that match your requirements. Once a school is identified, you will have the opportunity to discuss the role with them in more detail, visit the school, and observe a meeting. If appointed, a DBS check will take place and, in some cases, the school will seek references.

Ongoing support

Governors for Schools isn’t just a matching service. We want to help you thrive in your role through bespoke and ongoing support. We provide eLearning and monthly webinars covering a variety of topics to increase your knowledge of the education sector and governance. You’ll also have access to The Key for School Governors, an information hub designed to show new governors the ropes and offer a useful point of reference for existing governors.

Plateful Café works to relieve poverty and isolation amongst refugees, asylum seekers and ethnic minorities in Lewisham. Our commitment is to reach the most vulnerable people in our community and open a pathway to employment for people who have asylum here. Refugees will benefit from workshops, training skills and knowledge relevant for the catering industry. Plateful Cafe are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all volunteers and team members. We are an equal opportunities provider and actively encourage applications from people with a refugee background.

What will the role involve?

• Looking for partnership opportunities with the private sector.
• Assisting with the development and ongoing work of Businesses Fundraising Action Group.
• Assisting in planning fundraising strategies with local businesses.
• Reporting on businesses partnerships and recent developments at Plateful Café.
• Working in partnership with the Plateful Café fundraising team.

Essential:

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to inspire a group of volunteers to support a cause 
• Strong relationship-building skills

Desirable:

• Previous experience in fundraising and/or marketing
• Experience of working with corporates
• Expertise in new project creation and developing business links

What difference will you make?

• Helping to support a refugee-run cafe
• Connecting local refugees with their passion for cooking
• Helping local refugees find employment and enter the workforce much sooner than they otherwise might

As a Volunteer Donor Relationship Co-ordinator, you will play a crucial role in forming and maintaining relationships with our donors, ensuring they feel valued and appreciated, whilst forming & implementing a strategy to keep them donating. This role would suit someone who is confident, enthusiastic about building strong connections, and passionate about the welfare of refugees & asylum seekers.

Key responsibilities:

• Identify and approach local high net worth individuals/businesses to approach for a regular donation
• Develop a donor relationship strategy aimed at maximising engagement and satisfaction.
• Personally reach out to existing donors to thank them for their contributions (& send seasonal cards/other personalised messages to maintain positive relationships).
• Build relationships by engaging with donors via phone calls and emails to understand their motivations for donating and gather feedback used to improve our efforts.
• Encourage previous donors to continue their support.
• Keep detailed and accurate records of all our donor interactions to ensure we have up-to-date information on our supporters.
• Create and distribute surveys to gain insights into our donors’ needs and expectations.
• Further down the line, host webinars or live Q&A sessions to answer donor questions and provide updates on our work.

Requirements:

• Strong communication abilities
• Proficiency with google docs/sheets
• Excellent organisational skills
• A confident individual who is comfortable engaging with a diverse range of people
• Pro-active approach and work with minimum supervision
• Can commit a minimum of 2 hours per week

We are looking for an Events Assistant who can help us organise monthly community dinners featuring three course meals from around the globe to enable the charity to engage with and attract donors. We require help with running the dinner on the day with tasks including welcoming the guests, serving food and drinks, take payments, setting up and clearing, etc.

You will be working as part of a team to plan and organise other events and fundraisers throughout the year, for example refugee week. You will also be assisting with applying for funds for events including securing raffle prizes, donations of ingredients, material needed, musicians and entertainment, etc.

This role will also include working closely with our marketing team, providing details of upcoming events for promotion; taking pictures and quotes at the event.

Main duties will include:

• Prior experience of events planning and organisation
• A passion and keenness to engage in community-based work to support refugees and serve the local community
• Good organisation skills including: effective time management, punctuality and delegation of tasks.
• A flexible and proactive attitude to working
• Good responsiveness to emails/ text/ whatsapp
• Practical skills to help prepare and set-up the café for events
• Able to work well in a team and communicate effectively with the rest of the staff and visitors of the cafe
• A willingness to learn new skills

Desirable:

• Prior experience working with refugees, people seeking asylum or other vulnerable groups
• Prior experience of involvement in charity fundraising events

Lenera

We produce lab-grown exotic animal skins for luxury fashion using sustainable biotechnology.

​Lenera is a biotechnology startup dedicated to the bioproduction of skin for the luxury leather industry. 

We are looking for a market analyst to help us stay ahead of the curve by monitoring and analyzing emerging trends in the sustainable and innovative materials market, with a specific focus on the luxury sector.

**Key Responsibilities**

• Trend Monitoring & Intelligence: Establish a continuous market watch on new material launches, R&D breakthroughs, and consumer shifts within the luxury industry (fashion, watches, jewelry, automotive, and packaging).
• Competitor & Brand Mapping: Track how major luxury conglomerates (e.g., LVMH, Kering, Richemont) and independent high-end brands are sourcing and implementing innovative materials.
• Insight Synthesis: Transform complex market data, industry reports, and patent filings into concise, actionable summaries and visual trend reports for our strategic team.
• Supplier & Innovator Scouting: Identify and vet the emerging material scientists, startups, and suppliers who are creating the next generation of luxury-grade sustainable materials.

What We’re Looking For:

• Analytical Mindset: A strong interest in market research, trend forecasting, material science, or the business of luxury.
• Resourcefulness: Ability to navigate industry reports, design fairs, luxury news outlets (e.g., Business of Fashion, Vogue Business), and academic/patent databases.
• Excellent synthesis skills

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

The Bra Recyclers

We partner with retailers to recycle lingerie, reduce textile waste, and donate underwear to communities.​

The Undie Chest is looking for a thoughtful, detail-oriented volunteer to help us research grant opportunities and support the early stages of grant writing for our growing nonprofit.

The Undie Chest provides new underwear to individuals and families experiencing poverty, homelessness, crisis, or economic hardship. Through programs like Everyone Deserves Underwear, which supports students and schools, and Undie Power, which supports adults and community partners, we help make sure people have access to one of the most basic essentials: clean, new underwear.

Our work also supports a more sustainable and responsible retail ecosystem. We partner with retailers, brands, and community donors to redirect new overstock, returns, samples, and excess inventory away from waste and into the hands of people who need them. Instead of discarding essential items, we help turn them into dignity, comfort, and care for schools, shelters, nonprofits, and community organizations.

This volunteer role is perfect for someone who enjoys research, writing, storytelling, sustainability, and community impact. You’ll help us identify grant opportunities that align with our mission, gather information about funders, organize deadlines and requirements, and potentially assist with drafting or editing grant content.

We’re looking for someone who is curious, organized, and comfortable working independently. Grant-writing experience is helpful but not required. What matters most is that you care about dignity, equity, sustainability, and helping communities access essentials that are too often overlooked. Experience researching U.S.-based grants or corporate giving programs is helpful, but not required.

Your support will help The Undie Chest expand our capacity to serve schools, shelters, nonprofits, and community organizations, while also encouraging retailers and brands to make more responsible decisions about excess inventory. Behind every grant opportunity is a chance to keep usable essentials out of waste streams and get more underwear into the hands of someone who needs it.

If you believe everyone deserves to feel clean, confident, and cared for, we would love to connect with you.

Minimum Hours per Week:

2-3 hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

Voicing Voices

We use digital tools, workshops and partnerships to amplify intersectional voices for systemic, intergenerational change.​

Voicing Voices is looking for a creative and organised Digital Campaigns & Social Media Change Maker to support our summer campaigns from 25 June to 25 August 2026.

This role will help us strengthen our digital presence, grow engagement and communicate our work across leadership, education, intergenerational dialogue, community voice, and social impact.

You will support with:

• Creating social media content for LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok
• Executing campaign ideas for the summer engagement period
• Turning Voicing Voices’ work into posts, captions, carousels and short-form content ideas
• Supporting website updates, especially service pages, case studies and programme pages
• Helping create a simple content calendar for June, July and August
• Repurposing founder insights, programme updates and event themes into accessible digital content
• Tracking basic engagement and suggesting improvements

This role is ideal for someone interested in social impact communications, digital storytelling, ethical leadership, youth voice, women’s leadership, education, culture, community engagement or responsible business.
By the end of the role, you will ideally have contributed to:

• An 8-week content calendar
• A bank of draft social media posts
• Website improvement recommendations
• Campaign ideas for Voicing Voices and Through Our Mothers’ Eyes
• A short digital engagement summary

You do not need to be an expert, but you should be thoughtful, reliable, creative and comfortable working with themes around identity, culture, leadership, family, education and social change.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

1-2 months

Afro Ubuntu TradeNet

We connect African informal traders to opportunities, markets, and credit through AI-powered technology.​

This role will support financial modelling, grant research, fundraising preparation, and impact measurement activities.
Working closely with the Founder, you will help ensure Afro Ubuntu is investment-ready, grant-ready, and able to clearly demonstrate its economic and social impact.

Responsibilities

• Support financial forecasting and budgeting activities
• Assist with grant identification and application preparation
• Research funding opportunities, competitions, and accelerator programmes
• Develop financial models and business case assumptions
• Help track key business and impact metrics
• Support investor, donor, and partner reporting
• Assist with funding and partnership proposals

Ideal Candidate

• Background in finance, accounting, economics, investment analysis, business strategy, or development finance
• Strong analytical and numerical skills
• Experience with Excel, Google Sheets, or financial modelling
• Interest in startups, impact ventures, fintech, or African development
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently

What You'll Gain

• Exposure to startup finance and fundraising strategy
• Experience supporting an impact-focused venture operating across Africa
• Practical experience with grants, investment readiness, and impact measurement
• Professional reference and future growth opportunities

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Grant writing
• Impact investing
• Development finance
• Venture capital
• Financial modelling
• Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)
• ESG or impact reporting

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

GHRI is seeking qualified Nutritionists and Dietitians to provide nutritional guidance and support through our telemedicine platform.

Responsibilities

Conduct nutrition assessments

Develop personalized nutrition recommendations

Educate patients on healthy eating habits

Support preventive healthcare initiatives

Requirements

Degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or related field

Strong counseling and communication skills

Passion for health promotion

GHRI is seeking volunteer pharmacists to provide medication guidance and pharmaceutical care through our telemedicine services.

Responsibilities

Counsel patients on medication use

Identify potential drug interactions

Promote medication adherence

Provide pharmaceutical information to patients and healthcare teams

Requirements

Degree in Pharmacy and valid practicing license

Strong attention to detail

Excellent communication skills

GHRI is looking for compassionate nurses to support patients through our telemedicine platform.

Responsibilities

Assist with patient assessments

Provide health education and counseling

Support follow-up care for patients

Monitor patient progress and report concerns

Requirements

Nursing qualification and valid license

Excellent communication skills

Passion for community health and patient care

The Global Health Reform Initiative (GHRI) is seeking licensed Medical Doctors to provide virtual healthcare consultations through our telemedicine platform.

Responsibilities

Conduct virtual patient consultations

Assess symptoms and provide medical advice

Refer complex or emergency cases when necessary

Maintain accurate patient records

Support health education initiatives

Requirements

Medical degree and valid practicing license

Strong communication and clinical skills

Commitment to patient-centered care

Ability to provide virtual consultations

Are you passionate about making a real impact in global healthcare?

The Global Health Reform Initiative Foundation (GHRI) is looking for a Volunteer Partnership Coordinator to help us expand our reach and build meaningful collaborations with hospitals, organizations, and supporters worldwide.

�� About GHRI

GHRI is a global health initiative focused on improving access to healthcare for underserved communities through telemedicine, digital health solutions, and strategic partnerships.

�� Your Role

As a Volunteer Partnership Coordinator, you will:

Reach out to hospitals, NGOs, and healthcare organizations for collaboration

Identify and connect with potential partners and sponsors

Support outreach to investors and donors

Assist in developing partnership proposals and presentations

Help grow GHRI’s global network and visibility

�� Who We’re Looking For

Strong communication and networking skills

Passion for healthcare, humanitarian work, or social impact

Confidence in outreach (email, LinkedIn, messaging)

Self-motivated and proactive mindset

Experience in marketing, sales, or partnerships is a plus (but not required)

�� What You Gain

Hands-on experience in partnership development and global outreach

Opportunity to build a strong professional network

Letter of recommendation and recognition for your contribution

Flexible, remote working environment

Be part of a mission that saves lives and improves access to healthcare