Volunteer roles in Manchester, greater manchester

The Secretary plays a key administrative role in keeping the chapter organised and running smoothly. You’ll manage documentation and records using OneDrive and Simvoly, take and upload meeting minutes, track action points, and follow up with committee members on progress. The role also involves supporting communications, helping respond to emails and messages, maintaining event records, and organising socials to strengthen team relationships. Strong organisation, attention to detail, and confidence using digital tools are essential.

The Fundraising Officer is responsible for generating vital income for Make a Smile. You’ll proactively identify and organise fundraising opportunities, complete the required paperwork, and ensure events run smoothly. Working closely with the Treasurer and committee, you’ll develop an annual fundraising plan, support local fundraisers, and build relationships with supermarkets and other organisations. The role is hands-on, creative, and key to helping the chapter meet its fundraising goals and maximise its impact.

The Chapter President leads and oversees the local chapter, with overall responsibility for its activities, compliance, and smooth day-to-day running. You’ll provide direction and support to your committee, chair meetings, and ensure volunteers, events, and fundraising are well managed. The role involves motivating the team, planning chapter development, and stepping in where needed to keep things on track. You’ll also liaise with the national Board of Trustees, keeping them informed of key decisions and changes. Strong leadership, organisation, and a passion for the charity’s mission are essential.

Solihull Area ONLY - 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

Pay: £30.00 expenses limit per visit 

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.

It’s shaping up to be a busy year at Locate International, with a lot of important stories to tell. We need people who can help us tell them – and play a huge part in resolving cases.

We’re looking for more people to join as volunteer media officers – this will involve writing press releases for our missing and unidentified appeals, giving interviews and forging partnerships with broadcasters and publishers.

The right people will be able to write well, will ideally have a journalistic background, and will have experience dealing with different media outlets and their demands. But they must also be able to work with sensitivity and care.

We meet for an hour every Tuesday night on Zoom, and volunteers are expected to contribute an average of six hours a week.

Do you know your FYP from your CTR?

Can you build and manage a subreddit without summoning the mods?

And when we say “Shorts”, do you think watch time, hooks & retention - not what you’re packing for your next holiday?

Locate International are looking to expand our Media Team on a completely voluntary basis, with an average time commitment of around six hours per week.

Founded in 2019, we assist families in locating loved ones from unsolved missing persons cases and in identifying unknown deceased individuals.

By recruiting three volunteers - each specialising in TikTok, YouTube or Reddit - we can spread more breadcrumbs & ensure every case we take on has the best possible chance of being solved.

Our Media Team is a close-knit group of volunteers who meet via Zoom every Tuesday evening at 7pm (for one hour). Attendance at these meetings is important so we can support our Investigation Teams, plan appeals, and create a clear plan of action for the weeks ahead. We appreciate that availability can vary, but we ask that you attend as many sessions as possible to stay connected with the team and cases.

You will champion your platform - posting, monitoring engagement, and coming up with fresh ideas to help raise awareness of our cases. Sometimes this will be broad-reach content; other times it will involve niching down to target specific audiences who may hold vital missing pieces of the puzzle.

Everyone who volunteers with Locate International shares the belief that everybody deserves a name, and no family should endure the uncertainty of a missing loved one.

What we’re looking for:

TikTok Content Creator

Someone who understands trends, who can hook viewers in the first few seconds and encourage comments and sharing. You must be confident editing content directly within TikTok.

YouTube Content Creator

Someone who can create engaging, informative videos that encourage interaction. You should be confident with professional video editing, understand branding, and know how to craft compelling titles and optimise tags. Viral potential is a big plus.

Reddit Content Creator

A significant percentage of our website traffic comes from Reddit, yet we don’t currently have an official presence there. If you understand Reddit etiquette, the do’s and don’ts, and what’s involved in creating and managing subreddits - we need you.

What’s in it for you:

• Being part of a large, supportive team of dedicated volunteers.
• Working within a creative, passionate Media Team that encourages thinking outside the box.
• A regular one-hour Zoom meeting on Tuesday evenings, joining the team as often as possible to collaborate on live cases.
• The satisfaction of using your skills to make a meaningful difference to families & communities worldwide.

If you feel you have what it takes to be one of the volunteers we're looking for, please get in touch with your experience, expertise, and what you can bring to the Media Team. 

The role in a nutshell:

We are looking for volunteers to help in our network of Age UK Cheshire shops throughout Cheshire. We have shops in Northwich, Macclesfield, Alderley Edge, Knutsford, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Sandbach, Frodsham and Poynton. You will meet new people daily and have some fun while helping raise funds to help local older people in Cheshire.

What will you be doing?

Retail Volunteers carry out a wide range of tasks in our shop. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till or keeping our shop floor full and organised. You will meet and assist customers while raising funds which go directly to helping older people in Cheshire. You will gain useful retail skills and work experience for a recognised, valued and effective charity.

How would you be supported in this role?

Our retail volunteers receive an initial induction into the work and policies of our charity and then specific training on tasks within the shop. 

Why do we need volunteers in this role?

Age UK Cheshire operates charity shops to raise funds for the delivery of services for older people in need in Cheshire. Volunteers play a key role in the shop team, ensuring our shops are welcoming places in the community and selling the items that are generously donated to our charity. 

What skills, interests or experience might be helpful in this role?

•Interested in people and able to communicate and make customers feel welcome
•An interest in the shop, and an enthusiasm for raising money through its work. 
•The ability to work as part of a team
•Enthusiastic, committed and helpful
•Having retail experience would be useful, but certainly not essential.
•Reasonably fit, as some lifting may be involved.

The role in a nutshell:

Age UK Cheshire's Sharing Time Reconnect Befriending service strives to reduce loneliness and isolation by matching our volunteers with older people via a meaningful befriending relationship.

Please note: You must be located within Cheshire to apply for this volunteering role.

What will you be doing?

You will be calling a lonely older person for a chat with the aim of developing a long term, meaningful befriending relationship which is positive for both parties. You will not only prevent an older person from feeling lonely and isolated, you will also hear amazing stories and share meaningful moments. 

How would you be supported in this role?

Our volunteers receive an initial induction into the work and policies of our charity and then specific training on befriending and safeguarding. You will be part of a caring and experienced team and have the support of a dedicated service coordinator. 

Why do we need volunteers in this role?

Loneliness among older people is a growing crisis. By volunteering with Age UK Cheshire’s Sharing Time project, you will offer more than a regular telephone call – you will offer a lifeline to older people in your community. 

Befriending phone calls usually last around 30 minutes. They are typically weekly but can be flexible depending on the individual you are supporting and their circumstances. They continue indefinitely or until one party’s circumstances change. 

What skills, interests or experience might be helpful in this role?

• A good listener, patient, friendly and can show empathy.
• Active listening skills with the ability to motivate others.
• Awareness of acting in a way that respects equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Willingness to follow guidance to keep yourself and others safe.
• The desire to ensure your befriendee receives an enjoyable, stimulating, person-centred and empowering experience!

The role in a nutshell:

Age UK Cheshire's Sharing Time Reconnect Befriending service strives to reduce loneliness and isolation by matching our volunteers with older people via a meaningful befriending relationship.

Please note: You must be located within Cheshire to apply for this role

What will you be doing?

You will be working with your befreindee and the Service Coordinator to understand their goals and how you can help them to achieve them. This could involved visiting the befreindee at their home for a chat, a walk, or a coffee in town. Depending on their goals, this could also include supporting and facilitating access to local groups and physical activities e.g. craft groups, coffee mornings, lunch clubs or meeting up for a coffee with other befriendees to form their own friendship group. 

How would you be supported in this role?

Our volunteers receive an initial induction into the work and policies of our charity and then specific training on befriending, health and safety and safeguarding. You will be part of a caring and experienced team and have the support of a dedicated service coordinator. 

Why do we need volunteers in this role?

Loneliness among older people is a growing crisis. By volunteering with Age UK Cheshire’s Sharing Time Reconnect project, you will offer more than a regular visit – you will offer a lifeline to older people in your community. 

Befriending visits usually last around between 1 and 2 hours in business hours. They are typically weekly but can be flexible depending on the individual you are supporting and their circumstances. We also appreciate that volunteers may have other commitments, such as caring responsibilities so we will work with you and the individual to agree a pattern which works for everyone.  ​

What skills, interests or experience might be helpful in this role?

• Patience and a warm and friendly attitude. 
• Active listening skills with the ability to motivate others.
• A wish to support older people in a person- centred manner, taking account of preferences and abilities.
• Awareness of acting in a way that respects equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Willingness to follow guidance to keep yourself and others safe.

Additional information:

• This role is subject to police checking by the Disclosure and Barring Service.
• You will need to be willing and able to travel to your befriendee and travel expenses will be reimbursed.
• We are looking for volunteer befrienders throughout Cheshire.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Bolton and the surrounding area are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools 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. 

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. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity (Alex TLC) is a small, independent rare disease charity competing for essential resources within an extremely competitive arena.

Like many other small charities, we have grown organically from an informal support group to the recognised voice for leukodystrophy patients and their families. In order to fulfil our charitable objectives we need to increase and sustain our corporate income levels.

Could you spare a few hours a week to help us?

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for volunteers, preferably with corporate fundraising experience to:

• research the corporate giving landscape and the interests of potential donors

• identify potential corporate donors and partners whose corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals align with our mission and values

• approach local and national businesses in person and over the telephone to inform them of the work of Alex TLC

• keep a record of all approaches

Time Commitment

• This role is flexible and can easily fit round your other commitments. 

Location of Volunteering

• Homebased

ABOUT YOU

• an interest in Alex TLC and the work that we do

• access to a computer/laptop with an internet connection, and a printer

• basic understanding of the complexities of leukodystrophy

• excellent written skills

• excellent organisational and administrative skills

Benefits to you:

• Meeting and working with new people

• The ability to volunteer around your own commitments

• Learning new skills whilst having fun!

• Adding to your CV

• Helping those affected by leukodystrophies

We can only accept applications from UK residents. 

About Bank.Green

Since the Paris Agreement, global banks have poured a staggering $7.9 trillion into the fossil fuel industry. Bank.Green exists to change that.

We build tools that help people understand how their bank finances climate change, and what they can do about it, whether that’s switching to genuinely greener alternatives or pushing their existing bank to improve. To date, our bank-checking tool has been used 500,000+ times globally and has helped influence at least £25 million in customer deposits toward banks financing a cleaner future.

Through transparency, technology, and public engagement, we aim to redefine the role of banks in the climate transition.

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced engineer to act as a technical steward for the Bank.Green website, our primary public-facing platform, working alongside another senior engineer already on the project. Technical decisions are made in a collaborative, consensus-driven way, rather than top-down.

The site is transitioning to Astro, with a React-based frontend, and is deployed via Cloudflare. Content is managed via Prismic as a headless CMS, with data coming from internal GraphQL and REST APIs.

The platform serves roughly 5,000 pages, the majority of which are repeatable, programmatically generated bank profile pages built from shared templates and structured data. As a result, performance, caching, SEO, and build efficiency are key concerns.

This is a hands-on but flexible role, suited to someone who enjoys maintaining and improving real-world infrastructure that thousands of people rely on.

What you’d be working on

• Building and shipping new frontend features that improve how users understand and act on bank climate data

• Maintaining and improving the Astro/React codebase with a focus on clarity, performance, and long-term maintainability

• Improving build performance, caching strategy, and CDN efficiency to keep the site fast and cost-effective at scale

• Collaborating on architectural and technical decisions with the other senior engineer

• Reviewing and contributing pull requests, and helping establish sensible frontend and deployment patterns

Ways we work

• Fully remote and asynchronous
• Communication via Slack, Linear, and occasional calls (MS365)
• Pragmatic, low-process, mission-driven team
• Strong bias toward maintainable code and real-world impact

Commitment

This is an unpaid, volunteer role.

• Roughly 7–10 hours per week, flexible
• We’re looking for a longer-term engagement (around 6 months or more) to provide continuity and stewardship

What we’re looking for

• Required: A portfolio, GitHub profile, or equivalent code samples demonstrating real-world frontend or full-stack work
• Experience as a frontend or full-stack engineer at a mid-to-senior level
• Strong JavaScript fundamentals
• Experience with React and modern frontend tooling
• Familiarity with Astro, or strong interest in content-first frameworks (Next.js, Nuxt, Gatsby, etc.)
• Comfort reviewing code and guiding less experienced developers
• Experience working asynchronously with distributed teams
• Familiarity with Git-based workflows and Agile-style tools
• Genuine interest in climate action and environmental accountability

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.