Volunteer roles for the Youth and Children sector

Action Tutoring is a national education charity that offers free maths and English tutoring to pupils facing disadvantage. 

By volunteering as a tutor at a local school or online, you'll be supporting children to build their confidence and help ensure they leave school with the grades needed to build a bright future.

What will I be doing?

• Tutoring 1-3 pupils in Year 5 or 6, or Year 7, 10 or 11.

• Commit to one hour a week, for up to 20 weeks. You choose the day and time to sign up to.

• Use our tutor workbooks to guide your pupils through activities that will boost their confidence and grades.

What you'll gain:

• Receive induction training, tutor workbooks and ongoing support.

• Develop skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving.

• Meet like-minded people in our volunteer community.

• Travel expense reimbursement (up to £5 per session).

• Free DBS check.

This volunteer role is perfect for you if you:

• Are passionate about making a difference and helping young people succeed, particularly those facing disadvantage.

• Seek valuable experience working with children and are eager to hone essential skills such as communication, mentorship, and leadership – all highly valued in any career path.

• Have a busy schedule but are keen to contribute to your community, as this flexible role requires just one hour a week, either in-person or conveniently online.

We look for volunteers with:

• Solid subject knowledge in the area they wish to tutor, which may be demonstrated by a degree or grade B at A-level qualification (or equivalent) or relevant experience.

• The ability to explain concepts clearly and patiently.

• A commitment to supporting pupils’ academic progress.

We recognise that valuable experience can be gained through diverse routes, so if your qualifications differ from those mentioned - we still encourage you to apply! Please highlight any relevant experience or skills in your application.

We welcome applications from volunteers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. (Please note: this is a volunteer, unpaid position.)

Our volunteers say:

" The Action Tutoring team has been fabulous in their support: timely updates, always available, closely following progress, and ready to intervene where needed, very professional indeed!"

"Volunteering is very rewarding. I would say the skills that one develops from teaching the pupils are transferable to any walk of life and make you a better person. I would highly recommend it."

Action Tutoring is a national education charity that offers free maths and English tutoring to pupils facing disadvantage. 

By volunteering as a tutor at a local school or online, you'll be supporting children to build their confidence and help ensure they leave school with the grades needed to build a bright future.

What will I be doing?

• Tutoring 1-3 pupils in Year 5 or 6, or Year 7, 10 or 11.

• Commit to one hour a week, for up to 20 weeks. You choose the day and time to sign up to.

• Use our tutor workbooks to guide your pupils through activities that will boost their confidence and grades.

What you'll gain:

• Receive induction training, tutor workbooks and ongoing support.

• Develop skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving.

• Meet like-minded people in our volunteer community.

• Travel expense reimbursement (up to £5 per session).

• Free DBS check.

This volunteer role is perfect for you if you:

• Are passionate about making a difference and helping young people succeed, particularly those facing disadvantage.

• Seek valuable experience working with children and are eager to hone essential skills such as communication, mentorship, and leadership – all highly valued in any career path.

• Have a busy schedule but are keen to contribute to your community, as this flexible role requires just one hour a week, either in-person or conveniently online.

We look for volunteers with:

• Solid subject knowledge in the area they wish to tutor, which may be demonstrated by a degree or grade B at A-level qualification (or equivalent) or relevant experience.

• The ability to explain concepts clearly and patiently.

• A commitment to supporting pupils’ academic progress.

We recognise that valuable experience can be gained through diverse routes, so if your qualifications differ from those mentioned - we still encourage you to apply! Please highlight any relevant experience or skills in your application.

We welcome applications from volunteers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. (Please note: this is a volunteer, unpaid position.)

Our volunteers say:

" The Action Tutoring team has been fabulous in their support: timely updates, always available, closely following progress, and ready to intervene where needed, very professional indeed!"

"Volunteering is very rewarding. I would say the skills that one develops from teaching the pupils are transferable to any walk of life and make you a better person. I would highly recommend it."

Join CAP's Board and help transform the UK's relationship with alcohol.

Applications close: Monday 2nd March 2026

Location: Hybrid/London Bridge

Time commitment: Equivalent of 1 day per month

After 18 years of proven local impact, Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) stands at an extraordinary inflexion point. What began as a pioneering pilot in 2007 has grown into the UK’s most effective approach to tackling underage drinking, with over 300 partnerships already established across England, Scotland and Wales. But our greatest achievements may still lie ahead.

Who we are

The numbers tell a compelling story. Across our network, we’ve achieved a 63% reduction in weekly drinking among under-18s, a 44% reduction in anti-social behaviour and 98% pass rates in Challenge 25 compliance tests following our training. We’ve surveyed over 42,000 young people, gathering evidence that has shaped policy and practice nationwide. Yet perhaps our most significant discovery came through groundbreaking research into the issue that remained stubbornly resistant to change: parental supply of alcohol to children.

While we celebrated success after success in reducing underage drinking through retailer training and youth engagement, one statistic troubled us. More than 6 in 10 children aged 11-15 who drink regularly still obtained their alcohol from their parents. Despite all our community interventions, this remained the single biggest driver of underage alcohol consumption.

That challenge led us to commission to conduct the most comprehensive review ever undertaken of why parents supply alcohol to their children and what interventions might change this behaviour. Parents aren’t acting from malice or ignorance alone – they’re driven by complex beliefs about protection, social norms, and misplaced confidence in their ability to teach “responsible drinking” to their children by allowing them to sample alcohol while their brains are still developing.

Armed with these insights, CAP secured unprecedented funding increases from our industry partners, who recognised that addressing parental supply could transform the landscape of underage drinking. Our annual income has doubled, our team has expanded significantly, and we’re now positioned to pilot evidence-based interventions that could change parental behaviour at scale.

This is where our story becomes your opportunity. CAP is transitioning from a programme with significant local impact to one with genuine national reach. Our analysis suggests we need to double our current coverage – establishing perhaps 250-300 additional partnerships in high-harm areas across the UK. We’re developing the first systematic campaign to tackle parental supply, with pilots planned across six locations that could lay the groundwork for national policy change and action.

We’ve also expanded our remit to support 18–25-year-olds, recognising that our work with under-18s creates a perfect foundation for promoting safer drinking cultures in universities and young adult communities. Projects like our Cardiff CAP’s groundbreaking work on alcohol-free student activities show the potential for reshaping social norms around alcohol throughout young adulthood.

About the roles

To realise this vision, we need new Board Directors who can provide both strategic wisdom and operational insight during our most ambitious period of growth. We’re particularly seeking individuals with deep expertise in

• Finance (ideally a qualified accountant)
• Marketing and public influence
• Government relations at local or national level
• Adolescent development or education

Experience in Scotland or Wales would be especially valuable as we prioritise expansion in these high-harm regions.

This isn’t a typical non-executive role. You’ll be helping to steer an organisation that’s pioneering new approaches to one of the UK’s most persistent public health and social challenges.

You’ll work alongside an independent chair in Derek Lewis, industry representatives who are committed to our mission, and fellow independent directors who bring diverse expertise to our governance.

The policy landscape has never been more receptive to evidence-based approaches to alcohol harm reduction. The Westminster and devolved governments increasingly recognise that traditional enforcement-only approaches have limitations, and our track record of delivering measurable impact through partnership working positions us perfectly to influence national policy.

More importantly, we have the research foundation, funding commitments, and operational capacity to achieve transformational change. Our pilots on parental supply interventions, if successful, could influence how the UK approaches underage drinking prevention for generations to come. Our expansion into high-harm areas could bring effective prevention to communities that have struggled with alcohol-related problems for decades.

The commitment is manageable but meaningful: five board meetings annually (two in-person near London Bridge, three virtual), occasional evening events, and informal advisory support to our small but dynamic executive team. Overall we expect the time commitment to be the equivalent of a day a month.

If you’re someone who believes that evidence-based interventions can create lasting social change, who has experience in strategic leadership, and who wants to contribute to work that directly improves young people’s life chances, we’d welcome your interest. You’ll join a board that’s committed to CAP’s constitutional objectives while providing the strategic oversight needed to navigate our most ambitious period of growth.

CAP has spent 18 years building the foundations for this moment. We now have the tools, the team, and the momentum to achieve significant new progress. The question is whether you’ll join us in writing the next chapter of this story.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close on Monday 2nd March 2026.

Do you love retro arcade games and have a knack for IT, software, or troubleshooting older systems? We’re looking for a volunteer to help get our two classic arcade machines running again!

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Diagnose: Identify and troubleshoot software or IT issues on our two arcade machines.
• Update: Adjust or update game software to restore full functionality.
• Collaborate: Work with our team to ensure both games are playable and fun for the CYP community.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We need someone who is organised, communicative, and enthusiastic.

• Experience: Background in IT, software, or gaming systems.
• Problem-Solver: Comfortable troubleshooting older hardware or software.
• Enthusiasm: Passionate about gaming and tech.
• Commitment: A strong dedication to troubleshooting, fixing, and restoring our arcade machines so they’re fun and playable again.

WHY JOIN US? 

• Make an Impact: Directly support the activities of a project that changes lives in your community.
• Geek out: Enjoy classic games and retro systems.
• See your work come to life on two playable arcade machines.

Are you a safeguarding professional looking to make a tangible difference in the lives of young Londoners? By joining our board, you will help shape safeguarding strategy, strengthen our organisational culture and ensure that CYP continues to provide a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment for all its members.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Safeguarding Oversight: Provide strategic oversight of safeguarding and child protection across the organisation and report to the Board.
• Policy & Compliance: Ensure safeguarding and child protection policies are up to date, effectively implemented, and meet all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Advice & Support: Act as a point of guidance for the Board and staff on safeguarding matters, including responding appropriately to concerns.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR 

We need someone who is organised, communicative, and shares our values.

• Safeguarding Experience: Background in safeguarding, child protection, education, youth work, social care, or a related field.
• Local: Someone who understands the unique challenges and opportunities facing young people in London today.
• Good Judgement: Ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion and confidence.
• Commitment: A strong commitment to keeping young people safe and helping a small, high-impact organisation grow responsibly.

WHY JOIN US?

• Make an Impact: Directly influence the success of a project that changes lives in your community.
• Governance Experience: Build your CV with high-level Board experience.
• Networking: Connect with a diverse group of passionate professionals and community leaders.

Are you a finance professional looking to make a tangible difference in the lives of young Londoners? By joining our Board, you will help shape financial strategy, strengthen organisational resilience, and ensure that CYP can continue to provide a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment for all its members.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Oversight: Monitor the financial health of the project and report to the Board.
• Budgeting: Oversea annual budgets and ensure we stay on track.
• Compliance: Oversee annual accounts and ensure we meet Charity Commission/Companies House requirements.
• Mentorship: (Optional but great) Occasionally advise our young leaders on basic financial literacy or project budgeting. 

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

We need someone who is organised, communicative, and shares our values.

• Financial Expertise: A background in accounting, bookkeeping, or financial management (qualified or part-qualified is a plus).
• London Local: Someone who understands the unique challenges and opportunities facing young people in London today.
• Clarity: The ability to explain financial matters to non-finance trustees in plain English.
• Commitment: A desire to help a small, high-impact organisation scale sustainably.

WHY JOIN US?

• Make an Impact: Directly influence the success of a project that changes lives in your community.
• Governance Experience: Build your CV with high-level Board experience.
• Networking: Connect with a diverse group of passionate professionals and community leaders.

Childline Volunteer Counsellor- Someone who wants to make a difference to children’s lives by being there to listen when they feel they have no one else to turn to. As a Childline counsellor, you’ll be there for young people and listen to them as they open up about whatever is worrying them, whether it’s bullying, abuse, self-harm or family relationships – you’ll be there to support them.

What you’ll do

You’ll volunteer in our Leeds Childline base, offering counselling support to children and young people over the phone or through our 1-2-1 online chat. Your supervisor will help you develop and evaluate your counselling skills. After your initial training, you will be able to help young people as well as identify when a child or young person may be at risk, but don’t worry a supervisor will be on hand to give you plenty of support.

What you’ll get

You’ll receive training sessions over 12 weeks to prepare you for the role. When you start your regular shifts, a supervisor will be around all times to support you. Every shift includes a briefing and debriefing alongside other volunteers. Supervisors will also give you regular one-to-one support and group supervisions.

What we’ll need from you

Signing up to be a Childline counsellor is a big commitment and requires lots of training so, we do ask people to stay in the role for a minimum of one year.

We’ll also need to do some routine safeguarding checks, including an enhanced criminal record check and at least two satisfactory references with at least one covering a period of five years or more with no gaps. It’s nothing to worry about, and we can answer any questions you have about this.

Who’s right for the role?

While we think this role is suitable for a whole range of people, we are particularly looking for those with the following qualities and experience.

• Passionate about helping young people and children
• Great communication skills
• Empathetic and perceptive
• able to think on your feet
• works well within a team
• emotional resilience

Why volunteer with us?

Not only will you gain valuable experience throughout your volunteering journey, you’ll also have access to useful resources including a catalogue of online training, discount portal and NSPCC inMind – an online mindfulness resource.

You’ll be fully supported throughout your volunteer journey with us and will have a dedicated key contact should you have any questions along the way.

Our Second Home (OSH) is the UK’s youth movement of people with refugee backgrounds. We have welcomed over 600 young people from 50 countries to our activities in London, Essex and Bristol.

Mission

For young people with refugee experience to build community, become leaders and flourish into adulthood in the place they call home. Through transformative activities, our members take control of their lives and create meaningful change for themselves and their wider community.

About This Role

OSH is at a pivotal point in its development.

Over the past few years, OSH has grown from a small, founder-led organisation into a national movement with increasing reach, complexity, and ambition. Our income has risen from £250,000 to £500,000, our staff and volunteer base is expanding, and our programmes are reaching more young people than ever before.

OSH now needs confident, experienced, and future-focused governance that can support scaling while protecting the culture, values, and relational way of working that make the organisation distinctive.

Your role will involve 4 main areas:

1. Board Leadership and Governance
2. Strategy and Organisational Leadership
3. CEO Support, Appraisal, and Accountability
4. External Representation and Engagement

More information is in the recruitment pack attached.

About You

Essential

• Significant experience in organisational and strategic leadership, ideally including guiding a charity or mission-driven organisation from small to medium scale
• A proactive and forward-thinking mindset, demonstrating the ability to anticipate potential issues and risks while identifying opportunities.
• Strong understanding of good governance, with the confidence to lead a board and hold senior executives to account
• Experience of or exposure to fundraising, financial sustainability, and organisational development
• The ability to balance support and challenge, particularly in a Chair - CEO relationship
• Commitment to OSH’s mission and values, including a genuine willingness to engage with and be guided by those with lived experience of the asylum system
• Highly organised and dynamic, with the ability to prioritise the effective use of Board time, facilitate the timely and focused distribution of information, and ensure appropriate follow-up to Board decisions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the emotional intelligence to lead inclusively, collaboratively, and sensitively

Desirable

• Lived experience of asylum or forced migration
• Previous experience as a Chair or Vice-Chair of a charity or similar organisation
• Experience working with youth-led or lived-experience-led organisations
• Familiarity with safeguarding in youth or community settings

Havering Young People’s Mentoring Service provides support, advice and guidance to young people aged 10-18, encouraging them to make positive choices and achieve their goals.

Mentors are matched with a young person and meet with them on a weekly basis, for a period of up to 6 months. During this time, a strong relationship is built through a variety of activities and trips, including a monthly group meeting with other volunteers and young people engaged in the Service.

In order to become a mentor, potential volunteers will be required to attend a two day training programme before being accepted onto the programme. Volunteers will need to be over 18 years old and be willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check plus provide references.

This role includes:

• Attending an initial matching meeting with a young person
• Committing to 6 months of mentoring with a young person
• Meeting a young person once a week for around 2 hours
• Providing brief recording following meetings to the Volunteer Team
• Working with a young person to review their goals and plan for mentoring
• Accompanying a young person to monthly group meetings
• Acting in the best interests of a young person

Skills and experience required::

• Confident and able to communicate well with young people from a range of different backgrounds
• Can engage with staff and partners to promote the aims and quality of the Early Help Service, and comply with relevant policies and procedures
• Commitment to act in the best interests of young people and comply with jointly-agreed plans
• Experience of working with children or young people, in any capacity
• Willing to undertake training where necessary
• Enthusiasm and commitment towards child development and keeping children safe

Please note that you must be based in the UK to undertake this role.

The Independent Visitors programme provides every child and young person in care the offer of a regular befriender to provide consistent support, to listen to their thoughts and feelings, and to take part in a range of activities/trips together.

The Early Help Service is looking for volunteers who are passionate about supporting children in care, and can communicate effectively and confidently with young people.

This role involves:

• Attending an initial matching meeting with a young person
• Committing to 18 months of befriending with a child or young person
• Meeting a young person every 2-3 weeks
• Taking part in activities with a child or young person
• Acting in the best interests of a child or young person

Please note that you must be based in the UK to undertake this role.

Catering Volunteer role:

Preparing a hot and cold lunch for adults and children and preparing snacks and drinks for the morning and afternoon break times.  Cleaning up the kitchen at the end of the day. You will be working alongside another kitchen helper.

· We pay 40p per mile, provide food and refreshments and offer free training (Safeguarding children).  We also provide a branded t-shirt for you to wear in the kitchen.

· We ask all kitchen volunteers to commit to at least 3 days a year on either a Saturday or Sunday in the kitchen at any of our venues that suit you.

This role is working therapeutically alongside a child/young person on one of our bereavement support days on either a Saturday or Sunday in a group setting.  Ideally you will have experience in working with children and have the ability to communicate effectively at all levels and be able to support children and young people in distress and remain calm. 

You will be working therapeutically with your allocated child after receiving training.  You will have a group leader who will guide you through the structure of each day. There is also a Clinical Lead who will oversee and facilitate the programme.

You will also be expected to attend a debrief at the end of each day and also complete detailed documentation on the child/ young person you have been working with.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.  We pay 40pence per mile to cover your travel expenses. We will provide training (Safeguarding Children, Volunteer Induction Day and other specialist training days).

You will also have the opportunity to observe a weekend programme in action before you work with a child / young person. We will pay for your DBS check and provide you with a uniform.

                      While gaining invaluable experience, practice your passion within real-life scenarios. 

Join a group who aspire to think big, have fun, and create work that stands out. We’re looking for a passionate dedicated individual to join our team, who will play a key role in the growth of our brand messages and visions. The ideal candidate will assist us to conduct research and gather information on various projects.

Responsibilities
Conduct relevant research, gather information on various projects
Write research reports
Working closely with the communications team

Requirements
Good attention to detail.
Strong verbal, written and organisational skills.
Self-starter, dedicated and willing to learn. 
Microsoft Word and Excel skills.

Please note the role is a voluntary position and could be entirely remote. Any incurred reasonable expenses will be paid.
 
ABOUT TESYouth
TESYouth (Training, Employment Opportunities & Social Development for Youth) is a NFP social enterprise which focuses on improving the rate of youth employment, through volunteering, interactive and skill-based workshops, work-experience and training programmes. Together with our strategic partners, we collaborate with organisations to provide youth to develop their skills, and to assist in achieving their career aspirations.

While gaining invaluable experience in recruitment, human resources and NFP Social enterprise,                           practice your passion within real-life scenarios.

We are looking for Recruitment Managers to join our team. The ideal candidate will play a vital role in sourcing, engaging and will help us build a diverse and dedicated team to support our brand messages and visions.

If you are enthusiastic, passionate and dedicated about building a dynamic team and are excited to contribute your recruitment skills to a meaningful cause, join us as a Recruitment Manager Volunteer. Together, we can create a positive and lasting impact in our community.

Please note the role is a voluntary position and could be entirely remote. Any incurred reasonable expenses will be paid.

Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with HR and leadership team to understand needs, roles and requirements.
- Develop and implement effective recruitment strategies and campaigns.
- Utilise online platforms, social media, and community networks to advertise opportunities.
- Assist with review applications and inquiries, and assess candidate suitability.
- Conduct interviews with potential candidates to determine their skills, motivations, and alignment with our values and visions.
- Maintain a database of potential and current candidates and keeping track of their skills, interests, and availability.
- Work closely with leadership team and other team members to ensure a seamless transition from recruitment to engagement.
- Regularly report on recruitment metrics and effectiveness to the leadership team.
- Continuously seek opportunities to improve recruitment process.

Requirements:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to effectively market and promote opportunities.
- Experience in recruitment, human resources, or volunteer management is a plus.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively.
- Proficiency in using online platforms, social media, and communication tools.
- Dedicated and willing to learn.
- Committed to our values and mission 

Please send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience. We look forward to reviewing your application and discussing how you can become a vital part of our team.​

ABOUT TESYouth 

TESYouth (Training, Employment Opportunities & Social Development for Youth) is a NFP social enterprise which focuses on improving the rate of youth employment, through volunteering, interactive and skill-based workshops, work-experience and training programmes. Together with our strategic partners, we collaborate with organisations to provide youth to develop their skills, and to assist in achieving their career aspirations.