198 Volunteer roles for the Mental Health sector

Trustees, including a treasurer, are needed for a leading charity helping people with dissociative disorders. 

CDS UK (Clinic for Dissociative Studies) is a specialist service offering assessments and treatment for people with dissociative disorders and an independent charitable provider to the NHS.

CDS provides diagnosis, outpatient treatment, clinical supervision, consultancy and training all over the UK. We also participate in research and education, contributing to what we hope is a greater understanding of dissociative disorders.

Dissociative disorders typically arise in response to extreme and repetitive trauma and/or abuse in early childhood. Dissociation can be a survival mechanism and adaptive response to overwhelming and traumatic experiences, enabling an individual to endure life events that no one person could be expected to manage without a severe impact on their wellbeing. Trustees are central to ensuring that CDS provides the best possible help for extremely vulnerable clients.

At CDS, we are committed to a culture of continuous improvement and organisational development, ensuring that our services, people, and governance evolve to meet the needs of those we support. Our work is grounded in our core values of Respect, Choice, Compassion, Openness and Working Together, which shape how we collaborate, make decisions, and deliver impact. 

To build a well-balanced and rounded board CDS is looking for trustees, including a treasurer, with expertise in any of the following:

• Accountancy and/or auditing experience 
• Financial management and strategy 
• Clinical & clinical management experience
• Legal and governance
• Fundraising 
• Marketing
• Organisational development 

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive Board that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those who are currently underrepresented at trustee level, including people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, younger people, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lived experience relevant to our work. 

Closing date 9th October. Interviews will take place via MS Teams w/b 12th October. 

The role in a nutshell:

Age NI is looking for Enabling Connections Volunteers across the Northern Trust area and Belfast Trust area to provide companionship, encouragement and practical support to older people.

What will you be doing?

As an Enabling Connections Volunteer, you will:

•Be matched with an older person in your local area
•Meet weekly to provide companionship and a listening ear
•Encourage and support them to achieve personal goals
•Help them build confidence and independence
•Explore local activities, groups and opportunities together
•Signpost to local services and support where appropriate
•Keep in touch with the Enabling Connections Coordinator.

Flexible Volunteering
The role is designed to fit around your availability, making it ideal for people with work, family or other commitments.

Where Will I Volunteer?

Support may take place:
•In the older person's home
•In local community settings
•While attending activities or groups together.

All support will be guided by the older person's goals and interests.

How would you be supported in this role?

When you volunteer with Age NI, you'll receive:

•Full induction and ongoing training
•Ongoing support from the Enabling Connections Coordinator
•Regular volunteer meetings and supervision
•Reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

The role in a nutshell:

At Age UK Bolton, we know that a simple conversation can change everything. This is more than companionship, it’s about walking alongside someone as they reconnect with their community and themselves.

What will you be doing?

You’ll support both the person and their goals, including:

Building a meaningful connection
•Spend time getting to know the person and what matters to them
•Offer friendly conversation, encouragement and companionship
•Create a space where they feel comfortable, heard and respected

Supporting positive steps forward
•Help them identify and work towards personal goals
•Encourage confidence in trying new things or reconnecting with others
•Support access to local groups, services or community activities 

Flexible, person-centred support
•Meet in ways that suit the individual — at home, in the community, or out for a walk
•Go at their pace, adapting support to their needs and preferences 

Working as part of a team
•Share updates with your coordinator so support stays consistent
•Reflect on progress and celebrate achievements, however small

How would you be supported in this role?

You won’t be doing this alone

We’ll support you every step of the way, including:
•A full induction and training (including safeguarding and goal setting)
•Ongoing support from a dedicated coordinator
•Opportunities for supervision and guidance
•Reimbursement of agreed out-of-pocket expenses 

The role in a nutshell:

As a Befriending Volunteer on the Enabling Connections project, you will help Age UK reduce loneliness and isolation by building a short-term but meaningful relationship with an older person.

What will you be doing?

Depending on the needs of the older person you're matched with, you may:

• Visit them at home

• Meet in a local community space, such as a library or cafe

• Help them access local groups and services

• Encourage them to build positive and sustainable connections

How would you be supported in this role?

In addition to your induction, you will be supported by our Enabling Connections project coordinator.

The role in a nutshell:

As a Befriending Volunteer on the Enabling Connections project, you will help Age UK reduce loneliness and isolation by building a short-term but meaningful relationship with an older person.

What will you be doing?

Depending on the needs of the older person you're matched with, you may:

• Visit them at home

• Meet in a local community space, such as a library or cafe

• Help them access local groups and services

• Encourage them to build positive and sustainable connections

How would you be supported in this role?

In addition to your induction, you will be supported by our Enabling Connections project coordinator.

South London Counselling and Support Services (SLCSS) is seeking an experienced and committed Volunteer Clinical Supervisor to join our team.

The successful candidate will provide clinical supervision and support to our volunteer counsellors, helping to ensure that counselling services are delivered safely, ethically and in accordance with BACP professional standards.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To provide regular clinical supervision to volunteer counsellors.
• To support counsellors in their clinical practice, professional development and wellbeing.
• To review and discuss client work, ensuring appropriate safeguarding and ethical practice.
• To provide guidance on risk assessment, boundaries, confidentiality and appropriate referrals.
• To identify and address any clinical concerns or additional support needs.
• To maintain appropriate supervision records and communicate relevant concerns to the organisation.
• To work collaboratively with the SLCSS team to ensure the quality and effectiveness of our counselling services.
• To contribute to the development and review of our counselling service where appropriate.

Hours

Approximately 6 - 8 hours per month, with flexibility depending on the number of counsellors requiring supervision and service needs.

Requirements

• Relevant clinical qualification and experience in counselling or psychotherapy.
• Experience providing clinical supervision to counsellors or therapists.
• BACP Membership.
• DBS
• Appropriate professional indemnity insurance.
• Good understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and ethical practice.
• Commitment to supporting accessible, culturally sensitive and inclusive counselling services.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to support volunteer counsellors and contribute to the wellbeing of children, young people and adults.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• The opportunity to contribute to the work of a registered charity providing accessible counselling and support services

The role in a nutshell:

Age UK Blackburn with Darwen know that a simple conversation can change everything. This is more than companionship, it’s walking alongside someone as they reconnect with their community & themselves.

What will you be doing?

You’ll support both the person and their goals, including:

Building a meaningful connection
•Spend time getting to know the person and what matters to them
•Offer friendly conversation, encouragement and companionship
•Create a space where they feel comfortable, heard and respected

Supporting positive steps forward
•Help them identify and work towards personal goals
•Encourage confidence in trying new things or reconnecting with others
•Support access to local groups, services or community activities 

Flexible, person-centred support
•Meet in ways that suit the individual — at home, in the community, or out for a walk
•Go at their pace, adapting support to their needs and preferences 

Working as part of a team
•Share updates with your coordinator so support stays consistent
•Reflect on progress and celebrate achievements, however small

How would you be supported in this role?

You won’t be doing this alone

We’ll support you every step of the way, including:
•A full induction and training (including safeguarding and goal setting)
•Ongoing support from a dedicated coordinator
•Opportunities for supervision and guidance
•Reimbursement of agreed out-of-pocket expenses 

The role in a nutshell:

As a Community Connector Volunteer, you will help Age UK Barnet reduce loneliness and isolation by building a short-term but meaningful relationship with an older person.

What will you be doing?

You will meet an older person you’ve been matched with once a week over a six-month period to support them in working towards their goals. Depending on their needs, you may:
•Visit them at home
•Go for a walk
•Meet in a local community space, such as a library or a café
•Help them access local groups or services
•Encourage them to build positive and sustainable connections
•To support with digital inclusion.
• Assist with planning and arranging journeys using public transport, helping to overcome barriers to travel and independence 
•Accompany clients to social, recreational, or community-based activities

You will keep track of their progress and share updates with the Enabling Connections coordinator.

As a Community Connector Volunteer, we ask you to:

•Attend an induction session
•Complete essential training, including goal‑setting and safeguarding
•Have access to one‑to‑one check in calls. 

Receive support from a dedicated project coordinator

You may need to travel locally to meet the older person or accompany them to services, and any travelling expenses can be reimbursed.

You will also be asked to take brief notes after each session and share them with your project coordinator.

How would you be supported in this role?

In addition to providing you any relevant training for the role, we will also provide you with check-ins, a key contact or other functions to ensure you are best supported as a volunteer.

The role in a nutshell:

Enabling Connections Befrienders offer companionship for isolated older adults in Waltham Forest, supporting them to increase their social connections and achieve their goals in life.

What will you be doing?

•To visit an isolated older person in their home, supporting them to achieve a goal or goals which they have set for themselves. 
•To support the older person to undertake new activities, go to new places and gradually increase their social connections. 
•To help the older person maintain and/or regain their self confidence, allowing and encouraging them to do as much as possible themselves.
•Offer social support, for example accompanying the older person to social events initially, and then encouraging the older person to attend on their own.
•Help the older person think about their goal, and help them overcome any barriers, referring back to the Befriending Co-ordinator where necessary.
•Keep the Age UK Waltham Forest Befriending Team informed of the older person’s general well being, any significant difficulties, incidents or concerns and the progress they are making towards achieving their goal(s).
•Attend Induction and training 

How would you be supported in this role?

Induction - Attend a one-off induction training course of 2.5 hours.

Training – ongoing training.

Ongoing Support & Supervision - With a dedicated Befriending Team.

Do you have experience of risk management? We are seeking Audit & Risk Committee members who bring strategic insight, independent judgement and a strong commitment to Samaritans’ vision.

The Committee helps ensure that Samaritans has an effective risk management framework in place, supported by robust internal controls and external audit processes. Its work plays an important part in protecting our staff, volunteers and beneficiaries from undue risk, while enabling thoughtful and well-informed decision-making.

This is an important and pivotal time to join the Committee. During 2025, the Board of Trustees took decisions on the main elements of our transformational future-proofing programme, which we expect to take forward over the next 5–10 years.

We are looking for committee members who can help guide us through this period of change with confidence, care and sound judgement. We are particularly interested in people with experience of risk management in organisations, and who understand how effective risk oversight can support the delivery of strategic aims.

Applicants should have experience in senior risk management or compliance roles, or in implementing risk frameworks at executive or governance level.

For more details please see the role description.

About the role

Term: Committee members are usually appointed for a period of three years, with the possibility of a second three-year term.

Location: The role is home based and may involve some travel within the UK.

Time commitment: As a minimum, attendance is required at four committee meetings each year, either in person or via videoconferencing. Generally two meetings a year will be held in-person or hybrid.

Remuneration: The role is voluntary.

Application process: Applicants are to return copy of their CV with a cover letter by Monday 12 October containing a personal statement how they meet the experience, knowledge and skills set out in the role description.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview by video conference on or after w/c 19 October.

If you also hold a volunteer role in Samaritans, please let us know what it is in the application, or contact us to discuss eligibility, if it’s a leadership role.

About Samaritans

Our vision is that fewer people die by suicide.  Samaritans is the charity that prevents suicide through the power of human connection. We provide compassionate listening services to people in emotional crisis, 24/7. We combine evidence with lived experience to influence decision makers to tackle the underlying causes of suicide. We change attitudes and encourage people struggling with suicidal thoughts to seek support.

Together we can prevent suicide today. Because tomorrow’s too late.

🌎 VOLUNTEER FINANCE MANAGER / TRUSTEE TREASURER

UK-based | Remote | Flexible

Could your financial expertise help make a real difference?

We are looking for an experienced Finance Manager / Accountant to join our international charity on a voluntary basis and help strengthen our financial management as we grow.

Working closely with senior management, you will provide financial oversight, guidance and reporting, helping us make informed decisions and ensure our resources are managed responsibly.

What you'll do:

• Oversee accounting and financial reconciliations
• Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning
• Prepare clear financial reports for senior management and trustees
• Monitor income, expenditure and financial controls
• Provide financial advice and support strategic decision-making
• Help develop strong financial systems and processes

What we're looking for:

• Strong professional experience in finance, accounting or a similar role
• Excellent analytical and organisational skills
• Confident using Excel and Microsoft Office
• Able to communicate financial information clearly
• Reliable, proactive and comfortable working remotely
• Charity/NGO experience is desirable but not essential

Professional qualifications such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA are welcome, but relevant experience is more important.

Why volunteer with us?

This is an opportunity to use your professional skills to support an international charity and directly contribute to work that makes a difference to communities in need.

⏰ Flexible commitment
📍 UK-based / Remote
❤️ Voluntary / Unpaid 

If you're an experienced finance professional who would like to give something back and become part of our team, we'd love to hear from you.

Initially we are looking for a Finance Manager, however, if the board feels after a 3 month trial, the candidate is the right fit, this position could lead to a Trustee/Treasurer role.

Please send a short introduction and your CV.

The Opportunity

After seven successful years, our current Treasurer is retiring, and we're looking for someone to guide the charity through its next chapter. You'll support our Head of Finance and build strong working relationships with the CEO and wider Board.

What You'll Do

• Chair the monthly Finance call
• Chair the Audit & Remuneration Sub-Committee (two meetings a year)
• Attend four Board meetings a year
• Hold regular one-to-one meetings with the Head of Finance
• Oversee audit and the auditor relationship
• Oversee banking and cash management, including authorising payments
• Be available for prompt responses to emails and calls, and attend our premises from time to time

What We're Looking For

Essential:

• The highest standards of personal integrity and professionalism
• A genuine interest in youth homelessness and supporting vulnerable young people
• Senior-level financial and accounting experience, including a recognised accountancy qualification
• Experience across management accounts, budgets, forecasts, cash-flow projections, statutory accounts and audit findings, plus financial governance, internal controls, risk management, reserves, investment oversight and organisational sustainability
• Sound judgement, independence of mind and the confidence to challenge constructively
• A collaborative approach, able to work well with the Chair, CEO, Head of Finance and fellow trustees
• Enough time and flexibility for the role, including approving payments and attending meetings in person

Desirable:

• Previous experience as a charity trustee, Treasurer or non-executive director
• Knowledge of charity accounting, including the Charities SORP, restricted and unrestricted funds, and reserves policies
• Understanding of trustees' and directors' legal and regulatory duties
• Experience with organisations funded through public-sector contracts, grants and mixed income
• Familiarity with safeguarding-led organisations

Role Purpose

To create content for AuDHD UK’s social media platforms by planning, creating, and sharing engaging content that raises awareness, fosters community, and supports the charity’s mission.

What will you be doing?

Content Creation 

• Design and produce creative, accessible social media posts, including graphics, videos, and written content.
• Schedule and publish posts across platforms such as Instagram, Threads, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
• Ensure consistency in branding, tone and messaging across all social media platforms. 

Planning 

• Help to maintain and update  a social media content calendar to ensure consistent and timely posting.
• Research social media trends, audience interests, and relevant topics to inform content.
• Stay up to date with platform algorithms and best practices. 

Additional Duties

• Collaborate with the Communications & Marketing Lead and other teams to align social media with broader campaigns and events.
• Stay informed about social media best practices and platform updates.
• Support the development of an inclusive and welcoming online community. 

What are we looking for?

Essential Skills & Attributes 

• Experience creating content for social media accounts for organisations or projects.
• Strong content creation skills, including graphic design and copywriting.
• Creativity, organisation, good written English and attention to detail.
• Commitment to AuDHD UK’s mission and values.
• Lived experience of AuDHD or neurodivergence (desirable). 

What difference will you make?

With our charity increasing in activity, our social media team are experiencing higher demand and we therefore would like to expand our team. 

Would you like to become an Ambassador for knus? We've introduced our new arm-chairing volunteer position.

If you're interested arm-chair volunteering (our most flexible, low commitment role) and applying to volunteer at knus, simply read through the information on this page and apply.

• Are you over 18 and living in the UK? You must be over the 18 years of age and live permanently in the UK.
• Do you have a mobile phone or laptop? You can do this role whether you are, whether it be on a sofa or on a plane.
• How much time can you give? As much as you want to do. We are flexible and like to work around you.
• Do you like to learn? We provide training for all volunteers that join us. You'll have access to our courses to help you advance your knowledge and certificates to add to your CV.

How does it work?

In 2025 we launched our arm chair volunteering initiative to help us spread the word about our service and to give people the opportunity to take part in surveys and projects to help us deliver the best mental health support to the UK public.

We'd like to embrace what you love doing, whether that be sharing on socials, proof reading, surveys, sharing experiences or getting involved in our fabulous projects.

Important information:

In order to volunteer for knus as an ambassador, you will need to complete a brief application form and a ID check. A DBS is not required for this role, however, if you wish to progress to another role you may need a disclosure. We do this to ensure of service remains a safe place to volunteer for all. Please do not worry about this, we will help you as much as we can.

Training is provided by us and our training partners. You will be required to attend this training using online conferencing software such as zoom or teams.