Volunteer roles for the Social Welfare sector

Do you enjoy organising? Would you like to play a key role in making sure things get done!

Are you passionate about bringing communities together and making a difference for women and families? You will help build valuable relationships with local businesses, schools, faith groups, community organisations, and workplaces to encourage donations of essential items such as clothing, toiletries, toys, and baby supplies. Your support will help ensure that women and families accessing our services have access to the practical items they need during challenging times.

What you will be doing

• Contacting and building relationships with local organisations and community groups.
• Promoting opportunities to donate clothing, toiletries, toys, baby items, and other essentials.
• Coordinating donation drives and collection opportunities
• Arranging the collection and delivery of donated items to the Tower Hamlets hub.
• Keeping records of donations and partnership contacts.
• Identifying new opportunities for community engagement and support.
• Working closely with the Volunteer Coordinator and hub staff to understand current donation needs.

The skills you need

• Friendly, confident, and comfortable communicating with a range of people.
• Passionate about supporting women and families
• Organised and able to manage tasks independently
• Proactive and motivated to build community connections
• Comfortable using email, phone calls, and basic digital tools.
• Able to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun.

Do you enjoy organising, creating order, and helping resources reach the people who need them most? As a Stock Sorting and Organising Volunteer, you will play a vital role in ensuring our donation hub remains welcoming, well-stocked, and easy to access for women and families. By sorting, organising, and monitoring donated items, you'll help make sure essential clothing, toiletries, toys, and baby items are readily available when they are needed.

What you will be doing

• Contacting and building relationships with local organisations and community groups
• Promoting opportunities to donate clothing, toiletries, toys, baby items, and other essentials
• Coordinating donation drives and collection opportunities
• Arranging the collection and delivery of donated items to the Tower Hamlets hub
• Keeping records of donations and partnership contacts
• Identifying new opportunities for community engagement and support
• Working closely with the Volunteer Coordinator and hub staff to understand current donation needs.

The skills you need

• Friendly, confident, and comfortable communicating with a range of people.
• Passionate about supporting women and families.
• Organised and able to manage tasks independently.
• Proactive and motivated to build community connections
• Comfortable using email, phone calls, and basic digital tools
• Able to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Be the Friendly Face That Makes Someone Feel Welcome

As a Hub Volunteer, you'll be one of the first people women and families meet when they visit our hub. Your warm welcome, friendly approach, and practical support will help create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment from the moment they arrive.

If you're compassionate, enjoy connecting with people, and want to make a meaningful difference, this rewarding role offers the opportunity to positively impact the lives of women and families accessing our services every day.

What you will be doing

• Welcoming women and families as they arrive at the hub
• Helping visitors feel comfortable and explaining how the service works.
• Offering refreshments and creating a warm, friendly atmosphere
• Supporting women as they browse and select clothing, toiletries, toys, baby items, and other essentials.
• Packing donations and essential items to be sent to refuges and other services.
• Preparing and dispatching parcels through the post office when required.
• Liaising with drivers to organise the collection and delivery of items
• Helping keep the hub tidy, organised, and welcoming for all visitors
• Providing a positive and respectful experience for everyone accessing the service.

The skills you need

• Friendly, approachable, and empathetic.
• Passionate about supporting women and families.
• Comfortable interacting with people from a wide range of backgrounds
• Reliable and able to work as part of a team
• Organised and willing to help with practical tasks
• Respectful of confidentiality and professional boundaries

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Are You Creative, Organised, and Passionate About Making a Difference?

Turn your ideas into meaningful experiences as an Activity Coordinator Volunteer. You'll help plan and deliver fun, engaging activities that promote wellbeing, build confidence, and bring people together.

From arts and crafts and games to wellbeing sessions, themed events, and community outings, every activity you support will help create connections, inspire smiles, and make a positive impact on people's lives.

What you will be doing

• Support the planning and delivery of activities based on the interests of service users
• Help facilitate social groups such as coffee mornings, walking groups, and activity workshops.
• Encourage participation and help create a welcoming, inclusive environment.
• Build positive relationships with service users and support them to develop confidence and social connections.
• Work alongside staff to identify new activity ideas and opportunities.
• Assist with setting up and tidying away activities where required
• Provide occasional one-to-one support, such as accompanying service users to appointments, shopping trips, or community activities.

The skills you need

• Friendly, approachable, and a good listener
• Organised and dependable.
• Confident engaging with a diverse range of people.
• Creative and interested in helping others try new activities.
• Respectful of confidentiality and professional boundaries
• Able to work as part of a team.

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Love Music? Make a Difference.

Could your passion for music help someone find their voice?

Music has the power to lift moods, reduce stress, build confidence, and support mental wellbeing. As a volunteer, you'll help create a welcoming space where people can express their emotions, relax, and experience the joy of making music together.

If you'd like to inspire others through the power of music, we'd love to hear from you.

What you will be doing

• To prepare music sessions, involving individuals in the planning process where possible
• Inspire and motivate individuals to develop their musical skills, assisting them in the creation of their projects and supporting them to brainstorm and use their own initiative
• Encourage individuals to continue independent activities

The skills you need

• Experience of Music either in a professional, educational, or personal level
• Able to collaborate with individuals to plan a music group session and facilitate confidently
• A calm and patient manner
• Ability to provide a trusting, open, kind-hearted atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• An effective communicator with a patient and sympathetic nature
• Ability to handle individuals with complex needs and work with a person-centred approach

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Our volunteers are vital members of the Citizens Advice Barnet team.

If you’re looking for a worthwhile experience and excellent training, there may be a suitable volunteering role waiting for you at Citizens Advice Barnet.

Volunteering is a great way to contribute, use and gain skills, make friends and feel part of an enthusiastic team.

Most of the work we do is carried out by highly trained volunteers. We very much value the work of all our volunteers, who strongly uphold the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice service.

After successfully completing the initial training, you will:

• assist clients on reception,
• call back clients who have been referred to us,
• give advice via email,
• speak to clients on our helpline,
• support clients in person at drop-in advice sessions throughout Barnet,
• undertake administrative tasks supporting the advice team.

Purpose of the role

• help provide an effective and efficient advice service to members of the public,
• help influence government and other organisations by collecting evidence of the effect of their actions on the lives of clients for the Research & Campaigns team to use,
• help us raise essential funds to continue our work by collecting evidence of the need we address and our impact.

Qualities Required:

• being open, approachable and non-judgmental,
• ability to communicate effectively in writing and in person,
• a good level of literacy and numeracy skills,
• a good level of IT literacy,
• ability to commit to 2 days a week for at least 9 months,
• ability to commit to and work within the aims, principles and policies of the Citizens Advice service.

For more than a century, the RAF Benevolent Fund has stood beside the RAF Family;
through war and peace, hardship and change. From the first day in uniform to the final
years of life, we have been a constant source of emotional, practical and financial support.
Today, our work reaches serving personnel, veterans, families and the bereaved in more
than 30 countries.
As the demands on the RAF Family grow in complexity and urgency, so too must the resilience
of the charity that serves them. Our ability to provide life-changing support, whether keeping a
family in their home, helping veterans navigate injury or isolation, or walking beside the
bereaved, relies on strong, stable and sustainable income streams. Therefore, we are seeking a
Trustee with significant fundraising expertise to help shape and strengthen our long-term
financial future. The successful candidate will join our diverse and highly skilled Board and
Fundraising, Communications and Engagement Committee to:
• play a key strategic role in supporting our fundraising vision and strategy
• provide strategic input into fundraising plans and campaigns
• support and advise on income generation, donor engagement and partnerships
The full role description can be found on our website here. The role is voluntary, however
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses are paid. We will provide the successful candidate with a
bespoke induction programme and relevant training / development.
Interested?
We would love to hear from you if you have the experience and passion we are seeking.
Please send an up-to-date CV and covering email / letter outlining your background, skills,
experience and interest in the role. Email address and contact details can be found on our website. If you have any questions about the role or would like to have an informal
discussion prior to applying, please contact Lisa (information on website).
We welcome applications from anyone who has the experience we are seeking, irrespective of
background, community, industry or protected characteristics. If you require any reasonable
adjustments as part of your application process, please let us know. You must be eligible to be
a charity trustee under UK law to be considered for this role. We operate safer selection
practices; this will involve the successful candidate being required to have a Disclosure and
Barring Service check.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and this position will remain open until we
have found our ideal candidate. No agencies please.

130 Primrose is a charity restaurant in Primrose Hill using hospitality as a vehicle for change- recruiting, training and employing people with lived experience of homelessness.

In just 12 months, we’ve already supported individuals into paid work, qualifications, and long-term employment pathways. Now, we’re entering an exciting growth phase, with ambitions to scale our model to new sites and reach significantly more people. 

We’re seeking a Strategic Finance Trustee to join our board and help guide this next stage- bringing commercial insight, financial clarity, and strategic challenge as we grow.

About the Role

This is a strategic, non-operational trustee position for a senior finance leader who can translate financial insight into clear, practical decision-making.

You’ll work closely with the Chair, CEO, and Board to ensure our model is financially sustainable, scalable, and impactful- supporting both our social mission and our trading activity.

Our model combines earned income (restaurant operations) with social impact, making financial leadership a critical lever for success.

What You’ll Do

• Support the Board on financial strategy, planning, and risk oversight
• Challenge and refine forecasting and cashflow planning (12–36 months)
• Strengthen financial visibility (P&L, balance sheet, cash) for operational teams
• Advise on unit economics, including menu margins, labour model, and cost control
• Improve budgeting, KPIs, and scenario modelling to support growth (e.g. new sites)
• Contribute to funding strategy, including grants, partnerships, and social investment
• Help establish and potentially chair a Finance & Risk Committee
• Ensure strong governance, compliance, and financial controls
• Act as a critical friend- supporting and constructively challenging leadership

About You

We’re looking for a senior finance leader (e.g. CFO, Finance Director, or equivalent) who brings:

• Significant experience leading financial strategy within complex organisations
• Strong understanding of forecasting, cashflow, and scenario planning
• Ability to translate financial complexity into clear, actionable insight
• A commercial mindset with empathy for social impact
• Experience of governance and working at board or executive level

Desirable:

• Experience in hospitality, multi-site operations, or customer-led businesses
• Exposure to social enterprise, scaling organisations, or blended income models

Time Commitment

• Approx. 1–2 days per month
• Monthly board meetings (hybrid, typically evenings)
• Quarterly Finance & Risk Committee meetings
• Occasional ad hoc support and review of papers
• Initial term: 3 years (renewable)

Why Join Us?

• Shape the growth of a high-potential, mission-led organisation
• Apply your expertise to a scalable social enterprise model
• Join a committed, ambitious, and values-driven board
• Play a direct role in helping people rebuild their lives through work
• Contribute to changing perceptions of homelessness through employment

Apply

Please submit:

• Your CV
• A short cover note (max 500 words) outlining your interest and relevant experience

We welcome your consideration to join our board of trustees.

Feeding Britain is the charity established in 2015 to implement the recommendations of the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Hunger in the United Kingdom. We are working toward a future where nobody in the UK goes hungry, through a combination of direct project delivery, the allocation of grants to local partner organisations, and through our parliamentary links which enable us to provide policy recommendations based on the findings of our own Academic Advisory Group.

Feeding Britain is radically reforming the role, characteristics, and functions of community food provision across the UK through the establishment and development of Affordable Food Clubs which offer beneficiaries attainable pathways from poverty with a reduced risk of depending on emergency food parcels.

Expansion has been rapid: we are soon to establish our 150th local Feeding Britain partnership. In late 2023 we were selected as one of three Christmas Appeal charities by The Times & Sunday Times, in 2025 we were chosen as The Old Vic’s Christmas fundraising charity partner, and in 2026 we announced a long-term partnership with Gordon Ramsay. This is in addition to our Nourish The Nation partnership with Comic Relief and Sainsbury’s.

We are expanding our trustee board and seek a recruit with interest and expertise in finance and/or risk management, to serve as the trustee lead to oversee this aspect of our work. In addition, candidates should have a strong empathy towards our mission to tackle food poverty in innovative and creative ways. The broad duties of a trustee are outlined in Charity Commission website guidance, The essential trustee: what you need to know, what you need to do.

Role Description

The Trustee will take on the functions of an Honorary Treasurer, in monitoring the financial administration of the charity and, alongside the Finance Director, reporting to the board of trustees at regular intervals on its state of financial health.

Responsibilities may include:

· Leading in the board’s duty to ensure that proper accounting records are kept, financial resources are properly controlled, invested and economically spent, in line with good governance, legal and regulatory requirements

· Leading in the development and implementation of financial reserves, cost‐management and investment policies, as well as financial control and risk-management procedures alongside sound budgetary and accounting practices

· Liaising, where applicable, with the appropriate member of staff responsible for the financial activities of the organisation

· Monitoring and advising on the financial viability of the charity

· Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan

· Acting as a counter signatory on charity cheques and important applications to funders

· Board‐level liaison with the external auditors on specific issues such as the Auditors’ Management Letter and the related board representations.

Essential Person Specifications:

· Current knowledge of accountancy, auditing, bookkeeping and financial management practices

· Strategic financial planning, forecasting, and reporting skills

· The ability to present and communicate financial information in an accessible way

· An understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of a trustee

· A commitment to devote the necessary time to prepare for, attend and contribute meaningfully at trustee meetings

Thank you for your consideration.

About us 

Dons Local Action Group is a volunteer-led community organisation dedicated to supporting people in crisis and creating meaningful impact through collective action. Through partnerships, volunteers and local initiatives, we work to provide practical support and strengthen our communities across food, technology and furniture. 

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and creative volunteer to join our Marketing team and help us grow our digital presence, engage supporters, and tell the stories that matter. 

What you'll do: 

• Manage and moderate our social media channels

• Support the creation of engaging content across platforms

• Help plan and schedule posts and campaigns

• Analyse channel performance and identify key insights

• Suggest ideas to improve engagement and evolve our communications

We’re looking for someone who: 

• Has an interest in marketing, social media or communications

• Is creative, organised and proactive

• Has strong written communication skills

• Enjoys working with data and spotting trends

• Wants to contribute to a meaningful cause

What you'll gain: 

• Hands-on marketing and social media experience

• Opportunities to develop content and analytics skills

• Flexible volunteering around your schedule

• The chance to make a real impact in the community

Interested? We'd love to hear from you. Tell us a bit about yourself and why you'd like to get involved. 

We are looking for women who hold intersectional feminist values and principles and who are passionate about the mission and values of SARA. We are particularly looking for Trustees who have relevant qualifications and/or experience in the following areas: 

 - Human resources and personnel management, including a knowledge of employment legislation.  

- Financial management, planning and budgeting.  

- Secretarial, supporting with minuting, scheduling board meetings and coordinating action plans. 

SARA's values are:

- Compassion: Compassion means actively caring, not just surface kindness. We show up without judgment, meeting every survivor where they are, without assumptions or shame.

- Community: We do more than support people; we stand with them. We see people as more than “service users”, giving voice to the voiceless.

- Growth: Recovery is gentle, growth happens in small steps. We support everyone to find their strength and voice in a way that works for them.

- Integrity: We’re trustworthy. We do what we say we'll do. Confidentiality is sacred. 

- Hopefulness: Healing is possible, but it's not always easy. We'll hold you up while you find a new version of yourself.

We started as a feminist collective in 2010 growing into Trafford Rape Crisis and then becoming TRC Sexual Abuse & Rape Support Greater Manchester, supporting women all over Greater Manchester.

SARA (launched 2026) evolved from that vision, thanks to all the women and supporters who came before us. Our founders understood that sexual violence doesn’t happen in isolation. It intersects with race, disability, poverty, sexuality and gender identity. So, our support must reflect this reality.

We exist to support survivors of sexual violence through trauma-informed care, advocacy, and community connection. 

We’re a feminist organisation providing counselling, helpline support, Independent Sexual Violence Advocacy (ISVA), community support and digital resources for women affected by gender-based violence. We believe in putting people at the centre of our care, meeting them where they are.

While we dream of systemic change, our primary focus is providing the specialist support survivors need right now – from early support to long-term healing, from practical advocacy to building supportive communities.

About Trans Legal Clinic 

The Trans Legal Clinic is the first trans-led specialist gender identity legal practice and registered charity in the UK. The mission of the Trans Legal Clinic is simple; we provide free and accessible legal help to transgender and non-binary people in need. Our overarching vision is a society where all people have access to the legal resources required for gender self-determination and where gender diversity is not just accepted but embraced, with trans* people equipped with the necessary legal tools to navigate the world in their affirmed gender. 

What you’ll be doing 

The Casework department is the core of our organisation. The department helps clients across four key themes: Housing and Homelessness, Discrimination, Gender Recognition, Gender-Based Violence 

As a caseworker, you will work directly with clients by offering them support and advocacy.With support from our lead caseworkers, you will help progress cases by providing legal guidance, signposting clients to resources, writing letters, and other administrative support. It is a dynamic environment with truly rewarding work. Full training will be provided. 

About you 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with good communication and organisation skills to support the transgender community. Volunteering and administrative experience is beneficial but not essential. We are particularly interested in applications from people interested or studying law.

Lead Volunteer

Mind Retail

About the role

Without the help and support we receive from our Lead Volunteers and volunteer teams we wouldn’t be successful at what we do. Our Lead Volunteers play a key role by supporting the shop management team with the day to day running and management of our shops - helping us to raise crucial funds from the sale of pre-loved, donated stock to fund Mind's vital mental health support services.

Our shops are vibrant hubs in local communities across England and Wales. In our Lead Volunteer role, you’ll play a key part in building this community, helping to create a culture where every person is valued and supported - and where people have fun!

You can gain a wide variety of knowledge, skills and experience by becoming one of our valued Lead Volunteers, including:

· Experience working as part of, and leading, a diverse team

· Shop management, retail management and key holder experience

· Opportunities to improve your management, leadership and interpersonal skills

· Stock organisation, processing, pricing and merchandising skills

· Cash handling skills, including management cash functions

· Understanding of sales information, including takings

· Commercial knowledge and skills

· Understanding of policies and procedures

· Administrative skills

· IT skills

· Additional learning and development opportunities, including your own eLearning account with access to personal and professional development courses

Our Lead Volunteer roles are also flexible, so they're perfect for fitting in around your commitments. We value any time that you can give us, so whether it’s a few hours a week or a few days – we’d love to hear from you!

We need great people like you to help us in the fight for mental health. Will you join us?

Click on the role profile to find out more about our Lead Volunteer role and read on to hear some stories from our existing Lead Volunteers!

About You

• Commitment to our values & behaviours
• Enthusiastic and committed to achieving shop targets
• Flexible and adaptable approach
• Ability to work as a team and on your own initiative
• Able to build good working relationships
• Ability to work within Mind Retail’s policies and procedures
• Willingness to learn
• Good customer service skills
• Good communication skills

About Mind Retail

Mind Retail are a network of almost 200 shops across England and Wales, generating a net income of around £21 million per year. We have ambitious plans to grow over the next few years and we're going to be fighting for mental health in a way we never have before. We won't stop until everyone with a mental health problem gets the support and respect they deserve.

Safer Recruitment at Mind Retail

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our employees and volunteers and we expect anyone working or volunteering with us to share this commitment. This role may involve the supervision of young volunteers who are under 18. Because of this, the minimum age for this role is 18 and under our Safer Recruitment Policy, you’ll also be required to agree to an enhanced DBS check.

Our Commitment

We embrace the different perspectives that each of us bring. We want our staff and volunteers to be authentic and bring their whole selves to work. We want Mind to be a workplace that truly reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people we support. Where everyone is appreciated – regardless of race, gender, age, religion, identity and experience.

Hear from some of our existing Lead Volunteers…

Stuart, Lead Volunteer at our North Shields Mind Shop

Why did you want to become a Lead Volunteer?

I chose to volunteer at Mind, specifically because of the cause – I support the charity in what they want to achieve. Mind also supported me through the lockdown period during the pandemic, which I found very isolating.

I’ve volunteered for Mind for 20 years - I started volunteering for Mind in 2005. At the time, I had a full-time job, but I wanted to try volunteering. I’ve volunteered in a number of Mind shops, including Wallsend, Whitley Bay, Gateshead (which was where I became a Lead Volunteer) and finally, North Shields.

I wanted to become a Lead Volunteer to gain more experience, which I can then pass onto others. I now undertake key holder duties in my current shop. It was a little scary to begin with, but there was plenty of support from the wider region and I feel really proud to now be doing the role.

What knowledge and skills have you gained or developed whilst being in the Lead Volunteer role?

I’ve developed my technology skills – I’ve learnt how to use the till, how to use the computer including emails and Microsoft Teams, how to complete eLearning and the new Gift Aid hub. I struggled a bit before with technology, so it’s really helped me to be exposed to it more. I’ve also developed cash handling skills and how to deal with external contractors. My confidence has really grown and I’m also now able to cover local stores too!

What do you enjoy most about being a Lead Volunteer?

I really enjoy giving amazing customer service and working with the team of staff and volunteers – we have lots of fun whilst we work! The shop has a great atmosphere. My Shop Manager has said she couldn’t do without me! I would really recommend for anyone to come and volunteer with Mind – it’s a great way to meet new people.

Lead Volunteer at our Turnham Green Mind Shop

Why did you want to become a Lead Volunteer?

I wanted to become a Lead Volunteer because I wanted to take on more responsibilities and keep myself as productive as possible. By taking on more responsibilities, I’m able to support the wider team with certain activities within the shop. It’s also helped me become less focused on my myself and my own problems. I suffer from low self-esteem and felt that by becoming a Lead Volunteer, it would help strengthen my self-worth.

What knowledge and skills have you gained or developed whilst being in the Lead Volunteer role?

As I have never worked in retail, becoming a Lead Volunteer has given me more insight into how the retail industry and how Mind Retail operates day-to-day. I have become more patient and not as isolated as before. My communication skills have improved too.

What do you enjoy most about being a Lead Volunteer?

Certain customers are confiding in me about their mental health. I find it great to be able to assist and provide some support. We all just need an ear to listen…

It’s also great to be able to make decisions too. The team I work with at the shop are very supportive and understanding – they look after me and I feel like a belong to a small family. The team really understand that our shops are not just shops! They’re a place where everyone, including those with mental health problems, can feel safe and listened to.

We’re Mind, the leading mental health charity. We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. We provide advice and support to empower anybody experiencing a mental health problem and we campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding.

Our volunteers are a fundamental part of our shops. Any time which they volunteer at our shops, help us be there for more people who are experiencing a mental health problem. 

About the volunteer role

To provide our volunteers with opportunities to gain a variety of skills and experience, we offer them a range of volunteer roles to choose from, which include:

• Stock preparation volunteer
• Volunteer shop sales assistant
• Volunteer stock generation assistant
• Volunteer window dresser/Merchandiser
• Specialist knowledge volunteer (antiques and collectables)
• Specialist knowledge volunteer (books and entertainment)
• Housekeeping volunteer

Key tasks

There is a variety of tasks within the above mentioned roles that our volunteers get involved with, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers with their purchases, providing them with great customer service and a delightful shopping experience
• Receiving donated items from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated items for sale
• Creating visually appealing window and in-store displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, clean and coordinated
• Processing sales and serving at the till
• Signing up gift aid donors
• Stock rotation
• Identifying special or valuable items within donated stock

About you

• Passionate about customer service 
• Good communication skills 
• Friendly and helpful
• Respectful of others and their diversity

Experience & skills you will gain

• Experience of working as part of a team
• Retail experience 
• Stock organisation
• Selling skills 
• Customer service skills 

Our Commitment

We are committed to becoming actively anti-racist in everything we do. This is a critical priority for Mind. We embrace diversity and understand that being an inclusive organisation, recognising different perspectives, will enable us to provide excellent services. We are committed to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work and promoting equity in physical and mental health for all.