Volunteer roles for the Social Welfare sector

Applications close at 9 a.m. Friday 20th February 2026.

Location: Flexible (Via has services across London, NW England and SW England)

Who we are
Via is an exceptional charity that puts people at the heart of everything we do. Over three decades, we’ve evolved from our origins as Westminster Drug Project, with a new, now award-winning name and brand, into a dynamic, multi-service organisation delivering vital support across substance use, mental health, employment, sexual health, smoking cessation and youth services. With a turnover of £36m for 24/25 and remarkable growth of over a third in 2023/24, we’re now supporting over 12,500 service users annually across an expanding geographical footprint from London to Gloucestershire.

Our commitment to excellence and innovation is evident in our industry-leading services, which consistently perform significantly above the national average. We’re particularly proud to be pioneering the development of the UK’s first women-only detox facility, demonstrating our commitment to addressing crucial gaps in service provision.

The opportunity

As we have experienced growth and welcomed a new Chair to the Board, we are looking to appoint a new Trustee. We are looking for someone with clinical experience in substance misuse or mental health services who can provide valuable insights into clinical risk and governance and service delivery. While an understanding of our service users’ treatment and care is important, the Trustee does not need to have current experience in drug and alcohol services. We value the ability and willingness to learn just as highly.

This offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while contributing your professional expertise to advance our strategic objectives and ensure we deliver the highest quality services to those we support.

Time Commitment: The equivalent of a day a month.

The Board meets quarterly, usually in person. Including preparation time, representation at events, and strategic input, we estimate a commitment of the equivalent of a day per month.

This includes:

• Four Board meetings per year
• Quarterly committee meetings
• Annual strategy away day
• Preparation for meetings
• Ad hoc conversations with fellow board members and the Executive
• Occasional representation at events and meetings with key stakeholders, including at services.

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 at 9 a.m. Friday 20th February 2026.

Zumba is an upbeat and lively dance that will put a smile on everyone’s face. Are you qualified to deliver an online Zumba class and would like to give back to the community?

We are recruiting for a volunteer to bring some positive energy, fun and demonstrate the health benefits of Zumba through online sessions!

What you will be doing

• Coordinate and set up a weekly Online Zumba class
• Inspire and motivate members to take part in the sessions and take a role in planning/designing upcoming sessions
• Create a fun and safe space for individuals to express themselves through Zumba
• Encourage members of the group to connect and relate to each other through expression of Zumba

The skills you need

• Qualified to teach Zumba
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages participation
• Calm and patient 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.

Are you interested in facilitating a peer support group for people who are struggling with their mental health? We are looking for passionate volunteers to facilitate a weekly online or face-to-face group, to discuss topics relating to mental health. We are hoping to find someone who has either ‘lived experience’ of mental health issues and is now at a positive place with their own recovery or someone who has good knowledge of mental health and looking to support others.

What you will be doing

• Facilitating weekly peer support groups, covering topics related to mental health.
• Promote a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental atmosphere where all members feel valued and heard
• Encourage mutual support, active listening, and shared problem-solving within the group
• Manage group dynamics sensitively, ensuring discussions remain constructive and inclusive
• Collaborate with staff to monitor group wellbeing and escalate any concerns appropriately
• Assist in planning and preparing for each session, including topic prompts or themes if needed
• Maintain confidentiality in line with organisational policies and safeguarding standards.

The skills you need

• Lived experience of mental health challenges is highly valued and can be a strong foundation for this role
• Good communication and active listening skills
• Ability to facilitate group discussions with empathy and patience
• Understanding of boundaries and confidentiality in a mental health context.
• A non-judgmental, supportive, and encouraging attitude
• Experience in peer support or group facilitation is an advantage but not essential; training will be provided

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.

Bring a Personal Touch to Supporting Our Legacy Community

Help us bulid personal connections with our leagagcy supporters, making them feel supported and valued.

The legacy marketing team steward supporters who have, or may, pledge a donation to the Fund in their will. Gifts in Wills are an essential source of income for the Fund and are due to bring in around £10 million in 2025 with a similar amount forecast for 2026 and are the largest income stream. These donations are vital to the Fund’s ability to provide support to the RAF Family at the scale we are able to – supporting 64,876 members of the RAF Family in 2024, offering timely, compassionate and tailored help. With In-Memory, these are supporters who have either donated in-memory of a loved one who has passed or are funds collected from a funeral collection.

Volunteers in this role will help the Fund to add a more personal touch to how we communicate with and steward our legacy supporters. This role will enhance the Fund’s relationships with these individuals and provide a more tailored approach to thanking them for the generous gifts that allow us to provide our services. 

Volunteers are asked to support the legacy and in-memory marketing team in a variety of ways that enhance the experience of our legacy and in-memory. Volunteers can choose to help in any or all of the below ways – for all of which you will be provided with a script by the team:

• Hand writing letters of thanks to supporters offering thanks for their support depending on their relationship with the Fund (e.g. considering leaving a gift, already pledged to leve a gift, received an in-memory donation etc).

• Phoning attendees of legacy events ahead of the event to check their attendance, any requirements and answer any questions.

• Assembling gift packs to be given out at legacy events.

• Assit with our online Much Loved pages by adding a thank you message and providing personal touches to dedication page such as lighting candles when they set the page up and again around significant anniversaries (training will be provided for this element inhouse).

Skills and attributes needed for this role include: 

• Empathetic

• Clear, neat, legible handwriting 

• Good listener 

• Confident telephone manner 

• Able to handle sensitive or emotional conversations centred around death (if choosing to help with the telephone part of the role).

• Able to use Microsoft Excel for record keeping (guidance provided). 

We are recruiting for a volunteer who would like to play a role in helping others to express themselves through writing. Would you like to support others to use their imagination to portray a message?

Creative writing is a great way to express yourself using your own creativity and imagination through story telling or poetry. It is an opportunity to reflect on your own experiences and put it down on paper. Creative writing has been shown to improve emotional and mental well-being. Through creative writing, we can gain insight into our emotions, develop self-expression and communication skills, cultivate empathy and understanding of others, boost our imagination and creativity.

What you will be doing

• Lead and facilitate a weekly Creative Writing Group, encouraging participants to explore their thoughts and feelings through writing exercises, prompts, and storytelling.
• Guide a subsequent Feelings Forum where participants can share and discuss emotions sparked by the writing session or current experiences in a respectful and supportive atmosphere
• Foster an inclusive, non-judgmental environment where all voices are heard and valued
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to the organisation’s safeguarding and mental health protocols
• Prepare session materials and adapt activities to meet the needs of diverse participants

The skills you need

• Prepare session materials and adapt activities to meet the needs of diverse participants
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with sensitivity to mental health challenges
• Ability to facilitate group discussions and manage diverse emotional responses constructively
• Patience, empathy, and a non-judgmental approach.
• Training or experience in mental health, counselling, social work, or a related field is advantageous but not essential

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.

Are you creative? Would you like to support others to express their emotions through arts and crafting? You will be supporting people to express their emotions, provide a time for people to relax and feel proud of their final art products!

What you will be doing

• To prepare arts and craft sessions, involving individuals in the planning process where possible
• Inspire and motivate individuals to develop their arts and craft 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 arts and/or crafts either in a professional, educational, or personal level
• Able to collaborate with individuals to plan an art 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

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.

We are looking for volunteers who would like to play a role in building people’s confidence! As an English-speaking volunteer whether native or fluent and with any kind of accent or background, you will have the skills needed to support people who would like to improve and learn the English language. Just by talking to those wanting to learn, you will be helping and making a difference!

What you will be doing

• Prepare and deliver engaging and supportive ESOL sessions tailored to learners’ needs
• Help participants improve everyday English for social situations, key events, and community integration

The skills you need

• Patience, empathy, and a passion for empowering others
• Ability to create a welcoming and inclusive learning environment
• Preferably hold a TEFL qualification but not a necessity

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.

Based at Camberwell Office with occasional travel

Closing date - Monday, 16th February 2025 at 9:00am

Are you a proactive, dynamic and collaborative individual with a proven record of providing efficient, high-quality administrative support to a range of stakeholders?  If so, St Giles is looking for a Volunteer Education Project Coordinator to provide first-class administrative support to our pioneering SOS+ Service.
About St Giles Trust 

An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need.  Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

About SOS+ Education -VEX team

Working with young people in a variety of educational settings, St. Giles’ SOS+ Service delivers early intervention work, through one-to-one mentoring and preventative sessions on violence, vulnerability and exploitation. The mission of SOS+ is to prevent children and young people becoming involved in gangs and youth violence by equipping them with tools, knowledge and support delivered by experts with lived experience.

About this key role

As Volunteer Education Project Coordinator, you’ll take the lead on coordinating project bookings, managing communication with schools and partners, and ensuring smooth delivery of the SOS+ service through first-class administrative, data, and logistical support. Your work will directly contribute to St Giles Trust’s mission to create safer communities and empower young people to thrive.

What you’ll be doing:

· Coordinating bookings for SOS+ education projects and managing the team’s delivery calendar.

· Supporting income generation by bringing in new Spot Purchase bookings.

· Recording accurate project data, monitoring deliverables, and flagging barriers to success.

· Organising travel, accommodation, and logistics for virtual and face-to-face delivery.

· Assisting with data collection, evaluation, and performance reporting.

· Following up on business development leads and supporting project growth.

What we are looking for

· A proven track record of providing efficient, high-quality administrative support

· Experience of coordinating bookings, managing calendars, booking travel and accommodation, and providing high-quality customer service via phone calls, emails, and in meetings

· Experience of project coordination, ideally including partnership work with schools and external organisations to achieve agreed outcomes

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written

· A flexible, collaborative and professional approach to your work.

Please note:  as an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients and successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Child Workforce with Child Barred list DBS.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.
Closing date: Monday, 16th February 2025 at 9:00am

We will be reviewing applications as they are received, and reserve the right to close this advert early if a suitable candidate is appointed. We therefore strongly encourage early applications to avoid any disappointment.

Join Addiction Family Support

Addiction Family Support is the leading UK registered charity supporting adults affected or bereaved by a loved one's harmful use of alcohol, drugs, or gambling.

The Role: Helpline Call Taker (Family Support Volunteer)

As a Helpline Call Taker at Addiction Family Support, you will play a key role in offering emotional and practical support to individuals impacted by a loved one's addiction. You will provide a compassionate, non-judgmental listening ear, helping individuals navigate challenging circumstances.

This is a flexible role that is delivered remotely. Family Support Volunteers work within a flexible rota system to accommodate their availability and commitments while ensuring ongoing support for those who need it most.

Responsibilities:

• Offer empathetic and non-judgmental emotional support to individuals impacted by a loved one’s addiction.
• Provide relevant information, literature, and resources to help clients or group members cope with their situations.
• Offer structured emotional support adhering to guidelines and safeguarding measures.
• Maintain accurate records in line with GDPR and the charity’s policies.
• Participate in ongoing training, mentoring, and support sessions to enhance your skills and knowledge.
• Handle any potential safeguarding concerns and signpost clients to additional services when necessary.

Training and Development:

All Family Support Volunteers undergo a comprehensive three half day training programme covering addiction, core counselling skills, the 5-Step Method, bereavement, safeguarding, and self-care. Ongoing supervision, mentoring, and further development opportunities are available to support volunteers in their roles.

Join Our Team of Change-Makers

Are you ready to make a difference? We're on the lookout for vibrant, enthusiastic, proactive and collaborative individuals with the right skills and experience to become part of our incredible charity.

Be Part of Something Special

Our clients' continuous positive feedback speaks volumes about the impact of our work, and we take immense pride in it. Emilia Fox, one of our dedicated Patrons, stands with us in our mission.

Join an Award-Winning Journey

This is your chance to become part of an award-winning charity where every day is an opportunity to contribute to the greater good. If you're seeking a dynamic environment filled with compassionate individuals dedicated to creating positive change, we invite you to apply or reach out with any enquiries.

Join our Board of Trustees as Treasurer

Who we are

Registered in 1999, Daybreak is a charity whose foundations are in growing the practice of Family Group Conferences in the UK. From this, we have seen the positive impact that occurs when families and communities are empowered to take action when faced with challenging situations.

People and communities often feel disempowered - especially those whose lives are influenced by the systems around them. However, we know that people can take action to support each other and choose what action to take when given the right opportunity to have their voice heard.

This is why we believe in a world where families, people’s wider social networks, and communities work together to make decisions and proactively solve the problems affecting their lives.

Now, utilising a range of solution-focused approaches and working alongside partner organisations and within the community, we bring people together to create opportunities for them to communicate, work together, and choose what actions to take, in order to move forward, be safe, and thrive.

Throughout our various programs, our work centres around the principles of voluntary participation, transparency and openness for all, advocacy for those who need it, and for our contribution to be facilitative not prescriptive.

Who we’re looking for

We are looking to welcome a new Treasurer to our Board of Trustees.

To serve as one of Daybreak’s trustees is to play a fundamental role in enabling our charity to pursue its vision, mission, and values. Your contribution to discussions and decision-making at the highest level of our organization will ensure that we can continue to provide our services to those in need of our support.

In addition to the general duties of a Trustee, as Treasurer, your input will be critical to safeguarding the financial integrity and sustainability of our charity. You will ensure that appropriate financial measures are upheld and share your insights with the Board about the financial health of our organisation. Your experience will enable us to understand the obstacles we face and how we can navigate these challenges.

The role is more focused on strategy than detail. You will offer crucial guidance and support to management in developing a growth strategy that will allow Daybreak to reach more people and touch more lives.

There is no requirement for you to have experience as a Trustee. All we need is a willingness to use your skills and expertise to support Daybreak, a desire to make a difference for our service users, and a commitment to active participation in the role.

We would especially welcome applications from under-represented sections of society or those with experience of some of the issues facing our beneficiaries.

The time commitment involved is around thirty hours per year, though a wide range of opportunities to get involved in the Board’s work will be provided. Board meetings are usually held quarterly at our head office in Southampton, Hampshire or online.

What we offer

As a trustee you will be given:

• Induction and ongoing support.
• Board-level experience in a friendly environment, with the opportunity to exercise your existing skills and develop new ones. Our Board contains a diverse range of individuals from various backgrounds, including business and family services, and you will be able to tap into and learn from the breadth of knowledge that they possess.
• Scope to drive a growth strategy designed to expand our services and allow us to give more families and communities the chance to take control of their circumstances. Your experience and insight will be vital in enabling us to channel the power of families and communities coming together to strengthen the bonds between them.
• A comprehensive insight into the charitable sector, the challenges it faces, and how these challenges can be overcome.
• The opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children, young people, and their families. Your strategic input will help spur positive change and empower families and communities to overcome their unique challenges, and you will see the beneficial impact of your decision-making play out across our services.
• The knowledge that your contribution has helped secure the best possible results for service users and navigate the challenges our charity faces. By helping us, you will help families to find more workable solutions to their problems, while avoiding plans being imposed upon them.

Our board positions are voluntary, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

How to apply

• Please read the full job description and person specification before applying on our websire
• Applications should be submitted by 15 February 2026. Interviews will be held week beginning 23 February 2026.

Why we want you

As branch secretary you help coordinate a range of activities and a calendar ofevents to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

• Communication with branch volunteers
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s central office
• Co-ordinating a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc..

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Strong administration skills
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Support in your role from the team at SSAFA
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

Why we want you

As branch secretary you help coordinate a range of activities and a calendar ofevents to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

• Communication with branch volunteers
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s central office
• Co-ordinating a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc..

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Strong administration skills
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Support in your role from the team at SSAFA
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

Why we want you

As branch secretary you help coordinate a range of activities and a calendar ofevents to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

• Communication with branch volunteers
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s central office
• Co-ordinating a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc..

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Strong administration skills
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Support in your role from the team at SSAFA
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

Why we want you

As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community to ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

This role is diverse and allows for you to focus on the areas that you have skills or interests in. The role has flexibility and can work around your other commitments.

Below are some examples of possible activities you can take on or be a part of as a SSAFA Community Engagement Volunteer.

What you will be doing

• Activity Organisers - Love planning? Help coordinate amazing events like charity dinners, carol concerts, and local fairs.
• Event Champions - Be the friendly face of SSAFA! Help at events, chat with visitors, sell merchandise, and spread the word about our work.
• Event Champions - Be the friendly face of SSAFA! Help at events, chat with visitors, sell merchandise, and spread the word about our work.
• Promoting SSAFA Services - Help provide a warm, welcoming presence at Veterans Breakfast clubs, cafes or hubs - offering information about SSAFA services and signposting as appropriate.
• SSAFA Storytellers -Deliver engaging talks to organisations and groups, sharing SSAFA’s incredible history and mission.
• Community Connectors - Collaborating with the Community Engagement Manager to establish a local network, promote SSAFA's services, and respond to community opportunities such as gardening projects.
• Fundraising Heroes - Whether it’s rallying local businesses, organising events, or getting creative with unique fundraising ideas, you’ll play a crucial role in keeping SSAFA’s support going strong.
• Administrators - Are you detail-oriented and love keeping things organised? Assist with branch and event administration, manage schedules and branch calendars, and ensure everything runs smoothly currently being undertaken.

The skills you need

• Be friendly and approachable.
• Confident to engage with the public, potential clients, volunteers and SSAFA colleagues face-to-face.
• Reliable attitude, staying connected with your Branch and/or Community Engagement Manager about your availability.
• Access to public transport or a car to get to events if necessary.
• Basic IT skills would be an advantage.

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others and make a difference.
• Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising awareness of SSAFA.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and SSAFA Community Engagement Manager.
• Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.