Volunteer roles

Use your expertise to shape education, influence communities, and grow as a leader 

Roles available at colleges across E10, London.

Are you a business leader or corporate professional looking to make a meaningful impact outside the boardroom? 

By becoming a volunteer governor at a further education (FE) or sixth form college, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of an organisation that transforms lives through education and skills—while strengthening your own governance experience and leadership credentials. 

Why it’s relevant to professionals like you 

Further education colleges train over 1.6 million learners annually, preparing the skilled workforce that keeps our economy moving—from engineers and IT specialists to healthcare professionals and construction experts. 

As a college governor, you’ll sit on the board of an FE institution (and registered charity), where your insight into strategy, risk, people, or finance will have a direct impact on how public funds are spent, how performance is measured, and how learners are supported to succeed. 

This is an opportunity to: 

• Apply your corporate skills in a leadership role 

• Gain board-level experience and enhance your CV 

• Contribute to local economic growth and social mobility 

• Support a vital sector during a time of transformation 

What will you be doing? 

As part of a governing board, you’ll: 

• Set strategic direction: help define the college’s mission and goals 

• Hold leadership to account: monitor finances, performance, and outcomes 

• Ensure governance excellence: make decisions in the best interests of learners and stakeholders 

• Act as a charity trustee: ensure financial sustainability and legal compliance 

You’ll also engage with senior leaders and external stakeholders, including local employers, regulators, and community partners. 

Who are we looking for? 

We welcome professionals from a broad range of sectors, including but not limited to: 

• Finance, Audit & Risk 

• HR, People & Culture 

• Strategy, Transformation & Operations 

• Technology, AI & Digital 

• Legal, Governance & Compliance 

• Marketing, PR & Communications 

• Education, apprenticeships, or vocational courses 

What matters most is your strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and commitment to helping others succeed. 

Prior education experience is not required. Full induction and training are provided, with access to DfE-funded development and peer mentoring where needed. 

Time commitment 

Expect to give approximately 1–2 days per month, including: 

• Attending board and committee meetings (in person or remote) 

• Reading papers and preparing questions 

• Participating in training and occasional college visits 

The time commitment is manageable alongside a full-time role—and many employers actively support staff to take on governance roles as part of their professional development. 

Where you’ll be needed 

Some colleges offer remote governance and meetings take place online. This may suit you best, or we may suggest a role where you volunteer on a hybrid basis at a college within a reasonable distance from you. We are recruiting governors for colleges across England, with new opportunities added regularly. 

What’s in it for you? 

This role offers the opportunity to: 

• Enhance your board-level and governance experience 

• Develop strategic oversight and leadership outside your day-to-day role 

• Expand your professional network 

• Give back in a way that creates long-term, measurable impact 

About Boards for Education 

Boards for Education is a charity that sources and supports volunteers for governing boards. We aim to improve educational outcomes for children, young people, and adult learners by strengthening governance across the education sector. 

With more than 25 years’ experience and a national network of partners, we connect schools, academy trusts, colleges, and education charities across England and Wales with skilled, independent volunteers. 

Ready to step into a strategic, purpose-driven leadership role? 

If you’re ready to bring your corporate insight to the education sector and help shape the future of skills, opportunity, and social mobility—we’d love to hear from you. 

Apply now to become a volunteer college governor. 

We’re looking for a dynamic and visionary Chair to lead our charity into its next chapter—someone who is both  entrepreneurial and ambitious, with the big-picture thinking to guide long-term strategy and the hands-on commitment to support our dayto-day impact. The Chair will provide strategic leadership to the Board, ensuring it operates effectively, upholds the charity’s values, and supports the executive team in delivering our mission. As an ambassador for the
organisation, the Chair will play a key role in shaping our public voice and forging relationships with stakeholders and the wider community. You’ll be an influential champion for our mission, bringing experience or passion from the charity, arts or
education sector, and an understanding of how to build an inclusive, supportive, and highperforming board.
This is a rewarding opportunity to make a lasting impact on a muchloved venue and creative organisation, ensuring it continues to thrive, inspire, and serve for years to come.

- Work closely with the Executive team to oversee and shape the delivery of the music centre’s new vision.

- Provide strategic leadership to the Board and ensure effective governance 

- Ensure the Board is focused on highlevel strategy, performance, and oversight of senior management 

- Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and effective Board culture

 - Chair Board meetings enabling constructive discussion, inclusive participation, and effective decisionmaking

-  Act as a key representative and ambassador for the charity, serving as a figurehead for the organisation and its Board of Trustees

- Ensure trustees receive accurate, timely, and relevant information to support informed governance and oversight
Plan annual cycle of Board meetings and Members’ meetings

Volunteer Social Media Manager

Giant Football Community Walk

Location: Remote

Time Commitment: Flexible, approximately 3 to 5 hours per week

The Giant Football Community Walk is looking for a volunteer Social Media Manager to help promote our 2026 event and engage with football supporters, clubs, foundations and supporter groups across the North West.

The event will bring together supporters from across the football pyramid for a 42km or 21km community walking challenge. Participants will represent their clubs, raise money for good causes and celebrate the positive role football plays within local communities.

What You’ll Do

• Manage and grow our Facebook and Instagram accounts

• Create and schedule social media content

• Promote participating clubs, supporter groups and charities

• Help recruit walkers, volunteers and supporters

• Respond to messages and engage with online communities

• Share participant stories, fundraising updates and event news

What We’re Looking For

You do not need professional marketing experience.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has good written communication skills

• Is confident using Facebook and Instagram

• Is organised and reliable

• Understands football culture and supporter communities

• Wants to contribute to a positive community event

What You’ll Gain

• Practical social media experience

• The opportunity to build relationships across the football community

• Experience supporting a large scale community event

• A reference recognising your contribution

About The Event

The Giant Football Community Walk aims to bring together supporters from clubs across the North West in a spirit of respect, community and friendly rivalry.

Football communities achieve remarkable things when they work together. We want our social media channels to reflect that.

If you would like to be involved, we’d love to hear from you.

About IRMO

IRMO works to enable the development, agency, and participation of Latin Americans and other Spanish and Portuguese speakers, by responding to both immediate needs and structural inequalities. We do this by offering high-quality information and advice services, opportunities for development and training, and a platform to seek social and systemic change. Our work is organised across three main operational areas - Advice and Casework; Education, Training and Employment; Children and Young People, and a cross-cutting area - Advocacy, Research and Campaigning. 

About the role

The Communication & Outreach Volunteer will work closely with the Communications, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (CMEL), assisting in a variety of outreach and communication tasks. This new role will support the communication of the impact of IRMO’s work externally and, crucially, spend time in the community promoting our services directly. 

By supporting this area of our work, you will play a key role in promoting our services, projects and activities to the Latin American community both in-person through outreach activities such as flyering and attending events, and online through the creation of social media posts. 

This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to develop their communication, design or promotional skills and professional experience. They will also be able to use their language, creative and interpersonal skills in a positive and impactful way. 

This role is particularly suited to someone who wants to volunteer with IRMO but wants the flexibility to complete their volunteering tasks on a schedule that best suits their availability and enjoys a flexible working environment. The post-holder will be expected to travel to community hubs regularly, but will also be able to complete tasks at IRMO’s offices or remotely. 

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Personally distributing flyers, posters and informative material to key community hubs such as libraries, shops, cafés and churches

• Support with the creation, translation and dissemination of informative material, such as social media posts, videos and printed leaflets

• Create visuals, flyers, posters and other materials using online tools such as Canva or Adobe Photoshop

• Occasionally accompany the CMEL officer to events or activities to take photos and videos, which can be used online

• Assisting the CMEL officer in actively promoting activities, services and events through different channels

We are looking for someone who is/has:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Spanish or Portuguese and good written English

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Experience or interest in using creative tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite 

• Experience or interest in social media management 

• Experience or interest in creating video or photo content

• Ability to work individually and a willingness to engage with community members 

• Confident and enthusiastic about working in a multicultural and multilingual environment

• Ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision

• Commitment to IRMO's mission, vision and values

Additional requirements

• Two references from current/previous employers

• Basic DBS check (completed through IRMO)

• Safeguarding Level 1 certificate (completed through IRMO)

• One-month trial period

Benefits of volunteering at IRMO

• You will get the opportunity to help others and to give back

• You will learn new skills and gain experience working in a multicultural, cooperative and inspiring environment

• You will get involved with the Latin American Community and increase your knowledge of the situation of Latin American migrants in the UK

• You will gain valuable experience and strengthen previous skills to help prepare yourself for the UK’s competitive job market

• You will enhance your CV and get references (after a 3-month period) for further support with employability

• You will have the opportunity to participate in training sessions with high-quality learning outcomes (in-house and external) in areas related to the role

• You will receive regular supervision and support

At IRMO, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. We actively encourage applications from individuals with protected characteristics, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and age. 

We particularly invite Latin Americans, those who identify as members of underrepresented and marginalised communities, and individuals with lived experience of the immigration and asylum system, to reflect the community we serve. 

We are dedicated to ensuring accessibility in our recruitment process and volunteer opportunities. If you have specific accessibility needs, please let us know, and we will make necessary accommodations.

AIMS is in urgent need of funding—both short and long term—to support our volunteers to keep delivering all the wonderful work they do. We need people to help us:

• Draft applications for grants from charitable trusts and other funding organisations

• Organise crowdfunding and match funding campaigns including the Big Give

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our friendly fundraising team. No previous experience is required—just your willingness to help.

Even if you’re only available for a few months, we’d love to have you on board. 

Use your design and social media skills to help AIMS.

We need volunteers to help us increase our social media presence and reach by:

• Designing engaging images & reels in Canva to highlight the work of AIMS and current maternity issues.

• Scheduling regular social media posts across our platforms using Canva

• Advising other teams on how to use social media to promote their work

We will provide support and training as needed.

We are seeking an experienced and strategically minded Finance Trustee to join our Board and play a key role in supporting the continued growth and sustainability of Cherry Trees.

In this role, you will provide expert financial guidance to the Board of Trustees, helping to shape the organisation’s long-term direction in partnership with the Chair. You will support the charity’s financial affairs, ensuring they are managed with integrity, transparency, and in line with legal, constitutional, and regulatory requirements.

You will ensure that robust financial systems and controls are in place, with accurate records maintained at all times. Working closely with the Head of Finance, you will monitor and report on the Charity’s financial health, providing clear and insightful analysis to support decision-making.

The role also includes oversight of the preparation of financial reports, annual accounts, audits, and statutory returns, ensuring the Charity meets all its financial obligations and deadlines.

This is a rewarding opportunity to use your financial expertise to make a meaningful impact, supporting a vital charity as it develops and grows.

No one should die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it. St John Ambulance teaches people first aid so they can be the difference between life and death, and you can help us do this.

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference, supporting them to become safe and more resilient by enabling our volunteers and staff to have the right equipment and resources to do the job. As an Operational Support Team Member, you’ll support St John Ambulance in deploying equipment to events and activities within your community, as well as support the maintaining of equipment to ensure networks are properly resourced.

Through volunteering as an Operational Support Team Member, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride providing essential resources to our medical and education teams. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

We will make sure you will have access to a proper induction to volunteering with SJA and the training you need for the role you take on. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

We will be running a number of information events locally and these are:
- Date, Times and Location to be advised
We are looking to run a volunteering selection session on:
-  Date, Times and Location to be advised

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:
Welcome Event (Induction) - Date, Times and Location to be advised
Training for role - Date, Times and Location to be advised

Closing date for these opportunities is: 12/07/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

At St John Ambulance, we are looking to develop our volunteering offer and become an even more integral part of our communities through delivering community first aid and education. 

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference, supporting them to become safe and more resilient by sharing your first aid skills and knowledge. As a Community First Aider, you’ll deliver first aid to those in need through local events, as well as provide education to the public so that the ripple effect of First Aid grows.

Through supporting the growth of community partnerships, you will bring people along to our cause, growing our membership and fundraising base and spreading the message that First Aid Saves Lives. 

Through volunteering as a Community First Aider, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

We will make sure you will have access to a proper induction to volunteering with SJA and the training you need for the role you take on. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

We will be running a number of information events locally and these are:
- Date, Times and Location to be advised
We are looking to run a volunteering selection session on:
-  Date, Times and Location to be advised

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:
Welcome Event (Induction) - Date, Times and Location to be advised
Training for role - Date, Times and Location to be advised

Closing date for these opportunities is: 12/07/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Our publicity team leaders have the important role of supporting a wider team of publicity volunteers. As a team our publicity volunteers collectively keep members of the public informed of the vital and varied ways we help our cats in need. Raising awareness is crucial to us being able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us. A higher profile can help raise funds, raise awareness of adopting a cat, promote neutering and encourage as many people as possible to learn about feline welfare.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Communicating with others including newsletter, social media and website volunteers
• Advising others on the content of newsletters and web posts
• Interacting with others to make sure information is positive, accurate and consistent
• Liaising with your volunteer group and our Head Office to organise media campaigns
• Responding to local media requests if required

Time expectation 

Our publicity team leaders usually spend 3 to 4 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for! 

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

WIILMA exists to reduce loneliness and isolation and increase community cohesion, through community education projects centred around world music, arts, history, heritage and culture.

We are offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced, reliable Volunteer Executive Assistant PA who can develop a CEO's office function that can support the important work of WIILMA. Providing admin, CRM support and high-level support to its Founder/CEO and working across different teams and senior members of the organisation.

This crucial role focuses on setting up, maintaining, and shaping up the role and function, organising essential organisational records and systems, ensuring the long-term sustainability of WIILMA’s mission.

You will have the opportunity to bring your own ideas to a creative community environment.

Key Requirements

• Experience: Candidates should have a background in executive support, senior administration, or project management, a bonus if you have some experience within the not-for-profit sector or public sector.

• Professionalism: High standards of integrity, reliability, and openness are required.

• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal skills are essential for representing a high-profile community organization.

• Passion: Candidates must be mission-driven, with a strong interest in the arts, diversity, and social cohesion.

• Capacity: Volunteers must have the time availability and capacity to actively contribute. 

This is an opportunity to directly support the leadership of a mission-driven organization, during a very exciting time as we grow our presence and reach, helping to build the organizational infrastructure needed for long-term success.

Key Responsibilities:

Executive Support: Manage the CEO’s  schedule and mailbox, ensuring communications are handled with total confidentiality and professional flair.

Stakeholder Liaison: Act as a primary point of contact for external partners, including local councils, cultural institutions, grant makers, and businesses, directly working with CRM/Community engagement colleagues to keep track of our relationships.

Strategic Documentation: Represent WIILMA at high-level meetings, documenting minutes and tracking actionable outcomes to ensure organisational momentum.

Logistics & Events: Help coordinate volunteer and equipment logistics for our vibrant community events and workshops.

Leadership & Management: Based on your level of experience as an executive assistant, you may have the opportunity to help recruit, train, and mentor other executive assistants within the CEO’s office.

Operational Excellence

We are looking for passionate people to join our team! We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment and as an equal opportunity organisation strongly encourage people from all backgrounds, communities, identities, and experiences to apply.

Note: Because we are a 100% volunteer-run organization, our response to your inquiry may be slightly delayed, but we appreciate your patience and interest!

We are looking for passionate people to join our team and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

Note: Because we are a volunteer-run organisation, our response to your inquiry may be slightly delayed, but we appreciate your patience and interest!

Volunteer with us!

At Acorns we provide care and support for life limited or life threatened children and their families. We are a charity, so most of the care that we provide is funded through fundraising and through our shops.

To help us to continue to provide the care that we do, we are looking for fun and enthusiastic volunteers to join us in our Acorns charity shops. Our shops are exciting and dynamic, with no two days being the same. From our walk-in customers, to receiving donations, and everything in between!

Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer work experience from 6th July to 16th July as we’re already at full capacity during that period.

We are also seeking an individual with the potential to progress into a Key Volunteer position.

As a Shop Volunteer with us, you will be:

• Engaging with customers
• Accepting and sorting donated stock
• Pricing donations for sale
• Working on the till

Fox and Goose shop is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm. You can volunteer the hours that suit you, but it would be great if you could support in the shop for at least 3 hours a week.

Customer Support Volunteer -   Acorns Children's Hospice in Knowle 

As part of our network of shops across the West Midlands, the Knowle store helps us generate vital funds to support children and their families. By volunteering in our store, you’ll play a key role in this mission while sharing your passion.

Step into a dynamic and exciting environment where no two days are the same!

The Role?

• Are you friendly, approachable, and enjoy helping people? We’re looking for a Customer Service Volunteer to join our team!
• In this role, you’ll support with customer interactions, helping our visitors find the perfect pieces while providing a warm, welcoming experience.

How much time will it take?

Our shops are open Monday to Saturday (some open on Sundays too) 9am to 5pm.  You can volunteer the hours that suit you, but it would be great if you could support in the shop for at least 3 hours a week.

Why volunteer at Acorns? 

• To help a local charity
• To make a difference in your local community
• To connect with like minded people and make new friends
• Boost your CV
• Opportunities to progress to other roles
• All training will be provided

Am I right for the job?

For this role, you'll need to:

• Be welcoming and friendly
• Have a good eye for merchandising
• Be a team player that thinks of others
• Be sensitive to the needs of our customers/donators

Full training will be provided