Volunteer roles

Location: Reading, Berkshire
Sessions: Wednesdays, 7:00pm–8:00pm
Start date: From February 2026 onwards
Time commitment: Approx. 2–6 hours per month (flexible dependant on availability)

About The Club

Support United (Support Utd) is a fun, social football club that meets weekly in Reading. The club is designed to give people within the LGBTQIA+ community the opportunity to play football in a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment. Our focus is on enjoyment, learning, and building confidence — no matter your experience level. Sessions are open to adults aged 18+ and welcome players of all abilities.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Volunteer Assistant Football Coach to support the running of our weekly sessions. You’ll work alongside the lead coach to help deliver inclusive, enjoyable football sessions for a group of around 10–12 players (with potential to grow in future).

This role would be ideal for someone with an interest in coaching or sport, particularly those studying sports science, coaching, physical education, or a related subject. It would also be perfect for someone who is a part of, or a strong ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the lead coach during weekly football sessions

• Assisting with session set-up and pack-down

• Helping to deliver drills, activities, and small-sided games

• Supporting basic club management tasks, such as:

  • Communicating with players

  • Assisting with attendance and session organisation

• Helping create a positive, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants

About You

Essential:

• Applicants must be over the age of 18

• An interest in sport and physical activity, particularly football

• Able to participate in light to moderate physical exercise

• You have a friendly and approachable manner, and enjoy working with a diverse range people with different backgrounds and lived experience

• A confident, positive “can-do” attitude, with the energy and enthusiasm to get involved and help make sessions engaging, enjoyable, and welcoming for all players

• Reliability and commitment to attending sessions regularly

• Strong communication and organisation skills

• Be based in, or near to Reading, Berkshire

• Willing to undergo a DBS check

• Evidence of completed safeguarding and first aid training or willingness to complete required training

• Must have appropriate footwear for use on a 3G astro turf pitch (astro or moulded stud football boots). Trainers and metal stud boots are not permitted on the pitch.

Desirable:

• Some experience of coaching or leading sports activities

• Studying (or interest in) sports science, coaching, physical education, or a related field

• An understanding of, or interest in, LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sport

• Additional relevant training qualifications

What You’ll Gain

• The opportunity to gain coaching experience in a supportive setting, by shadowing and learning from our brilliant lead coach

• The opportunity to develop leadership and communication skills

• Experience supporting an inclusive LGBTQIA+ sports programme

• A chance to be part of a welcoming, values led team

• Training and development opportunities

Leicestershire LGBTQ+ Centre is recruiting new Trustees to join its Board at a pivotal time of growth and regional expansion. With a 50-year history of supporting LGBTQ+ communities, the Centre is transitioning from a city-based service to a regional organisation serving Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, guided by a bold five-year strategy.

We are seeking committed individuals to join our Board, including a General Trustee and a Treasurer. Trustees play a vital role in governance, strategic direction, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the charity. This is an opportunity to contribute your skills and experience to a well-established, community-led organisation delivering counselling, youth and adult groups, creative activities, advocacy, and outreach services.

Trustee roles are voluntary, with an average time commitment of 5–6 hours per month. We particularly welcome applications from trans people, those with financial experience, and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. Training, induction, and reasonable expenses are provided.

This is a chance to make a meaningful impact and help shape the future of LGBTQ+ support across the region.

We are looking for a friendly, patient, female volunteer to befriend a lovely lady in Maidenhead. On cosy days in, she loves to have a chat, listen to music, paint her nails or a do a jigsaw puzzle. When feeling up to it, she would love to be taken in her wheelchair to her favourite treat, McDonalds.

She takes a little while to warm up to new people, so can sometimes display behaviours which may come across as challenging, such as making short, sharp noises. It would be great if her new volunteer has some experience with this or is someone who isn’t fazed easily. It’s important to know that her care team would always be a helping hand away, and that her not-so-secret kryptonite is chocolate!

Please note this person’s residence have a pet cat.

We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing. In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.

This is a Stop and stay, let’s get busy visitor role which means the person you will be visiting can communicate actively with you and take part in choosing or planning activities.  As you get to know each our you may choose to ‘go out’ either with or without support from the staff that supports the person you visit.  Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tends to be around an hour or longer, depending on what you do.

In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like:

• Sitting and having a chat

• Checking in on their well- being

• Going out to a local café/pub for a meal/drink

• Enjoying a walk

• A craft activity at home

• Reading a book/magazine together

As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:

- Friendly and approachable

- Accepting of others who might be different to yourself

- Reliable and patient

- Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.

As a Mencap visitor you will:

- Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit

- Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training

- Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed

- Meet new people

- Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

About Mencap

Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

***Please note that this is an opportunity based in Nottingham (shire) in the United Kingdom and we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

Age UK Notts are seeking individuals who would like to be considered as a volunteer for our Companion Service.

Volunteers will be supporting people in their own homes and in the community within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and ideally, we ask all applicants to provide a minimum of 1 hour volunteering a week.

The companion service volunteer can choose to be:                                                           

• A companion within the person’s home

• A companion outside the person’s home

Examples of the type of support the service offers include:

• Supporting an older person/s hobbies and interests or simply chatting with them in their own home on a regular basis.

• Supporting with digital access & building confidence skills & motivation to access the opportunities of the internet.

• Supporting the person outside of their home e.g., by accompanying them on a walk, to the shops, to a café, garden centre, theatre or cinema or other social activities / community groups. 

• Where appropriate, supporting the older person to access other services through information and signposting or referring to the Companion Service Coordinator for support.

We are looking for the following skills/interests:

• Individuals with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of older people who are committed to volunteering on a regular basis.

• Commitment to complete our Volunteer Report Form accurately and regularly. 

• Ability to travel for visits in the local community either by car or public transport for those volunteers who choose to participate in this type of activity.

• Digital literacy for those volunteers who choose to participate in this type of activity.

We are looking for volunteers with good daytime availability in specific areas of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Please contact the volunteering team for further information on where specifically in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

The ethos of the Confidence Academy is very simple: Participants get their money back once they attend their selected fitness and wellbeing events. When you show up for your health, when you show up for yourself... your refund is your reward. 

The Confidence Academy exists to make the tools of confidence-building — through improved nutrition, better mental and physical fitness, and community support — accessible to all, particularly to struggling and marginalised communities who often feel invisible or left behind. Health inequality is one of the biggest injustice of them all that we don't talk about yet our health is the sole foundation of our existence. 

Who Created The Confidence Academy: The Academy is founded by a 37 year old refugee from Bangladesh, Rayhana Sultan. She is an ex-prisoner. This social enterprise was created after she was able to rebuild her life after prison, hospital detention and recovery through psychotherapy and a supportive community. She is now a finance manager working for the local government in the UK. Outside her day job, she is a model, a panel advisor for the charity Working Chance and now through the Confidence Academy, she wants other people to find the inspiration to turn their pain into power, stigma into strength. 

The inception of this CIC is driven by the fact that nearly 60% of the UK population in 2023/24 were reported as obese or overweight. This is a national crisis in a context where our healthcare system is overstretched, support for mental health is not on par which can be exacerbated by health-related problems and an ageing population is awaiting us. Growing old or not being able to afford the regular gym in an era should not mean fitness services are inaccessible to you. So we are here to change it. 

What's happening Next: We will begin rolling out weekend fitness and wellbeing activities shortly after New Year 2026, supported by online seminars, podcast-style discussions, and community “vox pop” features that amplify real voices and lived experiences around health, confidence, and inclusion. These activities will include group exercise sessions, nutrition and wellness education, mindset and resilience workshops, and confidence-building programmes designed to enhance both physical and mental wellbeing.

Purpose of the Role:
You will be the voice and bridge of The Confidence Academy — handling communications with councils, gyms, venues, and contractors. This role requires strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and a genuine passion for community wellbeing. You’ll work closely with other team members to bring creative and operational goals together.

Main Activities:

1. Communicate with local councils to secure community venues and spaces.

2. Contact gyms, instructors, and contractors to arrange hire of equipment and facilities.

3. Assist with email correspondence, partnership inquiries, and event logistics.

4. Maintain a contact log and follow up with potential partners or sponsors.

5. Work closely with other team members to align content and communication schedules.

6. Represent The Confidence Academy at community events or meetings where required.

7. Attend weekly team meetings (online or in-person depending on business needs).

8. Ensure all communication complies with GDPR and safeguarding principles.

Skills and Qualities:

1. Excellent communication and listening skills

2. Emotional intelligence and professionalism in dealing with partners

3. Organised, proactive, and dependable

4. Interest in fitness, health, and wellbeing

5. Comfortable speaking with local authorities, gyms, and community organisations

6. Willing to travel within London as needed

What you will get:

1. Induction and regular supervision with the Founder/Director

2. Informal guidance on partnership outreach, safeguarding, and data management

3. Informal training on health & safety and community engagement best practice

4. Office space may be provided for collaborative projects

5. Volunteering Certificate at the end of the completion of hours

6. Complimentary t-shirt/jacket and other freebies

7. Professional reference

8. Travel and meal expenses reimbursed up to £20

9. £50 in Amazon Gift Card when you help us deliver our first fitness session (our launch event) in the 2026 New Year

Equal Opportunities: 

The Confidence Academy is committed to inclusion under the Equality Act 2010. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and provide reasonable adjustments where needed.

Status: 

This is a voluntary role and does not create a contract of employment or entitlement to salary, benefits, or worker rights. Volunteers are free to withdraw at any time.

Role Description:

This role sits within our Men’s Minds project, based in Feltham, Hounslow. The aim of the service is to improve men’s mental health outcomes by developing a mental health network supported and directed by the voices of its members.

This will be achieved through three service strands:

1. Peer support network,
2. Psychoeducation workshops, addressing common needs of men’s mental health
3. Outreach support to raise awareness of men’s mental health and promote this service.

The role of the Peer Volunteer will be to support the Project Coordinator with delivering and developing various workshops and events. You will take the lead in developing peer-led support.

Staff within the service will provide person-centred, practical and emotional support, face to face in a group basis to individuals.

We are looking for someone who

• Someone who identifies as male
• Has lived experience of mental health challenges
• Are a non-judgmental and friendly individual
• To be able to provide a welcoming, authentic, and positive experience for all, being inclusive and embracing diversity
• To feel comfortable engaging with people with mental health challenges / difficult life experiences, by validating strengths and experiences and using empowering language to overcome negative self-talk
• Are empathic and understands the stigma / social bias's surrounding mental health
• Are willing to tap into their lived experiences and use their stories to inspire hope in others when appropriate
• Are comfortable with co-producing and co-facilitating peer led workshops
• To assist the Project Coordinator with admin and planning
• Are able to take on any ad hoc admin/support responsibilities

Time commitment and expenses:

• Flexible hours between Monday-Thurs. We are looking for someone to commit to a minimum of at least 1 or 2 activities a week.

• We will provide volunteers with an induction, training, and ongoing mentoring to support them in the role

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering at Mind is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with a nationally recognised charity. We provide initial and ongoing training, as well as plenty of opportunities for progression within the organisation. You will also be a part of a supportive team with great awareness of wellbeing and the mental health sector.

Please tell us why you would like to volunteer at Men’s Minds at HFEH Mind? (minimum 50 words)

Please share any relevant skills or experience you have for the role. This may include education, work or voluntary experience (minimum 100 words)

Volunteer Role:

• This volunteer role is suitable for students planning to study counselling and psychotherapy. Or candidates with a psychology background looking to gain in-person skills leading to clinical training.
• This is to develop your conversational skills to be able to support people undergoing various states of mental health needs.
• Initially volunteers will greet participants, taking part in group activities and socialising with participants at the end of sessions. Over time they will be expected to hold 1:1 conversations with service users before and after groups and independently run enrichment activities or psychoeducation workshops.
• For all these activities they will be expected to make notes from the sessions and report to the Co-ordinator.
• This will also involve supporting evaluation and feedback processes.
• You will be given training in Safeguarding and monitoring to flag where participants need greater support.
• We would be keen to work with you to develop your own interests and use your existing skills to support the project.

Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) is a dynamic local charity established in 2006. We support asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants, to lift themselves out of poverty and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community. We provide both crisis support to meet immediate need, and longer-term, flexible programmes to tackle the underlying problems that lead people to be in crisis.

We are a team of 15 majority part-time paid staff (9FTE) and over 100 volunteers. Our office is based in the Leemore Centre in central Lewisham. AFRIL works with residents in Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, Bexley and Bromley. In the last 12 months AFRIL has supported over 750 individuals. 

AFRIL’s Casework and Advocacy Team provides complex casework and legal interventions in the areas of housing and homelessness, Asylum Support, Benefits, No Recourse to Public Funds and Community Care. AFRIL also offers community activities to the residents of a local Asylum Support Hotel. Activities are arranged in situ at the hotel, as well through trips and outings.

AFRIL’s ESOL support volunteers will work with AFRIL’s Community Activities Coordinator to provide friendly and professional ESOL and English Conversation activities to participants.

Your duties will include: 

• Arrive promptly to support AFRIL staff to set up the ESOL / English Conversation activity.

• You will work with the Community Activities Coordinator to plan activities and sessions according to the appropriate level of the participants’ English.

• You will engage participants in the activities, supporting them to take part, improving their English and confidence.

Other duties also include:

• Undertake comprehensive training (including safeguarding training) to support you in carrying out your volunteer role.

• Uphold AFRIL’s values when working alongside staff, volunteers and clients, and follow AFRIL’s policies and procedures at all times.

• Be vigilant of any safeguarding concerns and report these swiftly to AFRIL staff.

Focus Birmingham is a leading local charity that provides expert support, advice, and care for people living with sight loss and complex disabilities. We deliver a range of life-changing services including residential care, supported living, day services, low vision assessments, and community outreach. Our approach is person-centered, empowering individuals to live independently and access opportunities with dignity and inclusion.

As we adapt to a changing digital landscape and explore new ways of engaging communities, supporters, and service users, we are seeking a Digital Marketing Trustee to join our dynamic and committed Board. This new role will support the charity’s ambitions to improve digital engagement, modernise communications, and strengthen our public profile and fundraising capacity.

Why This Role Matters

Effective digital communication is essential for amplifying our voice, reaching diverse audiences, promoting inclusion, and securing sustainable income. As Digital Marketing Trustee, you will offer strategic oversight and guidance to ensure our marketing and digital communications are high-impact, audience-focused, and aligned with our mission.

This is a unique opportunity to use your digital expertise to shape the future of a well-established charity while contributing to a cause with genuine social value.

Role Purpose

As a Trustee, you will share collective responsibility for the governance and strategic leadership of Focus Birmingham. In your specialist capacity, you will:

• Advise the Board on digital strategy, branding, and communications
• Provide scrutiny and insight into digital marketing and audience engagement
• Ensure the charity’s digital presence is accessible, inclusive, and aligned with its values
• Support innovation across channels to increase visibility, fundraising, and service impact

You will work alongside fellow trustees and the executive leadership team to ensure Focus Birmingham maximises its digital potential while maintaining high standards of compliance, reputation, and effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

General Trustee Duties

As a member of the Board, all trustees are expected to:

• Ensure Focus Birmingham complies with its governing documents, charity law, and regulatory requirements
• Maintain proper oversight of strategic objectives, financial performance, and risk management
• Uphold the charity’s values and ensure ethical governance and decision-making
• Provide constructive support and challenge to the senior leadership team
• Act in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries at all times
• Attend quarterly Board meetings and participate in additional committee work or strategic sessions as appropriate

Digital Marketing-Specific Duties

As the Digital Marketing Trustee, your responsibilities will also include:

• Advising on the development and implementation of a digital marketing and communications strategy to raise awareness of the charity’s services, campaigns, and fundraising efforts
• Supporting the charity to grow and diversify its online presence through effective use of website content, social media, email campaigns, video, SEO, and online advertising
• Helping evaluate the effectiveness of digital channels using analytics and audience insights, and suggesting improvements based on performance data
• Offering oversight and guidance on brand development and how the charity presents itself visually and verbally in digital formats
• Promoting good practice in digital storytelling reflects the experiences of our service users in an ethical and empowering way
• Helping ensure digital communications are accessible to people with visual impairments and compliant with relevant regulations (e.g., GDPR, WCAG)
• Advising on digital aspects of donor engagement and online fundraising, including giving platforms, digital campaigns, and crowdfunding
• Championing innovation in communications and supporting a culture of creativity and responsiveness within the organisation

Person Specification

We are seeking a digitally savvy marketing leader who brings strategic insight, creativity, and a passion for social purpose.

Essential Criteria

• Substantial experience in digital marketing, digital communications, or online engagement, ideally in a senior or strategic role
• Strong understanding of digital marketing tools and platforms, including social media, CMS, email marketing, SEO, PPC, Google Analytics, and CRM systems
• Strategic thinker with a clear grasp of audience targeting, digital content planning, and user experience (UX)
• Demonstrated ability to use data and analytics to inform decisions and drive results in engagement or conversion
• Familiarity with digital storytelling, campaigns, and brand development across multi-channel environments
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to convey complex digital concepts clearly to a non-technical audience (e.g., board and senior staff)
• Commitment to inclusive and ethical digital communication practices, particularly for people with disabilities or accessibility needs
• An understanding of and commitment to charity governance, transparency, and good stewardship

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working with or advising not-for-profits, charities, or social enterprises
• Knowledge of digital fundraising platforms or experience delivering online fundraising or donor engagement campaigns
• Familiarity with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1) and tools that improve online inclusion
• Experience leading or advising on digital transformation in a small or medium-sized organisation
• Lived or professional experience related to disability, accessibility, or sight loss

What We Offer

• A meaningful, strategic volunteer opportunity with a respected, impact-driven charity
• The chance to shape digital strategy and innovation at Board level
• A supportive and collaborative Trustee team, with induction and ongoing development
• Opportunities to meet and engage with service users, frontline staff, and supporters
• Reimbursement of reasonable expenses
• The satisfaction of contributing to a mission that improves lives across Birmingham and beyond

Focus Birmingham is a specialist charity that provides expert support, care, and advice to individuals living with visual impairments and additional complex needs. Through our residential, community, and day services, we empower people to lead fulfilling lives, maintain independence, and engage meaningfully with their communities.

Our person-centered approach ensures that every individual we support is treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. We are committed to building an inclusive society where barriers to independence are removed and where every person’s potential is recognised.

As we look to the future, we are focused on strengthening governance, embracing innovation, and expanding our impact across the city and region. We are now seeking a Legal Trustee to join our Board and help guide us through the legal, regulatory, and ethical challenges of leading a complex, values-driven organisation.

Why Join Our Board as Legal Trustee?

Charities operate in a highly regulated environment where strong legal oversight and governance are critical. The Legal Trustee will play a vital role in ensuring that the charity complies with its statutory obligations and maintains a culture of integrity, transparency, and lawful conduct. This is a unique opportunity to apply your legal skills in a high-impact, purpose-led context helping to protect the charity’s long-term sustainability and the rights of the people we serve.

Role Purpose

As a member of the Board of Trustees, the Legal Trustee shares collective responsibility for the governance, strategy, and sustainability of Focus Birmingham. In addition to these general duties, the Legal Trustee provides expert legal insight and guidance to the Board and executive team, ensuring the charity complies with relevant laws, maintains robust risk management, and adheres to best practice in governance and decision-making.

You will work closely with the Chair, Chief Executive Officer, and fellow Trustees, supporting key decisions across areas such as regulatory compliance, contracts, safeguarding, employment, and charitable governance.

Key Responsibilities

General Trustee Duties

• Ensure the charity complies with its governing documents, charity law, company law, and all relevant legislation or regulations.
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of Focus Birmingham’s strategic direction and operational plans.
• Act in the best interests, avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining confidentiality.
• Uphold and champion the charity’s values, mission, and policies including those related to safeguarding, equality, and inclusion.
• Attend and participate actively in Board meetings (typically held quarterly), relevant sub-committees, and strategic events.
• Maintain effective oversight of financial performance, risk, and governance quality.
• Serve as a critical friend to the executive team, providing support, challenge, and encouragement.

Legal Trustee-Specific Responsibilities

• Act as the Board’s primary source of legal expertise, offering high-level advice on legal, regulatory, and contractual matters.
• Advise the Board on its responsibilities under charity, company, employment, data protection, and safeguarding law, among others.
• Support the scrutiny of key contracts, leases, service agreements, and policies to ensure legal compliance and mitigate risks.
• Guide the Board in managing disputes, liabilities, or potential legal actions, working with external counsel when needed.
• Assist with drafting and reviewing governance policies, board terms of reference, delegated authorities, and codes of conduct.
• Ensure the charity is prepared for regulatory inspections (e.g., Charity Commission, CQC) and supports compliance reporting.
• Monitor emerging legal developments that may impact the charity and advise accordingly.

Focus Birmingham is a charity that supports people with sight loss and complex needs., providing a wide range of services aimed at enhancing independence and wellbeing. Art is one of the many ways we help people express themselves, build confidence and feel connected.

We are looking for a creative Volunteer Art Teacher who can being inspiration and colour to our art sessions. We are looking for someone who will be able comfortable working various different art and craft mediums, including watercolours, clay, knitting amongst many others. 

You will be required to volunteer every other Thursday of the month, between 10-12, you will also be required to set up and take down at the start and end of every session. We are looking for commitment for at least 12 months 

We are looking for individuals who

• Have a passion for Art and Crafts, including watercolours, clay, knitting amongst others.
• Have strong communication skills.
• Have an awareness of safeguarding and GDPR
• Be empathic and understanding to the needs of others
• Experience of teaching or supporting people with a visual impairment is desirable but enthusiasm and a willingness to learn new skills are essential.

Benefits of volunteering with Focus Birmingham 

• Access to ongoing training
• Quarterly check ins
• Regular reviews 
• Aiding of professional development.

Can you help us by providing a calm, safe, and caring environment for our small furries whilst we find them their fur-ever home?

Often when we think about animal fostering, cats, and dogs spring to mind, but have you ever thought about fostering our smaller animals? The RSPCA received more than 5,000 reports last year about rabbits and other small furries relating to neglect or abandonment and rescued an average of 340 small furries a month! To help us with the rehoming of these small animals, we are actively looking to add to our fantastic team of volunteer fosterers.

As a small animal fosterer, you would play an essential role in providing the animals in our care with a temporary home whilst they are being rehomed. Like us, even small furries have specific needs and requirements, but rest assured, once we have guided you through the fostering process the animal centre will ensure that you have all the necessary guidance, equipment, food, and veterinary care.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Provide them with care, safe suitable housing, and space for playtime, as outlined in our policies and guidelines.

• Ensure that they are groomed if appropriate and fed and watered.

• Provide them with suitable and clean bedding to keep them cosy.

• Give them lots of attention and plenty of cuddles as they are very sociable animals.

What We’re Looking For:

• Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had plenty of experience of caring for animals.

• Fostering experience is beneficial but not essential as training is provided.

• For their wellbeing, our small furries may need to be fostered in pairs, so please bear this in mind.

• Any existing pets or animals need to have been spayed/neutered (some medical reasons may mean they cannot be so, please let us know if this is the case).

• You should be located in South Buckinghamshire or within a reasonable distance.

What’s in It for You?

• You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the small animals in your care.

• Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.

• Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and fostering training programme.

• Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

• The RSPCA is happy to reimburse you for any pre-agreed expenses that you may incur through volunteering for us.

Practical Considerations:

• Health & Safety: You’ll need to complete a simple online Health & Safety course before starting the role.

Disclaimer:

Our voluntary roles are subject to:

• An informal interview and trial period.

• Submission of two referees’ contact details.

• Completion of relevant training and assessments for the role.

At RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch, our charity shops are looking for friendly, local volunteers to join our team and help make our shops in Chesham and Burnham a huge success. Make new friends, have fun, and help us help more animals!

As a volunteer Charity Shop Assistant, you would join a small team working with the shop manager and 1-2 other volunteers to help make it a success and raise vital funds for animal welfare. 

Why Volunteer With Us?

As a volunteer charity shop assistant, you will:

• Support a worthwhile cause and help improve animal welfare.

• Be part of a friendly and dedicated team.

• Enjoy a fun and fulfilling role at the heart of the local community.

• Training and development opportunities, including induction and ongoing support.

• Learn excellent new skills to add to your CV, such as customer service, multi-tasking, merchandising, and many more.

• Access to the RSPCA Learning Hub with a wide range of training materials.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Helping customers in the shop find what they need.

• Accepting donations of items and money from the public.

• Processing sales through the till and card machine, including Gift Aid. (Training is provided but if you are not comfortable using the till, please get in touch because we have plenty of other tasks that do not involve the till).

• Sorting through donated items to determine what we can sell.

• Preparing donated items for sale by steaming and hanging items.

• Merchandising stock on the shop floor.

• Creating attractive shop window displays.

What We’re Looking For:

• Friendly, local volunteers who are confident talking to people.

• Retail experience would be ideal but is not necessary as full training will be given.

• We are ideally aiming for someone who is flexible and can offer an ongoing commitment predominately 8 hours or more per week.

• Good communication and numeracy skills.

• You will need to be aged 16 or over.

What’s in It for You?

• Meet new people and make new friends.

• Learn new skills to enhance your CV.

• A comprehensive induction and training programme relevant to your role.

• Volunteer in a fun environment at the heart of your local community.

• Know that your time and effort is making a real difference to the welfare of animals.

• We’re happy to reimburse reasonable travel expenses incurred while volunteering.

Practical Considerations:

• Online induction - you’ll need to complete an online induction but if you are not able to use IT we do have a paper-based induction as an alternative. 

Disclaimer:

Our voluntary roles are subject to:

• An informal interview and trial period.

• Submission of two referees’ contact details.

• Completion of relevant training and assessments for the role.

Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) is a dynamic local charity established in 2006. We support asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants, to lift themselves out of poverty and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community. We provide both crisis support to meet immediate need, and longer-term, flexible programmes to tackle the underlying problems that lead people to be in crisis.

We are a team of 15 majority part-time paid staff (9 FTE) and over 100 volunteers. AFRIL works with residents in Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, Bexley and Bromley. In the last 12 months AFRIL has supported over 750 individuals. 

AFRIL’s Casework and Advocacy Team provides complex casework and legal interventions in the areas of housing and homelessness, Asylum Support, Benefits, No Recourse to Public Funds and Community Care. AFRIL also offers community activities to the residents of a local Asylum Support Hotel. Activities are arranged in situ at the hotel, as well through trips and outings.

Your duties will include:
Community Activities Volunteer
● Arrive promptly to support AFRIL staff to set up the Community Activitysession which, depending on the day, could include:
    ○ Arts & craft activities
    ○ ESOL / english conversation practice
    ○ It is also possible you will support a group on an outing to amuseum, to AFRIL’s Allotment of Refuge or to another location.
● As a volunteer, your role during these activities will involve supporting the staff to deliver the relevant activities, and will specifically include:
    ○ Engage all participants in a warm and friendly manner, making all feel welcome and involved
    ○ Support new participants to complete the registration forms, and log attendances on the register
    ○ Putting out resources, materials, games and actively support participation in such activities
    ○ Arranging and distributing food and drink to members
    ○ Helping the group to navigate safely if out on trips

Outreach Volunteer
● Arrive promptly at 12.15pm to support AFRIL staff to set up the Outreach Advice session.
    ○ Welcome clients to the drop in, provide an overview of how AFRIL can support, record basic information to pass onto AFRIL caseworkers
    ○ Oversee a queue system of those seeking advice from Caseworkers
    ○ Provide clients with refreshments, build rapport and field basic questions about the outreach session whilst clients are waiting

Duties for both roles also include:
● Undertake comprehensive training (including safeguarding training) to support you in carrying out your volunteer role.
● Uphold AFRIL’s values when working alongside staff, volunteers and clients, and follow AFRIL’s policies and procedures at all times.
● Be vigilant of any safeguarding concerns and report these swiftly to AFRIL staff.

AFRIL’s Community Activities & Outreach Volunteer will have the opportunity to volunteer at AFRIL’s Community Activity sessions (weekly) and Outreach Advice sessions (fortnightly). The volunteers will provide friendly and professional support to participants, collect basic information and support AFRIL staff where appropriate. 

Our volunteers are crucial in supporting AFRIL staff to obtain the best outcomes for our clients, and this role will provide you with valuable insight into the immigration system and its many challenges.

Focus Birmingham is a dedicated charity supporting people with sight loss and complex needs, helping them lead fuller, more independent, and more connected lives. We’re currently looking for warm, compassionate volunteers to join us as Telephone Befrienders.

If you can spare just a few hours a week, you can make a genuine difference to someone who is visually impaired and may be feeling isolated. A simple conversation from the comfort of your own home can bring comfort, confidence, and connection to someone who truly needs it.

As a Telephone Befriender, you’ll offer friendly chats, emotional support, and a vital social lifeline — helping people feel heard, valued, and less alone and you won’t be doing it on your own. We’ll support you every step of the way, from application and onboarding to being carefully matched with someone you’ll genuinely connect with.

If you’re ready to brighten someone’s day — and enrich your own — we’d love for you to apply and join our community of caring volunteers.

Quotes from our volunteers -

• Sonia, Telephone Befriender "It's so rewarding knowing that  a weekly phone call to someone can help reduce their feelings of loneliness and isolation for a small part of their day."
• Sacha, Telephone Befriender "One of the greatest gifts is giving my time to support and empower citizens with sight loss."
• Sharon, Telephone Befriender "It gives me great pleasure and satisfaction when I see service users gain confidence and self-esteem, as I believe the be-friending service is making a real difference to their lives".