Elderly volunteer roles

For over 70 years, Age UK Lambeth has been at the heart of the community, supporting older people to live well, stay connected, and feel valued. Last year, our services supported over 6,700 older people in Lambeth and we are proud of our work and our history. We are excited about the future, and we need passionate individuals to help us shape it.

We are seeking new Trustees to join our Board and play a vital, strategic role in guiding our charity’s work. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and professional experiences, as diverse perspectives are crucial to serving our community. If our vision, mission, and values resonate with you, we welcome your application.

Every Christmas, hundreds of older people in Birmingham spend the holidays alone. We receive donations at our head office on a large scale from local business which we then organise into gift hampers for our most vulnerable citizens. This quickly fills up the office space so we must ensure a quick turnaround.

The service manager will call you to invite you in either the same day or with 1-2 days notice to come along to our head office and get involved with packing hampers.

Tasks include:

· Assist in sorting gifts into types or genders

· Packing Christmas hampers or gift bags

· Adhering to an instructional list

· Hand-write Christmas cards or notes to include in hampers.

· Support Age UK staff with other similar tasks relating to packing and sorting of gifts

Additionally, we need some support with making telephone calls to citizens inviting them to a special lunch. We would be grateful for additional support with this where possible. 

The Role of our Charity

Our charity mission is to help overcome loneliness and isolation by providing sheltered housing that promotes independence, but where the individual can seek some support to live a healthy lifestyle.

We are a growing and developing Abbeyfield Society who provide excellent rental accommodation in 14 houses across the Wessex region. The aim is to attract older people who can live independently in co-housing and join in with two home cooked meals a day, which are shared with other residents.

The Trustee Role

All our trustees are volunteers who bring a wide range of expertise, knowledge and wisdom to the Board, however as we develop and grow to ensure we have a sustainable future for our residents and keep on top of governance and compliance, we are looking for two new positive trustees with a range of skills and aptitude towards finance or marketing or regulation in the social housing or community engagement and networking with other partners. We want to create a more diverse Board.

Time Commitment

The Board meet in person 4-5 times a year in the Wessex region with interim online meetings including the following subgroups:

Property

Finance

Community Engagement

Operations

To help trustees keep connected with those we serve, we encourage visits to the houses to meet the residents and staff so that quality is always first and foremost

Support and Development 

We will provide new trustees with information in an induction with the Chairman and other trustees to help their support and development. This will include:

Understanding the history of Abbeyfield and its core values and ethos

Our Strategy, Financial Plan and Business Plan

The importance of good governance

Safeguarding our residents

Reasonable expenses for travel to meetings will be paid and accommodation costs i.e. for conferences, visits to properties, etc

You can help us to make a real difference with our excellent senior management team and contribute to the charity’s strategy and mission. We are looking for people with a positive outlook on providing the very best accommodation and support for older people to make their lives as special as we can.

Application instructions

If you would like more information before making a formal application, please do contact our Central Office or email us.  We would be pleased to share more with you and then provide the necessary documents for you to complete.

Application timeline: Applications will be received up until 31st December 2025

You can find out more about Abbeyfield Wessex on our website.

Treasurer (Trustee Board Member)

Location: Hybrid with flexible arrangements
Commitment: 4 Board Meetings and 4 Finance Sub-Committee Meetings per year plus ad-hoc support
Type: Voluntary role. Reasonable expenses incurred in relation to trustee duties can be reimbursed, subject to prior agreement with the Chair or Chief Executive
Closing Date: 5th December

Help shape better lives for older people in the community

This charity supports thousands of older people every year through life-enhancing services including advice, wellbeing activities, befriending, day support and more. The organisation combines strong local knowledge with trusted, community based service delivery. The aim is to ensure older people are valued, supported and able to lead fulfilled lives.

The Role – Treasurer

As Treasurer and Trustee you will:

· Oversee financial strategy and overall financial health, ensuring good governance and sustainability

· Chair the Finance Sub-Committee and lead Board discussions on finance, investments, reserves and risk

· Support and challenge the CEO and Finance Director, offering strategic guidance

· Help ensure robust financial planning aligns with service delivery and long term impact for older people

· Work closely with fellow Trustees and a skilled senior team to make a meaningful difference

What We Are Looking For

We welcome applicants who:

· Are qualified accountants (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) or experienced senior finance professionals

· Have strong financial acumen and the ability to clearly communicate financial information to non-finance colleagues

· Have some experience of charity finance, fundraising or pension schemes

· Have an interest in governance, strategy and positive Board teamwork

· Are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and improving the lives of older people

Previous trustee experience is helpful but not required. Full induction and support will be provided.

Time Commitment

· Board meets 4 times per year, usually evenings and hybrid

· Finance Sub-Committee meets 4 times per year and is chaired by the Treasurer

· Additional availability to liaise with the Chair, CEO and Finance Director, usually monthly

· Attendance at the Annual General Meeting and Annual Away Day

Total yearly commitment: approximately 6 to 8 days with flexibility and remote options.

Why Join

· Make a tangible difference to older people in the community

· Gain or deepen non-executive leadership experience

· Work with a friendly, committed Board with a collaborative culture

· Join an organisation that values diversity, inclusion and personal development

How to Apply

Please send a CV and short covering note outlining your interest.

Applications are welcomed from all backgrounds and particularly from groups currently underrepresented in governance.

***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.

Volunteer Role: Dementia Support Group and/or Activity Sessions

We were set up to transform the former Edward Hain hospital, in St Ives, Cornwall, into a community centre for health and wellbeing. The hospital was founded in 1920, with funds from the Cornish Hain Steamship Company. When it closed n 2021, our community, led by the hospital’s League of Friends, came together to save the building for the town. Now it brings together much needed health and wellbeing services, along with social, community and welfare support, all under one roof. About the role Can you commit between 2 and 4 hours a week to help those suffering from Dementia? We are looking for volunteers to spend a short time each week working with our Community Hub Officer (CHO) to create a welcoming and supportive environment for our Dementia Support Group (Forget-Me-Not Café) and help to provide specially designed crafts activity sessions such as leaf printing, making seasonal decorations etc. All our visitors are accompanied by their carers and as a volunteer you will receive specific awareness training to give you the confidence to provide conversation and a smile for those with dementia at the Edward Hain Centre.

What’s involved?

Our dementia activities and group sessions are attended by all kinds of people experiencing dementia. We work with specific care homes whose elderly residents are brought along by their carers and we run a Forget-Me-Not Café, set up for individual carers or relatives to bring along those they care for with dementia.

Specific tasks include:

• Greet attendees warmly as they arrive.

• Support the CHO with setup and organisation.

• Prepare and serve teas and coffees.

• Welcome session attendees, ensuring they feel comfortable.

• Help attendees take part in table activities (if they want to). The role will suit you if you:

• Have a friendly and approachable personality.

• Are reliable and willing to support others.

• Have good communication and enjoy being part of a team.

• Enthusiasm for creating a positive community space.

Why Volunteer with Us?

• Make a meaningful impact in your community.

• Meet new people and build connections with others.

• Gain experience in group facilitation and support and working with the elderly.

• Be part of the Edward Hain Centre Team!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR THIS ROLE PLEASE CONTACT OUR COMMUNITY HUB OFFICER CLAIRE JEFFERIES: 

Our Friends Ageing Better (FAB) project is looking for volunteer hosts for our weekly FAB Phone Cafe. In this role you'll be helping to create a friendly, welcoming space and community connections with a group of older people facing isolation.

At Age UK Bristol, we want to change the way we age. We aim to keep people aged 55+ well and active, encouraging Bristol to be an Age Friendly city. We do this in 3 ways - through providing practical help and supporting people’s emotional and physical wellbeing in a range of ways depending on their needs.  In addition, we want to prevent people from needing our help wherever possible.  We do this in our strategic work, where we aim to create the conditions for older adults to remain healthy and independent.

We are currently looking for volunteers for our Phone Cafes on

Tuesdays 11:00-12:00 and 2:00-3:00pm

This role involves

• Welcoming older people who are new to the telephone group.
• Facilitating conversation in the group
• Keeping attendance sheets for group participants.
• Providing information about events and activities happening in the local area with the support of the FAB team

The qualities and skills required for this role are

• A friendly disposition, with the ability to create a welcoming atmosphere and include people so as to encourage an enjoyable experience.
• Ability to be assertive and intervene if necessary, for instance manage group members who may dominate the conversation
• Reliability and punctuality – calls need to run on time.
• Access to a reliable internet connection and a computer or tablet.
• Confidence in using new software so that calls run on time and everyone connects with the group (training provided; the platform we use is quite straightforward and easy to learn).
• Good verbal communication skills to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible and encourage shyer callers.
• An understanding of the needs of older people.
• Ability to respond to any Safeguarding concerns and keep the environment safe.
• Willingness to follow Age UK Bristol’s policies, such as Confidentiality, Safeguarding, Health & Safety and Equal Opportunities, and to complete any training and admin needed to perform the role.

Trustee of Sandhurst Day Centre Association, with a focus on strategic oversight of facilities & building management 

Do you want to support and improve the running of our services for older people, with an oversight of our building?

You could be a trustee for Sandhurst Day Centre Association, our charity that provides activities and social time for local older people, in our bespoke Centre.

Developed in the 1970s and first Registered in 1983, the charity is an unincorporated Association, with work in progress to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

In 2024, the Centre turned over ~£300k, an increase from previous years, with a small surplus made. The Centre Manager, employees and volunteers are responsible for day-to-day running, while trustees offer strategic oversight of operations, planning for the future.

The role and what we are looking for in a new trustee

Trustees are the people who make the top-level decisions for our charity. Our Board includes people with experience in services for older people, and we’d expect all trustees to have empathy with our cause and our beneficiaries. 

We are looking for a new trustee to add additional professional input to the running of the building and its facilities. The role will aid the Centre Manager by offering analyses of Health & Safety, building management and the physical environment. You will bring relevant knowledge, skills and experience in these and associated areas.

You don’t necessarily need prior experience of charity trusteeship, as full induction to our organisation will be provided, plus specialist support as a new trustee including access to external training.

If you can think strategically and plan long-term, you have the primary skills needed by our trustees; you’ll also need to be able to work collectively with other Board members. Support from our paid employees is always available, as they will be dealing with the day-to-day running of the organisation.

We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to join our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our board, in all meanings of the word, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups. 

The focus of a trustee role is strategic, and trustees will not be expected to get involved in the organisation’s operations on a day-to-day basis; however, contact and liaison with other trustees, volunteers and employees is expected.   

We ask for about five hours per month, which includes all meetings, discussions, etc.  You will need access to digital communications, as much of our charity’s business is run that way.

How to apply  

A detailed Role Description and Skills Specification is attached to this advert, with more further information and application to Brian Wilson, SDCA trustee, via Apply Now, below.

Your CV (or similar) and Cover Letter will be read by our existing trustees, and an interview offered as soon as mutually convenient.

At Age UK Kensington & Chelsea, we believe that ageing should be about living well — staying connected, independent, and fulfilled at every stage of life.

We’re a vibrant, values-led local charity and proud partner of the Age UK network. Every day, we work alongside older people to design and deliver services that promote wellbeing, independence and dignity. From supporting people to manage their health, to tackling loneliness and influencing local policy, we put people and communities at the heart of everything we do.

We are a newly formed Fundraising department who are ambitious and innovative, we are seeking an enthusiastic volunteer to support us during this exciting period for the organisation. If this sounds like you, then get in touch!

Our Friends Ageing Better (FAB) project is looking for volunteer hosts for our FAB cafés around Bristol. In this volunteer role, you’ll be part of creating vibrant, welcoming community spaces that build relationships and connect people with activities in their local community.

At Age UK Bristol, we want to change the way we age. We aim to keep people aged 55+ well and active, encouraging Bristol to be an Age Friendly city. We do this in 3 ways - through providing practical help and supporting people’s emotional and physical wellbeing in a range of ways depending on their needs.  In addition, we want to prevent people from needing our help wherever possible.  We do this in our strategic work, where we aim to create the conditions for older adults to remain healthy and independent.

We are looking for FAB Cafe Host Volunteers for the following cafes

• Avonmouth - Mondays, 2:30-4:30
• Southville - Tuesdays 10:00-2:30
• Withywood - Tuesdays 11:00-1:00
• St Werburghs LGBT+ - Thursdays, 10:00-12:00
• Fishponds - Fridays 2:00-4:00

The role involves

• Welcoming older people who are new to the FAB café
• Facilitating conversation and activities in the group
• Promoting your local FAB café and the FAB membership card scheme
• Keeping sign-up sheets for attendees at cafes
• Providing information about events and activities happening in the local area with the support of the FAB team

The qualities and skills required for this role are

• Welcoming and friendly disposition, with the ability to include people.
• Reliability.
• Ability to communicate well with a diverse range of people.
• Ability to respond to people’s varied access needs (such as hearing loss) to make sure each individual can participate well.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a busy community setting.
• An understanding of the needs of older people.

We are looking for new volunteers to join the Meet Me team to support Meet Me at the Albany in person and remote activities.

What is Meet Me at the Albany?

In 2013 Entelechy Arts and the Albany, in partnership with Lewisham Council, established Meet Me at the Albany – an arts and social club for over 65s. Meet Me… is led by a vibrant and diverse community of previously isolated older people, who come together weekly to run a cross-art form social and creative programme to make friends, be creative, advocate for themselves, and contribute to the vibrant cultural life of Lewisham.

On Tuesdays we get together at the Albany theatre in Deptford, and get involved with everything from singing to painting, from crafting to gardening. During the COVID pandemic we took our groups onto the telephone, and seeing the massive benefits these groups brought we have continued with our Meet Me on the Telephone programme. Find more detailed information further down this page!

Who we are looking for?

Our volunteers play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of our weekly and monthly sessions. These roles are perfect for people who enjoy meeting new people, engaging in conversations, and trying new things. They’re also ideal for those who like to listen and provide support based on individual needs and interests.

Skills and experience:

Personable and Friendly: We need volunteers who are approachable and easy to talk to.

Strong Listening Skills: Essential for connecting with our members and ensuring their safety.

Experience with Older Adults: While prior experience working with older people or supporting their creativity is beneficial, it’s not required—just an interest in doing so.

Adaptable and Flexible: Activities may change, so volunteers should be open to adjusting their approach as needed.

Creative Sharing (Optional): Some volunteers enjoy sharing their creativity with our members, but this is not a requirement.

We’re also looking for volunteers who are interested in helping out with marketing and social media, so if that sounds like your cup of tea, get in touch! It would be great if you also have experience of working with people living with dementia.

What’s next?

Get in touch for an initial chat. We will then invite you to complete a registration form and book you on to our next available training session. Training will cover safeguarding, setting boundaries and explore the programme. It is a chance to work through possible scenarios and ensure you feel confident to join us for one of the in person or over the phone sessions.

Luminate 

Chair 

Voluntary Position with reasonable expenses 

About Luminate
Luminate is Scotland’s creative ageing organisation – the national leader in supporting and promoting creativity as part of ageing. Working across the country, Luminate ensures that older people’s creativity can thrive, whatever their circumstances, experience, interests or ambitions.

The organisation develops and supports creative practice in many different settings, working with artists, cultural organisations, community groups and social care providers. Its projects explore and test new ways of working, often engaging new communities, while sharing learning to support others across the arts, care, learning and third sectors. Luminate also offers networking, training and professional development opportunities for those involved in creative ageing.

Luminate’s work challenges stereotypes of ageing and advocates for increased cultural provision with, for and by older people.

Recent highlights include:
• Leading Scotland’s Dementia Inclusive Singing network, offering development opportunities for singing group leaders and providing resources for choirs and community groups.
• Awarding bursaries to emerging older artists who have begun their professional arts careers later in life, reaching those who might not access support through traditional routes.
• Launching a Creative Ageing Artist in Residence in Forfar, in partnership with Angus Health and Social Care Partnership and Voluntary Action Angus — the first step towards a wider Angus programme planned for 2026.
• Collaborating with We Are Here Scotland on a new initiative bringing together Black and Global Majority artists to explore creative engagement with older people.

The Opportunity
Luminate is seeking a new Chair to lead its Board of Trustees as the current Chair’s term comes to an end. The organisation is looking for someone who shares its passion for creativity and ageing, and who can provide thoughtful and inclusive leadership to support its next chapter.

The shortlisted candidate will be invited to attend a Board meeting as an observer in March 2026. 

About the Role
As well as fulfilling the responsibilities of a Trustee, the Chair provides leadership to the Board and works closely with the Director to ensure that Luminate continues to thrive. The Chair helps to guide the organisation’s strategic direction and supports the Board to carry out its role effectively. They also represent Luminate externally from time to time, acting as an ambassador with partners, funders and other stakeholders, and attending selected artistic events during the year.

The Chair leads four Board meetings each year, along with one awayday. Meetings are usually held in Edinburgh, with the option to join remotely as part of Luminate’s hybrid approach. This is a voluntary role with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

About You
Luminate is seeking a Chair who is genuinely enthusiastic about the organisation’s mission and who brings sound judgement, openness and a collaborative approach.

Candidates for the role of Chair should bring:
• A strong interest in and commitment to Luminate’s work.
• An understanding of the responsibilities and duties of a charity trustee.
• A commitment to being well-informed and engaged with Luminate’s activities.
• Openness, integrity and respect in working with colleagues and staff.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Previous experience of charity board membership.
• Ideally, prior experience of chairing a charitable organisation (though this is not essential).
• Confidence in representing an organisation externally and engaging with a range of stakeholders.

This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who values creativity, inclusion and the contribution of older people to Scotland’s cultural life, and who would like to play a leading role in shaping the future of this pioneering organisation.

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

Volunteer Trustee Opportunities at BD4 Community Trust – Make a Difference in Bradford

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in your community? BD4 Community Trust is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to join our Board of Trustees. As a volunteer trustee, you will play a key role in shaping the future of our community-focused charity, ensuring that we continue to deliver vital services and support for the people of East Bowling and beyond.

About BD4 Community Trust

Supporting and Restoring Community across the Generations. BD4 Community Trust is a local charity committed to improving the lives of individuals and families in the BD4 area. We provide a range of services, including support for vulnerable groups, community events, educational programmes, and initiatives to tackle social isolation and disadvantage. Our mission is to create a thriving, inclusive, and resilient community for all.

Our BD4 Family project works to help families to come together to learn, share and grow, where they can feel safe to enjoy quality time together and access encouragement and support when needed. The groups we run support the needs of our ever-expanding community by really listening to families and encouraging them to be part of our decision making and offering opportunities to volunteer and get involved.  

Gems has been running since 1983 and works with the older members of our community delivering a variety of activities each week with additional activities at times throughout the year. The project provides opportunities for older people to make friends, participate in healthy activities, enjoy a nutritional meal, and enjoy the occasional day trip out.

Role of a Trustee

As a trustee, you will:

- Contribute to the strategic direction of the charity.

- Ensure that BD4 Community Trust remains financially sustainable.

- Provide support and oversight to the charity’s staff and volunteers.

- Help build partnerships with other community organisations, local authorities, and stakeholders.

- Ensure that the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.

- Bring your skills, experience, and enthusiasm to help us grow and achieve our mission.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking individuals with a variety of skills and experiences, including (but not limited to):

- Leadership and governance experience.

- Knowledge of community development or charitable work.

- Financial or legal expertise.

- Strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

- Passion for improving the lives of those in the BD4 community.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage diversity in our board. Whether you have experience in the third sector, business, education, or other fields, your unique perspective will be invaluable to our work.

Time Commitment

- Trustees are expected to attend quarterly Board meetings (approximately 2 hours per meeting on an evening).

- Additional time may be required for training and community events.

- The role is voluntary, and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

What We Offer

- An opportunity to make a tangible difference in your local community.

- The chance to gain experience in governance and charity leadership.

- A collaborative and supportive environment where your contributions are valued.

- Training and development opportunities to help you thrive in your role.