Volunteer Roles in Europe

Our shop volunteers are an important part of the work we do at Princess Alice Hospice. On over 40 high streets, they help our shops turn takings directly into outstanding care.

Volunteering in one of our shops not only makes a difference to those we care for, it will make a difference to your life too. In our vibrant, sociable shops you will find new friends, colleagues, whilst gaining a wealth of valuable experience and also bagging a bargain for yourself!

If you’re comfortable interacting with the public, enjoy working as part of a team, and have an eye for tidiness and detail, we’d love to hear from you.

Full training and guidance will be provided to support you with your volunteering journey at Princess Alice Hospice.

Could you volunteer in your local PDSA charity shop and help us raise vital funds to treat pets in need?

PDSA is a charity with 48 pet hospitals that supports pets and people in need. All of our charity shops need an amazing team of volunteers to make them a success and we need you now more than ever.

By becoming a charity shop volunteer with PDSA you will:

• Gain retail experience
• Develop new skills and boost your CV
• Meet new people
• Support your local community
• Donate your current skills and knowledge
• Have fun
• Be part of a friendly team

Charity Shop Volunteers are involved in a wide range of roles and day-to-day activities that support the running of each shop and even a few hours a week will make a difference.

On the shop floor you could be involved with providing excellent customer service, processing transactions on the tills, replenishing stock and putting up eye-catching displays to entice customers in.

Behind the scenes, volunteers get involved with sorting through donations to find those hidden gems and preparing goods for sale by sorting, steaming and pricing

We provide training, so you don’t need experience – and we reimburse travel expenses so you won’t be out of pocket.

We’re looking for people who are 18 years of age or over that enjoy working as part of a team and making a difference.

Get in touch today to talk to us about volunteering in one of our shops or to apply for this role please visit Volunteering with PDSA - PDSA

PDSA positively encourages volunteer applications regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect

To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous and all appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.

Do you want to increase your admin or customer service skills? Then we have the perfect volunteering opportunity for you...

We are are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who want to support our members and join our friendly team of staff and volunteers. In this role, you will be assisting with the incoming calls coming into the National Helpline. Our members get in touch for a whole host of reasons - no day is the same! Some knowledge or experience of sight and or hearing loss would be an advantage in this particular role and confidence in speaking with people of all ages and backgrounds over the phone.

Duties would be varied ranging from dealing with basic incoming contact and referring any complex issues to our Membership Services team, updating our information library or carrying out research to support our work helping those with sight and hearing loss. You’ll receive full one to one training and gain a range of new skills and the confidence to use them. Although this is a remote role, there will always be a member of the team available to support you in your role.

We are looking for volunteers who would be available to support us in a slot between 10.00am – 12.00pm Mondays and Tuesdays.

Volunteering is a great way of improving you own skills and supporting others - why not join the team and make a difference to real people's lives......

Administrative Support Volunteer

As an Administrative Support Volunteer, you will play an essential role in the team, complimenting the work of the London Hub and allowing Shelter clients to receive the support that they need. The opportunity will allow you to make a difference in your local community as well as gaining hands-on experience in one of the UK's leading housing charities.

Suggested Involvement: A suggested minimum commitment of one day per week for six months

Availability:  This volunteering opportunity will take place within our working hours, Monday-Friday, 10:00-17:00

Location: This role is based at 26-28 Ramsgate Street, London, E8 1LD

Supervised by: Hub Administrator

Why get involved with Shelter?

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We're here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

Shelter volunteers are involved in our head office, services, shops, campaigns, events and our legal teams, and they all contribute their valuable time, skills and experience. We simply couldn’t achieve our goals without them.

Main tasks

• General administrative tasks (photocopying, scanning, and minute taking)
• Covering reception and meeting and greeting people who are dropping into the office on an ad hoc basis
• Supporting the delivery of Lived Experience Insight activities, by assisting setting up meetings & listening events, send reminder invites and forwarding other event information.
• Conducting client feedback calls
• Updating local resource documents, such as local authority information sheets
• Inputting information on to our case management system
• Supporting the team with resources for delivery of training

Skills and experience required

• Previous administrative experience or an interest in gaining administrative skills
• An interest in social welfare e.g. housing, welfare benefits, debt.
• Ability to manage your own time and task load
• Confident and professional telephone manner
• Good communication skills (this may be through experience of working with the public).
• Confident IT skills including Microsoft Office programmes.
• The ability to work as part of a team and value others
• Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies including Volunteering, Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Confidentiality and Data Protection

Induction, learning and development

To enable you to take part in this opportunity, Shelter will:

• Provide you with a Volunteer Handbook and all Policies & Procedures
• Provide e-learning including Equality & Diversity, Health & Safety, Data Protection, Environmental Awareness and Safeguarding
• Provide access to other appropriate Shelter training
• Provide a local induction relevant to your role
• Pay ‘out of pocket’ expenses in line with Shelter’s Volunteer Expenses Policy

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness
• Gain valuable work experience
• Be part of a great team
• Build your confidence and develop transferrable skills
• Enhances your CV

This is a voluntary position that supports the work of our services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff. This role profile does not form part of any contract of employment.

Be the difference on your doorstep.
Compassionate Neighbours are trained volunteers offering friendship, support and listening ear to people living in their local community, sometimes with serious, long-term or terminal illness who often struggle with loneliness.

By popping round for a cup of tea or a friendly chat once a week you can make a world of difference. You will be a good listener, kind and have a genuine interest in other people.

As a Compassionate Neighbour Volunteer you’ll not only gain new skills, confidence, and social networks; you’ll be making a difference in your local community.

Full training and support is provided. 

Join our amazing team and make a real difference to people living with sight loss. Help create a welcoming and safe environment for people to share their experiences, ask questions and support each other and connect with a local community in a group setting via Facebook.

In this role you will be: 

• Managing group membership – authorising Requests to Join. 

• Creating a warm and welcoming environment. 

• Supporting group conversations. 

• Working with a Volunteer Moderator Team to create engaging content for the Group. 

• Ensuring House Rules are followed and content is appropriate. 

What you’ll gain from the role: 

• An opportunity to give something back. 

• A chance to build a strong community. 

• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.

•  A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people 

• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. 

In return for donating your time we will provide: 

• A rewarding experience. 

• A great Induction and training. 

• A supportive manager. 

• Regular updates and catchups. 

• Expenses. 

• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers. 

We are looking for warm, friendly people who enjoy a bit of a chat!

Here at Deafblind UK, we contact our members on their special day to wish them best wishes on their birthday and are looking for confident, chatty and friendly individuals to join our amazing volunteer team to make calls on a Wednesday and a Friday.

No previous experience is necessary - You just need to be comfortable talking over the phone, engaging, able to instigate conversations and able to commit to regular weekly calls.

Full training is provided along with full support and guidance.

Yes! This is the role for me.....then apply today!

Marie Curie Helper is a professional service provided by trained volunteers who offer one-to-one companionship and support to people with a terminal illness and their families. 

To enable us to reach more people who would benefit from our support we need help to;

• Raise awareness and knowledge of the Helper service
• Ensure that people who are referred to the Helper service are appropriately assessed
• Increase our number of trained Helper volunteers and ensure they are well supported in their role.
• Demonstrate Marie Curie values; always compassionate, making things happen, leading in our field, people at our heart
• Support volunteers in training, offering 1:1 support and facilitating peer support groups 
• Organise social events and engagement activities for volunteers 
• Provide cover for Helper volunteers, offering companionship and emotional support, practical support and short breaks for carers

With support from their Volunteer Coordinator a Lead Volunteer will play an important part in supporting the Helper service to reach more people within their own local community.

Your role will mainly be based in your local community and may include some of, but is not restricted to, the following typical tasks:

• Assess terminally ill people and/or their carers either in their own home, nursing or residential care to identify their needs and determine if the Marie Curie Helper service would be appropriate for them. 
• Provide cover for Helper volunteers, offering companionship and emotional support, practical support and short breaks for carers.  You may be supporting your client’s family or carers before or during bereavement.  This may involve offering emotional support, signposting to relevant local support services or finding out information as requested
• Driving clients to pre-arranged health or social care (eg to chemotherapy appointments or day therapy at the hospice)
• Follow all mandatory procedures that form part of the Helper service. 
• Provide cover as a lone worker Buddy to support Helper volunteers, as needed
• Keeping up to date with Helper service guidance and best practice 
• Liaising with existing and potential referrers to the Helper service
• Liaising with clients and their families via telephone
• Promoting the Helper volunteer role including (with training/approval) media activity 
• Helping with the recruitment of new volunteers, including interviews and selection 
• Keeping accurate records
• Liaising regularly with the Volunteer Coordinator and other team members
• Reporting concerns and celebrating compliments and successes 
• Assisting with evaluations and development of the Helper service
• Help with other related tasks when necessary 

ABOUT US

Every day of your life matters – from the first to the last. When you volunteer for Marie Curie, you understand that better than ever. We’re a passionate, committed and diverse team of more than 4,400 staff and  6,500 volunteers, here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support, to help them get the most from the time they have left. 

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work.  We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

Marie Curie is committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early.

Across the UK, many cats are cared for by volunteer fosterers who provide a stable, safe and loving environment in their homes or in purpose-built pens in their gardens. They provide vital hands-on care and accommodation to stray or abandoned cats or cats whose owners could sadly no longer keep them, and are part of a dedicated team of volunteers committed to finding new homes for cats in need. Our fosterers carry out this role with support from their local branch or centre.

Most of our fosterers care for one or two cats at a time and enjoy providing lots of TLC to those cats, who have been pre-loved or have had a difficult start in life. Some of our fosterers look after new mums and kittens and provide round-the-clock care to newborns to give them the best start in life.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Meeting the needs of the cats and kittens in your care
• Cleaning and looking after the cats’ environment and equipment
• Feeding, grooming and administering medication
• Spending time enriching the cats’ experience in care including; play, exercise and stroking
• Maintaining high standards of animal welfare

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens in need by caring for them before they find new, loving homes. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• A dedicated suitable spare room in your house or space in your garden for a purpose-built pen – you can read more about this here
• Basic knowledge of cats, cat care and understanding their needs
• An appreciation of cat welfare and hygiene standards
• Good interpersonal skills
• Patience, commitment and empathy
• Willingness to be part of a team

Could you volunteer in your local PDSA charity shop and help us raise vital funds to treat pets in need?

PDSA is a charity with 48 pet hospitals that supports pets and people in need. All of our charity shops need an amazing team of volunteers to make them a success and we need you now more than ever.

By becoming a charity shop volunteer with PDSA you will:

• Gain retail experience
• Develop new skills and boost your CV
• Meet new people
• Support your local community
• Donate your current skills and knowledge
• Have fun
• Be part of a friendly team

Charity Shop Volunteers are involved in a wide range of roles and day-to-day activities that support the running of each shop and even a few hours a week will make a difference.

On the shop floor you could be involved with providing excellent customer service, processing transactions on the tills, replenishing stock and putting up eye-catching displays to entice customers in.

Behind the scenes, volunteers get involved with sorting through donations to find those hidden gems and preparing goods for sale by sorting, steaming and pricing

We provide training, so you don’t need experience – and we reimburse travel expenses so you won’t be out of pocket. 

We’re looking for people who are 18 years of age or over that enjoy working as part of a team and making a difference.

Get in touch today to talk to us about volunteering in one of our shops or to apply for this role please visit Volunteering with PDSA - PDSA

PDSA positively encourages volunteer applications regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect. 

To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous and all appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks. 

Keeping in regular contact with our members to check on their wellbeing is one of our key services.

Our Wellbeing Volunteers contact a range of different members every week to make a friendly 'check in' call and have a chat. During these calls, you'll provide the opportunity for our members to talk, offer friendly support and make them aware of the Deafblind UK services available to them.

Whatever the conversation you’ll be making a positive difference!

This is a home based role so you don't need to be 'local' and you don’t need experience to become one of our Wellbeing Volunteers. The majority of our members communicate with clear speech so no specialised skills or knowledge is required. You just need to be comfortable chatting over the phone and be able to commit to a regular weekly time slot to make calls to our members. Some knowledge or experience of sight and or hearing loss would be an advantage in this particular role and confidence in speaking with people of all ages and backgrounds. 

We provide full training and ongoing support in this role and ask for a minimum commitment of three months.

We require you to have Wifi and access to a PC, tablet or mobile device. This is to allow you to complete training, have access to the Deafblind UK phone system and to submit online contact logs.

Volunteering with our charity is special because you get to hear  first-hand the difference you make to people’s lives. Click on 'apply' and make a difference today!

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care. We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.

A bit about this role

If you enjoy driving and would love to use those skills to help our cats, this could be the role for you. Our transport volunteers provide vital assistance to our teams and volunteer groups in the local area by transporting equipment, litter, food– and even cats! They have the essential role of connecting our network of volunteers, sites, vets and supporters.

Without the passionate and committed teams of volunteers across Cats Protection, we wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us for help.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Arranging and transporting equipment, litter and cat food
• Transporting cats to and from vets, foster homes and centres
• Transporting equipment to and from events

A bit more information about this role and the team

As part of this role you will be using own car to transport donations and cats. Mileage will be re-imbursed.

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by providing transport assistance to local volunteer groups and teams. You will meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Good organisation and time management skills
• Knowledge of the local community
• A current driver’s licence
• Either access to a vehicle or happy to drive a Cats Protection van (subject to availabilty)
• The ability to carry out some heavy lifting

Time expectation

Our transport volunteers usually spend two to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

Ref: V217 | Support Group Volunteer | Redford Way, Uxbridge

We’re looking for two Support Group Volunteers over the age of 18 years old, based at Hillingdon Stroke Support Group, Bailey Hall Christ Church, Redford Way UB8 1SZ.

You’ll be volunteering every second Monday between 10.45am and 12.45pm.

As a support group volunteer, you will help with the running of the group.  The role is designed to suit the needs of the group, and the skills of people offering support. If you enjoy getting to know your community, working with others and making a real difference then this is the role for you.

The volunteers will be

· A people person, with good listening skills

· A great communicator who enjoys meeting new people

· Good at putting people at ease

· Reliable and organised

· Passionate about supporting people affected by stroke

· IT literate, have good administrative and record keeping skills and be able to follow relevant policies

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this role.

Interested in this role?

Please click on the role description 

If you are interested in this role, please complete our application form on our website.

About Us

Stroke Association. Rebuilding lives after stroke.

When stroke strikes, part of your brain shuts down. And so does a part of you. That’s because a stroke happens in the brain, the control centre for who we are and what we can do. It happens every five minutes in the UK and changes lives instantly. Recovery is tough, but with the right specialist support and a ton of courage and determination, the brain can adapt.

We believe everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke. And it’s a team effort to get there.

We provide specialist support, fund critical research and campaign to make sure people affected by stroke get the very best care and support to rebuild their lives.

We’re working to improve the diversity of our team.  Because we know that individuality leads to a richer experience for our people and better support for those affected by stroke. 

We strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. And we’re particularly looking to increase the number of applications from those with lived experience of stroke and those from under-represented communities. 

Every five minutes, stroke destroys lives. Help us rebuild them and join our team.

To help us deliver our strategy and make a real difference, we are looking to recruit talented people to a number of new roles.

If you would like to support stroke survivors to rebuild their lives, we want to hear from you!

About Smart Works 

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed. After visiting Smart Works, 69% of clients secure a job within a month, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.

Smart Works Leeds, operating as a licensee of Smart Works Charity, is led by a Board of passionate and dedicated trustees, who are responsible for the governance and strategic direction of the Smart Works service across Yorkshire.

More information about who we are can be found on our website.

About the opportunity  

The Smart Works Leeds Board of Trustees consists of: Chair, Treasurer, People, Wardrobe & Property, Corporate Fundraising & Partnerships, Events, and Communications & Media Trustees. 

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the Smart Works Leeds Board of Trustees. The newly created Ambassador & Volunteer Trustee will lead on two fundamental activities at the Centre: 

• Ambassadors: Smart Works Leeds currently has one Ambassador. The Board is looking to grow our ambassador community. The position will help identify, onboard and work with the team of Smart Works Leeds Ambassadors to raise the profile of the Charity across the Yorkshire region.
• Volunteers: Smart Works is powered by a community of skilled volunteers who use their time, talents and kindness to help our clients. The position will oversee volunteer management and engagement for Smart Works Leeds and will work closely with the staff team to keep the volunteer community motivated and engaged in the charity’s mission. 

If you have valuable experience and skills to contribute to the Smart Works mission and would like to use your professional experience for good, we would love to hear from you.

General Duties of a Smart Works Trustee 

• Work with the Chair of the Board of Trustees to ensure the centre is well-run and governed effectively. 
• Provide support to determine the strategic direction of the Centre. 
• Advocate for the Centre, raising its profile and the awareness of the Smart Works service in the geographic area. 
• Build strong working relationships with the Chair, fellow trustees, staff, volunteers and supporters. 
• Work in a small team and tailor strong interpersonal and communication skills to all levels of seniority.

Personal Specification 

The successful Ambassador and Volunteer Lead Trustee will have excellent interpersonal skills and stakeholder management experience. 

They will use their skills and experience to attract, utilise and maximise the Ambassadors for Smart Works Leeds and they will nurture, coordinate and motivate the Smart Works Leeds volunteer community. 

As this is a voluntary, unpaid role it requires a self-starting and proactive approach with the capacity and time to challenge, engage and contribute to the work of the Board in a positive manner. 

It is essential that all applicants believe in the mission of Smart Works and align with our core values, share a commitment to fairness and to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, acting at all times with honesty and integrity. 

If you possess the relevant experience and are seeking to give something back to the community in Yorkshire, then we would love to hear from you. Please note, you do not need to have previous experience of sitting on a board to join us although it would be an advantage.

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, disabled candidates, and candidates with lived experience of unemployment, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at Smart Works.

How to Apply  

Please visit our website or click "Apply Now" to find out more information - we can't wait to hear from you.