Volunteer roles

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

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats and kittens each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups. We have branches across the UK, all of which help our cats in different ways. Branches take in stray and abandoned cats and ensure they receive the veterinary care and attention they deserve; help raise funds, promote neutering and help spread cat welfare messages. Our branch team leader volunteers lead their local team by supporting and managing volunteers within their group, maintaining communications with both volunteers and employees, and helping promote a positive and professional image of Cats Protection.

You can expect us to

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

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Supporting your team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure volunteers are happy and confident
• Making sure the team observes charity best practice and compliance
• Collaborating with your Branch Development Manager (BDM) to plan volunteer activity
• Leading the team to follow Cats Protection policies, procedures and guidelines
• Monitoring expenditure and helping ensure long term financial stability of the volunteer group
• Organising and chairing team meetings
• Acting as an ambassador for Cats Protection

Time expectation

Our branch team leader volunteers usually spend 10 to 15 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. There will be times of year when more hours are required, such as towards the end of the financial year, but support and guidance are available.

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

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

Purpose of the Role

Trustees share the ultimate responsibility for governing a charity and ensuring it is effectively managed. As a Trustee of The Sussex Reptile Rescue Centre, you will help ensure the organisation is well-run, financially secure, and delivering its mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and care for reptiles in need.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the charity fulfils its purposes and delivers public benefit

• Comply with the governing document, charity law, and all relevant regulations

• Act at all times in the best interests of the charity

• Manage resources responsibly, ensuring financial sustainability

• Safeguard the charity’s reputation, values, and integrity

• Contribute to developing the charity’s strategy and long-term plans

• Monitor performance against agreed objectives and targets

• Prepare for and attend trustee meetings, contributing constructively

• Represent the charity positively within the community and at public events

Skills & Experience

We welcome applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds. The following skills are particularly valuable to our Board:

• Finance, accounting, or business management

• Fundraising, income generation, or marketing

• Animal welfare knowledge — particularly relating to reptiles

• HR, governance, or legal expertise

• Networking, partnership building, or community engagement

• Strategic planning and organisational development

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to the charity’s mission and values

• Willingness to dedicate time, energy, and enthusiasm to the role

• Ability to think strategically and make balanced, evidence-based decisions

• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills

• Integrity, reliability, and sound judgement

What You’ll Gain

• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to animal welfare in Sussex

• A rewarding chance to apply your skills and experience to a vital cause

• Insight and experience in charity governance and strategic leadership

• Being part of a supportive, passionate, and dedicated team

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

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference. Through volunteering as an Emergency Responder, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering essential first aid and lifesaving clinical care at community and major events in your areas, including at sporting events, concerts, community festivals.

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

We will be running a number of information events locally. The date and location within Coventry will be shared soon. If you require this information, please contact the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert.

Invitation to selection events will be shared with candidates once an application is received.

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role. This will include a 6-day in-person training course split over three weekends. 

Closing date for these opportunities is: 25/03//2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

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

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference. Through volunteering as an Emergency Responder, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering essential first aid and lifesaving clinical care at community and major events in your areas, including at sporting events, concerts, community festivals.

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

We will be running a number of information events locally. The date and location within South Lincolnshire  will be shared soon. If you require this information, please contact the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert.

Invitation to selection events will be shared with candidates once an application is received.

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role. This will include a 6-day in-person training course split over three weekends. 

Closing date for these opportunities is: 30/04/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

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

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference. Through volunteering as an Emergency Responder, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering essential first aid and lifesaving clinical care at community and major events in your areas, including at sporting events, concerts, community festivals.

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

We will be running a number of information events locally. The date and location within North Lincolnshire will be shared soon. If you require this information, please contact the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert.

Invitation to selection events will be shared with candidates once an application is received.

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role. This will include a 6-day in-person training course split over three weekends. 

Closing date for these opportunities is: 30/04/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

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

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference. Through volunteering as an Emergency Responder, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering essential first aid and lifesaving clinical care at community and major events in your areas, including at sporting events, concerts, community festivals.

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

We will be running a number of information events locally. The date and location within Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire will be shared soon. If you require this information, please contact the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert.

Invitation to selection events will be shared with candidates once an application is received.

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role. This will include a 6-day in-person training course split over three weekends. 

Closing date for these opportunities is: 30/04/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

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

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference. Through volunteering as an Emergency Responder, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering essential first aid and lifesaving clinical care at community and major events in your areas, including at sporting events, concerts, community festivals.

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

We will be running a number of information events locally. The date and location within Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire will be shared soon. If you require this information, please contact the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert.

Invitation to selection events will be shared with candidates once an application is received.

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role. This will include a 6-day in-person training course split over three weekends. 

Closing date for these opportunities is: 20/03/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Do you have a passion for helping people discover the unlimited possibilities that technology can bring? Would you like to open up a world of opportunities for blind and partially sighted people in your local community by training them to use technology? Join our local technology team helping people with sight loss get the most out of technology.

As a First Response Volunteer, you will help find those rough sleeping quicker, and enable Outreach workers to spend more time supporting those found to move away from the streets and get connected to other local services. First Responders play a crucial role to ensure people sleeping rough receive vital support. This is not a client-facing role and therefore is well suited to somebody looking for their first role in the homelessness sector. However, we do also offer development opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge about rough sleeping for those interested.

On shift, you and a partner volunteer will be given a list of people who have been seen sleeping rough. Your role is to identify those who are sleeping rough, and pass information about referrals to the Outreach team to follow up on – they will help the person find accommodation and link them into non-accommodation-based support for example around physical or mental health. 

As an Enhanced First Response Volunteer, you and a partner volunteer will look for referrals made by StreetLink, engaging with those sleeping rough and passing on valuable information to the Outreach team. Enhanced First Responders play a crucial role in ensuring those sleeping rough receive vital support from the Outreach Team to move away from the streets and get connected with local services. These are driving shifts, so between you and your partner volunteer, one of you will drive, whilst the other can support with navigation. 

We’re on the lookout for a volunteer who’s keen to make a real difference in our communities — and pick up some new skills along the way!

This is a unique opportunity to gain a recognised qualification while helping residents at Asquith Court and Charlotte Court enjoy regular chair-based exercise sessions. These schemes don’t currently have any sessions, but they’re really keen to get started — ideally once a month to begin with (and maybe more if it’s a hit!).

We’ll support you every step of the way, including covering the cost of your Amac Certificate in Chair-based Exercise Instructing - which you can complete online at your own pace. Once you’re qualified, we’ll work with you to build a schedule that fits around your availability.

Each session will last up to an hour, and we’ll also cover your travel expenses between the two schemes.

Because you’ll be working with potentially vulnerable residents, you’ll need to be 18 or over to take on this role.

If you’re passionate about helping others stay active, feel good, and have fun — we’d love to hear from you!

Looking for a way to give back to your local community without a long-term commitment? Not sure exactly what you’d like to do, but know you want to help?

Sometimes we come across one-off community tasks that just need a few volunteers to give us a good old Yorkshire helping hand. We also know life can get very busy and people don’t always have time to commit to a regular volunteering role.

Being a Community Squad volunteer is a flexible way to get involved. You’ll find out when and where one-off tasks are happening near you, and you can choose to help whenever it suits. There’s no ongoing commitment, you’re in control.

As a Squad volunteer, you’ll regularly receive updates about opportunities across Yorkshire. There’s no obligation to sign up for any of them, but if something catches your eye, just put your name forward. We’ll send you all the details you need, and you simply turn up on the day!

Tasks vary widely, so there’s something for everyone. You might help at a community clean-up, plant spring bulbs, hand out leaflets, put out grit or clear a path when it’s snowed for a neighbour. Or you could be handing out popcorn at a cinema event, making cups of tea at a social club, supporting someone with their digital devices, creating glitter tattoos at a children’s event, or writing letters to customers who are isolated.

There will be lots of varied things to help with!

ENGINEERS/MAKERS

Across the UK, our 60+ local branches help disabled people live the lives they choose. Our network of skilled volunteers respond to thousands of requests each year to design and make customised equipment free of charge.

Our Engineer/Maker volunteers are at the very heart of what our local branches do. They use their practical skills and creativity to help people with disabilities live fuller and more independent lives.

What the role involves

This is a varied role where local need shapes what you’ll be working on, but it often includes:

• Designing and making pieces of equipment for individuals with specific needs

• Using your practical skills working with metal, wood, plastic, or electronics (or a combination of them)

• Attending a monthly meeting of the local branch.

We can support you to develop the skills you need for this role, and there’s an induction that covers all the areas above. You’ll also have chance to discuss your role and any additional needs with us.

What you’ll need for this role

Essential

• Practical experience in working with one of the above materials

• Comfortable working with people, listening to them and understanding their needs

• Able to apply our risk management system

• Able to apply disability, equality, and inclusion practices

• Able to keep people’s personal details safe

• Willing to follow REMAP policies and procedures and a commitment to our values

Desirable

• Access to your own tools and workshop (or can access these)

• Able to drive or have good transport links

You’ll also need to complete the induction checklist, as well as a DBS check and reference check.

Where will I volunteer?

This role is largely home based, but will generally also involve visiting clients out in the community. Your local branches hold in-person meetings once a month or so.

Time commitment

This varies quite a lot depending on which cases come in, how complex they are and whether they fit your skills and experience, but it’s essentially a flexible role and there are no set hours.

Why volunteer

When you volunteer with us, you join a community of committed people with a passion for helping to improve the lives of others. We’re a volunteer led organisation and we couldn’t do what we do without your hard work, skills and commitment.

N.B. We’ll reimburse any out-of-pocket expenses during your time with us.

Support the work of St John Ambulance in your community by volunteering as a Community Volunteer, an exciting new role which is designed to revamp how volunteering looks in the modern world; flexible, innovative and is open for all.

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference, supporting them to become safe and more resilient. Community Volunteers can choose from a wide selection of activities – including fundraising, talks and demonstrations, supporting at events, volunteer welfare, social media and administration support.

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

Give as much (or little) time as you can afford. With this new role, you simply volunteer when it works for you. That means you can give as much time as you like or as little as 24 hours across a whole year, whenever it suits you. It’s perfect for busy lives, changing schedules, or for anyone seeking a low-commitment involvement. 

The Community Volunteer provides an easy way to stay connected and contribute meaningfully to your local community. Here are some examples of what you could do: 

• Community fundraising
• Talks and demonstrations
• Support at events
• Volunteer welfare
• Community Roadshows
• Supporting national campaigns
• Counting and banking money
• Booking events
• Supporting Networks  
• Administration support
• Writing thank you and community letters
• Media and social media
• Community news and Network newsletters 

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

Once we have completed your selection and screening for this role, we will provide you with an induction, as well as invite you to any necessary training sessions. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

Great opportunities in Wells, Shepton Mallet, Yeovil, Frome, Street and Glastonbury for you to be active in your local Community by joining St John Ambulance to help with fundraising, giving talks and demonstrations of basic first aid or supporting existing volunteers.

The role is very flexible with just a minimum requirement of 24 hours per year. Training will be given and uniform provided to you.

Interviews to start in early March 2026, Welcome events in late March/early April 2026.

Closing date for these opportunities is: 24/03/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below: