Social work volunteer volunteer roles

About Lived Expert

Lived Expert, founded by Mark Johnson MBE, is a pioneering social enterprise that harnesses the power of lived experience to drive social change. We've led transformative projects across addiction, homelessness, neurodiversity, and the justice system. As we grow our digital presence, we're looking for a creative, organised intern to take the lead on our social media output and help us tell powerful stories to wider audiences.

Role Purpose

As our Social Media Intern, you'll own the day-to-day running of Lived Expert's social media channels — planning content, scheduling posts, and helping build a consistent, impactful online presence. You'll work with the team to develop a content calendar organised around monthly themes (e.g. addiction, housing, abuse, neurodiversity) and create storyboards that bring our work to life across platforms. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who's passionate about social impact and wants hands-on experience building a social media operation from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

1. Content Planning & Strategy
   • Develop and maintain a monthly content calendar built around key themes aligned with our work.
   • Create storyboards and content plans that map out messaging, visuals, and posting schedules.
   • Help shape a coherent social media strategy that grows our reach and engagement.
2. Content Creation & Publishing
   • Produce and schedule at least one post per day across all channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook, etc.).
   • Write compelling copy, source or create visuals, and adapt content for each platform.
   • Support the production of short-form video, graphics, and story-based content.
3. Platform & Tools Management
   • Use scheduling and management tools (e.g. HubSpot, or similar) to streamline publishing across channels.
   • Help set up and maintain a reliable system for cross-platform posting and Facebook ad campaigns.
   • Track engagement metrics and produce simple performance summaries to guide what's working.
4. Digital Support
   • Assist with email list management, newsletter content, and web updates where needed.
   • Support lightweight automations (e.g. content approval flows, engagement tracking).
   • Create short "how-to" guides so social media processes are transferable to the wider team.
5. Team Collaboration
   • Work closely with the founder and project team to align social content with organisational priorities.
   • Contribute ideas for campaigns, awareness days, and amplifying lived experience voices online.

Person Specification

We're looking for someone who is:

• Social media savvy — you understand how different platforms work and what makes content perform well.
• Creative and organised — able to plan ahead with a content calendar while producing quality posts consistently.
• Comfortable with tools — experienced with (or eager to learn) scheduling platforms, HubSpot, Canva, Google Workspace/Microsoft 365, and basic analytics.
• A clear communicator — able to write concise, engaging copy and document processes.
• Self-motivated and detail-oriented — able to work independently in a remote team and keep things running to schedule.
• Interested in social impact — motivated by amplifying the voices of people with lived experience and helping meaningful work reach more people.

Benefits

• Hands-on experience building a social media presence for a growing, purpose-driven social enterprise.
• Remote work with a flexible schedule.
• Opportunity to shape strategy, not just execute — your ideas will matter here.
• Support and guidance from an experienced team, plus a practical portfolio of real-world social media work.

Application Instructions

Please send us:

• Your CV
• A short cover letter (max 1 page) telling us: 
  • Why you're interested in Lived Expert and this role.
  • Examples of social media work, content creation, or digital tools you've used to build an audience or improve a process (from study, work, volunteering, or personal projects).
  • What you're hoping to learn and contribute during the internship.

According to the UNESCO Institute of Statistics, in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, only 62% of primary school teachers have the minimum teaching qualifications.

In 2023, only 9% of young people in lower secondary education in Zambia reached the minimum level of proficiency in reading. Lifelong learning opportunities and economic growth are being stunted. 

All children deserve a quality education from a transformative and supportive teacher. The Commonwealth Education Trust (CET) invests in teachers in low- and middle-income settings by providing accessible teacher professional development including via its flagship programme, Teach2030. 

The Role 

To aid the growth of CET, an exciting Social Media Volunteer opportunity has been introduced to take responsibilty of the charity’s social media channels. The role will report to the Marketing Lead and will be responsible for managing all social media accounts across CET and Teach2030 with the aims of improving engagement and follower growth. 

What you’ll do 

• Agree a new social media strategy and KPIs with the Marketing Lead 

• Plan and maintain the social media calendar 

• Using our content library and Canva to produce creative, create and schedule posts, stories, and reels across Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and LinkedIn 

• Monitor performance and adapt content where necessary to maximise reach, engagement, and impressions. 

• Provide top-line feedback and actions to Marketing Lead monthly 

What we’re looking for 

You might be a marketing professional looking to support a charitable cause or simply a social media savvy individual who wants to put their skills in practice. 

• Passionate about social media

• Working knowledge of social media platforms and trends 

• Proficiency with a graphic design tool such as Canva

• Reliability and organisation 

• Able to work independently and carry out tasks remotely 

• Ability to commit regular time to ensure social media accounts are active and engaging 

Do you love a good chat, enjoy meeting new people, and want to make a real difference in someone’s life? Come and be part of something special!

We’re looking for friendly, outgoing volunteers to help at our monthly social group meetings. These gatherings are a lifeline for many of our members living with combined sight and hearing loss — offering connection, laughter, and a safe space to make new friends.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Group Volunteer, you’ll be the welcoming face that makes our members feel at home. Your role might include:

• Greeting members with a warm smile

• Helping with lunch and refreshments

• Spending time chatting and socialising

• Supporting members with mobility or guiding, if needed

Our Newham group meets every fourth Thurday of the month from 1pm to 3pm — just two hours to brighten someone’s day!

Got a Talent? Share It!

Whether you’re a quiz master, a crafty creator, a musical marvel, or have a few magic tricks up your sleeve — we’d love to see what you can bring! Your unique skills could add that extra sparkle to our sessions.

What You’ll Get

• Full training and 1:1 support

• Opportunities to learn and grow in your role

• The joy of knowing you’ve made a real difference

All you need is a friendly, welcoming manner and a willingness to help. We’ll take care of the rest.

Be the Spark in Someone’s Month

Do you love a good chat, enjoy meeting new people, and want to make a real difference in someone’s life? Come and be part of something special!

We’re looking for friendly, outgoing volunteers to help at our monthly social group meetings. These gatherings are a lifeline for many of our members living with combined sight and hearing loss — offering connection, laughter, and a safe space to make new friends.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Group Volunteer, you’ll be the welcoming face that makes our members feel at home. Your role might include:

Greeting members with a warm smile

Helping with lunch and refreshments

Spending time chatting and socialising

Supporting members with mobility or guiding, if needed

Our Peterborough group meets every last Friday of the month from 1pm to 3pm — just two hours to brighten someone’s day!

Got a Talent? Share It!

Whether you’re a quiz master, a crafty creator, a musical marvel, or have a few magic tricks up your sleeve — we’d love to see what you can bring! Your unique skills could add that extra sparkle to our sessions.

What You’ll Get

Full training and 1:1 support

Opportunities to learn and grow in your role

The joy of knowing you’ve made a real difference

All you need is a friendly, welcoming manner and a willingness to help. We’ll take care of the rest.

Do you love a good chat, enjoy meeting new people, and want to make a real difference in someone’s life? Come and be part of something special!

We’re looking for friendly, outgoing volunteers to help at our monthly social group meetings. These gatherings are a lifeline for many of our members living with combined sight and hearing loss — offering connection, laughter, and a safe space to make new friends.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Group Volunteer, you’ll be the welcoming face that makes our members feel at home. Your role might include:

• Greeting members with a warm smile

• Helping with lunch and refreshments

• Spending time chatting and socialising

• Supporting members with mobility or guiding, if needed

Our Bridgend group meets every second Friday of the month from 11.00am to 1.00pm — just two hours to brighten someone’s day!

Got a Talent? Share It!

Whether you’re a quiz master, a crafty creator, a musical marvel, or have a few magic tricks up your sleeve — we’d love to see what you can bring! Your unique skills could add that extra sparkle to our sessions.

What You’ll Get

• Full training and 1:1 support

• Opportunities to learn and grow in your role

• The joy of knowing you’ve made a real difference

All you need is a friendly, welcoming manner and a willingness to help. We’ll take care of the rest.

Rephael House are looking for a creative and committed volunteer to support our social media presence and help us reach more people in need.

Role Purpose

The Social Media Volunteer will help raise the profile of Rephael House, promote our services, strengthen engagement with our community, and support our fundraising efforts through effective online storytelling and digital communication.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and suggest ideas for engaging social media posts across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
• Create visually appealing content (graphics, short videos, reels, stories) aligned with our messaging.
• Plan and schedule posts to ensure consistent communication.
• Work with the CEO and wider team to understand priorities, themes, campaigns, and upcoming events.
• Help shape a simple social media strategy to promote our services and increase our reach.
• Support campaigns aimed at raising awareness, increasing referrals, and encouraging donations.
• Monitor engagement and suggest improvements to help us grow.
• Ensure content reflects our values, tone, and safeguarding standards.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience with social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or a willingness to learn.
• Creative mindset with an eye for design and impactful storytelling.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisation and planning abilities.
• Ability to work independently and reliably.
• Interest in mental health, community support, or the charity sector.

What You’ll Gain

• Experience working in a small but passionate charity.
• Opportunity to build your social media and digital marketing portfolio.
• Flexibility to volunteer remotely and fit around your schedule.
• The chance to make a meaningful impact by helping vulnerable people access support.

Do you love a good chat, enjoy meeting new people, and want to make a real difference in someone’s life? Come and be part of something special!

We’re looking for friendly, outgoing volunteers to help at our monthly social group meetings. These gatherings are a lifeline for many of our members living with combined sight and hearing loss — offering connection, laughter, and a safe space to make new friends.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Group Volunteer, you’ll be the welcoming face that makes our members feel at home. Your role might include:

• Greeting members with a warm smile

• Helping with lunch and refreshments

• Spending time chatting and socialising

• Supporting members with mobility or guiding, if needed

Our Wrexham group meets every second Thursday of the month from 10.30am to 12.30pm

Got a Talent? Share It!

Whether you’re a quiz master, a crafty creator, a musical marvel, or have a few magic tricks up your sleeve — we’d love to see what you can bring! Your unique skills could add that extra sparkle to our sessions.

What You’ll Get

• Full training and 1:1 support

• Opportunities to learn and grow in your role

• The joy of knowing you’ve made a real difference

All you need is a friendly, welcoming manner and a willingness to help. We’ll take care of the rest.

We are now looking for someone with an interest in Charity Communications/Social Media who can take on the responsibilities of the direct social media output. The successful candidate will join us in our office or other locations mainly in North London once a week. We are looking for someone with a passion for social media and an understanding of how important it can be to a charity and the people we help.

Core Responsibilities

• Create content to be attractive, informative and inclusive.
• Post across Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to promote the organisation
• Support the Operations Manager to utilise social media to thank and engage our supporters, donors and funders.
• Form key relationships with organisations, influencers and brands
• Create new ideas to make the best use of our social media to improve our engagement with families we support, and existing and potential volunteers.
• Collaborating with other team members and external consultants to contribute to and adhere to the wider communications strategy.
• Maintain strict GDPR and confidentiality practices at all times.
• Monitor and report on the engagement rates of each post/platform to inform our messaging.

Person Specification

• A good understanding of the best practice for maximum social media engagement (ie: best time of day to post, how to write comments and captions that will gain engagement) and a willingness to learn more about this
• Awareness of latest social media trends and etiquettes
• Proactive and excited to take on their own project
• Creativity and Canva skills
• A keen interest in social media
• An interest in our work with families in crisis
• Strong communication skills

This is an opportunity to use your expertise and skills in website development and social media presentation to make a difference to the arts in Ukraine. Our charity is focused on projects within Ukraine to support the future of dance there. This volunteer role will play a key role in fundraising and communications in support of this work.

Responsibilities:

Website:

• Developing and maintaining website (currently Wix)
• SEO and analytics

 Social media:

• Technical support for development of presence on Instagram, Facebook
• Support for Fundraising and Communications Manager in development of presentation

Technical oversight:

• Ensure and advise on security
• Ensure data protection compliance
• Advise on development of technical support for administration of the charity

 Key Skills / Attributes:

• Strong interest in volunteering within the arts in the third sector
• Strong experience of website development and maintenance
• Knowledge of JavaScript, SQL useful
• Experience in use of social media for corporate communications

Likely to have had 3 years plus relevant professional experience supporting corporate communications or  marketing or similar disciplines.

Autistic Parents UK is seeking dedicated volunteers to join our incredible team. We are a fully user-led registered charity, offering peer support, webinars, training, signposting and resources on lived Autistic parenthood. ​

We welcome anyone who would like to offer their time alongside us in our aim to support people at whatever stage they are at with their understanding of Autism and being Autistic. We strive to treat all people with understanding, respect and compassion and are dedicated to being inclusive of ALL Autistic parents and of the needs of our volunteers and beneficiaries. 

We want to proactively address all factors that cause barriers to entry for those involved in the running of APUK and those who access support. By joining Autistic Parents UK as a volunteer, you will be part of a compassionate and diverse community that strives to empower Autistic families.

The Social Media Assistant supports our organisation in building and engaging with our online community. This role helps raise awareness of our work, share important updates, and create meaningful, accessible content across our social media platforms and communications channels.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create engaging and accessible social media content, including posts, graphics, short videos, and community updates.

• Support the planning and scheduling of social media content in line with campaigns, events, and organisational priorities.

• Help produce and distribute monthly newsletters to keep our community informed about news, opportunities, and updates.

• Monitor and moderate social media platforms to help maintain a safe, welcoming, and inclusive online space.

• Respond to inbox messages, comments, and general enquiries in a friendly, professional, and timely manner, escalating queries where needed.

• Support promotion of events, services, and community activities.

• Contribute ideas to help improve engagement and grow our online presence.

Skills and Experience:

• Good written communication skills with the ability to create engaging and clear content.

• Creativity and enthusiasm for social media and digital communication.

• Confidence using social media platforms.

• Familiarity with Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, BlueSky, and YouTube is desirable.

• Basic digital skills such as scheduling posts, using content creation tools, or editing images/videos (desirable but not essential).

• Ability to follow organisational guidance, tone of voice, and confidentiality expectations.

Personal Qualities:​

• Willing to work collaboratively as part of a team.

• Interest in supporting community engagement and awareness raising

Support and Training:

Training, guidance, and ongoing support will be provided. Volunteers will work closely with staff and other volunteers and will be supported to develop skills and confidence in social media and communications.

Fine Cell Work (FCW) is a UK-based rehabilitation charity and social enterprise. We are supported by an incredible team of prison volunteers who are the link between the charity and the stitchers we work with in prison. Our volunteers run fortnightly stitching groups in the prisons we work with to facilitate our stitchers’ production of high-quality needlework.

Our prison volunteers work in small teams to teach our stitchers’ embroidery and needlepoint, organise their group sessions, and liaise with the prison and FCW office.

What you will do as a prison volunteer:

• Teach people in prison how to stitch and support the completion of our premade kits in our cell groups, which consist of around 10-15 stitchers.
• Communicate with staff at our hub in Battersea to receive kits and supplies for your group and send back completed work for your stitchers to be paid.
• Encourage and help stitchers to complete our Open College Network certifications in creative needlework.
• Develop stitchers’ skills and confidence by encouraging them to take responsibility as peer mentors.
• Act as an ambassador for the charity and sharing our vision and values throughout your volunteering.

Who we are looking for:

• Skills in embroidery and/or needlepoint or a willingness to learn to stitch is essential for this role.
• Ideally some teaching experience or experience working with socially-excluded groups.
• Someone with a non-judgemental attitude and commitment to rehabilitation.
• Someone who is an excellent team worker.
• Someone who is good at observing personal boundaries.

Commitment: our stitching groups run for 2 hours every fortnight, so with travel time and some admin work after groups we ask prison volunteers to set aside a morning or afternoon every 2 weeks.

You must be over 18 for this role with the ability to travel to the prison. Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the charity.

Please take some time to read the role description to find out more details about the role and what we offer to our prison volunteers. 

At Fine Cell Work, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented amongst FCW’s prison volunteers. This includes applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, and male identifying applicants.

Do you have experience in digital and social media? Can you help us improve our communications and raise the profile of the work we do?

We are seeking an expert, creative Volunteer Digital and Social Media Lead. You will help us promote our programmes supporting people in prison and young people at risk of entering the justice system, as well as our Community Bike Shop, which funds and strengthens this work.

What you’ll do:

• Design and schedule engaging posts, stories, and reels across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and more to grow our audience.

• Develop strategies for viral campaigns and collaborations to boost awareness and donations and share your expertise with our team.

• Analyse metrics (engagement, reach, growth) and refine tactics based on what resonates.

• Create eye-catching visuals using tools like Canva.

• Update our website as required and make suggestions for improvements.

• Work with our expert Trustee to consider how we can use online retail platforms to sell our refurbished bikes.

What we’ll provide:

· Creative freedom within agreed priorities and tone of voice.

· Access to the right tools plus shared photos, stories and impact stats.

· A named contact, light-touch sign-off, and occasional check-ins to remove blockers.

Time commitment: we’ll agree a realistic scope with the right volunteer based on their availability.

Reasonable agreed expenses will be paid.

Thank you

Mark Flannagan
Chief Executive

About us

UpCycle, works with individuals in prisons and young people at risk in marginalised communities.  We use bicycle maintenance workshops to help build life skills, enhance employability, prevent offending and reoffending, and foster social reintegration.  We also offer lead rides, bike fit-it sessions and other ways to engage with vulnerable people.

In prisons

· We delivered 956 un-refurbished bikes and received back 768 refurbished bikes across eight prisons and one Young Offenders Institution, training over 238 individuals.

In the Community

· Over 1034 bikes were donated to our Community Bike Shop, of those we refurbished and distributed more than 612 to underserved communities locally and overseas.

· Workshops in Bradford engaged 361 participants in diverse cycling-related activities across the area.

· "Bike to the Future" and other initiatives reached 220 young people with more complex needs.

Social Support Volunteer (Mentor)

This role offers one-to-one support to people experiencing issues with housing, healthcare, benefits, and employment. You will support individuals, helping them to access accommodation, secure financial support, improve their health and wellbeing, and develop employability skills.

What will you be doing?

You will support individuals to navigate complex systems such as housing, benefits and healthcare, offering practical help with forms and appointments in a respectful and confidential way. Work closely with partners including SIFA Fireside, Room Match, Tabor House and Street Link, and support people with CVs, job applications and work experience. You will also be involved in community engagement, raising awareness of homelessness and maintaining accurate, confidential records.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for someone with strong interpersonal skills who communicates respectfully and has a genuine commitment to supporting vulnerable people. You’ll be organised and able to manage time, records and appointments effectively, while working well as part of a team to provide joined-up support. Patience, emotional intelligence and a solutions-focused mindset are essential. Knowledge of benefits, housing or local support systems is beneficial but not essential.

What difference will you make?

Your input will have a direct impact on people’s lives and help reduce homelessness in Birmingham. You’ll support individuals to build confidence, resilience and self-worth, helping them regain control by removing barriers that can hold people back and supporting them towards a more secure and hopeful future.

Are you passionate about social media and can lead a small team? We're looking to recruit a Lead Volunteer for our Social Media Team. We’re looking for someone who has a passion for promoting a small charity supporting a rare condition and has the ability to support a volunteering team as well as plan and use platforms and tools for social media including Canva, Google Drive and other digital platforms.

The Social Media Team develops and promotes Burning Nights CRPS Support’s communications online, using social media platforms as widely as possible, in order to maximise our impact and to inspire actions in the public, healthcare professionals, communities and businesses. The promotion of our activities will raise awareness of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and provide support and empowerment to the CRPS community. Communications will also run in line with Burning Nights CRPS Support's campaigns strategy/plan.

This is a flexible volunteering opportunity, which means your commitment can be balanced around your lifestyle - being part of a team to ensure that communications to our community and supporters are up to date and timely.
You will provide leadership for your team and support the development of a communications plan for the charity.

Key Tasks and Objectives
You will lead and support the development and implementation of a communications strategy, direction and plans for Burning Nights CRPS Support's Social Media/online communications, create engaging content, supervise the team and encourage high standards.
Tasks may include:

• Managing the Social Media campaigns across social media, which includes overseeing and creating engaging content, writing and editorial, design and artwork from The Social Media Team.
• Scheduling and posting regular social media content.
• Help develop social media campaigns and day-to-day activities.
• Prepare graphics for sharing across channels.
• Monitor the impact of social media campaigns; Analyse, review and report on effectiveness of campaigns in an effort to maximize the charity’s reach.
• Capture and report on monthly data from across all social media platform.
• Lead on Social Media meetings or the social media section of Comms meetings.
• Work with the whole Comms & Marketing Team including the Lead Communications & Marketing Volunteer to provide relevant content for their teams to use on social media, providing training/coaching where appropriate.
• Develop, manage content and maintain social media objectives and targets.
• Supporting the Social Media Team to ensure our social media platforms are regularly updated.
• Supporting with the development, preparation and implementation of Burning Nights CRPS Support's Social Media strategy in conjunction with the overall Comms strategy.
• Encouraging others to comment on our posts and share them with others, to ensure that our communications reach a wide range of stakeholders and diverse audience.
• Increasing the numbers of followers and engagement across our social media channels - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok and X, using appropriate tools and utilising relevant channels to reach diverse audiences.
• Monitor, analyse and report on the performance of social media channels/activities using tools like Metricool, Buffer and Google Analytics, feeding back monthly to the Lead Comms Volunteer and the trustees, using the data to inform future activities.
• Keep up to date with the charity and healthcare sectors, events and news, and suggest content to promote through our social media feeds.
• Support new volunteer Social Media Team members ensuring they understand their role or assign them their role.
• Act responsibly with data held by Burning Nights CRPS Support that you may access as part of your role, adhering to guidelines and policies and reporting any concerns or possible breaches to Burning Nights CRPS Support's Data Protection Officer/Lead.

Key Skills or Qualifications

• Experience of using social media platforms, other online tools and Communications to generate interest in a charity, business or project.
• Experience of managing a team and projects.
• The ability to inspire people to act and get involved internally and externally.
• Ability to transform small snippets of information into interesting and engaging stories suitable for social media platforms.
• Good IT skills, including Google Drive, Canva, Buffer, Word and Excel.
• Experience of managing multiple campaigns, with excellent organisational and time management skills, delivering effective targeted outcomes.
• Be proactive and show initiative, with the ability to volunteer unsupervised.
• Genuine interest in supporting a small charity and a passion for campaigning for a healthcare charity.
• Be motivated and enthusiastic with proven experience and is passionate about social media and marketing, and producing tangible results.
• Good interpersonal skills dealing with people sensitively and respectfully from a wide range of backgrounds
• Strong strategic development, project management and articulate communication skills.
• Good attention to detail and accuracy, with succinct writing and proof-reading skills
• Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other volunteers and staff.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise and structure work schedules.
• Ability to be innovative and creative.
• Ability to be flexible and have a 'can do' approach.
• Friendly, approachable manner - able to build rapport with a range of partners and staff, and provide a collaborative team environment.
• Confidence in communicating on Zoom or by email.

Key Benefits

• Voluntary Experience: Gain practical real-world experience working in social media management.
• Supportive Team: Collaborate with a passionate team working on projects.
• Personal Development: Develop your skills in social media marketing, content creation, and community engagement.
• Portfolio content for future job applications.
• Opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause.

Training and Support

• Full induction to our organisation, as well as check-ins, ongoing training, supervision and support from the Communications & Marketing Lead Volunteer, Volunteer Co-ordinators, Trustees and the Volunteer Team.
• Relevant and ongoing training for your volunteer role.
• Regular updates on charity activities.
• Support, advice and guidance from Charity team.
• After 3 months volunteering, all volunteers are eligible for additional training courses (reasonable cost).
• Out-of-pocket expenses, approved in advance will be reimbursed.