Volunteer roles for the Housing and Homelessness sector

Shop Volunteering Opportunities

Greenwich

Our shops are at the heart of local communities raising vital funds for our fight against homelessness and bad housing - and they’re powered by our volunteers!

Suggested Involvement: It’s up to you! We have volunteers who support for one hour a week and others who volunteer more. Many people volunteer for a morning or an afternoon each week, but we’ll have a chat about your availability after you’ve applied.

Availability: The shop is open Monday- Saturday 10:00-18:00 and Sunday 11:00-17:00

Location: 6 Nelson Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9JB

Supervised by: Community Shop Manager/Assistant Manager

Why volunteer with Shelter? 

Home is a human right. It's our foundation and it's where we thrive. Yet, every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams ensure fighting the housing emergency never felt so fun. 

What can I do?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal chat to find the right role for you. Some roles involve a basic criminal record check being completed during recruitment. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us, but it may impact the ways you can get involved.

• Volunteering in the shop

Our retail volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

- You will not undergo a criminal record check for this role  

• Volunteering in a leadership role

Our volunteer supervisors help with overseeing the running of our shop and creating a fantastic environment for our customers. You may be involved with coordinating and supporting other volunteers, operating computer systems, and being a key point of contact for the shop.

Skills and Experiences Required:

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need to have volunteered or worked in a shop before as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and willing to follow Shelter’s policies and can be an excellent ambassador for Shelter. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of bad housing or homelessness.

Induction, Learning and Development:

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

• Welcome you with a Volunteer Handbook
• Provide training, induction, and ongoing support from your Shop Manager to help you feel confident in your role
• Refund any 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 experience in a retail environment
• Getting involved in your local community and being part of a great team
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills

We aim to respond to all applications within 14 days

If you would like to find out more about the volunteering opportunity before applying, why not pop into the shop, or contact us.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is only required for the Christmas period initially, however we are also seeking a podiatrist volunteer for our year round service.

Each person who'd like to volunteer needs to sign up individually, and volunteers are not permitted to bring friends, family members, or children along with them on shifts.

If you plan to apply for this role, please note you will need your HCPC registration number and PLI certificate to hand.

You will contribute to ending homelessness by

Crisis Podiatry Volunteers provide a range of treatments and advice for our guests. When you are homeless or insecurely housed, access to healthcare is challenging. 

As part of our preventative health work, you may provide general footcare advice and guidance. You may also treat corns and calluses, mycotic and gryphotic nails, blistering and maceration.

You will be volunteering at our Health & Wellbeing Day(s). These events are an opportunity for members to access a range of health & wellbeing services from the safety and comfort of our Skylight. All treatments are clothed. 

You will be part of a specialist volunteer team which may include: Hairdressers, Masseuses, Optical Care and GPs. 

Our training will show you what to expect when running sessions and the type of sessions that work best for our guests.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is only needed for the Christmas period

Each person who'd like to volunteer needs to sign up individually, and volunteers are not permitted to bring friends, family members, or children along with them on shifts.

If you plan to apply for this role, please note you will need to provide evidence of your qualification OR a reference from your current employer.

You will contribute to ending homelessness by

Our Crisis nail bar gives guests a chance to feel pampered and confident and, along with salon and massage, is one of our busiest and most popular services. 

Nail technicians offer a shape, buff and polish service and can also offer hand massages. We do not offer shellac or nail extensions.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is only needed for the Christmas period

Each person who'd like to volunteer needs to sign up individually, and volunteers are not permitted to bring friends, family members, or children along with them on shifts.

If you plan to apply for this role, please note you will need an electronic copy of your recognised qualification and PLI certificate to hand.

You will contribute to ending homelessness by

Our massage service gives our guests a rare chance to release tension, relax and totally unwind. If you are a qualified masseuse, come and share your skills and make a real difference to homeless people this Christmas.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is only needed for the Christmas period

Each person who'd like to volunteer needs to sign up individually, and volunteers are not permitted to bring friends, family members, or children along with them on shifts.

If you plan to apply for this role, please note you will need to provide evidence of your qualification OR a reference from your current employer.

You will contribute to ending homelessness by

Giving Crisis at Christmas guests a chance to feel pampered and confident. Our Crisis salon is one of our busiest and most popular services at our Health & Wellbeing Days.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is only needed for the Christmas period

Each person who'd like to volunteer needs to sign up individually, and volunteers are not permitted to bring friends, family members, or children along with them on shifts.

You will contribute to ending homelessness by

Performers bring festive joy, create a warm and inviting atmosphere in our centres and help guests relax and have fun. 

If you are a performer, magician, caricaturist or have some other special skill that is entertaining and appropriate for our centres, we want to hear from you.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is only needed for the Christmas period

Each person who'd like to volunteer needs to sign up individually, and volunteers are not permitted to bring friends, family members, or children along with them on shifts.

You will contribute to ending homelessness by

This role is fun and varied, assisting drivers with delivering hampers to members to help make their Christmas a bit more special. 

PLEASE NOTE: This role is only needed for the Christmas period

Each person who'd like to volunteer needs to sign up individually, and volunteers are not permitted to bring friends, family members, or children along with them on shifts.

You will contribute to ending homelessness by

• Based from our Christmas storage and packing space, our Driver Volunteers are integral to the delivery of Crisis at Christmas. 
• You will be driving our deliveries to our guests who may be staying in various forms of accommodation including Hostels, B+B's and other forms of Temporary Accommodation. 
• You will be using your own car.
• You will volunteer alongside a driver's mate.

Bring your skills. Change lives. Become a SMART CJS Trustee.

SMART CJS is a dynamic charity supporting people experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their home. We’re looking for new trustees to join our friendly and committed Board, guiding our strategic direction and ensuring we remain a strong, effective organisation.

About the role
Trustees play a vital role in the governance of SMART CJS. Working closely with our senior leadership team, you will:

• Help set the charity’s overall direction and priorities.

• Ensure we meet our legal and financial responsibilities.

• Provide insight and expertise to strengthen our services.

• Support our mission to prevent homelessness and help people rebuild their lives.

Who we’re looking for
No previous board experience is necessary, full induction and training are provided. We’re particularly keen to hear from people with skills in:

• Fundraising and income generation

• Law

• Human resources

But above all, we want trustees who:

• Are committed to our mission and values.

• Can think strategically and work well as part of a team.

• Are willing to use their skills and experience to help us grow and adapt.

Time commitment

• Four Board meetings per year (held in the evenings, usually in Bedford).

• Some email contact between meetings.

• Optional involvement in sub-committees, events, or projects if you have time.

What you’ll gain

• The chance to make a real, lasting difference for people experiencing homelessness.

• Experience in governance and strategic decision-making.

• The satisfaction of using your skills for social good.

• Being part of a passionate, welcoming team of trustees and staff.

Location
Meetings are held in Bedford, but applications from across the region are welcome.

Zebra is seeking a qualified accountant to join our board of trustees as our next Treasurer.

Zebra is a not-for-profit social enterprise (exempt charity) providing accommotation to postgraduate international students living in London. We believe in the importance of international studies and have been going for over 60 years. We are a healthy organisation with a strong reputation and ambitious plans for the future.

This is an important time for Zebra. We are currently going through the process of deregistering with the Regulator of Social Housing and are changing our accounting practices and systems as we make the transition away from the housing association sector and to a more appropriate structure to prepare us for growth in the future. We have an experienced Finance Manager on our staff team who you will be working with along with the CEO and the rest of the board members.

We ideally need a Treasurer with some understanding of the charity or social enterprise sector. This is an unpaid volunteer role - there are four boars meetings per year (all online), Audit and Risk Committee meeetings (also online), and occasional meet ups in London - but you can be based anywhere to carry out this role.

Duties

• Acting as a mentor to the Finance Manager, supporting her through this period of transition while Zebra puts in place a new structure and new financial systems

• Chairing the Audit and Risk Committee - number of meetings per year to be decided as this is currently under review

• Meeting with our external auditors on Zoom

• Reviewing our quarterly accounts, annual accounts and reports and providing feedback

• Using your expertise to provide advice and support to other board members, including our Co-Chairs, to support them in understanding our finances and helping them to be able to provide good scrutiny and governance

• Attendance of four board meetings per year on Zoom, where you will provide input and opinions especially around financial matters

• Attending one Board Strategy day per year in London for which expenses can be paid (and ideally also attending our Christmas meal)

• The Treasurer should expect to serve for a minimum of 12 months

To apply please submit your CV in the first instance.

Winter Bucket Collection

16:00 – 20:00, Wednesday 10th December 2025

Reading Station

Do you want to join our movement and defend the right to a safe home? We’re looking for someone who can lead a team of volunteers at events in the community to help us raise money and awareness. The housing emergency hurts everyone. The fight to end it starts here!

The main thing we need you to do is help us fundraise. You’ll be vital to our fundraising efforts for the Winter Appeal by holding collection buckets in public spaces. Your support is not only crucial to our fundraising efforts, but it’s also opportunity to have fun, meet new people and experience some wonderful community spirit while contributing towards our mission. 

You’ll be supporting our bucket collection by helping us to create an energetic and friendly atmosphere to gather donations. You will:

• Support and coordinate the volunteer team on the day at events.

• Deposit cash into Shelter bank account at the end of the event or pass over to Shelter staff member

To enable you to take part in this opportunity we will: 

• Provide you with relevant policies, induction, training and information

• Refund any out-of-pocket expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy 

Skills and Experiences Required 

• Leadership skills and ability to support others in a group

• Passionate about joining the fight for home 

• Feel comfortable handling cash and taking responsibility for depositing into bank

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter 

• Join our fight against bad housing and homelessness and become a force for change! 

• Meet other volunteers locally 

• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills 

Winter Bucket Collection

16:15 – 19:45, Wednesday 10th December 2025

3-hour shifts

Reading Station

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our Community Fundraising team who can join us at Reading for a bucket collection event in the community to help us raise money during our Winter fundraising period!

Every 11 minutes, this Winter, a family will lose their home. We provide vital services to those at risk, with our emergency helpline, housing rights campaigns, legal and emotional support.

Your role as volunteer:

• The main thing we need you to do is help us fundraise. You’ll be vital to our fundraising efforts for the Winter Appeal by holding a collection bucket for a 3-hour shift at Reading Station.
• You’ll be supported by one of our Community and Events Assistants or Lead Volunteers to help us to create an energetic and friendly atmosphere to gather donations.

Your support is not only crucial to our fundraising efforts, but it’s also opportunity to have fun, meet new people and experience some wonderful community spirit while contributing towards our mission.

What you get…

• Meet amazing volunteers and people within your community.
• Contribute to our Winter Appeal, raising vital funds towards Fight For Home.
• Develop fundraising and communication skills.
• Refund any out-of-pocket expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy.
• A certificate of appreciation for your help.
• Lots of fun!

Winter Bucket Collection

11:45 – 16:00, Saturday 6th December 2025

Oxford Station, Park End Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 1HS

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our Community Fundraising team who can join us at a bucket collection event in the community to help us raise money during our Winter fundraising period!

The main thing we need you to do is help us fundraise. You’ll be vital to our fundraising efforts for the Winter Appeal by holding collection buckets in public spaces.

You’ll be supported by one of our Community and Events Assistants or Lead Volunteers to help us to create an energetic and friendly atmosphere to gather donations.

Your support is not only crucial to our fundraising efforts, but it’s also opportunity to have fun, meet new people and experience some wonderful community spirit while contributing towards our mission.

Winter Bucket Collection

10:45 – 18:00, Wednesday 4th December 2025

(various shifts available)

High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BX

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our Community Fundraising team who can join us at a bucket collection event in the community to help us raise money during our Winter fundraising period!

The main thing we need you to do is help us fundraise. You’ll be vital to our fundraising efforts for the Winter Appeal by holding collection buckets in public spaces.

You’ll be supported by one of our Community and Events Assistants or Lead Volunteers to help us to create an energetic and friendly atmosphere to gather donations.

We'll have three shifts available: 10:45-14:00, 14:00-17:00 or 10:45-18:00

Your support is not only crucial to our fundraising efforts, but it’s also opportunity to have fun, meet new people and experience some wonderful community spirit while contributing towards our mission.