Volunteer roles

A person we support in one of our supported living services in Hanham is looking for a volunteer to join her for fun and sociable activities.

Can you help?

Activities could include crafting, baking, pottery, having a cuppa at a café, attending beauty appointments and going to the cinema. The individual is very independent and would love to meet someone with similar interests to help them access the community.

Ideally this would be a fortnightly volunteer role either on a weekday or the weekend during the day.

Travel expenses are covered for each volunteering shift and activity expenses will be discussed with the individual and the service.

For all our volunteer roles a DBS check will be carried out and we will request two references. All volunteers will need to complete online volunteer training in preparation for your role. You will be supported by both the volunteer team and a designated member of staff in the service too.

We’re looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to spend time with residents in one of our learning disability services.

What will you be doing?
You could get involved in:

· Gardening and enjoying the outdoors

· Cooking or baking together

· Colouring, puzzles, and arts & crafts

· Having a good chat over a cup of tea

· Simple, sociable activities that bring smiles

If you enjoy being creative, spending time outdoors, or just sharing good conversation, this is a fantastic way to make a real difference.

When?
Ideally, we’re looking for someone who can volunteer weekly or fortnightly during the day on weekdays on weekends. We’re happy to discuss what works best for you.

What’s in it for you?

· Make a positive impact in the lives of five amazing people

· Share your skills and hobbies

· Gain experience in a supportive environment

· Travel expenses covered for each volunteering shift

· Activity costs agreed with the service

If you’re kind, patient, and enjoy creative or outdoor activities, we’d love to hear from you!

Interested?
Get in touch today and help us create meaningful moments for our residents.

For all our volunteer roles a DBS check will be carried out and we will request two references. All volunteers will need to complete online volunteer training in preparation for your role. You will be supported by both the volunteer team and a designated member of staff in the service too.

Do you love games, music, and creative activities? We’re looking for a sociable, enthusiastic volunteer to spend time with residents in our learning disability service in Swindon. This is all about bringing energy, fun, and companionship to their day.

What could you do together?

- Play board games or puzzles

- Enjoy arts and crafts projects

- Listen to music and share favourite tunes

- Chat and spend quality time together

We’re looking for someone who’s friendly, energetic, and enjoys making people smile. No special skills needed—just a positive attitude and a willingness to join in!

When?

Biweekly on a day agreed between you and the service. We’re flexible and happy to work around your availability.

What’s in it for you?

· Make a real difference in someone’s life

· Share your hobbies and creativity

· Gain experience in a supportive environment

· Travel expenses covered for each volunteering shift

· Full training and ongoing support provided

If you’re fun, sociable, and love creative or musical activities, we’d love to hear from you!

Interested?

Get in touch today and help us create joyful, meaningful moments.

For all our volunteer roles a DBS check will be carried out and we will request two references. All volunteers will need to complete online volunteer training in preparation for your role. You will be supported by both the volunteer team and a designated member of staff in the service too.

About the Role

We are looking for a volunteer to join our team as an Activity Support & Driver. This role is all about helping one individual enjoy a wider range of activities in the community. You’ll play a key part in making outings possible by driving their car and offering practical support during trips. Together, you’ll help create positive experiences and build confidence through regular activities.

What Will You Do?

· Drive the individual’s car for trips out in the community

· Support the person to enjoy activities and social opportunities

· Help establish a routine of outings that enrich their life

When?

We’re looking for someone who can volunteer 2–3 times per week, ideally on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Each session will be arranged in advance to fit around your availability.

What We’re Looking For

· Full manual driving licence (essential)

· Caring and positive attitude

· Comfortable helping with wheelchair mobility

· Enjoys going out and engaging in community activities

What We Offer

- Travel expenses covered for each volunteering shift

- Activity expenses discussed with the individual and support staff

- Support to get familiar with our vehicles (usually a Ford Tourneo, occasionally a Vauxhall Movano)

- Full training and ongoing guidance from the volunteer team and a designated staff member

Important Information:

- A DBS check will be carried out

- We will request two references

- All volunteers complete online training before starting

- You’ll be supported every step of the way by our volunteer team and the service staff

This Role Brings People Together to Fund Change

At Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C., our events are more than fundraising, they are experiences that build community, raise awareness and mobilise support. The Fundraising Events Coordinator ensures that every event, from small community gatherings to large-scale campaigns, is organised, compelling, and aligned with C.I.C values. You will manage planning, logistics, partnerships, and execution, creating spaces where donors, volunteers, and community members can connect, engage, and contribute.

This is not a casual party-planning role, it is strategic, operational, and central to our movement-building work.

About the role:

To plan, organise, and deliver fundraising events and community initiatives that engage supporters, generate income, and strengthen relationships while ensuring alignment with C.I.C values, safeguarding, and operational standards.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

Essential / Highly Valued Experience

• Strong Experience planning, coordinating, and delivering events, campaigns, or community initiatives.
• Familiarity with fundraising or donor-focused events.
• Budgeting and financial tracking for events.
• Experience coordinating volunteers or small teams.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines, logistics, and stakeholders.
• Competence in using spreadsheets, event management tools, or CRM systems.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for engaging donors, volunteers, and partners.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, GDPR, and health & safety considerations for events.
• Ability to evaluate event success and provide actionable recommendations.
• Experience producing promotional or campaign content in collaboration with communications teams.

Desirable / Can Be Developed

• Experience with digital or hybrid event platforms.
• Understanding of donor engagement strategies and campaign alignment.
• Experience working in volunteer-led or grassroots organisations.
• Familiarity with sponsorship acquisition and management.
• Skills in post-event reporting and data analysis for donor retention.

Qualifications

• Formal qualifications not required, but desirable 
• Equivalent, essential professional experience in events, fundraising, or project coordination is highly mandatory.

Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties

• Plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising events, campaigns, and community initiatives, both in-person and virtual.
• Develop event concepts and strategies aligned with the C.I.C’s mission, fundraising goals, and target audiences.
• Manage all event logistics, including venues, suppliers, volunteers, schedules, and budgets.
• Collaborate with the Fundraising Director to ensure events support broader fundraising strategies and income targets.
• Work with Content and Donor Communication Specialists to create promotional materials, event invitations, and campaign messaging.
• Coordinate with the Finance Liaison Officer and Data and Donor Relations Officer to track sponsorships, ticket sales, donations, and in-kind contributions.
• Ensure all events comply with safeguarding, health and safety, GDPR, and C.I.C policies.
• Recruit, brief, and manage volunteers supporting events, providing guidance and supervision as needed.
• Oversee post-event follow-up, including donor acknowledgement, surveys, and reporting to leadership.
• Monitor and evaluate event performance, providing recommendations for improvement and lessons learned for future activities.
• Maintain clear records of event budgets, attendance, outcomes, and feedback.
• Support community engagement and participation, ensuring events are inclusive, accessible, and reflective of C.I.C values.
• Act as the point of contact for external partners, sponsors, and stakeholders involved in events.
• Contribute to long-term planning for recurring or annual fundraising initiatives.

This role is not suitable if you:

• Prefer low-responsibility volunteer work
• Avoid hands-on or logistical challenges
• Are seeking immediate paid employment
• Are uncomfortable managing sensitive, trauma-informed, or high-profile events

Important to Be Clear:

• This is a volunteer role during the C.I.C’s build phase
• It carries real responsibility for planning and delivering impactful events
• Paid roles will emerge as funding and sustainability allow

Formal qualifications are not required, but desirable.
Essential equivalent experience mandatory.

Next Steps:

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to:

• A values-led conversation
• A practical discussion about event planning, coordination, and execution

If you believe that well-organised, purposeful events can change communities, and that experiences inspire action, this role is for you.

A Final Word
Events bring people together.
Safety keeps them coming back.

If you know that:
Inclusive spaces protect dignity. Planning is part of safeguarding. Care creates community. 

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

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.

Overview:

The Administrator will play a vital role in supporting the smooth and efficient running of the organisation. This position involves handling administrative tasks, maintaining records, supporting communications, and assisting with event coordination. The role requires excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

General Administration:

• Maintain and update records, databases, and files.

• Handle correspondence, including emails and phone enquiries.

• Prepare reports, documents, and presentations as required.

• Support meeting coordination, including scheduling, agenda preparation, and minute-taking.

Financial & Office Support:

• Assist with processing invoices, expenses, and financial records.

• Monitor office supplies and place orders when necessary.

• Support the Head of Operations with budget tracking and financial documentation.

Event & Programme Support:

• Assist in organising events, workshops, and meetings.

• Coordinate logistics, including venue booking, catering, and materials.

• Support volunteer and participant communications.

Communications & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Maintain mailing lists and support donor communications.

• Assist in preparing newsletters, social media updates, and website content.

• Liaise with stakeholders, including funders, partners, and volunteers.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Previous experience in an administrative role.

• Strong organisational and time-management skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and cloud-based tools

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

• A passion for nonprofit work and community engagement.

This role is ideal for a detail-oriented and proactive individual who enjoys providing essential support to ensure the smooth running of a charitable organisation.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups and teams, all of which help our cats in different ways. Our treasurer volunteers maintain the finances of local groups and teams, ensuring they hold the funds needed to continue their vital work. Cats Protection relies solely on donations from generous members of the public, and our treasurer volunteers help make sure these funds are spent in the most effective way. 

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:

•  Preparing budgets
• Keeping accurate financial records
• Reporting financial records via ‘Cashlog’ (Cats Protection supplied software)
• Paying invoices and volunteer expenses
• Being part of a team which ensures there are sufficient funds to meet expenditure
• Updating and advising others on income received, expenditure and available funds
• Managing and monitoring donations made to the group
• Following financial procedures e.g. Gift Aid returns and VAT claims

Time expectation

Our current volunteer treasurers usually spend between 2 to 4 hours per week in this role. More hours may be required at certain times, such as towards the end of the financial year but support is always 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.

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

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. The purpose of this role is to support the organisation with communications and administration at a local level. You’ll play an active part in the branch committee and support the branch with record keeping and planning, thus enabling more cats to be helped.

You 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:

• Disseminating relevant organisation-wide information and updates to the branch volunteers
• Supporting engagement and communication between the branch and wider organisation
• Drafting committee meeting agendas and taking and sharing meeting minutes
• Supporting the efficient running of the branch by ensuring administration processes are carried out effectively
• Supporting the administration and update of the branch annual plan 
• Sign-posting queries from members of the public
• Keeping branch records and information up to date and secure, using Cats Protection systems – training will be provided

Time expectation

Our support volunteers usually spend 2-5 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

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.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

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.

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

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. Life in a rescue environment is never ideal for any cat compared to a loving home. Our cat adoption team leaders support cat homing and as part of this they may lead a team of volunteer home visitors who collectively play an important part in matching our feline friends with their new families. Our cat adoption team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

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:

• Acting as the main point of contact within the team for cat adoption enquiries via email/telephone and social media
• Supporting the adoption process through either homefinder questionnaires or a small team of home visitors
• Liaising closely with other volunteers to ensure information on cats being helped is correct and up to date
• Following up on any post-adoption queries
• Play an active part in the volunteer committee, being part of the team leading on cat adoption information and updates
• Collaborating with the cat welfare team leader to ensure the highest standards of cat care are applied in line with Cats Protection policy and procedures

Time expectation

The cat adoption team leader role is vital within our busy volunteer teams. Our current volunteers spend around 10 to 12 hours per week in this flexible role, which can be shared by more than one volunteer if required.

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.

We’re Mind, the leading mental health charity. We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. We provide advice and support to empower anybody experiencing a mental health problem and we campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding.

Our volunteers are a fundamental part of our shops. Any time which they volunteer at our shops, help us be there for more people who are experiencing a mental health problem. 

About the volunteer role

To provide our volunteers with opportunities to gain a variety of skills and experience, we offer them a range of volunteer roles to choose from, which include:

• Stock preparation volunteer
• Volunteer shop sales assistant
• Volunteer stock generation assistant
• Volunteer window dresser/Merchandiser
• Specialist knowledge volunteer (antiques and collectables)
• Specialist knowledge volunteer (books and entertainment)
• Housekeeping volunteer

Key tasks

There is a variety of tasks within the above mentioned roles that our volunteers get involved with, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers with their purchases, providing them with great customer service and a delightful shopping experience
• Receiving donated items from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated items for sale
• Creating visually appealing window and in-store displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, clean and coordinated
• Processing sales and serving at the till
• Signing up gift aid donors
• Stock rotation
• Identifying special or valuable items within donated stock

About you

• Passionate about customer service 
• Good communication skills 
• Friendly and helpful
• Respectful of others and their diversity

Experience & skills you will gain

• Experience of working as part of a team
• Retail experience 
• Stock organisation
• Selling skills 
• Customer service skills 

Our Commitment

We are committed to becoming actively anti-racist in everything we do. This is a critical priority for Mind. We embrace diversity and understand that being an inclusive organisation, recognising different perspectives, will enable us to provide excellent services. We are committed to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work and promoting equity in physical and mental health for all.

Lead Volunteer

Mind Retail

About the role

Without the help and support we receive from our Lead Volunteers and volunteer teams we wouldn’t be successful at what we do. Our Lead Volunteers play a key role by supporting the shop management team with the day to day running and management of our shops - helping us to raise crucial funds from the sale of pre-loved, donated stock to fund Mind's vital mental health support services.

Our shops are vibrant hubs in local communities across England and Wales. In our Lead Volunteer role, you’ll play a key part in building this community, helping to create a culture where every person is valued and supported - and where people have fun!

You can gain a wide variety of knowledge, skills and experience by becoming one of our valued Lead Volunteers, including:

· Experience working as part of, and leading, a diverse team

· Shop management, retail management and key holder experience

· Opportunities to improve your management, leadership and interpersonal skills

· Stock organisation, processing, pricing and merchandising skills

· Cash handling skills, including management cash functions

· Understanding of sales information, including takings

· Commercial knowledge and skills

· Understanding of policies and procedures

· Administrative skills

· IT skills

· Additional learning and development opportunities, including your own eLearning account with access to personal and professional development courses

Our Lead Volunteer roles are also flexible, so they're perfect for fitting in around your commitments. We value any time that you can give us, so whether it’s a few hours a week or a few days – we’d love to hear from you!

We need great people like you to help us in the fight for mental health. Will you join us?

Click on the role profile to find out more about our Lead Volunteer role and read on to hear some stories from our existing Lead Volunteers!

About You

• Commitment to our values & behaviours
• Enthusiastic and committed to achieving shop targets
• Flexible and adaptable approach
• Ability to work as a team and on your own initiative
• Able to build good working relationships
• Ability to work within Mind Retail’s policies and procedures
• Willingness to learn
• Good customer service skills
• Good communication skills

About Mind Retail

Mind Retail are a network of almost 200 shops across England and Wales, generating a net income of around £21 million per year. We have ambitious plans to grow over the next few years and we're going to be fighting for mental health in a way we never have before. We won't stop until everyone with a mental health problem gets the support and respect they deserve.

Safer Recruitment at Mind Retail

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our employees and volunteers and we expect anyone working or volunteering with us to share this commitment. This role may involve the supervision of young volunteers who are under 18. Because of this, the minimum age for this role is 18 and under our Safer Recruitment Policy, you’ll also be required to agree to an enhanced DBS check.

Our Commitment

We embrace the different perspectives that each of us bring. We want our staff and volunteers to be authentic and bring their whole selves to work. We want Mind to be a workplace that truly reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people we support. Where everyone is appreciated – regardless of race, gender, age, religion, identity and experience.

Hear from some of our existing Lead Volunteers…

Stuart, Lead Volunteer at our North Shields Mind Shop

Why did you want to become a Lead Volunteer?

I chose to volunteer at Mind, specifically because of the cause – I support the charity in what they want to achieve. Mind also supported me through the lockdown period during the pandemic, which I found very isolating.

I’ve volunteered for Mind for 20 years - I started volunteering for Mind in 2005. At the time, I had a full-time job, but I wanted to try volunteering. I’ve volunteered in a number of Mind shops, including Wallsend, Whitley Bay, Gateshead (which was where I became a Lead Volunteer) and finally, North Shields.

I wanted to become a Lead Volunteer to gain more experience, which I can then pass onto others. I now undertake key holder duties in my current shop. It was a little scary to begin with, but there was plenty of support from the wider region and I feel really proud to now be doing the role.

What knowledge and skills have you gained or developed whilst being in the Lead Volunteer role?

I’ve developed my technology skills – I’ve learnt how to use the till, how to use the computer including emails and Microsoft Teams, how to complete eLearning and the new Gift Aid hub. I struggled a bit before with technology, so it’s really helped me to be exposed to it more. I’ve also developed cash handling skills and how to deal with external contractors. My confidence has really grown and I’m also now able to cover local stores too!

What do you enjoy most about being a Lead Volunteer?

I really enjoy giving amazing customer service and working with the team of staff and volunteers – we have lots of fun whilst we work! The shop has a great atmosphere. My Shop Manager has said she couldn’t do without me! I would really recommend for anyone to come and volunteer with Mind – it’s a great way to meet new people.

Lead Volunteer at our Turnham Green Mind Shop

Why did you want to become a Lead Volunteer?

I wanted to become a Lead Volunteer because I wanted to take on more responsibilities and keep myself as productive as possible. By taking on more responsibilities, I’m able to support the wider team with certain activities within the shop. It’s also helped me become less focused on my myself and my own problems. I suffer from low self-esteem and felt that by becoming a Lead Volunteer, it would help strengthen my self-worth.

What knowledge and skills have you gained or developed whilst being in the Lead Volunteer role?

As I have never worked in retail, becoming a Lead Volunteer has given me more insight into how the retail industry and how Mind Retail operates day-to-day. I have become more patient and not as isolated as before. My communication skills have improved too.

What do you enjoy most about being a Lead Volunteer?

Certain customers are confiding in me about their mental health. I find it great to be able to assist and provide some support. We all just need an ear to listen…

It’s also great to be able to make decisions too. The team I work with at the shop are very supportive and understanding – they look after me and I feel like a belong to a small family. The team really understand that our shops are not just shops! They’re a place where everyone, including those with mental health problems, can feel safe and listened to.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

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.