Mental health volunteer roles

We are looking for volunteers who can spend time with our clients  in and around Central London.  Meetings are  regular over a period of 6 months; weekly or fortnightly.  Many volunteers stay involved for much longer but only because they enjoy what they do! 

Befriending is a simple way to make a positive difference to someone who is lonely or socially isolated and your gift of time, will give them, and you, something to look forward to. As one of our volunteers once told us, “this is an easy, very meaningful way to help someone and is immensely rewarding and fun!”  

Your meetings could be in the local community, having chats in a coffee shop, visiting places of interest, or in our client’s home; all activities are risk assessed so what you do together will depend on the results of this, and / orour clients abilities and interests. Most of our clients are older 1st and 2nd generation Scots living in London who simply want to do the activities that most of us take for granted but have no-one to do them with.

ScotsCare works across London and beyond so we're looking for volunteers who live in the area or can travel to the following areas; Lambeth, Islington, Camden, central London and Broxbourne EN10. We may have clients in more locations so please contact us to learn more if you want to be involved in this rewarding and impactful activity. 

We provide training before you start, ongoing support once you are matched, out of pocket expenses, references, social events and newsletters to keep you informed.

This could be the ideal opportunity to gain practical experience of working with adults in a health and social care setting, or for anyone who enjoys meeting new people and making their lives a little brighter. 

Please note, this is an unpaid voluntary role and applicants must be living in or around the London area. 

Please contact us for more information, and a very warm welcome!

Skills & Characteristics Required for Befriending are:

• English spoken, good communication skills for listening and talking 
• Friendly, warm, non-judgemental 
• Honesty, reliable and committment to helping others
• Empathy and patience
• An ability to follow policies and procedures

We will process a DBS check for all successful applicants and request two references.

Do you have 5 hours to spare each week?

Want to help those with challenges in their lives?

We are looking for Client Support Volunteers to assist in the Garden alongside our horticulturists in the supervision of our adult clients and teenagers with a variety of disabilities.

Our volunteers work in the garden with clients, helping them with various tasks such as planting, harvesting, pruning and mowing to name a few, under the guidance of our team of horticulturists. 

As well as general gardening work you will be assisting our clients, both children and adults with the opportunity to achieve a qualification in horticulture.

Other tasks our volunteers help with include general garden maintenance, DIY tasks or craft/cookery activities.

No gardening experience is required, just the ability to get along with others and muck in! This can be a great stepping stone to further education or work opportunities.

At present, we are looking for Volunteers who can offer a regular weekly commitment.

Background to the role:

Keep Active is a volunteer-delivered project at The Creighton Centre, which aims to provide support to older people (60+) who have had a fall, stroke or other illness.  We work in partnership with the NHS Community Rehabilitation Service across Hammersmith & Fulham. As a Keep Active Volunteer you would visit an older person (the average age is 84) once a week for up to nine weeks to help them with improving mobility indoors with exercises, or outdoors with walks in their community. This project aims to empower people to get back to independence, access community once more and reduce risks of future falls and hospital re-admittance.

Availability/commitment:

· To live in or near Hammersmith and Fulham, or travel regularly through

· To be able to spare 1-2 hours a week, preferably during working hours

Role of the Keep Active Volunteer:

· To attend an initial one-off training session [with Volunteer Coordinator and therapists from NHS rehabilitation teams].

· To visit an older person’s home once a week for up to 9 weeks to supervise and motivate them to continue practicing their exercise and walking goals, as prescribed by NHS rehabilitation teams.

· Support might include:

- A walk around their local community possibly going to the park or visiting shops.

- Encouraging them to complete a prescribed gentle exercise program.

- Keeping an older and sometimes isolated person company.

- Visiting someone in their homes to help them reach their exercise goals.

NB: Please note that this is a volunteer role and you will not be expected to provide any physical support. This is a motivational role only.

We will provide:

· Induction training and NHS Community Rehabilitation led training (weekday training).

· Regular contact and support from the project staff.

· Occasional social events for volunteers

· Occasional training opportunities for volunteers

· A reference after 3-6 months of volunteering with us

· An enhanced DBS check

· Reimbursement of travel expenses incurred during your volunteering

Skills needed:

· Good listening and communication skills and a good level of spoken English.

· Empathy and a kind and patience approach.

· Enthusiasm and commitment.

· A friendly personality.

· The desire to make a positive difference to someone’s health and wellbeing

· Ability to cope with clients who are unwell.

· A positive attitude towards empowering and improving the lives of older people

· An understanding of and commitment to our policies (including: Confidentiality, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities)

Accountable to:

Keep Active Coordinator

Are you passionate about singing and would like to empower others to use their voices in a choir? We are recruiting for a Choir Leader Volunteer at our Dame Gertrude Young House which supports men who have mental health needs. Choirs have shown to reduce stress levels and depression as well as creating a sense of togetherness. Your role will be to lead auditions to identify and pick out suitable choir members, provide necessary guidance and direction on tone, rhythm, pitch, tempo, and harmony as well as scheduling choir rehearsals.

Research suggests that music can stimulate the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. It can help energise our mood and provide an outlet for us to take control of our feelings. Singing is a powerful tool for bringing people together, reducing stress, and having fun.

Volunteering with Hestia will mean that you will play a key role in promoting strategies for positive wellbeing and recovery through music and singing! 

What you will be doing

• Direct choir members in warm-ups prior to practices and performances
• Decide on appropriate musical pieces for the choir to perform depending on the occasion and setting and Choose individual choir members to perform solo pieces.
• Lead auditions to identify and pick out potentially suitable choir members.
• Build a structure, choir harmony, Determining voice types
• Provide necessary guidance and direction during choir rehearsals to help choir members in attaining the correct tone, rhythm, pitch, tempo, and harmony.
• Direct choir members during musical performances
• Schedule choir rehearsals
• Craft appropriate choir formations for rehearsals and performance
• Selects music to meet the needs of the performance while also taking into account the group's aptitude and abilities

The skills you need

• Patient, passionate, creative, and assertive and knowledge and experience of working with individuals that live with mental health issues
• Music Education, or related field is preferred
• Experience of directing choirs
• Can interpret various styles of music
• Bold leadership and listening capabilities
• Strong communicator

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

We are looking for up to ten UK university students to join our volunteer Student Ambassadors team and help Ygam achieve its social purpose by reaching out to students at university. This will be achieved by advising Ygam on the needs of students, supporting with content development, organising activities at your campus, and join us at events to raise awareness of gaming and gambling harms.

We are seeking individuals who are outgoing, with a confident personality. You will enjoy engaging with other students and be able to advise us on the experiences of students with regards to gaming and gambling.We’d love to hear from students with an interest in mental health, psychology, content development, and gaming. 

Join our team of befrienders! You will support us to reach some of the most isolated adults in your community to reduce their feelings of loneliness, build friendships and provide support for mental wellbeing. You will support people to relight a spark to continue a hobby, interest or encourage them to explore and participate in new social activities.

You will support individuals to rebuild their lives beyond crisis.

Loneliness and isolation can affect anyone in life, whatever their age or family situation. Official data from the Office for National Statistics shows that rates of depression doubled during the COVID pandemic, and one of the major causes of depression is isolation.

Hestia has a variety of different services that support people across London and the South East. These services support people that are struggling with their mental health, are victims of Domestic Abuse or Modern Slavery, and more. Join our team of volunteers who play a vital role in what we do!

Face-to-face locations include Islington, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Berkshire, Lambeth, Kingston, Merton, Barbican, Slough, Reading and Croydon

What you will be doing

• Agree a mutual time and frequency to meet in the local community
• To develop and promote a positive relationship with your befriendee
• To encourage your befriendee to engage in social activities and support them in doing so whilst building their confidence
• To support your befriendee in developing their goals and social skills
• Encourage your befriendee to make links with community services, based on their identified goals

The skills you need

• Good listening and communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere which motivates and inspires others
• Willingness to engage in activities in the community
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow professional boundaries

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Treasurer Role Description

Role Title  

Treasurer - ARFID Awareness UK

Board/Committee

Board of Trustees & Remuneration Committee

Remuneration  

Travel and subsistence will be paid for attendance at meetings in accordance with the ARFID Awareness UK expense policy where required. Board members are not remunerated for their Board/trustee work.

Responsible to 

The Chair of the Board of the Trustees 

Regular liaison with 

· Board of Trustees

· Executive Director/s

· Motion Accountancy

Duration of appointment 

Three-year term (with a possible extension of a further three years)

Overview

Established in 2019 and supporting a community of over 30,000 families ARFID Awareness UK is the only registered UK charity dedicated to raising awareness and further information about Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.  As a not-for-profit, we work to provide individuals, parents, carers and medical professionals with up-to-date relevant information, research and support.

We are equally committed to supporting medical professionals across varying specialities, by equipping them with the information they need to ensure that their patients receive an early diagnosis and have access to appropriate care.

Our charitable aims are to:

1) Raising awareness about the condition within the medical and associated professions and the general public in such ways as the trustees shall determine;

2) Providing advice and information in such ways as the trustees shall determine to enable and empower parents and carers to advocate for the children in their care;

3) Facilitating research into the condition, the useful results of which will be published for the public benefit;

4) Potentially providing grants of financial assistance to enable economically disadvantaged families to obtain necessary treatment and medication unavailable via the NHS.

5) Advancing the education of the public in the subject of ARFID.

With regards to our structure, we are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). As a CIO, our Charity Trustees are protected with limited liability, and whilst they are responsible for helping to manage the organisation, they do not hold dual roles of Company Director as they might with other charity structures.

Time Commitment

Trustees meet twice a year virtually. Meetings last approximately 2 hours.

The Remuneration and Finance, Risk and Investment Committee meet once a year virtually. Meetings last approximately 1 hour.

In addition, Trustees are expected to allow time for reading of papers and preparation for meetings, attending events training and induction.  As a small charity there may also be the requirement for additional input up to 10 hours per annum as required specific to your professional background and expertise

Purpose of the role: 

Trustee (general)

The overall aim of the trustee role is to provide strong leadership, direction and expertise to the governance of ARFID Awareness UK. 

The Board of trustees (‘the Board’) is the body with the legal duty to protect the mission and vision of the FSRH and to ensure that it is run in accordance with legal requirements.

The role of the Board is to provide good governance and leadership by: 

· Shaping ARFID Awareness UK’s organisational strategy 

· Approving organisational statutory policy

· Ensuring the organisation’s financial stability and sustainability, and agreeing the annual operational budget 

· Appointing the Executive Director/s (who is overseen by the Chair of the Board on behalf of the Board) 

· Providing support and constructive challenge to the Executive Director/s and their staff team 

· Setting and monitoring procedures for assessing and managing risk 

· Taking advice from Board members and external specialist advisors 

· Ensuring oversight of the financial position of the charity and providing updates to the Board where appropriate.

As a charity and CIO Board members are charity trustees only. They do not represent any group or organisation in this role and they must act in good faith and in the best interests of ARFID Awareness UK.

Treasurer

· Chair the Remuneration and Finance, Risk and Investment Committee (FR&IC):

· To review progress of financial elements of the operational plan and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees.

· To review the strategic plan in context of financial and budgetary impact. 

· To review the annual budget and make recommendations to the trustees.

· To receive and review proposals for new expenditure outside of the annual budget

· Advise the Remuneration Committee on the affordability of any changes to pay and or benefits.

· To receive reports at each meeting on financial performance and report as required to the Trustees

· To develop an Investment Policy and strategy

· To review the draft annual accounts along with the audit report, ensuring they are in accordance with relevant accounting standards and Charity Commission guidance

Person Specification 

Essential:

· A financial accountancy qualification or equivalent experience (eg ACA, CIMA)

· Experience of investment, strategic planning and budgetary planning 

· Ability to work effectively as a member of a diverse team whilst keeping in mind the responsibility of being an individual trustee

· Experience of guiding an organisation through growth and change

· Confident and effective communication skills including listening skills

· Understanding of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship 

Desirable:

· Knowledge or experience of the charity sector 

· Knowledge of the healthcare sector and/or ARFID

· Experience of board or committee membership in a charity, public sector or commercial organisation.

To apply please email your CV and covering letter to XXXX by 17 November 2025.  Interviews are likely to take place the first week of December.

About the role:

You will be providing face-to-face or remote support through delivering HUK’s therapeutic 1-2-1 support program for people impacted by hoarding behaviour who may be facing a variety of situations including legal, financial, psychological and discriminatory abuse/neglect. You will be working with trained colleagues to alleviate housing, benefits, mental health and other problems experienced by HUK's participants.

The role consists of:

· Volunteering at HUK a minimum of one and a half-hours each week in accordance with program completion, preferably two years.

· Maintain a caseload of at least one participant.

· Taking responsibility for ongoing casework as required.

· Complying with HUK's case-management procedures, training program and other relevant policies and procedures.

We are looking for:

· Trainee Counsellors/Psychotherapists currently studying on a BACP, UKCP or BABCP accredited course.

· Trainee Counselling/Clinical/Forensic psychologist currently studying on BPS accredited doctoral courses.

· Qualified Counsellors/Psychotherapists that are accredited or working towards accreditation with the BACP, UKCP or BABCP

· Student or individual membership with the BACP, UKCP, BABCP and or HCPC

· Qualified Clinical/Counselling/Forensic Psychologists with HCPC registration.

· A commitment to volunteering with us for one year.

· A commitment to values and ethos of HUK.

The Confidence Academy: Get Britain Moving CIC is a newly forming community interest company committed to improving physical and mental wellbeing through accessible, high-energy fitness and wellness sessions.

Our Refundable Deposit Model rewards attendance, helping people commit to movement and accountability. We are preparing for a full launch in the New Year and are building our SQUAD — a group of passionate volunteers who will help shape the foundation of this social movement.

Purpose of the Role: You will be the creative storyteller of The Confidence Academy — helping build our public presence and communicate our message visually. This role blends creativity, courage, and purpose, calling for someone who believes in the power of movement to transform confidence and community wellbeing.

Main Activities:

1. Set up and manage TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook accounts for The Confidence Academy.

2. Create engaging short-form videos, infographics, and other visual content.

3. Assist with building and maintaining the official website (experience of Wordpress and Tumblr is preferred but training will be provided).

4. Develop consistent branding and tone across all media.

5. Collaborate closely with other team members on communications, content scheduling and any reasonable tasks. 6. Attend weekly team meetings (online or in person).

7. Travel to filming locations, community events, or fitness sessions where required.

8. Ensure all digital content complies with the Data Protection Act 2018 (UK GDPR) and that consent is obtained for participant images and stories.

9. Attend weekly team meetings.

Skills and Qualities:

1. Creative thinker with an eye for design, colour, and storytelling

2. Comfortable with video editing, social media tools, or simple graphic software (e.g. Canva, CapCut)

3. Passionate about fitness, health, and wellbeing

4. Reliable, organised, and confident working independently

5. Willing to travel within London for content creation and meetings

What you get in return:

1. Induction and ongoing supervision by the Founder/Director

2. Access to brand guidelines and creative templates

3. Informal training on safeguarding, data handling, and health & safety

4. Office space may be provided for collaborative projects

5. Volunteering Certificate at the end of the completion of hours

6. Complimentary t-shirt/jacket and other freebies

7. Professional reference

8. Travel and meal expenses reimbursed up to £20

Equal Opportunities: 

The Confidence Academy is committed to inclusion under the Equality Act 2010. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and provide reasonable adjustments where needed.

Status: 

This is a voluntary role and does not create a contract of employment or entitlement to salary, benefits, or worker rights. Volunteers are free to withdraw at any time.

Are you passionate about health and wellbeing? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others through movement and mindfulness? We’re looking for a Yoga and Fitness Instructor Volunteer to support our service users at Medway Recovery House. This role is a fantastic opportunity to share your skills and promote physical and mental wellbeing in a supportive environment.

What you will be doing

• Leading weekly yoga or fitness sessions tailored to the needs of our residents
• Encouraging participation and creating a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere
• Supporting individuals in building confidence and improving their physical health

The skills you need

• Experienced and qualified in yoga and fitness
• A friendly, patient, and encouraging approach
• Good communication skills

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Our County Representatives (CR) will support our Fundraising Team by being the public face of Combat Stress in their local county, and will help build support from individuals and groups by raising awareness and funds. Income generation is key to our continued success and the support of volunteers enables us to raise more funds to support former servicemen and women, so that when a veteran is having a tough time, we’re there to help tackle the past and to help them take on the future.

Hours:The role is flexible. You can give as much or as little time as you are able. However, we do ask you ideally commit enough time to build meaningful awareness and support on your base.

What are the benefits of volunteering for Combat Stress?

• A full induction to Combat Stress and its work, including training and appropriate materials to support you in the role such as t-shirts, banners and cheer sticks. 
• Ongoing support, advice and guidance from the Senior Challenge Officer. • Learn and develop fundraising skills.
• Meet new people and be actively engaged in your local community.
• Helping our fundraisers to feel great and keeping them motivated throughout their challenge.
• Receive reimbursement for out of pocket expenses 
• Be part of the UK’s leading Charity for veterans’ mental health.
• Have the reward of knowing you will be making a positive contribution to the lives of UK Veterans and their families.

Ride High Children’s Volunteer

Children's team seeking friendly, encouraging, supportive volunteers that are open to working with horses. No experience necessary.

At Ride High MK, our charity helps over 120 children a week. These local children are referred to us for many reasons and could face serious challenges including poverty, mental health issues, and social isolation or be tackling issues such as grief, young carer responsibilities and bullying. With referrals from over 40 local agencies, including CAMHS, schools, and social services, Ride High plays a critical role in Milton Keynes’ social care and wellbeing landscape. We do this through a unique combination of equine-assisted learning and education. 

Every two-hour session for the children consists of one hour riding and horse care and one hour of clubroom work. The instructors at the riding school run the hour on the yard with our volunteers supporting the children and our skilled club leaders run the clubroom sessions. These include various projects and creative activities to work on personal and life skills.

The Children’s volunteer role involves welcoming the children, helping to find their equipment, getting them out into the stable yard for their lesson on time, assisting with riding lessons where appropriate (no experience necessary) and clubroom activities, giving the children refreshments and helping to see that they get their transport home.

We are looking for volunteers, aged 18 or over, who can commit to a regular weekly time to work with the children; helping to build their confidence, encouraging them to participate in sessions. Our greatest need is for volunteers who can help in the yard sessions, donating an hour of their time each week for the first hour of the session to help us keep the children safe and giving reassurance and encouragement so they get the most out of their session with the horses. The volunteers lead our horses while the children hone their skills and help them to understand and process directions from their riding instructors.

Timings: 

Monday to Friday (term-time only). 10:30am - 12:30pm 1:30pm-2:30pm or 2:30pm-3:30pm

Talbot Village Trust is recruiting volunteers to help us maintain our historic woodland over Winter! 

This will include a variety of practical tasks, such as bramble bashing, invasive species removal and path maintenance. Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn many employable skills relating to the Conservation industry. 

These sessions will also be a great opportunity to spend some time outdoors, and get involved with your local community! Sessions will tak eplace in Talbot Woods, being around 2 hours long. No previous expereicne is needed, all tools and training will be provided, including a full breifing at the start of every session. Refreshments will be provided as standard!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I'm more than happy to chat about getting you involved!

-Charlie Marchant, Volunteer Coordinator. 

Latin American Disabled People's Project (LADPP) aims to improve the quality of life and independence of people who are disabled and speak Spanish or Portuguese in London. LADPP also aims to help their families, carers, and communities. 

We are looking for a volunteer who is compassionate professional dedicated to guiding individuals on their journey toward physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. They create a welcoming and inclusive environment for students of all levels, offering a variety of yoga practices, including asanas (physical postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), meditation, and mindfulness techniques.

You are the volunteer that we are looking for.