Volunteer roles

Make a real difference in your community while building valuable experience.

We’re looking for a friendly, reliable volunteer to join our team in Malton and support our day-to-day office work. This is a great opportunity to get involved with a local charity, meet new people, and contribute to meaningful work.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting with data entry and general admin tasks
• Helping staff with everyday computer use
• Keeping our digital files organised and up to date
• Being an extra pair of hands in a busy, welcoming office

What we’re looking for

• Confidence using computers and common software (e.g. databases, email, Microsoft Office)
• Good attention to detail
• A positive, can-do attitude
• Someone reliable who enjoys helping others

What you’ll gain

• Valuable admin and office experience
• The chance to support a cause that makes a real difference
• A friendly and supportive team environment
• A great addition to your CV

Help support inspiring trekkers as they take on 13 or 26 miles to raise vital funds for dementia.

Trekking a marathon or half-marathon is no mean feat so we need volunteers just like you, to help give our trekkers as much support as possible on the day. This could be a cup of tea at one of our rest stops, a friendly word of encouragement on the route, or a triumphant cheer across the finish line.

As part of our volunteer crew, you’ll help give trekkers the encouragement and all important boost they need to keep going strong. We can guarantee that it means the world to our trekkers.

No experience needed, just bring your energy and enthusiasm! There is something for everyone, with roles based in the event hub, rest stops and along the route.

What’s involved

· Cheering trekkers and offering encouragement

· Directing trekkers along the route

· Supporting with selling merchandise

· Handing out well-deserved medals and glasses of fizz

What you'll receive

· A fun, feel-good, and rewarding experience

· The chance to make a real impact in just a few hours

· A full role briefing and volunteer manager to support you

· Travel expenses (up to 50miles)

Ready to join our amazing volunteer team? Sign up today and help change the lives of people living with dementia right now and in the future!

Volunteers over the age of 14 are welcome, but if you are under 16 you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Help support inspiring trekkers as they take on 13 or 26 miles to raise vital funds for dementia.

Trekking a marathon or half-marathon is no mean feat so we need volunteers just like you, to help give our trekkers as much support as possible on the day. This could be a cup of tea at one of our rest stops, a friendly word of encouragement on the route, or a triumphant cheer across the finish line.

As part of our volunteer crew, you’ll help give trekkers the encouragement and all important boost they need to keep going strong. We can guarantee that it means the world to our trekkers.

No experience needed, just bring your energy and enthusiasm! There is something for everyone, with roles based in the event hub, rest stops and along the route.

What’s involved

· Cheering trekkers and offering encouragement

· Directing trekkers along the route

· Supporting with selling merchandise

· Handing out well-deserved medals and glasses of fizz

What you'll receive

· A fun, feel-good, and rewarding experience

· The chance to make a real impact in just a few hours

· A full role briefing and volunteer manager to support you

· Travel expenses (up to 50miles)

Ready to join our amazing volunteer team? Sign up today and help change the lives of people living with dementia right now and in the future!

Volunteers over the age of 14 are welcome, but if you are under 16 you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Communications Team Lead (Volunteer)

We are seeking a creative and experienced Communications Team Lead to play a vital role in raising awareness of the mission of Bounds Green Food Bank and drive donations. They will be responsible for leading a team of volunteers and assisting the team in coming up with creative ways to spread the word of the food bank.
 

About Bounds Green Food Bank: 

Open since June 2020, we serve over 4,600 children and adults in the community. We are committed to improving lives by providing food and essential household items to build a healthy, hunger-free tomorrow. We strive to promote social inclusion by supporting people who find themselves in a crisis situation where they need assistance to feed themselves and their families.

The role: 

• Create and lead on communication campaigns and initiatives to raise funds, recruit volunteers and promote our impact

• Manage a fantastic Communications Team of remote volunteers with specific roles (social media, website management, business partnership, graphics and community liaison), providing guidance and managing workload

• Work closely with the Fundraising Lead to create effective fundraising campaigns through newsletters, social media, flyers, events and our website.

• Liaise with the other team leads via a group chat and occasional team meetings, staying up to date with changes across the charity and providing input from the Comms Team

Person specification: 

• Previous experience in marketing, communications, or related fields preferred.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage, motivate and inspire a team of volunteers.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Benefits:

• Gain valuable experience in marketing and non-profit leadership.

• Make a meaningful impact on the fight against hunger in the community.

• Develop professional skills and expand your network.

• Give back to the community - one of the NHS’ 5 Ways to Wellbeing!

Please note this is an unpaid position - the food bank is completely run by volunteers

Have you got a passion for making an impact in your local community? Could you support us to launch community fundraising within your local community?

Help Caudwell Children to raise funds that support disabled and neurodivergent children to realise their full potential?

What will you be doing?

• Assist in planning, promoting, and delivering community fundraising events (e.g., charity walks, bake sales, raffles).

• Support local people with fundraising activities. •

• Represent the organisation at community events, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere and sharing information about Caudwell Children

• Keep accurate records of donations and fundraising activities in line with guidelines.

What skills would be useful?

• Friendly and approachable

• Organised

• Creative and enthusiastic about fundraising

• Previous fundraising or event coordination experience

What’s in it for you?

• Relevant training, mentoring and support will be provided

• Gain experience to add on to your CV

• Utilise your skills and learn new ones.

• Social opportunities

• Access to wellbeing support

• Out of pocket travel expenses can be reimbursed

• We strive to make reasonable adjustments and improve accessibility

How much time are you expected to give and when?

Volunteering is flexible. The brilliant thing about this role is you can do as much or as little as you like. Weekdays or weekends, daytime or evenings, there is lots of choice.

Where is the role located?

Looking for volunteers based across Staffordshire, support provided remotely. Minimum age for this role: 16

Job description

Job description

What is the befriending service?

• The Befriending Service links volunteers 1:1 with a disabled child/young person.
• Links are based on shared interests and activities, which you can enjoy doing together, either in the young person’s home or out in the community.

What experience do I need?

• You do not need any previous experience with disabled children or young people
• We ask that you are friendly, caring, reliable and able to make a commitment to visit a young person regularly.

What will I be doing?

You will volunteer within WECIL’s befriending service for disabled children/young people and their families. This involves:

• Spending time regularly with a disabled child or young person in their home or their local community.
• You will not be asked to administer medication or deliver personal care in this role.

Who am I responsible for?

• You are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the child or young person you are linked with.
• All links are risk-assessed and carefully monitored by your Coordinator.

How often will I be needed?

• We typically ask for volunteers to commit to 1-4 hours a week
• The days / times are agreed between the volunteer and the family.
• We ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months to ensure the child and their family are able to benefit fully from the relationship.

What about expenses?

• Volunteer travel expenses can be reimbursed on receipt of a claim form. You won’t be left out of pocket.

Any Perks?

• Ongoing training and support to develop skills and confidence
• Professional references provided for committed volunteers
• Volunteer socials to meet like-minded people and build friendships
• Expenses are covered
• A welcoming and supportive environment

Time2Share@WECIL is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects its staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our first priority is to ensure the safety of the children we support. 

Unfortunatly we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. 

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.

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.

Join a thriving cultural organisation in Dorset. We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us create unforgettable visitor experiences across our world-class collections and temporary exhibitions.

About the role

As a Volunteer Gallery Steward, you'll be the friendly face that welcomes visitors to our galleries. You'll help ensure our precious exhibits are safe while creating a welcoming, engaging environment where visitors of all ages can discover and enjoy Dorset's natural, historical and cultural heritage.

Your day-to-day responsibilities may include:

• Stewarding across our permanent galleries and special exhibitions
• Greeting visitors and sharing your enthusiasm for our collections
• Answering questions about exhibits and helping visitors get the most from their visit
• Contributing to the inclusive, welcoming atmosphere we're known for

Time commitment: We're looking for volunteers available for afternoon shifts on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Full induction and specific training around gallery stewarding will be given on commencement of the role.

Who we're looking for

You don't need museum experience – we're looking for people with:

• An interest in culture, history, or the natural world
• A friendly, approachable manner and genuine interest in people
• Reliability and a willingness to engage thoughtfully with visitors
• Enthusiasm for helping us connect our community with Dorset's stories
• Is security conscious
• Aged 18 or over
• Available during afternoon hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays

Benefits of volunteering with us

In addition to supporting our mission to connect audiences with Dorset's stories, you'll also:

• Develop new skills and gain valuable experience in a museum setting
• Meet people from across Dorset and beyond
• Deepen your knowledge of our collections and Dorset's fascinating heritage
• Be part of a welcoming team of around 140 volunteers and 30 staff
• Contribute directly to the cultural life of our community
• Enjoy a flexible volunteering arrangement that fits your schedule
• Free refreshments when on duty.
• Regular social events.
• Regular volunteer newsletter.
• 10% discount in our shop and TASTE Café.
• Upon completing 50 volunteer hours a year, you will receive a pass that entitles you to unlimited free entry to the museum outside of your volunteering hours.

About Dorset Museum & Art Gallery

We're a registered charity with world-class collections spanning 250 million years of Dorset's natural world, archaeology, history, art, and culture. Our aim is to ignite an appreciation of our county – and of how Dorset people have helped advance understanding of the wider world. Through exciting, fun, and enjoyable public programmes and exhibitions, we work hard to inspire learning, advance knowledge and engage with the widest possible audience.

Are you a creative, friendly, open-minded person who wants to gain experience working with Children? Caudwell Children are looking for volunteers to help with our Short Break Activity Sessions!

Our Short Break Activity Sessions enable disabled children to access fun, inspirational and challenging leisure activities that build life skills and promote independence whilst providing carers with vital short break respite.

With our support, disabled children and young people get to explore their interests, talents and develop vital life skills. Activities can lead to ASDAN accreditation. Short break activities build future hopes and aspirations and provide children with the confidence to achieve their full potential.

Roles and Responsibilities:

- Assist Caudwell Children staff member(s) in running the short break activity sessions

- Help to ensure all children are safe during the activity sessions

- Support staff members with planned activities

- Participate in setting up an activity and helping with the set down

- Communicate and work with the children to ensure they have fun

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria

- Friendly and approachable personality

- Punctual and reliable

- Experience of working/ volunteering with children

- Creative personality

Desirable Criteria

- Experience of working/ volunteering with children with an additional need

- Experience of working/ volunteering in a charity/ third sector

- Experience of education or an educational setting

This role takes place on weekends only. We suggest a minimum commitment of 6 months for this role – full training and support will be provided.

Would you like to support disabled children in accessing fun activity sessions? Could you provide admin support in the office to help facilitate sessions for our Children’s Activity Club team.

What will you be doing?

• Supporting the Childrens Activity Club managed with a range of administration tasks

. • Helping with data entry tasks, such as updating our in-house database with registers, session attendance, feedback, and uploading support plans.

• Telephoning parents to go through initial risk assessments/ supports plans on how best we can support their child at a session understanding their communication, sensory and support needs.

• Helping to research required resources for sessions.

What skills would be useful?

• A good level of computer literacy

• A good eye for detail

• Confident using a telephone

• Previous experience with data entry tasks

• Previous experience supporting SEN children

What’s in it for you?

• Relevant training, mentoring and support will be provided

• Gain experience to add on to your CV

• Utilise your skills and learn new ones.

• Social opportunities

• Access to wellbeing support

• Out of pocket travel expenses can be reimbursed

• We strive to make reasonable adjustments and improve accessibility

How much time are you expected to give and when?

For the role to be mutually beneficial, we hope for volunteers to give 3 to 4 hours a week for 4 months. The team is looking for volunteers who are available on Wednesday afternoons or Thursday afternoons.

Where is the role located? At our Caudwell Children Centre on Innovation way, Keele University Campus, ST5 5NT. Minimum age for this role: 18

Are you a creative, friendly, open-minded person who wants to gain experience working with Children? Caudwell Children are looking for volunteers to help with our Short Break Activity Sessions!

Our Short Break Activity Sessions enable disabled children to access fun, inspirational and challenging leisure activities that build life skills and promote independence whilst providing carers with vital short break respite.

With our support, disabled children and young people get to explore their interests, talents and develop vital life skills. Activities can lead to ASDAN accreditation. Short break activities build future hopes and aspirations and provide children with the confidence to achieve their full potential.

Roles and Responsibilities:

- Assist Caudwell Children staff member(s) in running the short break activity sessions

- Help to ensure all children are safe during the activity sessions

- Support staff members with planned activities

- Participate in setting up an activity and helping with the set down

- Communicate and work with the children to ensure they have fun

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria

- Friendly and approachable personality

- Punctual and reliable

- Experience of working/ volunteering with children

- Creative personality

Desirable Criteria

- Experience of working/ volunteering with children with an additional need

- Experience of working/ volunteering in a charity/ third sector

- Experience of education or an educational setting

This role takes place on weekends only. We suggest a minimum commitment of 6 months for this role – full training and support will be provided.

What will you be doing? 

• Carrying out horticultural tasks for designated gardens to agreed maintence standards.
• Weeding all areas of the grounds, including our sensory garden and 'Thank you' Garden.
• General maintenance of all garden areas including pruning, shrubs, digging and hoeing. 
• Maintaining good access: Path maintenance 
• Comply with health and safety guidelines when using tools. 

What skills would be useful? 

• Previous gardening experience
• Keen interest in gardening 
• Willingness to help
• Ability to work in a team
• Reliable

Are you a HR professional? Could you give an hour a week to tackle pregnancy and maternity discrimination? Then we need you!

Every year our fantastic HR Advice Line volunteers speak to hundreds women and parents experiencing challenges or pregnancy and maternity discrimination at work. The Advice Line provides hours of free support and HR advice every week, however the demand for the service is high and we know that getting through can be difficult. That’s why we’re trialling a new online Advice Forum to help improve access to support and flexibility of our volunteer roles. But before we can make the forum public, we need to bring in a team of volunteers who are ready and waiting to answer questions. 

We are looking for knowledgable HR professionals who want to tackle the Motherhood Penaltyand support mothers and parents by becoming an Advice Forum Volunteer.

As a volunteer advisor you’ll give an hour a week of your time to respond to questions on the Advice Forum. You’ll use your HR knowledge and experience to respond to posts and give advice that can help people identify and challenge pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace. You’ll also be joining us at the start of this brand new service and will have an essential role in helping us monitor, evaluate and learn from the forum trial, with the goal of establishing it as a permanent PTS Support Service. 

About the role

Role Title: Advice Forum Volunteer
Location: Home-based (UK)
Reporting To: Head of Support Services

Time Commitment

The Advice Forum will be available online 24/7, and so volunteering as a forum advisor is flexible and can fit around your schedule. We ask that you are able to commit at least one hour a week for a minimum of three months.

Alternative time commitments can be considered and discussed, so please do include any information that might be useful in your application form.

Main Role Purpose

Advice Forum Volunteers play a vital role in providing accessible support and guidance to working parents facing unfair treatment or discrimination in the workplace. Volunteers will respond to forum questions and posts, offering advice and signposting information about employee rights. You will also coordinate with the PTS staff team and other volunteers to ensure all forum questions are responded to, and will have the opportunity to contribute to the forum’s development.

Essential requirements

• Minimum CIPD level 5 Diploma in People Management with one professional reference.
• Knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and policies related to pregnancy, maternity leave, and discrimination.
• Access to a reliable and secure WIFI or Internet connection and a mobile device or computer/laptop.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Comfortable using online communication tools.
• Commitment to completing all required volunteer training.

Key Responsibilities

• Respond to forum questions from individuals seeking support and advice.
• Provide HR advice and guidance in a clear and concise way to support forum users with their enquiries.
• Signpost to further information and other support organisations if necessary.
• Maintain professionalism in all interactions, adhering to all Pregnant Then Screwed guidelines and policies.
• Complete all training required by PTS. 

What you can expect from PTS

• The opportunity to use your skills and expertise to tackle the Motherhood Penalty and make a meaningful impact.
• An onboarding and induction period which can be completed at your own pace.
• Support from the PTS staff team and volunteer network.
• HR support from Bluestone HR.
• Access to our Volunteer Training Hub.
• CPD certified Samaritans Supportive Listening eTraining course.
• Opportunities to help us further develop and shape our Support Services.