Volunteer volunteer roles in epsom and ewell, surrey

Getting the right support at the right time can make a world of difference.

In the challenging times following a terminal diagnosis or the death of a loved one, the Hospice has a range of support available. The Man Shed provides an alternative to formal support, enabling ‘Shedders’ to spend time with others in similar situations while engaging in a purposeful activity, learning new skills and enjoying friendship and support along the way. The primary aim of the Man Shed is to be a place to talk with others about anything and everything. Volunteers also help ‘Shedders’ to plan and safely work on their DIY projects, and make sure sessions run smoothly. 

We’re looking for Man Shed Session Leader Volunteers for all sessions but especially Mondays and Thursdays. This is a weekly commitment of 6 hours per week, you will commit to 2 sessions on 1 day per week. Sessions take place from 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm, with some time required to set up and leave the workshop tidy afterwards.

You’ll enjoy helping and teaching other users, be comfortable supervising the safe use of equipment, and offer a listening ear to the attendees.

Full training and support will be provided. You must be able to attend equipment training day.

If you’re motivated by the idea of joining a community where your time will make a difference to those who have experienced bereavement, we’d like to hear from you!

Obuyisi bw'Omu Initiative

Through grassroots initiatives, advocacy, and partnerships, the Obuyisibwomu Initiative aims to uplift marginalized groups—particularly women, youth, and children—while fostering long-term, sustainable change.

Obuyisi bw’omu Initiative addresses critical challenges faced by underserved communities in Uganda. These include limited access to mental health support, poor water sanitation and hygiene practices, barriers to quality education, and the escalating effects of climate change.

Mental Health: Stigma, lack of awareness, and limited access to mental health services leave many—especially youth—without the support they need for emotional well-being.

Water, Sanitation & Health (WASH): Inadequate clean water sources and poor sanitation infrastructure contribute to preventable diseases and poor health outcomes in rural communities.

Quality Education: Many children face barriers such as lack of resources, insufficient learning environments, and limited access to inclusive education opportunities, hindering their personal and community development.

Climate Change & Environmental Degradation: Communities experience direct impacts of climate change, including environmental degradation and food insecurity, but often lack the tools or knowledge to mitigate these effects.

Through our programs, we aim to empower communities, raise awareness, and drive sustainable solutions to these interconnected social and environmental issues.

Obuyisi bw’omu Initiative provides community-driven, practical solutions that empower individuals and promote sustainable development in Uganda.

Mental Health Awareness: We create safe spaces for dialogue, organize awareness campaigns, and engage youth in mental health education to reduce stigma and promote emotional well-being.

Water, Sanitation & Health (WASH): We work with communities to improve access to clean water, promote proper sanitation practices, and conduct health education to prevent disease and improve public health outcomes.

Quality Education: We support learners by providing educational resources, mentorship, and advocacy for inclusive, quality education—ensuring that children and youth in rural areas have better opportunities for growth.

Climate Action: We engage communities in environmental conservation activities such as tree planting, climate education, and sustainable practices that build resilience to climate change.

By combining grassroots engagement with volunteer expertise, we foster community ownership, empower young people, and promote lasting positive change.

Major Gifts & Campaign Fundraiser

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

We are seeking a Major Gifts & Campaign Fundraising Volunteer — a results-driven fundraising professional with a proven track record of securing meaningful donations, organizing impactful fundraising events, and turning digital campaigns into successful revenue-generating efforts.

This is not a general volunteer fundraiser role. We need someone with experience and energy to take the lead in bringing real funds into a growing organization that’s driving transformative change for children and youth in Uganda.

�� Role Responsibilities Fundraising Strategy & Execution Develop and implement a donor acquisition plan to meet fundraising targets. Identify and engage potential donors (individuals, businesses, grants). Optimize the current Meaningful campaign for maximum visibility & conversions.

Donor Outreach & Relationship Building Lead email, social media, and phone outreach to secure donations. Cultivate relationships with potential donors for recurring contributions. Represent OBI professionally in donor communications.

Event Fundraising Plan and execute virtual or in-person fundraising events (e.g., webinars, charity drives). Collaborate with the team to promote events and secure sponsors. Campaign Marketing & Promotion Craft compelling fundraising messages (stories, impact reports, social media content). Leverage LinkedIn, Twitter, and email campaigns to boost donations. Track and report on campaign performance (donations, engagement).

Partnerships & Sponsorships Research and approach businesses/NGOs for partnerships or matching donations. Draft sponsorship proposals and follow up with leads.

Weekly Time Commitment

10+ hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

6+ months

Join our amazing volunteer team to make a real difference to people living with sight loss. You’ll be supporting people to come together in a group setting, to benefit from each other’s company, knowledge and encouragement, leading to reduced isolation, stronger networks of support, and new friendships. You can support with either local and regional telephone groups or face-to-face groups.

What you’ll be doing:
• Meeting and greeting group members on arrival or joining virtually.
• Creating a warm and welcoming environment.
• Supporting group conversations.
• Assisting with group activities (if appropriate).

What you’ll gain from the role:
• An opportunity to give something back.
• A chance to build a strong community.
• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.

• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• 1 reference Criminal record check

Location

Region

• Scotland

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • An interest in group or community work. • A sociable personality. • A commitment to working towards a society where people with sight loss are equal participants.

Here at Youth4Youth, we have grown a strong, tight-knit community of individuals who are passionate about making a difference and improving the lives of young people across the UK. Our growing team of volunteers all contribute, significantly, to the impact that we have as a charity on our direct beneficiaries, regardless of the department that they work in of the level of time that they are able to commit. Our services primarily offer a peer-support network to young people right across the UK, allowing them to access a peer mentor who is of a similar age to them and somebody that they feel more comfortable speaking with.

If successful, you will be joining a growing team of diverse, but likeminded individuals, collaborating to increase the reach of the Charity and improve support provisions available to young people. All of our volunteers and employees are remote workers, but that doesn't stop us keeping in touch and maintaining a strong positive culture amongst our whole team. 

About the role

Our Peer Mentors are at the forefront of our Youth Services delivery, tackling head on the issues that young people are facing everyday. As a Peer Mentor, you will engage with young people who reach out to Youth4Youth for support, taking time to coach and guide them through the difficulties that they are facing. This exciting opportunity, targeted at individuals who are between the ages of 16 and 25, provides young people with the space to directly impact and transform the lives of young people, significantly improving their overall wellbeing.

Ideal candidates are those who are able to commit to regular volunteering activity of at least 2 hours per week (on average) and who are able to comfortably communicate via written e-mail and other remote chat functionalities.

Responsibilities:

Your core responsibilities as a Peer Mentor at Youth4Youth include:

• Building strong, professional relationships with young people seeking mentoring support.
• Demonstrating commitment to the charity by regular volunteer engagement to maintain ongoing communication with young people (which includes responding to young people within an agreed and reasonable time frame).
• Providing light support, advice and guidance to young people in relation to the troubles that they are facing, in line with the resources provided to you by the charity.
• Maintaining professional boundaries with young people and not seeking to offer support beyond your capability that may put a young person at risk.
• Maintaining regular contact with your Youth4Youth supervisor, with the expectation that you will meet at least once per month for a supervision session that involves reflective practice and a focus on your development as a mentor.
• Providing support as part of our Peer Mentor network to colleagues across the Charity who are also directly supporting young people.
• Maintaining compliance with all policies. Most importantly this means maintaining the right level of confidentiality around your conversations with young people and recognising your safeguarding responsibilities in raising concerns as they arise to keep young people safe.

Peer Mentors are also actively encouraged to get involved in fundraising, outreach and social media activities where they feel comfortable and able to.

Skills 

• Strong written communication skills, such as being able to effectively compose a written e-mail in response to a young person.
• Ability to build strong, professional relationships and maintain trust between yourself and a young person, such as through active listening and adapting to the individual needs of different young people.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy to others.
• Ability to work in a challenging environment and recognise when you may need support yourself.
• Proficient in the use of IT tools, such as Microsoft Outlook.

Our mission is to continue to grow towards becoming one of the best charities in the UK. Our aim is to do this by building a diverse team, rich with different backgrounds and perspectives. Therefore, even if you feel you only are a 75% match, we would still love to hear from you. Skills can be learned, but diversity cannot.

Skills development for you:

As a Peer Mentor at Youth4Youth, you will be required to take part and graduate our Youth Services Academy. This program requires an upfront commitment of 10 - 13 hours of training prior to taking on the role of communicating with young people. This investment in you not only equips you with the understanding of what it takes to be a successful peer mentor, and the skills that you will need, but also is an investment in you. This training will provide you with core soft skills that are transferrable to many opportunities, whether that's in everyday life for you, your education setting or your place of work. All Mentors graduating from the Youth Services Academy will be provided with an electronic certificate to demonstrate your successful completion of the program, which can be shared with potential employers.

Benefits of volunteering with Youth4Youth

We recognise that you will be joining us and giving your time as an 'in-kind' donation, but there must be benefits for you too. When joining our team, you will be open to the following benefits:

• Professional and personal development opportunities in a variety of skill areas through volunteering in real roles. This may be general development or tailored to your specific needs or ambitions
• Becoming a member of a strong network of likeminded individuals, spread across the UK, who you can connect with and collaborate with both within and outside of the Charity
• Access to bespoke discounts, specifically designed for non-profit workers and Youth4Youth volunteers
• Opportunities to truly shape the future of the Charity, having a direct influence over the impact that Youth4Youth has on its direct beneficiaries

The hiring process:

Unlike other roles at Youth4Youth, the hiring process has been simplified for peer mentors, recognising the demographic of individuals that we are seeking to fill these positions. To put you at ease, the hiring process includes:

• An initial application, stating your reasons for wishing to become a Peer Mentor
• A remote interview conducted via Microsoft Teams

Successful candidates at this stage will be invited into the final stage of the recruitment process which includes:

• Satisfactory references being received (these do not need to be employment references)
• A satisfactory DBS check being received
• Successful completion of the Youth Services Academy

RSPCA London South East Branch

Do you have professional expertise you could use to help a good cause? Are you passionate about animal welfare? Volunteer to take the Chair at the London South East Branch and help direct all our activities which are aimed at improving animals’ lives.

Overview of the Branch Chair opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity to improve animal welfare by playing an instrumental part in the production, monitoring and review of our Branches development plan. You will be able to influence how we raise our funds and how these are allocated in our local area.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether the trustee takes on additional duties.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824, we have been saving animals for 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. We are the RSPCA and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. Our volunteers are incredible, they play an essential role in helping us carry out our important animal welfare work every day.

The RSPCA London South East Branch

The London South East Branch is one of the branches of RSPCA, but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The London South East Branch has two retail shops (Sydenham Road and Norwood Road) and supports the work of the Inspectorate through rehoming of animals within the branch area.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Chair

• Take the chair at branch committee meetings and direct the activities.

• Act jointly with all co-trustees and work closely with the branch secretary and treasurer.

• To act as co-signatory, if required, on branch cheques and ensure that proper financial procedures are always followed, in line with charity legislation.

• Ensure that all committee members are familiar with branch rules, national Society policy and their responsibilities as a charity trustee.

• Be instrumental in the production, monitoring and review of a branch strategy.

• Actively coordinate the activities of the branch, including the delegation of tasks.

• Ensure that a branch representative is appointed to the regional board and that the representative gives the committee a full report on the business conducted after each meeting.

• To ensure that all the essential roles within the committee are filled by suitable, appropriate trustees or volunteers.

Core Branch Trustee responsibilities

• Appreciate and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA.

• Work in conjunction with fellow trustees and branch officers and jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of the branch and the RSPCA.

• Work with national RSPCA staff to ensure that the branch meets all minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS).

• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch Partnership Manager write, adopt, monitor, and review a development plan setting out the short and long term aims of your branch.

• Actively participate in branch committee meetings and to attend the branch annual general meeting and regional conference.

• Be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support local initiatives.

• Actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers and welcome new members.

• In conjunction with your fellow trustees, ensure the proper management and control of all activities and decisions relating to any premises held or staff employed by the branch if applicable.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

Ideally you would have specific skills such as finance, legal, fundraising, project management, business experience, awareness of employment and/or charity legislation. These all can be useful to help ensure we have a sound and robust business model and long-term strategic development plan, however, they are not essential.

We are also looking for people who are creative, innovative, who have experience of or are part of the groups and communities we want to attract, who can bring new ideas, different experiences and fresh perspectives to the Board and help put those ideas into action.

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert, although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

No previous trustee experience? That’s OK! We welcome applications from anyone interested in developing their skills by becoming a trustee and will provide relevant training.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Chair

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.

• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.

• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.

• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.

• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• Please also note that to become a Trustee, you will need to be aged 18 or over and a member of our branch for three months before you are eligible to be elected.

• Trustees are elected for a 12-month term each year.

• You will need to have your own vehicle or access to a vehicle, and your own computer or one that can be used securely.

• Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and read the Charity Commission’s guidance for individuals on who cannot be a trustee or senior manager of a charity.

• References will also be required.

How to find out more about being a Branch Trustee

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee, and to ensure it is the right decision for you view the Government Charity Trustee Guidance.

There is some information on the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees, and we have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

When people suspect they have Lyme disease, their first port of call is a health professional (HP), yet HP knowledge of Lyme disease tends to be low. The Lyme Resource Centre has been increasingly attending HP conferences to raise awareness. However, we now need help to make our approach to these events more streamlined, efficient with an experienced events specialist to help support the rest of the team so they can concentrate on presentation content etc. Whilst the major focus is HP conferences, there are 1-2 other major events where event support is also needed.  Previous experience in events coordination is essential. 

Key responsibilities seen as:

Overseeing co-ordination of LRC events (e.g. HCP conferences, Parliamentary events, big public conferences)

Completing admin, paperwork (contracts, insurance, invoicing etc.) 

Liaising with event organisers

Monitoring event status, progress & costs

Designing processes, policies that facilitate event organisation and advise Trustees on how to evolve event management

Organising post-event follow-up emails

Advising LRC team members of required actions, deadlines

Organising printing, materials, equipment for event as required (working with materials specialist?)

Liaising with team members, project leaders, Trustees, treasurer

Taking part in relevant team and other meetings

Key competencies 

• Organisational skills

• IT competent

• Team working

• Good intuition, initiative

• Good communication – verbal & written

• Attention to detail

We are seeking a new Chair to provide strategic leadership at a time when demand for our advice services is at an all-time high. Help shape our vision, champion our mission, and make a tangible difference in the lives of those facing challenges.

About Citizens Advice East Berkshire
Citizens Advice East Berkshire offers crucial help and advice when people need it most. No one but Citizens Advice sees so many people with so many different kinds of problems, and that gives us a unique insight into the challenges people are facing today. 

What will you be doing?
We are at an important stage in our development and we are seeking a new Chair to replace our current Chair who will be standing down as her term finishes. We have ambitious plans for our future and we are looking for a Chair who can help drive our mission forward.

Building on our successes to date, we want a new Chair to lead us through the next exciting phase of our journey. You will have a strong background and track record of providing leadership at board and/or senior executive level and will have a passion for supporting people facing tough life challenges. You should have the judgement and vision to operate effectively at strategic level and you should demonstrate the skills and expertise to help drive our mission forward. We are looking for someone with 3 years+ professional experience in one of the fields of Fundraising strategy, Governance, Operations management or Advice / Advocacy. 

We are looking for someone who has:

• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level within an organisation
• Successful track record of achievement through their career
• Experience of charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees
• Passion for supporting people facing tough life challenges
• Ideally has served as a Chair or Vice Chair and is familiar with leading a Board

What are we looking for?

You’ll need to:

• Understand the type of work undertaken by a local Citizens Advice and the Citizens Advice network
• Understand and accept the responsibilities and liabilities of a trustee
• Be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own
• Have a good basis of leadership skills (and preferably you have served within a Board, ideally as Chair or Vice Chair or led a Committee)
• Have the ability to facilitate and lead meetings
• Have good interpersonal skills
• Have good listening, verbal and written communication skills
• Be able to exercise good independent judgment
• Have good numeracy skills to understand accounts with the support of the treasurer
• Be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection
• Be willing to undertake mandatory training in your role
• Line manage and support the Chief Executive Officer

What difference will you make?
Citizens Advice East Berkshire makes transformational differences to people who need support when facing life crises. As Chair you will play a significant part in ensuring we are able to expand and grown our services to make a significant difference to many more individuals and families. 

About Roots Academy

At Roots Academy, we’ve built a learning experience that’s changing the lives of the ummah’s future leaders, change-makers and visionaries. 

Our vision is enabling university students to live God-centred lives, so we teach structured, engaging and transformative face-to-face foundational Islamic education to over 2000 students across the UK, Canada, USA and Ireland. 

We are currently recruiting 4 site managers across the UK - to cover London, England, Wales and Scotland. 

Role Summary 

Site managers are responsible for establishing partnerships with University Muslim Student Associations (MSAs) and Islamic Societies (ISocs),  and maintaining positive relationships with these sites. 

Key tasks 

• Actively establish and maintain positive relationships with the MSA/ISoc committees and Student Ambassadors to ensure an exceptional onsite experience for students and promote retention of sites 

• Be responsible for overseeing all onsite logistics through liaison with the Student Ambassador to ensure that onsite logistics including advertising of the class and other required tasks are taken care of by the MSA/ISoc 

• Be the point of contact for ISocs: answer questions from the MSA/ ISoc committees and Student Ambassadors to the best of your ability and engage them on a 1-1 basis, listen to their needs and concerns and addressing these accordingly 

• Collect ideas and best-practices from how different MSAs/ISocs are delivering their class 

• Participate in onboarding current and new sites prior to the start of the academic year 

• Be the point of contact internally for any queries or updates related to assigned MSAs/ISocs 

What we’re looking for 

• An understanding of the Muslim university scene and how university MSAs/ISocs operate. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Ability and keenness to make and maintain genuine connections with people. 

• Ability to travel regionally for face-to-face meetings with MSA/ISoc committees, at least once per semester.

What we have to offer 

• Be part of a team of 40+ dedicated volunteers from across the country. 

• Receive continuous rewards for students that gain knowledge and closeness to Allah and their faith as a result of attending the Onsites Essentials program.

• Be a part of a growing organisation that aims to revive and educate Muslims from a grassroots perspective. 

• Receive in-house tarbiyah sessions.

Please note this is an unpaid volunteer position.

Volunteers are entitled to claim expenses incurred for food, travel and equipment, in line with our Expenses policy.

Public Relation/Marketing Trustee- Join Us in Transforming Children’s Lives!

At School-Home Support, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to be in school and ready to learn – no matter the obstacles they face. Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to ensure that every child is in school, every day, by 2050. We are looking for a passionate individual with PR/Marketing knowledge to help us make this vision a reality and have a lasting impact on children and families across the country. 

We’re seeking an individual who shares our passion for improving children’s lives. If you have experience as a trustee and are ready to take the next step in your governance journey, we would love to hear from you. 

Who We're Looking For:

We are looking to recruit a PR/Marketing Trustee who is passionate about the work of School-Home Support and brings energy, commitment and leadership combined with a willingness to advocate for the work we do and the cause we serve. 

As a PR/Marketing Trustee, You Will: 

• Contribute to setting goals, targets, and overall policy for the organisation

• Share your expertise and networks to support the development and growth of the charity. 

• Help ensure compliance with our legal obligations and the organisation’s core purpose. 

• Provide oversight of the budget to guarantee School-Home Support’s financial sustainability. 

• Support the Safeguarding Lead to ensure measures are in place for safeguarding for the children and families we support and the staff team

• Act as a champion and ambassador for School-Home Support, enhancing our reputation, representing us at key events, and supporting fundraising efforts. 

What We Offer: 

• Impactful Role: By joining our Board of Trustees, you will play a key role in shaping our national impact and supporting our mission to transform the lives of children in need. 

• Training & Development: You will receive tailored training specific to your role and access to additional learning opportunities through our staff-led EDI networks. 

• Networking Opportunities: You’ll have the chance to expand your professional network and make valuable connections within the education and charity sectors.

• Support Throughout Your Journey: We will buddy you with a more experienced trustee or corporate volunteer to ensure you feel supported and confident throughout your time with us.

Expectations:

• Commitment: A commitment of three years to this voluntary role

• Meetings: Attend four half-day board meetings and one AGM each year, which are typically held in Stratford, London, or remotely. 

• Sub-Committees: Participate in one of our sub-committees to help guide specific areas of our work. 

• External Events: Attend 2-3 fundraising events each year (usually evenings) and make at least one school visit annually. 

• Inclusion & Diversity: A strong commitment to inclusion, equal opportunities, and the promotion of diversity in all aspects of your work.  

If you’re ready to make a difference and contribute to creating brighter futures for children and their families, we want to hear from you! 

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please review the Trustee Pack and submit your application today!

Digital Storyteller (Social Media Lead)

Role Type: Volunteer
Time Commitment: Flexible – approx. 3–5 hrs/month
Location: Remote

About the role:
This role is all about capturing the essence of Mindful Strides and sharing it with the world. You’ll create social media posts, share event updates, highlight community moments, and help us connect with people who might want to join.

You might enjoy this role if you:

• Love telling stories through photos, videos, or words

• Enjoy using platforms like Instagram or Canva

• Are creative and care about visual storytelling

• Want to grow a heartfelt, engaged online community

About UK Reads

UK Reads is the UK-based charity of the global non-profit World Literacy Foundation, which works to eradicate illiteracy and promote equitable access to education worldwide. In the UK, we focus on closing the literacy gap for children from underserved communities, ensuring that every child has access to the literacy support they need to thrive academically and personally.

We deliver high-impact literacy programmes, distribute free books, and partner with schools, libraries, and community organisations to foster a lifelong love of reading. 

About the Pen Pal Project

The Pen Pal Project empowers children aged 7–16 to become confident communicators by engaging them in creative, meaningful letter writing. UK pupils are matched with peers in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries to exchange letters over six structured sessions throughout the academic year.

The project supports pupils in:

• Developing core literacy skills (reading, writing, sentence structure, vocabulary)

• Strengthening confidence, empathy, and communication through storytelling

• Learning about different cultures, family structures, traditions, and daily life in another part of the world

• Practising both written and spoken English in an encouraging, low-pressure environment

Each school cohort follows a themed session plan exploring topics such as identity, youth culture, food, heritage, health, and hobbies.

Sessions are delivered by trained volunteers, with support from teachers and UK Reads staff.

Role Overview

As a Writing Session Coordinator, you’ll play a key role in supporting literacy, creativity, and inclusion in schools. You’ll work directly with students to help them explore personal expression, read incoming pen pal letters, and craft thoughtful responses.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about education, communication, cultural exchange, and making a difference at a grassroots level.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate six themed writing sessions at a primary or secondary school in London (sessions take place during school hours)

• Create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere where all students feel safe to write and express themselves

• Support pupils with varied literacy levels, including those with special educational needs (SEND), English as an additional language (EAL), or lower confidence in reading/writing

• Guide pupils in reading and responding to letters received from international pen pals

• Encourage vocabulary development, sentence structure, and narrative skills using the provided facilitator resources

• Use creativity and cultural awareness to promote engagement and curiosity

• Complete light administrative tasks (~1 hour per session), including:

  • Reviewing students’ letters for safeguarding

  • Submitting short post-session reflections or feedback forms

• Attend a short online training session and stay in communication with the UK Reads team

Time Commitment

• Approx. 6-8 hours/month over the academic year

• Each session includes:

  • ~1 hour in-school delivery time

  • ~1 hour admin/reflection time

• Plus training, planning, and communication time as needed

• Sessions are typically spaced two per academic term (six total)

Volunteers are matched with one school and are expected to complete the full six-session cycle to ensure continuity and build rapport with pupils.

Who We're Looking For

We welcome volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds. You don’t need formal teaching experience — just commitment, empathy, and a passion for helping young people thrive.

Essential:

• Strong spoken and written English

• Comfortable working with children and young people in a school setting

• Reliable, organised, and able to follow session plans

• Open-minded, culturally sensitive, and adaptable to different learning styles

• Able to commit to a minimum of 6 sessions over the academic year (during school hours)

• Based in London or able to travel to schools across the city

• Willing to complete a DBS check and safeguarding training

Desirable (but not required):

• Experience in education, youth work, creative writing, literacy support, or mentoring

What You’ll Gain

• A highly rewarding volunteer experience with visible impact on young learners

• Full training and a ready-to-use facilitation guide

• Support from a dedicated project coordinator throughout your placement

• Reimbursement of reasonable travel costs

• A reference upon successful completion

• The opportunity to be part of a meaningful international exchange project

• Connection to a network of volunteers and educators working toward literacy equity

Safeguarding & Inclusion

We are committed to child protection, safeguarding, and inclusive learning environments. All letters are reviewed by facilitators before being exchanged. Volunteers must complete a DBS check and basic safeguarding training before beginning their placement.

We value lived experience and encourage applications from those who reflect the communities we serve, including volunteers from Black, African, Caribbean, and diaspora backgrounds.

We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers from all walks of life in Herefordshire to befriend and mentor a young person in care. This is a meaningful opportunity to make a significant impact in a young persons life.

 Children and young people in care deserve to have a trusted adult who can share their time, engage in activities, and provide a safe and fun friendship. Your visits can easily fit into your schedule, allowing you to balance your commitments while being a positive force in someone’s life.

We ask for a commitment of just a few hours once a month for a minimum of two years. We cover activity and travel expenses. 

If you’re interested in this rewarding opportunity or you have any questions, please let us know. Looking forward to hearing from you.

The Data Protection Consultant will play a pivotal role in guiding our clinic through the data protection processes. This senior consultancy position will involve overseeing the clinic’s data protection policies and procedures, ensuring best practices are followed, and fostering a culture of compliance. You will work closely with senior leadership to develop strategies for growth while safeguarding the clinic’s data protection. 

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a growing legal clinic through a pivotal stage of development. You will play a key role in shaping the future of the clinic, ensuring it meets the highest professional standards while contributing to a meaningful cause. We offer a supportive and collaborative environment to volunteer with.

We are looking for individuals who are passionate about increasing and representation for disabled families across society. 

What do I have to do?

Attend meetings roughly four times a year to help steer the organisation towards its goals. And using your skill set to help grow and advance our non-profit. 

Part of the fabric of Buttons & Bubbles that wherever possible people who volunteer and work with us have lived experience of disability and or illness, (including parents, carers, siblings and friends) This includes our board members.

If you would be interested in having more information about this opportunity or need the board member pack in a different format, please get in contact for an informal chat.