Volunteer volunteer roles in ilford, greater london

OVERVIEW

Title: Volunteer Opportunity: Leadership Training Programs Department

Reports to: Director, Leadership Training Programs

Classification: Volunteer

ABOUT WOMEN’S WORLD BANKING 

About 1 billion women remain excluded from the formal financial system. Women’s World Banking researches, designs, and invests in financial solutions, institutions, and policy environments in emerging markets to create greater economic security and prosperity for women, their families, and their communities. 

The Women’s World Banking Institute is a hub for research, training, and capacity-building dedicated to advancing women’s financial inclusion and economic empowerment worldwide. Through research, learning opportunities, and convenings, we help equip financial service providers, policymakers, and partners with insights and tools to take evidence-based action. 

VOLUNTEERING WITH US 

We welcome volunteers who are interested in supporting our Leadership Training Programs. Volunteers may be invited to contribute in areas such as maintaining alumni engagement lists, helping with session planning, or providing general support to ongoing knowledge-sharing efforts. This is a flexible, short-term opportunity to gain exposure to the work of an international non-profit organization while contributing to initiatives that promote women’s financial inclusion and leadership development.

POSSIBLE VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES 

Volunteers may be involved in one or more of the following types of activities, depending on their skills and interests: 

• Collecting and organizing information related to financial inclusion and leadership training. 
• Assisting with light research on leadership trends, case studies, or best practices. 
• Helping to organize and maintain internal knowledge resources. 
• Contributing ideas to strengthen participant engagement in training programs. 

HOW TO EXPRESS INTEREST 

Please share the following: 

• A short statement of interest describing why you’d like to volunteer with us and your general availability. 
• Your resume or brief overview of relevant background. 
• Contact information for one or two references. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning September 15, 2025. 

Please note: This is an unpaid volunteer role and is not considered employment. Participation is entirely voluntary and does not create an employment relationship with Women’s World Banking. 

Timeframe: Flexible (any 3-month period)

At WWT we believe the best way for people to understand and connect to wetlands is to experience them, so we bring awe-inspiring nature up close. People feel part of something amazing and are motivated to make a difference. As a Membership and Retail Support

As a Membership and Retail Volunteer you will actively engage with our visitors and encourage them to support WWT as members. Enthusing them with stories of our conservation work and the many benefits of membership, you’ll help us secure the essential support we need to continue our ambitious plans for wetlands conservation.

And if you have an eye for something special and can offer excellent customer service to every one of our visitors, even better. You will also be a support to our retail team and help keep up the great work in offering a wide range of items for them to take home. Experience is always welcomed but not essential as training for this and our membership processes will be provided.

Based in either our Main Gallery or Stables Gallery, the role is integral in providing a high-quality visitor experience by bringing our gallery spaces to life by welcoming and engaging visitors, as well as sharing your passion and the stories of our exhibitions.

Tasks and Responsibilities 

• Welcoming and engaging visitors in a warm and friendly manner 
• Interpreting our gallery spaces, exhibition content, the Richmond Borough Art Collection and the gallery’s history for all ages and abilities
• Being a visible presence in our galleries, ensuring everyone's safety and the security of our exhibitions
• Guiding visitors around the gallery and wider site
• Monitoring visitor numbers and contributing to evaluation initiatives 
• Representing the Gallery and Richmond Arts Service

What we hope you will get from the role 

• The opportunity to engage with people and communities from the local area, West London and beyond
• Opportunity to develop interpersonal and communication skills
• -An insight into the day-to-day running of a contemporary art gallery and museum crossing a range of sectors 
• Opportunities to engage with artists and learn about their practice
• An understanding of the breadth of arts activity offered by Richmond Arts Service 

Training and Support 

We will provide training and an induction which covers all aspects of the role. On-going support and supervision will be provided by staff throughout your time with us. Additionally, there are regular training sessions to supplement and further your initial training, as well as a varied programme of volunteer events and activities to join in, meet people and learn something new!

We offer a tour of our exhibitions with the artist(s) or a member of staff prior to their opening. This will give you a first hand insight into the concept, processes and artist’s vision behind the exhibition. 

Desirable qualities and experience 

• Enthusiasm for meeting and engaging with people and sharing information
• Interest for contemporary art, history and/or heritage 
• Able to answer enquiries in a friendly and helpful manner 
• Willingness to learn 
• Enjoys being part of a team 
• Ability to complete tasks independently 
• Good time keeping 

Availability 

The gallery is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm, with two volunteer shifts a day, 10am – 1pm and 1pm – 5pm.

We ask for a minimum commitment of one shift every fortnight, although there is flexibility over scheduling.

Location 

This role is based at Orleans House Gallery, in either the Main Gallery or Stables Gallery. 

Expenses 

We will cover travel expenses up to £17 per day.

Help give animals a voice – join our Public and Guardian Involvement and Engagement (PGIE) Group.

Do you want to help shape a fairer future for animals, where progress in medicine is equal, ethical, and compassionate?

We’re looking for passionate changemakers to join our Public and Guardian Involvement and Engagement (PGIE) Group as volunteer members. Whether you’re a professional (human clinician, vet, scientist, engineer, or bioethicist), an animal guardian, or simply someone who believes in equality for all species, then we’d love to hear from you.

What is PGIE?

In human healthcare, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) has become a powerful way to make sure research meets real patient needs. At Humanimal Trust, we’re translating this idea into veterinary medicine through PGIE – bringing together patients (in our case animals, via their guardians), the public, and professionals, to develop best practices.

By joining, you’ll be helping to guide research, so it benefits both humans AND animals.

As a volunteer member, you’ll:

• Help shape an ethical framework for One Medicine, focusing on good practice in veterinary clinical trials and collaboration between human and veterinary medicine.
• Join virtual group meetings (around 6 per year, with at least 60% attendance expected).
• Share your ideas and perspectives to support our mission and influence real change.
• Work with others to build consensus on key issues.
• Support projects and campaigns that spread the message of One Medicine.
• Occasionally represent the group at meetings and events.

What you’ll bring:

• Good listening and communication skills.
• An open mind and respect for different perspectives.
• A real passion for making a difference.
• Enthusiasm for our mission to create a fairer, kinder future for all species.

What’s in it for you:

• Be part of something truly groundbreaking – PGIE is the first group of its kind.
• Play a direct role in giving animals a voice in medical progress.
• Help build stronger connections between humans and animals in the fight against disease.
• Be part of a supportive, inspiring community of people who care as much as you do.

While this is a voluntary role, we will do our best to cover any out-of-pocket expenses related to your involvement.

Together, we can make sure that all humans and animals benefit from equal and sustainable medical progress, but not at the expense of an animal’s life. This is One Medicine.

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.

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 - 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.

This position is open to anyone with a keen interest in Friends of the Earth and our local campaigns in the borough of Camden. We are looking for someone interested in environmental and sustainability issues and environmental justice in the Camden community who enjoys digital design. 

Duties:

The designer will help with:

• Designing and producing event materials (brochures, flyers, posters)

• Designing social media post templates & banners

• Attending events and being part of the FoE Camden community

Desired attributes: 

• Experience with Image Editing software (Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Canva, etc.)

• Passion for the campaigning group’s mission and a commitment to communicating the impact of the charity's work 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Please send us a message stating clearly why you are interested in volunteering in our group. Also please be aware Friends of the Earth Camden is a local campaign group, so there's no need to apply if you're not UK/ London based. 

Our Challenge

Brain tumours do not discriminate and they do not respect boundaries. They can strike anyone, at any age. And they strike quickly.

At The Brain Tumour Charity, we aim to address the clear gap in emotional support available to those affected by a brain tumour diagnosis, by expanding our counselling service. We know the difference that talking therapy can make to the brain tumour community and our goal is to reach more people, ensuring everyone that wants it, gets the support that they need.

How can you help?
As a Volunteer Counsellor for this service, you would work with a wide range of clients who either have a brain tumour diagnosis themselves, or have a loved one who has been diagnosed. This includes patients/carers who have been newly diagnosed, to those in/post treatment, to people at end of life, or bereaved.

This is a remote service, where we offer up to 8 free sessions to clients, delivered by either telephone or webcam.
 

We’re looking for counsellors who:

• Are qualified with a minimum of a Level 4 Diploma in Counselling
• Are integrative or person-centred counsellors
• Are a member of the BACP (or equivalent ethical body)
• Are committed to attend monthly clinical supervision
• Have an interest in working with people affected by a brain tumour and possibly experience of working with clients in a similar field. (Eg. Neurological conditions, palliative care, bereavement, etc.)
• Have the IT abilities to be able to maintain appropriate and accurate records on our counselling database.
• Have experience of working remotely, via telephone or webcam and is happy to use their own laptop, phone and WIFI for their client work.
• Have their own public liability insurance (or are willing to obtain this.)

The Brain Tumour Charity is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals belonging to minority ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented communities.

What can you gain from volunteering with us?

• The opportunity to work with a unique and rewarding client group
• Management supervision and regular, ongoing support from our Counselling Service Team.
• You will receive a financial contribution towards your monthly clinical supervision, with an independent supervisor of your choice.
• All diary management will be carried out by our Counselling Team, reducing the amount of admin required by you.
• The opportunity to apply for paid counsellor roles as and when they become available.

Time commitment

We ask each Volunteer Counsellor to commit to a placement of at least 6 months and to see a minimum of 3 clients per week (at a time suitable for you, but it MUST be at the same time each week). The service operates between the hours of 9am—5pm, Monday-Friday and you will be required to see clients within these hours.

Practical Considerations

Shortlisted applicants will be asked to attend an interview with our Counselling Service Manager and Counselling Service Officer.

Successful candidates will then receive a full induction to The Brain Tumour Charity and any specific training for the role, as well as ongoing support from one of the team. 

We will carry out reference and DBS checks for all successful applicants and you will be required to complete some internal data protection and disclosure documentation before commencing the role. 

Need support with the application process?

We are committed to being inclusive and recognise that there may be a number of ways we could support you through the application process. If there’s any adjustments we can make to help you fully engage in the process, don’t hesitate to let us know by getting in touch with the Volunteering Team.

Are you a social media whiz?

Can you take a successful brand and make it sparkle?

Do you have 3-5 hours a week to give to a charity supporting SEND families?

As a social media volunteer you will be managing and creating content for the charity's social media platforms, monitoring performance and establishing and maintaining active social media accounts.

What will you be doing?

• Creating and managing daily posts across all social media platforms e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
• Advertising our services, webinars and other events in order to reach more families in need of the support we offer.
• Working in conjunction with the Operations Manager, develop new, engaging content to increase interest, improve our presence, attract followers and drive growth.
• Create posts for the organisations needs as and when needed.

What are we looking for?

• Clear understanding of social media platforms.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic and a positive can-do attitude.
• Knowledge of marketing and public relations is desirable.
• Creativity and experience with Canva for content design is also desirable.

Are you looking for a way to give back to your community? We are seeking organised, compassionate individuals to be the welcoming heart of our Hub. If you have a friendly smile, are well orgabnised and are looking for a reception based role, this could be for you.

BACKGROUND:

• The Cardinal Hume Centre works to prevent and tackle youth and family homelessness, we: 
• Provide a home to 39 young people
• Offer support to local children and families at risk
• Help families keep or find a stable home and manage their money
• Mentor people to find work or training
• Help people secure their legal right to remain in the UK and access homes, work and benefits.

Last year we helped over 1200 people including nearly 600 families and 230 children and young people.  Our aim is to tackle homelessness, poor housing and poverty at a young age and break its cycle into later life.  We want to see the value in each individual and nurture potential, helping young people and families to thrive.

The Centre prides itself on its welcome and person-centred approach. It recognises each individual is different, often with complex needs and so our response must be multi-layered. We therefore have six principal services: residential services for homeless young people; family support; housing and welfare rights advice; employment support; learning; and immigration advice and advocacy. 

OUR PEOPLE - We believe each person matters: 

Our clients guide everything we do. We’re here to help children, families and young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, or clients who have urgent needs that can be met at the Centre and not elsewhere. 

We seek to develop trusting relationships with our clients. We rely on them to help us improve and develop our services, so we include them wherever possible in our work. 

Our staff and volunteers: 
Our staff and volunteers are diverse in their backgrounds, and their skills and experience. Many have lived experience of the challenges our clients face. We are proud of our warm welcome and our team’s commitment to support people facing disadvantage to escape the cycle of poverty and homelessness. 

The HUB on Medway Street is the main entrance for clients who wish to access the services on offer.  Staff in the Hub can provide level 1 advice on housing and welfare rights and for more complex cases, can refer clients to one of our other services, such as housing, welfare rights, immigration, employment and learning, and family services. 

Summary of Role.

You will be supporting a team that is helping people from the local community, who are vulnerable and facing disadvantage, including; homeless young people, people living in insecure accommodation or at risk of losing their housing, low-income families with young children, unemployed people, refugees and migrants. (further details below)

Your presence supports the smooth running of the Centre and increases the team’s capacity to see and help more people.

This role is in the heart of the organisation where you will meet people of all backgrounds and learn how a community organisation responds to local need.

What will you be doing?

• Answering the intercom and buzzing clients in when they arrive
• Welcoming clients to the Centre, signing them in and out of the building calling the staff member to tell them that their client has arrived
• Registering new clients and booking an appointment with the Assessment team
• Assisting with the collection and distribution of client mail
• Administrative support to services, such as, photocopying or scanning documents for service teams and emailing them to relevant staff member
• Printing off and posting out letters to clients
• Possibility of assisting with benefit claims/forms

Other tasks that can be undertaken during quieter periods:

• Assisting clients and staff with phone calls if volunteer speaks a needed language

What are we looking for?

• You will be a confident and patient person with a professional and friendly manner and able to remain calm under pressure
• Some experience of customer service or dealing with a diverse range of people desirable
• Good listening skills
• An ability to communicate well and with confidence when handling enquiries
• Some IT skills useful
• A non-judgemental attitude towards people’s problems in their lives

What is the time commitment?

We are seeking someone for one day a week on a Thursday or Friday from 9.30am to 3pm, with an hour lunch break at 1pm. We are looking for a commitment of 6 months, which sounds like a long time, but there’s lots to learn and volunteers find this goes very quickly! 

How will you be supported?

You will be supported by the Advice and Assessment team  

You will be offered regular supervision and a staff member will be present in the Hub whilst you are on duty

You will be reimbursed for reasonable and agreed ‘out of pocket’ expenses such as travel and contribution to lunch up to £6.

Recruitment Procedure

Apply> Informal interview> Reference and DBS checks> Trial period

Are you fluent in British Sign Language and would like to provide the opportunity for others to learn? This is a great chance to empower others to communicate and bridge the gap between hearing and deaf individuals!

We work with people who need support with their mental health across London and the South East. Our support ranges from registered accommodation services for people with severe mental health conditions to drop-in community and crisis services.

In the last year, 9,499 adults accessed Hestia’s mental health support.

We help people to feel safe, develop hope for a better future, and achieve their personal goals. These goals may include rebuilding relationships with family members and friends or connecting more with their local community.

What you will be doing

• Facilitate British Sign sessions for beginners or those looking to improve their skills
• Prepare session plans and involve participants in the planning of each session.
• Encourage practice and interaction among participants to develop their skills.

The skills you need

• Good communication skills
• Calm and patient approach
• Ability to provide supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Hold a BSL qualification/Fluent in British Sign Language
• BSL Level 3 qualified or above
• Good English-speaking 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 - 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

Do you enjoy singing and listening to all genres of music? We have an exciting opportunity to facilitate a singing and music group!

We work with people who need support with their mental health across London and the South East. Our support ranges from registered accommodation services for people with severe mental health conditions to drop-in community and crisis services.

In the last year, 9,499 adults accessed Hestia’s mental health support.

We help people to feel safe, develop hope for a better future, and achieve their personal goals. These goals may include rebuilding relationships with family members and friends or connecting more with their local community.

What you will be doing

• To develop positive relationships with the service users
• Facilitate a weekly singing and music group with use of instruments
• Provide opportunities for the group to collaborate on agreed themes/ songs for future groups
• Coordinate and plan group sessions
• Inspire and motivate people to attend and get involved in the group
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team
• To use a range of skills and tools to make sessions interesting and fun

The skills you need

• Experience in music in either a professional, educational or personal level
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach

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

Are you an Arabic speaker looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community?
We invite you to become a volunteer for our Talking Bubble Project!

Many older adults and vulnerable individuals in the UK’s Arabic-speaking community experience loneliness and isolation. By offering just a small amount of your time each week, you can make a big difference by providing companionship and a friendly voice in their native language.

What is the Talking Bubble Project?

☎︎ A phone-based service that connects volunteers with individuals who may feel isolated or lonely. Through regular phone calls, you’ll have the opportunity to build friendships, brighten someone’s day, and provide much-needed emotional support—especially for those who feel more comfortable speaking Arabic.

Why volunteer with us?

✔ Support members of the Arabic-speaking community in the UK
✔ Make a meaningful impact on someone’s life
✔ Enjoy flexible volunteering hours
✔ Receive training, ongoing support, and a reference upon completion
✔ Enhance your own sense of fulfilment and purpose

Requirements:

✔ Volunteers must complete an online Safeguarding Adults Level 2 training and undergo a DBS check—both fully paid for by the organisation.

How to get involved:

Simply apply through the CharityJob website. No previous experience is required—just a friendly, compassionate nature and a willingness to listen.

✔ Open to UK residents only.

Help us spread kindness and connection within the Arabic-speaking community across the UK!

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.

Every child deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of their background. Action Tutoring is a charity dedicated to closing the attainment gap and creating a more equitable future for young people.

We're building a diverse community of tutors passionate about educational equity. We are seeking dedicated volunteers from all walks of life to tutor and support pupils facing socio-economic disadvantage in maths and English.

As a volunteer tutor, you’ll:

• Tutor a group of 1-3 pupils (primary or secondary), with options to support online or in-person.

• Dedicate just one hour a week for a 10-20 week programme.

We provide the resources - you bring your enthusiasm! You’ll use our workbooks to deliver your sessions.

Whether you're a university student, a working professional, retired or simply looking to give back, your hour a week can open doors to brighter futures for these young people and make a lasting impact.

What you'll gain:

• Comprehensive training (2-hour induction, technical training for online tutors, optional further skills training).

• Ongoing support from your dedicated programme coordinator.

• Structured session plans and workbooks.

• Travel expense reimbursement (up to £5 per session).

• Free DBS check.

• Optional tutor socials and buddy system.

We look for volunteers with:

• Solid subject knowledge in the area they wish to tutor, which may be demonstrated by a degree or grade B at A-level qualification (or equivalent) or relevant experience.

• The ability to explain concepts clearly and patiently.

• A commitment to supporting pupils’ academic progress.

We recognise that valuable experience can be gained through diverse routes. If your qualifications differ from those mentioned, we still encourage you to apply. Please highlight any relevant experience or skills in your application.

We welcome applications from volunteers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. (Please note: This is a volunteer, unpaid position.)

Our programmes run during term time, and you can sign up at ay time throughout the year.

Our volunteers say:

" The Action Tutoring team has been fabulous in their support: timely updates, always available, closely following progress, and ready to intervene where needed, very professional indeed!"

"Volunteering is very rewarding. I would say the skills that one develops from teaching the pupils are transferable to any walk of life and make you a better person. I would highly recommend it."