Volunteer volunteer volunteer roles in Ilford, greater london

What is the role?

Our handling collection at RAF Museum is a valuable resource used by schools, families, community groups, subject specialist groups, and others. The opportunity to interact with real objects from the past is a powerful way to learn about and connect with the RAF story.

Working with the Royal Air Force Museum’s Handling Collection based at our London site, you have the opportunity to assist the documentation and reorganisation of our 3-D objects and clothing items.  This will help staff, volunteers and external users to gain greater access to this part of the collection. Your contribution will also help the relocation of these items to a better storage environment for their longer-term survival. Also gain an understanding of how handling objects are used in a museum environment to increase our audiences understanding and enjoyment of the RAF story.

What will I be doing?

• Cataloguing collections data on a spreadsheet and writing information cards

• Carefully packing, storing and labelling collection items

• Colour coding, theming and labelling storage boxes

• Identifying any needs for remedial conservation and cleaning

• Preparing objects and completing forms for external contractors and borrowers.

This role will be undertaken on site within the RAF Museum’s offices and stores, with staff supervision. It will involve infrequent lifting of some heavy boxes and climbing on a set of low foldable steps. Applications are welcomed from anyone able to fulfil the role, and we are happy to discuss support requirements.

Expectations

• You want experience in working with museum collections
• You have some documentation and data management skills
• You are happy to carry out lone working
• You are comfortable occasionally lifting moderately heavy boxes
• You want to contribute to learning and enjoyment of our subject by our visitors

Benefits

• Handle objects from the RAF Museum’s collection not on public display

• Learn about object conservation

• Discover more about the history of the RAF

• Gain behind-the-scenes experience within the heritage sector

• Discounts in gift shop and café

• Free access to the Flight Zone and similar attractions on site

• Free or discounted tickets for select RAF Museum events

• Travel expenses reimbursed up to £14.50 per day, in line with our policy

• Free entry to a wide selection of other museum and heritage sites and exhibitions nationwide.

Job Description

We are looking for a Volunteer Creative Visual Designer to help create engaging visual content that supports our campaigns, fundraising and awareness work.

You will design graphics and visual materials that communicate important messages clearly and responsibly. This includes creating visuals for social media, digital campaigns and community engagement initiatives.

You will work with the Digital Marketing Director and Digital Marketing teams to produce creative designs that help communicate our mission and build trust with our audience.

This role focuses on creative design, visual storytelling and supporting digital campaigns.

Key Responsibilities

• Design visual assets for digital campaigns, including social media graphics, ads, posters and banners
• Create visual concepts to support awareness and fundraising campaigns
• Adapt designs for different formats such as social media, email, websites and presentations
• Work with writers and campaign teams to align visuals with messaging
• Maintain simple design templates and ensure visual consistency
• Ensure all designs are respectful and appropriate for sensitive topics
• Review and improve visuals based on feedback and engagement
• Organise design files and reusable templates for the team

What We’re Looking For

• Experience or interest in graphic design or visual content creation
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly through visual design
• Familiarity with tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma or similar platforms
• Understanding of social media formats such as posts, ads, stories and carousels
• Ability to design responsibly around sensitive topics
• Comfort collaborating with a remote volunteer team
• Experience supporting campaigns, fundraising or awareness initiatives is helpful but not required

What You’ll Gain

• Experience creating visual campaigns for a social impact organisation
• Opportunity to help shape the visual identity of a growing initiative
• Hands-on experience working with digital campaign teams
• Priority consideration for future paid roles when funding becomes available
•  

JOB DESCRIPTION

The National Institute for African Studies (NIAS) is a London-based think tank that provides objective information on African affairs, looking to appoint a Research & Publishing Intern within its office in South West, London. Our main publication, The Saharan is an interdisciplinary journal published by NIAS aimed at exploring the dynamic relationship between culture and development in Africa/UK.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

- Support the editors in the sourcing & production of blog and journal publications

- Checking material for completeness, copy-edit and check appropriate non-technical material such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter updates

- Generate, check and correct files with names, contact information, number of articles, review assessments, and consent forms.

- Serve as a custodian of approved originals of all documentation produced for The Saharan journal

- Use NIAS LinkedIn account to connect to academics and groups to promote the journal, acquire papers, and attract skilled scholars to become reviewers

- Coordinate the publication flow of the journal and all stages of the editorial processes upon the release of each issue

- Review and adjust publications according to the style of the journal, ensuring the correct usage of references and plagiarism checking

- Update wordpress website and a range of social media accounts with news, updates and promotions

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST:

- Have a minimum of undergraduate degree

- Excellent knowledge of MS Office applications

- Good knowledge of wordpress, crm, social media tools

- Demonstrate excellent editorial and administrative skills together with high attention to detail

- Ability to work under pressure to tight schedules and deadlines

TO APPLY:

- CV

- Covering Letter

- Official transcript(s) of universities attended

- Contact information for two referees (email and telephone preferably from both universities and workplaces)

The position is based in London, UK. Only candidates who already possess the right to work in the UK should apply. The contract is for three months with a probation period of six weeks, extendable upon agreement and contingent on a continued volunteer/paid position.

Candidates should send a covering letter explaining the skills they would offer to NIAS, attaching a CV and a list of referees. The deadline for this round of application is 30 April. Due to the high number of applicants, only those selected will be contacted.

Flexible Working Options Available:

• Flexitime
• Work from home/university
• Part-time

Job Types: Volunteer, Internship

Benefits:

• Travel Expenses, Flexitime
• Support with relevant training
• Career Mentorship
• Sponsored attendance/Presentation at cultural events, conferences, seminars

Education:

•  BSc. and equivalent or higher (required)

Experience:

• Publishing: 1 year (preferred)
• Research 1 year (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Join the team and be part of one of Breast Cancer Now’s biggest fundraising events. Enjoy the party atmosphere and make some noise for our runners at the London Landmarks Half Marathon on Sunday 12 April!

We're looking for volunteers to come along between 9am to 1pm, but you don’t need stay for the whole time!

We're thrilled to share that Breast Cancer Now has been selected as a Big Ben Charity Partner for the London Landmarks Half Marathon 2026!

We need your help to cheer on one of the biggest and most dedicated teams on the course, who are on track to raise £300,000. 

To celebrate, we're cranking up the party vibes with a carnival theme. Expect fancy dress, vibrant Samba rhythms and, best of all, dancers from the London School of Samba!

What will I be doing?

• Making lots of noise at one of our cheer points, so ours are the loudest and liveliest! 
• Being there for our runners, with high-fives, hugs, and a happy face
• Giving words of encouragement to help our runners power-through to the finish line

What skills or qualities do I need? 

• Bags of enthusiasm! 
• The confidence to cheer, shout and make lots of noise
• Able to quickly connect with and uplift people

Are you a technically skilled problem-solver ready to contribute to transformative social impact? 

Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C. is seeking a pioneering Open-Source Platform Engineer to join our founding volunteer team. This role is central to building and maintaining the digital infrastructure that will power our survivor-led, community-owned membership ecosystem for 2026 and beyond. You will be directly shaping the systems that enable vulnerable and marginalised communities to access resources, engage safely and participate in transformative personal development.

Purpose of the role:

The Volunteer Open-Source Platform Engineer contributes to the development, maintenance and improvement of open-source software platforms that support the organisation’s mission. This role involves collaborating with developers, contributors and stakeholders to build scalable, reliable and efficient solutions while ensuring code quality, security and accessibility.

About the Role:

As our Open-Source Platform Engineer, you will design, develop, and maintain the core technology stack for our membership platform, ensuring it is secure, scalable, and aligned with open-source principles. You will work closely with the Membership Director, Technical Systems Liaison, and other team members to integrate community-facing tools, data systems, and collaborative features that support our anti-capitalist, values-led mission. This is a hands-on, impact-driven role where your technical expertise directly enables social change.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

Essential Technical Competencies:

• Experience designing, integrating and maintaining APIs, as well as managing secure authentication and data practices.
• Familiarity with cloud-hosted and on-premises system environments, including deployment and maintenance.
• Proven experience in open-source development, software engineering or systems architecture.
• Ability to clearly document technical processes, system workflows and platform architecture.
• Skilled at communicating complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Contributing to open-source projects or collaborative software development initiatives.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities to debug code, optimise performance and implement improvements.

Desirable / Can Be Developed:

• Basic understanding of open-source software principles and collaborative development practices. 
• Familiarity with at least one programming or scripting language (e.g. Python, JavaScript, Bash or similar).
• Developing knowledge of system reliability, security best practices and performance monitoring.
• A problem-solving mindset, curiosity and enthusiasm for learning new tools and technologies.

Qualifications:

• Formal qualifications are not required but desirable.
• Practical experience through open-source contributions, personal projects, study or volunteering is valued.
• Willingness to learn and complete required induction or training.

Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties

• Develop, implement and maintain the open-source membership platform and associated tools to support community engagement and organisational objectives.
• Build scalable, secure and accessible systems that facilitate user registration, content management and interactive community features.
• Build robust content management systems (CMS) to enable efficient creation, organisation, publishing and retrieval of digital content for community members and volunteers.
• Integrate third-party tools, APIs and plug-ins to extend platform functionality in alignment with organisational goals and requirements.
• Collaborate with technical and non-technical team members to understand community and organisational needs, translating them into functional and user-friendly systems.
• Provide technical guidance and insights to inform strategic decisions around system architecture, integrations, platform design and development priorities.
• Monitor platform performance and troubleshoot issues, proactively identifying and resolving technical problems to ensure smooth operation.
• Ensure documentation supports compliance and best practices, including data protection, accessibility standards and organisational policies.
• Use documentation as a tool for continuous improvement, identifying gaps, optimising workflows and refining platform usability based on feedback.
• Document technical processes, system architecture and user guides to maintain organisational knowledge, support future development and assist team onboarding.
• Contribute to the ongoing strategy for digital systems development and platform innovation, suggesting improvements, new features and best practices for long-term sustainability.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer by providing documentation that supports onboarding of new volunteers, technical contributors and staff members.

What This Role Offers You:

• The opportunity to shape the digital foundation of a pioneering C.I.C. and directly impact survivor-led and community-driven initiatives.
• Hands-on leadership experience in open-source systems design and platform development.
• Personal growth through working in an innovative, mission-driven environment tackling real-world social challenges.
• The satisfaction of contributing to a platform that empowers marginalised communities, amplifies survivor voices and builds collective culture.​

What This Role Is Not For:

• Individuals seeking traditional corporate structures, hierarchies or purely financial reward.
• Those unwilling to work within an anti-capitalist, collaborative, values-led framework.
• People expecting pre-built systems or rigid processes—this role requires creativity, problem-solving and adaptability.

Next Steps

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to

• A values-led conversation.
• If you are ready to apply your technical skills to a high-impact, community-driven initiative and help build systems that empower survivors and marginalised communities, we want to hear from you. 
• Apply now and be part of creating something truly transformative.

A Final Word
Platforms enable communities to connect.

If you know that: Turn organisational needs into practical. User-friendly digital solutions support communities to connect.

About Kith & Kids
We provide activities, opportunities, information, and support for people with a learning disability or autism, their parents and siblings.
For all our projects and activities we are dependent on volunteers.

Our Spring Project
9.30am to 5.30pm, Sat 28th March – Wed 1st April, in north London

We are currently looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteers, to join us on our fantastic fun-filled Spring Social Development Project.

Volunteers and our members who have disabilities get to know each other as they take part in fun and challenging workshops including sports & games, arts & crafts, cooking and enjoying a day out in London.

What you'll do
On the project you and a fellow volunteer will be paired with one of our members with a learning disability or autism. You'll support and encourage them to take part in a wide range of activities led by professional therapists and workshop leaders.

Our core activities are sports & games, arts & crafts, drama, and music. Previous additional workshops have also included photography, football and cooking and you’ll plan your own exciting outing around London with a fellow volunteer and the Kith & Kids member you're linked with.

Not only is it a time full of fun and games for you and our members, but you are also a vital part in supporting our members to develop their social skills in a day-to-day environment.

Come along and get involved!

Male volunteers especially welcome (we need more – women too)!!

Requirements

What you need
You do not need experience. Full disability awareness training will be provided before you begin volunteering with us.
The only requirements we ask of you are enthusiasm, energy and to be open-minded.
Minimum age for volunteers is 18.

How much time?
The project runs for 5 days, 9.30am to 5.30pm, Sat 28th March – Wed 1st April.
Everyone gets the most out of the project if you come for the full five days as you'll build a close relationship with the member you'll have been supporting and will create the most impact.

What we can offer you
We can reimburse your travel expenses and provide a delicious lunch each day.
We'll also provide excellent training before the project, and lots of helpful support.

By volunteering on our project, you'll also:

• Use and develop your skills
• Learn something new, get involved in fun activities with others
• Increase your confidence
• Meet new people and make friends
• Gain experience for (other) work
• Give something back to the community
• Do something fun and satisfying in your spare time
• Challenge yourself
   

What about training?
Volunteers must attend two training sessions and complete a free DBS check before you begin volunteering.

This is a great opportunity to get to know everyone at Kith & Kids: your fellow volunteers, some of our members you will be working with, and gives the opportunity to develop some new skills and expand your knowledge in our workshops.

Topics we cover include:

• Communication
• Autism
• Supporting emotions
• Safeguarding
• Creativity & Participation
• Epilepsy
   

When do I need to come?
Volunteers must attend two training sessions and complete a free DBS check before taking part.

We'll be running face-to-face training in north London starting on the 15th February with lots of other dates to choose from.

In the meantime, we'll be meeting volunteers online from mid-January.

Training will take place in North London – once we have met you online for a chat, we will send you confirmation of our training venue details.

Just sign up and you'll receive details of what to do next.

About Us

Influential Stars is a purpose driven platform connecting creators, supporters, and causes through exclusive experiences and campaigns that raise funds for UK charitable organisations. We are a growing team committed to delivering meaningful impact through professionally managed experiences.

Our Story

Influential Stars was founded by Lisa Connell, who is living with an inoperable brain tumour and has spent many years raising awareness and support for UK causes. The platform was created from a deeply personal belief that influence, connection, and community can be powerful forces for good when brought together in the right way.

Volunteers play a vital role in helping turn that vision into real world impact, enabling experiences that raise funds, create joy for winners, and support charitable organisations across the UK.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced, highly organised, and proactive Volunteer Events Coordinator to manage activity experiences awarded to campaign winners and support the development of new partnerships.

This is a key operational role ensuring experiences run smoothly from planning through to completion, while also helping to secure activity sponsors for monthly charitable campaigns.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage activity bookings for campaign winners through partner providers

• Liaise directly with creators and winners to arrange meet and greet experiences

• Collect availability from winners for experiences booked on their behalf

• Confirm bookings, manage logistics, and communicate details clearly to all parties

• Send reminders and follow ups to ensure experiences proceed as planned

• Support post event engagement, including encouraging appropriate social sharing

• Build and maintain strong relationships with activity providers

• Proactively identify, approach, and secure activity providers willing to sponsor experiences for monthly charitable prize draws (ideally one per month)

• Assist in developing long term partnerships with activity sponsors and collaborators

• Organise security arrangements when required through approved security partners

• Maintain accurate records of bookings, communications, and outcomes using our CRM management system. Experience using a CRM or similar database is required. We currently use HubSpot, which would be advantageous, although not essential as training will be provided.

Skills and Experience Required

Essential:

• Proven experience in event coordination, event management, or a similar role

• Excellent customer service skills

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities

• Proactive, resourceful, and confident in outreach and relationship building

• Professional, reliable, and solution focused

Desirable:

• Experience securing sponsorships or partnerships

• Experience working remotely within a team

• Interest in charitable or social impact work

• Based in London or Hertfordshire for occasional in person meetings (not essential)

Working Arrangement

• Fully remote position

• Flexible working hours with a minimum commitment of 15 hours per week

• No travel required. However, if you choose to meet with potential or existing partners in person, reasonable travel costs will be covered where possible.

• Occasional (optional) in person team meetings

Why Volunteer With Us

• Play a key role in delivering meaningful experiences that support UK causes

• Gain valuable experience in events coordination and partnership development

• Join a mission driven organisation at an exciting stage of growth

• Flexible volunteering that can fit around other commitments

• Opportunity to build professional relationships across the charity, creator, and events sectors

Although this is currently a volunteer position, Influential Stars is actively working to grow the platform with the long term aim of creating paid roles. While we are unable to provide a timeframe and future opportunities will depend on the organisation’s growth and incoming work, this role offers the chance to be part of that journey from an early stage.

We are looking for a volunteer to support our ESOL classes on Tuesdays (10:45am–4:45pm) and Wednesdays (10:30am–1:30pm). You can volunteer for one of the days or help cover both sessions. Your support would make a real difference in helping learners build their English skills and confidence, and volunteers are a valued part of our classes.

How will I be ending homelessness?

Our Learning and Skills offer focuses on 5 key areas that we believe will help members to leave homelessness for good. These are English, finance, digital inclusion, employment and enterprise and business. As a Learning and Skills Assistant, you will be supporting our tutors and Learning and Skills Mentors to deliver a package of learning to meet outcomes identified by Lead Workers in members progression plans.

Tasks you will support with include:

· Planning

o Sharing any thoughts and ideas you have as part of the planning for a session

o Support with preparing resources for the session/setting up/tidying up any equipment and materials

· Delivery

o Creating a safe, welcome and non-judgemental learning space

o With direction from the tutor/Learning and Skills Mentor, supporting members within the group to increase both their knowledge and confidence on how that learning can be applied to support them in managing a home

o Supporting tutors and mentors with managing the group, and feeding back any concerns you have

You will work closely with the tutor/ mentor who will understand the needs and learning outcomes required for the session.

To be successful in this role we are looking for someone who:

· Is interested in the above subjects. Some subject knowledge would be beneficial, but the session will be led by the tutor/mentor

· Has the skills and confidence to support learners effectively, understand different learning needs and making individuals feel comfortable in the learning space

· Is empathetic and compassionate to the needs of those experiencing homelessness

· Is able to communicate well with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds including those who have a range of needs (for example mental health and substance misuse) and who may have English as a second language.

· Is a good listener and patient

· Understands the importance of keeping an individual’s personal information secure and private and working within the boundaries of the role to keep everyone safe 

· Is passionate about standing with Crisis and our members to end homelessness.

If you have experience learning a second or third language, this can be particularly helpful in supporting our learners and understanding the challenges they may face. There may also be opportunities to develop your own presentation and facilitation skills, including leading or presenting parts of a session if this is something you would like to try.

Choice International is a UK based not-for-profit international development organisation that seeks to address inequality issues both overseas and within the UK. We promote equality, diversity and inclusion via researching, developing and implementing development projects for disabled people and other disadvantaged communities in the UK and overseas.

In view of upcoming development projects, we are seeking applications for a Project Development & Marketing Volunteer to work from our office in East London. There is opportunity for working from home after the first month.

This is an exciting position that offers plenty of scope to make a real difference in support of equality and diversity. We are currently delivering disability sports projects and events in India and in London.

The role is to assist the organisation with the development of national and international programmes for disability and equality rights and other related projects through research, administration and writing proposals, emails and reports.

The main responsibilities will be:

• To research potential partnerships and assist in the development of project proposals
• To research funding opportunities and assist in the development of grant proposals
• To assist in the organisation and management of Choice International activities and events
• To represent Choice International at conferences, exhibitions and seminars, as necessary
• To support other administrative tasks, as necessary.

Applicants should have a positive, can-do attitude, be reliable and trustworthy. If you are passionate about equality diversity and international development and keen to gain valuable, hands-on experience, then we would like to hear from you.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid position. However, depending on funding available we may be able to contribute to the cost of travel from your home to the office.

Please note due to the number of applications we receive we are unable to respond to all applicants hence only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

As a till volunteer, you'll be the friendly face of our shop, handling customer transactions with a smile. You'll provide top customer service, and help create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that keeps our customers coming back!

Here's why Oxfam is the perfect opportunity for you:

Be a Second-hand Superhero: In our high street shops, Ecommerce Hubs and Online Shop, people like you help create exciting and inspiring collections – retail therapy with a purpose!

Increase Your Skills: If you have a particular interest, you can build on it to gain valuable retail experience to add to your CV, such as merchandising, customer service, and teamwork.

Find Your Community: Meet like-minded people who share your passion for a fairer world.

Flexibility: We know life gets busy. That's why we offer flexible volunteering options. A few hours a week is all it takes to make a big difference.

What happens next?

After you apply, the manager will ask you to come in for an initial chat. This is not an interview, just a chance to get an idea of what you'd like to do in the shop. From there, you can meet the rest of the volunteer team and get involved with whatever area of the shop takes your interest!

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

We are looking for the 'practical hands' to help our families reclaim their childhood. You’ll support women and children with turning blank walls into colourful stories as well general arts and crafts, creating long lasting artwork that celebrates hope, identity and community, helping us create a safe space for joy to return!

We are seeking a diverse, proactive team of volunteers to support a 6-week summer programme (July 20th – Aug 28th) across three refuge houses. Our mission is to rebuild parent-child bonds and bring joy back into childhood for families recovering from domestic abuse. You will be volunteering alongside the Children Family workers throughout the summer, and will be invited to join an end of summer party.

What you will be doing

• Support children and mums to paint multi house community murals.
• Help set up activity boxes, paints, tools, and creative stations.
• Offer 1:1 support to children and adapt art techniques for different ages.
• Bring your own creative skills — anything from drawing to collage to craft!

The skills you need

• You’re creative, practical, and love helping children express themselves.
• You’re comfortable supporting mixed age groups.
• You enjoy collaborative art and don’t mind getting paint splattered.
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Good communication skills
• Experience in childcare desired
• Ability to speak either Farsi, Bengali, Punjabi, Bangladeshi, or Turkish, Nepalese is desired

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

Beacon for Rare Diseases hosts The Resources Hub, a 100% free and accessible e-learning platform created to support the rare disease community, including:

• Patient groups, patients and families
• Researchers and life science professionals
• Rare disease advocates

The Resources Hub brings together over 100 free resources, including written courses, video guides, webinars and recordings from events and conferences. These resources are designed to support people at every stage of their rare disease journey, whether they are just getting started or are part of a well-established organisation.

We are incredibly proud of the breadth and quality of what’s available on the Hub. However, much of our long-standing content is under-promoted, meaning that people don’t always find the right resource at the right time.

“The Resources Hub provides invaluable resources to help patient group leaders navigate challenges such as caring responsibilities, health issues, and employment.”

“It breaks down topics relevant to the rare community in a way that's easy to digest and empowering to take action!”

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About the role

We are looking for a social media volunteer to help us shine a light on the wealth of content already available within the Resources Hub.

In this role, you will:

• Spend time exploring our existing Resources Hub content
• Write 1–3 social media posts per resource, tailored for different platforms
• Help us build a reusable library of social media posts that we can draw on to promote resources when they are most relevant

This role is about helping people discover support that already exists, making it easier for patient groups and advocates to find information that could make a real difference to their work.

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Who this role would suit

This is a specific, project-based placement and would suit someone who already has experience in communications, social media or content creation.

You’ll be someone who:

• Enjoys writing clear, engaging social media copy
• Understands how to adapt messaging across different platforms
• Is comfortable working independently and managing their own time
• Can take guidance on tone and branding and run with it

While we don’t have capacity to provide training, you won’t be left on your own. We will:

• Provide clear direction on priorities and approach
• Share brand guidance and examples
• Review initial work to make sure everything feels aligned
• Have routine check-ins, provide feedback, and an end-of-placement review

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Time commitment and flexibility

​This is a fully remote volunteering role, which we ideally hope can be completed within around three months. We anticipate a minimum commitment of approximately two hours per week, though a shorter, more intensive placement could also be arranged to suit the volunteer. We are open to having more than one volunteer on this project and do not expect a single person to work through the entire Hub.

Please note: we are looking for this placement to begin as soon as possible. 

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Why volunteer with Beacon?

By volunteering with Beacon, you will:

• Help improve access to free, high-quality resources for the rare disease community
• Support patient groups, patients and advocates to build confidence and capacity
• Gain experience working with a well-established national charity
• Take on a clearly defined project with flexible working

Do you enjoy public speaking? Do you want to share the message of who Mencap are, what we do and bust some myths to groups and corporates around learning disabilities? If the answer is yes, then our Mencap Volunteer Speaker role could be for you!

We’re looking for confident public speakers to represent Mencap by delivering Lunch and Learn talks. You’ll be fully supported with training, guidance, and a prepared presentation and script. In this role, you’ll deliver engaging sessions either in person or virtually via Teams, reaching a wide range of groups and organisations.

Frequently you'll be co-delivering these talks with people with a learning disability, so you'll hear first hand their stories and the impact you'll make.

For this role you will need access to your own laptop.

We want to spread the message of who Mencap are and the amazing work we do, so as well as attending lunch and learns requested by our current corporates, we're looking for volunteers who will as part of the role, proactively; research, reach out and contact local groups (e.g: Rotary Clubs, Women's Institutes) and share our lunch and learn presentation with them.

The role also gives you the opportunity to attend cheque presentations and act as a representative for Mencap at supporter’s fundraising activities.

About Mencap

Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.

We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.