Volunteer volunteer roles in southwark, greater london
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 500 shops. Our stores sell lots of great donated & new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.
Our retail stores are the face of our charity on the high-street and in local communities. We have loads of amazing stock donated to us every week, and this all needs to be sorted, tagged and put on the shop-floor for sale!
Making sure our shops look fantastic is another task you can get involved with. You may also be required to help out on the till too, but we will show you how that works during your time volunteering with us. We value the contribution of everyone who supports Barnardo’s.
You will be a friendly face of Barnardo’s by volunteering in one of our shops. It would be great if you could volunteer one shift a week (or even more if you want) but we’re always happy to be flexible to work around your availability.
Why we want you
Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 700 stores. Our stores sell lots of great donated and new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.
What you will be doing
- Work on the till processing sales and returns
- Prepare stock, including sorting, steaming and pricing
- Create stylish window displays
- Replenish stock on the shop floor
- Stock-take and other administrative tasks
The skills you need
- Friendly and helpful
- Happy to be part of an amazing team of staff and volunteers
- Enthusiastic about the work of Barnardo’s
- Flexible and willing to do a variety of the shop tasks
What's in it for you
- Have fun and meet new people
- Develop skills for your CV including confidence, teamwork and problem solving
- Make a difference to the lives of children, young people and their families
- Learning and development opportunities through our Volunteer Academy which includes access to Level 2 Qualifications and other accredited courses
- Full training and experience of working in retail as a volunteer
Location:
24 Collier Row Road, Romford, Essex, RM5 3NX, United Kingdom
Minimum age: 14 years
Please note: we only accept applications from those residing in the UK
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteer: Volunteer Community Outreach Officer
Location: Off-site with occasional in-person activities
Reports to: Volunteer Manager
Support Connect and Inspire Local Volunteers for ROLDA UK!
Are you interested in animal welfare and want to make a positive difference in your community? ROLDA UK are now seeking Volunteer Community Outreach Officer to help reach out to local volunteers, facilitate small activities in the community, and raise awareness of our charity's mission to rescue and rehabilitate stray and abandoned animals.
Your Role
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Help ROLDA UK build a local presence within your community by networking and growing local volunteers who are interested in animal welfare and ask them to join you.
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Create new opportunities within your local community and grow a network of volunteers who can get involved in local fundraising events like charity walks, bake sales, and helping to run local stalls etc.
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Inspire and encourage local volunteers to join your community group, collaborate, share ideas, and plan effective activities.
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Help raise awareness about ROLDA UK within your community by recruiting for volunteers to join your hub and help build local networks.
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Support your local community hub by organising regular online and in-person gatherings. Attend community events to discuss ROLDA UK’s work and encourage others to support the cause.
What We’re Looking For
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Friendly and approachable people who enjoy meeting and engaging with people.
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Good communicators who can share information and encourage others to get involved.
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Passionate about animal welfare and interested in fundraising locally to help support stray and abandoned animals.
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Organised and enthusiastic to help with planning local activities, promotion and helping out at local events.
Who Should Apply?
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Anyone interested in helping animals and becoming a part of their local community.
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Individuals who enjoy working with others and bringing people together.
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People looking for a rewarding way to volunteer and make a difference at home.
Time commitment and what’s in it for you
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Flexible volunteer hours (for this role we just ask for a minimum of 5 hours+ a week) and give as much or as little time as you like.
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Meet like-minded people and be part of a friendly and supportive team.
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Gain valuable experience in community engagement, activities, and event planning.
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Make a difference by helping ROLDA UK grow its local presence and support more animals in need.
If you’d like to connect with others, support a great cause, and help make a difference for animals, we’d love to hear from you!
Join us today and be part of something special.
ROLDA does not support visa applications for volunteers. All in-person volunteers must have the legal right to volunteer in the country where they are located. It is the volunteer's responsibility to ensure they meet the necessary visa and work authorisation requirements before participating in any activities with ROLDA. However, remote volunteer roles do not require a visa, as they can be performed from anywhere.
Our mission is to ensure animals have a good life by advocating for them and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect.




Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About the role
You will be delivering our telephone helpline model to people impacted by hoarding behaviour who may be facing a variety of situations including legal, financial, psychological and discriminatory abuse & neglect. You will have your own case load of weekly telephone calls and work towards SMART goals to assist the participant in managing and improving their space and hoarding situation
The role consists of:-
· Building rapport with your assigned participants and offering them one-to-one support over the telephone
· Delivering our support model of 27 phone calls
· Assessments of incoming cases (further training will be provided)
· Complying with HUK's case-management procedures, training program and other relevant policies and procedures.
We are looking for:-
· Individuals or professionals with interest and/or experience in mental health
· Psychology graduates or students looking for experience or a student work placement
· Individuals with lived experiences of hoarding
· Individuals with the ability to work sensitively and professionally with people facing difficult circumstances
· A commitment to volunteering with us for one year and for four hours each week
· Office working (Islington) or remote
· A commitment to values and ethos of HUK
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
WANTED: Local Legends. No Cape Required.
Some kids climb trees.
Some build rockets from cardboard boxes.
Some are learning how to light a fire without burning their eyebrows off.
They’re curious, messy, hilarious – and they need YOU.
At 23rd Poplar Scouts, we’ve got a growing bunch of Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers (ages 4 to 18) who are bursting with energy, questions, and potential.
And we’re looking for more grown-ups (yes, you!) to join our crew of volunteers.
Here's the deal - we don’t care if you can’t tie 12 knots or survive a week in the woods with just a spork or whether you're a parent, student, working professional, or retiree.
We do care if you:
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Enjoy seeing young people grow in confidence
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Like a laugh
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Are reliable
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Are up for trying something new (even if it involves glitter, tents, or biscuits)
You could help once a week, once a month, or just whenever you can. We’ll show you the ropes, give you some training, and promise not to make you wear shorts in winter.
This is about community, confidence, and connection – and giving young people a place to feel like they belong.
Sound good?
Click on apply and share a few details about yourself.
Join us at 23rd Poplar Scouts and help shape the future, one adventure at a time.
Volunteer roles available in:
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Squirrels (4–6 yrs) – storytelling, play, and first friendships.
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Beavers (6–8 yrs) – crafts, games, and learning new things.
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Cubs (8–10½ yrs) – exploring, teamwork, and outdoor skills.
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Scouts (10½–14 yrs) – adventure, responsibility, and independence.
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Explorers (14–18 yrs) – leadership, community service, and big challenges.
As a group, we set out to produce lasting memories and experiences that our members wouldn't get anywhere else.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Could You Help a Young Refugee Find Their Path?
Are you passionate about supporting young refugees and asylum seekers as they begin their journey into the UK workforce? Become a Volunteer Mentor with Breadwinners!
What Does a Volunteer Mentor Do?
As a volunteer mentor, you'll be paired with a young person in one of our two core programmes:
- Risers Programme (2 months): For young asylum seekers aged 16-24 who are awaiting refugee status.
- Breadwinners Programme (6 months): For refugees with the right to work in the UK, helping them gain vital skills and experience.
Most mentors will work with our Risers, as this program is more fast-paced, but opportunities exist to mentor our Breadwinners too.
Your role? Help your mentee gain hands-on work experience at one of our weekend market stalls and lead weekly 1:1 mentoring sessions. These sessions are designed to develop employability skills, explore future goals, and foster social connections. Many of our mentors build lasting relationships with their mentees even after the program ends.
Time Commitment:
- Market Shifts: 2 hours per weekend (Saturday or Sunday).
- 1:1 Mentoring: 1 hour per week, in person or online, to support career development.
- Ongoing Support: Stay in touch via text or calls during the week to help with logistics and provide encouragement.
What Our Graduates Say:
“Having a mentor helped me feel more confident. I could ask questions, felt motivated, and learned new things. It was nice to have conversations about my future and how to succeed.”
— Sura, Risers Graduate
Who Are We Looking For?
You don’t need special qualifications to be a mentor—just a good understanding of working in the UK, strong communication skills, and a passion for helping young people succeed. If you’re ready to make a real difference and become part of a fun, supportive community, this role is for you!
Feeling Inspired?
Apply today and join us in helping young refugees build brighter futures!
We recruit every January, April, July, October.
We support young refugees well-being by providing them with work, training and mentoring.





The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We’re Mind, the leading mental health charity. We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. We provide advice and support to empower anybody experiencing a mental health problem and we campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding.
Our volunteers are a fundamental part of our shops. Any time which they volunteer at our shops, help us be there for more people who are experiencing a mental health problem.
About the volunteer role
To provide our volunteers with opportunities to gain a variety of skills and experience, we offer them a range of volunteer roles to choose from, which include:
- Stock preparation volunteer
- Volunteer shop sales assistant
- Volunteer stock generation assistant
- Volunteer window dresser/Merchandiser
- Specialist knowledge volunteer (antiques and collectables)
- Specialist knowledge volunteer (books and entertainment)
- Housekeeping volunteer
Key tasks
There is a variety of tasks within the above mentioned roles that our volunteers get involved with, including:
- Welcoming and assisting customers with their purchases, providing them with great customer service and a delightful shopping experience
- Receiving donated items from members of the public
- Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated items for sale
- Creating visually appealing window and in-store displays
- Keeping the shop floor well stocked, clean and coordinated
- Processing sales and serving at the till
- Signing up gift aid donors
- Stock rotation
- Identifying special or valuable items within donated stock
About you
- Passionate about customer servise
- Good communication skills
- Friendly and helpful
- Respectful of others and their diversity
Experience & skills you will gain
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Retail experience
- Stock organisation
- Selling skills
- Customer service skills
Our Commitment
We are committed to becoming actively anti-racist in everything we do. This is a critical priority for Mind. We embrace diversity and understand that being an inclusive organisation, recognising different perspectives, will enable us to provide excellent services. We are committed to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work and promoting equity in physical and mental health for all.
Mind Retail are a network of over 170 Mind charity shops across England and Wales.




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteer Opportunity: Mentor Recruitment Volunteer
Help Us Find the Role Models Who Will Transform Young Lives!!!
Do you believe in the power of mentorship to change futures?
Are you a connector with a passion for people and purpose?
Remix Youth Charity is looking for a Mentor Recruitment Volunteer to help us build a network of inspiring role models who will walk alongside young people from disadvantaged backgrounds as they grow into confident, capable adults.
About Remix Youth Charity
We’re a new youth social mobility charity based in London, supporting young people with the skills, experiences, and guidance they need to thrive. Through mentorship, opportunities, and a nurturing community, we help them build the life toolbox for success.
Your Mission
As our Mentor Recruitment Volunteer, you’ll be the spark that brings our mentoring programme to life, by finding, engaging, and supporting individuals who are ready to make a lasting impact in a young person’s journey.
What You’ll Do
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Promote mentor opportunities across social media, community networks, and events.
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Help design and deliver outreach campaigns to attract diverse, passionate mentors.
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Support the screening and onboarding process.
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Assist with mentor training and ongoing engagement.
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Celebrate mentor stories and build a vibrant, supportive community.
What We’re Looking For
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Strong communication and outreach skills.
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A warm, inclusive approach to relationship-building.
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Passion for youth empowerment and social justice.
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Experience in recruitment, HR, or mentoring (bonus but not essential).
What You’ll Gain From Volunteering With Us
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A key role in shaping a transformative mentoring programme.
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Experience in volunteer recruitment and program development.
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The joy of connecting people with purpose.
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A front-row seat to the impact of mentorship in action.
Ready to help us build a network of changemakers?
Let’s find the mentors who will empower the next generation—one connection at a time.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Volunteer Fundraising Lead
Location: Remote (UK-based preferred)
Type: Volunteer (Flexible, ~5-15 hours/month)
Reporting to: Director/Founder
Organisation Type: Community Interest Company (CIC)
About Us
We are a mission-driven Community Interest Company dedicated to early intervention against online harms and the prevention of child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSEA) and violence against women and girls (VAWG). Rooted in a behavioural science approach combined with systems thinking, we work to understand the contemporary online context for children and young people and pathways to engaging with harmful content, develop evidence-based interventions which support healthier sexual and social development, and create safer communities through primary and secondary prevention.
Role Overview
We are seeking a passionate and proactive Volunteer Fundraising Lead to help us grow our income and strengthen our financial sustainability. This is a key voluntary role for someone with a background in fundraising who wants to use their skills to make a measurable difference in a sensitive but vital area of public benefit, increasingly recognised as an urgent issue and one in receipt of growing governmental attention.
Key Responsibilities
· Develop and lead a fundraising strategy aligned with our mission and values
· Identify and research suitable grant, trust, and foundation opportunities
· Draft and submit funding applications in collaboration with the CIC’s director
· Build relationships with potential donors, funders, and community partners
· Explore and recommend individual giving, crowdfunding, and corporate support options
· Track fundraising performance and maintain basic reporting for transparency and impact
· Contribute to funding-related communications (e.g., case for support, impact updates)
What We’re Looking For
· Experience in fundraising (professional or voluntary), especially in small or early-stage organisations
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills
· Strong organisational skills and ability to work independently
· Commitment to safeguarding, sensitivity, and ethical fundraising
· Alignment with the CIC’s mission and core values of safety, empathy, collaboration, innovation, and integrity
· Understanding of confidentiality, discretion, and working with potentially sensitive subject matter
Time Commitment
· Approximately 5-15 hours per month
· Flexible schedule, with occasional online meetings
What We Offer
· A meaningful opportunity to contribute to the protection of children from online harms, as well as a CSEA and VAWG prevention mission
· Flexible, remote working with supportive leadership
· Recognition in reports and communications
· A reference or endorsement after three months of active volunteering
· The chance to shape fundraising strategy at an early and impactful stage of growth
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking for a volunteer who would like to play a role in building children’s confidence. Would you be interested in supporting children to improve their numeracy abilities? We are looking for a volunteer who understands children with specific needs particularly around attention and memory challenges. Through your support, encouragement and tutoring you will make a difference to the people you work with! Hestia provides holistic, one-to-one support in our refuges and the community. Our refuge services are for women and children, offering a safe place to stay and vital emotional and practical support.
Outside of our refuges, most of our support services are accessible by anyone who has experienced domestic abuse, including men.
In the last year, 3,855 women and children were supported by Hestia to recover from domestic abuse.
Anyone can experience domestic abuse, at any point in their life, regardless of their background, age, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. However, it is a gendered crime, with women being three times more likely to be victims.
We help people understand what domestic abuse is and develop the knowledge, skills and tools they need to protect themselves, stay safe and leave a relationship, if and when they’re ready to do so.
What you will be doing
- To support children who are not confident with numeracy to develop these skills through tutoring sessions over a video call
- Engage in conversation, problem solving examples, maths based support
- To keep records of conversations and update the support worker on progress of sessions
The skills you need
- Interest in supporting children to develop their math skills. Background in teaching maths/numeracy is desirable
- Good communication skills
- Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere
- A tutoring qualification is desirable but not essential
- Mathematics qualification is essential
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.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.




Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Be a hero to a young person in care!
Are you looking for a meaningful, long-term volunteering role where you can make a positive difference in a young person’s life?
If yes, we have the perfect opportunity for you!
We’re seeking compassionate, reliable adults to become Independent Visitors - volunteer mentors and trusted friends to children and young people in care.
What is an Independent Visitor?
An Independent Visitor (IV) is a volunteer befriender and mentor who visits a young person in care once a month, usually on weekends, to enjoy fun, supportive activities together. As an IV, you’ll be a consistent, caring adult outside their professional network - someone who chooses to be there, just for them.
This is a long-term role, and we ask volunteers to commit to at least two years to help build a strong, stable relationship.
We’re especially keen to hear from volunteers based in or near London and Kent, where many of our young people live.
Why it matters
Young people in care often face instability and frequent change. Having a consistent adult who listens, encourages and simply spends time with them can be life changing.
“My IV is the one person who’s always there for me. They make me feel like I matter.” Young Person in Care.
Who can volunteer?
You don’t need previous experience - just the right values and commitment. We’re looking for caring people who are:
- Friendly and approachable
- Patient, empathetic and consistent
- A good listener
- Committed to visiting once a month for at least two years
- Willing to complete training and safeguarding checks
We particularly welcome applications from male volunteers and individuals from Black, Asian and other underrepresented communities.
What will you be doing?
As an Independent Visitor, you’ll:
- Meet your young person once a month for activities like going to the cinema, bowling, exploring parks or just having a chat
- Suggest age-appropriate outings based on their interests
- Keep in touch between visits with a weekly call or message (if they’d like)
- Occasionally join in on group events
- Create meaningful, lasting memories
Please note that all travel and activity expenses will be covered.
Training & ongoing support
Before you start, we’ll provide:
- Full initial training
- Ongoing support and one-to-one supervision
- Access to additional training through Southwark’s volunteer resources
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
A bit about this role
We need Fundraising Volunteers to help in and around the Tunbridge Wells and Crowborough area. The postcode areas we are active in are TN1, TN2, TN3, TN4, TN5, TN6, TN7, TN8, TN9, TN10, TN11, TN13, TN14, TN15, TN16, TN17, TN18, TN19, TN20, TN21 and TN22.
We are a movement of people championing the welfare of cats. We lead society in a richer understanding of all cats and care for those that need our help.
Our Volunteer led branches operate within local communities nationwide and rely on funds donated by generous members of the public to continue to help cats and kittens in need of new homes, supporting owners with neutering, managing trap, neuter and return programmes and educating people about cat welfare.
Our fundraising volunteers are part of a passionate team that help raise funds to help cats. They help plan and deliver exciting and varied fundraising events, which can be anything from craft fairs, cake sales, sponsored abseils – and anything in between!
What can you expect to be doing?
- Helping organise fundraising events in your local area
- Championing our cause and making a better life for cats
- Getting involved with new and exciting fundraising ideas
- Engaging communities, spreading awareness and starting conversations
- Promoting National fundraising initiatives where appropriate
A bit more information about this role and the team
What are the benefits to you and the cats?
You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and help raise funds that will make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens in need. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.
We’re looking for someone with
- Good communication skills
- Responsible to handle money
- Willingness to be part of a team
- Confidence in speaking to members of the public
- Knowledge of local community networks (would be an advantage)
Time expectation
Our fundraising volunteers, on average, usually spend 2 to 3 hours per week in this role. You can offer your time flexibly, seasonally or remotely and it can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed and you can encourage others to join us too.
Support, guidance and keeping you safe
At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.
The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.
Candidates will be invited to chat about the role further. Following this, we also ask for our application form to be completed which includes details for two references. Successful candidates will be invited to an online induction and asked to complete some training which is essential to the role.
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
No Panic is a national charity helping people to manage their anxiety.
We are looking for empathetic, understanding, confident and driven people to volunteer on our helpline. We are specifically looking for people who have experience of providing training to staff or volunteers.
Working from home, successful applicants will answer helpline calls and provide support and advice for people with a range of anxiety disorders, by listening, offering self-help advice, and providing information about the range of support available from No Panic.
After gaining experience on the helpline, successful applicants will also go on to deliver helpline training courses to new volunteers, currently lasting 8 weeks, and provide ongoing support.
All volunteers on the No Panic Helpline are required to complete the training of 1.5 hours a week for 8 weeks; they then do a weekly 3-hour shift. Trainers deliver 3 courses per year. Please note, we ask for a 1-year commitment to volunteering on the helpline, to aid our planning.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Help us to grow brand-new online charity platform A Good Thing! Come on board to help us manage relationships with the businesses that have joined us: use your communications skills to drive more businesses to engage with the platform and to make donations of things they no longer need.
A Good Thing is a not-for-profit set up with one mission: to send less to landfill, and more to a good cause. We're rolling out fast across the UK, momentum is building, and we're growing a network of passionate local volunteer champions right across the country to drive our growth.
You’ll be using both your communications skills and your project management expertise to help us grow the number of businesses engaging with the platform and giving things away.
Come with us on our journey towards reducing waste and boosting wonderful local charities at the same time.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you want to see more happiness and kindness in the world? We’re looking for dynamic Volunteers to be part of creating exactly that!
About the Role:
Our volunteers bring people together for shared online learning experiences, based on positive psychology, that boost the wellbeing of everyone involved.
Our groups and courses can be run online or in-person in your local area.
- The amazing 6-week Happiness Habits Course is designed to be run by pairs of volunteers. It features expert videos, science-backed exercises and the chance to form meaningful connections. Our course has been specially designed to gather the insights of the world's leading experts on six fundamental aspects of a happy and meaningful life: Gratitude, Self-Care, Relationships, Resilience, Kindness, and Meaning. It is a very impactful (many say life-changing) experience.
- Alternatively, you can get involved by supporting a Monthly Group, bringing like-minded people together to learn evidence-based tools for creating a happier and more meaningful life. Explore the monthly themes and encourage people to set personal actions towards happiness, that support both themselves and others.
Volunteering with Action for Happiness is a path of action that consistently feels like you are making a difference in the world. You don’t have to be an expert - or be happy all the time. If you are a warm and enthusiastic person that is more than enough to get started.
Why Volunteer with Us?
Do something that matters: spreading happiness and witnessing people transform for the better is a huge source of meaning.
Grow your skills: inspiring others, learning together and reinforcing your own happiness skills all contribute to personal growth.
Build community: meeting like-minded people, building lasting friendships and belonging to a global community contributing to a better future for all.
How do I know it’s right for me?
Try out free VOLUNTEER TRAINING via the Action For Happiness website and decide for yourself.
We've designed it especially to help you answer questions like this as it explains thoroughly what being a volunteer involves and helps you reflect on your readiness.
What is the time commitment?
You'll need to set aside a couple of hours for the training initially and a few more for planning your course or group and connecting with your co-volunteer. Then you'll need a couple of hours per session for facilitating (x6 weekly sessions for a course, or x1 session per month for a group).
- Apply today! Together, we can inspire change that ripples out through people’s lives, communities and the world.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.
Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.
We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.
Our values are at the centre of all our work:
• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests.
• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.
• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.
• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.
About Youth ESOL:
Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.
About the Role:
CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our face-to-face study programme called ‘Get Ready for School.’
This programme is attended by young people out of education and is based in Tooting on Mondays and Wednesdays. Core delivery of the programme includes English, Maths, Digital skills, complemented by Reading and Writing for Pleasure.
Volunteers in this role are required to commit to at least one 2-hour session per week, during these times:
- Monday 10am - 3pm
- Tuesday 2pm - 6pm
- Wednesday 11am - 6pm
Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.
Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities:
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Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes;
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Help young people to build confidence in digital literacy;
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Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources;
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Engaging learners in informal conversations or games during breaks to help them practice their conversational English.
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Checking the session plan aims with the lead teacher and assisting learners achieve them;
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Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;
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Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class;
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Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project;
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Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential;
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Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;
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Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential
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To be 18 years or older;
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Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (travel and food expenses can be reimbursed);
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An interest in education and English language teaching;
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To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;
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To be reliable and punctual;
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Excellent communication skills, especially with people who are new to English;
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The ability to volunteer on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons/evenings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months;
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Currently resident in the UK; has asylum seeker or refugee status
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Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check (DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a Caras community member who is more recently arrived in the UK);
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Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role
Desirable
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Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish.
Through volunteering with us you will:
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Gain experience of English language teaching;
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Meet new members of your local community;
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Learn about different cultures;
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Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
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Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
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Develop your skills and competencies;
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Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.
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Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering
To Apply:
To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form from the CARAS website using this volunteer role description to inform your answers with email subject header “Youth ESOL Teaching Assistant Volunteer”.
Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with a member of the CARAS learning staff team and a community member. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP!
All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.