Volunteers volunteer roles in brentwood, essex
Greenwich + Docklands International Festival (GDIF) is London's leading festival of free outdoor theatre and performing arts. It is supported by a team of 150 volunteers, and is proud to be the first festival in the UK to be awarded Platinum level in Attitude is Everything's Live Events Access Charter.
The festival runs from 22 August - 6 September 2025.
GDIF is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to play an essential role in the festival’s delivery. Whether it's providing a friendly face to visitors, being a team leader, or championing access in the arts, the experience will be yours to make your own.
Volunteer requirements
Anyone aged 18 or over.
Friendly and reliable people, with an interest in art.
Those that can give 15 hours of their time (3 approx. 4 hour shifts plus training), or want to commit to more!
Volunteer responsibilities
Whether this is your first-time volunteering anywhere or you’re looking to add leadership or festival access support experience to your CV, we have the role for you!
General festival volunteer: The smiling face of the festival! Helping out in a Front of House capacity, ensuring that audience members have a wonderful experience at GDIF. Duties involve collecting audience feedback, helping audiences find their way around and collecting donations to support the festival.
Team Leader: Would you like to help coordinate a team? We are looking for confident people to help coordinate volunteer teams at this year’s festival. Team leaders will be chosen before the festival and given additional training.
Access Champion: Passionate about accessibility? We put provision in each year to make the festival as accessible as possible to our D/deaf and disabled audiences. In this role you would help broaden access to art by supporting the access team across our events. Access champions will be chosen before the festival and given additional training.
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 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 Employability Project
10am to 3pm, Monday and/or Friday during term-time
Our Employment & Life Skills Project (ELSP) helps adults with learning disabilities or autism to access further education, work experience and visits to mainstream community opportunities.
What you’ll do
You’ll act as a mentor to the members of the group. You’ll be helping the group(s) develop a range of life skills, things that many of us take for granted. These include Maths and English skills, independent living, the use of public transport, social skills and even the sourcing of employment.
For the people in these groups, these things can be very difficult to develop and achieve without regular support. Through regular support and meetings, members and volunteers develop greater trust, skills, and confidence together.
Come along and get involved!
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 20.
How much time?
The project runs from 10am to 3pm, Mondays and/or Fridays during term-time.
Everyone gets the most out of the project if you come every week for at least a term as you'll build a close relationship with the members you'll have been supporting and will create the most impact.
What we can offer you
ELSP represents a fantastic opportunity for you to share your knowledge and experience built up through a lifetime to a group that is continuing to develop and achieve their targets.
We’ll reimburse your travel expenses and will provide excellent training and lots of helpful support.
By volunteering on our project you'll also:
- Use and develop your skills: time-management, working within a team, problem-solving and adaptability.
- Learn something new, get involved in fun activities with others.
- Increase your confidence.
- Meet like-minded 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 training 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 also gives the opportunity to develop some new skills and expand your knowledge in our workshops.
Topics we cover include:
- Autism
- Safeguarding
- Creativity & Participation
- Negotiation & Boundaries
When do I need to come?
Volunteers must attend training and complete a DBS check before taking part.
We'll be running face-to-face training in north London starting on the 24th May with lots of other dates to choose from.
In the meantime, we'll be meeting volunteers online from mid-April.
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.
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!
Visit someone and share stories over a cup of tea/cofee, connect through hobbies/interests, chat about life, update them regarding local or wider activities.
Be a steady presence for someone who has received a termianl diagnosis
Marie Curie is looking for compassionate, everyday people to join our Companion Team within the surrounding areas of Bournemouth
What you’ll be part of:
- Offering emotional comfort and conversation
- Help someone express what matters most to them
- Share helpful information
- Point them to local resources and services
- Support family members or carers, before and after bereavement.
You’d be a great fit if you’re:
- Patient and good at listening
- Non-judgmental of others and friendly
- Emotionally mature and steady in sensitive moments
- Able to commit to 3 hours p/week
- Comfortable using email and completing short visit reports
What we will provide you with:
- A deep sense of purpose and connection
- Ongoing support, training and guidance
- A welcoming volunteer community
- Recognition and appreciation for the time you give
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses each month
Ready to take the next step?
Here is what you’ll need to do:
- Firstly, be 18 years or older to apply
- Secondly, complete an online application form, providing 2 non-family references
Apply now or get in touch to find out more
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: 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!
Could you help to change a care-experienced child's life by reading with them for just an hour a week over a six month period?
We're looking for new volunteers to read online. Reading Heroes is a highly individualised initiative - every book that you read has been chosen specifically for you and the child. All books are provided, and you will receive ongoing personal support from our dedicated Reading Heroes team, as well as opportunities to meet with other volunteers.
The number of care-experienced children in the UK growing; research tells us that these children are more likely to experience social, emotional and mental health problems, so we believe that Reading Heroes is a more important project than ever.
We have found that the Reading Heroes scheme has helped the children involved with their reading and other literacy-based skills, but these are not our primary purposes. Reading Heroes simply promotes reading for pleasure, and giving some of our time to children who need a little extra support - along with a kindly, friendly listener!
As a Reading Heroes volunteer, you’ll be instilling a love of stories which can have a lifelong positive impact. 80% of participants tell us they enjoy reading more after taking part.
Find out more: https://ow.ly/FVts50SBrIm
“Thank you for helping me read better and for making reading fun and not stupid boring!" (Reading Heroes participant)
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 the role: Advocacy Placement Volunteering You will be providing remote (office based/virtual) advocacy support for people impacted by hoarding behaviour (PwHB) who may be facing a variety of situations including legal, financial, psychological and discriminatory abuse/neglect. You will be working with trained colleagues to alleviate housing, benefits, mental health and other problems experienced by HUK's participants. HoardingUK (HUK) works to bring services together to improve person-centred, cost effective and time managed support.
The role: • Volunteer at HUK a minimum of one half-day (4 hours) each week. • Provide timely support to those using the service . • Maintain a caseload of up to three clients at each advice session. • Comply with HUK's case-management procedures, training programme and other relevant policies and procedures. • Work collaboratively to create an action plan with participants and professionals. • Assist in facilitating phone, correspondence, emails to statutory services and others. • Signpost to relevant external services based on participant need. • Keep accurate records. • Promote choice and control.
Who should apply
: • Trainees/professionals with interest/experience in mental health, housing, social care, legal frameworks, etc. • Passionate people committed to standing for rights. • People with lived experience of mental health and/or hoarding behaviour. • The ability to work sensitively and professionally with people who may be facing a variety of situations including discriminatory abuse and systemic neglect. • A commitment to values of HoardingUK Training on hoarding behaviour, advocacy and other relevant areas will be provided.
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!
At St John Ambulance we are looking to embed ourselves within our communities, delivering support which is tailored to the needs of those communities whilst providing a positive experience for our Volunteers.
We need a Network President who is passionate about making a difference in their communities, who care about helping and developing others, who will lead and inspire a volunteer movement across a geographical area to deliver Community First Aid, Community Education and Community Fundraising as well as develop our offering for young people. Through leading a team of Volunteer leaders, you will drive excellence in delivery, develop an inclusive and diverse volunteering experience for new and current volunteers, and help navigate through change to build a bigger and better St John Ambulance.
As a member of our network leadership team, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride through supporting a team and our volunteers to deliver our essential services. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation.
We will make sure you will have access to a proper induction to volunteering with SJA and the training you need for the role you take on. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.
Volunteers would be expected to attend training for the role both online and in person, to attend regularly network weekly meetings to enable them to keep their skills up to date.
If you are successful you will need to undertake relevant training for the role, details of which will be discussed after you have been appointed.
- Interviews will be held on the 5th July at Sidcup HQ
- Closing date for these opportunities is:14/07/2025
To apply for this opportunity, please follow the link below:
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!
Finance Volunteer
We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers. Our volunteers are a key part of achieving our goals and their support is vital. Join us.
About this opportunity
We are looking to recruit a Finance Volunteer for our Medway and Swale Group. As a Finance Volunteer, you would be joining a coordinating team of volunteers to plan and deliver services and activities to support people locally.
You will maintain and approve income and expenditure records and explain financial information clearly to other group members. You would ensure our financial requirements and policies are followed, and that money is spent in a cost effective manner.
This is a great opportunity to gain experience with a large charity, develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.
About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be comfortable with figures, preferably with an accounting or business background. You will live in the immediate area of the Group, allowing you to meet with other volunteers from the Group.
Apply
Read through the role description carefully
Please apply online
The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.
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!
Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care. We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.
A bit about this role
As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.
What can you expect to be doing?
- Supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers in the Horsham and district area
- Planning fundraising events and activities with your team
- Allocating tasks before and during fundraising events
- Keeping financial records from fundraising events
- Encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection
- Following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events
A bit more information about this role and the team
- This is a flexible role. The amount of time you offer can work to your availability and convenience.
- There may be opportunities for your activities to be fully remote and/or admin based if you'd prefer.
- You will need your own transport if you wish to attend events, ideally a car or van since items, stock and equipment will usually be needed.
- We ask that you complete training to support you in your role. This can be completed online if you have access to the internet and the necessary device (computer/laptop/tablet etc). Support can be offered or paper versions of much of the training if needed.
What are the benefits to you and the cats?
You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise funds and awareness through organising local events. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.
We’re looking for someone with
- Great people skills and the ability to bring out the best in others
- Excellent organisational skills
- The ability to prioritise and delegate
- An appreciation of the importance of handling money and charity resources responsibly
- Fine-tuned communication skills and a passion for engaging with people within your local community
- Basic IT skills to use Cats Protection systems - training and support can be provided
- Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+
Time expectation
Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.
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.
Applicants will be asked to complete an application form and provide details for two references
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!
We are Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity (Alex TLC).
Alex TLC is a trusted and experienced organisation offering support and information for all those affected by a genetic leukodystrophy. Formerly ALD Life, an internationally recognised centre of excellence for people affected by adrenoleukodystrophy and adrenomyeloneuropathy, the charity was established in 2004.
Due to popular demand, we extended our services to support all leukodystrophies in 2019 and became Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity.
Like many other small charities, we have grown organically from an informal support group to the recognised voice for adrenoleukodystrophy patients and their families. Our charitable work is supported by our chain of five charity shops across south east London.
With scant resources we are always in need of trustworthy and reliable volunteers to assist retail staff.
Could you spare a few hours a week?
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people.
We need help to give hope and support to people affected by leukodystrophy – could you be that help?
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are looking for volunteers who can:
- sort and clean stock
- serve customers
- create eye catching displays
- identify potentially valuable stock
ABOUT YOU
Candidates should be able to demonstrate the following:
- an interest in Alex TLC and the work that we do
- honesty and trustworthiness
- reliability
- enthusiasm
The role is located in any of our five shops in Forest Hill, Greenwich, Peckham, Penge or Walworth Road.
Alex TLC is committed to promoting diversity.
We are only able to accept applications from UK residents.
Our Mission is to support anyone affected by leukodystrophy, support research, raise awareness and improve best practice within healthcare systems.


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 volunteers who can spend time with our clients in and around Central London. Meetings are regular over a period of 6 months; weekly or fortnightly. Many volunteers stay involved for much longer but only because they enjoy what they do!
Befriending is a simple way to make a positive difference to someone who is lonely or socially isolated and your gift of time, will give them, and you, something to look forward to. As one of our volunteers once told us, “this is an easy, very meaningful way to help someone and is immensely rewarding and fun!”
Your meetings could be in the local community, having a chat in a coffee shop, visiting places of interest together, or in our client’s home and this is always risk assessed before an introduction so the activities you do will depend on the results of this, and our clients abilities or interests. Most of our clients are older 1st and 2nd generation Scots living in London who simply want to do the activities that most of us take for granted.
ScotsCare works across London and beyond so we're looking for volunteers who live in the area or can travel to the following areas; Lambeth, Islington, Camden, central London and Brockley, please contact us to learn more about our current needs, we often have clients in other areas.
We provide training before you start, ongoing support once you are matched, out of pocket expenses, references, social events and newsletters to keep you informed.
This could be an ideal opportunity to gain practical experience of working with adults in a health and social care setting, or for anyone who enjoys meeting new people and making their lives a little brighter.
Please note, this is an unpaid voluntary role and applicants must be living in or around the London area.
Please contact us for more information, and a very warm welcome!
Skills & Characteristics Required for Befriending are:
- Good communication skills for conversation, English speaking
- Friendly, warm, non-judgemental
- Honesty, reliable and committed to helping others
- Empathy and patience
- An understanding of the need to work within the framework of our policies and procedures.
We will process a DBS check for all successful applicants and request two references.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Saturday 21st June 2025
Volunteer at WWF-UK’s Great Wild Walk
Join us for a day of nature, community, and conservation!
WWF-UK’s Great Wild Walks are inspiring fundraising events set in some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes. As a volunteer, you’ll play a vital role in making these events a success—supporting walkers, cheering them on, and helping raise crucial funds for WWF’s global conservation work.
Volunteer Roles
Roles are assigned on the day, but here’s what you might be doing:
- Event Village Volunteer: Greet participants, hand out t-shirts and medals, support recycling stations, and help create a welcoming atmosphere.
- Route Marshal: Guide and cheer on walkers along the route, ensuring they stay on track and feel encouraged.
- Back Marker: Walk the full 10-mile route behind the last participants, offering support and removing signage as you go.
What You’ll Receive
- A WWF t-shirt to wear on the day
- Light refreshments
- A full event-day briefing
- Pre-event communications with all the key info
What to Bring
- Weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear
- A fully charged mobile phone
- A reusable water bottle
- Sun cream
We aim to make our volunteer roles inclusive and will do our best to accommodate any access needs. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Why Volunteer?
- Meet like-minded people who care about the planet
- Gain valuable event experience
- Support WWF’s mission to protect nature and wildlife
To sign up, please visit our website.
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 are embarking on our first ever online shop and we are looking for a volunteer with some experience in this area and the area of website support to help share the workload of managing enquiries to the shop. They will also be required to update new items as they become available and allocate orders as they come in to the relevant supplier and deal with any enquiries or complaints. This is a role that will grow as the shop does and is a creative fun role as you join a warm and welcoming team. Although remote there will be the chance to meet other volunteers at fundraising events throughout the year.
We would like to know why you would like to volunteer with us.
We save dogs from the streets and death row and restore their health and dignity. We rehabilitate and rehome where possible respecting their sentience




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!
Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care. We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.
A bit about this role
As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.
What can you expect to be doing?
- Supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers in the Mid-Sussex area
- Planning fundraising events and activities with your team
- Allocating tasks before and during fundraising events
- Keeping financial records from fundraising events
- Encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection
- Following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events
A bit more information about this role and the team
- This is a flexible role. The amount of time you offer can work to your availability and convenience.
- There may be opportunities for your activities to be fully remote and/or admin based if you'd prefer.
- You will need your own transport if you wish to attend events, ideally a car or van since items, stock and equipment will usually be needed.
- We ask that you complete training to support you in your role. This can be completed online if you have access to the internet and the necessary device (computer/laptop/tablet etc). Support can be offered or paper versions of much of the training if needed.
What are the benefits to you and the cats?
You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise funds and awareness through organising local events. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.
We’re looking for someone with
- Great people skills and the ability to bring out the best in others
- Excellent organisational skills
- The ability to prioritise and delegate
- An appreciation of the importance of handling money and charity resources responsibly
- Fine-tuned communication skills and a passion for engaging with people within your local community
- Basic IT skills to use Cats Protection systems - training and support can be provided
- Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+
Time expectation
Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.
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.
Applicants will be asked to complete an application form and provide details for two references
Applicants will be asked to complete an application form and provide details for two references
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!
If you're looking for a rewarding, meaningful role and a new challenge, this is the opportunity for you. Self Injury Support has been supporting people affected by self-harm, trauma, and distress for almost 40 years, and we're looking for new volunteers to help us continue offering these vital support services.
Our wonderful team of Helpline and Text Volunteers provide valuable non-judgemental support to people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds via our helpline, text, and email services. We're looking for people to help make an important difference to the lives of the people who contact us.
We’re currently recruiting home-based remote volunteers from across the UK for our text service. If you prefer to apply for an office-based Bristol volunteer role, please apply to that form instead.
Our next training block will take place remotely over 3 days: Saturday 5th July 4pm–8pm , Sunday 6th July 12pm-4pm, and Sunday 13th July 12pm-4pm. Please note that attendance on all three dates is required to complete the training.
Fill in this short form and we’ll arrange an informal chat.
Why volunteer?
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Develop valuable skills and knowledge in active listening, self-injury, trauma, mental health, and many more topics.
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Meet supportive, like-minded peers on shift, as well as at volunteer days where you'll receive additional relevant training.
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Get access to supportive spaces as part of volunteering with us, ensuring that you're always supported in the work you're doing.
What is it like being a volunteer?
When you join our team, you’ll take part in our training course. The training is a brilliant opportunity to meet new people and learn the valuable skills you’ll take with you into the work. Our training covers experiential listening skills, self-injury, supporting suicidal callers, understanding the impact of trauma and abuse, mental health awareness, and reflective practice.
Once you’ve started on the service, you’ll answer calls, texts, and/or emails from people across the UK and offer them confidential emotional support. The work can be emotional but highly rewarding.
Every quarter, you’ll meet a group of your peers in a supportive, reflective space to discuss volunteering. Here, you’ll have a safe and confidential space to reflect on the work and its impact on you and talk through any issues.
Who can volunteer?
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds and life experiences. You may have your own experiences of self-injury or mental ill health, or be keen to learn more about how to support others through these experiences.
You don’t need previous helpline or counselling experience, just an open mind, a commitment to the role, and a willingness to learn.
We are looking for anyone who wants to offer meaningful support, who can listen with empathy and an understanding that everyone’s situation is personal and unique. We are keen to recruit volunteers who are flexible, adaptable, and open to new learning experiences.
What happens now?
After you submit the short form, we'll arrange a chat and to discuss the next steps.
We require all volunteers to attend our small group training courses. There will be a general skills training course followed by breakout groups to learn the skills specific to your chosen service. We can discuss your availability when we meet.
Practical details:
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An Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check will be required for this role, which will be paid for by Self Injury Support.
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We ask that volunteers commit to a year on the service after completion of training.
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For remote volunteers: You will require access to a laptop and an uninterrupted space during your shift.
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For office-based Bristol volunteers: Our main office is Central Bristol, near Bristol Royal Infirmary, with good public transport links and parking nearby. We regret that the premises are not wheelchair accessible. We can offer our preliminary chat over the phone and discuss any adjustments we could make for more flexible roles.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.