Volunteers volunteer roles in clem attlee court, greater london

About Access Academia

Access Academia is the charitable umbrella which was created out of the creation of the student-led publication, the Journal of Intersectional Social Justice. When Journal of Intersectional Social Justice (JISJ) was created, there were not any expectations for the project to be any more than that: a student-led academic publication. However, as it rolled on, attention for the project widened and it began to cover other topics and get involved in other realms of knowledge sharing, activism, and content creation. The creation of the seminal Access Series on the Intersections blog springboarded the idea for the JISJ to turn into something much more than a simple academic publication. Now as we have restructured the JISJ into Access Academia, we are finalising our official registration as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) in the UK. 

Our core purpose is to Make Academia More Accessible. We plan to accomplish this by many different avenues, as obviously it is a very wide-ranging goal! The main ways we plan to do this are through encouraging Open Access academia and knowledge sharing through the Access Series, expanding the themes covered on Intersections with additions such as Mental Health Mondays and Colonialism in Subject, creating accessible content across our social media platforms which encourages truthful and accurate knowledge sharing and activism, running research events to encourage students to publish and interact with academia, covering inside stories of academia, running student engagement programmes to try and make academia less of an Ivory Tower, and much more!

What is a Volunteership?

A volunteership is a unique hybrid opportunity that combines elements of volunteering and interning. Participants commit to working with a charity or nonprofit organization for a specified period of time, fulfilling a set of responsibilities and expectations. In return, they gain valuable experience, receive a letter of recommendation, and are offered LinkedIn endorsements. Additionally, they may have the chance to continue working with the charity through future hiring cycles as long as they remain a student. This experience provides both personal fulfillment through giving back to the community and professional development for future career opportunities.

Volunteership: Content Designer
Duration: May to August 2025
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled as a student

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate program.

• Strong interest in content creation, design, and digital communication.

• Proficiency in design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, etc.).

• Excellent written and visual communication skills.

• Strong attention to detail and creative problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to produce high-quality content under deadlines.

• A portfolio or examples of previous work (e.g., social media graphics, posters, digital campaigns) is a plus.

• Familiarity with social media platforms and trends (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.).

• Passion for contributing to social impact and supporting charitable causes.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Content Creation & Design:

  • Design and produce a minimum of 2 social media posts per month, ensuring they are aligned with the charity's voice and branding.

  • Create engaging visual content for various platforms, including social media, newsletters, and website updates.

  • Work with the marketing team to develop creative concepts for campaigns and initiatives.

• Content Strategy & Planning:

  • Assist in developing content strategies that resonate with the charity’s target audience.

  • Ensure content is on-brand, consistent in style, and optimized for different digital platforms.

  • Help create and maintain a content calendar, ensuring timely delivery of posts and materials.

• Brand Consistency:

  • Maintain a consistent visual and written tone across all digital platforms.

  • Stay updated on design trends and digital marketing strategies to ensure content is fresh and engaging.

• Collaboration & Teamwork:

  • Collaborate with internal teams and volunteers to ensure a consistent post schedule.

  • Contribute and attend all meetings for the Content Creation Team and directions from the Director of Content Creation.

  • Meet all given deadlines on time and consistently.

What You’ll Gain:

• Hands-on experience in content design and digital marketing.

• Opportunities to build and expand your design portfolio with real-world projects.

• A letter of recommendation upon successful completion of the volunteership.

• Certification of participation at the end of the volunteership.

• LinkedIn endorsements and the chance to be considered for future hiring cycles with the charity.

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.

The People and Culture (P&C) Committee is responsible to the Board of Trustees for oversight of the People and Culture Strategy and its effective implementation, including the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion agenda. The scope of the P&C Committee includes HQ volunteers as well as the staff workforce.  It sets and reviews the salary of executive management; oversees the annual cost of living review, is focused on developing the right working culture for the organisation and scrutinises and approves HR policies.

The role of an Independent Member is to provide the People and Culture Committee with advice, guidance and scrutiny to assist the Committee in making key decisions.

Main Responsibilities

Along with other members of the Committee:

• Review the People & Culture Strategy which supports the organisational strategy and recommend it to the Board
• Act as advisor to ensure Equity, Diversity and Inclusion considerations for staff and HQ volunteers underpin the objectives within the People & Culture strategy
• Conduct high level monitoring and oversight of the achievement of objectives within the People & Culture strategy
• Oversee the HR function to assure that we are legally compliant, effective and responsive to the needs of the organisation and its people
• Ensure that the culture of the organisation is appropriate to achieve its objectives and support its values 
• Monitor HR key performance indicators to assure the Committee and the Board that the Scouts is a good employer
• Ensure that robust and suitable HR policies and procedures are in place, that ensure fairness, equality and best practice in the management of staff, including an effective Reward Policy to underpin the successful recruitment and retention of staff
• Recommend to the Board the annual staff pay award
• Ensure the effective recruitment of ELT members via the Chair of the Committee
• Approve remuneration for ELT (with the exception of the Chief Executive whose remuneration is determined by the Board)
• Ensure an effective performance management policy and appraisal process is in place for ELT
• Assure itself that staff/volunteer relationships are effective
• Oversee the wellbeing of our people, working in collaboration with the HQ Health, Safety and Welfare Committee.

The person

A commitment to the vision and values of Scouting and the ability to challenge the Association’s policies and practices positively are essential.

Candidates should:

• Have a strong track record of achievement, especially in the area of Reward and Recognition
• Have experience of contributing to, supporting and or/leading HR policy formulation and culture setting across a large organisation or movement
• Have experience of designing and managing pay, benefits and non-financial incentives to motivate people
• Have a breadth of vision and a grasp of governance issues alongside an eye for detail
• Have unquestioned integrity, effective communications skills and experience of high-level discussion
• Have an understanding and commitment to The Scout Association’s evolving strategic plan and vision
• Be able to digest and act upon large amounts of written material, and have the ability to consider and constructively challenge the performance, strategy and objectives of The Scout Association
• Have experience of the Scout Movement and, ideally, the role of HQ volunteers
• Have experience of working at, or volunteering with, a charitable organisation
  
  

Time Commitment

For this role, the appointed candidate should expect to spend the equivalent of a day per quarter on The Scout Association’s work after the induction phase. This is based on preparation for and attendance at the scheduled People and Culture Committee meetings (three in each year, generally two meetings online and one face to face in London)

Appointment term

Appointments are typically for an initial three-year term, with the possibility of a further term of three years subject to a satisfactory appraisal.

Remuneration and expenses

In common with other registered charities, there is no remuneration directly associated with the role, although the Association will reimburse fully for all reasonable and properly documented expenses incurred in performing duties in accordance with the Association’s Expenses Policy.

Marmalade Connections is a time-limited, one-to-one project covering most of the South West. Based on the enabling/empowering social prescribing model, trained volunteers make weekly calls to project members for up to 15 weeks, focusing on their specific needs and interests.  The project supports those in our community who are the most socially isolated, and who experience chronic loneliness (feeling lonely all or most of the time). 

Marmalade Connections is not a 'befriending call project'.​ These conversations lead to volunteers signposting the project members to local social activities and community support, to improve their social connections long term. 

As a Marmalade Companion Volunteer, you will support one or occasionally two of our project members (the people we support) for a period of up to 16 weeks. The role involves phoning a matched member once a week for a friendly call lasting about 30 minutes plus researching potential social connection and activity opportunities. You will receive training on how to build up a trusted telephone relationship with your project member(s) to enable you to support and signpost them to relevant services and activities. The aim of this project is to help reduce social isolation and loneliness and to support your project member(s) to discover lasting connections in their community. 

Activity Facilitation - customise your own one day volunteering opportunity!

Date: March 2025 - Feb 2026, one off shifts scheduled on the last Friday of each month (see below for specific dates)
Location: Ealing, West London or online 
Address: Haven Green Baptist Church -Castlebar Road, Ealing W5 2UP (face to face session) or Online
Timings: 12.45- 13.15
Who will see the difference? Our patients with chronic and long term conditions.

We are looking for passionate and creative volunteers to bring joy and engagement to our Support Circle Group, a community space for individuals living with chronic and long-term illnesses. The Support Circle Group provides a safe and welcoming environment where participants can connect and share experiences. As part of our sessions, we would love to introduce creative activities to uplift and inspire our members.

Some proposed activity areas we can consider:

 Music – Singers, musicians, or who can bring live music.
Arts & Crafts – Simple and accessible creative activities for self-expression.
Games & Activities – Light hearted, inclusive, and interactive fun.
Other Creative Talents – Poetry, storytelling, or any other engaging ideas.

The volunteering activity:

We will need support with;

-  Participating in a briefing meeting with the service to further explore your proposed activity in your volunteering application
- Clarify practical support needs from the team for the activity to take place e.g. venue set up
- Facilitate your chosen and agreed volunteering activity session you’d like to offer
- Consider formal risk assessments with the support of your Trust point of contact for safe and effective delivery of activities

Considerations

We do not have resources to provide materials, but the goal is simply to spark interest and engagement. The activity will serve as a light and enjoyable way for participants to connect, express themselves, and find joy at the end of each session. Consider keeping activities simple but meaningful and rewarding for patients e.g. origami is fun and interactive whilst requiring very little material resource. Sessions last for 30 minutes, another reason why simple ideas will work. We are happy to discuss your initial ideas to align them to group goals too upon applying (no idea is a bad idea).

Session dates:

F = Face to Face; O= Online

28th March 24  (O)
25th April (F)
23rd May (O)
27th June (F)
25th July (O)
22nd Aug (F)
26th Sept (O)
24th Oct (F)
28th Nov (O)
12th Dec (F)
Jan 2026 (O)
Feb 2026 (F)

Next steps

Please apply via our website

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit an Activities Volunteer for the Croydon Group. As our local group Activities Volunteer you’ll help us to set up activities in the area. Whether you’re serving refreshments, talking to people, registering attendees or collecting payments, you’ll be making sure everyone feel welcome.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your organisation, communication and team working skills. Most importantly you’ll be supporting your local group to run activities that bring friendship and fun to your local MS Community.

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 able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the area the group to carry out this role.

Time Commitment

We estimate this role will need up to two hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2. Please apply online

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit a Fundraising Volunteer for the Surrey Group. As our Fundraising Volunteer you’ll support your Group Coordinator to organise local fundraising activities and events throughout the year.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your organisation, communication and team working skills.Most importantly you’ll inspire your local community to raise funds that help make sure no one has to face MS alone.

Time Commitment

We estimate this role will need around 2 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and 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 confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the area the group to carry out this role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2. Please apply online

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

Are you a people person? Would you enjoy helping clients with their problems, as well as developing employability skills or putting your spare time to good use? Then look no further!

Our friendly team are looking for volunteers for our Adviceline which offers the general public information to empower them to find a solution to their problems in areas such as welfare benefits, housing and debt. For more complex issues you would be arranging an appointment with our advisers who will be using the information you have already gathered from the client.

You will need to be familiar with Microsoft Word and Excel and have excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as being non-judgemental and respect views, values and cultures that are not your own. Full training will be given.

We cover travel expenses within the boundaries of Enfield.

Interested? Great, we'd love to hear from you.

Ethiqana

We are a fair trade social enterprise focused on preserving earth friendly handicraft by providing sustainable livelihoods to our artisan heroes.

Ethiqana is a platform for artisanal revival. The business was established in March 2017 and started trading in August of the same year. We strive to solve two problems:

• Help reduce plastic pollution - Our aim is to rediscover sustainable materials and art forms that are on the verge of extinction These earth-friendly crafts can help in reversing the effects of climate change and ease the plastic pollution - perhaps even make a huge dent in it too.
• Help provide a better life to artisans - Ethiqana works with small scale artisan producers to help preserve their crafts through sustainable livelihoods. This can help bring about social parity and equity in the artisan community that has no way of competing with mass industrialisation. Talented and skilled artisans have to abandon their art and go and work in some big nameless factory to make ends meet. Their wonderful earth-friendly craft is lost to future generations. Establishing it as a social enterprise gives Ethiqana a clear social and environmental mission. We do not just want to sell and make a profit. We want to bring about positive social and environmental change. We invest and re-invest in our artisans - economically and socially.

We work with small artisan producers carefully selected based on eco-friendliness of their methods & the need for creative and economic empowerment. Since our inception our artisan base has grown from 35 to over 150 this year. We work with the artisans very closely in developing products that not only highlight their skills but also relevant for the modern world. Our work with small scale artisan producers and the impact it has had on their socio-economic conditions has been recognised by the British Association of Fair Trade Shops & Suppliers (BAFTS Fair Trade Network UK), Good Market Global and Social Enterprise World Forum through a strong vetting process. This also helps cement our position as a unique artisan platform.

At Ethiqana, we've been passionate about ethical and sustainable products since our inception. We're a social enterprise, which means our mission goes beyond profit. We work to empower artisans, promote eco-friendly living, and create positive change in the world, one beautiful product at a time.

Your time and talents are invaluable to us. Volunteers are the heart of our organisation, and with your help, we can continue to connect talented artisans with a global audience who appreciates their work.

Thank you for considering Ethiqana. We look forward to working with you to make a difference!

Digital Marketing Specialist

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

About Us: Ethiqana is a purpose-driven social enterprise that connects conscious UK shoppers with artisan partners from the Global South. We're dedicated to preserving traditional craftsmanship through fair trade and sustainable practices.

Role Overview: We're seeking a passionate Digital Marketing volunteer to help drive our online presence through paid advertising and email marketing campaigns. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience while contributing to a meaningful social cause.

Key Responsibilities: -Managing and optimising Meta (Facebook/Instagram) advertising campaigns -Creating and managing email marketing campaigns -Analysing campaign performance and providing insights -Contributing to our digital marketing strategy

Required Skills & Qualities: -Passion for digital marketing and social enterprise -Basic understanding of Meta Ads Manager -Familiarity with email marketing platforms (MailPoet or similar) -Self-starter mentality and ability to work independently -Strong communication skills -Interest in fair trade and sustainable business practices

Weekly Time Commitment

2-3 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

3-5 months

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

What you will be doing

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

The skills you need

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

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital fun

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. 

Volunteering in the shop

Mary's Living & Giving for Save the Children is unique - a vibrant result of the generous gifts of local individuals and companies being turned around by the skills and passions of volunteer teams, to create a destination retail experience. Selling womenswear, menswear, shoes, and bags to household goods, our shops can be found in the London villages and bring in vital funds for Save the Children.

Our East Dulwich Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied. We would also love to hear from people willing to volunteer on Sundays. 

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick.

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children. 

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related). 

How to apply

Express your interest on email via the apply button. Please let us know if you are willing to volunteer on Sundays.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. 

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.

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital funds for our work and act as incredible advocates for the rights of children both in the UK and around the world.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. 

Volunteering in the shop

Mary's Living & Giving for Save the Children is unique - a vibrant result of the generous gifts of local individuals and companies being turned around by the skills and passions of volunteer teams, to create a destination retail experience. We hold a prime position on the picturesque Church Street and from our little pink shop we raise lifesaving funds for Save The Children’s work both in the U.K. and abroad. As well as raising awareness on sustainable fashion and fashion climate activism, we’re a hub of excitement and passion!

Our Stoke Newington Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied.

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick.

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children. 

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related). 

How to apply

Express your interest on email via the apply button. 

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests.