Weekend volunteer volunteer volunteer roles in Bristol

Are you a dog lover with room in your home to look after a dog during evenings and weekends? This could be the perfect role for you!

As a Training Dog Fosterer, you’ll provide a loving temporary home to a dog in training, typically for a period of 12 to 20 weeks, as they begin their journey to become a guide dog. You’ll get to see the progress your furry companion is making in their training and be a vital part of their journey, without the commitment of looking after a dog full time.

What you’ll be doing:

In this rewarding role, your support for a guide dog in training will include:

• Doing the school run for your dog in training! This will typically involve dropping them off and picking them up at an agreed time Monday to Friday at one of our regional centres or community teams, however, some sites may vary. There are some locations where we will be able to collect and return the training dog from your home. 
• Caring for your dog in your home such as feeding, grooming, free running and playing, following the advice of our expert staff.
• Helping your dog keep up with their training by reinforcing the techniques at home from our first-class training programme.
• Making sure your dog is not left alone for more than four hours in a 24-hour period. If you’re planning on going on holiday, let us know at your initial phone call so we can plan alternative cover for your future life changer.

Can I foster a dog?

If you’re hoping to foster a guide dog in training, here’s what we ideally look for:

• Being close to one of our regional centres or community teams so that your dog can get to their training. 
• The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in your home if you rent your home.
• A safe and secure area outside for the dog to go to the toilet.

However, we try to be flexible – for example, you’ll still be able to foster a dog if you live in London, even if you don’t have access to outside space. 

What you’ll get:

• The opportunity to have a lovable canine companion!
• The satisfaction in knowing you’re supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
• The rewarding feeling of seeing your dog learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog.
• An insight into our bespoke world-class training programme so that your dog’s training stays consistent at home, which can also help you train your own dogs or advance in a future career in dog handling.
• The opportunity to be part of the Guide Dogs community, meeting like-minded people in your area.
• A dedicated volunteer manager and fellow peers who will help support you throughout your role.

Training and support

You’ll attend a training workshop to understand the basics of our bespoke training techniques so you can confidently support your dog’s training at home. You’ll also receive ongoing guidance from your volunteer manager. If you have questions about the training requirements, we can answer these at your initial phone call along with any other support or accessibility needs you may have.

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any pre-agreed expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, dog food costs and other materials needed for your dog’s training.

Minimum age for volunteer is 18.

We also have a respite fosterer role available in some areas, where a dog would stay with you full time before moving on to the next stage of its journey.

Please check out our website by clicking 'redirect to recruiter' at the top or bottom of this page to see what roles are available where you live.

MapAction is a leading humanitarian charity that provides geospatial, mapping and data expertise to support disaster response and preparedness worldwide. For more than 20 years, MapAction has worked alongside governments, UN agencies, humanitarian organisations and local partners, supporting over 150 humanitarian emergencies in more than 80 countries. By providing critical insights through maps, data visualisation and analysis, MapAction helps decision-makers understand rapidly evolving situations, target assistance more effectively and ultimately save lives. 

MapAction combines the commitment and expertise of small professional staff team with circa 70 highly skilled volunteer geospatial, mapping and data specialists. Together, they help partners prepare for, respond to, and recover from humanitarian crises, while also developing innovative approaches to strengthen disaster resilience and anticipatory action. 

MapAction is now seeking to appoint a new Chair of the Board of Trustees to succeed Nick Moody, who will step down later this year following two successful terms as Chair. This is an exciting opportunity to provide leadership to a unique charity that sits at the intersection of humanitarian action, technology and innovation, and to help shape its future direction and impact. 

The Chair will play a pivotal leadership role, working closely with the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees to ensure the effective delivery of MapAction’s mission, strategic objectives and long-term sustainability. The Chair will foster strong and constructive relationships across the Board, executive team, staff and volunteers, ensuring that the organisation benefits from both effective support and constructive challenge. Working in partnership with the Chief Executive, the Chair will also act as a key ambassador for MapAction, building and maintaining relationships with funders, partners and stakeholders, and helping to enhance the charity’s profile, influence and impact within the humanitarian sector. 

The successful candidate will be an accomplished senior leader with experience of leading senior executive teams and/or non-executive boards. They will possess a strong understanding of governance, organisational risk and financial oversight, together with the credibility and gravitas to influence at the highest levels. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to support fundraising and stakeholder engagement activities, and a genuine commitment to the delivery of humanitarian benefit. Prior experience of the humanitarian, international development, technology, data or voluntary sectors is a distinct advantage.

The Chair will be appointed for an initial term of three years, with the option of renewal for a further term. The role is voluntary and unremunerated. 

MapAction is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Final interviews are anticipated to take place in mid- to late-September 2026..

Do you have professional experience in coding and computing? Could you support young people in learning how to code? 

Are you passionate about equipping the next generation with the skills and strategies needed to succeed?

About us: GT Scholars is a social enterprise that tackles educational inequality by giving ambitious young people the support, skills and strategies they need to achieve their aspirations. 

We believe that all young people are gifted and talented, regardless of their background. We run a wide range of programmes that help young people achieve their academic and career aspirations, particularly those from less-privileged backgrounds.

What makes us different? There are many organisations that offer programmes to improve the life chances of young people. However, our programmes use a unique 3:1 model which means that we’re able to sustainably use our profits to provide additional places on our programmes, to young people from low-income homes. 

Our mission is to empower and develop the next generation of leaders and change-makers and we’re looking for workshop facilitators that are passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives!

Responsibilities: Facilitators are responsible for designing creative and interactive workshops for our young people, and delivering these workshops with our young people. We run some of our workshops online and other workshops are held in London. All workshops are held during the school holidays, in the evening and on weekends.

The workshop facilitator role is flexible and as part of your role, you may be involved in:

• Delivering and leading short workshops or courses, on behalf of GT Scholars (Online or offline)

• Designing engaging, interactive and educational workshops and short courses for young people and ensuring that the content is targeted to suit different abilities and capabilities

• Running your own bespoke workshops, eg. workshops in coding and technology

• Managing short activities and Q&A sessions during our workshops

• Working collaboratively with other event coordinators, volunteers, ambassadors, workshop facilitators and speakers at our events

• Following the agreed timings and content for workshops and courses

Person specification: 

As workshop facilitator, you will need to:

• Have passion, knowledge and experience in coding, computing and technology

• Have strong presentation skills

• Have strong communication skills

• Be personable and able to confidently communicate with people from a range of backgrounds and professions.

• Be passionate and committed to tackling educational inequality

• Be punctual and organised

Availability: Workshops will run during the day on school holiday dates, on Saturdays or in the evening (5pm-8pm).

Additional information: We will need to conduct reference checks and you will need an Enhanced DBS for this role as you will be working directly with children. We can process this for you or you may submit one if this is less than 2 years old.

Rate of pay: This is a self-employed role. You must be aged 18 or above. Facilitator sessions range from 2 to 6 hours. The rate of pay will vary based on the budget of the funder.

Could you use your financial expertise to help shape the future of a community-focused charity, at a pivotal moment of change?

Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS) is an established infrastructure charity supporting, connecting and championing voluntary and community organisations across North Somerset and beyond. With a strong local reputation and a clear ambition for the future, VANS plays a vital role in strengthening communities by bringing organisations together, amplifying collective voice, and enabling others to deliver impact.

We’re looking for a new Finance Trustee to help ensure the charity remains financially resilient, sustainable and well-positioned for long-term growth.

Location: Based in North Somerset, working across the South West and beyond
Remuneration: Voluntary, with expenses covered
Time commitment: Approximately 1–2 days per month. Currently, 4 Board meetings and 2 Development Days per annum, 4 Finance Committee meetings, plus occasional ad-hoc meetings, preparation and support around budgeting, annual accounts and financial planning.

About the opportunity

You'll join a committed Board and work alongside the Chief Executive, Finance Committee and external finance support to help oversee the charity's financial health and sustainability.

As Lead Finance Trustee, you'll also chair the Finance Committee, helping to ensure robust financial oversight, effective governance and informed decision-making.

You'll play a key role in:

• Providing strategic financial oversight and assurance to the Board
• Supporting long-term financial sustainability and organisational resilience
• Chairing the Finance Committee and strengthening financial governance
• Ensuring financial information is accessible for non-financial trustees
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting, reserve management, risk oversight

About you

We're open to different backgrounds and pathways into this role. You may already be a Finance Trustee, Treasurer or Finance Committee Chair, or you may be a senior finance professional looking to take on your first board-level governance role. What matters most is your ability to provide relevant strategic financial leadership and support effective decision-making.

We're particularly interested in people who can:

• Bring a recognised accountancy qualification and strong financial management experience
• Interpret financial information and translate it clearly for non-financial audiences
• Support strategic thinking around growth, sustainability and income diversification
• Balance scrutiny and challenge in a collaborative and supportive way
• Operate confidently at both a strategic and governance level

Previous charity trustee experience would be welcome, but is not essential. Experience of charity finance, accounting regulations and SORP is also highly valuable.

How to apply

A CV or short profile is a great first step. We'd also welcome an informal conversation if you'd prefer to ask some questions first. Amelia Lee at Charity People is leading this search.

Deadline: Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis. If you feel this approach disadvantages you in any way, please get in touch with Amelia, who will ensure you are given full and fair consideration and do not miss out.

Charity People is a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background, including age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

What does it look like to Chair a charity at a pivotal moment of change?

Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS) is an established infrastructure charity supporting, connecting and championing voluntary and community organisations across North Somerset and beyond.

With a strong local reputation and a clear ambition for the future, VANS plays a vital role in strengthening communities by bringing organisations together, amplifying collective voice, and enabling others to deliver impact.

Now, at an important point in its development, the organisation is focused on building on its strengths, refining how it works, and positioning itself to be futureproof. We’re looking for a new Chair to lead the charity into its next phase.

Location: Based in North Somerset working across the South West and beyond
Remuneration: Voluntary, with expenses covered

Time commitment:Governance commitment supported by a Vice-Chair. Currently, 4 Board meetings and 2 Development days per annum, 3-4 Governance group meetings, regular meetings with the CEO, as well as ad-hoc meetings, preparation and urgent matters arising.

About the opportunity

This is a Chair role with real scope to shape both direction and approach. You’ll work alongside a committed Board and Chief Executive to provide strategic leadership, focus on achieving growth, and building a high-performing team and organisation as it continues to evolve.

As Chair, you’ll play a key role in:

• Keeping the Board focused, effective and forward‑looking
• Providing support and constructive challenge to the Chief Executive
• Ensuring clear governance, decision-making, and delivery

About you

We’re open to different backgrounds and pathways into this role. You may already be a Chair, or an experienced trustee or senior leader ready to be one. What matters most is your ability to provide confident, thoughtful and effective leadership.

We’re particularly interested in people who can:

• Operate at a senior strategic level and see the bigger picture
• Build strong, effective relationships across a Board and executive team
• Balance support and challenge in a constructive way
• Bring a level of commercial awareness and focus on sustainability

Experience of the voluntary sector, health or place‑based working would be valuable, but it’s not essential if you can quickly build that understanding.

Why this role matters

VANS has laid solid foundations under the previous Chair’s tenure, with a strong local reputation, passionate people and now gathering momentum.

The next Chair will play an important role in ensuring the organisation is:

· Strategically-focussed, well governed and meets its goals

· Investing in building VANS and financially resilient

• Ready to grow its impact across North Somerset and beyond

This is a unique and special opportunity to meaningfully contribute to an organisation at the heart of community life.

How to apply

A CV or short profile is a great first step. We’d also welcome an informal conversation if you’d prefer to ask some questions first.

Amelia Lee at Charity People is leading this search.

Deadline: As this role has been advertised previously, we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. If you feel this approach disadvantages you in any way at all, please get in touch with Amelia, who will ensure you are given full and fair consideration and do not miss out.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

About You

Are you a member of the Methodist Church in Britain seeking to use your skills, expertise and gifts in a new way? Could you make a significant contribution to an important committee in the Methodist Church?

We are seeking new lay members of the Ministries Committee for 2026-27, initially for a term of three years, renewable for a further 3 years if appropriate.

The Role

The Ministries Committee reports to the Connexional Council, the trustee body of the Methodist Church in Great Britain. The Committee is charged with responsibility to keep in constant review the life of the Methodist Church as it relates to Ministries, ordained and lay, to reflect strategically and review ministries related work that will enable the ministry and mission of the Church to be more effective, and to review the formational and support needs of those who exercise lay and ordained ministry on behalf of the Church. 

Working collaboratively with other committee members and with the Mission Committee and Resourcing Committee, you will be experienced in chairing committees and bring a range of circuit experiences and other experiences of the Methodist Church to the work of the Ministries Committee.

In order to ensure a diverse mix of lay and ordained members of the committee, applications are particularly invited from lay members of the Methodist Church in Britain including Local Preachers, Worship Leaders and Local Lay Pastors. You are encouraged to apply if you feel that overall your skills and experience meet the person specification requirements. You will have some experience of serving on a church body and some experience or interest in cross-cultural ministry, stationing, candidating or training.

The Methodist Church is an inclusive and supportive employer. We are actively committed to encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic groups. We also welcome applications from people living with disabilities and those still developing their careers. We are committed to fairness, and all applications will be assessed on merit.

If you would like to speak to someone about this role then please e-mail; HR Team.

Key Dates

Closing Date: 18 September 2026

Interview Date: 28 September 2026 to be held in person at Methodist Church House in London