Illustrator volunteer volunteer roles in manchester

East London Waterworks Park is looking for illustrators, animators and graphic designers to help campaign in the creation of our new park with natural swimming ponds.

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

We are looking for illustrators, animators and graphic designers to contribute to our community-led working circle who are working on coordinating our digital marketing. 

There is opportunity to lead on projects across content creation, social media, film or any other channels of interest, and facilitate the direction of the working circle.

The Comms Circle currently meets fortnightly on a Tuesday evening on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

While technical skills are essential, we also value your ability to think creatively and strategically. You should have experience in creating engaging visual content for various platforms that will engage stakeholders and decision makers, such as public reports, presentations for decision makers, social media and websites. A strong understanding of storytelling and the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively through visuals will be invaluable. You should be comfortable with community-led processes. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role. 

Contribute to the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds.Your creative talents will be invaluable in bringing the park’s biodiversity to life. Through your illustrations, animations, and graphic designs, you’ll help us create visually captivating content that inspires, educates, and engages our community, stakeholders and decision makers. Your work will play a vital role in fostering a strong connection between people and nature, ultimately creating the park’s future.

Who are we?

We are Buttons & Bubbles CIC. We work with children, young people, families and other professionals associated and affected by illness and disability. We have several different services including inclusive characters, sensory workshops, resources, events, advocacy and more.

What are we looking for?

Do you enjoy art? Graphic design? Are you an amazing illustrator? Then we might just have a project for you. One of our aims is to have every type of disability in every culture, religion and ethnicity depicted through our characters. And yes, we know that’s going to mean a lot of hard work and a lot of characters! But NO we are not asking you to complete this entire project!

We’ve created 11 characters so far that depict a variety of conditions. We want to look at potentially re-developing these characters and starting work on some new ones!

What do we expect?

• Be willing to undertake our training programme which will be done virtually and at a time to suit you.

• Have an Enhanced DBS check (preferably be on the update system)

• Sign our volunteer contract. (If you disagree with anything in it please do discuss it

  with us and we will be happy to have a conversation and make small changes if

  appropriate).

• A positive attitude to disability and illness. We are happy to answer questions on this.

  What can you expect?

  • A community group that does not currently operate a rota system of any kind. You don’t have to regularly commit your time.

• A kind, caring, nurturing company who cares about people, staff and volunteers. Our aim is to keep your wellbeing at the centre of our work.

• A very positive and proactive approach to disability and illness. Any and all accommodations will be made that you require. If there is anything you wish to discuss in private please email us and we will arrange a confidential chat.

Benefits to Volunteering with Buttons & Bubbles CIC

• Gaining valuable experience and improving your confidence

• Allows you to explore potentially different areas of interest.

• Make a difference to community

• Develop your current skill set and gain new skills.

• Displays your level of commitment to future employers.

• Displays your ability to balance and schedule your time effectively when seeking future employment.

About Trans Celebration

Trans Celebration is a trans-led, grassroots human rights and community organisation committed to celebrating and advocating for trans and gender-diverse individuals across the UK. Through monthly campaigns in fashion, art, and beauty, we aim to educate, inspire, and create inclusive spaces where trans and non-binary people can thrive.

We're growing our creative team and looking for a passionate Graphic Design Volunteer to help us tell our story visually and make a meaningful impact through design.

Job Summary

The Graphic Design Volunteer will play a key role in supporting our marketing and communications team by producing high-quality digital and print content. You’ll contribute to everything from social media visuals and web graphics to campaign logos and video editing. If you’re creative, detail-oriented, and excited about trans empowerment, this is a great opportunity to build your portfolio while supporting a vital cause.

Key Responsibilities

• Design graphics and visual assets for use across print, web, and social platforms.

• Assist with maintaining and updating our website and blog (WordPress).

• Help develop and adapt branding materials, including logos and campaign identities.

• Collaborate on creative assets for events, awareness campaigns, and fundraising initiatives.

• Support the creation and editing of short-form video content.

• Maintain version control on design collateral.

• Participate in creative brainstorming sessions and contribute to the visual direction of campaigns.

• Assist with additional creative and administrative tasks as assigned.

What We’re Looking For

Skills & Competencies:

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign; Premiere Pro is a plus).

• Experience with WordPress for website edits and updates.

• Strong written and visual communication skills.

• Understanding of design for both digital and print formats.

• Basic knowledge of video production and editing.

Personal Attributes:

• Organised, detail-oriented, and dependable.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

• Creative thinker and team player with a proactive mindset.

• Passion for trans rights, inclusion, and community activism.

• Comfortable working independently and collaborating virtually.

• Willing to learn, take feedback, and adapt quickly.

Work Environment

• on-site in person

• Flexible working hours with project-based tasks.

• Collaborative, supportive, and inclusive team environment.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English (spoken and written) is essential.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit:

• A cover letter outlining your interest and relevant design experience.

• A current CV or resume.

• A portfolio of recent design work (PDF or link).

REMIX is a brand new, dynamic UK youth charity launching in London, focused on transforming the lives of young people aged 11-26 from deprived areas, initially across Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and Southwark. We believe that postcode shouldn't determine potential.

Our mission is to REMIX young people's lives by providing targeted Mentoring, essential Life Skills, and powerful Personal Development programmes. We are building momentum and need striking, professional visual assets to convey our mission, attract crucial funding, and recruit programme participants and volunteers.

The Role: Remixing Our Visual Identity

We are seeking a talented and passionate Volunteer Graphic Designer to join our founding team. You will be instrumental in translating our powerful mission into compelling visual assets that elevate our profile and help us secure vital support.

This is a fantastic opportunity to build a charity's visual identity from the ground up, create a significant portfolio of work for a worthy cause, and make a tangible impact on social mobility in London.

Key Responsibilities:

• Campaign Asset Creation: Designing graphics for ongoing campaigns, including volunteer recruitment, fundraising drives, and programme promotion across social media (Instagram, X, LinkedIn).

• Print Collateral: Designing professional, branded assets such as:

  • Roller Banners for events and outreach.

  • Posters and Flyers for programme promotion in the target boroughs.

  • Programme Booklets and Workbooks (layout design).

• Brand Consistency: Working with the founding team to ensure all visual materials adhere to the nascent REMIX brand guidelines (colour palette, tone, logo use).

• Design Consultation: Offering creative input on the best visual approach for communicating complex social mobility facts and programme concepts clearly and engagingly.

What We Are Looking For

• Design Proficiency: Strong demonstrable skills in graphic design, with proficiency in industry-standard software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign or similar tools like Canva Pro).

• Portfolio: A portfolio or examples of previous work demonstrating strong typography, layout, and visual communication skills.

• Reliability: The ability to work independently, manage your time effectively, and meet agreed-upon deadlines within a flexible schedule.

• Communication: Excellent communication skills to take briefs and provide creative updates remotely.

• Passion: A genuine passion for youth development, social mobility, and the mission of REMIX. Experience working with youth or community organisations is a bonus, but not essential.

Why Volunteer with REMIX?

• High Impact: Your designs will directly contribute to securing donations and volunteers, enabling our programmes to run and directly changing young lives.

• Build a Legacy: Be one of the founding volunteers, helping to establish the visual foundation for a major new London charity.

• Portfolio Boost: Gain substantial experience creating high-impact assets for a professional charity, perfect for enhancing your portfolio.

• Flexible Working: Complete your tasks remotely on a schedule that fits around your existing commitments.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your portfolio via this website.

Help us bring our farm stories to life!

Time: one-off project (about 10–20 hours over 2–4 weeks or until the project is completed)
Location: UK-based only (you must be able to volunteer/work in the UK)
Type: Volunteer (pre-approved expenses reimbursed if any)

About us

We’re Willowbrook Farm Charity, a tiny, big-hearted team teaching sustainability, biodiversity, and ethical farming. We’re working hard on our branding and visuals and would love a creative soul to help us make a small set of illustrations and icons that feel playful, kind, and unmistakably “us.”
 

The project (hand-drawn, brand-matched)

We need a talented Digital Artist who can hand-draw (on tablet or device of choice) and then deliver clean vector or high-res digital files. Your drawings must match the style of our main logo, so please take a quick look at our website first and see if that’s a style you’re happy to work in.

You’ll create

• Simple icons (e.g., education, biodiversity, volunteering, donations, accessibility).

• Farm-animal illustrations (goat, chicken, cow, bee, duck, etc.).

• Simple landscape elements (hedgerow/field/sun).

Files: SVG/AI (or layered PSD) + transparent PNG exports in agreed sizes.
Style: Hand-drawn linework, consistent strokes, brand-friendly colours (we’ll share swatches/brand guidelines).

How we’ll work (friendly & simple)

• You will work as part of our volunteer team doing brand development.

• Sketch/concepts round (hand-drawn roughs) → we will together discuss a direction.

• We keep feedback kind and clear to help you get the most out of the experience.

You (what helps you shine here)

• You love drawing by hand (sketchbook, iPad/Procreate, etc.) and can translate it into tidy digital files.

• You’re good at matching an existing style and keeping a set consistent, as all our assets must look like they belong to the same family as our rooster.

• Portfolio that shows icons/animals/mascots or similar line-based work.

• Tools: Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate—whatever helps you deliver clean assets.

• A soft spot for nature and community work

Important eligibility

• UK only: You must be living in the UK and able to volunteer here.

• We can only consider applications that include both a cover letter and a portfolio.

Rights & usage

To keep our brand consistent, we’ll ask for a simple agreement granting Willowbrook Farm Charity a perpetual, exclusive licence to use the final artwork across print and digital (you keep your moral rights/credit).You’re welcome to feature the work in your portfolio.

What you’ll gain

• Recognition & credit: We’ll credit you by name/handle on our website and socials (you keep moral rights/credit; the charity holds exclusive usage rights to the final assets).

• Portfolio showcase: Your illustrations will appear across our website, socials, and reports, with permission to include the project in your portfolio and case studies.

• Reference & testimonial: After successful delivery, we can provide a written reference and a short testimonial you can quote or reference on LinkedIn if you desire.

• Real-world impact: Your art will help a small, values-led charity tell its story and reach more people who benefit from our programmes.

• Clear brief & kind feedback: A tidy brief, quick decisions, and constructive notes—useful experience working to brand style and artwork specs.

• Practical support: You will work as part of a team and gain experience working in a creative environment with other volunteers who are also working hard to develop our brand. 

How to apply

Please email us with:

1. Cover letter: Tell us why this project excites you and why you want to volunteer with us.

2. Portfolio link (required): show us hand-drawn work and any icons/animal pieces you may have produced or any other artwork that helps us to see your line of work and style.

3. Availability: when you could start.

We can’t wait to see your lines and little creatures come to life. Thanks for considering volunteering your art to help our community grow. 

Role Title: Graphic Designer

Role Purpose

Quilombo UK is looking for a Graphic Designer to join the team. Quilombo UK is a not for profit social enterprise that challenges people to think differently and bridge gaps between communities, with the aim of building a culturally rich society, where differences are accepted and celebrated. As chosen among 160 other organizations to work in collaboration with the Home Office on the “Building a Stronger Britain together” project, you will be joining a team, which not only supports the community but also stands up to extremism in all of its forms.

Quilombo UK works in collaboration with QMC Capoeira School, giving you the chance to support QMC Capoeira which is one of the most awarded Capoeira Schools in UK (UK Coaching Awards, Gillette Sports Awards, Kingston Council Sports Awards).

By joining QuilomboUK you will be supported and guided by experienced staff and volunteers, who are willing to share their skill set and will provide you with great opportunities for development in many different areas.

Ideal candidates will use their passion to promote Quilombo UK and raise its profile, while attracting new members. They should create engaging and on-brand graphics for a variety of media.

Main Responsibilities

• Study design briefs and determine requirements
• Schedule projects and define budget constraints
• Conceptualize visuals based on requirements
• Prepare rough drafts and present ideas
• Develop illustrations, logos and other designs using software or by hand
• Use the appropriate colours and layouts for each graphic
• Work with copywriters and creative director to produce final design
• Test graphics across various media
• Amend designs after feedback
• Ensure final graphics and layouts are visually appealing and on-brand

Essential Skills

• Proven graphic designing experience
• A portfolio of illustrations or other graphics / CV
• Familiarity with design software and technologies (such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Suite)
• Flexibility and openness to work on a variety of tasks
• Focused, organised and able to prioritise and execute tasks independently
• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments
• Strong team player
• A keen eye for aesthetics and details
• Excellent communication skills
• Degree in Design, Fine Arts or related field is a plus
• Must be UK resident

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate

Job Type: Volunteer