Volunteer Roles in West Midlands

Befriending Volunteer

You can make a difference…Age UK Wandsworth is a small, local, independent charity that has been working with older people in the area since 1963. We rely on your support to keep serving the older residents with in the Wamdsworth community. We have a dedicated team of experienced staff and a large network of dedicated local volunteers. Our aim is to enable everyone to age well in Wandsworth. We would love your help to be able to continue to support older Wandsworth residents.

Our Be-a-Friend service is one of our longest running services, matching people over 65, who live alone and have limited social contact, with a friendly local volunteer with similar hobbies and interests. The volunteer and their new friend set up a suitable time for them to meet each week for a chat and a cup of tea, which could be during the day, in the evening on the way home from work or even on the weekends . If you would prefer to volunteer from home, you can also be matched with an older person for telephone befriending. For many of our matched pairs, this is the beginning of a firm friendship. 

Befriending Plus

Befriending Plus is an extended version of the Be-a-Friend programme, for individulas needing help with life admin and small tasks as well as companionship. For Befriending Plus pairs, time spent together can include helping to use a phone or tablet, helping the client to organise their file, going out for a coffee or popping to the post office together. This support can help older people to stay independent at home for longer, as well as increasing their confidence to do these tasks when the volunteer is not there.

International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) was founded in 2009 and aims to provide protection and improve the welfare of animals in need. 

We are currently looking for a Research Volunteer to help support our Online Retail/Fundraising Team. This will enable us to continue raising vital funds for our animals in need by helping to identify potential sources for donations of goods or sponsorships for our projects. 

Tasks will include:

• Researching suitable businesses to reach out to.

• Gathering data and presenting findings.

• Collaborating with the Retail Manager on future projects, helping to research and develop fundraising strategies. 

• Providing support for the preparation of funding proposals.

Ideally you will;

• Have experience or an interest in a Research/Data Collection role, particularly within the charity sector.

• Be familiar with Google Workspace or willingness to learn.

• Have the ability to work independently and use your own initiative.

• Offer 1-3 hours per week (hours can be fully flexible)

What we can offer you;

• Full training and support from our Retail Manager.

• An opportunity to build your CV skills and develop your experience.

• A chance to help increase the awareness of the great work we do at IAPWA.

• A fully flexible role that can fit around your schedule via remote working.

If you would like further details about the role, please don't hesitate to reach out via the Apply button.

We're on the lookout for passionate volunteers to join us at one of our events. As a volunteer on the day you’ll be part of an amazing atmosphere and will support Mencap to make change through raising funds or engaging with your local community.

The Great North Run is the biggest half marathon in the world with over 50,000 runners taking part. Mencap has runners who have signed up to run and fundraise for us. We need you to come to our cheer point to give our runners big cheers and high fives on Sunday 8th September. We need volunteers to arrive by 10am and we will be finished by 3pm.We will send you more details about how to get there nearer the time. We will also provide you with snacks and water and a Mencap t-shirt.

Our community and fundraising events are vital to Mencap, bringing people together to share experiences, launch programmes and celebrate successes! They also often help to raise funds for our services, such as the Mencap Direct helpline, advocacy services, and national campaigns such as Treat me Well.

We hold lots of events throughout the year, including bike rides and runs from 10km all the way up to Marathons. We also do bucket collections, garden parties, Christmas wrapping sessions, and lots more!

We couldn't run these events without the support of volunteers, so by giving a few hours of your time you can help us to host events, raise vital funds to support Mencap's work and support people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

You'll be part of a diverse and inclusive team alongside volunteers with and without a learning disability. You will represent Mencap and help to promote our work and raise awareness for people with a learning disability at iconic events across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

As a Mencap Volunteer you will be:

• Friendly and Approachable
• Reliable, Kind and Patient
• A good communicator (including listener)
• Willing to volunteer within guidelines and to take direction where necessary
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself

As a Mencap volunteer you will:

• Make new friends
• Receive agreed out of pocket expenses in line with our policy e.g. travel
• Receive a full volunteer briefing and training on the day
• Volunteer alongside our experienced
• Have a chance to give back your local community

About Mencap

Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.

We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

We are looking for a patient volunteer to visit a gentleman who lives in Newcastle. This man has learning disabilities. The visits will likely be short, enough time for a chat, a cuppa, and to check in on how he is doing.

This gentleman is supported by a dedicated team who regularly take him swimming, horse riding, out for walks and for meals in the local pub or café, which any volunteer is very welcome to join.

We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing.

In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them. In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like:

• Sitting and having a chat
• Checking in on their well- being
• Going out to a local cafe/pub for a meal/drink
• Enjoying a walk
• A craft activity at home
• Reading a book/magazine together

As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:

• Friendly and approachable
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
• Reliable and patient
• Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.

As a Mencap visitor you will:

• Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit
• Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training
• Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed
• Meet new people
• Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

About Mencap 

Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

Bright Futures UK works with young people who have been forced to take time out from education due to chronic illness. We provide programmes to help stimulate learning in addition to having a social aspect that offers respite to the isolation these young people face due to their unfortunate circumstances.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide educational support and a fun, safe space for young people.
• Engage with young people in a positive and friendly way, helping them overcome their experiences and not feel defined by their illness.
• Interact with a young person on a one-to-one basis, leading conversations or trying new hobbies together (e.g., book club, video games, music, crafts).

Why You'll Love It:

• Make a significant impact by helping young people who have missed out on school experiences.
• Fit volunteering into your working day or busy schedule with a commitment starting from just 1 hour per week.
• Receive full support from Bright Futures UK staff, including training and resources.
• Gain personal fulfillment by providing much-needed companionship and support to young people facing challenging times.

What We’re Looking For:

• Warm and energetic individuals who can positively engage with young people.
• No tutoring experience necessary; full training is provided.
• Ability to create a fun and safe space for young people to explore new interests and skills.

Your sessions will be fully supported by Bright Futures UK staff – whether you have questions, need resources or materials, or just want to bounce an idea off the team, we’re here to help.

We’re looking forward to working with you to help our young people reach their true potential!

Thank you for considering this opportunity. Apply now and make a difference!

Practical Considerations:

We cover all expenses and materials used.

We are asking for one hour online a week.

DBS will be provided where needed.

Safeguarding training provided with certification.

Must be 18 or over to volunteer.

Fundraising Research Assistant Volunteer Role

Location: Remote/home working

Hours: Flexible (can include evenings and weekends)

Volunteer Manager: Major Gifts, Associate Director (or other Heads of within the fundraising team)

Purpose of role

Be part of an incredible team who raise the vital funds needed to run Thames Hospice and care for local patients with life limiting illnesses and their families. This role supports the Fundraising Team with identifying and researching potential supporters or suppliers for Thames Hospice.

Main tasks

• Research individuals, trusts and companies who have been identified by the team who may have the ability to support the hospice or work with the hospice to find out useful information (as requested by the team).
• Working with the team to identify new individuals, trusts and companies who may have the ability to support or work with the hospice
• Researching individuals, trusts and companies using online sources to discover: any donation history or links with charities, any volunteer history, professional and personal connections, personal interests, other wealth indicators
• Research other companies or connections with whom the hospice may want to work with
• Where appropriate make phone calls to companies and trusts to establish contact and find the best point of contact

Induction

• Time with the fundraising team who you will be working with
• Research training is available (subject to discussion)

In addition the following training and support will be given:

• Using the database – Donorfy
• Information governance e-learning training 
• Regular Volunteer meetings (optional)

The role is subject to a trial period after which both parties can review the suitability of the role

Knowledge, skills and abilities required

• Enthusiastic, committed and able to use initiative
• Experience of researching through online sources 
• Able to summarise information found and communicate this back in an effective way

Thames Hospice Values: Compassion, Ambition, Respect, Excellence

Thames Hospice is committed to being an equal opportunities organisation; to promoting equal opportunities and preventing discrimination. Thames Hospice is also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all service users, volunteers and staff and expects all volunteers and staff to share this commitment.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

We are looking for a lively dynamic individual to promote the activities of Sussex Area Ramblers by regular communications with members and engaging with local media by producing press releases and responding to enquiries. 

The main purposes of the role are (1) to maintain regular communications with Sussex Area Ramblers’ members by producing articles for publication on the Area Website and distributing email communications to keep members up to date with Area activities, including developing a social media strategy and (2) to communicate (together where necessary with Ramblers' Central Office) with media in the Area, including by way of proactive press releases, and deal with media enquiries, to ensure that the activities and charitable role of the Sussex Ramblers are given a high profile

Apply to be a trustee with Scottish Child Law Centre 

We are looking for new trustees to complement our existing board to ensure the centre is fully supported and we can take our work forward effectively. 

The role is voluntary. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered where required.

Trustees will be expected to attend 4-6 board meetings a year (online/hybrid) and provide appropriate support to the board and the centre as required.

The Scottish Child Law Centre

The Scottish Child Law Centre has been providing free expert legal advice and training on children’s rights and child law across Scotland for 32 years. We focus on those who need us most to:

· Deliver free and confidential legal advice to children and young people and those who care for and support them

· Educate and inform children and young people and those who support them of their rights

· Influence legal, systemic and policy change using the data and evidence gathered from delivering advice and training

The Centre is going through an exciting period of transition, and over the next 2 years we will be building on our services provision, including outreach work, advice, and training. We work co-productively alongside those that we exist to support to design services to reach those who need us most.

With the recent incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, this is an exciting time to help realise children's rights, and we are looking for new trustees to help support the Centre achieve its vision for all children and young people growing up in Scotland to have their rights respected, protected, and fulfilled.

About WeSwim:

WeSwim is a dynamic and inclusive organisation dedicated to making swimming accessible to everyone. Our mission is to provide dedicated activity sessions for adults with disabilities, in swimming pools across London. With sessions led by friendly volunteers across 5 pools, WeSwim creates a safe space for its diverse communities to be sociable, build confidence and become more active.
 

Role Overview:

WeSwim is recruiting a new team of Trustees and is seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our Board of Trustees. As a Trustee, you will play a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of our organisation, ensuring effective governance, and supporting our mission to enable every adult with a disability, a local opportunity to be active in, and around, water.

Key Responsibilities:

• Governance: Ensure WeSwim complies with its governing documents, charity law, company law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

• Strategy: Contribute to the development and implementation of WeSwim's strategic goals and objectives.

• Financial Oversight: Monitor the financial health of the organization, ensuring proper financial controls are in place.

• Advocacy: Act as an ambassador for WeSwim, promoting our mission and values to a wider audience.

• Support and Guidance: Provide support and guidance to the executive team, drawing on your expertise and experience.

Who We're Looking For:

WeSwim actively encourages people with disabilities to apply.  Applications from individuals with a diverse range of skills and backgrounds are welcome. Ideal candidates will have:

• Passion for Our Mission: A strong commitment to promoting swimming and water safety.

• Professional Expertise: Skills in areas such as finance, fundraising, digital, marketing, law, HR, or nonprofit management.

• Leadership Experience: Previous experience in a governance or leadership role is desirable.

• Commitment: Willingness to dedicate time and effort to fulfill the responsibilities of a Trustee.

• Team Player: Ability to work collaboratively with other board members and the executive team.

Benefits:

• Impact: Play a significant role in shaping the future of a growing organisation and making a positive difference in communities.

• Development: Enhance your professional skills and gain experience in nonprofit governance.

• Network: Connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional network.

• Fulfillment: Contribute to a cause you are passionate about and see the tangible impact of your work.

WeSwim is committed to promoting equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and strive to ensure our Board is representative of the diverse communities we serve. We especially welcome candidates with disabilities. 

Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to our mission.

About Us

With Jesus. With each other. To the edges.

We are passionate about God’s mission and eager to see more and more people become followers of Jesus. For 225 years CMS has been at the forefront of global mission, living out the gospel of Jesus, seeing lives changed and communities transformed across the globe. Often in ways we could not have anticipated. 

Founded by William Wilberforce and other members of the Clapham Sect group of activists in 1799, today CMS supports hundreds of people and partners in mission working together across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. We also train UK Christians for creative, ground-breaking mission in Britain. 

Context

With mission no longer being a “West to the rest” endeavour, and as Christianity has flourished in parts of the majority world, we have undertaken a prayerful review of our organisation, in order to discern our mission call for this generation.

We have rediscovered and been re-inspired by the pioneering spirit of our founders. We believe our calling for this time is to the “edges”: to the edges of society, the edges of church and to the edges of our comfort zones. To that end, we have been aligning our organisation and focus to play a catalytic role in facilitating movements of mission to and from these edges.

The Role

Taking a listening and reflective approach, as Chair you will draw out the diverse skills and wisdom among our trustees, ensure excellence in our governance, support the executive leadership in delivering our refreshed vision and play a role in strengthening our links with the Global Anglican Communion.

If you share our passion for following Jesus and making disciples at the edges, bring experience at board level, a highly relational approach and a global perspective, we would love to hear from you.

For more information see the job pack attached. Closing date 14 August.

Do you care about young people and believe in the power of youth work to help shape the future of young lives?

TPP are proud to be partnering with the National Youth Agency (NYA) in the search for two Trustees.

We’re ideally looking for candidates with the following skillsets (no prior trustee experience required):

• A Qualified Financial Management/Accountant – (view to Chairing the Finance and Governance Committee)
• Marketing & Communications

The NYA is the national professional, statutory and regulatory body responsible for qualifications, quality and standards for youth work.  Their mission is to transform the lives of young people in England and beyond through the power of youth work.  They offer guidance, support, advice, training and standards for youth workers and youth work organisations.

The NYA are looking for two candidates who fully support their vision of a world where every young person can access youth work.  They particularly welcome applications from candidates who will help the NYA better reflect the diversity of the youth sector.

By joining their Board you’ll get:

• The opportunity to contribute to the success of a national charity
• The chance to use your strategic knowledge to make a lasting impact
• The chance to meet and work with people outside of your sector
• Full commitment to any Board development required.
• Full induction.
• Reimbursement of any travel costs.

It’s an exciting time to join the NYA as they celebrate their 60th anniversary and embark on a new 5-year strategy to continue being a highly effective, impactful and sustainable organisation for the next 60 years. 

Time Commitment

Estimated 1.5 days a month.

The NYA Trustee Board meets 4 x per year (1-2 times in person, otherwise meetings are held virtually).   There is an annual staff and trustee strategy day scheduled for 22nd November 2024 which would be highly beneficial for the new trustees to attend if available.

Nb.  The Trustee is subject to the provision of all child protection legislation and all policies governing staff that work with children and adults at risk.

To apply for this role, please either reply to this advert putting NYA in the title, with an updated version of your CV or contact Lisa Ross,  Matt Adams or Lenrick Greaves via the TPP Recruitment website.

In the first instance you will be sent an information pack with details about the role and recruitment process, but the team are on hand to answers any questions that you may have about the role, so please do get in touch if you would like a confidential discussion.

The closing date for applications Friday 9th August 5.00pm. 

Unwaste.io is a UK based social enterprise using data to create a circular economy for plastic. Our cloud platform, Wastebase, collects data about single-use plastic waste found in the environment. We encourage individuals, communities and NGOs to use our free Wastebase app to collect evidence about the plastic waste they find in their area. We want producers to take responsibility for where their waste ends up. Our data can help them do that.

We’re looking for a UK-based volunteer who can help connect with community organisations in the UK and encourage more people to use Wastebase to support their activities. If you like being out and about, talking to people who want to improve their community and you are interested in improving the environment, this might be the role for you.

Regular tasks

We’ll support you to understand our aims and audience and encourage you to bring your own ideas and creativity to what we do. Regular tasks will involve:

• identifying and engaging with community organisations involved in local clean ups, waste or litter campaigning or plastic free advocacy through Facebook, instagram and TikTok, supported by our Social Media Manager

• joining local clean ups in person to demonstrate the Wastebase app and get people excited about using it

• joining meetings remotely to give demos or presentations about Wastebase, supported by our comms lead

• distributing posters for community groups to use in their local displays

Essential requirements

• willingness and confidence to get out and talk to local groups in person

• access to own car or ability to travel independently with the local area (up to a day trip - we don’t expect you to make extended or overnight trips)

• confidence in public speaking (remote or in person) and engaging people on a personal level

• confidence in using digital tools to make presentations or demos (for example, Google Meet, Google Slides)

• experience in using social media to connect with people or organisations

Desirable requirements

• knowledge of or interest in plastic reduction, waste management or the circular economy

• desire to create positive impact on the environment 

• previous experience of working with a community organisation in an engagement or marketing role

Expenses

Unwaste.io will reimburse reasonable travel expenses (including fuel). This could include train travel to meet a community group, for example, plus lunch if out for a whole day. These must be agreed in advance.

Working schedule

We expect our volunteers to join regular weekly check ins - these are usually about 30 mins at an agreed time. Outside of this, we expect you to manage your own time and complete tasks in a way that suits both your schedule and the requirements of the role. This is likely to include some time at the weekends (to join clean ups) or in the evenings.

We are always available to answer questions and offer support and encourage all of our team to ask for help whenever they need it. If you are joining clean ups and events, we will support you to do this safely. 

Training and support

We’ll provide you with appropriate training on our app and data management platform, as well as the collaboration tools we use. We’ll also support you to develop your knowledge of plastics and the circular economy, and to build your skills around community engagement (writing, presentation, identifying contacts for example). You'll be supported by our Partnerships and Comms lead and will work alongside our Social Media Manager and Data Volunteer.

If you wish to use this role as a basis for a personal study project or portfolio project, we will be happy to provide you with additional access to our data and digital tools.

Future opportunities

This is an unpaid role and we can’t guarantee any future employment with Unwaste.io. However, your experience as a volunteer would be very valuable if you chose to apply for any future roles with us. We always encourage our volunteers to apply for relevant roles if they come up.

Statutory Duties

1. To ensure the organisation complies with its governing document - sometimes known as a trust deed, constitution, or articles of association.

2. To ensure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document.

3. To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives - the charity must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objectives, no matter how 'charitable' and 'worthwhile' those activities are.

4. To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.

5. To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.

6. To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

7. To ensure the financial stability of the organisation.

8. To protect and manage the property of the organisation and to ensure the properinvestment of the organisation's funds.

External Relations

1. Act as an ambassador for the cause and the charity.

2. Maintain close relationships with key stakeholders.

3. Act as a spokesperson for the organisation when appropriate.

4. Represent the charity at external functions, meetings, and events.

5. Facilitate change and address any potential conflict with external stakeholders.6. Introduce the charity to potential supporters and foster new relationships.

Efficiency and Effectiveness

1. Effectively and efficiently, impartiality and objectivity are brought to decision-making processes.

2. Engage and support that all decisions are taken in the best, long-term interests of the Charity and that the Board takes collective ownership.

3. Foster and maintain relationships between the Trustees.4. Work closely with all trustees and the senior leadership team to give direction to Board policy-making and to ensure that meetings are well planned, meaningful and reflect the responsibilities of all trustees.

5. Ensure accountability that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.

Relationship with the Chief Executive and the Wider Executive Team

1. Foster an open and transparent working relationship with the Executive Team – CEO,Head of Operations and Head of Finance. Embed clear lines of communication to ensure the Chair and Board work together.

2. Ensure you develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship within which trustee can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges.

3. Liaise with the Chief Executive to maintain an overview of the Charity’s affairs

4. Support the Chair conduct an annual appraisal and remuneration review for the Chief Executive in consultation with all other Trustees.

As well as the various statutory duties, any trustee should make full use of any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the board make good decisions.

The above list of duties is indicative only and not exhaustive. Trustees will be expected to perform all such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the role.

About Us: HavenWeb is a newly established organisation dedicated to empower people to grow their own food while building community. As we embark on our first year of operations, we are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Volunteer Accountant to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact in a growing organization and gain valuable experience in the nonprofit sector.

Role Overview: The Volunteer Accountant will play a crucial role in ensuring the financial health and compliance of HavenWeb. This position involves managing our financial records, filing annual accounts, and setting up our payroll system. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of accounting principles and a passion for helping a nascent organisation thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and file annual accounts by the September 2024 deadline.
• Assist in setting up and implementing a payroll system.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records.
• Support the creation of financial reports and statements.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations and standards.
• Collaborate with the team to improve financial processes and controls.

Qualifications:

• Relevant accounting qualifications or working towards them.
• Experience with filing annual accounts.
• Knowledge of payroll systems and procedures.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in financial reporting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Commitment: This is a volunteer position with a flexible schedule. We estimate that the role will require approximately 1 hour per week.

Benefits:

• Gain hands-on experience in nonprofit accounting.
• Contribute to the growth and success of a new organisation.
• Build your resume with valuable skills and experience.
• Be part of a passionate and supportive team.

Join us in making a difference at HavenWeb!