Voluntary Social Welfare Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Family Friends carefully recruits, trains, and matches volunteers with families in Central-West London. Our befriending volunteers offer long-term practical and emotional support based on each family's unique needs and potential. We offer two befriending volunteer opportunities with us-, Big Buddies and Parent Buddies.
Our Big Buddies support young people, aged 10-18, for a few hours each week over a period of 6 -12 months. With encouragement and support, volunteers will aim to help young people to discover their strengths and build confidence.
Support may look like:
- Helping to strengthen family relationships.
- Providing a listening ear
- Taking young person to the cinema, museums, libraries - broadening their horizons!
Essential Criteria:
- Can commit to the Big Buddies programme for a minimum of 6 months
- 18+
- Must have lived in the UK for the last 2 years
What we provide in return:
- Full induction training and ongoing training
- Full DBS check
- Support and supervision
- The chance to learn new skills
- References provided after 6 months' commitment
- Reimbursement of travel and session expenses
We are an equal opportunities charity and we value the principles of diversity and inclusion, which is central in providing successful support to our families. We welcome and would like to encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQI+ and individuals from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds.
In the first instance, please register your interest in becoming a volunteer with us by contacting us here for an online application form.
Once we've reviewed your application, a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
***This is an unpaid voluntary role***
Our data entry and admin volunteers keep all the Abbey cogs turning, keeping our various databases and systems up to date which is vital for our monitoring, fundraising and project management. Gain valuable office experience while making a difference to a local community organisation. Help us once a week for up to 2 hours max between 11am and 1pm (minimum 2 month commitment) and we'll shower you with gratitude, cuppas and biscuits!
Qualities you need for this role
- This role is suited to you if you enjoy working with data, are meticulous with a good eye for detail
- Basic IT skills and ability to learn new software
- Reliability and punctuality
When you'll be needed
Two hours a week for a minimum of six months.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
***This is an unpaid voluntary role***
A crucial volunteer role at the centre, volunteer Centre Assistants help out at least one afternoon per week to warmly welcome members to the centre, help with queries (in person, by email and over the phone) and direct people to our various activities. This is an active and varied way to volunteer where no two days are the same!
Qualities you need for this role
- Confidence and communication skills in person and over the phone
- Reliable, dependable and a good sense of humour
- Flexibility, happy to support staff as needed
- Able to think on your feet
- Basic IT skills
When you'll be needed
- An afternoon per week: volunteers must commit for at least six months
- Monday-Friday between the hours 1:00pm - 5:00pm
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
***This is an unpaid volunteer role***
A crucial volunteer role at the centre, volunteer Centre Assistants help out at least one morning per week to warmly welcome members to the centre, help with queries (in person, by email and over the phone) and direct people to our various activities. This is an active and varied way to volunteer where no two days are the same!
Qualities you need for this role
• Confidence and communication skills in person and over the phone
• Reliable, dependable and a good sense of humour
• Flexibility, happy to support staff as needed
• Able to think on your feet
• Basic IT skills
When you'll be needed
• A morning per week: volunteers must commit for at least six months
• Monday-Friday between the hours 9:30am – 1:00pm
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
***This is an unpaid voluntary role***
A crucial volunteer role at the centre, volunteer Reception Helpers help out at least one afternoon per week to warmly welcome members to the centre, help with queries (in person, by email and over the phone) and direct people to our various activities. This is an active and varied way to volunteer where no two days are the same!
Qualities you need for this role
- Confidence and communication skills in person and over the phone
- Reliable, dependable and a good sense of humour
- Flexibility, happy to support staff as needed
- Able to think on your feet
- Basic IT skills
When you'll be needed
- An afternoon per week: volunteers must commit for at least six months
- Monday-Friday between the hours 1:00pm – 5:00pm
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
***This is an unpaid voluntary role***
A crucial volunteer role at the centre, volunteer Reception Helpers help out at least one morning per week to warmly welcome members to the centre, help with queries (in person, by email and over the phone) and direct people to our various activities. This is an active and varied way to volunteer where no two days are the same!
Qualities you need for this role
- Confidence and communication skills in person and over the phone
- Reliable, dependable and a good sense of humour
- Flexibility, happy to support staff as needed
- Able to think on your feet
- Basic IT skills
When you'll be needed
- A morning per week: volunteers must commit for at least six months
- Monday-Friday between the hours 9:30am – 1:00pm
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
***This is an unpaid voluntary role***
Perfect for you if you are a people-person, warm and chatty (and love cuppas and biscuits!). Co-host our Friday Coffee Mornings at 10.15 am – 12.15 pm (event runs 10.30 am -12.00 pm), welcome, chat and engage others in conversation. Help us set up and clear away as well to round off the fun!
Qualities you need for this role
- Someone able to chat and engage people in conversations
- Ability to communicate with people of all different ages and backgrounds, being mindful of any support needs or health conditions people may have
- Reliability and punctuality
When you'll be needed
- Fridays 10:15am – 12:15pm.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
***This is an unpaid voluntary role***
Make an amazing difference in someone’s life through being a friendly face connecting them with the outside world, reducing isolation and loneliness and bringing a much-needed smile to their day.
Our award-winning Kilburn Good Neighbours scheme has been a lifeline for over 60s in Kilburn and West Hampstead for almost 25 years. Volunteers visit members regularly in their homes, building a relationship with them and working with the Kilburn Good Neighbours lead to communicate any additional needs they have. Some volunteers also support with odd jobs like shopping, escorting the member to the centre or DIY tasks. Training and induction is provided.
Qualities you need for this role
- Chatty, friendly, open-minded people, preferably living locally
- Able to maintain good boundaries
- Reliable, dependable and great at timekeeping
- This role requires an enhanced DBS check, which we will organise
When you'll be needed
- A minimum of 1 hour per week, for a minimum of 6-12 month
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you looking for a challenging but rewarding volunteer opportunity?
We are seeking volunteers to work with adults and young people who have sexually harmed to integrate them safely into the community, model appropriate behaviour and combat social isolation which can often lead to re-offending. You will be part of a small group of volunteers who will work with a 'core member' to provide a Circle of Support & Accountability. You will have close support from a trained coordinator.
Our mission is 'No More Victims' and hope to create safer communities.
Circles South West needs more Circle Volunteers from all walks of life. We are looking for adults who are approachable and emotionally stable, with a mature outlook. The ability to maintain firm boundaries is essential. Circle Volunteers commit around 2-3 hours per week for 12 months. We provide full training, ongoing professional support and reimburse expenses. Appointment is dependent on suitability assessment, satisfactory references and criminal records checks.
Please note: we can no longer accept foreign nationals without a full criminal record check from their country of origin to our programme due to new DBS guidelines. If you were born outside of the UK or have spent a significant amount of time abroad then please let me know at enquiry.
Circles South West are a community-led organisation that seeks to reduce sexual harm. Our vision is 'No More Victims'.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
***This is an unpaid voluntary role***
Tech Buddies is a project with a huge positive impact on social connectedness and mental health among our older neighbours. The aim of Tech Buddies is to inspire and then support older people to get digitally connected and confident, to stay safe online and to use the internet regularly until they are happy to do so on their own. Together, the Tech Buddy volunteer and learner explore what technology can offer.
Wednesdays and/or Saturdays you’ll be helping members aged 60+ get savvy using their smart phones, tablets, and laptops. You could be helping with anything from sending emails to installing apps.
Qualities you need for this role
- Tech Buddy volunteers need to be regular users of technology (e.g. computers/tablets/smartphones) with a genuine desire to share your skills and help older people use technology.
- Warm and friendly, a good listener
- Reliable and dependable (good timekeeper)
- Non-judgmental, patient with a good sense of humour!
- A good communicator who knows their boundaries and has good spoken English
When you'll be needed
- Wednesdays 2-4pm (30-60 min sessions) and/or
- 1st Saturday of each month 10:00am – 12:00pm (30-60 min sessions)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
***This is an unpaid voluntary role***
Mornings couldn’t be more fun! You’ll be part of a wonderful team of dedicated staff gaining excellent experience in childcare and family support.
Our Children's Services runs creative, fun sessions for under 5s and their parents/carers which offer a nurturing and supportive environment for all children. In these roles you could be assisting with activities like crafts, storytime and songtime, helping children develop skills inline with Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, setting up and clearing away equipment, greeting parents and carers and building relationships with them.
Qualities you need for this role
- Reliable, dependable, and great at timekeeping
- Honest, committed and patient with a good sense of humour!
- Open-minded, respectful, and an excellent team player
- All Children's Service volunteers undergo a DBS check and induction with their manager; they must also submit two references.
When you'll be needed
Drop-ins: Mondays -Thursdays 9.30 am – 12.30 pm and/or
Creche: Volunteering Monday – Thursdays 12.45pm – 3.15 pm
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join us in making a difference in our community by ensuring everyone has access to the food they need. Your help can bring a positive change to many lives!
Role Overview:
Join our dedicated team at Abbey Community Centre to help combat food insecurity in our community. As a Community Food Club Volunteer, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that food donations are efficiently received, sorted, and distributed to local elderly people and families with young children aged 5 and under. Your efforts will directly contribute to providing much-needed support to those experiencing food insecurity.
Key Responsibilities:
Receiving Food Deliveries:
- Welcome and assist delivery drivers.
- Check and record the received items against delivery notes.
- Ensure all food items are handled and stored according to safety guidelines.
Sorting and Bagging Food Donations:
- Sort donated food items by type and ensure they meet quality standards.
- Organize and pack food items into bags or boxes for distribution.
- Ensure that the right quantity and variety of food is packed for each family and elderly recipient.
Distribution Preparation:
- Help set up the distribution area.
- Ensure all packed bags are ready for distribution days.
- Assist in maintaining a clean and organized workspace.
Record Keeping:
- Help maintain accurate records of food received and distributed.
- Assist with inventory management to track stock levels.
Skills and Experience:
Essential:
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively.
- Physical ability to lift and carry bags/boxes of food.
- Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and respecting the privacy of recipients.
Desirable:
- Previous experience in a similar role or in food handling.
- Knowledge of food safety standards.
- Basic record-keeping skills.
Personal Qualities:
- Compassionate and empathetic attitude towards people facing food insecurity.
- Reliable and punctual.
- Willingness to follow instructions and adhere to health and safety guidelines.
- Positive and proactive approach to volunteering.
When you'll be needed:
Between 2-3 hours on Tuesday afternoons
Benefits:
- Gain valuable experience in food distribution and community service.
- Make a meaningful impact on the lives of local families and elderly individuals.
- Meet new people and become part of a supportive and friendly team.
- Receive training and ongoing support from our project coordinator.
Abbey Community Centre is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are setting up a poetry group here at Birch Lane and are looking for a volunteer to help facilitate the group. Your volunteer role will include promoting the group to residents and encouraging attendance. Helping to set up the room for the session including moving tables and chairs if necessary. Set up any equipment for the group, searching poetry websites and printing out copies of the poem, and connecting to speakers to play audiobooks, being comfortable with IT equipment and navigating the internet would be a plus for this role. You will also make refreshments and tidy away at the end of the session.
During the session you will read the poems to the group and start the discussion afterwards with a couple of questions prepared to get people talking. You will need to be comfortable reading aloud to a group of people and as a poetry group facilitator you will be skilled in steering the discussion and keeping the conversation on topic and flowing. You will have a love of poetry and an interest in sharing this with group members. The group will run collaboratively and you will choose the poems for the sessions together, and encourage group members to read the poems aloud if they feel comfortable to do so.
Volunteer Duties:
· Promote the poetry group to residents.
· Choose poems for the group in collaboration with residents.
· Read the poems aloud to the group and lead the discussion afterwards, with a couple of discussion starter questions prepared.
· Be comfortable using IT equipment including searching website, navigating apps, printing, and connecting to speakers.
· Set up equipment for the session, and move tables and chairs if necessary.
· Prepare refreshments for the group.
· Display a friendly demeanour whilst respecting Creative Support policies on boundaries and Safeguarding.
· Report any concerns to Creative Support staff members
· Attend regular supervisions and undertake all training provided.
As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly Volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer’s peer support group. Together we can make a difference.
Suggested Time Commitment: Every Thursday 10:30am till 1pm
Creative Support is a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Silver award. We actively encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and cultures.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed.
After visiting Smart Works, 63% of clients secure a job within a month, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.
The Smart Works service is delivered in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, Reading and Leeds. Over the past ten years, Smart Works has helped over 35,000 women. It is our mission that any woman who needs our service should be able to find her way to a Smart Works centre.
In April 2022, Smart Works launched a new Three-Year Plan that will see the charity double the number of women helped annually from 5,000 to 10,000 women a year. To achieve this, we will grow our existing centres and open new centres in areas of need.
Smart Works Newcastle operating as a licensee of Smart Works Charity, is led by a Board of passionate and dedicated trustees, who are responsible for the managing the service in the north east. This covers the legal aspects of governance – however don’t worry we don’t expect you to have experience of this you’d be trained and supported. More information about who we are can be found on our Smart Works website.
About the role
A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the Smart Works Newcastle Board of Trustees as a Shadow Trustee, someone who can gain experience from the current board in an advisory role. This is great progression into an official trustee role. (A Trustee is a legal term for anyone in a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of others.)
The Shadow Trustee will support in raising the profile of the Smart Works Newcastle service with the aim of helping younger clients aged 16-25 access the service, advocating for and being the voice of young people, helping shape the service to appeal to the younger demographic offering insight and advice. You really need to be able to put yourself in the shoes of a younger person and give that perspective.
This will enable us to continue to deliver our core service and increase the number of women we can support into work by dressing and coaching women for interview and job success.
This is a brilliant development opportunity for someone with the aspiration and potential to become an advocate for young people in the Northeast.
The time commitment for this voluntary, unpaid role is an average of equivalent of around two days per month, with more time given at busy periods of the year, we are flexible to fit around other commitments. There will be a requirement to attend board meetings four times per year (they are usually 3 hours) and share ideas with the staff team, join board meetings, take part in discussions and inform decision-making. There may also be some mini projects which may or may not include sitting on a working group from time to time. We also run brilliant events around fashion, support, coaching and sales which you can get involved in.
You won’t be thrown in at the deep end and you’d be given support and coaching by the experienced Trustees.
If you feel you have valuable experience and skills to contribute to the Smart Works mission and would like to develop your career and experience in the charity sector and speak for younger people, we would love to hear from you.
General Duties of a Smart Works Trustee
- Work with the Chair of the Board of Trustees to ensure the centre is well-run and managed effectively.
- Provide insights, suggest ideas, encourage scrutiny, and challenge traditional ways of thinking.
- Provide support to help decide on the plans and strategic direction of the Centre.
- Advocate for the Centre, raising its profile and the awareness of the Smart Works service for young clients in the north east.
- Build strong working relationships with the Chair, trustees, staff, volunteers and supporters.
- Work in a small team and use your interpersonal and communication skills to support anyone.
“This is a fantastic developmental opportunity to be the voice of young people across Newcastle and the North East and to help shape the Smart Works Newcastle service”. Sarah Lamb, Smart Works Newcastle
Personal Specification
The successful applicant is not required to have any experience just the willingness to support our Smart Works mission. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn from and be mentored by the current board who will support and nurture them. The successful applicant will need to be enthusiastic and able to communicate and share their ideas effectively.
They will be a voice for young people in the service. They should be able to advise us from a young person's perspective on things like clothing offer, socials and outreach.
As this is a voluntary, unpaid role it requires a self-starting and proactive approach with the capacity and time to challenge, engage and contribute to the work of the Board in a positive manner.
It is essential that all applicants believe in the mission of Smart Works and align with our core values, share a commitment to fairness and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, acting at all times with honesty and integrity.
We welcome applicants from talented people of diverse characteristics including age, disability, race and ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or by marginalised group.
Learn More and Application Process
If you are interested in learning more about the role before applying, please reach out to be connected with a member of the Smart Works Newcastle Board of Trustees.
To apply for this position, please click the link above and apply via our website.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview w/c 14th October. From this, selected candidates will meet with the Smart Works Charity CEO for appointment.
We exist to give unemployed women the clothing, coaching and confidence they need to succeed at interview and get the job.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role Description:
We are seeking volunteers anywhere in the UK to help out with Study Group sessions for young Refugees or young people seeking asylum. We have continued to keep study group online as it enables community members from across and outside of London to get help and support with homework.
The Study Group sessions are delivered weekly on Zoom, every Tuesday from 5.30-6.30 pm.
Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:
The role of a Study Group volunteer can include:
- Providing learners with homework support; preferably 1:1 in Zoom breakout rooms (may be extended to 1 volunteer to 2 young people in busy sessions).
- Promoting other online learning. ie. Reading an extract of an e-book together/ playing games to learn English/ completing a quiz on a topic of interest.
- Providing social and emotional support to young people. Many of the young people that attend will be quite isolated at this time and will therefore benefit from the social element of Study Group.
- Supporting young people with a range of technical issues relating to their laptop/phone/ zoom.
- Staying for debrief after each session to feedback on what you covered with the Young Person in your breakout room. This offers a space to learn and share resources/ ideas for future weeks with other volunteers.
Benefits of volunteering with CARAS:
Study Group Volunteers will have the opportunity to:
- Attend CARAS induction training which covers Safeguarding
- The opportunity to further professional development through attending other free training opportunities CARAS distribute regularly
- A safe and supportive space to improve your mentoring/teaching skills
- Gain first-hand experience of some of the issues young Refugee and Asylum Seeking people face and contribute to making London a better place for them to be
- Receive support and feedback on teaching from the Project Coordinator through supervision meetings
- Obtain a work reference after three months of weekly (or six months of fortnightly) volunteering.
- Be part of the wider CARAS team and join in other activities with volunteers.
All training and Study Group sessions are delivered online, so you won’t need to travel to the CARAS office in London. No prior experience of online teaching is required, but you will need a laptop or desktop PC with a good microphone and internet connection. You will be required to share your screen on your laptop but all basic Zoom functions can be taught upon induction.
About the organisation:
CARAS is a registered charity working with people in south London and beyond who have an asylum or refugee background. Our values are:
- Kindness. CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents and interests.
- Justice. CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all of our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.
- Empowerment. CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.
- ‘With’ not ‘for’. CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.
Requirements:
Essential
- To be 18 years or older;
- To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
- To be reliable and punctual;
- Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
- Currently resident in the UK;
- Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
- Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to the start of role
- To be able to attend at least 2 sessions every month
- To have a quiet confidential space from which to participate and to provide your own device and microphone with access to zoom
Desirable
- Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.