Voluntary Volunteer Roles

As a Group Leader at Youth Challenge Oxfordshire (YoCO), you will play a key role in guiding and supporting young people through our 18-month program. This involves leading weekly 2-hour sessions in Faringdon, creating a safe and engaging environment, and driving personal development.

Responsibilities:

• Lead a 2-hour weekly session during term time, following YoCO’s unique programme: ME (self-awareness), US (group dynamics), and THEM (community & global causes).
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and fun environment, supporting the personal development of all group members.
• Plan fundraising activities alongside your group and the YoCO support team, and attend events (some may be on weekends).
• Lead the group on a 5-day UK residential trip organized by YoCO.
• Regularly update YoCO staff on the group’s progress and address any issues.
• Attend an induction with the Group Manager, complete a DBS check, and receive First Aid and Safeguarding training (funded by YoCO).

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Passionate and Motivated: Enthusiastic about working with vulnerable young people, with a commitment to motivating and inspiring them to reach their full potential. Able to act as a positive role model and build strong, trusting relationships.
• Strong Communication: Excellent listening skills and a non-judgmental attitude.
• DBS Check: Must have or be able to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Travel Ready: Willing to participate in a 5-day UK residential trip and able to commute to Faringdon
• Team Player: Enjoys working collaboratively as part of a team.

Note: Expenses will be covered.

We are looking for volunteers who are artists and performers (e.g. poets, dancers, musicians, actors, artists) to visit people in their homes. 

Volunteer will deliver a short performance to an older person or provide an opportunity for them to participate in an arts activity.

Many of the clients we support in this service are housebound or do not have the confidence or opportunity to attend events. Some clients are artists and performers who no longer get an opportunity to engage with this aspect of their lives.

Giving people who are living with memory loss an opportunity to be part of creative activities is a stimulating, fun way of putting them in touch with memories, other people and the wider community.

What will you get out of it?

• You will be making a difference to the lives of older people
• A chance to share your talents 
• Meeting new people

Oxfam's Lancaster Shop is looking for Shop Volunteers to help Oxfam’s fight to support the world’s most vulnerable communities.

We’re looking for volunteers who can give 4-8 hours (or more!) of their time in the shop each week, and we’re excited to welcome brand new volunteers to our stores!

Right now, we're looking for people to help out in the shop/on the till on Monday through Wednesday- but we do have volunteering opportunities every day of the week!

Location: 62/64 Penny Street, Lancaster, LA1 1XF

Become a volunteer!

We like to give volunteers an opportunity to try a range of areas before they find something that suits them. You might become a Shop Volunteer, Bookshop Volunteer or Music Shop Volunteer. Or, you might find yourself in a more specialist role such as a Social Media Volunteer, Online Shop Volunteer, Admin/Finance Support Volunteer, or even a Lead Volunteer.

Whatever your skills or interests, there’s something for everyone…

Why be a volunteer?

Your time will make a huge difference. We estimate one four-hour shift will, on average, provide enough income to enable Oxfam to provide life-saving handwashing facilities for 81 people.

Volunteering also has a positive impact on wellbeing, with an incredible 7 in 10 volunteers saying that their charitable actions were beneficial for their mental health.

Benefits of becoming a Volunteer:

· Gain genuine experience working in a retail environment.

· Volunteering can help you learn new skills, gain experience, and develop your CV.

· Great way to meet new people & be part of a community. Volunteering can help you feel part of something outside your friends and family.

· Be part of a fantastic team and make a positive change to the world.

· Opportunity to utilise and develop your transferable skills.

Volunteering with Oxfam will give you the skills, confidence and experience you need to build your CV and boost your employability. Problem solving, communication, working with others and familiarity with the workplace are universally valued by employers.

No experience is necessary as full training and an induction will be given. You don't need to be computer literate to join our team; there are volunteer opportunities for all. All we ask is that you’re happy to work as part of a diverse and inclusive team.

We can be flexible around parenting, caring, health, employment, education, and any other commitments you have.

Tempted? Apply now!

Oxfam reimburses Volunteer expenses incurred in line with Oxfam’s Volunteer Expenses Policy: local, reasonable travel expenses, & lunch (if volunteering over 5 hours).

· We take the welfare of volunteers and everyone we work with very seriously. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying, abuse of power, or any sexual misconduct within the workplace.

· Oxfam do not accept applications from anyone on the Sex Offenders list. We may inquire about unspent convictions relevant to the role and you may be required to submit to PVG/DBS check (at no expense to you).

· *NB: due to the current capacity of some shops, it may be that you will be placed on a waiting list and/or, if you are under 18, until a shop has enough staff and/or volunteers DBS cleared. The Shop Manager will discuss this with you.

Our retail stores raise vital funds enabling us to provide care and support to those living with a life limiting illness, and their families, across the whole of Cardiff.

As part of our continuing commitment to grow and strengthen our retail business to support more people… we have the pleasure to announce we are opening a new store and donation warehouse in Colchester Avenue!

This exciting new store will be our largest and offer a full range of home, electrical, clothes and furniture alongside a community space to rent and a donation warehouse to support all our retail stores. 

To make this store a big success our wonderful Retail Manager is going to need an army of amazing volunteers to process stock, replenish the store and give fabulous customer service.

· So, do you fancy being part of a brand-new team?

· Are you looking to make new friends, learn new skills or put old ones to good use?

· Perhaps you’d simply like to help support your local community by volunteering for a worthwhile cause.

Whatever your reason to volunteer, we’d love to hear from you! We will have a variety of volunteer shifts available on the day of your choice so we’re certain there’ll be something suitable to fit in with your lifestyle.

Paul, a Retail Volunteer says:

“The best thing about volunteering here is becoming part of the Hospice’s family and being able to contribute to an amazing local charity”.

No previous retail or volunteering experience required. Full training provided and reasonable out of pocket travel expenses will be reimbursed upon request.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

We’re looking for enthusiastic and reliable retail volunteers to help support our charity shops. Our shops raise vital funds to enable us to support those in the local community living with a life limiting illness and their families.

We currently have a range of opportunities available at our stores located in Ely, Llanishen, Rhiwbina, Penarth and Whitchurch. We also have a new store opening shortly in the Penylan area of Cardiff!!

Retail volunteers take part in a range of tasks such as sorting donations, pricing and providing excellent customer service. By volunteering in our shops, you’ll be making a huge difference and become part of a friendly, welcoming team. You’ll also be giving something back to your community.

You don’t need any retail experience for this role, full training will be provided.

With plenty of opportunities currently available, please get in touch with us today to find a store and shift that works for you. Our retail teams can’t wait to welcome you on-board!

The service supports older people who have been identified as isolated, living in the community.  Volunteers are matched with an older person who would like a befriender to provide social contact and company by visiting them in their home weekly.

What you will get out of it?

• You'll be making a difference to the lives of older people.
• You'll gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact on older people’s lives.
• It's a great way to share your knowledge and keep your skills fresh.

Many older people in Camden experience social isolation and loneliness. Our Telefriend Volunteers offer older people companionship and company over the phone.

What you will get out of it?

• You will be making a difference to the lives of older people.
• You will gain an insight into the issues that impact on the older people’s lives.

Learning and Development Accessibility Volunteer Role Profile

To deliver our mission we need to support our workforce to develop and grow, no matter how they learn or what their needs may be. We are looking for a volunteer to join our Learning and Development team to support us in achieving this goal.

You will play a pivotal part in ensuring our content is accessible to individuals of all abilities, thereby fostering an inclusive learning environment.

Initially, you will support us reviewing our mandatory compliance courses to help us make them more accessible. Your observations and insights will be invaluable in supporting us to make continuous improvements.

The types of things you will be involved in but not limited to are:

• Support us to evaluate the current accessibility of our training courses, resources, and materials.
• Collaborate with content creators to integrate accessibility best practices into the design and development process.
• Use your previous experience to offer guidance on the use of assistive technologies and adaptive strategies.
• To support the team to promote awareness of accessibility best practices for staff and volunteers via creation of resources, providing information to assist in knowledge sessions or one-to-one advice within the team.
• To help advocate for the importance of accessibility within the organisation.

We are flexible and open to discussing how much time you can commit to the role and, as the expert in this field, what you think will be needed.

The role is very much open to being home based with opportunities to visit our Bristol or London offices if located nearby.

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their race, class, sex, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. At Young Lives vs Cancer, we don’t just accept difference — we value it, we celebrate it, we nurture it, and we thrive off it. 

We positively welcome your application irrespective of your background. We’re on a journey, and if you join us, you’ll be part of a community that’s committed to making a difference to the lives of children and young people with cancer. 

If you are interested in this role, please apply on our website. If need a little extra help completing the application form, chat to us. Get in touch with our team who are on hand to talk all things volunteering and help you get your application complete.

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.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care. We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.

A bit about this role

Unfortunately our feline friends can occasionally stray or get lost, which can be extremely distressing for their owners. Our lost and found volunteers are passionate about reuniting lost cats and bringing families back together. They help cats and their owners by advertising lost cats and providing support, advice and guidance to people searching for their cats. 

What can you expect to be doing?

• Responding to enquiries from the public about lost and found cats
• Keeping up to date records of lost and founds cats
• Matching cats that are reported lost with those reported found
• Advertising lost and found cats
• Providing help and information to owners about their lost cats

A bit more information about this role and the team

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping reunite lost cats with their owners. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Record keeping and administration skills
• Good IT skills
• Patience and the ability to deal with sensitive situations
• Willingness to be part of a team 

Time expectation 

Our lost and found volunteers usually spend between 2 to 3 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

Baby & Me Volunteer - Merseyside and Cheshire

“We all want our pregnancy to be a positive experience, but it can be difficult and we can all struggle”

Do you have lived experience of facing a pregnancy challenge and would like the opportunity to support others during their pregnancy?

The volunteer role involves six Koala Northwest online or face to face training sessions, one session per week and the opportunity to gain a LEVEl 3qualification in Peer Support Theory and Practice. The training is comprehensive and has had positive feedback.

“The volunteer training so far has been great, it’s been lovely to virtually meet the other volunteers, everyone seems friendly and welcoming, and I’m excited about making a difference to families’ lives in a positive way. So far, I have learnt a lot about tobacco use in pregnancy which I had very limited knowledge on, it’s opened my eyes about lots of different barriers some families experience. I’ve also had a broader understanding of Aces and poverty in pregnancy”

All volunteer support offered as part of this role is over the phone, so this is a home-based volunteer role with volunteers based in Merseyside or Cheshire.

Our volunteers are there to offer an understanding, listening ear and emotional support to families on their pregnancy journey.

Volunteering can change a family's life and 1-2 hours per week can make such a huge difference.

Volunteers must live in Merseyside or Cheshire.

The Dementia Wellbeing Service provides practical and emotional support ​to help older people live independently and safely at home for as long as possible, stay socially engaged and carry on doing what they love. The service supports Camden residents over the age of 55 in the early or moderate stages of dementia.

You will work one-to-one with people in their own home and in the community, providing invaluable practical and emotional support and engaging the person in activities and opportunities that interest them through their wellbeing plan.

What will you get out of it?

• You'll be making a difference to the lives of older people.
• You'll gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact on older people’s lives.
• You'll have an opportunity to build confidence and skills in engaging with people.
• You'll be part of something that is rewarding and enjoyable. 

As a Telephone Support volunteer you will contact all new referrals to the MND Association in South Yorkshire, introducing the MND Association's services and support available, and signpost to other organisations over the phone, whilst using your own PC and mobile phone from home

We need your help and will put your skills and experience to good use. 

Please note all applicants will need to provide two referees and participate in e-learning and interactive learning online by Zoom. Applicants must live in South Yorkshire. 

Please get in touch to find out more...

Are you a good listener? Do you enjoy meeting new people? Are you sociable with good interpersonal skills? Could you support people living with a challenging terminal illness? 

Our Association Visitor role might be the right role for you. 

We ask for a few hours each week to visit people in their own homes or to keep in touch by phone, email, video, text or WhatsApp

By becoming an Association Visitor and donating your time, energy and skills, you can make a real difference to the lives of people affected by Motor Neurone Disease. 

The MND Association was founded in 1979. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We also fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. The Association also campaigns and raises awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised, and addressed by wider society.

“I am extremely honoured to be a volunteer for the MND Association. The most rewarding thing is knowing that I have helped people to access the services, equipment and support they need.” Jo-Ann, Volunteer

Trustee Vacancy, Midlands

Voluntary Role. Reasonable travel and other expenses reimbursed.

First time trustees are very welcome to apply! Full training given

Help us deliver our Vision of a Midlands Region where no one goes hungry and where children don’t go to school on an empty stomach

Last year, our food helped over 500 frontline charities and community groups across the Midlands to provide 13 million meals.

FareShare Midlands (FSM) is the region’s largest food redistribution charity. We take good-to-eat surplus food from the food industry and get it to our Members - frontline charities and community groups all over the Midlands. We turn an environmental problem into a social solution.

Last year we redistributed almost 5,794 tonnes of food from our warehouses in Birmingham, Leicester and Nottingham. It is sorted and stored by our dedicated teams of staff and volunteers, and then redistributed to around 800 Members including food pantries and cafes, homeless shelters and drop-in centres.

These local organisations turn the food into food parcels, affordable shopping and delicious meals for people of all ages. As well as food, our Members provide vital support to families and the elderly, many of whom are facing challenging circumstances and living in poverty.

Last year our food reached more than 83,000 vulnerable people every week, providing 13 million meals. At the same time, we are growing our Employability Programmes to help people gain work experience, skills and jobs.

Our Purpose at FareShare Midlands is to Fight Hunger, Tackle Food Waste and to Create Opportunities.

The Role

Our Trustees set the strategic direction for the organisation, ensuring alignment to our values and are responsible for setting organisational strategy, policy, defining goals, agreeing the financial plan and evaluating performance.

We are looking for you to bring your life experience, insight, expertise and skills together with the enthusiasm and commitment to helping to reduce food insecurity and unnecessary food waste. You will have a passion for the work we do, have an understanding of poverty and inequality and a commitment to our values around a fairer and more equal society.

We welcome applicants who have little or no Trustee experience but a strong desire to be part of a force for good and helping to create lasting change.  An inquisitive mind and confidence to interrogate information provided to you by the Leadership Team.

It is imperative for us to have a board which reflects a range of backgrounds and identities and, most importantly, represents the people we exist to support, as we believe that such increased diversity will improve our creativity and decision making.

We welcome applications from anyone enthusiastic and interested about the work we do and a desire to help us create lasting change through the work that we do. We are particularly keen to talk to people with experience in; Finance, Fundraising; Food Industry; Employability; Marketing, PR or Communications; Business Development and IT; Transport/logistics and Warehousing and distribution.

You will work with our existing board of trustees and our Chief Executive who are ably supported by a Senior Management team as well as our staff and volunteers who all share a passion to make a difference for those who need the food we distribute.

The Commitment

The trustee board meets quarterly (January, April, July and October). Meetings are usually on a Saturday morning and last for 2-3 hours, often remotely. Plus one strategy day/board development day per year. Generally, board members have the opportunity to be part of or chair a committee too.

To Apply:

If you feel you have the passion and interest for the role we would love to hear from you. Please send an up-to-date CV or LinkedIn profile along with a supporting statement stating how your skills and experience would add value to the Board, as well as why you are interested in joining us. 

Do let us know if there is anything we can do to support your application, and if you have any individual needs or need any adjustments.