Volunteer roles

BLUE SMILE - CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Founded in 2010, Blue Smile is a Cambridgeshire charity supporting children aged 3-13 to manage big feelings, process difficult emotions, overcome anxieties and build resilience.

Blue Smile's mission is to transform the mental health and life chances of Cambridgeshire children through arts-based therapies, supporting over 200 children a week in the region’s schools, providing one-to-one therapy and groupwork. We work in particular, in accordance with our charitable aims, with those who face disadvantage or deprivation.

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES ROLE

As Chair of the Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic leadership and governance to ensure that Blue Smile fulfils its charitable objectives. You will lead the Board in an inclusive way, promoting collaborative working and provide support and challenge to the Charity Director.

This role is vital to ensuring the charity operates in accordance with the law, delivers public benefit, and remains financially and strategically sustainable.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN OUR NEW CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Our new Chair of Trustees will:

• Have board level experience as Chair, Non-executive or Trustee.

• Show a strong understanding of governance, strategy and the legal duties of a charity trustee.

• Be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Have sound judgment, diplomacy, and the ability to build a collaborative environment.

• Demonstrate a passion for improving children’s mental health and wellbeing which aligns with the charity’s values and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

TIME COMMITMENT

• Six meetings a year, including one as the AGM and an annual strategy day. Board meetings are currently held online.
• Monthly scheduled meeting with the Charity Director with flexibility to respond swiftly to the occasional ad hoc issue.
• Ad hoc/occasional support through working groups and to the wider Blue Smile team.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

• The Chair is appointed for a 5 year term of office, renewable for 1 further term to a maximum of 10 years in line with Blue Smile’s Articles of Association.
• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

TO APPLY

If you would like to be part of a welcoming and well-respected charity, please send your CV and a covering letter, outlining your interest and suitability for the role. We will be recruiting on a rolling basis so please do get in touch soon!

Blue Smile is committed to a diversity of voices in our organisation. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. 

Safeguarding is central to all Blue Smile activities, and we recognise that the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk, is paramount and that all have equal rights of protection. We have a duty of care when they are in our charge, and we will do everything we can to provide a safe and caring environment whilst they attend our activities.

We are committed to safer recruitment and trustees will be asked to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Graphic Designer & Marketing Volunteer

About us

The Museum of Brands, nestled in the vibrant Notting Hill area of West London, is a one-of-a-kind institution that brings to life the fascinating history of consumer culture through branding, packaging, and advertisements. Our collection showcases over 200 years of social and technological change, offering visitors a nostalgic and insightful journey through history. Established by Robert Opie, the museum is a treasure trove of everyday items that might have been thrown away by past generations, but now tell the story of how consumer trends shaped society.

The Role 

We’re looking for talented Graphic Design & Marketing Volunteers to help create vibrant, on-brand visual content for both our social media and in-house marketing materials. You'll be working with Canva and Adobe tools to bring campaigns to life, from digital posters and Instagram carousels to screen graphics and printed flyers.

This offers an opportunity for hands-on experience in the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) Cultural Sector, ideal for students or individuals with a strong interest in marketing, graphic design and content creation.

What you’ll do:

· Design digital and print marketing assets using Canva, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or InDesign including:

o Social media graphics (posts, stories, highlight covers)

o Posters, flyers, leaflets

o Screens and TV slides for internal displays

· Follow and apply our brand identity guidelines to all content

· Translate event listings, updates, and key messages into engaging visual content

· Support and expand ongoing campaign visuals - while also contributing your own creative ideas

· Help plan and schedule social media content using tools such as Meta Business Suite or Hootsuite

· Collaborate with the wider team on seasonal campaigns, exhibitions, and public programmes

· Stay aware of current design trends and help ensure our visual identity remains fresh and dynamic

· Analyse the performance of social media posts, using data insights to adjust and improve future content strategies.

Additional Duties

•  Front of House Support: Train as a Museum Front of House assistant, covering Reception duties, welcoming visitors, handling calls, and assisting with other interdepartmental tasks as needed.

Who we’re looking for:

• Has experience using Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign)
• Has a strong eye for layout, typography, and colour, with a good understanding of visual branding
• Can confidently follow a style guide but also bring your own creative flair
• Has good written communication skills and can transform information into clear, engaging design
• Is well-organised, proactive, and able to work independently and as part of a team
• Bonus: an interest in museums, heritage, arts or cultural marketing

Availability

We're excited to offer this opportunity as either a volunteer role or a student placement, ideal for anyone looking to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic and creative environment.

Student Placement: This placement is perfect for someone who can contribute 2–3 days per week, with flexible options for full days (8 hours) or half days (4 hours) based on your schedule.

Volunteering: We are looking for individuals who can offer at least one half day per week for a minimum of three months. This helps create a consistent and valuable experience for both you and our marketing team.

Whether you're hoping to enhance your CV, gain industry insight, or support a cause you care about, we’d be delighted to welcome you aboard.

This placement requires in-person work at The Museum of Brands, London, W11 1QT during the week.

Expenses

Travel expenses up to £5 will be paid, with up to an additional £5 for lunch expenses if you are here for over 6 hours.

Training and support

We have an induction process that ensures you have the information needed to thrive during your time with us. Training is primarily ‘on-the-job’, guided by our Marketing Officer. You'll receive ongoing support, regular feedback, and opportunities for 1-to-1 discussions to enhance your skills and experience. We’re also happy to provide references and CV support to aid in your future employment opportunities.

Our Commitment

The Museum of Brands is committed to:

• Equality and fairness: We believe in providing equal opportunities for all volunteers, ensuring fairness in all aspects of the role.
• Safe working environment: Your safety is paramount, and we comply with all health and safety regulations.
• Confidentiality: We adhere to the principles of the Data Protection Act to ensure your privacy and data security.

Please note: Applicants from some overseas countries are required to have a relevant work permit or student visa in order to volunteer in the U.K. We’ll need to see this for our records before volunteering can commence.

Experienced Garden Volunteer

The beautiful, award-winning Memorial Garden behind the Museum of Brands was established in 1990 as a peaceful oasis for those living with HIV/AIDS and using the hospice and other services provided in this building when it was the London Lighthouse. The sheltered garden is described by visitors as ‘a haven’,

‘an oasis’, and ‘a hidden gem’. The garden is looked after by a small group of volunteers and the Gardener who originally developed it, working within a very small budget.

This is a small but complex garden, thoughtfully designed and rich in variety. You’ll find opportunities to work on a wide range of tasks — from detailed pruning and planting to structural maintenance and seasonal care. It’s an excellent setting for anyone looking to gain broad hands-on experience, whether you're training in horticulture or simply want to deepen your skills in a purposeful environment.

We are looking for experienced garden volunteers to support the Gardener with the following:

· General garden maintenance including weeding, pruning, deadheading, and mulching

· Planting and replanting seasonal flowers, shrubs, and small trees

· Watering plants and maintaining irrigation as needed

· Lifting and moving heavy pots, tools, compost bags, and garden waste

· Ladder work for tasks such as trimming hedges, cleaning gutters, or maintaining climbing plants

· Sawing and light carpentry, including pruning larger branches and assisting with minor repairs

· Clearing leaves and debris to keep paths and seating areas safe and accessible

· Maintaining and cleaning garden tools and equipment

What we’re looking for:

· A passion for gardening and some hands-on experience (professional or personal)

· Either a trainee gardener, horticulture student, or someone already working in gardening or landscaping or an experienced gardener wanting to give back through volunteer work

· Willingness to carry out practical tasks, including some lifting and ladder work

· Comfortable working outdoors in different weather conditions

· A positive, team-focused attitude with good attention to safety

What you’ll gain:

· Valuable hands-on gardening experience in a unique, award-winning setting

· The chance to be part of a friendly, purpose-driven team

· The satisfaction of helping maintain a space that’s deeply meaningful to others

Training and support:

You will first be invited for a meeting with our gardener, Gary. Volunteers are given relevant training for any tasks carried out, opportunities for regular feedback and we remain open to suggestions on how we can improve the volunteer experience.

Availability:

Our garden volunteers currently come in together on a Thursday.  However volunteering in the garden can occur on any day while the Museum is open (Monday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-5).  We are looking volunteers who can volunteer over a period of at least 3 months.  Ideally you will be able to start immediately, although this is not essential.

Expenses:

Travel expenses up to £5 will be paid, with up to an additional £5 for lunch expenses if you are here for over 6 hours.

Please note: Applicants from some overseas countries are required to have a relevant work permit or student visa to volunteer in the U.K. We’ll need to see this for our records before volunteering can commence.

We are looking for a new on-line counselor to join our organisation. This will mean running an email service and even a Skype / zoom service if you wish.

We are looking for social workers to join our social worker and safeguarding team to give background help and advice to members who are in need of this.

Someone who can work as part of a team but also on their own when needed, we will take on trainees as we have a supervisor in this team

We are looking for someone who knows the CSA / CMS system to either do some on-line advice sessions or to be on the board readily available to answer CSA questions. This is an on-line role so needs access to facebook and an email address will be provided

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

A bit more information about this role and the team

A full driving licence is desirable in order to take cats or kittens to the vet.

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Across the UK our cats and kittens looking for new homes are cared for by volunteer fosterers in their homes or purpose-built pens in their gardens. Our fosterer support volunteers are members of the same household, creating a fostering team, who provide vital assistance and support to our volunteer fosterers. Fosterer support volunteers spend time directly with cats, cleaning their pens, feeding, grooming and enriching their play time.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Supporting the fosterer and taking responsibility for cats in care when the main fosterer is absent
• Meeting the needs of cats and kittens in care
• Maintaining minimum veterinary and cat care standards
• Supporting the cleaning and maintenance of the cats environment and equipment
• Undertake any requirements for feeding, grooming and administering medication (such as flea and worming treatments)
• Assist with enriching the cats experience in care, including; play, exercise and stroking
• Undertake relevant training provided by Cats Protection to support you in your role

• A great opportunity to volunteer as Cafe Assistant at a unique heritage site, London Museum of Water and Steam
• Based at the historic Kew Bridge Waterworks the museum tells the story of London's water supply, the site, its people and the amazing pumping engines that helped to make London the city it is today
• Cafe Assistants provide a warm and friendly greeting for all our visitors                                              
•  They should work collaboratively with Visitor Welcome volunteers and Duty Managers
•  Help to prepare hot drinks and snacks and to take responsibility for money handling
• There is an opportunity to gain a Level 1 Certificate in Food Hygiene  

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Across Cats Protection some of our cats looking for new and loving homes might be shy, nervous or aggressive depending on their past or if they are struggling to adapt to the rescue environment. Our kitten socialisation volunteers help the kittens in our care by spending time enriching each kittens experience through play, exercise and handling until they are happy and confident enough to find their perfect forever homes.

You can expect us to

· Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours

· Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection

· Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy

· Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· Spending time with kittens so they become fully socialised

· Making sure infectious disease control measures are in place

· Recording socialisation tasks and keeping information about the kittens up to date

· Determining the needs and requirements of the kittens

· Following cat care standards and procedures

Time expectation

Our kitten socialisation volunteers spend 1 to 2 hours a week in this role which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. We request that volunteers spend time with a particular litter of kittens on a weekly basis, as this will be more beneficial for the kittens.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to

· Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours

· Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection

· Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food

· Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy

· Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

● A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us

● Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction

● A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare

● Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home ● You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

Can you commit to volunteering for a minimum of 2 years? 

Do you have 2 to 4 hours spare a month? 

Do you live in South Gloucestershire?

Would you like to befriend a child or young person in care and make a long-term friendship with them? 

If yes, then volunteering for Reconstruct may suit you.

An Independent Visitor is an adult volunteer who befriends a young person in care and develops a long-term friendship with them. This often involves helping young people develop new interests, skills and hobbies or going on outings such as to the cinema, bowling or just a walk in the park.

You must be 21+, available for flexible working and able to commit to a minimum of 2 years. As a volunteer, you would spend about 2-4 hours every month with your allocated child.

Each volunteer is carefully matched with a child or young person in care in their local area who shares similar interests.

WHAT DO INDEPENDENT VISITORS DO?

• Visit a child monthly and becomes a trusted adult friend to them.
• Provide a consistent and reliable adult with a view to building a trusting and positive relationship with the child.
• Provide a child with the opportunity to try new activities and spend time with them away from their placement. This in turn can enhance progress and resilience of children, by building self-esteem, strengthening mental health, and opening new social relationships outside of the care system.

WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE DO YOU NEED?

• Interpersonal Skills – Ability to easily build rapport an identify with children and young people.
• Communication – Excellent communication skills, good report writing skills.
• Committed – Willing to commit to a child for at least one year and preferably two years.
• Role Model – A good role model for a child or young person who may have experienced difficult times during their childhood.
• DBS Check – We will carry out safer recruitment checks and you will be required to have an Enhanced DBS check.

Examples of activities can include:

• Sports
• Play football 
• Cinema
• Bowling
• Go to the library

You will be allocated a budget for each visit for your activity, and payment of your expenses, are paid so you are not out of pocket. These include, travel costs, and parking.

As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to attend necessary training for the role. Interviews will be arranged in due course thereafter.

Volunteer befrienders offer the older, housebound people in our community a chance to connect socially, have a cup of tea, and a chat.  Could you be a much-needed social visitor to one of them this year? Training and support is provided.  Time and Talents is a welcoming community space and volunteering with us provides fantastic opportunities to connect with your community, build your skills, and even make new friends! We provide induction, training and continuous support, alongside opportunities to meet other volunteers.  We work hard to match you with a Befriendee who matches with your availability, personality, and ideally lives walking distance from you within Southwark!

In the first instance, please get in touch here and we will send you our online application form!

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Across Cats Protection some of our cats looking for new and loving homes might be shy, nervous or aggressive depending on their past or if they are struggling to adapt to the rescue environment. Our kitten socialisation volunteers help the kittens in our care by spending time enriching each kittens experience through play, exercise and handling until they are happy and confident enough to find their perfect forever homes.

You can expect us to

· Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours

· Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection

· Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy

· Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· Spending time with kittens so they become fully socialised

· Making sure infectious disease control measures are in place

· Recording socialisation tasks and keeping information about the kittens up to date

· Determining the needs and requirements of the kittens

· Following cat care standards and procedures

Time expectation

Our kitten socialisation volunteers spend 1 to 2 hours a week in this role which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. We request that volunteers spend time with a particular litter of kittens on a weekly basis, as this will be more beneficial for the kittens.