Volunteer Positions Volunteer Roles in Edinburgh

About Roots Academy

At Roots Academy, we’ve built a learning experience that’s changing the lives of the ummah’s future leaders, change-makers and visionaries.

Our vision is enabling university students to live God-centred lives, so we teach structured, engaging and transformative face-to-face foundational Islamic education to over 1,800 students across the UK.

Role Summary

The recruitment officer will support on recruitment for core volunteer positions at Roots Academy, and also support with HR administrative tasks.

Key tasks

• Recruitment – supporting with role descriptions, advertising positions, arranging interviews, sending offers and inducting new starters.
• Compliance and employment law – requesting IDs and other documentation as required, supporting with training requirements, and updating trackers.
• HR Admin – managing the contracting / volunteer agreement process, ensuring personnel files are kept up to date and accurate record keeping of all HR files.

What we’re looking for

• Prior experience in an recruitment role desired but not essential 
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong understanding of the Muslim Community in the UK, and belief in Roots Academy’s vision

What we have to offer

• Contribute to a growing organisation that educates and empowers the Muslim community.
• Access to in-house tarbiyah sessions to develop your deen.
• Receive continuous rewards for facilitating Islamic education through Roots Academy.

Please note: This is an unpaid volunteer position. Volunteers can claim expenses for food, travel, and equipment in line with the Expenses Policy.

A Little About Us!

Youth Advantage UK is a research-led, un incorporated un registered charitable organisation. We use a research-led approach to protect the rights and interests of young people through positive action such as projects, policy work, research, services, events. We promote and empower change.

Why we need you!

Youth Advantage UK are in our early stages but are growing and looking for volunteers to help achieve our aims to become a registered charitable organisation. Your skills and expertise are what we need to continue to grow. Without our volunteers we cannot grow and appreciate those who apply with us!

What we offer!

Anybody who wishes to help and contribute to a good cause are welcome to apply for one of our volunteering positions. We will speak to you about what your aims are to ensure that the volunteering position you are applying for is suitable. By volunteering you have the chance to learn something new and contribute to a successful organisation who is looking to help young people in the UK.

Note - if you apply for this role and are unfortunately not appointed, we will consider you for the Marketing Manager role

We are looking to appoint a volunteer who has experience in management and who is able to support the functions of our Marketing Department through the effective management of our marketing team and marketing policy. These functions include; website, social media, engagement, events and sponsorship (as a temporary function within this department).

Key accountabilities:

• Departmental strategic management 
• Marketing policy development 
• Social media output 
• Website development and design 
• Engagement and events 

Requirements 

• To have experience working in the charity sector or voluntary sector 
• To have experience in managing a team of people 
• To be competent in IT, social media and website design 
• To be an effective communicator 

Founded in England in 1891, the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) is the oldest and largest drowning prevention charity.  Governed by Royal Charter and accredited to the Commonwealth, we have an impressive heritage which we are working to preserve and promote to our members and the wider world. 

We want to engage a voluntary Archivist, details of which are included below.

 Overview 

The RLSS archive, much of which has been professionally digitised in recent years, is located at Commonwealth Headquarters in Worcester U.K. The Archivist will join the existing volunteer, lay pan-Commonwealth Heritage Committee which is responsible for the preservation and promotion of the archive.

RLSS has 31 autonomous members throughout the Commonwealth all of which have a history and some of which have their own archive. 

The Heritage Committee is guided by its Terms of Reference, a consultant’s report funded under The National Archives (TNA) Scoping Grant programme and the RLSS Heritage Strategy and Heritage Position Statement.

Position Holder is Accountable to: 

 The Chair of the RLSS Heritage Committee.

 Position Holder is Accountable for:

• Providing input into the development and implementation of the RLSS Heritage Strategy.  
• Advising the Heritage Committee on appropriate steps to preserve, protect, identify, catalogue, fund, supplement, promote and share the archive.

• Reviewing drafts of project proposals, archive management workflows and digitisation procedures. 

• Contributing to the Heritage Committee which communicates primarily by email but may however participate in meetings by teleconference. 

• A time commitment of approximately two to three hours per quarter is anticipated. 

NOTES:

1.  The advice given by the volunteer is opinion only and he/she is not held liable for any misapplication of that advice.
2. It is envisaged that the appointment will be for an initial term of two years.
3. If necessary, a modest budget could be available for relevant CPD training.

Qualifications and Competencies Required:

*             Professional Archivist Designation, qualifications and experience 

*Understanding of Collection Management Systems

*             Experience with Charities and/or Not for Profit Organisations 

*             Experience in the areas outlined in the Accountabilities Section (above) 

Join the Movement at Unify Giving

Are you passionate about creating videos that truly transform lives? Unify Giving is seeking a talented Generative AI Video Producer to volunteer with our innovative team. Help us harness cutting-edge AI technology to create profound impact.

What You'll Do:
•⁠  ⁠Create compelling motivational videos using generative AI tools
•⁠  ⁠Experiment with emerging AI video technologies
•⁠  ⁠Help people transition from desperation to motivation and positive change

What We're Looking For:
•⁠  ⁠Experience with generative AI video tools 
•⁠  ⁠Video editing and production skills
•⁠  ⁠Creative storytelling ability
•⁠  ⁠Passion for creating content that makes a genuine difference
•⁠  ⁠5-10 hours weekly commitment

This volunteer position offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of AI video production while contributing to Unify Giving's mission of creating transformative content that changes lives.

Be part of something extraordinary—where technology meets human potential.

Could you lead the local SSAFA services in your area? You don’t need a military background for this role, but you should be empathic to the needs of the armed forces community, have some experience of managing people and possess good I.T. skills. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Branch Chair?

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas. Many are further divided into local areas called divisions. Each branch has a Chair to oversee all aspects of the branch. Ultimately accountable to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, through the National Chairman your role is to ensure that the branch is running in line with SSAFA’s Royal Charter Rules, Regulations, and policies. Also, to ensure that clients and volunteers are safe, all services provided are appropriate and effective and that the branch is financially sound. You will be the public face of SSAFA in your branch area.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. More people than ever are contacting SSAFA for financial, practical and emotional support. To do this we need local branches and volunteers who can coordinate people, ensure the local population know about SSAFA and keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Our branches support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role is about leadership, coordination, and administration. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home. The role requires an ongoing time commitment, usually about 2-3 days per month. In addition, you would need to organise and attend regular meetings throughout the year.

What would you be doing?

• Providing leadership to the Branch and ensuring that all activities comply with SSAFA regulations both directly, and through the Branch Secretary, other Branch Officers, and Divisional Officers.
• Providing support and guidance to volunteers in office holder roles, and support with recruitment of volunteers into these positions to ensure the sustainability of the branch.
• Ensuring the financial integrity of the Branch, including the appointment of Treasurers and a local fundraising programme to meet branch running costs.
• Ensuring that all data is processed and held in accordance with SSAFA’s data management policies.
• Monitoring volunteer numbers against the demand for support and working with other volunteers, regional and central office staff to attract and recruit new volunteers as required.
• Ensuring that all volunteers are recruited, inducted, supported, and managed in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.
• Building relationships with regional and central office staff, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA Service committees, local military establishments, prisons etc.
• Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising so that potential clients, volunteers, and supporters know how to contact the branch.
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s Central Office
• Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.
• Supporting any salaried branch staff and ensuring that their line management arrangements are working appropriately.
• Resolve any complaints that are suitable for local resolution in accordance with SSAFA’s Complaints Policy and procedures, referring upwards any that are not suitable for local resolution.

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What could you gain from this volunteering role?

• Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area
• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – caseworker training, caseworker IT system training, volunteer management – attracting, recruiting, and inducting volunteers. 
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Local orientation as well as meet and greet sessions with key Central Office and regional teams.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Support from Regional and central staff and peer support from fellow Chairs in neighbouring branches.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people of any age (18+) with some experience of coordinating people and admin
• Willingness and ability to lead and manage a team of volunteers.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to learn basic digital skills. Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the training course)
• Ability to understand and keep within the boundaries of the role for which training will be given.
• Reliability
• Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies.
• Willingness and means to travel to meetings or events as required.
• Good written and spoken English.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No

Are you passionate about graphic design and want to use your skills to make a difference? At Children With Voices, we’re looking for a creative Volunteer Graphic Designer to help us develop eye-catching promotional materials. Your designs will play a vital role in communicating our mission and enhancing our brand presence.

What You’ll Do:

• Design engaging graphics for flyers, brochures, social media, and event banners.
• Ensure designs align with our brand guidelines and effectively convey our message.
• Collaborate with our team to understand design needs and deliver creative solutions.
• Revise designs based on feedback to meet project requirements.
• Stay updated on design trends to bring fresh, innovative ideas to our materials.

Skills We’re Looking For:

• Proficiency in Design Software: Experienced with graphic design tools and software.
• Strong Portfolio: Showcase of previous graphic design work.
• Attention to Detail: Maintain brand consistency and design quality.
• Creativity: Good understanding of design principles and visual storytelling.
• Project Management: Ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Communication: Collaborate effectively and incorporate feedback.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause and make a positive impact.
• Gain valuable experience in grant writing and fundraising within a charitable organisation.
• Develop and enhance your skills in communication, research, and project coordination.
• Travel expenses are paid and you will have a healthy meal!

Note: This is a voluntary, unpaid position. Children With Voices is committed to providing equal opportunities and fostering an inclusive environment for all volunteers.

If you’re ready to bring your design skills to a meaningful cause and help us create impactful visuals, we’d love to hear from you!

Join our innovative motivational video department at the intersection of neuroscience and generative AI technology.

The Role:
Unify Giving is seeking an experienced Product Manager to lead our generative AI video production initiatives. You'll drive our technology roadmap to deliver content that transforms viewers lives.

Key Responsibilities:
•⁠  ⁠Lead product development for our AI-driven video production platform
•⁠  ⁠Define product vision, strategy, and execution plans
•⁠  ⁠Manage the product lifecycle from conception to launch
•⁠  ⁠Analyse user feedback and metrics to continuously improve effectiveness

Requirements:
•⁠  ⁠Experience in product management for generative AI or video production
•⁠  ⁠Demonstrated success delivering AI-powered content creation tools
•⁠  ⁠Passion for creating transformative motivational content
•⁠  ⁠Strong communication and cross-functional leadership skills

This is a volunteer position supporting the amazing work we do at Unify Giving, where we're pioneering the future of motivational content that creates meaningful, measurable change in people's lives.

Our charity is looking for a talented Graphic Designer to join us during this exciting phase.

We seek a creative Graphic Designer who can help us enhance our current logo to make it more accessible, finalize our branding guidelines, and create a new set of assets for our promotional materials.

It's important to note that some progress has already been made on the logo and guidelines, so the selected candidate won't have to start from scratch but will focus on refining and adding the finishing touches.

This position is temporary and specifically for this project, but there may be opportunities for collaboration on future graphic design tasks once the initial work is completed. 

If you have a keen eye for design and are willing to work with us to adapt our branding, we would love to hear from you!

Project tasks:

• Revise our logo, check for accessibility and produce the final version in different formats and resolutions.
• Revise and finalise our brand guidelines. 
• Produce a set of assets to be used on our social media and any other advertising material.

What do you need to become our Graphic Designer?

Essential:

• Professional experience with Graphic Design.
• Understanding about accessibility and able to make sure our logo, fonts and colours are all accessible.
• Creativity and experience in developing effective marketing material.
• Understanding brand guidelines and consistently implementing the brand voice across all produced marketing materials.
• Experience in producing logos, assets and colour pallets.

By getting involved you will gain:

• Space to develop your work and use your creativity.
•  It is a great opportunity for those professionals looking to use their gifts to reflect the needs of our community and help us reduce inequality.
•  It is also an opportunity to add to your portfolio and perhaps even develop your own projects alongside the team. 
• Try out some new techniques and get feedback on your work.
• Become part of a friendly, enthusiastic and varied team.

Volunteer Role Description

Light Touch Volunteer

Responsible to: Volunteer Coordinator

Time commitment: Minimum 3 hour’s a week

Location: Home

About the service

North East Wales Mind is a progressive mental health organisation that supports people experiencing mental health difficulties to flourish. The aim of our work is to help people build on their strengths, overcome obstacles, and become more in control of their lives. We have faith and optimism in our clients and so the services we deliver are built around their needs. We support the people of Flintshire and Wrexham to discover their own resources to ‘recover’ from periods of poor mental health, and to live life independently with their mental health condition.

Purpose of role:

To provide phone support to service users from home/ office. This role is flexible (you can make calls anytime between 5-7pm and requires you to call a client for up to half an hour a week for a period of up to 3 months.

Must have access to the internet and a phone that can switch to private setting or NEWMIND can provide them with a phone, or use of office equipment.

Main tasks:

· Providing emotional support via phone

· Assessing surrounding support

· Advising them with available provisions and services locally

· Providing practical support such as learning activities, wellbeing practises and links available to service user from home

· Writing records of dates and times and phone discussions

· Reporting back to the Volunteer Coordinator via email and phone for any extra available support

· Report any safeguarding concerns immediately to a member of staff.

What we are looking for:

· Confident and effective communication

· Understanding of professional boundaries

· Caring nature

· Knowledge of local services is desired.

· Lived experience of mental health difficulty desirable

· Understanding of, or experience of caring for someone with mental health difficulty, can be helpful but is not essential.

· Good listening skills, non-judgemental attitude, and empathy

· Ability to motivate.

· Ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations in a calm manner.

· Commitment for a minimum of 6 months

· Volunteers must be aged 18 and over.

What we can offer you:

· All volunteers will receive training in mental health awareness, confidentiality, boundaries, risk management, plus on-going training relevant to the role.

· Regular supervision with the Volunteer Coordinator

· Volunteer expenses

Would you like to become an Ambassador for knus? We've introduced our new arm-chairing volunteer position.

If you're interested arm-chair volunteering (our most flexible, low commitment role) and applying to volunteer at knus, simply read through the information on this page and apply.

• Are you over 18 and living in the UK? You must be over the 18 years of age and live permanently in the UK.
• Do you have a mobile phone or laptop? You can do this role whether you are, whether it be on a sofa or on a plane.
• How much time can you give? As much as you want to do. We are flexible and like to work around you.
• Do you like to learn? We provide training for all volunteers that join us. You'll have access to our CPD courses to help you advance your knowledge and certificates to add to your CV.

How does it work?

In 2025 we launched our arm chair volunteering initiative to help us spread the word about our service and to give people the opportunity to take part in surveys and projects to help us deliver the best mental health support to the UK public.

We'd like to embrace what you love doing, whether that be sharing on socials, proof reading, surveys, sharing experiences or getting involved in our fabulous projects.

Important information:

In order to volunteer for knus as an ambassador, you will need to complete a brief application form and a ID check. A DBS is not required for this role, however, if you wish to progress to another role you may need a disclosure. We do this to ensure of service remains a safe place to volunteer for all. Please do not worry about this, we will help you as much as we can.

Training is provided by us and our training partners. You will be required to attend this training using online conferencing software such as zoom or teams.

FaithInvest is seeking an experienced fundraising professional to volunteer their expertise for our development efforts, for 6 months initially. We need your help to develop grant applications to philanthropies, trusts, and foundations, which showcase our dynamic operations strategy.

We are a charity dedicated to helping faith organizations align their investments with their values. You won't be working alone- you will be supporting our operations team, who will in turn support you. We anticipate that you will actively participate in shaping our fundraising strategy.

The ideal volunteer will:

• Have significant hands-on experience in charitable fundraising and donor relations
• Be willing to share fundraising strategies and best practices with our staff
• Support the development and execution of fundraising campaigns
• Have connections within philanthropic and faith-based communities
• Be passionate about helping faith groups maximize their impact

This is a remote volunteer position open to candidates globally. In this role, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Help develop and refine our fundraising strategy
• Guide the growth of our development program
• Make a meaningful impact in helping faith groups align their investments with their values
• Share your fundraising expertise with our dedicated staff
• Actively participate in fundraising initiatives
• Participate in remote strategy sessions and discussions

Faith organizations have tremendous potential to create positive and transformative change through their vast financial resources. We're looking for an experienced fundraiser with a strong faith background who shares our vision of helping faiths invest for the benefit of people and planet. This volunteer role offers the opportunity to strengthen our capabilities through both strategic guidance and hands-on support, ultimately helping faith groups align their investments with their values and create lasting impact.

This would be an ideal role for a retired or semi-retired development professional who is keen to use their expertise to make a difference.

Volunteer Position: Volunteer Community Leaders

ROLDA seeks dedicated Volunteer Community Leaders to inspire, manage, and coordinate volunteer teams, helping us raise awareness and support for our mission. This role offers a meaningful way to contribute to animal welfare while developing leadership and project management skills.

Your Role

• Engage Local Communities: Connect with local groups to raise awareness about ROLDA’s mission and animal welfare projects.

• Organise Events: Plan and host community events to promote our initiatives and recruit supporters.

• Lead Volunteer Teams: Recruit, inspire, and support volunteers, fostering a positive and motivated team environment.

• Promote ROLDA: Share community activities and initiatives through social media and other platforms.

• Represent the Organisation: Serve as the face of ROLDA at community events and meetings, building strong connections.

• Collaborate with Management: Work with the ROLDA UK team to ensure activities align with organisational goals.

What We’re Looking For

• Leadership Experience: Preferably, experience leading volunteer teams or coordinating community groups.

• Effective Communicators: Ability to inspire and engage with diverse groups while promoting ROLDA’s mission.

• Fundraising Skills: Knowledge of fundraising techniques and event planning is highly desirable.

• Organisational Ability: Skilled at managing multiple tasks, prioritising effectively, and meeting deadlines.

• Passion for Animals: A strong commitment to improving the lives of stray and abandoned animals.

Who Should Apply?

• Individuals passionate about animal welfare and making a difference in their community.

• Have leadership experience or want to develop team management and event planning skills.

• Enjoy connecting with people and building meaningful relationships.

• Seek to contribute to a global cause while growing personally and professionally.

Why Volunteer with ROLDA: Volunteering as a Community Leader with ROLDA offers the chance to gain valuable leadership and project management experience while contributing to a meaningful cause. You’ll have the opportunity to inspire and work with like-minded individuals, creating a real impact for animals in need. This role allows you to make a difference in your community, build connections in the animal welfare sector, and enhance your resume with practical and impactful experience.

Join the Wave of Change

Are you ready to inspire and guide efforts to restore and protect our ocean? Surfers Against Sewage is seeking a dynamic and daring leader to take the helm as our Chair of the Board.

As we enter a new strategic plan period for 2025-2028, we are driven by our values of being open, authentic, daring, dynamic, and purposeful. We are a vibrant and diverse community of Ocean Activists, taking action where we surf, swim, and play.

Our mission is to connect the stories, evidence, and data of our community to those in power to demand systemic change. As a strong advocate and skilled networker, you will amplify our voice, build influential relationships, and mobilize support to advance our cause.

We are ambitious and seek nothing short of an end to pollution and the restoration of our seas and wild waters. You’ll work closely with the Chief Executive and the Board to push the boundaries of what we might achieve and help keep SAS at the forefront of environmental activism. We sound the alarm and lead the fight to stop polluters, always.

If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer position as Chair of the Board of Trustees,  please visit our website job opportunities page to download the Recruitment Pack.

Overview

This is a Senior Leadership team role.

The Base Camp Manager has responsibility for many of the logistical aspects of the expedition,
including equipment, food, and managing the environmental impact at base camp. You will need to be ready to turn your hand to a range of tasks, acting as the ‘fixer’ for the expedition and supporting the expedition team with all aspects of expedition life.

We are looking for applicants who are:

• Comfortable spending extended periods in remote and sometimes harsh environments.
• Able to commit to all pre-expedition training events. 

As a charity, all Leader positions are undertaken on a voluntary basis and Leaders join for the intrinsic value of adventure, education, and personal development of young people. You do not have to fundraise to lead on our expeditions.