Youth Children Volunteer Roles

Shout is the UK’s only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. When people text 'Shout' to 85258, they are connected to a Shout Volunteer for a text conversation. Our volunteers provide a safe space for people to share what's causing them distress, while showing warmth and compassion.

Tasks and Responsibilities

If your application is successful, you’ll be enrolled in a training group. New groups start every two weeks.

Shout Volunteers receive 25 hours of free training in communication, listening, managing and assessing risk, and problem solving. The training is self-paced and done online. You’ll learn how to bring people in distress to a place of calm and practice skills that will be useful to you throughout life.

As we are investing in you throughout your time with us, our hope is that you will complete the training in a timely manner and look at this as a longer term commitment. The experience you gain over time is valuable and our goal is to have volunteers commit to 200 hours on the platform, which can take up to two years to complete, as we ask you to take one 2-4 hour shift per week. 

Our Volunteer Training Support team is here to support you, answer any questions and provide feedback during training and throughout your time with Shout. You’ll be joining an incredibly supportive volunteer community and have access to the resources you need to do your role.

As a volunteer, you’ll be supporting people in distress, so it’s important we see the skills required to do that while you are in training. While most trainees complete the training and go on to volunteer, not everyone will pass the training. If this happens, there are other ways you can still support us.

Selection Criteria

A Shout Volunteer is kind and compassionate, a good listener, and has the ability to remain calm when supporting people in crisis. You will also:

• Understand the difference between being friendly and being a friend

• Be aware of your own mental health and wellbeing

• Be open-minded

• Be supportive

• Be reliable

• Be discreet and able to respect confidentiality at all times

• Be accepting and non-judgemental

• Be passionate about contributing some of your time to a cause such as Shout

• Adopt a growth mindset, and be willing to accept feedback

Requirements

• You must live in the United Kingdom or New Zealand while volunteering. 
• You must be over 18 years of age.
• You will need a reliable internet connection and a private place to take your shift.
• All of your volunteering must be done using a laptop or desktop computer and Google Chrome.

It’s worth spending time thinking about the nature of the role, and whether it’s right for you. We support all texters, regardless of race, religion, sexual identity or issue. You will need to be comfortable addressing topics frequently discussed with texters (suicide, self-harm, depression, etc.) without compromising your own mental health. 

Before you apply, please consider whether either of the following applies to you:

• Have you recently experienced grief, loss or change issue/s? For example; someone close to you has been ill or has died, you’ve lost your job, your relationship has ended.

• Is your current mental health and wellbeing in a place such that the stress and pressure of listening to the challenges of others would bring additional burden to you personally?

Benefits to Volunteers

The role is rewarding and can save lives. Shout Volunteers tell us they gain a sense of pride, satisfaction and purpose from taking conversations. They also tell us that their own wellbeing increases, they learn valuable skills and gain experience they can use at work and in their personal lives.

Volunteering can also be a great addition to your CV. You do not need to have any past experience in mental health to be a Shout Volunteer - we’ll provide you with all the training and support you need to do the role.

Application Process

You will need to create your account and fill in the application using a laptop or desktop computer and in a Google Chrome browser. This is a standard requirement for all of our systems at Shout, from the application through to the platform.

You should leave up to an hour to complete the form. As Shout is a text based service and we do not conduct in person interviews for our volunteer candidates what you write in your application and the strength of your references are how we get to know you. 

We appreciate when candidates take the time to write thoughtful, considered answers. We recommend you review your application with an eye toward things like spelling, grammar and punctuation. While some of our texters will occasionally reach out using more informal text speak, our volunteers respond in full sentences and double check their messages for accuracy before hitting send. 

Your application will be reviewed once we have received responses from both of your references. We ask for a personal reference and a professional reference. The personal reference can be a friend or colleague but the other must be someone who knows you professionally or has supervised you in some way. 

This could be a manager or supervisor from where you work or a teacher or educator from where you study. We recommend you choose references who are able to speak to your ability to fulfil the selection criteria outlined above.

We do not accept references from family members. This includes your partner or their relatives, your children, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents or godparents. 

Please allow up to a month for us to review your application and return a decision. 

If your application is approved, you can book your place on training. Training groups usually start every two weeks and spaces are available to book a couple of months ahead. While you are in training and before you are allowed on the platform we will carry out a background check.

To help with the running of our Pre-Loved Charity Shop and/or Pop-Up Shops, raising funds to support our services for children and young people.

What will I be doing?

With the support of our team, volunteers help with a range of tasks, such as:

• Serving members of the public as Cashier on the shop till

• Sorting and grading stock, hanging, sizing and tagging clothes for display

• Housekeeping: Dusting, hoovering, polishing, and cleaning

• Replenishing stock in the shop

• Rotating stock

• Steam Cleaning

• Using our guidelines to sort, process and price donated clothes, books, homewares etc.

• Receive donations from the public and ensure they are stored safely

• Providing excellent customer service at our pop-up shops

• Creating attractive displays

We are seeking two or three volunteers to join our Board of Trustees.

If you’re passionate about supporting children and young people in Cumbria and have skills or experience in any of the following areas, we’d especially love to hear from you:

• Business Development

• Finance

• General Fundraising

• Law

• Networking & Corporate Fundraising

As a trustee, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Receive induction and training to support you in your role.

• Make strategic decisions and contribute to the charity’s direction.

• Develop new skills and network with other professionals.

• Help improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people in Cumbria.

Just ‘B’ Volunteer Assessment Worker

Location: Burton House, Harrogate or Herriot Hospice@The Lambert

Brand: Just ‘B’

To volunteer as a key member of the Just‘B’ services team providing professional, emotional wellbeing and psychological support through face-to-face, virtual and telephone assessment calls to clients. You will volunteer as part of a team conducting comprensive assessments identifying client support needs of adults.

What we’re looking for:

Experience

• Experience of working in a counselling role within an agency or statutory service.
• Experience of working with emotionally challenging situations.
• Experience of working with confidential information

Knowledge & Skills

• Understanding of the Person-Centered Approach
• Understanding boundaries when working with clients
• Ability to volunteer with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Full understanding of and commitment to confidentiality and data protection compliance
• Full understanding of and commitment to safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance
• Understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and diversity procedures
• Good IT skills and ability to provide remote client sessions

What we offer:

Herriot Hospice Homecare, Just ‘B’ and Saint Michael’s Hospice are a family of services with our values at the heart of all we do. We are committed to supporting volunteers effectively and appropriately particularly in a role such as this which may be emotionally challenging. We will support our volunteers with:

•  Full training and ongoing support.
• Flexible volunteering hours suit your schedule.
• The opportunity to be part of a caring and dedicated team making a difference in people’s lives.

Getting started:

• Please click the link to complete our online application form.
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a volunteer interview.
• If you are successful at interview, you will join our training programme.
• Following the training there will be a reflective interview, providing the opportunity to reflect on the issues raised/discussed during the training.
• Additional ‘top-up’ training will be offered where appropriate.
• We will also ask you to complete mandatory e-learning via our online training platform.
• We will complete a DBS check and ask you to provide some information before you begin volunteering.

Our values

• We put the people who use our services at the heart of everything we do
• We are caring and compassionate
• We are personal and supportive in our approach
• We engage positively
• We are responsive
• We are driven to do better
• We are fair
• We are professional
• We work collaboratively
• We are accountable

Living out our values

·Our behaviour framework puts our values in the context of our everyday work. 

·We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age, or sexual orientation and from users of mental health services. This is part of our commitment to equality and reflecting the diversity of our communities.

·We believe that children, young people and adults should never experience abuse of any kind.  Our safer recruitment and safeguarding processes help protect those accessing our services, please see our safeguarding statement on our website.

·If you require any support or adjustments to be able to apply for this role, please let us know.

For more information on the role, please contact us and we can arrange for you to have an informal discussion with a member of the team.

North Yorkshire Hospice Care is a registered charity in England and Wales (518905) with a family of services operating as Herriot Hospice Homecare, Just ‘B’, Saint Michael’s Hospice, and Talking Spaces. North Yorkshire Hospice Care is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (2121179).

Join Jumped Up Theatre as its next Chair, fostering creativity and driving positive social change within Peterborough’s communities.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Monday 28th April 2025.

Location: Hybrid/Peterborough PE1 2QT

Time commitment: 2 – 3 days per month

About Jumped Up Theatre

Jumped Up Theatre creates opportunities for people to make, enjoy, and celebrate culture. As an arts organisation, the direct and positive impact we have on the people of Peterborough and the surrounding areas is central to our mission. We are a catalyst for change in Peterborough, using performing arts and engagement activities to meet people where they are at.

Since 1993, we have been producing events with audiences at the heart of our work. Our events, performances and opportunities strive to engage and empower the communities we work with.

Bringing together artists who are curious about our audiences and their stories, activists who want to make change happen, and anyone who shares their passion for creating.

Our programming and co-creation models provide a platform for new stories and experiences. Through participatory experiences, live events, and a community-led focus, we curate programmes that ensure touring shows become meaningful to local communities. We connect participants and artists in a spirit of co-creation, support pathways of audience engagement and artist development, and raise the expectation of what the arts can be in Peterborough.

We originate projects through community consultation, build understanding by identifying grassroots needs, and introduce excellence into process and production. We focus on those who aren’t served by the city’s infrastructure.

By delivering a programme rooted in and shaped by local needs, Jumped Up provides exceptional partnership-driven experiences that imagine a better future for Peterborough.

About the role

We’re seeking an experienced, inclusive and supportive Chair to take Jumped Up on the next stages of its journey, as the current Chair steps down at the end of a rewarding and enjoyable term.

Our new Chair will support us in delivering ambitious plans rooted in our communities. These plans will be inspired by co-creating inclusive and equitable experiences that have a real and lasting impact on our city.

Who we are looking for

A passionate advocate for equality and diversity, you will be innately curious about the work we do and the impact it has on our city.

You’ll share our vision to create a new story for Peterborough, believing strongly in the power of art to change lives. Inspired by the unique opportunities the young demographic of our city represents, you will act as both an advocate and ambassador for our organisation.

As well as providing strategic and inclusive leadership to the board, you will play a key role in supporting the Creative Producer, acting as a mentor and sounding board, bringing commercial and financial acumen and fresh perspectives to our discussions.

While not necessarily based in Peterborough, you will have an interest in and empathy for the city.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 28th April 2025.

We are looking for an enthusatic Administrator to join our small team who is passoniate about supporting children and young people with disabilities.

The purpose of the role is to provide admin support to the F6IT CEO and team. 

This role will play a key part in achieving our vision where diabled children and young adults along with their families can together enjoy a rewarding life which is fun, beneficial and above all fulfilling. 

Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 600 shops. Our stores sell lots of great donated & new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.

Our retail stores are the face of our charity on the high-street and in local communities. We have loads of amazing stock donated to us every week, and this all needs to be sorted, tagged and put on the shop-floor for sale!

Making sure our shops look fantastic is another task you can get involved with. You may also be required to help out on the till too, but we will show you how that works during your time volunteering with us. We value the contribution of everyone who supports Barnardo’s.

You will be a friendly face of Barnardo’s by volunteering in one of our shops. It would be great if you could volunteer one shift a week (or even more if you want) but we’re always happy to be flexible to work around your availability.

Why we want you

Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 700 stores. Our stores sell lots of great donated and new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.

What you will be doing

• Work on the till processing sales and returns
• Prepare stock, including sorting, steaming and pricing
• Create stylish window displays
• Replenish stock on the shop floor
• Stock-take and other administrative tasks

The skills you need

• Friendly and helpful
• Happy to be part of an amazing team of staff and volunteers
• Enthusiastic about the work of Barnardo’s
• Flexible and willing to do a variety of the shop tasks

What's in it for you

• Have fun and meet new people
• Develop skills for your CV including confidence, teamwork and problem solving
• Make a difference to the lives of children, young people and their families
• Learning and development opportunities through our Volunteer Academy which includes access to Level 2 Qualifications and other accredited courses
• Full training and experience of working in retail as a volunteer

Location:

Unit 1A, Highpoint Retail Park, Hartlepool, TS24 0RN, United Kingdom

Minimum age: 14 years

Please note: we only accept applications from those residing in the UK

Empower girls and young women throughout their development as the new Chair of Girls Friendly Society.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 24th March.

Who we are.

Girls Friendly Society (GFS) has supported girls and young women across England and Wales since 1875. Originally founded to support working-class girls, GFS has since expanded to offer training course, workshops and residential hostels.

Today, its work remains as important as ever, as girls as young as six years old have reported feeling unable to be themselves. Factors such as gender bias, stereotypes, and a lack of role models and opportunities limit their futures, confidence, and overall happiness.

Who we are looking for.

The Charity is looking for a dynamic Chair who is passionate about the development of young girls and women and understands the importance of GFS’s work. A strong familiarity with not for profit governance is essential.

The new Chair will provide strategic and inclusive leadership to the Board, galvanising the entire team and acting as an advocate for GFS. Building relationships with funders and stakeholders, you will serve as an ambassador for the Charity to continue their expansion of services across the UK. You will also offer strategic oversight to ensure the balance of scrutiny, support and guidance to drive the organisation forward.

GFS seeks an inclusive leader with experience in not for profit governance and leadership, expertise in organisational change and transformation, strong financial acumen, and alignment with the charity’s values.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 24th March.

Home-Start South Wiltshire offers support, friendship, and practical help to parents with at least one child under 5 through our network of trained volunteers, who visit families in their homes. We believe children need a happy and secure childhood and that parents play the key role in giving their children a good start in life and helping them achieve their full potential.

We are urgently looking for an experienced Chair to lead our Board of Trustees. The main responsibilities include leadership and governance, strategic planning, financial oversight, fundraising and advocacy, board development, program oversight and engaging with our team.

We are looking for the following skills:

· Proven leadership experience, preferably in a non-profit organisation with a strong understanding of governance and strategic planning.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and bring people together.

· Experience of chairing meetings and events.

· Able to demonstrate a strong passion and commitment to the charity, its strategic objectives, and cause.

​This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check. Chair Information Pack and role description

We actively encourage applications from candidates known to be under-represented in the charity sector – including Black, Asian and other Ethnic groups and disabled candidates and from all walks of life. Candidates can request reasonable adjustments for them to complete the recruitment process.

Volunteer at Webbs of Wychbold 

Why not volunteer at Acorns at Webbs of Wychbold garden centre and support Acorns Children's Hospice? 

At  Acorns we provide care and support for life limited or life threatened children and their families. We are a charity, and our fundraising is vital to enable us to continue providing care and support to the children: it costs around £11 million a year to run our care services.

We are looking for bucket collectors to support raise vital funds for Acorns Children's Hospice

on: - 29th & 30th May 2025

Volunteer from 10 - 3pm or part of this time

Apply now if you want to be part of this great volunteering opportunity.

Am I right for the role?

We’re looking for volunteers who are

• Approachable and happy to raise awareness about Acorns
• Confident and happy to be a collection volunteer outside

Why volunteer at Acorns?

• To help a local charity and make a difference in your community
• Connect with likeminded people and make new friends
• Learn new skills to boost your CV
• Opportunities to progress to other roles
• Access to free online training courses
• Retail discounts
• Participation in our volunteer recognition schemes and rewards

We can only accept volunteers who are 18 years of age or older. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must also apply as they need to accompany you for the duration of your volunteer activities.

About us: GT Scholars is a charitable social enterprise that tackles educational inequality by giving ambitious young people the support, skills and strategies they need to achieve aspirations. We run a wide range of programmes that help young people achieve their academic and career aspirations, particularly those from less-privileged backgrounds. 

What makes us different? We run tutoring, mentoring & career insight programmes that help our scholars, aged 11-18, discover their strengths, develop their mindsets and design their own futures.

There are many charitable organisations and social enterprises offering programmes to improve the life chances of young people. 

However, our programmes use a unique 3:1 model which means that we’re able to sustainably use our profits to provide additional places on our programmes, to young people from low income homes. 

We believe that all young people are gifted and talented, regardless of their background. 

Our mission is to empower and develop the next generation of leaders and change-makers and we’re looking for volunteer tutors that are passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives!

If you are an undergraduate or graduate, you could make a difference by joining us as a volunteer tutor. As a volunteer tutor, you’ll need to:

• Have a passion for helping children and young people

• Provide online one-to-one tutoring support for 1 hour week

• Build pupil confidence in Science.

• Have strong subject knowledge (confident enough to tutor up to GCSE)

• Work collaboratively with other tutors and mentors

• Have a minimum of an undergraduate degree or be working towards this

Volunteer tutoring can be extremely rewarding and volunteers with GT Scholars benefit from:

• A flexible schedule - you can choose online tutoring hours to suit your schedule

• The chance to grow your contacts and meet like-minded volunteers 

• The chance to make a real difference in the life of a young person.

Additional information: We’re looking for tutors that can commit to a minimum of 2 academic terms of volunteering.

We will need to conduct reference checks and you will need an Enhanced DBS for this role as you will be working directly with children. We can process this for you or you may submit one if this is less than 3 years old.

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life threatening  or terminal illness to make the most of time together, providing expert, practical and emotional support, where they need it for as long as it is needed.

As a Drop-In Art Group Volunteer, you will provide support to help run the activities taking place as part of a support group for children and families.

Your role may include:

• Setting up for the session’s activities and tidying up at the end 
• Supporting children with creating and completing artwork
• Participating in craft and play activities 
• Providing emotional support for children and their parents or Carers

What we’re looking for:

• A warm, friendly and enthusiastic volunteer, happy to get stuck in
• Knowledge / experience of interacting with children and young people    
• A great communicator, with excellent listening skills  
• Able to work both independently and as part of the team  
• Non-judgemental

Your commitment:

• Our support group takes place early evening, every last Wednesday of the month from 4.00pm-7.00pm 
• we are looking for volunteers to support on a regular monthly basis
• To enable you to get the most out of your volunteer role, we are looking for volunteers who are available for the next 12 months.

Training and Support

• A dedicated member of Rainbow Trust staff will guide and support you in your work 
• You will receive a full induction to the charity and a programme of training relevant to your role, to help you get the most from your time with us
• Training will cover areas such as safeguarding, active listening skills, bereavement, health and safety, confidentiality and GDPR
• Further modules will be available for you if you would like to develop your knowledge
• All care volunteers will receive regular one to one support and more formal supervision sessions

Why choose Rainbow Trust?

• We are a Sunday Times Top 100 Not-for-Profit organisation and a leading charity for children and young people
• Training opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge
• The enjoyment of becoming part of our friendly and welcoming team, knowing you are making a valuable contribution to the lives of the families we support
• A calendar of social events for volunteers, including Christmas events and celebrations for Volunteers’ Week
• We will reimburse your out-of-pocket travel expenses

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.

Want to be an invaluable part of a fun, committed and friendly team and support families affected by childhood cancer? We're looking for a Front of House Volunteer to help our team and welcome families visiting our family support centre. We offer fun, relaxed training, a chance to meet new people, great support and we reimburse out-of-pocket expenses.

Volunteer Role: Front of House Volunteer

Hours: Every other Thursday, 4-8pm (on a fortnightly basis)

Location: The Square, Woodhouse Square, Leeds, LS3 1AD

Families who have been affected by children’s cancer (including patients, parents, siblings and grandparents) can come to The Square for a coffee and a chat, as well as book and access a variety of support services, including:

• Wellbeing Services & Activities
• Specialist 1:1 Support
• Family Support Groups and Events

Key Activities:
As a Front of House Volunteer you will support the Family Support team with a variety of tasks including:

• Meeting and greeting families and other visitors
• Making drinks for families and visitors
• Answering the telephone, transferring calls and taking messages
• Making bookings and updating our database
• Setting up rooms for meetings and events

This role is subject to an enhanced criminal record check.

We're looking for volunteers who:

• Have experience of working in a customer service environment
• Are confident, friendly and approachable
• Have good IT skills and experience of using a database
• Are able to move furniture (tables and chairs) and boxes
• Are able to climb multiple flights of stairs
• Are able to manage own emotions when working with families affected by childhood cancer
• Are able to maintain professional boundaries and follow Candlelighters Policies and Procedures

Why Volunteer with Candlelighters?

• Learn new skills and boost your CV
• Ongoing support from our friendly Family Support and HR teams
• Reimbursement for certain expenses, including travel
• Charity Worker Discount Card and access to The Company Shop
• Access to a mental health hotline for when you need a little extra support
• The heart-warming feeling of knowing you’ve made a difference in the lives of children and families affected by childhood cancer

Join us in bringing hope and joy to families facing childhood cancer.

Why not volunteer at Acorns at Webbs of Wychbold garden centre and support Acorns Children's Hospice? 

At  Acorns we provide care and support for life limited or life threatened children and their families. We are a charity, and our fundraising is vital to enable us to continue providing care and support to the children: it costs around £11 million a year to run our care services.

We are looking for volunteer bucket collectors to raise vital funds for Acorns Children's Hospice. 

on: - 24th & 25th July 2025

Volunteer from 10 - 3pm or part of this time

Apply now if you want to be part of this great volunteering opportunity.

Am I right for the role?

We’re looking for volunteers who are

• Approachable and happy to raise awareness about Acorns
• Confident and happy to be a collection volunteer outside

Why volunteer at Acorns?

• To help a local charity and make a difference in your community
• Connect with likeminded people and make new friends
• Learn new skills to boost your CV
• Opportunities to progress to other roles
• Access to free online training courses
• Retail discounts
• Participation in our volunteer recognition schemes and rewards

We can only accept volunteers who are 18 years of age or older. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must also apply as they need to accompany you for the duration of your volunteer activities.