Volunteering opportunities

Volunteer online or from home with the British Red Cross and support people in need wherever you live in the UK. This flexible remote volunteering option is designed for people who want to make a real difference without needing to travel to a shop or office. There are several ways to get involved. You could help research, photograph and list items for the online shop, support fundraising, answer calls on a national support line, or assist with services for refugees and families who are trying to reconnect. By volunteering remotely, you can gain valuable experience, meet like-minded people and contribute to the Red Cross humanitarian mission. It is a flexible way to support others, build skills and take part in meaningful community action from home.

STEM Learning’s STEM Ambassador programme recruits volunteers who want to inspire young people by bringing science, technology, engineering and mathematics to life. Ambassadors come from a wide range of backgrounds and share their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm with schools and community groups across the UK. The programme is designed to help young people aged 5-19 see the real-world value of STEM and to consider future pathways in these subjects. Volunteers do not need to work in STEM to take part. Anyone aged 17 or over and living in the UK can sign up, then complete a short induction that includes a safeguarding test, agreeing to the Code of Conduct, and filling in profile details. After that, the programme supports volunteers with an enhanced DBS or PVG check, depending on location, so they can work safely with young people. STEM Ambassadors also get access to free resources, live online training sessions, and a peer-support community. The programme includes sector groups, online mentoring, and other volunteering initiatives, giving participants opportunities to share expertise, develop confidence, and stay connected with a wider network of STEM professionals.

Entelechia Collective is a youth-led non-profit focused on mental health awareness and destigmatising mental health among young people. This volunteering opportunity is open to young people who want to contribute to a cause with real social impact while building practical experience in a supportive, youth-led environment. Volunteers can help with a range of creative and communications tasks, including writing, design, marketing, and making reels. The role offers hands-on experience, volunteer hours, and a certificate, and it may suit applicants who want to develop content skills while supporting a mental health initiative for youth. Successful volunteers are contacted with more detail about the kind of reels and content they may be expected to create.

Youth volunteer placements with the British Red Cross give young people the chance to gain practical experience in the humanitarian sector while contributing to meaningful work that supports communities across the UK. Placements are designed to help volunteers build confidence, develop new skills and explore career options in a real-world setting. Volunteers may get involved in a wide range of activities depending on the role, including research projects, event support, helping with administration and project management, attending team meetings and contributing ideas to strategic discussions. The placements are flexible, with many roles remote and others office-based or hybrid. These opportunities are suitable for people with little or no previous experience. The British Red Cross provides guidance and training, and its bursary scheme can support young volunteers aged 15-25 from low-income households. Most placements last between 3 and 12 weeks, with time commitments often arranged around the volunteer’s circumstances.

Volunteer in Fight for Sight’s Surbiton charity shop on Victoria Road, where you can help with day-to-day retail tasks and support the organisation’s mission to Save Sight. Change Lives. Volunteers may work on the till, serve customers, process donations, handle Gift Aid, do housekeeping, and help with visual merchandising and keeping the shop floor welcoming. The role is designed to be friendly, flexible and social, with opportunities to meet new people, build confidence and contribute to the local Surbiton community. Fight for Sight says volunteers can learn transferable skills such as customer service, EPOS and till training, retail administration, and safeguarding awareness, and can also receive references and training that may support future paid employment or further volunteering. The opportunity is open to people of different ages and backgrounds, and Fight for Sight specifically welcomes young people volunteering for Duke of Edinburgh Awards or school-related work experience from age 14. Outside those channels, the minimum age is 16. The shop is a charity retail environment, so it can suit people who want practical experience, a community-focused role, or simply a worthwhile way to give their time.

Born2BFree’s Volunteer Program invites young people and adults to support the organisation’s leadership and arts-related community work. Volunteers can help at events, assist with planning programs and activities, take part in behind-the-scenes administrative work, and contribute to creative areas such as event setup, social media, journalism, music, dance, fashion, photography, and more. Several volunteer pathways are described, including Event Volunteer, Parent Volunteer, Community Service Volunteer, and Staff Volunteer. Community service volunteering offers specific duties that are adjusted to the volunteer’s availability and the organisation’s needs, and groups are welcome to get involved. Staff volunteers become more actively involved in the organisation’s ongoing work and are expected to attend monthly meetings. The program is unpaid and requires applicants to complete a volunteer application. Born2BFree also states that a background check is required, and that applicants with certain serious convictions will not be accepted. Once an application is submitted, the organisation says it will contact applicants after reviewing their details.

Woodhorn Museum is seeking volunteer stewards to support the Luminarium, an immersive art installation taking place as part of the museum’s 20-year celebrations. Volunteers will help run the event and support visitors as they move through the structure, making sure the experience is welcoming, safe and enjoyable. Stewards will carry out a mix of practical and public-facing tasks, including opening doors, taking tickets, welcoming visitors, sharing information and helping with cleaning. Volunteers rotate between several workstations during each shift, helping manage visitor flow and contributing to the overall visitor experience. The role is suitable for people aged 16 and over and requires good communication, customer care and the ability to follow instructions. A briefing must be attended before volunteering. Shifts take place during October half term, with morning and afternoon sessions available, and some outdoor working should be expected.

This 2-week volunteering programme in Delhi places participants in a child care project supporting street children through local contact points and shelter homes. Volunteers help with informal education classes, games, songs, storytelling, basic literacy, meal preparation and serving, decorating shelter walls, and other creative activities that bring structure and companionship to the children’s day. The itinerary combines volunteering with a guided Delhi city tour, a Taj Mahal day trip to Agra, and free time to explore. Accommodation is provided in a hostel in South Delhi, with Indian vegetarian meals at the hostel and airport pickup on arrival. The programme is designed for students, gap year travellers and backpackers who want a short, structured placement rather than an open-ended project, and no prior childcare experience is required.

Better Active Oldham’s AQA Accredited Young Volunteers Programme is designed for young people aged 13–17 who want to gain real experience through volunteering. As an AQA Unit Award Scheme Centre, the organisation says participants can work towards recognised AQA certificates while taking part in hands-on volunteering and training.

The programme is aimed at helping young volunteers build confidence, develop practical skills, and add valuable experience to their next steps. It is part of Better Active Oldham’s wider work supporting children, families, and local people across Oldham through sport, education, and community opportunity.

The page also highlights a broader volunteering offer with flexible roles to suit different skills and interests. Examples include sport coaching, admin, project support, photography, fundraising, and social media and communications. Better Active Oldham says volunteers can give a few hours or support more regularly, depending on their availability.

Age UK Norfolk is highlighting student volunteering opportunities for students in Norfolk who want to support older people in their community while building useful skills. The page frames volunteering as part of Student Volunteering Week, encouraging students to get involved and make a real difference through practical, community-focused help. Volunteers can contribute in a range of flexible roles that fit around student schedules. These include telephone befriending, digital support, and admin and office support. The charity says volunteers receive guidance and support from its team, and no prior experience is needed. Volunteering may help students strengthen communication and teamwork skills, gain experience for future careers, make intergenerational connections, and support older people who may be experiencing loneliness or isolation.

Volunteer at the Macmillan cheerpoint for the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run in Glasgow and help create a lively, encouraging atmosphere for runners as they head towards the finish line. The role is focused on supporting participants from the sidelines, making noise, and showing the community spirit that makes the event special. Volunteers are provided with the items they need to take part, including Macmillan tabards and cheerpoint equipment such as cowbells, clappers and pom poms. The opportunity is designed to be friendly and flexible, and the organisers invite anyone who cannot make one of the standard shift times to get in touch so support can be arranged. The event takes place at a wheelchair-accessible venue, although routes to the cheerpoint may be affected by road closures. It is part of a major charity run that raises money for people living with cancer, so volunteers play a direct role in helping the day feel positive and memorable for everyone involved.

Singing for the Brain is a structured group session for people affected by dementia, built around music therapy and singing. The sessions create a supportive, uplifting environment where participants can enjoy a creative activity, socialise with others, and attend alone or with a carer. As a Singing for the Brain Support Volunteer, you will welcome people with dementia, help them feel at ease, and support the smooth running of the session. Typical tasks include setting up and tidying the room, preparing and distributing refreshments, handing out materials such as songbooks, and encouraging people to join in once the singing begins. You will also support the facilitator with activities, either online or in person. The Bath session takes place at All Saints Church on Church Road and runs on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 2:00pm to 4:30pm. Volunteers will also receive first aid training and act as one of the group’s first aiders at each session.

This programme places volunteers with a grassroots non-profit in the slum communities of Jaipur, Rajasthan. Volunteers work alongside local staff to co-teach small groups of children in English, mathematics, computer basics, and sports, while also helping to plan activities, games, and broader educational sessions. Depending on the placement’s needs, you may also support girls’ empowerment or health-awareness sessions. The role is designed for people who want to contribute in a community setting rather than act as independent teachers. No prior teaching experience is required, but volunteers need intermediate English and a flexible attitude. Work is supervised by local coordinators, and sessions are structured around support for the existing team and the children already attending the project. Placements run for 1 to 12 weeks and begin every week. Volunteers stay in a volunteer house in north Jaipur or with a host family, with meals and local transfers included. It is a practical, hands-on opportunity for young adults who want to gain experience, make a positive impact, and learn more about life in Jaipur.

Marketing and Social Media volunteers support the Marine Institute at Maui Ocean Center by creating engaging visual and written content that helps grow the organisation’s reach, brand awareness, and community of supporters and donors. The role includes marketing-related work such as managing the e-newsletter, supporting the symbolic adoption programme, and contributing to fundraising campaigns and other outreach efforts.

Volunteers may also help with social media content creation and public engagement across platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. The position is designed for people who are creative storytellers with strong communication skills and an interest in conservation, nonprofit outreach, or media-related work. Experience with tools like Canva or Adobe is a bonus, but not required.

This is an unpaid opportunity for applicants aged 16 and over. Volunteers must commit to at least six months and complete a minimum of one three-hour shift each week. Hawaiʻi residents are preferred, though remote participation is possible.

Community Heroes is a youth volunteering programme that gives participants the chance to support vulnerable residents in their local community while learning practical skills on real projects. Volunteers work alongside experienced mentors and construction professionals, helping to improve homes and outdoor spaces through hands-on community action. The programme includes tasks such as painting and decorating, fence repairs, garden clearances and maintenance, shed repairs, basic carpentry, minor property repairs, accessibility improvements, community clean-up projects, and general property maintenance. Participants also learn tool use, safety awareness, and site organisation while building teamwork, communication, timekeeping, responsibility, and leadership skills. No previous experience is required, and volunteers are supported from the application stage through to their first project. Alongside practical experience, participants may gain references, volunteer certificates, project experience records, and introductions to employers and industry contacts, making the programme useful for confidence-building and future opportunities.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Youth Volunteer Scheme is a national volunteering programme for young people. It is designed to help participants build confidence, improve communication, develop teamwork skills, and gain practical experience of community service in a safe and welcoming setting. Young volunteers can learn about the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, take part in simple drills, and understand more about safety and prevention. The scheme also gives young people the chance to support their local community through activities such as litter picks, charity car washes, event marshalling, fundraising, and sharing safety messages. It is not a guaranteed route into becoming a firefighter, but it can offer useful support and guidance for anyone interested in a future career with SFRS. Applications are made online, and places depend on whether there is a local group running nearby.

Beyond Braidz CIC is a community organisation that supports children, young people and families through creative skills development, wellbeing initiatives and entrepreneurship. This volunteering role focuses on communications and event support, helping the organisation deliver welcoming, safe and engaging activities for the local community. Volunteers may support workshops, family activities, wellbeing programmes and community celebrations, helping participants have a positive experience on the day. The role suits people who enjoy community engagement, local events and practical teamwork, and who want to contribute to a culturally inclusive environment. In return, volunteers gain hands-on experience supporting community projects and events, along with training, induction and ongoing support. The role can help build communication, teamwork, leadership and event management skills, while also offering references, certificates and the chance to connect with local organisations and make a positive difference.

Active Schools Dundee is recruiting volunteers to support sport and physical activity in schools and the wider community across Dundee. Volunteers can help with breakfast, lunch and after-school clubs, one-off events and festivals, holiday programmes, officiating, leadership of sports and activities, and wider roles such as events coordination, newsletter editing and website development. The programme aims to give more children and young people regular opportunities to take part in sport and build a lifelong love of physical activity. The opportunity is flexible and can suit parents, guardians, school staff, students, young leaders, coaches and anyone else who wants to make a difference. Full induction, training, equipment and resources are provided, and no prior experience is needed. Travel costs incurred through volunteering are reimbursed, and online volunteering is also available for people who want to contribute from home.

Join Liverpool John Moores University for a practical volunteering day at a National Trust site in Formby. Participants will work alongside the National Trust ranger team to help protect and improve a rare sand dune and woodland environment, contributing to conservation and access work that supports local biodiversity. The day includes hands-on outdoor tasks such as scrub control, path maintenance and resurfacing, and dune slack maintenance. It is also a chance to speak with an area ranger about their work and the wider challenges of biodiversity and climate change. Training for all tasks will be provided on the day, and volunteers should come prepared for outdoor conditions with suitable clothing, waterproofs, sturdy footwear, a water bottle, packed lunch and snacks.

Youth Leads UK is recruiting young people to join its Youth Advisory Board and help shape the direction of a youth-led charity. Board members contribute ideas, feedback and lived experience to influence strategy, programmes, campaigns, partnerships and services. The role is designed to ensure young people are genuinely involved in decision-making rather than simply consulted. This opportunity is aimed at people who enjoy working with others, sharing ideas and using their experiences to help make a difference. No previous experience is needed. Youth Leads UK says it is looking for people with passion, potential and a willingness to get involved, as well as those who are empathetic, open to feedback and interested in youth voice and leadership. The commitment is around 3-5 hours a month, with at least three sessions a year, and meetings usually take place in Greater Manchester. Online resources are available where needed, and the organisation says it will support members with mentoring, training and guidance throughout the role. The position lasts for one year with the option to renew, and travel and food costs are covered for in-person involvement.