Volunteering for Year 10 and 11 students

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.

Join Barnardo's in its Congleton charity shop and help keep a busy retail store running smoothly. Volunteers support a wide range of day-to-day shop activities that raise vital funds for Barnardo's work with vulnerable children, young people and families across the UK. Typical tasks include working on the till, processing sales and returns, sorting, steaming and pricing donated stock, creating window displays, replenishing the shop floor, and helping with stock-take and other admin duties. Full training is provided, so you do not need previous retail experience. This is a flexible volunteering role, with one shift a week preferred but more available if you want it. Barnardo's says the role is suitable for 16-18 year olds, and applicants must be at least 14. It is also friendly for university students and offers a chance to build confidence, teamwork and problem-solving skills while making a real difference in the community.

TCV’s Biodiversity Action Team - West London is a practical conservation volunteering opportunity for people who want to help improve local green spaces. Volunteers work across the London Boroughs of Richmond, Hounslow and Kingston, supporting a range of environmental activities in both urban and rural settings. Typical tasks include tree planting, wildflower meadow management, coppicing, pond management, river works, hedge laying, wildlife refugia, footpath clearance, and building steps or pathways to improve access. The team also helps create more biodiverse school grounds and other accessible green spaces. The project runs on regular volunteer days and is designed to be friendly, welcoming, and varied from week to week. No practical skills are needed to start, as support and guidance are provided on site. It may suit people interested in conservation, outdoor work, and gaining hands-on environmental experience.

Next Generation Young Foresters is a volunteering and adventure club for young people aged 11 to 18. It is designed to give participants an active, outdoor experience while supporting environmental and conservation work with The Heart of England Forest. Young Foresters take part in a mix of practical and adventurous activities in the forest, including bushcraft, outdoor cooking, natural crafts, camps, and forestry or conservation tasks. The programme is aimed at teenagers who want to spend time outdoors, build confidence, and make new friends while contributing to a meaningful cause. The experience can also help participants develop useful skills and gain work experience, while supporting the volunteering requirement for the Duke of Edinburgh Award. It is an in-person club based at Colletts Farm in the Heart of England Forest.

Young Wardens at Carlton Marshes is a monthly in-person club run by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust for teenagers aged 11-16. Participants discover local wildlife, learn practical conservation skills and take part in ecological surveys that support the reserve efforts. Activities vary through the year and include safe use of tools for habitat management and structured species surveys whose results inform conservation work on the reserve. Sessions are held at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre (Burnt Hill Lane, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 8HU). Young Wardens should bring a packed lunch as there is a lunch break. All events are subject to minimum attendee numbers and weather conditions; if Suffolk Wildlife Trust cancels an event a full ticket refund will be issued. The club can contribute to the volunteering/skills section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award; parents should contact the organiser if attending for DofE purposes.

Hillingdon Council is recruiting Reading Buddy volunteers as part of the National Year of Reading 2026. Volunteers aged 13 to 17 will offer one-to-one or small-group support to young readers in Hillingdon libraries, helping to build childrens confidence and develop literacy skills through reading and storytelling activities. Volunteers will gain experience of working in the community, teamwork and engaging with members of the public. Library staff will be on hand to support volunteers at all times while they are helping in the libraries. The role aims to create a warm, positive and welcoming environment that encourages young people to enjoy reading. If you are interested, you should apply online using Hillingdon Libraries' Young Person Volunteer Registration Form. Applicants must live or study in the Borough of Hillingdon and meet the age requirement before applying.

Youth Rangers is a regular volunteer programme for young people run by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. It gives participants hands-on experience in nature conservation through practical tasks such as scrub clearance, surveying and habitat creation, while developing wildlife skills and teamwork. Sessions run 12:30-16:30 on the third Saturday of each month at Robinswood Hill in Gloucester. Sessions are suitable for beginners with no prior experience; they are run outdoors in all weathers and are useful for personal development and for young people completing volunteering hours for awards such as Duke of Edinburgh. Places are free but limited. Young people must register their interest (online) and book individual sessions via the Trust's events/Eventbrite booking system; sessions open for booking on the first Monday of each month. If a member turns 18 while involved there are opportunities to take on volunteer youth leader responsibilities.

Suffolk Community Libraries recruit volunteers across numerous community roles at many library branches across Suffolk. Roles include supporting summer literacy activities (Reading Quest), facilitating children’s Lego sessions, running dementia and Parkinson’s support groups, café volunteering, a home delivery library service, Friends group trusteeship, garden maintenance, digital support (Get Connected), and general library duties such as shelving and customer support. Activities range from delivering structured sessions with children and families to supporting older adults, assisting with events, and helping with day-to-day running of library spaces. Commitments and requirements vary by role: some roles specify minimum ages (e.g., Reading Quest 12+, Café volunteer 16+, many outreach/support roles 18+), minimum time commitments (Reading Quest: 3-4 hours/week for ~6 weeks; Café volunteer: minimum 6 months), and role-specific checks or skills (DBS and training for Get Connected; car access for Home Library Service). Most roles are unpaid; travel expenses are paid for some posts. To apply, use the online Volgistics application form linked on the page; for further information some roles list contact details (e.g., Lowestoft Library: lowestoft.library@suffolk.gov.uk, 01502 442810).

Salisbury Museum recruits volunteers for a range of museum roles and runs a local work experience programme. The page points visitors to the Volunteer Hub where they can read role descriptions and complete an application form. Volunteer recruitment is actively seeking people to join the Engagement Team who can provide weekend afternoon availability. The museum runs a work experience programme for local students: placements in 2027 are available for Year 10 and Year 12 students and will run from 7 June to 30 July 2027. The 2026 work experience programme is fully booked. Prospective applicants should state which role(s) they are applying for; general (non-role-specific) applications may not be responded to while teams are at capacity. To apply, download the application form from the museum website and return it via email to katedouglas@salisburymuseum.org.uk, in person to the museum receptionist, or by post to the Volunteer Coordinator at Salisbury Museum, The King's House, 65 The Close, SP1 2EN. For queries contact the Volunteer Coordinator (Kate Douglas) or call 01722 332151.

Heeley City Farm offers volunteering and training opportunities across the farm, food-growing areas, café, administration, site maintenance, and community support. The activities are designed to help people build practical skills, confidence, and friendships while contributing to a local charity focused on nature, wellbeing, and inclusion.

The farm welcomes volunteers from age 8 upwards, with different options for different ages and interests. There is a dedicated 16–24 volunteer group, plus roles for ages 16+ in the farm kitchen, finance, reception and administration, and site maintenance. Sheffield Safe Places is available for volunteers aged 18+.

Applicants should complete the online volunteer form. The farm says some departments have waiting lists, placements cannot always be guaranteed, and successful applicants may be invited to a “Try it” day. For some roles, a criminal records check may be requested because the farm works with vulnerable people.

Clophill Eco Lodges recruits volunteers to support its activities and events and is always looking for new members. Volunteers can expect opportunities to meet people and to develop new or existing skills; available roles cover a range of interests including gardening, history, geology, painting, DIY and marketing. Volunteers are asked to be able to give a small regular commitment (for example a couple of hours a month).

The organisation welcomes younger volunteers: those wishing to complete Work Experience or the volunteer portion of their Duke of Edinburgh Award (bronze, silver or gold) are invited to get involved. Volunteers are accepted from age 14 upwards, with parent or guardian permission required for under-18s. Most student volunteers work at weekends, but times and days can be arranged to fit the volunteer's availability.

To join or find out more, prospective volunteers should complete the volunteer form on the website and a member of the Clophill team will contact them.

Surrey County Archaeological Unit offers a range of volunteering opportunities across fieldwork and post-excavation activities. Summer community projects include excavations, surveys and field walking; no previous experience is needed and training is provided. Volunteers can join digs during the warmer months to gain hands-on experience in archaeological field techniques.

Year-round Wednesday sessions are held at the Surrey History Centre in Woking, focused on processing finds and samples; these sessions run 11:00-16:00 and require booking. The unit also provides limited work experience placements targeted at students in Year 11, sixth form and college, and publishes career resources online for those considering heritage and archaeological careers.

To get involved or for further details about placements, sessions and summer projects, contact the Surrey County Archaeological Unit directly. Note that placement availability can be limited, so early enquiries are recommended.