A Guide to Volunteering in the UK

Volunteering is a great way of giving some of your time back to the local community. It also is a great way of keeping the mind active and meeting new and like-minded people. Here is a list of organisations, which offer volunteering opportunities UK wide.

List of Volunteer organisations

Age UK

Supports older people through various services; volunteers can help with befriending, helplines, and community support. Ideal for mid-50s volunteers interested in peer support.

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

Email: contact@ageuk.org.uk

Phone: 0800 678 1602

British Red Cross

Offers emergency response, refugee support, and community services; roles include transport, fundraising, and helpline support.

Website: www.redcross.org.uk

Email: volunteer@redcross.org.uk

Phone: 0344 871 1111

Royal Voluntary Service

Provides support in hospitals and communities, including befriending and activity sessions for older adults.

Website: www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Email: enquiries@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Phone: 0808 196 3644

Volunteering Matters

Volunteering Matters Focuses on community projects tackling social issues; opportunities for experienced volunteers to lead or support local initiatives.

Website: www.volunteeringmatters.org.uk

Email: hello@volunteeringmatters.org.uk

Phone: 020 3031 6900

The Salvation Army

Runs charity shops, homelessness support, and community programs; roles in shops, befriending, and events.

Website: www.salvationarmy.org.uk

Email: volunteering@salvationarmy.org.uk

Phone: 020 7367 4500

Cancer Research UK

Supports research through fundraising, events, and shop volunteering; suitable for event marshals or shop assistants.

Website: www.cancerresearchuk.org

Email: supporter.services@cancer.org.uk

Phone: 0300 123 1831

Reach Volunteering

Matches skilled volunteers with charities for trustee roles or project support; great for professionals in mid-life.

Website: www.reachvolunteering.org.uk

Email: info@reachvolunteering.org.uk

Phone: 020 7250 4700

NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations)

Umbrella body; helps find local volunteer centres and opportunities across the UK.

Website: www.ncvo.org.uk

Email: ncvo@ncvo.org.uk

Phone: 020 7713 6161

RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)

Conservation work, wildlife monitoring, and reserve maintenance; appeals to nature enthusiasts.

Website: www.rspb.org.uk

Email: volunteering@rspb.org.uk

Phone: 01767 680551

Oxfam

International aid with UK shops and campaigns; roles in retail, advocacy, and emergency response.

Website: www.oxfam.org.uk

Email: supporter.services@oxfam.org.uk

Phone: 0300 200 1300

Trussell Trust

Operates food banks to combat hunger; volunteers needed for distribution and warehouse support.

Website: www.trusselltrust.org

Email: info@trusselltrust.org

Phone: 01722 580 600

Crisis

Homelessness charity; opportunities in advice, outreach, and Christmas centres.

Website: www.crisis.org.uk

Email: volunteering@crisis.org.uk

Phone: 0300 636 1967

Mind

Mental health support; roles in helplines, groups, and awareness events.

Website: www.mind.org.uk

Email: info@mind.org.uk

Phone: 0300 123 3393

NSPCC

Child protection; volunteer in childline or campaigning, with training provided.

Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Email: help@nspcc.org.uk

Phone: 0808 800 5000

RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People)

Supports blind and partially sighted people; roles in befriending and events.

Website: www.rnib.org.uk

Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk

Phone: 0303 123 9999

WRVS

Now part of Royal Voluntary Service.

Website: www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Email: enquiries@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Phone: 0808 196 3644

St John Ambulance

First aid training and event cover; volunteer as a responder or trainer.

Website: www.sja.org.uk

Email: volunteering@sja.org.uk

Phone: 08700 10 49 99

Guide Dogs UK

Assists with guide dogs; roles in fundraising, puppy walking, and admin.

Website: www.guidedogs.org.uk

Email: fundraising@guidedogs.org.uk

Phone: 0118 983 5555

Woodland Trust

Tree planting and conservation; hands-on outdoor volunteering.

Website: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk

Email: support@woodlandtrust.org.uk

Phone: 01476 581 111

Citizens Advice

Provides advice on rights and entitlements; train as an adviser.

Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Email: Via local bureau

Phone: 0800 144 8848 (national)

Sue Ryder

Hospice and neurological care; shop and support roles.

Website: www.sueryder.org

Email: info@sueryder.org

Phone: 0800 085 2554

Marie Curie

End-of-life care; night line and support services.

Website: www.mariecurie.org.uk

Email: info@mariecurie.org.uk

Phone: 0800 090 2309

Alzheimer’s Society

Dementia support; helpline and local group facilitation.

Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk

Email: info@alzheimers.org.uk

Phone: 0333 150 3456

RSPCA

Animal welfare; rescue centres and inspections.

Website: www.rspca.org.uk

Email: contactus@rspca.org.uk

Phone: 0300 1234 999

National Trust

Heritage sites; conservation, visitor services, and events.

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Email: volunteer@nationaltrust.org.uk

Phone: 01793 466555

Barnardo’s

Children’s charity; shops and family support.

Website: www.barnardos.org.uk

Email: Via website

Phone: 0800 151 0202

WWF-UK

Environmental conservation; advocacy and events.

Website: www.wwf.org.uk

Email: supporters@wwf.org.uk

Phone: 01483 426 333

Help the Aged

Now part of Age UK (as above)

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

Email: contact@ageuk.org.uk

Phone: 0800 678 1602

Community Service Volunteers (CSV)

Now Volunteering Matters. As above.

Website: www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Email: enquiries@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Phone: 0808 196 3644

TimeBank

Now part of Investing in Volunteers. Skills-based volunteering; community projects.

Website: www.timebank.org.uk (redirects to partners) Email: info@timebank.org.uk

Phone: Via NCVO partners

Disclaimer – The information was correct at the time of print and is subject to change.

www.rentasenior.co.uk is a UK-based online platform designed to connect skilled individuals aged 50 and over with people seeking their expertise for various jobs and services.

It targets retirees, semi-retirees, or older adults looking for flexible work to supplement their income or share their skills within their local communities.

The platform facilitates job opportunities in categories such as arts & crafts, care, computing, cooking, DIY, fitness, gardening, and house sitting, among others.