Volunteer

The home of volunteering in Hackney

We’ve been inspiring, developing, and supporting communities since 1997. We’re here to help you make a difference as a volunteer.

Our friendly team can help you choose from hundreds of ways to get involved below.

Three people smiling in a park

Get involved

Our services bring communities together through the power of volunteering. There are so many ways to make your mark. We’re here to give you a hand – from volunteering with local charities to supporting one of our services, we’ve got you covered. Choose an option to find out more.

Community event in the park

Volunteer

Want to volunteer but not sure where to start? Our expert team can help you find a volunteer role with one of hundreds of charities and non-profits.
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Corporate Volunteering

Searching for a corporate volunteering experience? We can help. Our team has connections with hundreds of local charities and non-profit groups, and can arrange a bespoke experience for you.
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Community Befrienders

Our Community Befrienders service fights loneliness and isolation in Hackney. Support us – join our team of volunteers and befriend someone over the phone or in person.
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Together Better

Want to take part in free activities, support the NHS, and meet new people? Join our Together Better service, which empowers local people to run and take part in free activities in GP surgeries across City and Hackney.
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Our Place

Are you full of ideas and want to help your local community? It can be hard getting an idea off the ground. Kick start your social action idea with free space, tools, and training.
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Community Health Champions

Community Health Champions is our service which works with local residents and the Public Health team to reduce health inequalities in City and Hackney.
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Get support

We also provide support for local charities and non-profits, healthcare and social referral organisations, and extra support to people with mental health challenges who want to start volunteering. Click on an option for more information.

Find volunteers

As a Volunteer Centre, we’re here to help charities, non-profits, and CICs in Hackney. We can help with everything from finding you volunteers to helping make sure you have the right policies to support them.
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Step Up

If you want a confidence boost and support with your mental health, we can help. Our Step Up service can help you improve your wellbeing and connect with people like you.
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Our News

News

Community Befrienders: “Seeing the difference our match has made to his quality of life makes me so happy and proud”

This Befriending Week, we tell D’s story about how meeting Sam through Volunteer Centre Hackney’s Community Befrienders programme has made them “feel much happier” on the road to recovery.

by: Louis Massingham Rowell – November 3, 2025 at 12:19 pm

News

Step Up: N’s story on how the programme’s support was “invaluable” for them

On World Mental Health Day, read N’s* story about how joining Volunteer Centre Hackney’s Step Up programme was “invaluable” for them during one of the most difficult chapters of their life.

by: Louis Massingham Rowell – October 10, 2025 at 8:16 am

Upcoming events for organisations

I've been volunteering while studying. It's flexible, plus I'm gaining new skills which I can't get through my part-time job. I know it will help with my career. Volunteering has also helped me meet more people and feel more confident.

Rian – VCH Office Volunteer