Volunteer

The home of volunteering in Hackney and the City

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 and the City. 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 and the City. 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

Together Better: Olive’s story on the Poetry for Wellbeing group making “a big difference in a short space of time”.

Read Olive’s story on how the Together Better programme’s Poetry for Wellbeing Group at Somerford Grove GP surgery gave her “something to look forward to each week”.

by: Louis Massingham Rowell – March 16, 2026 at 2:24 pm

News

Community Health Champions: How the programme has raised awareness and access of regular blood pressure checks

Learn how Volunteer Centre Hackney’s Community Health Champions (CHC) programme partnered with trusted people in familiar locations to raise awareness of the importance of regular blood pressure checks across under-represented populations.

by: Louis Massingham Rowell – February 12, 2026 at 9:00 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