Volunteer

Whether you have an hour a month, 3 hours every week, one day a year or something in between, you can make a difference!

At Volunteer Centre Hackney, we have a huge database of opportunities with over 300 local charities and non-profits – so whatever you’re interested in, we can help you find your ideal volunteer role.

Our latest volunteer roles

Ready to get started? Here are some of the latest opportunities we have at the moment. Click on one to find out more via our database, Simply Connect.

Hackney Night Shelter Volunteer

This is a fantastic role for someone who wants to make a real difference in their local community by supporting people without a home. Our greatest need is for people who can give an evening on Friday or a period of time over Saturday or Sunday, serving food and drinks, chatting with guests and helping to keep the shelter a safe and friendly place to be. Shifts vary in length from 3-4 hours.

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Conversation facilitator/starter – MATCH

Can you use your voice to drive equality of access in the local health sector? You could lead conversations and discussions for the MATCH programme, which brings together residents and people in the healthcare sector to identify key local issues facing ongoing inequalities. The programme then works with partners to pinpoint and put in place ideas for change.

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Christmas Dinner Host & Helper

Whether you’re serious about sprouts or passionate about parsnips, Christmas dinner is always something to enjoy. That’s why Hackney Christmas Dinner hosts Christmas Day events, making sure people between the ages of 18 and 25 who have left care are not alone on Christmas Day. They’re seeking volunteers to help with activities such as face-painting, dancing, karaoke, chatting to guests and giving out gifts. Those with plenty of energy and a friendly demeanor should apply today.

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Volunteer Gardener

Those with green fingers should aim to grow their skills in this Volunteer Gardener role with Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. You’ll help with watering, weeding, and pruning, making sure green spaces remain looking fantastic. It’s an opportunity to give something back to the community, plus you’ll benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise.

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Community Befriender

All you need to become a Community Befriender is an hour every week to check in with someone in your community who is vulnerable. We’ll match you with the right person, based on your interests, schedule, language, and whether you’d like to meet in-person, or speak on the phone or online. Our expert team gets 5 referrals a week for lonely and isolated City and Hackney residents from healthcare professionals and other support organisations. Join us over the festive period, and help make sure people who are isolated or lonely feel valued.

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Christmas Day Driver Volunteer

Make someone’s Christmas by driving a group of people with HIV to The Food Chain in Stepney Green on Christmas Day. There, you and a group of people who The Food Chain support will enjoy Christmas-themed films, games and of course Christmas lunch! As long as you have a UK driving licence and have a confident, approachable manner, you should fit the bill.

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Browse for hundreds more volunteer roles here

How to get involved

Want to make a difference but not sure where to start? Whether you’re after admin experience, interested in supporting older people, want to do digital volunteering, are only free on Tuesdays at 2pm, or want to help at a one-off event, we can help you find something that works for you.

Find a role

Browse our database – you can filter by location, commitment, cause, activities, and more.
Get started

Get in touch

We can help point you in the right direction, depending on what you’re interested in.
Call 020 7241 4443

Speak to our team

To arrange a a face-to-face appointment at our office in Dalston, email us. We do in-person appointments on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10am – 3pm.

White man with grey hair and a grey beard, wearing a VCH t-shirt is at a laptop, speaking to someone in front of him.

Volunteering has been a real life-saver for me. And every job I've had I got through volunteering!

Ryk – Volunteer Centre Hackney Office Volunteer
White man with grey hair and a grey beard, wearing a VCH t-shirt is at a laptop, speaking to someone in front of him.

Want to know more?

If you want to learn more about how to get started, what opportunities there are, or how to work with us, get in touch.

Jane Tyler

Head of Volunteering

Louis Massingham Rowell

Administrator and Volunteer Coordinator