Local Opportunities
Volunteering locally is a great way to make a difference to your community, meet new people, gain skills and improve your wellbeing!
Check out the options below and find your ideal match today!
Please be cautious when choosing a volunteering opportunity. We vet organisations to ensure we only promote volunteering providers that we hope will provide you with a safe, rewarding and enriching experience.
If you come across a volunteering opportunity you would like us to check on your behalf, please forward the details to volunteer@qub.ac.uk
Below you’ll find a selection of in-person volunteering opportunities:
Democracy Volunteers is the UK's leading election observation group. They observe elections to assess and report on their quality.
Volunteer Observers are needed for local authority elections on 18 May. No previous experience is required, however volunteers must be apolitical. You will visit polling stations with a partner, to help collect data on a wide variety of subjects. Full training will be provided.
Election observation is a great way to learn more about the democratic process in action and contribute to civil society!
Want to build up your medical student portfolio?
Want to stand out in your applications for junior doctor positions? Fundraising for a medical charity demonstrates your commitment to the medical community, and gives your portfolio an extra boost. It’s also your chance to make a difference, helping to change the lives of doctors and medical students in need.
DSNI are looking for volunteers to support sport and active recreation opportunities for disabled people. There are opportunities in Belfast and across Northern Ireland. Put your skills and qualities into action, give something back to the community and learn something new!
Habitat ReStore is a low-cost DIY store, building sustainable communities, directly tackling poverty, and diverting tonnes of reusable material from landfill.
Located in various locations across NI, they are excited to be opening their first store in Belfast (Crumlin Road) at the end of February!
Volunteering roles include sales, processing incoming donations, assisting deliveries/collections and operating the till.
Downtown is a community hub that provides support to anyone feeling isolated and alone. They are seeking volunteers to befriend members by listening and giving encouragement, whilst also assisting facilitators. It is a great chance to learn new skills, and gain valuable experience supporting vulnerable adults.
If you have time free between 2-4pm on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons, or 10.30am-12.30pm on Monday or Friday mornings, they would love to hear from you!
This role is based in Lisburn (you would need to have access to transport or live nearby).
Are you a gardener, handy person or keen on DIY? Depaul are looking for volunteers who can help to make their garden space in Castlehill, Dungannon more beneficial to residents.
If you can build plant pots, paint and garden, your help would be greatly appreciated! All tools and materials will be provided.
This role is based in Dungannon (you would need to have access to transport or live nearby).
Oxfam are a global movement of people who won't live with the injustice of poverty.
Volunteering opportunities are available for students interested in sustainable fashion in several Belfast based charity shops.
You can get involved 3-4 hours weekly as a weekend retail team member, visual merchandiser or as a social media volunteer. Training and support will be provided to help you to feel confident in the role.
Sign up and be a part of the biggest mass participatory sporting event in NI! The Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon takes place on Sunday 30 April. There are a number of roles available including:
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- Route Marshall
- Water Station Support
- Energy Station Support
- Start Area Support (Stormont)
- Finish Area Support (Ormeau Park)
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Training provided.
Sólás are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who would like to gain experience supporting children and young people with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and additional needs. They have opportunities available in the Early Years programme, Afterschools Club, Youth Club and Saturday Clubs. Their sessions aim to develop skills and promote play, and last between 2-3 hours.
The Brain Tumour Charity is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. They are recruiting Charity Ambassadors to support them with maximising fundraising opportunities, and increasing support from the Community.
Roles include:
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- Identifying opportunities to raise awareness of Fundraising Campaigns
- Representing the Charity through presentations and cheque collections at schools, local companies & community groups
- Aiding recruitment of new fundraisers and supporting those signed up in your area
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Ten Foundations empowers women living in poverty in the Philippines, through its livelihood programme, and are offering diverse roles for volunteers:
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- Creating content for their social media platforms
- Designing promotional materials
- Producing their monthly newsletter
- Designing education packs and other resources for school children
- Visiting schools in NI to raise awareness of the how they can support Ten Foundations
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Every seven seconds, Samaritans respond to a call for help. No judgement. No pressure. Samaritans are there for anyone who needs someone.
Join the Listening Volunteer team at Samaritans NI to offer emotional support to callers.
You don’t need to have been through particular life experiences. Anyone who wants to help others, is tolerant and open-minded is welcome to apply.
High-quality training is included where you’ll learn valuable new skills, make new friendships, and be part of an amazing group of people.
Give your CV the boost it needs this semester by becoming a volunteer with Belfast Hills Partnership. Learn new skills, help your local environment, improve health and have great craic meeting new people!
Conservation volunteer activities take place every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10.30am – 1pm across the hills - including litter lifts, invasive species management, tree planting and path maintenance. Volunteering is fully flexible and no prior experience is necessary.
Festival of Fools is a jam-packed weekend of circus performances, featuring breath-taking acrobatics, gut-busting comedy and jaw-dropping juggling. They are looking for friendly and passionate people who will help to make the festival unforgettable. Over the weekend you will help out at performances, assist the public and the artists, help conduct audience surveys and collect donations. It is an excellent opportunity to meet new people, experience the world of circus and help to bring a fantastic festival to the good folk of Belfast!
Application Deadline: 31 March 2023.
The Access Project supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access great universities. They are looking for students who would be able to tutor a young person aged 14-18, online, one hour a week. Would you like to help inspire the next generation by supporting academic studies and helping them reach full potential?
Current applications will support in the next academic year.
Talk Campus is a global, 24/7 support platform for student mental health. They are looking for student volunteers for their Buddy Programme. It's an opportunity to connect anonymously with other students who are looking to support each other through the ups and downs of student life. There are no designated shifts - simply do in your own time, with flexible online training and certificates of training and service provided.
Literacy Pirates are an educational charity working to develop the literacy and confidence of young people in London in an online learning environment.
Volunteers will provide one to one and small group literacy support to 9 to 13 year olds with the guidance of a session leader. A training session via Zoom, tech induction on the interactive learning platform, and DBS certification are provided. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Rosie’s Trust are hoping to find volunteers for their popular Canine Support role. Their mission is to preserve and protect the special relationship between people and their companion pets, when a person receives a terminal diagnosis or is living with a disability. You could support them by playing/walking their dog, or by taking it to the vet or groomer - the list is endless!
NICHS are looking for volunteers to help with their wellness and rehabilitation programmes.
Wellness Volunteer - assist Surviving Stroke in the Community Wellness session attendees, in participating in activities and encouraging communication.
PREP Volunteer - assist the Care Services Co-ordinator with the Post Rehabilitation Exercise Programme (PREP) in setting up equipment and encouraging and assisting clients.
The Trussel Trust are looking for University Team Leaders to help the campaign to end hunger in the UK. The Team Leaders would share Trussell Trust key messages and organise on campus events to help promote the work of the charity. As well as building practical experience in an interesting and engaging role, the Team Leaders will also be enrolled onto an online Leadership training programme delivered by Barclays Bank PLC.
Counselling All Nations Services (CANS) seeks to ensure the full participation of people from minority ethnic backgrounds in public, economic, social and cultural life in Northern Ireland. They are recruiting a Weekend Admin and Operational Support Volunteer to assist with enquiries and clerical duties.
The British Red Cross Mobility Aids Service allows people in the community to hire a wheelchair for short-term use while they recover from an illness or an injury. As a volunteer, you will be welcoming customers and helping them to get moving again.
Volunteers are needed in Belfast and across Northern Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Futsal Federation are currently seeking aspiring sports journalists, videographers, and content creators, to support their media team. The role will require attendance at matches on Sundays and/or Fridays.
Volunteering with CLARE will change the life of someone over the age of 65 in North Belfast by reducing their loneliness and isolation. You will bring your passion, creativity and kindness to this role as you befriend, have a cup of tea with, do a bit of shopping for, do an activity with or take a service user out on a day trip.
Volunteer a few hours a week to support the Belfast Philharmonic Society's Youth Choirs in their rehearsal rooms in South Belfast! You would ensure children and young people can access singing and music classes, and would help the Youth Choirs prepare for concerts in Belfast and across Ireland.
Are you aged 18-30? The Prince's Trust are starting their own Youth Forum and wish to ensure that the voices of young people are being represented in everything they do. The forum will meet monthly to see how young people's needs can be met.
Share Discovery Village is a Residential Activity Centre and has a range of volunteering opportunities available. You could be helping to deliver outdoor activities, supporting those with special needs, assisting the social media and marketing team or even helping to prepare meals in the kitchen.
This organisation is based in Fermanagh (you would need to have access to transport or live nearby).
Childline is a free, confidential listening service for children and young people up to the age of 19. They are seeking volunteer counsellors to offer 1 x four hour shift a week in their Belfast base (travel expenses reimbursed). No previous experience is needed, and extensive training will be provided.
With Community Advice Newry, Mourne & Down, you could train to be an adviser, form-filler or receptionist. Volunteers also sit on the management committee and help with fundraising, publicity or social policy activity. You will get great experience, support, full training and expenses reimbursed.
*Please note these opportunities are based in Newry and Downpatrick so you must live locally to one of these areas.
Deafblind UK require volunteers to make wellbeing calls to Deafblind UK members to ensure they are receiving the best support.
You don’t need to live nearby or have experience to become a volunteer Wellbeing Caller – calls can be made from your own home. You just need to be comfortable talking over the phone, confident in speaking with people of all ages and backgrounds and be able to commit to a regular weekly time slot.
EastSide Partnership is a local charity leading the regeneration of East Belfast through a variety of projects which all aim to make East Belfast a better place.
If you are sociable, reliable, enjoy teamwork and have an interest in any or all of the following - arts, the outdoors, tourism, supporting with children and young people - then volunteer with EastSide Partnership. You’ll help with event set-up, stewarding, participating in clean-ups and engaging with the public.
Fighting Words NI are looking for volunteer mentors to help facilitate a programme of creative writing workshops for primary, post-primary, and community groups. Their fun and imagination-focused workshops include collaborative and individual writing, and mentors support young writers to explore their creative potential. If you are a great listener who enjoys a creative environment, they would love to hear from you!
Headway, a brain injury charity, are looking for volunteers to support their weekly groups in Belfast, Lisburn, Bangor and Finaghy. Volunteers would spend time with group members, assisting with refreshments and helping with activities.
*Transport costs are reimbursed.
LASI (Language & Solidarity Initiative) is a student-led initiative supporting migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers by providing English language classes and cultural events, supporting their integration into Belfast life.
Mary's Meals is a charity which provides 2.2 million of the world’s poorest children across 20 countries, with a daily school meal.
As a Community Volunteer you can contribute as an individual or become part of a new student group, helping to grow the movement by motivating and inspiring others on campus and in the local community to support Mary's Meals.
Mencap want you to volunteer and help to make NI the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.
With NI Sea Cadets, you could volunteer as an instructor or in the management team. Volunteering with this youth charity will help you to obtain qualifications, enhance your CV and support 10-17 year olds in achieving their potential. There are 12 cadet units across NI to volunteer with.
RSPB are the largest nature conservation charity in the country, consistently delivering successful conservation, forging powerful new partnerships with other organisations and inspiring others to stand up and give nature the home it deserves.
Are you a passionate campaigner or just want to do something to help the climate and nature crisis? Join the RSPB campaigning team. Whether it's your first step into campaigning, or you've already had experience, there's a need for you. The role is flexible and you can contribute as and when suits.
Belfast WOW (Window on Wildlife), a visitor centre in the heart of Belfast Harbour, is home to thousands of birds and other wildlife.
The reserve is undergoing an exciting project called ‘Community Spaces’, which aims to better connect the reserve to its local community. There are lots of volunteer roles available, including visitor experience, practical reserve work and leading or supporting events.
Shopmobility Belfast requires volunteers to undertake administrative duties including data entry, paperwork and performing safety checks on mobility equipment between the hours of 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. Full training is provided, travel expenses are reimbursed, and volunteers receive a daily lunch allowance.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) is the largest and oldest voluntary charitable organisation in Ireland.
The Home Visitation role provides support, guidance, and friendship to those who request assistance from the Society.
The Vincent’s shops require assistance with general store duties and exceptional customer service.
Tutor The Nation is a charity that makes education fairer, one tutoring session at a time. They are looking for dedicated volunteers to give an hour of their week to tutor a disadvantaged secondary school pupil in a GCSE or A-Level subject of choice. If you are knowledgeable about your subject and would enjoy mentoring a student to help them to develop the skills and confidence to achieve their goals, apply today!
Verbal uses a shared reading model to start meaningful group conversations through short stories and characters from a wide range of literature. The aim is to talk about mental health and wellbeing and boost the emotional wellbeing of participants through story telling. Verbal has a variety of programmes that work with both children and adults across Northern Ireland.
MindWise are delivering 'Beyond Bricks', a new and innovative programme, involving LEGO® Based Play and a range of activities to support primary school children in the Belfast area to overcome the impact of the pandemic, and to enhance their overall mental health and wellbeing.
Volunteers will receive full training and duties include:
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Supporting the preparation and delivery of 5 x 1-hour workshops to Primary 6 and 7 pupils
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Providing progress updates and feedback to MindWise
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Gathering evaluation information to inform the impact of the programme
Belfast South Community Resources based in Sandy Row is currently recruiting volunteers for their Study Support Programme.
They are particularly in need of volunteers who would be confident supporting young people up to Year 11 in Maths and Science subjects.
Study support runs Mondays and Wednesdays from 3.30pm to 5pm!
Whether you want to learn new skills, keep busy or meet new people, British Heart Foundation have a range of roles available in their shops. You could be a digital assistant, a department coordinator, volunteer behind the scenes or in a customer facing role. Through volunteering in their shops, you would be helping to generate funding for research into all heart and circulatory diseases and the things that cause them.
When someone loses their sight, Guide Dogs Northern Ireland is there to make sure they don’t lose their freedom as well.
They are currently looking for a range of volunteers:
- Fundraiser to assist the local fundraising team in promoting and taking part in a variety of activities to raise money for Guide Dogs.
- Media Champion to support the Marketing and Communications Manager with local Guide Dogs stories, activities and developing case studies to showcase volunteers & those with sight loss.
- My Sighted Guide to help a person living with sight loss get out and about confidently in their local area. You will be provided with full training to allow you to safely guide and navigate someone with sight loss, all whilst building your partner's confidence and social interaction!
- Volunteer Recruiter to support the Volunteer Coordinator in promoting the benefits of volunteering and the different roles available. The role aims to ultimately increase the number of new enquiries received from people who are interested in volunteering.
The Turnaround Project was set up with a vision of shifting the boundaries between the Prison Service and the wider community within Northern Ireland.
They work with people who are serving sentences in prison or in the community to help them turn around their futures; and to turn around the wider community, encouraging others to support people on that journey.
They do this by providing transitional training, paid employment and strengths-based coaching to people serving sentences within their ground’s maintenance social enterprise, Outwork and their bike refurbishment, sales, leasing, and repair enterprise, Big Loop Bikes that operates on campus.
They would love your help! If you would like to further develop your skills in social media/marketing/financial or business admin or communications volunteering with their social enterprises, they would really appreciate your time.
To register your interest, email catherine.shaw@theturnaroundproject.org
Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service at the Royal Victoria Hospital provide information materials, signposting services and support for those and their families living with cancer. They are seeking Meet & Greet Volunteers to welcome patients and their families to the Centre.
This role will also involve explaining resources and services available and helping service users to access the information they require.
The Now Group are seeking for volunteers in a range of areas.
Every day they run classes for those with learning difficulties and autism, teaching them life skills as well as employment skills.
They also have a large range of social groups including an art club, creative writing group, film club and gaming club- so whatever you're into, there's something for you!
Responsibilities will include providing person-centred support to participants, within classroom and outdoor venues and assisting groups and classes.
Volunteer Now are looking for a Forth Meadow Community Greenway Ambassador to support the project to connect existing open spaces in North and West Belfast along a route from Clarendon Playing Fields to the new Transport Hub in the city centre.
You will play a key role in meeting, greeting and informing visitors from all over the world who will come to walk along the paths and cycle ways along the route. Training will be provided.
Oxfam Books raises funds for Oxfam Ireland's work for food security and justice in developing countries. They are seeking retail team members for their book shop in Belfast City Centre.
The role will involve sorting and pricing goods, stocking and merchandising, making sales and helping customers. Travel expenses will be paid.
ShopMobility Belfast provides a free daily rental service of mobility scooters and wheelchairs to anyone who has difficulty accessing and travelling around Belfast.
They are currently seeking enthusiastic, reliable and committed volunteers to join their team to assist with safety checking equipment, answering phone calls and data entry. Full training will be provided and out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
A variety of shifts are available between between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Hope 4 Life are looking for Uberheroes volunteer facilitators for primary and post-primary schools across Northern Ireland. Uberheroes provides Early Intervention Mental Health Workshops, utilising comic heroes to help children and young people prevent mental health issues.
School visits occur on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and would only require that you would have some availability on these days every so often. Full training, support and supervision will be provided.
Find out more by emailing hello@hope4lifeni.org.uk
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have a volunteering opportunity as a campaigner. With two Climate Bills currently making their way through the Northern Irish Assembly, and a host of other important moments within UK's environmental calendar coming up, there has never been a better time to get involved. This might be your first step into campaigning, or you might already be a social media influencer, or part of a local community, university or school campaigning group, whatever your experience, they need you! The role has flexible asks on your time depending on the campaign and the urgency.
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Northern Ireland, is one of the UK’s leading sight loss charities. Their Technology for Life team is looking for Roaming Tech Support and Tech Hub Support Volunteers. Could you spare a few hours a month to help someone with sight loss to get online and set up with their new phone, tablet or computer? Volunteers would be willing to assist people to get the most out of technology, to make life that bit easier and enjoyable. No prior knowledge of assistive technology or vision impairment required. Full training will be given.
Sea Cadets give young people the best possible head start in life based on the customs of the Royal Navy. They offer 10-18 year olds exciting opportunities both on and off the water and are seeking volunteer Uniformed Instructors (weekly and in person) to support young people to take part in activities such as canoeing, rowing and first aid. Unit Management volunteers (monthly and in person or remote) are needed to raise the profile of the Unit, recruit cadets & staff, and raise funds. Full training given.
NIACRO works to reduce crime and its impact on people and communities. Volunteers are needed for projects supporting people who have offended; their families; young people at risk of offending; and the wider community.
Sólás is a charity that provides a range of educational and social programmes for children and young people with additional needs and/or Autism. They have several volunteering opportunities at the moment including supporting their 'Back on Track' programme, After Schools Club, Saturday Respite Club, Early Intervention programme and their Youth Club.
Belfast Hills have several weekly volunteering opportunities available. From conservation on Mondays & Thursdays to Wildflower and Tree Nursery tasks on Tuesdays! There's also the bi-monthly Belfast Hills Society which is specifically for young people and students and activities include tree and hedge planting, wildflower meadow creation & management, invasive species mapping and wildlife surveys.
Concern Worldwide have opportunities for bookshop volunteers in Holywood and Derry/Londonderry, and shop volunteers in their Ormeau and Antrim Road locations in Belfast. The roles involve serving customers at the till, merchandising the stock and preparing books for sale. If you enjoy meeting people, show initiative & enthusiasm, and have an interest in books then this could be the role for you. Full training will be provided.
The Catholic Guides of Northern Ireland are looking for leaders to provide Guiding opportunities to enable girls and women to develop their full potential and instil leadership skills for the future. No experience is necessary, and all training is provided. There is no upper age limit.
Are you interested in conservation? Fresh air? Or getting out in the countryside? Then The Conservation Volunteers could have the volunteering role for you! TCV operate various community conservation and environmental projects that you can get involved in!
Girlguiding Ulster are looking for unit assistants to help give girls opportunities for fun, friendship, challenge and adventure! Volunteers must be over 18 and be, or be willing to become, a member of Girlguiding. Tasks include creating and delivering programmes, complying with policies and regulations and providing a safe girl-only space where young women and girls can uncover their full potential.
Special Olympics Ireland are a sports organisation supporting people with an intellectual disability and they currently have over 8,000 athletes participating in 15 different sports. Volunteers are central to supporting the organisation and you could become involved by delivering health promotion programmes or health screening to the athletes.
Praxis Care are recruiting volunteers to assist with their dementia friendly sensory garden project in Newtownabbey. The garden will be accessible to 21 individuals in supported living with an early diagnosis of dementia. This activity is designed to help residents maintain physical activity, cognitive function, and social interaction. Volunteers with an interest in gardening/ horticulture/ wildlife are required to support the project though planting, growing fruits and vegetables, and assisting with general tasks.
Northern Ireland Hospice shops urgently need additional volunteers. You don't have to have any retail experience. As long as you have a helpful and caring manner and are punctual and reliable they would love to have you join their friendly team. If you can spare even just a few hours in the week, please get in touch with them now. Tasks include customer service and helping process stock.
Multiple opportunities are available with Positive Futures, a charity committed to supporting individuals with a learning disability, those with acquired brain injury and people on the autistic spectrum. Roles include a Better Together Mentor based in Belfast, and a Community Support Volunteer based in either Lisburn or Bangor. Training will be provided and access NI checks are required. Click I'm interested for more information on the two roles and how to apply.
The Bytes Project is a youth work charity that work with the most vulnerable young people in Northern Ireland, solving social issues affecting young people by harnessing the power of technology through innovative digital and traditional youth work.
If you are aged 16-25 and interested in advocating for young people, networking with like-minded individuals, becoming a change maker and having your voice heard then join the Bytes Youth Board.
Royal National Institute for Deaf People require Hearing Aid Maintenance volunteers across Northern Ireland. This role provides hearing aid maintenance (cleaning/changing parts) and advice (optimising hearing aid & signposting to to other services) to NHS hearing aid users at planned support sessions and/or in their own homes, if required.