Local Opportunities
Volunteering locally is a great way to make a difference to your community, meet new people, gain skills and improve your wellbeing!
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 su.volunteer@qub.ac.uk
Check out the categories below and find your ideal match today!
-
Admin/Clerical
Community Advice Newry, Mourne & Down
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.Counselling All Nations
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.
Shopmobility Belfast
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.
- Ambassador/Champion
It's a Penalty
As a Student Ambassador, you’ll support It's a Penalty to achieve their mission of ending abuse, exploitation and human trafficking through educating others, creating change or raising vital funds.
#iwill Movement
The #iwill movement are looking for #iwill Champions. These volunteers are young people who want to make a positive difference in their communities, and wider society, through social action. They will be equipped and enabled to shape and lead change in their own lives and communities.
You can take part if you are a young person engaged in social action (10-25) or part of a group working on a social action initiative, and if you are a UK resident. Whether you are at the start of your journey, or already taking action, join and become an #iwill Champion today!
The Brain Tumour CharityThe 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:- 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
- Animals
Cats Protection
Cats Protection is a movement of people championing the welfare of cats. TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) is a vital role in achieving our goals by helping to control the feral and stray cat population. Our dedicated TNR volunteers work hard to trap these cats, transport them to a nearby vet practice for neutering and return them to live happier, healthier lives. This helps to stabilise cat numbers in local areas, improving their overall quality of life.
Guide Dogs NI
Guide Dogs NI support people with sight loss to live independently, and need help from animal-loving volunteers to help care for puppies in training. Join an amazing organisation to make life-changing differences to people across NI and make memories you'll treasure forever, all with personalised support from a dedicated volunteer manager and all out-of-pocket expenses covered.
Lost Paws NI
Lost Paws NI help to reunite lost and found pets with their owners and assist with search and rescue when necessary. The charity receives hundreds of Facebook messages everyday from worried owners who have lost their pet and they need enthusiastic, animal loving individuals who would be willing to commit to a few hours a week, supporting them to manage their Facebook page.
USPCA
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the USPCA and they are offering the opportunity of regular two-hor volunteering slots each Saturday in their stores in Lisburn, Lurgan and Banbridge. Their stores bring in vital funds to help rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals across NI.
- Children/Young People
Aspire NI
Aspire NI are looking for volunteers to support their homework clubs by building positive relationships with participating children, helping answer their questions, assisting with homework, and encouraging a spirit of curiosity in education.
Barretstown
Barretstown run residential camps for children with a serious illness and volunteers play a leading role in providing the magical transformative experience given to campers and their families. Volunteers support and encourage each child to take part in all aspects of camp, while making sure they’re safe, supervised and having fun!
Belfast YMCA
Belfast YMCA has been supporting children, young people and families in Belfast for over 170 years with a wide range of school and community-based activities to meet local needs. They are located in Stranmillis and are offering flexible volunteer opportunities for students. You can volunteer at their Youth Club on Friday nights, working with young people in a fun and supportive environment. It's a great way to gain experience, build skills and make a real difference in your community!
Concern
Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organisation founded in Ireland. It operates in twenty-five of the world's poorest countries, responding to emergencies and working to end extreme poverty, fear or oppression.
Concern runs the Global Citizenship Education programmes. This aims to increase awareness of the inter-connected global community and to empower young people to take meaningful action against the root causes of injustice. What better way to do this than through a good debate? The Concern Debates Programme has been running for forty years with over 85, 000 participants researching, discussing, questioning and speaking out on global issues.
The debates are marked by volunteer adjudicators. If you have one or two hours free in the next few months, Concern would love your help!
Crossroads Care NI
Crossroads Care NI Charitable Group supports both the elderly and young carers in our communities. Young carers are supported by volunteers via monthly social outings.
Fighting Words NI
Interested in gaining experience in the arts sector or with children? Consider volunteering with Fighting Words NI! Fighting Words are looking for volunteer mentors and illustrators to help facilitate creative writing workshops for primary, post-primary, and community groups. No experience is needed as all training is provided. All that’s needed are good listening skills and a passion for what they do!
Girlguiding Ulster
Unit assistants needed 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.
Hope 4 Life NI
Uberheroes volunteer facilitators for primary and post-primary schools across Northern Ireland needed. 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
Literacy Pirates
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.NIACRO
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.
NI Sea Cadets
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.
The Access Project
Become a tutor to 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 and access great universities?
Current applications will support in the next academic year.
The Catholic Guides
Leaders needed 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.
Tutor The Nation
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!
-
Children/Young People 2
Angel Eyes NI
Angel Eyes NI, support children and young people aged 0-25, with a visual Impairment, and their families. These children may also have additional needs.
They host accessible events across Northern Ireland, including arts and crafts, music and dance, sports and activities for the children, and their siblings. Volunteers are vital to the running of their events. Volunteers support the children engaging in activities, through encouragement and interaction.
Volunteers are usually required for 3 hours, 1 day a month on a weekend, and travel expenses would be re-imbursed.
Cloona Child Contact Services
Cloona Child Contact Centre provides a safe and warm environment for children to meet parents or extended family with whom they no longer live. Their mission is to empower children to navigate change, provide a space for them to express their needs and to guide their family members towards being constructive role models. Volunteers supervise meetings and offer a listening ear and emotional support to children and parents.
This opportunity is based in the South Eastern Trust Area (Lagmore and Mount Eagles) - you must live nearby or have access to transport.
NSPCC
Join NSPCC to promote and ensure child safety in NI. They are recruiting:
* Childline counsellors at their Belfast or Foyle bases
* 'Building Connections' volunteers to support young people to tackle loneliness
* Young Witness Service volunteers to support children, young people, and their families through the court process in NI
* School Service volunteers who deliver child protection workshops in schools
* Fundraisers to raise funds for vital NSPCC services
Scouts NI
Scouts NI supports young people to find their place in the world, speak up, play their part and shine bright. At Scouts, volunteers support young people develop the skills they need for life through teamwork, practice and adventurous activity.
Sólás
Sólás are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who would like to gain experience in working with children and young people with ASD and additional needs. There are opportunities available in their Early Years programme, After-schools Club, Youth Club and Saturday Clubs. The sessions aim to develop skills and promote play and last between 2-3 hours.
Wheel Works
Wheel Works Arts is a leading youth arts charity supporting young people through accessible arts and digital technology-led programmes. They are seeking volunteers between the ages of 18-25 years to be Creative Influencers. A Creative Influencer is involved in youth issues and consultations, helping with youth arts projects and running Podcasts, etc.
81st Belfast Scout Group
Are you interested in developing leadership skills, making a difference in the local community and having fun? The 81st Belfast Scout Group is close to campus and Elms BT9 and runs weekly Scouting programmes supporting young people aged 4-18 with skills for life.
Please contact 81scoutgroup@gmail.com to arrange a 'welcome conversation' where they help to guide you through the joining up process, and to see how volunteering with the scouts can work for you. You can access the application form by clicking on the 'Apply Now' link - this can be returned to the 81 email address above.
- Community
Belfast YMCA
Help out with a variety of community initiatives at Belfast YMCA designed to meet local needs. Located in Stranmillis, there are loads of flexible options for volunteers. Help out in the new community garden to create a welcoming green space for everyone to enjoy. Or, volunteer at their Youth Club on Friday nights to work with young people in a fun and supportive environment. It's a brilliant way to contribute to the local Belfast community while having fun and building your skills and experiences.
EastSide Partnership
This local charity leads a variety of projects which aim to make East Belfast a better place.
If you enjoy the arts, the outdoors, tourism, or supporting children and young people then the volunteering opportunities available at EastSide Partnership would be perfect for you. You’ll help with event set-up, stewarding, participating in clean ups and engaging with the public.
Greater Village Regeneration Trust
Greater Village Regeneration Trust have a community development approach to health and volunteers are able to get involved in a number of projects including lunch clubs and exercise programmes for older people, marketing, gardening and community clean-ups.
L'Arche Belfast
L’Arche is a network of communities where people with and without learning disabilities share life together. They work every day to create a more inclusive, human society where everyone’s gifts are recognised and celebrated. Volunteer Support Workers are needed to provide practical and emotional support to adults with learning disabilities, encouraging interdependence and independence as far as possible in all areas of their life in a safe environment where their rights are protected and respected.
SVP
Volunteers needed for SVP's conferences in Belfast. This is a wonderful opportunity to reach out in the local community, giving direct assistance to those in need and support people move towards self-sufficiency. Through visiting people in their homes, SVP offer a unique combination of support, guidance and friendship. A little help at the right time can give people hope for the future!
The Trussell Trust
The Trussell Trust is forming a support and action group to campaign for fair student housing in Belfast. Meet with other students to share your stories on experiences with landlords and housing woes, bond with others passionate about change and brainstorm ideas on how to best achieve improved conditions for everyone. Anyone who wants to shake up the system and have fun while doing it is welcome.
The Vegan Society
The Vegan Society have an ever-growing Community Network of vegans. Every month, they choose from a range of outreach tasks such as holding information stalls, writing to MPs, and contacting local businesses. The Society provide their volunteers with leaflets, banners and workshops so that they are equipped to make the biggest impact possible.
- Conservation/Environment
Belfast Hills Partnership
Belfast Hills Partnership is an independent charity that seeks to improve the management of the Belfast Hills. If you want to learn new skills and help your local environment, their volunteering opportunities might be for you.
Wild Youth Steering Group (16-25) is a project in partnership with Ulster Wildlife that aims to support young people's mental and physical health through a variety of nature-based activities. You are invited to join the Wild Youth Group that meets around three or four times a year to help improve Wild Youth nature-based initiatives and advocate for nature.
Belfast YMCA
Belfast YMCA supports children, young people and families in the local community with a wide range of activities to serve their needs. Their new community garden aims to provide a green space that their service users and other locals can enjoy. They are in need of volunteers to help with planting, watering and weeding during two weekly sessions:
Thursday, 5pm-8pm
Saturday, 10am-1pm
Join to build skills and experience, make positive memories and contribute to the local community!
National Museums NI
Gain valuable experience in conservation by volunteering with CEDaR (Centre for Environmental Data and Recording), the Local Environmental Records Centre for Northern Ireland and its coastal waters, based in National Museums NI. They gather and record information about local wildlife and habitats. One of their key objectives is to support species and habitat identification and to develop citizen science and environmental recording.
As an Outreach Volunteer, you would set up a stall at an environmental outreach or engagement day, often for families across private and public venues. You would engage with members of the public using various specimens and informative materials to boost public engagement with biological recording and citizen science.
As a Photo Archive Volunteer you would update and organise archives of photos that are used for engagement purposes on social media, information cards, presentations and other materials.
RSPB
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. They have a number of opportunities available across Northern Ireland including:
- Farmland Bird Surveyor
- Youth Campaigner
- Volunteer Coordinator for Species Monitoring
- Visitor Engagement Volunteer
- Practical Reserve Work
- Conservation Officer
The Conservation Volunteers
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!
-
Culture / Arts
Brain Injury Matters
Brain Injury Matters supports, empowers and advocates on behalf of all those affected by Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and are recruiting an Arts and Wellbeing Volunteer to provide support to adults living with ABI and assist the Coordinator to facilitate arts, drama, physical activity and educational sessions.
National Museums NI
Welcome families to the Discovery Centre at Ulster Museum (right beside the campus) and encourage them to take part in fun, interactive and educational activities ranging from puzzles to dress up.
Festival of Fools
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 volunteers who will help to make the festival unforgettable. Over the weekend you will help out at the performances, assist the public and the artists, help to 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!
Apply by 1 April 2025.
Ulster Orchestra
The Ulster Orchestra is currently recruiting a cohort of volunteers to support the facilitation of rehearsals at its Townsend Street venue. This is a unique opportunity to get close to the Orchestra at work and engage in a programme of training that will provide valuable skills relating to arts/venue/event management. An initial three-month programme of engagement will be offered with the prospect of 2-4 hours per week volunteering for each individual. Places are strictly limited and will be subject to interview.
- Disability
Deafblind UK
Deafblind UK support people who have combined sight and hearing loss which affects their access to information, mobility and communication. They help them to live with their condition and to build their confidence and independence. They are looking for Telephone / Email Befrienders to make regular phone calls to members to chat about mutual interests and give them support and friendship to build a good relationship and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Disability Sport NI
Disability Sport NI are looking to recruit enthusiastic and energised volunteers to support with a range of programmes across NI. Tasks will include welcoming participants and assisting with the set up and delivery of multi-sport and boccia club sessions.
- Volunteer kit and training provided
- Transport expenses reimbursed
Guide Dogs
Want to help make a positive difference to the lives of people living with sight loss? Guide Dogs NI have a range of flexible volunteering opportunities available. Volunteers can get involved in supporting a local fundraising and events team, or assist people directly to participate in everyday activities such as going for a walk or visiting a local coffee shop.
L'Arche Belfast
L’Arche is a network of communities where people with and without learning disabilities share life together. They work every day to create a more inclusive, human society where everyone’s gifts are recognised and celebrated. Volunteer Support Workers are needed to provide practical and emotional support to adults with learning disabilities, encouraging interdependence and independence as far as possible in all areas of their life in a safe environment where their rights are protected and respected.
Mencap
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.
Positive Futures
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.
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
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.
Royal National Institute of Deaf People (RNID)
RNID support people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. Their roles include:
Near You Volunteers offer a free, in-person drop in service for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, or want to get their hearing checked.
Community Volunteers share information on deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus and help people check their hearing.
Shopmobility Belfast
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.
Special Olympics Ireland
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.
The NOW Group
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. - Education
Aspire NI
Aspire NI are looking for volunteers to support their homework clubs by building positive relationships with participating children, helping answer their questions, assisting with homework, and encouraging a spirit of curiosity in education.
Concern Debates
The Concern Debates is a flagship education programme for schools and they are looking for volunteer adjudicators! The programme runs for several months and is completed over a number of stages. Every year, more than 150 schools take part in the programme which gives students the opportunity to research, explore and then debate some of the defining issues of today.
Fighting Words NI
Become a volunteer mentor and help facilitate a programme of creative writing workshops for primary, post-primary, and community groups. 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!
Horn of Africa People's Aid NI
HAPANI is seeking ESOL Qualified English Language volunteers to support adults and young people embarking on learning English. The aim is to help those whom HAPANI works with to better integrate into the local community using the vital tool of English.
Literacy Pirates
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.The Access Project
Become a tutor to 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 and access great universities?
Current applications will support in the next academic year.
Tutor The Nation
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!
- Event Support
Concern Debates
The Concern Debates is a flagship education programme for schools and they are looking for volunteer adjudicators! The programme runs for several months and is completed over a number of stages. Every year, more than 150 schools take part in the programme which gives students the opportunity to research, explore and then debate some of the defining issues of today.
Festival of Fools
Would you like to help create an unforgettable weekend for the people of Belfast? Volunteer to help out at the Festival Fools - an exciting display of circus performances featuring breath-taking acrobatics, gut-busting comedy and jaw-dropping juggling. They are seeking enthusiastic and friendly people to be a helping hand for performances, assist the public and artists, 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 Belfast!
Apply by 1 April 2025.
Muscular Dystrophy UK
Muscular Dystrophy UK understand that a diagnosis of muscular dystrophy changes everything. They are urgently searching for treatments and cures to improve lives today and transform those for future generations. Volunteers are required to get out and about in the community to raise both funds and awareness.
NI Hospice
NI Hospice seeks volunteers to assist with events which raise awareness and vital funds for their specialist palliative care to people living with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses.
Special Olympics
Special Olympics Ulster are currently recruiting volunteers for events, fundraising and clubs. These roles vary from being part of an event management team, to officiating, to acting as a general volunteer. Volunteer roles ensure all events and club nights are safe, exciting and celebratory for all the athletes participating. Not all roles are sport-specific roles and previous experience is not required.
Target Ovarian Cancer
Target Ovarian Cancer is the UK's leading ovarian cancer charity. The charity's upcoming 5k fancy dress walk will raise vital funds to aid them in their work. Click below to take part.
When: Sunday 12 May, 11am
Where: Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3LPTen Foundations
Ten Foundations is a Northern Irish charity active in the Philippines. They are seeking volunteers to organise and run events as well as supporting their social media and online store.
The Crescent
The Crescent is a diverse community arts centre and they are in need of volunteers to help their busy Customer Services Team with their wide-ranging events and festival schedule. Responsibilities carried out by volunteers include: welcoming audiences; providing information and answering questions about The Crescent and its services; showing audiences to their seats and, leading tours.
The Moy Park Belfast City Marathon
The Moy Park Belfast City Marathon are on the look out for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to help deliver a brilliant experience for their Marathon, Team Relay, 8 Mile Walk and Half Marathon. By volunteering, you will play your part in helping participants achieve their goal and raise vital funds for charity. Volunteer roles include distributing race packs, route marshalling, supporting the water and nutrition stations, and cheering.
- Fundraising
Air Ambulance NI
The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for Northern Ireland responds on average to 2 incidents daily, bringing emergency pre-hospital care to patients who are seriously ill or injured, with the aim of saving lives, brains and limbs.
Air Ambulance N.I. is the dedicated charity for Moy Park Belfast City Marathon on Sunday 5 May 2024 and need volunteers for their 7 cheer & water stations along the route of the marathon, to support and cheer on all of the marathon participants.Cancer Fund for Children
Cancer Fund for Children is here for children and young people diagnosed with cancer or living with a parent with cancer. You can fundraise for them at various events including Belsonic, Belfast Giants, IFA matches and lots more.
Deafblind UK
Deafblind UK support people who have combined sight and hearing loss which affects their access to information, mobility and communication. They help them to live with their condition and to build their confidence and independence. Community Fundraising Volunteers support the team and raise money in their local community. This could involve fundraising, event support, putting up posters or collections.
HAPANI
HAPANI supports and empowers individuals from the Horn of Africa and you can support their fundraising efforts by supporting their business development and attracting a variety of donors. This role involves completing funding applications to trusts and foundations, and contacting corporates for sponsorship for events and one-off projects.
Mary's Meals
Mary's Meals is a global movement of people who believe that every child in the world deserves to have enough to eat and the opportunity to gain an education. The charity runs school feeding programmes in sixteen of the world's poorest countries, reaching over 2.4 million children with daily school meals which gives the children an incentive to come to school.
Are you passionate about helping to end World Hunger and would like the opportunity to support the work of Mary's Meals locally through awareness raising and fundraising events? Their volunteer roles are totally flexible to fit around your commitments and there are a wide range of activities that you can get involved in, including spreading the world to people you know, helping out at or organising fundraising events, giving talks to schools, churches or groups and exploring your own creative ideas to enhance the visibility of the work of Mary's Meals.To find out more, email info@marysmeals.org
NI Hospice
NI Hospice provides essential support to local families across Northern Ireland and need volunteers to assist with event support and fundraising campaigns and collections. Even just a few hours can make a crucial difference to the lives of those NI Hospice helps.
Royal Medical Benevolent Fund
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.
-
Health
Brain Injury Matters (NI)
Brain Injury Matters supports, empowers and advocates on behalf of all those affected by Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).
Volunteer roles directly and indirectly enables service users to become actively and positively involved in life after ABI.
British Red Cross
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.
Headway
Want to support a weekly group of adults with an acquired brain injury? For 2 hours each week, groups meet together to offer peer support, and enjoy a range of physical and social activities. Volunteers help by connecting with members and assisting the group leader with their programmes.
Macmillan Cancer Information and Support ServiceMacmillan 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.NICHS
Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS) offer services to those who have been affected by chest heart and stroke conditions, to take part in a programme of activities and socialise with those who have been through a similar experience. Guided by staff, volunteers assist those attending the session to participate in the activities.
NI Hospice
Volunteers are at the heart of the work of NI Hospice to support local families across Northern Ireland. They have a wide range of volunteering opportunities available from helping out in the Children's and Adult Hospices, their Retail Shops and the Old School House Café, assisting at events and with fundraising collections or out and about in the community with their Support Groups.
Northern Irish Ambulance Service
The Northern Irish Ambulance Service are seeking Volunteer car drivers to support their Car Service. Volunteers collect and drop off non-emergency patients for approved Non-Emergency Ambulance Control Journeys.
Reasonable expenses are covered and training and support provided.
Applicants must be a car owner, have a maximum of three penalty points on their driving license, and have car insurance to include business cover.
RCGP
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is the largest membership organisation solely for GPs in the United Kingdom. They are committed to improving patient care, developing their own skills and promoting general practice as a discipline. Volunteers play a key role in supporting work with the public and have the opportunity to respond to activity that impacts on the quality of patient care in Northern Ireland.
- Homelessness / Housing
The Trussell Trust
The Trussell Trust is forming a support and action group to campaign for fair student housing in Belfast. Meet with other students to share your stories on experiences with landlords and housing woes, bond with others passionate about change and brainstorm ideas on how to best achieve improved conditions for everyone. Anyone who wants to shake up the system and have fun while doing it is welcome.
- Isolation
South Eastern HSC Trust
Become a Volunteer Befriender with the Safe and Well Service at South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and be a source of company for those feeling lonely and isolated in the local community. A hybrid model of face to face and phone befriending is available.
- Marketing and Digital Promotion
Ten Foundations
Ten Foundations empowers women living in poverty in the Philippines, through its livelihood programme, and are offering diverse roles for volunteers:
- 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
The Northern Ireland Futsal Federation
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.
- Mental Health
Hope 4 Life NI
Become an Uberheroes volunteer facilitator for primary and post-primary schools across Northern Ireland. Uberheroes' provide 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
MindWise
MindWise works with and for people directly affected by mental health issues as well as their families, carers, employers and teachers.
Some examples of the volunteer roles available include providing Digital Support, supporting Arts and Crafts activities, Walking Group Leaders and Fundraising.
PAPYRUS
PAPYRUS are seeking passionate volunteers to join their efforts in raising awareness about youth suicide, the leading cause of death among individuals under 35 in the UK. Are you ready to make a positive impact in your community and contribute to their mission of eradicating the stigma surrounding suicide throughout Northern Ireland? Join PAPYRUS by supporting events and festivals, sharing information on social media and dropping literature into GP surgeries.
Volunteers can also become champions and deliver short talks and help with events and conferences in the local community.
Samaritans
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. They are currently recruiting for their branches in Ballymena, Bangor, Belfast, Craigavon, Coleraine, Derry, Omagh and Newry.
Talk Campus
TalkCampus trains students to become trained community peer supporters via an online training programme. They become TalkCampus Buddies. The programme equips students who have the desire to support others with more knowledge, skills, and confidence to be effective peer supporters both online and in their day-to-day lives. It provides a deep understanding of the principles of peer support delivered through a simple but actionable framework on how to actively listen, convey empathy on and offline, and self-care. It is a mixture of video and written content, provided by 5 interactive bitesize modules with valuable content and practices, fully remote with ongoing training and monthly Clinical supervision. Students who complete it get certificates of services and references if needed.
Verbal
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.
-
Older People
CLARE
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.
Crossroads Care NI
Crossroads Care NI Charitable Group supports both the elderly and young carers in our communities. Volunteers can support the elderly through domiciliary care and a befriending / telephone call service. Young carers are supported by volunteers via monthly social outings.
- Poverty
Concern
Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organisation founded in Ireland. It operates in twenty-five of the world's poorest countries, responding to emergencies and working to end extreme poverty, fear or oppression.
Concern runs the Global Citizenship Education programmes. This aims to increase awareness of the inter-connected global community and to empower young people to take meaningful action against the root causes of injustice. What better way to do this than through a good debate? The Concern Debates Programme has been running for forty years with over 85, 000 participants researching, discussing, questioning and speaking out on global issues.
The debates are marked by volunteer adjudicators. If you have one or two hours free in the next few months, Concern would love your help!
Mary’s Meals
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.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP)
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.
- Recidivism / Prisons / Custody
Independent Monitoring Board
The Department of Justice is looking for people who are interested in prisons and prison life to join the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB).
This is a voluntary role helping to make a real difference to people’s lives in addition to learning new skills. IMB Members are a regular presence in the prison establishments, reporting on the conditions in detention and the treatment of prisoners
NI Policing Board
The NI Policing Board is an independent public body established to ensure for all the people of Northern Ireland an effective, efficient, impartial, representative and accountable police service which will secure the confidence of the whole community, by reducing crime and the fear of crime. They currently have two volunteering opportunities (full training and support provided):
Independent Custody Visitors are impartial volunteers from the community who visit PSNI custody suites across Northern Ireland. They do this to monitor the rights, welfare and treatment of people being held in custody and the conditions of detention.
Independent Community Observers are impartial volunteers who observe and report to the Board on key aspects of the PSNI's recruitment process for Police Constables. They ensure that the same procedures are applied to all candidates and that facilities and arrangements are adequate.
Quaker Service
Quaker Service’s concern is that justice, fairness, and opportunity are not experienced equally by everyone in our community. Quaker Connections require befrienders to support someone in prison on the journey to rehabilitation and reconnection with the community.
- Retail
British Heart Foundation
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.
Cancer Research UK
The volunteering experience in Cancer Research UK Charity Shop on Botanic Avenue will always be a varied one! Volunteers will be involved in stock sorting and hanging, stock preparation, removing out of date items from the shop floor, helping to keep the shop clean, visual merchandising and customer service.
Concern Worldwide
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.
Crossroads Care NI
Crossroads Care NI Charitable Group supports both the elderly and young carers in our communities. Their charity shop in Bangor is also seeking retail volunteers.
Habitat ReStore
Habitat are looking for volunteers to help out in their ReStore Toy Store, an initiative that gives local families access to good quality toys at a low cost and helps them with the effects of the cost of living crisis.
The ReStore Toy store will be open 9.30am-5pm, Monday to Saturday, from Thursday 14th November. Volunteers are needed to help sort toys, replenish stock and help customers each day from Monday 11th November to Wednesday 18th December. Shifts are 9am-1pm or 1-5pm.
This opportunity is based in Lisburn - you must live nearby or have access to transport.NI Hospice
NI 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.
Oxfam Ireland
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.
Quaker Service
Quaker Service’s concern is that justice, fairness, and opportunity are not experienced equally by everyone in our community. Quaker Care is a charity shop looking for volunteers who are interested in gaining experience in retail, online retail, social media management, and marketing.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP)
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) is the largest and oldest voluntary charitable organisation in Ireland. The Vincent’s shops require assistance with general store duties and exceptional customer service.
Ten Foundations
Ten Foundations is a Northern Irish charity active in the Philippines. They are looking for volunteers to help out in their charity shops on the Lisburn Road and at Castlecourt Shopping Centre.
- Sport
Brain Injury Matters
Pedal Power is a cycling programme for adults living with an Acquired Brain Injury that takes place every Friday morning from 9.30am-12.30pm, meeting at C.S. Lewis Square in East Belfast. As a volunteer you will be assisting individuals and encouraging participation in cycling and a conversation. You will also gain Level 1 National Standard Cycling training and First Aid training.
Disability Sport NI
Disability Sport NI are looking to recruit enthusiastic and energised volunteers to support with a range of programmes across NI. Tasks will include welcoming participants and assisting with the set up and delivery of multi-sport and boccia club sessions.
- Volunteer kit and training provided
- Transport expenses reimbursed
Irish FA
The UEFA Under 19 Tournament is coming to Northern Ireland. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close to the next generation of European footballing superstars when seven teams including Italy, Spain and France come here in July. There are a range of volunteering roles that would suit a range of interests and abilities.
Special Olympics Ireland
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.
-
Volunteer Management
Our partner charities do not currently have opportunities available in this field. Please check back soon for updates!