The best volunteering roles in London

Happier, sunnier days have well and truly arrived in the city. With restrictions eased and picture-perfect weather, there’s no time like the present to get out there and take part in some of the best volunteering roles that London has to offer. Whether you want to hone your CV, meet new people or do a selfless good deed, here’s a list of the best companies currently recruiting and how you can get involved.

Charity Shop roles

Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research UK are looking for part-time shop assistants in their shops all across London. Cancer Research is the UK’s leading non-profit organisation for cancer research and awareness. Their shops are a huge source of donations, and every penny spent contributes to further research and innovations in cancer research and treatment. Charity shop roles are an invaluable place to gain some retail experience to really enhance your CV, and equally, show a passion for helping others that recruiters will always admire.

Bermondsey Boutique

Mary’s Living and Giving shop on Bermondsey Street are also looking for retail assistants. The proceeds of the shop go towards Save the Children, this one is great if you have a creative flare and a passion for all things fashion. Their shop is located about a 10-minute walk from London Bridge station and sells an eclectic and hand-picked range of clothes and accessories.

Oxfam

Oxfam is a confederation of 20 independent charitable organisations focusing on the alleviation of global poverty. Their shops, recognised by Elle as some of the best charity shops in London, are also recruiting part-time and full-time staff to help out across a number of different stores, including in Covent Garden.

Admin roles

Mary’s Meals

If retail roles aren’t for you, charities like Mary’s Meals are recruiting admin and community volunteers to join their team.  Mary’s Meals is a phenomenal charity that sets up school feeding programmes in some of the world’s poorest communities, where hunger and poverty prevent a child from gaining an education. They offer a wide range of roles, which entail helping promoting their work on social media and giving virtual talks to local groups; opportunities that would provide some invaluable CV experience and skills.

HandsOn London

HandsOn London is a charity that want to make volunteering flexible and accessible, in their own words, ‘When you want, where you want and how often as you want’. They’re committed to helping those Londoners with busier schedules who still want to give a helping hand wherever and whenever possible, whether it’s in Homeless shelters, food banks or Children’s centres. If you’re looking for a more social and ‘hands on’ approach when volunteering, this is another great one for you.

Bookmark Reading

This one was simply too heart-warming not to give a final mention to. Bookmark Reading is a charity committed to helping you ‘change a child’s story’, helping children develop reading skills to help them succeed in school and beyond. As a volunteer, you’ll help a child, between 5-8 years old, to read through 30 minute sessions. This role certainly requires more commitment, but if you love working with children and are looking towards a career in education, it would be particularly rewarding. These volunteering roles are just the smallest sample of opportunities out of all the incredible charities and organisations hiring in London at the moment. If you head over to the Team London volunteering site, you can hone your search based on your skills and preferences and find the plethora of other vacancies and roles on offer. You can also find how to help at local food banks here too. However big or small, volunteering is an irreplaceable way to gain some experience, meet some amazing people and truly be the change you wish to see.