Volunteering
Please visit the Duke of Edinburgh website for a comprehensive list of activities - www.dofe.org/do/ideas/Low-cost Volunteering
Your school/college may be able to offer lots of opportunities such as garden/allotment projects, food banks, kit management, sports coaching, peer mentoring etc.
Collecting crisp packets to donate for homeless blankets is just one way of young people supporting charities without the need to fundraise https://crisppacketproject.com/
Become an Energy Envoy with the National Energy Foundation or take part in a Digital Personal Safety Campaign with Resolve It.
Volunteering AAPs such as Parkrun, Kissing it Better and Swop it Up provide many local or online opportunities for young volunteers.
BEAUCHAMP COLLEGE STudents - EnviroNmental Project
Do you care about the environment and want to be involved in a project that will attract wildlife to your school?
If the answer is yes to those questions, then why not come and join us in renovating the school pond. We have recently received funding to upgrade and re-install our pond to make it a wildlife haven and also for use to help future students learn about the world around them. You could be part of the team making it happen!
Your commitment will be to help do lots of digging and clearing initially. Once that is done, then we will be needing your help to shape the new pond and lay out the liner, ready for it to be filled with water.
Last of all, we will be introducing native pond plants in the pond, and planting more around the edges of the pond to attract the right insects, and hence lots of great pondlife. This will also benefit the birds around the pond – and we may even be able to put us some bird boxes too.
You will be able to help out after school – one afternoon each week. If you attend regularly, you will be able to complete your volunteering section in no time.
For more information, please contact Dr Suzanne Lavelle, Beauchamp Science Technician at [email protected], or call by the main science technician’s office at any time.
BEAUCHAMP COLLEGE LIBRARY
Calling Staff and senior students, 14 – 24 years old, for an opportunity to volunteer towards attaining the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award, commencing September 2023;
- Reading Buddies – starting September 2023, the program will run through the school year during Tutor Times, 3-4 times a week.
- After school Clubs – Our afterschool clubs run from 2.50pm until 3.30
- Work in the library – volunteer during your break times or after school to help keep the library organised.
If interested, please email [email protected] with a cover letter titled; DofE volunteering.
All personal enquiries should be made to [email protected]
Barrow Town Eagles under 7's Football Coaching/Refereeing Opportunity
If anyone is looking for a Volunteering opportunity with an interest in football and would like to help with training and refereeing at home matches then please contact: Ian Coward, DofE Manager [ [email protected]]
You would support under 7 children and sessions are on a Saturday morning between 10am & 11am at Loughborough Golf Range and there are home matches once a month.
Ignite Hubs' DofE Programme - Activities for Skills, Volunteering, & Physical Sections
A DofE Approved Activities Provider and offer exciting remote activities for the Skills, Physical and Volunteering Sections. Students can gain coding knowledge through our Skills Section, volunteer and make an impact at our charity for the Volunteering Section, or engage in self-directed physical activities for the Physical Section. Throughout the programme, students will be supported by trained mentors who have industry experience to provide specialised support for a successful DofE journey. More information is available on our DofE webpage.
Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre Volunteers.
Our Annual Recruitment for Volunteers is now open - Deadline 1st April 2023.
Volunteering to commence in the Summer of 2023.Applications accepted from anyone over the age of 14 - perfect for those working towards Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE Volunteering Sections.
For more information: https://www.lopc.co.uk/about/get-involved/volunteering-lopc/
Brocks Hill Primary School
Do you like being with young children?
Are you interested in a career in sports leadership, teaching or childcare?
Do you want to gain some useful experience and have fun while doing your Duke of Edinburgh's volunteering?
Brocks Hill Primary School has opportunities for DofE volunteers to work with our children as:
- Reading support
You would work with children 1-2-1 to hear them read and help them understand their reading books. - Play assistants
You would work with a small number of children playing games or doing activities such as Lego. - Sports assistants
You would help organise sports activities for the children.
We are looking for volunteers who can make a regular commitment to our children and will be positive role models for them.
If this sounds like you, send an email to [email protected] with "DofE volunteering" in the subject line.
Leicestershire Volunteering Ideas
Volunteering | Leicestershire County Council
Parkrun Volunteers
The Parkrun programme requires volunteers and help is needed every Saturday from 8.30am-10.30am (approx.) although shorter periods are also possible. The 5k your way: move against cancer group join the main group on the last Saturday of the month and add some 50-60 runners so they would be particularly happy for help on these Saturdays. For further information go to http://www.parkrun.org.uk/leicestervictoria/
Also, for info, there is a new junior Parkrun at Watermead Country Park. Junior Parkrun is every Sunday at 09.00am and it is a 2k run for 4-14 year olds. They are looking for volunteers if anyone wants to use us to complete their hours. It will launch on 6th November 2023, more information plus the roster will be added before event #1.
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/watermeadcountrypark-juniors/
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) - Garden Birdwatch programme
Please see full details here: (https://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/join-gbw)
The programme costs £17 to join but the beauty is that it can be carried out from home so no costly travel expenses or safeguarding issues.
One hour per week is spent logging the birds seen in the garden then results are uploaded to the BTO website.
The results submitted by volunteers across the country help scientists to gauge changes in species numbers across the country (indicative of climate change / habitat loss) and so this is an ideal opportunity for young people interested in science and the environment employing a number of vital skills including observation and recording. BTO Garden Birdwatch currently one of the largest Citizen Science projects in the Country.
BTO say: “We have a number of young people who already do that and we'd love to see more young people getting involved. They just need to email through to [email protected] to let us know their intention so we can keep on track”.
BTO will also provide an assessor report.
Bamboozle Theater Company
Bamboozle is a Leicester based charity with over twenty years’ experience in creating and delivering immersive, multi sensory experiences for children with profound and complex needs and children who are on the autistic spectrum.
A lot goes on in the background to ensure that Bamboozle can carry on its inspirational work with children, young people, and their families, which makes a huge difference in the community.
For more information: Bamboozle Theatre Company
Local Charities Information
Please also visit Voluntary Action Leicester - https://valonline.org.uk/
|
Organisation |
City |
County |
Website |
Minimum Age |
Extra Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Action Homeless |
YES |
NO |
16 |
(Hostel support you must be over 18) Most 16 and 17 year olds are on college/school placements |
|
|
Barnardos |
YES |
YES |
14 |
Roles include: retail and fundraising. Training, insurance and supervision all included. |
|
|
Blue Cross |
YES |
YES |
16 |
National Citizen Service Social Action partner, DoE, campaigning and retail |
|
|
Boys Brigade |
YES |
YES |
14 |
Young Leader roles, supporting in running the groups |
|
|
British Red Cross |
YES |
YES |
15 |
Roles include: retail and fundraising. Supporter of Vinspired and DoE |
|
|
British Youth Council |
NO |
NO |
|
A variety of roles and opportunities available. Get in touch for more info |
|
|
Brocks Hill Country Park, Fludes Lane and Pochins Bridge (Green Spaces) |
NO |
YES |
oadby-wigston.gov.uk/pages/ |
|
Conservation volunteer members. Survey work. Help in the centres for events, fundraising and activities. |
|
Citizens Advice |
YES |
YES |
16 |
Roles include: telephone assessors, advisers, fundraisers, receptionists, trustees, information/digital assistants |
|
|
Curve |
YES |
NO |
curveonline.co.uk/about-us/work-experience-and-volunteering/ |
16 |
Roles include: customer service, theatre experience and fundraising |
|
Giving Nation |
YES |
YES |
|
Community and social action ran by young people. Normally supported by their school. There are two opportunities, one for mainstream schools, another for SEN and other special settings. |
|
|
GVI |
NO |
NO |
15 |
International opportunities. Supports ASDAN (helps university applications) |
|
|
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust |
YES |
YES |
hmd.org.uk/take-part-in-holocaust-memorial-day/hmd-youth-programmes/youth-champions-14-18/ |
14 |
Youth Champion Programme (14-18), set young people to lead in marking HMD in schools, colleges, youth groups and workplaces. |
|
Leicester City Council |
YES |
NO |
leicester.gov.uk/your-council/our-jobs-and-careers/volunteering-opportunities |
16 |
Roles include: festivals, museums, libraries, parks and open spaces and adult social care. Requires adult supervision |
|
Leicester Police |
YES |
YES |
16 |
Role: Police Support Volunteer (PSV) Recruitment takes around 3 months. Expenses, training and insurance included. |
|
|
Leicester Police |
YES |
YES |
13 |
Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) for 13 - 17 year old. Next intake is MARCH 2019. DoE Award. Community work, events, fundraising |
|
|
Leicestershire Libraries |
YES |
YES |
leicester.gov.uk/your-community/libraries- |
16 |
Home Library Service, Summer Reading Support, Digital Club, English Conversation groups, Toddler Time, Homework Help and Listening to Children. |
|
Leicestershire Libraries (Coalville and Ashby) |
NO |
YES |
leicestershire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/field/ |
14 |
Working with young people, to encourage them to perform the Summer Reading Challenge. |
|
Leicestershire Libraries (Hinckley) |
NO |
YES |
leicestershire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/field/ |
14 |
Working with young people, to encourage them to perform the Summer Reading Challenge. |
|
Leicestershire Libraries (Wigston) |
NO |
YES |
leicestershire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/field/ |
12 |
Working with young people, to encourage them to perform the Summer Reading Challenge. |
|
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) |
YES |
YES |
16 |
2-5 hours a week, more than 6 months. Roles include, user engagement, access and resource support, safe well happy, customer service, admin and reception, catering and hospitality, learning and development, arts and music, fundraising and ward assistants roles |
|
|
Loros |
YES |
YES |
|
Roles include: retail, catering, stock photography, day therapy support, ward companions, community work, clerical, telephone and face-to-face befriending |
|
|
Melton Carnegie Museum |
NO |
YES |
leicestershire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/field/ |
13 |
Thursday Nights, 4:30 - 6:30pm 7 week project (starting 11th May). Young Volunteer Museum Group |
|
Original Volunteers |
NO |
NO |
16 |
Variety of international opportunities. UNDER 16s REQUIRE ACCOMPANIMENT |
|
|
Oxfam |
YES |
YES |
14 |
Roles include: retail, fundraising, local campaigning. DoE Award |
|
|
PDSA |
NO |
YES |
14 |
Roles include: retail, admin, office, work experience and DoE |
|
|
Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) |
YES |
YES |
14 |
Mostly retail, but some community roles as well. Excellent induction, training, supervision, expenses and insurance. |
|
|
RSPCA |
NO |
YES |
16 |
Kennel Assistant, Feline and Rabbit Care, Fundraising, Charity Shop, Reception and Admin |
|
|
Scope |
YES |
YES |
14 |
Retail and Admin. Work with schools and colleges to provide roles. Able to gain NVQs |
|
|
Scouts |
YES |
YES |
14 |
Young Leader roles, supporting in running the groups |
|
|
St John's Ambulance |
YES |
YES |
10 |
Allows young people to volunteer at community things and learn first aid. |
|
|
Sue Ryder |
YES |
YES |
16 |
Roles include: retail |
|
|
UK Youth Parliament |
YES |
YES |
11 |
Anyone aged 11-18 can stand as an MYP. |
|
|
Vinspired |
YES |
YES |
14 |
Roles include: Journalism, retail, fundraising and customer service |
|
|
Vista |
YES |
YES |
CONTACT FOR DETAILS |
Retail, Admin, Social Groups and Fundraising |
|
|
Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre |
YES |
NO |
14 |
Summer 2019. Must commit to at least 1 full week. 9 weeks available. Supporting leaders of activities, admin, housekeeping and safety on site. |
|
|
Age UK |
YES |
YES |
16 |
Retail, befriending, admin, campaigning and fundraising |
|
|
The Real Junk Food Project (Leicester) |
YES |
NO |
16 |
(Under 18s need parental consent) Café support (catering and hospitality), food collection, social media, event, promotion and marketing, art and design, admin and fundraising |