The volunteer opportunity database is currently under construction, but please refer to the below examples of volunteer opportunities on offer through the Volunteer Centre. For further information about these projects or any of the 90 opportunities we offer, please either email volunteers@bath.ac.uk or call into the Volunteer Centre 1E 3.12.
See also the Careers Advisory Service's Earlybird pages
Administration
Arts
Befriending
Child/ Youth
Conservation/ Animals
Criminal Justice
Disabled Persons
Homelessness
Learning Support
Older Persons
On Campus
Schools/ Education
Sports
Support
Administration
Clover House Complementary Therapy Centre for Children
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To relieve sickness and suffering of children and young people through the provision of complementary care and to publish the results widely.
Description of the Opportunity:
- Media/ Marketing/ PR – articles, newsletter, editorials, promote DVD and book.
- Sourcing talks to do – schools, parent/ teacher associations, groups
- Internet/ book research on Charitable Trusts – matching criteria
- Contacting companies – for funding/ sponsorship etc.
- Follow up letters sent out
- Produce systems/ operations manual
- General business assistance i.e. minutes of monthly meeting etc.
- Tin placements and collection
Envolve
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Envolve is an environmental charity set up in 1994 which works to encourage more sustainable lifestyles in communities across Bath and North East Somerset, South West England and beyond. It works in partnership with local schools, businesses, community groups and individuals to deliver practical solutions with long lasting social, economic and environmental benefits.
Description of the Opportunity:
Our staff work in a number of teams: business/ community/ education/ transport/ information resource and also a central team who handle areas such as administration/ finance/ funding and marketing. We have a constantly changing number of voluntary vacancies at Envolve.
The kinds of vacancies we may have are: IT/ computer work, Admin/ reception, cataloguing etc, research projects, publicity and marketing, driving, delivering, conservation, events in the community, creating displays, developing and delivering community projects and art and design (graphics, illustration and web design).
The Forever Friends Appeal
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To raise £10 million to provide state-of-the-art equipment for the RUH
Description of the Opportunity:
Ongoing office tasks
Specific projects suited to the volunteer
One-off events – collecting, manning stalls etc.
Arts
Nesa
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Nesa is the principal arts development agency for BANES, creating quality arts projects that make a real difference to people’s lives. Nesa creates unique projects that respond to local need by linking partners, artists, funders and communities, enabling social engagement, community cohesion and positive developmental change.
Developing quality arts provision for communities in BANES, including tailor-made projects working with a wide range of groups and people, nesa aims to make a real difference to people’s lives. The Radstock Art Project is a core nesa project based in arts facilities at Radstock Youth Centre, focusing on visual arts provision for the local area.
We work with the general public, and communities of special interest including adults and children with learning challenges, carers, people with mental health concerns and vulnerable children, largely though partnerships with other community organisations.
Description of the Opportunity:
Nesa values its volunteers immensely and makes every effort to tailor their volunteering experience to their individual needs and interests.
Marketing Assistant –
Role: Helping design, print and distribute helping design, print and distribute posters and flyers for workshops for adults and children, and also to promote exhibitions; helping to write and send out press releases, select images for publicity and think of titles and headlines; help distribute posters and flyers and compile / update distribution lists; help produce occasional newspaper adverts. Potentially giving radio interviews on occasion.
Frequency: regular, perhaps once every two or three weeks.
Time commitment involved: being available half a day a fortnight would be helpful, but occasional assistance would also be welcome and beneficial.
Skills needed: good written and visual communications skills, an eye for a striking image, clear writing style. Basic computer skills an advantage.
Advantages: This can give you experience of effective writing to gain press coverage, and help you gain knowledge of the local and regional press, visual layout and editing skills.
Exhibition Assistants -
Role: helping to check and look after the portable RAP exhibition equipment, to learn to assemble and disassemble it, become familiar with the procedures and health and safety considerations; helping to hang and dismantle exhibitions both in the hall (larger exhibitions) and in the café area (smaller wall-based shows) at Radstock Youth Centre and potentially elsewhere in the area; if you are interested, helping to programme and curate café exhibitions at the Youth Centre.
Frequency: regular, approximately once a month. Time commitment involved: fairly small, but needs to be flexible. May occasionally involve an evening or weekend.
Skills needed: none in particular though a knowledge of and interest in art is an advantage, as is experience of presenting and hanging art work. Reasonable physical fitness is important for assembling exhibition equipment.
Advantages: Gain experience of hanging and effectively laying out exhibitions, knowledge of professional portable exhibition equipment; have an input into the programming of local art exhibitions.
Events Stewards
Role: greeting and assisting visitors at public events, handing out information and forms, taking bookings for further arts events. Talking to visitors and encouraging them to give feedback. Invigilating exhibitions, mainly at Radstock Youth Centre.
Frequency: occasional, on open days and at biannual main exhibitions.
Time commitment involved: flexible.
Skills needed: friendly approachable manner, good communications skills.
Advantages: meet new people – general public, artists and arts managers; networking opportunities for those involved in the arts; gain an insight into event management.
Art Workshop Assistants
Role: working alongside experienced professional artists to help run and set up art workshops in a wide range of media. Opportunities to work with a wide variety of participant groups or to concentrate on one or two – for example children aged 7-11, Youth Arts projects for 14-18 year olds, adults with physical and learning challenges, and various community organisations.
Frequency: regular, varied times, sometimes evenings or weekends. Time commitment involved: flexible to suit, from one-off two-hour ‘taster sessions’ to twelve-part courses and more.
Advantages: gain insight into the work of a community artist and how to run workshops; experience of working with different people as suits your interests; get to try new artistic techniques and sometimes make your own artworks.
Befriending
Bath Mind – Befriending Schemes
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To support people experiencing mental health or emotional distress. Bath Mind also runs an advocacy service drop-in and three housing projects.
Description of the Opportunity:
Bath Mind’s Befriending scheme aims to establish one-to-one supportive relationships between a trained volunteer and people who are feeling lonely and isolated.
National Autistic Society
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Befriending offers the opportunity for a one to one relationship between someone affected by autism or a family member and a volunteer befriender. Therefore supporting their inclusion into society
Description of the Opportunity:
To spend a few hours a week with a person with autism or aspergers syndrome or their family, doing some sort of leisure activity. It could be sport, computers, walking, cinema, eating out or even watching TV.
Time 2 Share
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Volunteer befriending scheme for disabled children and young people.
Description of the Opportunity:
To spend time 1:1 with a disabled child or young person either at home or going out. Activities cover things such as shopping, swimming, bowling. Bus rides, cinema, going to McDonalds etc.
Child/Youth
Bath Area Play Project
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Provider of holiday play schemes (All school age)
Childcare after school & full day-care
Residential holidays
Play for disabled children
Fundraising – letter writing to trusts
Description of the Opportunity:
After school care: 3-6pm Mon-Fri during term time
Holiday Play Schemes: Easter & Summer holidays 10-12.30am & 2-4pm Mon-Fri
Residential: 6 day holidays in Wales, Oct & Feb half terms
Bath Scouts
Description of the Opportunity:
There are opportunities in the 6-25 age range for anyone of any age male or female, to work with young people, running games, craft, outdoor activities, anything you can do!
No previous experience is needed and no background in Scouts or Guides is needed just some commitment and GSOH!
Why not take up the four week challenge and try us out!
Bath Sea Cadets
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
The Sea Cadets is a uniformed youth organisation offering fun activity based training for 10-18 year olds. We are situated on the River Avon so we are able to offer plenty of water activities during the summer. We also teach a wide range of special subjects such as cook/ steward or marine engineering (full list on the website).
Description of the Opportunity:
The aim of the volunteer will be to aid in the instruction of all cadets. We can provide training for those who need it but we also welcome anyone who can offer their experience. All our instructors are fully qualified and are happy to lend their support. Ultimately our aim is the enjoyment of the children in our trust.
Bathford Brownies
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Brownie pack with up to 24 girls aged 7-11 years.
Description of the Opportunity:
Reliable term helper required for Bathford Brownies which meets on a Wednesday 5.45pm – 7.15pm in Bathford Parish Hall. Bathford Brownies has 24 lively 7-11 year old girls who enjoy a range of inside and outside activities. The Brownie pack must have 3 over 18 year old CRB checked adults each week to lead the games and activities. An additional adult volunteer is needed, ideally with knowledge of suitable indoor games for the age group and confidence to lead activities. The “Brown Owl” works at this university and can be approached with questions from anyone interested. Note: Bathford village is at the end of the no 13 bus route from town and the bus takes approximately 25 minutes to reach Bathford. The no 13 is a regular service and the bus stop is only a few yards from the Parish Hall. Bus fares can be claimed back.
Children’s Country Holiday Fund
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To provide holidays for London children in need
Description of the Opportunity:
Activity Holiday Supervisor
Each supervisor has responsibility for a group of 4 children from a larger group of 32 and makes their holidays happen. They ensure the children have a good time and that their varying needs are met at all times.
A supervisor could be organising a treasure hunt one minute, and refereeing football the next, reading a story, flying kites they’ve just been helping their group make or explaining warrens to a child who never knew rabbits lived in the wild. It’s a non-stop demanding role which makes a massive difference to the children and brings fantastic rewards to the volunteer.
Community Bus
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Mobile facility working throughout B&NES in areas lacking community provision. Aims to reach adults and children who are socially or geographically isolated. Provides safe and stimulating play for pre-school children and carers. There are also summer schemes for 5 to 11 year olds.
Description of the Opportunity:
We need play volunteers to help out at sessions. Each session is two hours long but help is also needed setting up and clearing up. On days that the bus is out all day volunteers could help at just one session and travel to and from independently (costs will be paid).
Mentoring
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Mentor pupils who need both help and encouragement in a variety of subject areas.
Description of the Opportunity:
Spend a couple of hours a week encouraging a pupil with academic work ranging from helping with time management to course work etc.
Mentoring Plus
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Helping young people to make positive change to their life. Reducing youth crime.
Description of the Opportunity:
Help a young person and to mentor them to encourage them to not offend and work towards their own personal goals.
The Over The Wall Gang Camp
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
We provide residential camps for UK children & young people aged 8 to 15 years who are affected by cancer & other serious illnesses. The mission of the OTWGC is to provide the campers with fun, creative and challenging activities in a safe, secure and medically supervised environment. Activities include Arts & Crafts, Swimming, kayaking, climbing, drama, fishing, woodwork, sports & archery. OTWGC is a place where the child or young person feels protected and comfortable & can recapture some of the confidence & self-esteem that they may have lost when they became ill. We have a Medical team of 2 doctors & 4 nurses onsite during the Camp sessions. We have a ratio of at least one adult volunteer per child at Camp.
Description of the Opportunity:
Along with at least 3 others, volunteers are assigned to care for a team of 4-6 campers. Volunteers are responsible for supporting and encouraging each child to participate fully in all aspects of camp and in doing so, gain maximum benefit from their experience. Whilst at camp, volunteers work as part of a team to ensure the safety and welfare of the children in their care and above all make the experience fun and rewarding.
Specific responsibilities includ attending the daily needs of the campers, supervising the team of campers at all times, encouraging team work and self esteem amongst the campers in their care.
School Tutoring
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
The scheme involves students being placed for ten weeks in a class in a local primary school.
Description of the Opportunity:
The student then helps the teacher with any tasks where assistance is needed. There is a huge variety in the type of tasks the student may be expected to help with. Students who have participated in the scheme in previous years have helped with painting, listened to pupils read, helped with rehearsals for the Christmas nativity play and helped the pupils write poems.
Wansdyke Play Association
Volunteers are required to work with the award-winning Community Play Ranger (CPR) Project that currently exists in B&NES. Based outdoors all year round The CPR project was designed to;
1) Increase the number of children and young people using outdoor spaces
2) Reduce children's fears of bullying
3) Increase the number of children who feel that they have someone to talk to and listen to their needs
We have the following opportunities available to volunteers;
1. Community Play Ranger Assistant/Play Worker
To work alongside Play Rangers in various outdoor settings in B&NES to encourage and develop positive play opportunities with/for the local children and young people. Amongst others this may include environmental work, arts and crafts, sports and consulting with young people.
Requirements
An interest of working with young people who can present challenging behaviour. You will be imaginative and resourceful with good people skills that you hope to develop or improve.
Hours
Minimum of four hours per week
2. Web Designer
To design a website promoting the work of the Wansdyke Play Association Community Play ranger Project. This would include developing a profile of the project and the type of work we do. This could involve working with young people to develop ideas.
St. Philip’s After School Club
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Provide activities/ care for up to 16 children after school each day from 3.15pm – 6pm.
Description of the Opportunity:
Assist paid Play Leader and Play Worker in running activities/ supervising/ caring for children at After School Club.
Conservation/Animals
Avon Wildlife Trust
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To ensure that wildlife flourishes within the area of Avon
Description of the Opportunity:
There are a range of volunteering opportunities, one day a week, weekend, short term, long term, work experience etc.
Bath Cats and Dogs
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To provide care and shelter for unwanted animals in the Bath area.
Description of the Opportunity:
Dog walking 11am-3pm daily
Cat cuddling – after 4pm daily
Fundraising
Help with collections and events
Bath City Farm
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Our aims are to support Community Development through working with animals, nature and the arts.
Description of the Opportunity:
We run volunteer days every Monday and the first and second Sunday of the month. We carry out practical conservation work on the farm. In winter this includes hedge laying, scrub clearance and tree planting. Summer work includes fencing, footpath clearance and other tasks. Volunteers are also needed to help with youth workers doing environmental activities.
Bath Organic Group
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To promote organic gardening and farming
To demonstrate organic principles and methods at Bath Organic Community Garden
To provide members with activities in which to participate
Description of the Opportunity:
Gardening in community garden established for 14 years
Learning gardening skills in a stress-free environment
Healthy exercise, healthy mind
Fruit and vegetables in season available for volunteers
BTCV
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To give people and communities opportunities to improve their environment through practical conservation projects.
Description of the Opportunity:
Practical conservation with midweek group – just turn up on Tues, Wed and Thursdays. See project leader for opportunities with training in project management as well as practical conservation – need informal interview and minimum 8 hours per week and 3 months commitment.
Envolve
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Envolve is an environmental charity set up in 1994 which works to encourage more sustainable lifestyles in communities across Bath and North East Somerset, South West England and beyond. It works in partnership with local schools, businesses, community groups and individuals to deliver practical solutions with long lasting social, economic and environmental benefits.
Description of the Opportunity:
Our staff work in a number of teams: business/ community/ education/ transport/ information resource and also a central team who handle areas such as administration/ finance/ funding and marketing. We have a constantly changing number of voluntary vacancies at Envolve. The kinds of vacancies we may have are: IT/ computer work, Admin/ reception, cataloguing etc, research projects, publicity and marketing, driving, delivering, conservation, events in the community, creating displays, developing and delivering community projects and art and design (graphics, illustration and web design).
Horseworld
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To rescue, rehabilitate and re-home horses, ponies and donkeys in need.
Description of the Opportunity:
We are always grateful of enthusiastic volunteers to help us with
fundraising events throughout the year, and also with activities at our
popular Visitor Centre during school holidays.
Description of the Opportunity:
Befriending the visually impaired involving visiting members in their own home, reading, playing board games etc. Help with occasional collecting/ office admin. Regular volunteers required for social clubs helping to make tea, set up rooms etc.
Vitalise (Essential breaks for disabled people and carers)
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To enable disabled and visually impaired people to exercise choice, provide vital breaks for carers during their holiday.
Description of the Opportunity:
Support people with disabilities at one of our 5 centres in the UK, companionship, practical help on outings with activities, supporting guests with daily personal and social needs.
Hospital/Health
Asthma UK
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Asthma UK’s mission is to improve the health and well being of people with asthma by building and sharing expertise about asthma
Description of the Opportunity:
Speaker volunteers
You can be part of our drive to raise awareness about asthma and the work of Asthma UK by becoming a trained speaker. You may be invited to speak at schools, community organisations, rotary clubs – this is an opportunity for you to gain skills in public speaking and to meet new people at a wide range of events. We will invite you to a training day and provide you with all the information you need to give a good presentation.
Bath Hospital Radio
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
The main purpose is to provide a personal radio service for the patients at the Royal United Hospital and Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases around the clock.
Description of the Opportunity:
Opportunity to present a programme on Bath Hospital Radio after appropriate training. Also meet people in both hospitals.
Clover House Complementary Therapy Centre for Children
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To relieve sickness and suffering of children and young people through the provision of complementary care and to publish the results widely.
Description of the Opportunity:
1. Media/ Marketing/ PR – articles, newsletter, editorials, promote DVD and book.
2. Sourcing talks to do – schools, parent/ teacher associations, groups
3. Internet/ book research on Charitable Trusts – matching criteria
4. Contacting companies – for funding/ sponsorship etc.
5. Follow up letters sent out
6. Produce systems/ operations manual
7. General business assistance i.e. minutes of monthly meeting etc.
8. Tin placements and collection
Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To get local people involved in improving the quality of their local health service.
Description of the Opportunity:
The PPI Forums are made up of volunteers who are enthusiastic about influencing and improving the way that local healthcare is delivered.
As well as working with the community, the Forums independently monitor the quality of health services with regular visits. They also look at wider health issues such as social care, transport or housing.
The Forever Friends Appeal
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To raise £10 million to provide state-of-the-art equipment for the RUH
Description of the Opportunity:
Ongoing office tasks
Specific projects suited to the volunteer
One-off events – collecting, manning stalls etc.
Friends of the Royal United Hospital
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To give support to patients in the Royal United Hospital as Ward Volunteers. Ward Volunteers cover a wide variety of wards, providing a listening ear to the patients and also offer drinks and chat to lonely ones.
Clinic volunteers, serving drinks to patients providing a listening ear in the clinics.
Shop volunteers helping in the busy Friends shop, serving patients and relatives, general shop work.
Helping in the friendly coffee shop serving patients, relatives and staff.
Description of the Opportunity:
To give a friendly “helping hand” at our vary large district hospital. Volunteers enjoy that work and feel they are doing something that is needed and useful. There is a variety of work which can be done and all our work experience students enjoy the contact with all types of patients.
Make-A-Wish Foundation UK
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Make-A-Wish grants wishes for children and young people aged 3-17 living with life threatening illnesses. We are in need of volunteers for all aspects of the charity’s work in the West, including visiting the Wish Children, assisting with their wishes, helping out at events, administration, fundraising and awareness building. This is a fantastic and extremely rewarding volunteer opportunity, helping to bring joy and excitement to the lives of local children living with some very difficult conditions.
Description of the Opportunity:
We require enthusiastic and self motivated volunteers to take a lead in developing the charity’s activities. The principal roles that we hope all volunteers will be involved in are: fundraising (this can be anything from selling raffle tickets and manning stalls to working with other volunteers to organise an event, large or small), PR (we are looking for people who can help us raise awareness of the charity by giving presentations to businesses, schools and colleges etc.), Wishgranting (visiting children and their families at home or sometimes in hospital to ascertain the child’s special wish. You will then be invited to assist with the organisation of a wish i.e. a room makeover, or the delivery of a computer. Please note that this role can be very limited).
Terrence Higgins Trust
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To provide support services to all people affected by HIV and to provide HIV/AIDS information and health promotion services to everyone.
Description of the Opportunity:
1. Buddies: one-on-one support work
2. Centre volunteers: facilitating the drop-in and running the centre
3. Fundraising and outreach (occasional work)
Homelessness
Barnabus House
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Barnabus House is a temporary hostel for people who have led an unsettled way of life or who have been homeless. The purpose is to help the residents rebuild their lives.
Description of the Opportunity:
Although there may be some domestic duties, we need someone who can befriend residents and help out with outdoor and indoor group activities.
The Big Issue South West
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To provide homeless people with work and the chance to learn new skills. To provide support in moving off the streets into a home, a permanent job or training.
Description of the Opportunity:
A chance to gain experience of working with homeless people, within a highly successful social enterprise. We need help with outreach work, selling the Big Issue to vendors, undertaking sales and sponsorship research and generally assisting with the running of the Bath Big Issue office.
Drugs and Homeless Initiative
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To assist people who wish to overcome drugs/ alcohol dependency and to address problems with particular regard for those in housing need.
Description of the Opportunity:
Reception and office administration.
Julian House
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To provide support and advice to homeless and vulnerably housed men and women. To provide Night shelter and Day centre.
Description of the Opportunity:
To provide care and support and a listening ear.
General laundry / cooking duties
Shopping
Making beds in the evening
Learning Support
Carrswood RAC
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To provide daytime activity and learning for adults who have a learning difficulty/disability. Emphasis on promoting choice and independence.
Description of the Opportunity:
Support learning opportunities: pottery, art, communication, cooking, relaxation, papier mache, horse riding, music, sports, rambling, number etc.
Museums
American Museum in Britain
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
A museum of decorative arts from the 17th to 19th centuries, telling the culturally diverse story of America.
Description of the Opportunity:
To guide in one of the beautiful period rooms or displays – telling its story and helping to make the museum visit an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Beckford’s Tower and Museum
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Runs historic building and museum Beckford’s Tower on Lansdown Hill
Description of the Opportunity:
Work as one of a team of friendly and enthusiastic guides of all ages. Work as a volunteer guide to the building and museum. Volunteers responsible for running museum at weekends.
Museum of Bath at Work
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Museum: 1) Dealing with public and schools
2) Museum collections management
3) The Museum of Local Social History in Bath, especially working life.
Description of the Opportunity:
1) Dealing with the public, schools etc.
2) Collections management, research, admin, preparing exhibitions, maintenance.
Bath Preservation Trust
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
A Georgian house furnished as it would have been in the 18th century for visitors to see.
Description of the Opportunity:
Guides needed to show rooms to the public in the Georgian house – to explain the history and the artefacts.
Older Persons
Age Concern
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Helping older people
Description of the Opportunity:
Empowering older people to run their own lives.
Bridgecare (Bridgemead Residential)
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Care home for older people with a Christian ethos
Description of the Opportunity:
Help required giving out teas, coffees and a chat. Activities i.e. Scrabble, board games
Dorothy House Hospice Care
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Our mission statement:
Dorothy House is a charity, founded on Christian principles of care. All our services in the community and the hospice are provided free of charge and with equal access to all.
Our aim is to offer physical, psychological, social and spiritual care to patients and their families facing life threatening illness, death or bereavement, who have specific problems which need our specialist skills.
In partnership with all others involved, we focus on quality of life, respecting the uniqueness of each person and their family.
We seek to promote the development of palliative care through education and research.
Our vision:
To enable all patients and their families to have the appropriate care and support they need, at the right time and in the right place to achieve the best quality of life as possible.
Description of the Opportunity:
Wide variety of roles including Driving, Daycare, Reception, Catering (including Teas/ Suppers), Administration, Complimentary Theory, Gardening, Fundraising and Shops.
WRVS
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To help people maintain independence and dignity in their homes and communities particularly in later life
Description of the Opportunity:
The opportunities we have in the Bath are with our Meals on Wheels, which is where a volunteer takes a hot meal around to a person in their own homes in the lunchtime period. We also have two day clubs where the volunteer would interact with older people in a day club situation, giving them refreshments and a meal, playing board games etc. Also we have our Emergency Service, which means a volunteer would attend a couple of training events (around food hygiene and health and safety) a year then if an emergency arises we would set up a refreshment stand for the police, paramedics, fire people etc or we would set up and evacuee point.
Swan Advice Network – Volunteer Transport Service
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To provide transport to assist older and isolated people and people with impaired access to activities in Bath and North East Somerset area.
Description of the Opportunity:
Bath Mind’s Befriending scheme aims to establish one-to-one supportive relationships between a trained volunteer and people who are feeling lonely and isolated.
On Campus
AWARE Centre
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Provide information, support and advice on a range of issues such as academic, health and housing for students at the University of Bath.
Description of the Opportunity:
1. Campaiging AWARE volunteer – Working in a team of other student volunteers to produce health promotion or awareness raising campaigns. 2 campaign per semester.
2. AWARE Volunteer – Working alongside AWARE staff and sabbaticals in AWARE assisting with student enquiries. Assisting staff and sabbaticals with the promotion of the AWARE Centre and day-to-day running of the centre.
Volunteers may choose to do either opportunity or both, this must be decided at point of application/ interview.
Nightline
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
University confidential listening and information service.
Description of the Opportunity:
Volunteers are needed to do one night every three weeks.
Improves listening, communications and teamwork skills and allows you to make new friends.
Student Community Action (SCA)
If you are looking to get the most out of your time at the University of Bath then joining SCA is a must!
SCA stands for Student Community Action and we are the team that co-ordinates volunteer work and community projects as part of the University's Volunteer Centre.
Our projects include:
* A children's Christmas party
* The Bathwick Hill Fun Run
* A tea party for older persons
* Work within an orphanage in Romania
... as well as many more!!
Rag
Schools/Education
Mentoring
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Mentor pupils who need both help and encouragement in a variety of subject areas.
Description of the Opportunity:
Spend a couple of hours a week encouraging a pupil with academic work ranging from helping with time management to course work etc.
School Tutoring
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
The scheme involves students being placed for ten weeks in a class in a local primary school.
Description of the Opportunity:
The student then helps the teacher with any tasks where assistance is needed. There is a huge variety in the type of tasks the student may be expected to help with. Students who have participated in the scheme in previous years have helped with painting, listened to pupils read, helped with rehearsals for the Christmas nativity play and helped the pupils write poems.
Sport
Ability Sports Association
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Enabling disabled people and disadvantaged groups to develop in sport. Provide qualified training sessions in sport for disabled and disadvantaged children and adults. Provide training opportunities for volunteers in support.
Description of the Opportunity:
There are 6 clubs in Bath, Keynsham, Britsol, Weston Super Mare, Almondsbury and Stroud on different days of the week. All various tournaments and events throughout the year.
Support
AWARE Centre
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Provide information, support and advice on a range of issues such as academic, health and housing for students at the University of Bath.
Description of the Opportunity:
3. Campaiging AWARE volunteer – Working in a team of other student volunteers to produce health promotion or awareness raising campaigns. 2 campaign per semester.
4. AWARE Volunteer – Working alongside AWARE staff and sabbaticals in AWARE assisting with student enquiries. Assisting staff and sabbaticals with the promotion of the AWARE Centre and day-to-day running of the centre.
Volunteers may choose to do either opportunity or both, this must be decided at point of application/ interview.
Barnardo’s – Shop
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
- To assist the shop manager in the smooth running of the Barnardo’s store
- To promote a positive image of Barnardo’s to the public
- To help raise vital funds for Barnardo’s work with children, young people and their families
- 20% discount on stock
Description of the Opportunity:
- Pick out the quality items from our donated stock
- Work behind the scenes to prepare stock for display and sale
- Keep the shop looking good to attract customers
- Ensure customers want to return by providing a friendly and helpful service
- Provide administrative support as and when needed
Bath Area Drugs Advisory service
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Harm reduction, needle and syringe exchange, advice, information and support for anyone worried about their own, or someone else’s drug use.
Description of the Opportunity:
Face to face and telephone support, advice, information etc
Needle and syringe exchange work
Full training given
BEACH & Friends Group
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To serve the needs of the East Asian & Chinese community, especially in the area of language interpretation and translation.
Description of the Opportunity:
To practise editing, translating and computer skills. Facilities and events organisation.
The Big Issue South West
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To provide homeless people with work and the chance to learn new skills. To provide support in moving off the streets into a home, a permanent job or training.
Description of the Opportunity:
A chance to gain experience of working with homeless people, within a highly successful social enterprise. We need help with outreach work, selling the Big Issue to vendors, undertaking sales and sponsorship research and generally assisting with the running of the Bath Big Issue office.
CLIC Sargent
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading children’s cancer charity. It has offices around the country, but in the South West has an office in Bristol.
The charity provides care and support to the 10 children and young people diagnosed with cancer / leukaemia every 48 hours in the UK, and their families.
Description of the Opportunity:
Opportunities to volunteer exist throughout the charity, at present we are looking for volunteers to work in the media team. Based at CLIC Sargent’s offices in Abbey Wood, we are looking for people to help us process the press coverage that the organisation receives. The job basically entails filing, compiling press coverage reports, some photocopying and data entry. It is a good opportunity to gain some entry level PR experience as the role is in support of the PR Team Assistant.
Envolve
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Envolve is an environmental charity set up in 1994 which works to encourage more sustainable lifestyles in communities across Bath and North East Somerset, South West England and beyond. It works in partnership with local schools, businesses, community groups and individuals to deliver practical solutions with long lasting social, economic and environmental benefits.
Description of the Opportunity:
Our staff work in a number of teams: business/ community/ education/ transport/ information resource and also a central team who handle areas such as administration/ finance/ funding and marketing. We have a constantly changing number of voluntary vacancies at Envolve. The kinds of vacancies we may have are: IT/ computer work, Admin/ reception, cataloguing etc, research projects, publicity and marketing, driving, delivering, conservation, events in the community, creating displays, developing and delivering community projects and art and design (graphics, illustration and web design).
Make-A-Wish Foundation UK
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Make-A-Wish grants wishes for children and young people aged 3-17 living with life threatening illnesses. We are in need of volunteers for all aspects of the charity’s work in the West, including visiting the Wish Children, assisting with their wishes, helping out at events, administration, fundraising and awareness building. This is a fantastic and extremely rewarding volunteer opportunity, helping to bring joy and excitement to the lives of local children living with some very difficult conditions.
Description of the Opportunity:
We require enthusiastic and self motivated volunteers to take a lead in developing the charity’s activities. The principal roles that we hope all volunteers will be involved in are: fundraising (this can be anything from selling raffle tickets and manning stalls to working with other volunteers to organise an event, large or small), PR (we are looking for people who can help us raise awareness of the charity by giving presentations to businesses, schools and colleges etc.), Wishgranting (visiting children and their families at home or sometimes in hospital to ascertain the child’s special wish. You will then be invited to assist with the organisation of a wish i.e. a room makeover, or the delivery of a computer. Please note that this role can be very limited).
Bath Mind – Advocacy Project
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To provide one to one advocacy support for users of the mental health services. The Advocacy service offers support to people to communicate their needs and make informed choices about decisions which directly affect the quality of their lives.
Description of the Opportunity:
This work gives valuable insight into the support needs and problems of users of the mental health services. Advocates represent clients with a range of issues e.g. sign posting, preparation and support at ICPA meetings, making complaints, info on Mental Health Act, accessing services, welfare rights and benefits info. Discrimination issues, general legal matters. The Advocacy Project has the Community Legal Services’ Quality Mark for Disability Casework.
New Oriel Hall
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
New Oriel Hall is a large and vibrant community hall. We aim to make the place we live in a safer, happier community. We do this through provision and opportunity for everyone in the community, regardless of age, ability, cultural/ethnic origin, and gender. We provide space for parties (including weddings), meetings, training, workshops, and many different kinds of activities e.g. Yoga, Meditation, Art, Baby café, Cookery classes for kids, Tai Chi for over 50’s, book club.
Description of the Opportunity:
We would like to offer the opportunity for 2 (or 1) volunteer to maintain/tidy small gardens to the front and side of the building.
New Oriel Hall
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
New Oriel Hall is a large and vibrant community hall. We aim to make the place we live in a safer, happier community. We do this through provision and opportunity for everyone in the community, regardless of age, ability, cultural/ethnic origin, and gender. We provide space for parties (including weddings), meetings, training, workshops, and many different kinds of activities e.g. Yoga, Meditation, Art, Baby café, cookery classes for kids, Tai Chi for over 50’s, book club.
Description of the Opportunity:
We are offering 2 volunteers the opportunity to plan/organise and cook a light lunch for a project set up for the over 50’s age group. At present we have between 6 & 8 people attending and we hope this will grow to a max of 25. The tasks would involve shopping /cooking a large pot of soup or stew/setting up and clearing away.
Nightline
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
University confidential listening and information service.
Description of the Opportunity:
Volunteers are needed to do one night every three weeks.
Improves listening, communications and teamwork skills and allows you to make new friends.
Off The Record
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Information, advice, support and counselling. All issues for people 12-25 years or those involved in their care.
Description of the Opportunity:
First point of contact for young people. Usually 1:1 work, some helpline calls. Offering information, advice and support around any issues. Researching appropriate topics and displaying. Promotional and fund-raising work. Some paperwork, some heartache, some success, some laughter.
Oxfam Shop
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Oxfam has been working alongside poor people and helping them fight poverty since 1942. The shops help raise funds for this.
Description of the Opportunity:
General volunteer duties include pricing and sorting clothes, books and records and some till work.
Oxfam Book Shop
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Oxfam works with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering around the world.
Description of the Opportunity:
Working in a bookshop – general customer service, till work, book sorting and pricing.
Oxfam Campaigns SW
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Campaigning to create public awareness to current events such as world poverty and climate chaos, in the aim of making a positive difference in countries like Africa.
Description of the Opportunity:
This opportunity will provide any volunteer with an understanding of what Oxfam campaigns for and how our South West office generates awareness for its campaigns. Volunteers will be expected to help with the physical campaigning, by supporting us demonstrate throughout parts of Bristol. Whether it is to help hold a 20ft long Make Poverty History banner on college green, running a Fair Trade stall at the local farmers market or even stuffing envelopes full of information to go out to major organisations, we want Bath students to be apart of that.
British Red Cross Society
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global network of volunteers, responding to natural disasters, conflicts and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help people to recover and move on with their lives.
Description of the Opportunity:
We need volunteers across the fundraising discipline. Typically we need people to take part in organised collections at supermarkets, private premises and sports stadiums. We have vacancies for office based fundraising administrators. We are also looking for people who can organise their own third party fundraising events such as quiz nights, fashion shows, charity balls, sports competitions, band nights etc. There is also the opportunity to participate in challenge events such as abseiling, dragon boat racing, and marathons.
We need volunteers to develop, organise and run fundraising activities in Red Cross Week, each May which is our largest single fundraising opportunity and promotion.
We are also looking to recruit peer educators who can help with promoting our humanitarian work throughout the schools, colleges and university segments.
Samaritans
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To provide emotional support for people in distress by phone, letter, email or in person. Publicity/ fundraising.
Description of the Opportunity:
To man the phone lines as a listener.
To help with publicity and fund-raising.
Victim Support
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
To provide a free and confidential service to all victims of personal crime, to include emotional support, practical help and advise on insurance and compensation.
Description of the Opportunity:
To visit victims of crime.
Vision Bath (Formerly Bath and Wansdyke Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted)
Purpose of the organisation/activities:
Support for those with visual impairment in Bath and Wansdyke area. Befriending service, support at social clubs, envelope stuffers.
Description of the Opportunity:
Befriending the visually impaired involving visiting members in their own home, reading, playing board games etc. Help with occasional collecting/ office admin. Regular volunteers required for social clubs helping to make tea, set up rooms etc.