July 2024 Volunteering opportunities: take a look to discover how you can help!

Looking to make a difference? Here, you’ll find range of volunteering opportunities available across the Dudley borough to match your skills and interests. We also update this list every month, so please look out for August’s opportunities to find something that works for you!

Please contact Grace (grace@dudleycvs.org.uk / 01384 573381) or complete the Dudley Volunteer Centre form to:

• Register your interest to volunteer
• Receive more information about or support for the volunteering opportunities
• Promote your group or organisation’s volunteering opportunities

 

The Beacon Centre – Befriending Programme Volunteer

Do you have 30 minutes to spare each week? If you want to make a difference to someone feeling lonely in your community, we have the role for you. The Beacon Centre offers a free befriending service, especially designed for older people who might be feeling isolated or alone. They are looking for volunteers over 18 who can give half an hour of their time each week to make a difference. No experience is needed and training opportunities are available. They have telephone and home visiting options and can be flexible to suit you. More information available here.

Contact: people@beaconvision.org or 01902880111

 

Black Country Food bank – Drivers (Brierley Hill)

Black Country Food Bank are a charitable organisation helping vulnerable individuals and families in crisis through the provision of 3 days emergency food supplies while a longer-term solution is developed.

Black Country Food Bank are looking for volunteer drivers to deliver food packages to different food branches in Dudley and the wider West Midlands (such as Walsall). A van is provided but volunteers need to have a clean driving licence, be over the age of 25 and under 70, and be physically fit (the role involves lifting food packages). Volunteers are also asked to commit to at least 3 hours between 8am and 2pm. More information available here.

Contact: 01384 67125 or admin@blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk

 

Brierley Hill in Bloom & Harry’s (Brierley Hill)

Do you like watering plants? Meet Tim Sunter to help water the plants on Brierley Hill High Street. Meeting at 10am every Friday at Harry’s Cafe (Dy5 3AE).

 

 Brockswood Animal Sanctuary  (Sedgley)

Brockswood Animal Sanctuary rescue, care for, and rehabilitate sick, injured, mistreated, abandoned, and unwanted animals, providing them with a safe and happy Forever Home here with us.

Brockswood Animal Sanctuary have a range of volunteering opportunities across the sanctuary, including conservation, maintenance, gardening and site improvement, visitor support, living history, café and shop, fundraising and animal care (wait list for animal care currently). Some roles require a DBS. More information about each role is available here.

Contact: 01902884390 or office@brockswood.org.uk

 

Citizens Advice (Dudley and Wolverhampton) – Closing date 5th August 2024

As Citizens Advice expand their  services to further support the communities in Wolverhampton and Dudley, they are seeking passionate individuals to join our team. They have a range of volunteering opportunities available, including:

• Receptionist – providing efficient reception cover at our offices
• Wellbeing tutors – delivering a 6-week programme to help people with long-term health conditions at community venues across the Dudley Borough
• Home Library Drivers – delivering books to individuals unable to access libraries across Wolverhampton and Sandwell
• Contact centre assessors – assessing clients’ advice needs via telephone, email and webchat

No experience is required but training will be provided, and travel expenses will be covered. More information about the roles available here.

Contact: Human.resources@dudleycabx.org

 

Compton Care Community Hub (Dudley)

Compton Care are a specialist palliative and bereavement support provider. They have opened a new community hub at the Churchill Shopping Centre in Dudley, which includes a pre-loved fashion store, a coffee shop and an area with free access to computers for members of the public to use.

The community hub is looking for volunteers to support the shop and café, including helping with the tills, organising the shop, serving drinks and general customer service. They are looking for volunteers to support any day of the week, with a particular need for mornings. More information available here.

Contact: michellereece@comptoncare.org.uk

 

Cook with us (Dudley)

Cook with us offers a mental wellbeing group, which is free and will teach people how to grow fruit and vegetables as well as benefiting from the mental wellbeing side of gardening.

Cook with us are looking for volunteers, ideally with some gardening knowledge but not essential, to support the mental wellbeing group. Support includes light gardening tasks, setting up and tidying away, and being approachable and enthusiastic about gardening. Volunteers do not require a DBS.

Contact: 07544496485  or cookwithusenquiries@gmail.com / PrioryPavilionGarden@gmail.com

 

Headway Black Country – Rehab Support Volunteer (Dudley)

Headway Black Country provides specialist services to adults with an Acquired Brain Injury or Stroke and to their families and carers. They are looking for volunteers who can work alongside staff to support clients in a group setting and on an individual bases, assisting in the delivery of rehabilitation sessions. An enhanced DBS (supported by Headway Black Country) and 2 references are required. A minimum commitment of six months volunteering, with at least one half day per week, is required. More information available here.

Contact: harmesh@headwayblackcountry.co.uk

 

Guide Dogs – Training dog fosterer (Stourbridge and surrounding area)

Guide dogs supports blind and partially sighted people to live the life they choose. They are looking for:

• Training dog fosters who can foster and walk a guide dog for 6 months (7 days a week) in their home. Volunteers are needed who can be flexible with the hours they are at home during the day, have access to a car and have a home with a safely fenced garden or safe area. During the week, a guide dog trainer or mobility specialist will pick up the guide dog in the morning and drop off in the afternoon, although sometimes the dog will need to be kept at home.
• Breeding dog volunteers to look after and raise the next generation of life-changing guide dogs. This vital volunteer role is perfect for dog-lovers who are looking for a permanent addition to their family. Most of the time your guide dog mum will be a wonderful, pet dog, then roughly once a year you’ll also get to enjoy the company of a litter of her guide dog puppies for around 7 weeks. You’ll see her puppies grow in just a matter of weeks – from tiny newborns with closed eyes, to excitable bundles of fur ready to explore the world. And, when the pups are ready to go, you’ll feel a huge sense of pride knowing you’ve made a big difference by raising life-changing guide dogs for people with sight loss. Our guide dog mums are perfect for families. They’re specially selected for their ideal temperament and characteristics and have the very best guide dog genes. She’ll also arrive socialised and house trained! Breeding dog volunteers need to have a home with a safely fenced garden. Dog handling experience, a clean driving licence, access to a car you are insured to drive, and living within an hour’s drive from the National centre to drive is desirable. Guide dogs cover all the costs for our guide dog mums, including her food, vet bills and any equipment or bedding she needs.

Contact: volunteermidlands@guidedogs.org.uk or more information available here.

 

Healthwatch Dudley – Micro volunteering challenge

Healthwatch is your local health and social care champion and want to give everyone the opportunity to help make a difference in their community. Their micro-volunteering challenge is a low commitment way for you to support their work to champion the voices of the people living in Dudley borough. By complete small actions, you can encourage more people to share their experiences of using dentists, care homes, mental health services and more. By collecting these experiences, Healthwatch can see what works well and what needs to be improved and take this information to leaders in the NHS and social care and encourage them to make change to benefit the people of Dudley.

The micro-volunteering challenges include sharing information on Healthwatch Dudley with your community, interacting on social media, sharing promotional materials, giving your feedback on their work and testing the usability of service websites. By completing a set of five small challenges, you will receive a certificate, personalised recommendation letter, £10 voucher to spend in Dudley Borough shops and an invitation to their volunteer appreciation events. More information available here.

Contact: hello@healthwatchdudley.co.uk

 

Marie Curie – Companion at home (Dudley)

Marie Curie is here for anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from, and those close to them. Whatever the illness, wherever you are, we’re with you to the end. We bring 75 years of experience and leading research to the care we give you at home, in our hospices and over the phone. And we push for a better end of life for all by campaigning and sharing research to change the system.

They are looking for a companion at home, where you will visit and provide companionship and emotional support to someone who has had a terminal diagnosis and their loved ones. The support can be as simple as sitting with them to give them some company, taking them out to give them a break from their four walls, providing some practical support to help them with tasks they are struggling with, e.g. putting a duvet cover on, making phone calls etc. It can also include providing respite support to give the carer a break from their caring role. Everyone is individual so our support is flexible, but within boundaries which are explained to the client in advance. We do not provide personal care, get involved with medication or provide counselling.

The role is flexible – all they ask is that you have a minimum of 3 hours per week to give and can commit a minimum of 12 months to the role. You will need to be at least 18 to be a Companion at Home volunteer, provide references and complete your DBS application (there is no charge and you will be supported to apply). You will also need to keep in touch with your Companion at Home Manager and provide a short report after each visit. Your client will look forward to your visit so it is important to be reliable and let your client know if you are not able to visit. A driver with their own transport would be advantageous but not necessary.

Volunteering for a national charity there will be ample opportunities to take advantage of training, learning new skills and getting involved in lots of events. Marie Curie values all of its volunteers and knows that without them it would not be possible to deliver many of its services. There is a whole team of people who provide support and information to our volunteers and every volunteer has a volunteer manager who is available to help them every step of the way.

Contact: Maxine.wragg@mariecure.org.uk or 07703381815

 

Medaille Trust (Remote)

Medaille Trust support and empowers survivors of modern slavery, trafficking and exploitation. We do this in a number of ways, from offering safe accommodation to offering support in safehouses and in the community on our Moving on projects.

Medaille Trust are looking for volunteers who could act as translators to accurately translate text from English into Bengali, Arabic, Amharic, French, Albanian, Vietnamese, Romanian, policy, Tigrinya, Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi. A flexible role but requires a translating or interpreting qualification, or to hold a degree in any subject and to be fluent in speaking and writing in English and one of the above languages. Must be 18+ years, have access to a computer, a DBS check (supported by Medaille Trust) is required and proof-reading, IT and communication skills. More information available here.

Contact: volunteering@medaille-trust.org.uk

 

Peppers Pet Rescue – Cattery Volunteer (Halesowen)

A registered pet rescue charity that predominantly rescues cats. We help as many animals as possible, by rescuing and rehabilitating before rehoming. They are looking for a cattery volunteer to assist with providing care to the resident animals, and the maintenance of the pens. This include cleaning animal enclosures to a high standard, reporting any concerns, restocking supplies, and feeding, playing with, grooming and socialising the cats.

Morning, afternoon and evening opportunities are available, 7 days a week. Volunteers are asked to commit to 2-3 hours and a basic DBS is required. Individuals need to be able to work independently and have a good level of physical fitness (the cattery is accessed via stairs and some of our pens are at floor level, being able to lift and carry large boxes of cat food, litter). More information available here.

Contact: Pepperspetrescue@hotmail.com or 07726115672 (text or whatsapp)

 

Read Easy (Dudley)

Read Easy offer free, confidential one-to-one reading coaching to adults who want to learn to read. Read Easy  have a range of volunteer roles available, including:

• Reading coaches who can support a reader over a 12 to 18 month period. Coaches are required to support two 30 minute sessions on weekdays between 09:00am – 17:00pm. A DBS is required (supported by Read Easy).
• Team leader who is responsible for the proper and effective direction of your local group. This role will appeal to someone with enthusiasm and energy who will enjoy managing a team of diverse volunteers. Ideally, the Team Leader will remain in this role for at least two years.
• Administrator/Secretary who is an excellent timekeeper, organised and will use their administration skills to support the smooth running of the local Management Team. By recording actions agreed at meetings, and supporting the Team Leader, Management Team and Coordinator with administrative support, this role ensures that the group functions at its best and works in the most efficient and effective way to help adults learn to read in your community.
• Coordinator who is the main point of contact on the Management Team for Coordinators. They play a crucial role in ensuring that the Coordinators feel well supported, so that they in turn can support Readers and Coaches. Coordinators help interview Reading Coaches, assess and enrol Readers before pairing them with trained coaches; then offer ongoing support to these Reading Pairs, visiting their reading sessions occasionally and maintaining support through regular calls with both Reader and Coach to check all is going well. They call on the group’s Literacy Specialist to respond to any literacy related difficulties a pair may be having. They also help run Coach meetings.
• Referrals networker who creates and develops relationships with local agencies, such as Job Centres, social services and many others who may be able to refer potential Readers to the group. The longevity of our local groups is down to securing a steady stream of Reader referrals, so you will play an instrumental part in making sure your group thrives.

Contact: ddrecruiter@readeasy.org.uk or submit an application form here.

 

Side-by-Side Theatre Company – Theatre production and gardening roles (Stourbridge)

Side-by-Side Theatre Company is a charity that provides those with the learning disabilities the opportunity train in the performing arts, developing the skills to create theatre in all it’s exciting and diverse forms.

Side-by-Side are looking for volunteers to support their theatre productions, including the preparation and making of props and costumers (September to June), They are also looking for volunteers to support with the care and maintenance of the gardens around the premises (all year round). More information available here.

Contact: jo.sidebyside@btinternet.com

 

Stourbridge Glass Museum (Stourbridge)

Stourbridge Glass Museum presents over 500 items from the internationally renowned Stourbridge Glass Collection, celebrating the heritage of glassmaking in bot the local area and internationally. They also run a range of activities and events including Tunnel Tours and the International Festival of Glass. They have a range of long-term volunteering opportunities available across the front of house, tour guides, activity support and event support. Volunteers need to provide a minimum of 3 hours every 2 weeks, but can volunteer any day. More information available here.

Contact: mmadigan@stourbridgeglassmuseum.org.uk

 

Team Pumpkin Boxing – Volunteer boxing coach (Brierley Hill)

Team Pumpkin Boxing are an amateur boxing club that provides a range of boxing sessions for all ages. They also provide  free sessions for those not in work, education or with mental health challenges, as well as a healthy eating programme for children and young people.

Team Pumpkin Boxing  are looking for long-term volunteer coaches who are interested in boxing and passionate about supporting their local community. Volunteers can shadow a coach to begin with, and would be looking to help support a range of sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. A DBS would be required and a free four-day course to be trained in boxing.

Contact: 07480 842698

 

Tenovus Cancer Care – Volunteer Driver (Kingswinford)

Tenovus Cancer Care give help, hope, and a voice to everyone affected by cancer. Our shops depend on a regular supply of quality donated stock. As some shops receive more donations than others, we need drivers to move stock between our shops to ensure they are all fully stocked. We are looking for a driver to assist our Rhiwbina volunteer shop driver in moving stock around Kingswinford, Bromyard and Tewkesbury. Even a few hours a week would help make a difference. All of this vital work needs to happen for us to raise more money to help cancer patients and their families.

Individuals should have an enthusiasm for the work of Tenovus Cancer Care, a good level of fitness and enjoy being outside. Good communication skills to be able to respond positively with any queries from members of the pubic. This role would suit a proactive and outgoing person who enjoys meeting with others. The ability to drive and have a good size car or van is essential for the driving role if based at one of our shops. You will need to check with your car insurers that you are insured for business use before starting with us (this can usually be arranged at no extra cost) and your driving licence and business insurance will need to be checked before you can start. Travel expenses covered and lunch inline with our policy if completing over a number of hours

You’ll be making a real difference to the lives of people with cancer in your local area The opportunity to develop new and existing skills Access to all internal vacancies Access to training Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed in line with organisational policy The enjoyment of meeting new people and being part of both our Retail Team and Wales’ leading cancer charity. Expenses can be claimed back

Complete an online application form here. 

 

The Access Project (Remote)

The Access Project support students from under-resourced backgrounds to access top universities, through a programme of tuition and in-school mentoring to  get the grades and transition to university. The Access Project are looking for volunteers to tutor secondary school students to boost their grades. The role is remote for one hour a week. It also requires a DBS (supported by The Access Project), 2 references, and for the volunteer to have an undergraduate degree (any subject), currently be studying or have relevant experience. More information available here.

Contact: volunteering@theaccessproject.org.uk

 

Top Church Training – Volunteers needed 

Top Church Training offer high quality volunteer training programme, where you can specialise in the areas you are interested in most such as Hospitality, Kitchen Skills or Gardening . This consists of a Level 1 Induction programme so we can get to know each other, and a Level 2 portfolio which is made of of six training modules. The training modules are fun and engaging and are a blend of workbook activities, group activities and on-the-job, practical training. All designed to get you where you want to be while making new social connections, building your confidence and making a contribution to your community.

Volunteers will be recognised at the Yearly Queen’s Award and can learn a range of skills from organisations and responsibility, to networking, leadership and adaptability. A DBS Check is essential (supported by Top Church Training) and relevant expenses are reimbursed. More information available here.

Contact: tahira@topchurchtraining.co.uk or 07702851051

 

We Love Carers (Dudley Borough)

WeLoveCarers is an independent charity based in Stourbridge that supports unpaid carers and their families throughout the Dudley Borough. They provide support, information and advice to carers, including those who care for disabled children and adults.  We love carers have a range of volunteering opportunities available to support their playgroups, coffee mornings, craft groups and fundraising support (photographing and listing donations).

They are looking for volunteers to support their summer play scheme, where you will help We Love Carers with their summer activities to make this summer memorable for children with disabilities and have some fun along the way. No experience is necessary and training is given. Must be 16+ and have a great attitude! For more information and to apply, visit their website.

Contact: hello@welovecarers.org

 

West Mercia Scouts (Dudley Borough)

West Mercia Scouts are recruiting adult volunteers, ranging from squirrel leaders and explorer leaders to active support members. Volunteers will run their section and allow young people to make the most out of their Scouting adventure, at the same time having an adventure themselves. It also offers the chance to build on personal skills, like teamwork, confidence and leadership.  Volunteers don’t need to have been a Scout, and can bring any skillset to lend a hand. Volunteers need to be aged 18 and above, have a DBS check completed, undertake modules (in-person and online) and provide 2 references. For those under the age of 18, there is a young leader programme available. More information about here.

Contact: 07872 828165 or clare.vas@scouts.org.uk

 

YMCA Wrens Nest – Activity Assistant and Youth Mentor (Dudley)

The  YMCA Wren’s Nest Navigator project provides targeted interventions with individuals and families within Wren’s Nest in Dudley. Our volunteer led project combines of buddying, mentoring, face to face and online activities and support, all session activity is co-produced with individuals and local partners.

The YMCA  are looking for an activity assistant to support the delivery of the community project and volunteer 1 to 2 hours a week. They are also looking for a youth mentor so support a young person to improve areas of their lives through weekly mentoring sessions. Mentors receive full training and are matched with a young person for a minimum of 6 months. A DBS is required for both roles. For more information and to apply, visit their website.

Contact: dudleywrensnest@ymcabc.org.uk

 

By volunteering with any of the opportunities below, you can contribute to causes you care about, see the positive change you create, develop valuable skills and connect with a range of like-minded individual who share your passion for giving back.

Please note, Dudley Volunteer Centre refers potential volunteers to groups and organisations seeking voluntary help. We also offer advice and support in relation to good practice and management of your volunteering opportunities. 

We take every care to refer potential volunteers appropriately, but it remains the responsibility of the group or organisation to operate good volunteering practices for recruitment and management of volunteers. The volunteer centre does not take up references on potential volunteers or conduct DBS checks.