Voluntary Action South West Surrey


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Butterfly Conservation

Mission Statement

Our Vision

A world where butterflies, moths and nature thrive and can be enjoyed by everyone, forever.

Our Purpose

Butterfly Conservation conserves and recovers butterflies and moths and champions them for the benefit of nature and people.

 

Volunteering with Butterfly Conservation

Practical Conservation Group Volunteer (Surrey)

Our Practical Conservation Group Volunteers make a real difference to their local environment. Without them, many threatened butterflies and moths could be lost forever.

At Butterfly Conservation, we want to create a world where butterflies and moths are enjoyed by everyone, forever. Our Group Volunteers help ensure that their local site is a haven for wildlife and the people who enjoy it. Working with other volunteers doing hands-on, practical work, they make sure the site is right for butterflies by cutting, raking or digging.

There’s often a bonfire and refreshments, too!

You will enjoy physical work and have the chance to see the results of your efforts both on the day and in the following spring and summer when the butterflies and moths return. You don’t need to know anything about butterflies or moths to get started, but will have the chance to learn about them and other wildlife.

Why we want you

To take part in practical conservation tasks on key sites for the benefit of moths and butterflies.

What you will be doing

  • Carry out practical conservation tasks (cutting scrub, raking, uprooting invasive species, clear felling etc.) as directed by the group leader.
  • Ensure that you understand the work which needs to be carried out on site, why, where and how.

The skills you need

  • An understanding of safe tool use, or a willingness to learn.
  • You need to be capable of working outside for several hours, sometimes on uneven or steep ground.
  • Since many sites are rural with poor transport links, it can be useful to have your own transport. Car sharing will be encouraged - please let the Group Leader know if this would be helpful to you.
  • Your behaviour will support Butterfly Conservation’s values.

What's in it for you

  • This role gives great job satisfaction – you can see the impact of your work both on the day and in the following spring / summer.
  • Learn more about the site and the butterflies and moths which use it.
  • Increase your social circle with like minded people, boosting your wellbeing.

Disclaimer

This role is active year round. Practical conservation days (“work parties”) are arranged at intervals during the season, but usually take place between 10am and 4pm on the chosen day. We ask for a minimum commitment to attend 1 work party over the course of one season. We will also ask you to complete health and safety training for the role. May involve accessing steep slopes, uneven ground, or remote sites. Please check with the named contact for this opportunity. Children aged 13-15 must be accompanied by an adult whilst volunteering. If you are aged 16 or 17, your parent may give written permission for you to volunteer without adult supervision

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Farnham Swimming Baths Trust

Mission Statement

To benefit the inhabitants of Farnham and its neighbourhood by the provision and maintenance of an open space, including gardens.

Principal activity is the maintenance and enhancement of the Victoria Gardens in Farnham.

General Interests

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Girlguiding Surrey West - Herons Wey Campsite (Farnham)

If you are looking for volunteering opportunities in the outdoors, then Herons Wey Campsite is the place for you!  On any day, regardless of the weather it is a fantastic place to spend time with the camping areas spread across 35 acres of grassland.  We also have 2 large areas of native woodlands covering a further 17 acres which are bordered by the river Wey.

Whether you are looking for a regular or one-off volunteering experience, we have lots of tasks which we need help with.  We also welcome applications from corporate volunteer groups who would like to undertake an outdoor based service project in their local community.

In addition we are also looking for a few people who are interested in getting involved with the Site Management Committee; a team that hold the overall responsibility for running the site.

We offer flexible volunteering opportunities and the opportunities listed give an idea of the areas where we need help managing the site and facilities, please do get in touch if you would like any further information.

Herons Wey is in a remote location and own transport is required.

Mission Statement

Herons Wey Campsite is owned by Girlguiding Surrey West and managed by volunteers.  The campsite and residential facilities welcome members of Girlguiding, the Trefoil Guild, Scouting, uniformed organisations, charitable groups, and other youth organisations including Schools/Educational and Duke of Edinburgh groups for overnight/residential stays and day bookings. 

Girlguiding is the largest organisation for girls and young women in the UK.  The aim is to sustain and promote a stimulating and enjoyable programme of activities.  These will help girls and young women develop their potential and enable them to play an active role in their community.

General Interests

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Guildford Opera

Volunteering with Guildford Opera

Guildford Opera - volunteer opportunities

Guildford Opera is seeking volunteers to help with our productions (and more)!

We have a range of roles to suit different skills, interests and time commitments. Whether you’d like to get involved just once or on an ongoing basis, we’d love to hear from you.

Our next production is in May 2026, but there are opportunities to get started throughout the year. We’re flexible, and we’ll work with you to fine-tune your role. Current opportunities include:

  • Stage Manager / Stage Crew

  • Social Media Coordinator
  • Admin Assistant / Fundraising Assistant

  • Photographer

We’d also love to hear from people with other skills, such as carpentry or general handywork, who might be happy to help out on a casual basis. For most roles, no prior experience is necessary.

No need to commit long-term – you can try a role and see how it goes! To let us know you're interested in volunteering with us, please scroll to the top of this page and click on Fill in an application form (on the right-hand side of this advert). We look forward to hearing from you!

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Haslemere Town Council

Mission Statement

We value and support the contribution of volunteers and local groups who play a vital role in fostering community spirit and delivering projects that enhance the Town of Haslemere. 

Our role is to represent and serve the parish residents by providing quality services, protecting our environment, supporting community well-being, and promoting the unique identity and heritage of our area. We are committed to transparency, inclusivity, and working in partnership to deliver sustainable and positive outcomes for all residents.

Sign up to our community newsletter on our website homepage https://haslemeretc.org/

General Interests

Volunteer for Haslemere Town Council

Volunteer with Haslemere Town Council – Make a Difference in Your Community!

Haslemere Town Council organises a variety of events throughout the year, and we’re always looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make them a success. From car boot sales and Christmas carolling to marshalling Remembrance Sunday, there’s something for everyone to get involved with.

Volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to connect with your local community, support meaningful events, and work alongside our friendly Council team. Whether you're looking to gain experience, meet new people, or simply give back, we’d love to hear from you.

Council staff will always be on hand to support and guide volunteers, ensuring you're comfortable and confident in your role—no experience is necessary, just a positive attitude and willingness to help.

All events take place in Haslemere, which is easily accessible:

  • By car: Haslemere has a variety of car parking options. 
  • By train: Haslemere Station is on the mainline between London and Portsmouth.

  • By bus: Regular services include:

    • Stagecoach 19 (to Farnham/Aldershot),

    • Stagecoach 23 (to Liphook/Alton),

    • Stagecoach 70/71 (to Guildford/Midhurst),

    • Stagecoach 123/113 (to Alton/Grayshott).

If you’re over 18 and would like to be added to our volunteer list, please apply to register your interest—we’ll be in touch with more information.

 

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Joyfull Greens - Community Cookery School

Mission Statement

Better Food, For People, Health, And Planet 

We are a new local community project dedicated to creating a better food culture. Our mission is to inspire individuals and communities to access and enjoy better quality, plant-rich food—leading to healthier, happier, more connected, and sustainable lives.

We:

  • Inspire healthier, more sustainable lifestyles through the art and science of plant-based cooking.
  • Connect people across cultures, ages, and backgrounds through shared food experiences.
  • Empower communities with practical skills in nutrition, cooking, and mindful living.
  • Celebrate diversity, sustainability, and the cultural heritage of plant-based cuisine from around the world.

Volunteering with Joyfull Greens

Admin Volunteer

Are you an organised, reliable individual, with a few hours a month to help Joyfull Greens remotely and flexibly.? 

Joyfull Greens is a fairly new Community Interest Company, we are still in our first year.

We need help with general admin.  So if you are good at word, email, telephone calls, you are the person we are looking for.  We use Google Docs, so experience with that is helpful.  

 

Qualities

  • Friendly, reliable and professional. 
  • Excellent computer skills, admin skills etc.  
  • Ability to communicate clearly

You would benefit from complimentary invites to cooking sessions and helping to make a lasting difference to your local community. 

Corporate Fundraising Volunteer

Are you a corporate fundraiser and networker?  Have you experience to interacting with corporate organisations and local companies to fundraise?  Just a few hours a month need to help Joyfull Greens remotely and flexibly.

Joyfull Greens is a fairly new Community Interest Company, we are still in our first year.  This is a new role, so you can shape things for the future. 

We need help with developing corporate fundraising and yearly partnerships (often called charity of the year partnerships).   We use Google Docs, so experience with that is helpful. 

We expect developing partnerships with food, cooking, health and sports organisations, etc. 

The role may incorporate finding items for raffles and cooking sessions and creating sponsorship agreements with corporates.  

Qualities

  • Friendly, reliable and professional. 
  • Excellent computer skills, admin skills etc.  
  • Ability to communicate clearly

You would benefit from complimentary invites to cooking sessions and helping to make a lasting difference to your local community. 

Governance Volunteer

Joyfull Greens would like a Governance Volunteer, to ensure that we are carrying out our operation legally and safely, incorporating a monthly risk register.

Just a few hours a month need to help Joyfull Greens remotely and flexibly to write some of their first applications.  

Joyfull Greens is a fairly new Community Interest Company, we are still in our first year.  This is a new role, so you can shape things for the future.   

Qualities

  • Friendly, reliable and professional. 
  • Excellent computer skills, admin skills etc.  
  • Ability to communicate clearly

You would benefit from complimentary invites to cooking sessions and helping to make a lasting difference to your local community. 

Events Volunteer

Are you organised and love running events?  As a new CIC we will be setting up some events for the future for fundraising, awareness raising and networking.  We are in the early stages of this process, so an experienced and reliable person would be perfect to add to our team.  Perhaps you specialise in planning events or perhaps you prefer being a person standing behind the table at events, being the friendly face of Joyfull Greens.   

Just a few hours a month, every now and then to help Joyfull Greens would make a lasting difference to the community interest group, which is still in its first year.

 Qualities

  • Friendly, reliable and professional. 
  • Excellent computer skills, admin skills etc.  
  • Ability to communicate clearly

You would benefit from complimentary invites to cooking sessions and helping to make a lasting difference to your local community. 

Volunteer Co-Ordinator

Are you a people person?  Friendly, organised, reliable individual and definitely flexible, with a few hours a month to help Joyfull Greens remotely and flexibly.? 

Joyfull Greens is a fairly new Community Interest Company, we are still in our first year.

We need help with managing and recruiting volunteers.  General record keeping, ability to communicate and encourage volunteers, interview skills and basic management of volunteers.  This may include co-ordinating some training in things such as food hygiene etc.  So if you are good at word, email, telephone calls, you are the person we are looking for.  We use Google Docs, so experience with that is helpful.  May involve attending the occasional external volunteer meeting (optional). 

Qualities

  • Friendly, reliable and professional. 
  • Excellent computer skills, admin skills etc.  
  • Ability to communicate clearly

You would benefit from complimentary invites to cooking sessions and helping to make a lasting difference to your local community. 

Volunteer Cooking Instructor / Class Teacher

Are you a people person?  Do you love food, healthy and sustainable eating?  Are you friendly, organised and reliable?  Can you offer a morning or afternoon every now and then to instruct a session of 12 participants?  Classes run from 11-1:30pm at the moment, but may progress to afternoons and evenings in the future. 

You will need to demonstrate and cook a dish, giving instructions to the group to copy.  In addition, you will make a salad or two as side dishes to accompany the main dish.  There will be Assistant Class Hosts to help you set up, welcome guests, provide drinks, organise and clear away. 

Once cooked everyone sits and eats the finished product and takes home any left overs.  We currently  have one Cooking Instructor / Class Teacher, but we are looking for additional cooks/chefs, either on a regular basis or special appearance.  We need to add variety, so different cultural food, basic food, seasonal foods, man with a pan, budget cooking etc. 

Joyfull Greens is a fairly new Community Interest Company, we are still in our first year, however, we are having great success. 

Qualities

  • Friendly, reliable and professional. 
  • Excellent cooking/chef skills etc.  
  • Ability to communicate clearly

You would benefit from complimentary invites to cooking sessions and helping to make a lasting difference to your local community. 

Marketing and Communications Volunteer

Are you an skilled marketing and communications person with a few hours a month to help Joyfull Greens remotely and flexibly.? 

Joyfull Greens is a fairly new Community Interest Group, we are still in our first year.

We need help with everything at this point in time.  We are able to make several roles or one big role.

We need help with producing a newsletter, advertising on Eventbrite, press releases, publicity, leaflets and other collateral and possibly social media (although we are advertising for social media volunteers separately).   

So if you like doing a particular thing in marketing and communications please get in touch.   

 

 Qualities

  • Friendly, reliable and professional. 
  • Knowledge of website maintenance and updating.  
  • Ability to communicate clearly

You would benefit from complimentary invites to cooking sessions and helping to make a lasting difference to your local community. 

Assistant Class Host

Bring your personality and friendliness to Joyfull Greens.  We need reliable, helpful people to help us run our classes.  As part of the team delivering the class, we would like you to help set up the room in advance of the class with dishes, glasses, food and utensils and to help tidy up afterwards.  Y

You will welcome people into the venue, register their names and give out name badges and aprons, offer a welcome drink and show them to their seats.   

During the class, you will assist and may be asked to help individuals with chopping, peeling, mixing etc.  We will have a professional chef instructing everyone, so you don't have to be a qualified chef!   

After cooking, we will need you to help by clearing the tables, and taking dirty plates and utensils to the kitchen.  Then you will need to re-set the tables ready to eat the gorgeous food that everyone has prepared.   

After eating, help clear away and then either place items in the dishwasher or wash up. 

You too will be able to enjoy a free meal with the other members of the class and some conversations throughout the session.  Great fun, relaxed and friendly. 

We will have a list of session dates and times and you would be able to select the ones that are convenient to you. 

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MS Society Surrey Group

Mission Statement

Our vision
A world free from the effects of MS.
Our mission
To enable everyone affected by MS to
live life to their full potential and secure the
care and support they need, until we
ultimately find a cure.

General Interests

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Oakleaf Enterprise

Mission Statement

Oakleaf has been helping the community to manage its mental health since 1995. Following the 1990 Care in the Community Act, the occupational therapy unit from the old Victorian hospital at Brookwood relocated to Guildford. The charity was registered in 1997 and has been led by our Chief Executive Clive Stone since then.

 

Our Vision: People are empowered to manage their mental health and wellbeing and are supported to achieve their goals.

 

Our Mission: To transform lives through the provision of support, training, and wellbeing activities, building new futures with adults managing their mental health.

 

Our Values: Respect, Empathy, Support, Inclusivity, Excellence and Integrity.

Volunteer Opportunities

Activity Volunteer Opportunity

Oakleaf are looking for volunteers to run activities with clients. 

Oakleaf Enterprise is a Mental Health Charity based in Guildford.  We support adults with their ill-mental health. We do this through three main pathways: work-related training, wellbeing activities and counselling.  

We are continuing to expand our activity offerings and would love to recruit some volunteers to help us run them.  If you have an hour a week, and a skill/passion you think our clients would benefit from let us know!

An understanding and compassionate nature towards ill-mental health is essential and a DBS check will be required. 

If you'd love the chance to share your skills, interact and help our clients then please do get in touch for more information. 

Client Services: Client-Services@Oakleaf-Enterprise.org

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Restless Development

Who we are

We support the collective power of young people to solve the world's greatest challenges. 

General Interests

Schools Triathlon Volunteer

Come and support your local Knight Frank Schools Triathlon

On Sunday 19th May over 1000 local children will take part in the Schools Triathlon event at Cranleigh School. We are looking for local volunteers of all ages to support them as they swim, cycle and run to raise money for Restless Development and 100's of other local charities supported by participating schools. 

 

No specific skills or previous experience is needed, just an enthusiastic attitude to help the day run smoothly. Roles include - signing in all the excited triathletes, stewarding marshals based at the bike and run courses, or handing out medals at the finish line. 

 

Volunteers will receive free refreshments and a Volunteer t-shirt. 

Morning shifts are from 07:30-13:00, afternoon shifts are from 12:30-17:30 or you can volunteer for the full day.

 

Cranleigh School, Cranleigh - Sunday 19th May 2024

 

To sign up click on the fill in an application form button, leave your details and we will get back to you asap

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Rosamund Guildford Community Garden

Mission Statement

Receive a warm welcome at Rosamund Guildford Community Garden, where a vibrant community of volunteers comes together. Our mission is to create a nurturing natural space, inviting both novice and passionate gardeners to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and wildlife.

We grow produce in tune with nature, using no-dig methods, slow natural enrichment and non-mechanisation. The Garden has many environmental features including a Roundhouse crafted through traditional methods, a pond fed by rainwater, two polytunnels, beds for growing, wildlife havens and a diverse orchard with a variety of trees. 

We run regular sessions at the garden on Tuesday and Sunday afternoons between 2.30 and 4.30pm. We also have monthly Big Job Sundays for large projects or tasks that require a big group. If you’d like to come and join in one of our sessions, just drop us an email to check it’s going ahead. To become a member of the garden we ask for a nominal sign-up fee of £20 for the year, and you will be added to our garden chat and google group, as well as having free access to the garden outside of the group sessions. It’s best to try out a couple of taster days before committing to becoming a member, to make sure it’s right for you.

We look forward to hearing from you and meeting you at the garden.

 

General Interests

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Royal Surrey Charity (Guildford)

Our mission

We are working to deliver exceptional care in a welcoming and safe environment for patients at Royal Surrey Hospital.

From providing state of the art equipment and redeveloping wards, to investing in staff development and funding innovative research, our patients are at the heart of everything we do.

Working collaboratively with medical and support staff, we fund projects that make the biggest impact on the 260,000 people we treat each year – from babies, to children and young adults, to older people.

General Interests

External Community Events Volunteers

Each year we organise and attend lots of external events out and about in the community and need volunteers to support these.

From selling new and second goods at our community pop up charity shops, attending show's and festivals to supporting our annual Stride for Cancer Care sponsored care, serving walkers with snacks and drinks at the aid stations to cheering people over the finishing line and handing out medals, your support is vital and we could not do all that we do without the wonderful support of volunteers.

If you would be interested in joining us to help support our events programme please get in touch!

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RSPCA Guildford and Epsom Branch

Volunteering is fun, rewarding and plays a critical role in our work to improve animal welfare. Take a look at our latest opportunities on offer.

In particular we are keen to hear from potential fosterers. Fostering is a really rewarding way to help. For many animals being in a foster home is an essential step on their road to a forever home.

 

Mission Statement

The charitable objectives of the RSPCA are to promote kindness and prevent or suppress cruelty to animals by all lawful means.

 

The branch promotes animal welfare in the local area primarily through veterinary assistance, neutering and re-homing. We run a voucher scheme which assists local people with veterinary bills for treatment and neutering. It also helps to control dog and cat populations, thereby promoting responsible pet ownership.

 

The branch assists the RSPCA animal centres, mainly Millbrook and South Godstone, with re-homing unwanted and abused animals by home-visiting.  We also pay for veterinary treatment of stray animals and wildlife attended to by the Inspectorate in our branch area.

 

The RSPCA provides advice for owners on animal care. It also helps animals brought to us for rehoming because their owners are unable or unwilling to keep them. Ill treated or injured animals are cared for by the Society. The public benefits from knowing that we can intervene to assist animals in need.

 

We have a website to raise awareness of the activities of the branch and to help members get more involved. We provide volunteering opportunities for those who wish to support our work, including trusteeship, fundraising and home visiting. This benefits local people and companies by providing the possibility of doing work which is compassionate and rewarding.

 

We also have to fundraise to enable us to continue with our charitable work. The RSPCA receives no government or lottery funding.

General Interests

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Surrey Hills Society

Mission Statement

Surrey Hills Society - Discover and help conserve our National landscape The Surrey Hills Society is an independent charity formed 15 years ago.  It promotes the positive enjoyment and care of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is in the course of being rebranded as one of the UK’s National Landscapes. We encourage those who live, work in, or visit the area to explore and learn about the special qualities and distinctiveness of the area.  The Society also uses its extensive network to actively promote the conservation and enjoyment of the Surrey Hills.

In June 2019 the Society was presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service which is the highest award for volunteer groups to recognise outstanding work done in their communities and is the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary organisations.

Our mission is summarised by four words: Conserve, Inspire, Educate and Enjoy.

For further information visit our website.

General Interests

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West Horsley Place Trust

Mission Statement

West Horsley Place is a Grade I listed mediaeval manor house and estate of great beauty and historic significance. The manor house dates from 1425, though there has been a building on site since Saxon times. Our recent work to conserve and maintain the house has made our principal rooms safe and comfortable for public access, but the house remains on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.  

The West Horsley Place Trust aims to bring the house, gardens, 380-acre estate and eight Grade II listed outbuildings back into good repair and to improve people's wellbeing through art, culture, heritage & nature.

We will give people freedom to explore and discover, to create stories and become part of ours. 

VISION

  • To bring about a quiet revolution in the way an historic house and estate is managed
  • To be a place that improves people’s wellbeing through culture, heritage and nature

MISSION

  • To be sustainable, financially, environmentally and socially
  • To be a catalyst for creativity
  • To conserve the listed buildings in our care so that they are no longer on the Historic England ‘at risk’ register
  • To provide learning and engagement opportunities in culture, heritage and nature
  • To broaden our audience by being welcoming, inclusive and accessible
  • To enhance the natural landscape through increasing biodiversity and habitat connectivity

General Interests

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Zero Carbon Guildford

If you are concerned about the environment, want to make a difference but don't know how then volunteering with ZERO is a good place to start.  We run a town centre hub which acts as the focal point for building a community led climate action plan. ZERO hosts a wide range of projects and events, installations and exhibitions, talks and workshops, and lots more, to help drive engagement in climate action. We are always looking for people who are able to volunteer on a regular basis to help us operate.   We  have a number of different roles within the community hub so if you are interested in helping out then we would love to hear from you

About Zero

                                                         

Zero Carbon Guildford is a charity set up to enable local community action to tackle the climate and ecological crisis and associated social issues.

Zero Carbon Guildford operates a Community Hub, in the centre of Guildford, to enable the community to come together to tackle these issues.  

The Hub includes a café, houses our many projects  and showcases ways local people can make changes to help Guildford's journey towards a zero-carbon future. 

 

Volunteer for Zero

ZERO Volunteer

 

If you have ever wanted to make a difference for the environment but not known how, volunteering with Zero Carbon Guildford  is one of the best things you can do.

There are many different ways you can get involved as a volunteer; you could become one of our speakers helping us to spread our message, help with our Saturday town centre outreach, you could join one of our projects such as the library of things, water rangers or the community fridge.  Or if you have limited time available for volunteering you can become one of our supporters and help us champion our work.   No prior experience or knowledge is needed as we will give you training, but you do need to be passionate about the environment and want to help us achieve our aim of helping Guildford reach carbon neutrality by 2030.   

To find out more about how you can get involved, fill in our application form and we'll be in touch soon. 

 

Minimum age for volunteering is 14 and Duke of Edinburgh students are welcome.

 

 

 

 

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