Become a Home Visiting Volunteer and Make a Difference

Home Visiting Volunteers come from many different backgrounds and vary in age but all are either parents themselves or have parenting experience and are carefully selected for their friendliness and understanding.  They provide informal, friendly emotional support and practical help to families. Whether it’s holding a baby so mum can shower, playing with toddlers so a parent can rest, or simply being a listening ear - your time and empathy can change lives.

All our home visiting volunteers attend a preparation course, undergo an enhanced DBS check and provide two references before being matched with a family who they will visit once a week, for approximately 2-3 hours.

Why Volunteer With Us?

• 🤝 Make a real difference in your local community
• 🎓 Free training and ongoing support
• 🚗 Travel expenses reimbursed
• 🧠 Learn new skills and build confidence
• 💬 Join a warm, supportive volunteer network
• 🎉 Enjoy social events and specialist talks

Requirements and Commitment:

• You must be a parent or have parenting experience
• As a Home-Start volunteer you will support a family by visiting them at home for around two to three hours once a week
• You should be able to commit at least one year of your time to Home-Start
• You should have a non-judgmental attitude and understand about the pressures of bringing up a family
• Be able to attend our free Volunteer Preparation Course with other new volunteers
• Have an understanding of and abide by our Confidentiality and Safeguarding policies
• Be able to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check

We’ll support you every step of the way - with training, supervision, and thoughtful matching to a family who will benefit from your unique experience.

Volunteers take their own individual skills and experience to the families they visit. Talking and listening can empower families to overcome their difficult situations. Visits might include holding the baby while mum has a shower, playing with twin toddlers while mum has a sleep, taking parents shopping and showing them how to budget, being a listening ear to relieve isolation, modelling positive parenting and play.

What we offer you:

• An ongoing commitment to help volunteers fulfil their roles to the best of their ability
• Comprehensive and up-to-date information about Home-Start
• Individual interview with one of our co-ordinators before commencing training
• Free initial training before you commence as a home-visiting volunteer
• Opportunities for regular ongoing training
• Appropriate support and supervision, both individually and at volunteer support group meetings
• A thorough matching service when matching volunteers to new families 
• Re-imbursement of travel expenses
• Annual volunteer social events 

If you would like to find out more, to make an enquiry, please fill in an application and someone will be in touch with you. 

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

Oakleaf are always looking for volunteers to assist with our Fundraising Activities. 

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.  

Whether its our annual quiz night, a fire-walk, a dinner dance, a community awareness event we are continuing to expand our volunteer database and would love to recruit some volunteers to help us execute our events.  If you have a free evening once in a while and would like to support your local Mental Health Charity let us know!

Please contact our Community & Events Fundraising Manger: JaneFelton@Oakleaf-Enterprise.org

Full reception training will be given and support for the volunteering role is provided by the Client Services Manager.

Overview:

Provide general reception support for Oakleaf.

Greet visitors and clients to the building, assisting with general enquiries and directing them to the correct service or department.

Ensure visitors sign in and sign out of the building.

Promoting Oakleaf services to new visitors who may be interested in joining. 

Keep the reception area clean and tidy.

Assist with adhoc administrative tasks.

Current hours required are 

• Mondays in the morning 830am-1130am.

Oakleaf are looking for volunteers to work in our Horticulture department with our team leaders and 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 operate a Gardening service, as a social enterprise, as a way of providing vocational training and work experience for our clients and volunteers. Our services raise funds to help keep Oakleaf operating. If you enjoy working in the open air, with a friendly team, and you have a day, or a half day, available per week, please get in touch.

An understanding and compassionate nature towards ill-mental health is essential. 

Horticulture Administrator: beatricecurtis@oakleaf-enterprise.org

Stall volunteers needed! Can you lend a hand?

We are looking for some enthusiastic volunteers to get stuck in with our internal hospital sales throughout the year!

This role will involve coming in and supervising one of the stalls we regularly hold on the ground floor of the hospital e.g selling books, cakes, children's toys etc. You will be handling donations and telling members of the public about the charity as they visit the stall. 

This role would suit you if you like variety and are positive, collaborative and really want to get involved with your local hospital and community!

By helping to raise money and awareness for The Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity you are helping to ensure that patients at the Royal Surrey County Hospital receive exceptional care in a welcoming and safe environment.

This role can be flexible around your schedule, so please get in touch if you are interested! 

If you are interested in helping Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity, please complete the online application form & we will be in touch!

We are looking for some enthusiastic volunteers to become collection tin coordinators to help run our collection tin programmes in the local community  throughout the year! Could you help us?

We are primarily looking for volunteers in the following locations:

• Guildford
• Godalming
• West Clandon
• Elstead
• Farnborough
• Farnham

However, please do get in touch if you are interested and live elsewhere. We will try our best to make arrangements to support your volunteering in your local community.

This role will involve:

• Liaising with shops, businesses and offices in your area to ask them to keep an RSCH Charity collection tin in a prominent place.
• Collecting full tins and supplying new ones.
• Counting and banking the collected money and recording it accurately, and completing simple reports so you can keep track of how they’re doing.
• Informally discussing other ways the business may support our work (for example, if one of their employees wants to run a marathon for us) and passing leads to us.

This role would suit you if you are organised, honest, confident, collaborative, have good local knowledge and really want to get involved with your local hospital and community!

By helping to raise money and awareness for The Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity you are helping to ensure that patients at the Royal Surrey County Hospital receive exceptional care in a welcoming and safe environment. Fundraising is vital to support our work and collection tins in your local community are a valuable asset in helping us to do just that.

You may need to be able to travel locally, whether by car or public transport. All reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed, according to the NHS Travel and Subsistence Policy.

You will be supported by the fundraising team and will have guidance on the role and NHS volunteering process.

This role can be flexible around your schedule and the amount of time you spend depends on how large an area you’d like to cover, so please get in touch if you are interested! 

If you are interested in helping Royal Surrey County Hospital Charity, please complete the online application form & we will be in touch!

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!

Could you spare an hour a week to cheer up someone’s week?

A simple, friendly phone call can mean the world - bringing laughter, conversation and genuine human connection into their week.

As a Phone Befriender, you’ll be thoughtfully matched with someone who shares similar interests, so conversations feel natural and enjoyable. Whether it’s books, gardening, music, sport, memories of travel or everyday life, your call could quickly become the highlight of their week. Over time, you’ll build a meaningful connection simply by being present, listening well and showing a real interest in their life.

You don’t need special experience - just warmth, reliability and empathy. We’ll provide guidance and ongoing support to help you feel confident in the role.

Loneliness can be overwhelming, but one consistent, caring voice can remind someone they are valued, heard and not alone.

If you have a little time and a big heart, we would love to hear from you.

Can you help someone stay connected to the world around them?

We’re looking for friendly, reliable Volunteer Drivers to support people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, partially sighted and deafblind. By offering a lift to our monthly Meet-Up Catch-Up sessions or Deaf Cafés, you’ll help create opportunities to socialise and reduce isolation.

You may also drive individuals to our Resource Centre or Technology Team, where they can access specialist advice and equipment that supports their independence.

Your time behind the wheel can make attending these vital activities possible.

The role is flexible - volunteer when you can, with journeys taking place Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. Mileage is reimbursed at 45p per mile.

Turn a simple journey into something that truly matters.

Can you help someone feel seen, heard, and truly valued?

Our aim is simple: to replace loneliness and isolation with companionship, understanding and meaningful human contact. We’re looking for kind, committed volunteers who can offer a little free time each week to visit someone who is hard of hearing, blind, partially sighted or deafblind in their own home.

As a Home Visitor, you’ll provide warmth and reassurance - sharing conversation, enjoying familiar hobbies, reading aloud, or simply being a listening ear over a cup of tea. Your empathy and patience can make a profound difference to someone’s wellbeing.

In return, you’ll gain the joy of building a genuine friendship, the satisfaction of brightening someone’s week, and a truly rewarding experience.

The role is flexible with ongoing support and paid travel expenses.

Give an hour. Share your time. Make a difference that matters.

Would you like to use your tech skills to change someone’s everyday life?

We’re looking for enthusiastic Technology Volunteers to support people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, partially sighted and deafblind. By visiting people in their homes, you’ll help set up and demonstrate assistive technology - from setting up an Alexa, help with laptop or phone issues, or setting up a new router - empowering individuals to live independently and stay connected to the people and services that matter most.

You don’t just install equipment - you unlock confidence, independence and opportunity.

This is a rewarding chance to use your technical know-how and people skills in a role that makes a meaningful difference. You’ll gain hands-on experience with specialist assistive technology and work alongside experienced staff for guidance and support.

Step forward. Share your skills. Help someone navigate their world with greater ease and independence.

Are you confident with everyday technology? Could you use your skills to help someone hear – and feel – more connected?

We’re looking for practical, patient volunteers to support people who are deaf, hard of hearing or living with combined sight and hearing loss. By visiting people in their homes, you’ll help set up and explain hearing loss friendly technology – from configuring Alexa devises and accessibility features on TV’s, setting up amplified or visual alert systems, supporting with mobile phones, apps and blue tooth connections.

Small adjustments can make a big difference; improving safety, boosting confidence, and helping someone stay connected to family, friends and the world around them.

This is a hands-on rewarding opportunity to use your technical ability and people skills in a way that truly matters. You’ll gain experience with specialist equipment, receive full support, and see first-hand the impact of your time.

Become a Community Volunteer and help create a warm, welcoming space for people who are blind, partially sighted and hard of hearing to connect, feel included, and enjoy their time in our hub. If you’re friendly, reliable, and enjoy supporting others, this is a rewarding way to make a real difference in your community—just by offering a smile, a chat, and a helping hand each week.

We are looking for volunteers who can help on Thursday mornings (30 sessions during school term time) to assist setting up and tidying away, help with simple refreshments and engage in conversation and activities.

About the Role

Our volunteers play a crucial role in our organisation, enabling us to provide a diverse range of additional services to the people we support. By helping as a CYPS volunteer, you will develop your interpersonal skills and learn what is required to support at events that our CYPS team organise. You will be assisting a young person or child who is blind or partially sighted during the activity and their siblings and families.

Our CYPS volunteers support our regular activities programme that take place at weekends and during school holidays. Events range from art and craft activities to climbing and skiing. We try to offer a varied programme so no event is ever the same!

As a CYPS volunteer, it would be beneficial to have worked or volunteered with children and young people before.

Time Commitment

This role would suit someone who can offer either a monthly commitment and/or is looking for something more ad hoc. Timings will vary but will predominantly be during the day at weekends or during school holidays with the potential for the odd evening request.

Benefits

Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey will reimburse travel expenses. For car users we pay 45 pence a mile for the journeys you undertake on behalf of the organisation. For those using public transport we would require tickets or proof of payment. We hold regular social events and an annual celebration which allows our volunteers to meet each other. We offer ongoing support and training on topics such as safeguarding, dementia awareness and other relevant topics.

Requirements

We are looking for someone reliable, with strong communication and interpersonal skills. We organise 1-2 events a month, one of which is usually an event where blind or partially sighted children participate without their parent/carer and require 1:1 supervision.

All volunteers are required to have training appropriate to the role, these can include safeguarding, lone working and how to safely guide someone with a visual impairment.  Please note that you won’t be expected to undertake personal care.

You may be asked from time to time if you are able to support other volunteer roles including one to one support with vulnerable adults. Please be aware that volunteers are required to have an enhanced check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and join the DBS Update Service to ensure that regular checks can be undertaken during your volunteering service. Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey would apply for this on your behalf at no cost to yourself.