Christmas Is Just Around The Corner! (How Did That Happen?!)
We have been receiving requests about volunteer roles during the holiday season, so here goes. And remember to tell them you saw the role on Volunteer Centre Camden’s website:
One-offs and events volunteering
London New Year’s Day Parade is looking for Parade Makers to power this annual festive event by escorting VIP’s to their seats, answering queries from the public and helping the 8,000 plus performers form-up before the start of the event. Each Parade Maker will be rewarded with a special Goody Bag and an invitation to a post-event reception hosted by the parade. Find out more about the parade on the LNYDP on their website here and more about the volunteering on the LNYDP website here.
** Please note: The Parade Maker application form will need to be completed before the deadline on Monday 7th November.
Marie Curie Hampstead Hospice is looking for up to ten volunteers to power their annual Winter Fair on Saturday 26th November. Roles include selling raffle tickets, manning stalls and generally guiding people around the hospice on the day. The event itself takes place at Marie Curie Hospice, 11 Lyndhurst Gardens, NW3 5NS from 10am-2.30pm, however the volunteers who can spare a couple of hours are needed from 9.30am-3pm on the day. Interested? Contact Alex Dobbing, Community Fundraiser by email or phone 020 7853 3436.
The National Brain Appeal raises funds for The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square – one of the world’s leading centres for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with neurological and neuromuscular conditions. These include stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), brain cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Prion disease, and head injury. They are looking for a volunteer to support the fundraising team at events they organise throughout the year as well as supporting fundraisers who organise their own events. Including their Christmas carol concert, dinners, lectures as well as their challenge/sporting events such as the London Marathon & Santa Run. Find out more and apply for The National Brain Appeal volunteering on the Team London website here.
Orchid (male cancer charity) aims to save men’s lives through research and awareness. This Christmas they are looking for Christmas Collection Volunteers to collect donations at tube stations across London. Stations include Tottenham Court Road, Friday 25th November, 7am-10pm; Embankment, Thursday 8th December, 7am-10pm and South Kensington, Thursday 15th December, 7am-10pm and Cannon Street, Friday 16th December, 7am-10pm. A three-hour commitment is required, but you can volunteer for more time if you’re up for it. They have a particular need for volunteers at Cannon Street on 16th December. Find out more and apply for the Orchid Christmas Collection volunteering on the Team London website here.
St John’s Hospice is looking for event volunteers for their popular annual Christmas Fayre on Sunday 4th December in St John’s Wood. You can choose between three shifts – or all day if you like. This is a fab opportunity to volunteer with friends and loved ones. Find out more and apply for the St John’s Hospice volunteering on the Team London website here.
Homelessness
Crisis at Christmas is most likely the single largest volunteering programme at Christmastime and they are looking for 100s of volunteers in a number of roles. They have a 24-hour residential centre in Camden called Winter’s and it’s in the Chalk Farm area. They also have a day centre in King’s Cross. Both venues (and beyond) are recruiting volunteers now. Have a look at the Crisis at Christmas volunteering opportunities here.
The Food Chain is another option that offers one-off roles in the run up to Christmas, as well as on the big day itself. They are also looking for a supervisor for their King’s Cross kitchen. Have a look at The Food Chain’s volunteering opportunities here.
Hackney Winter Night Shelter is made possible by more than 750 volunteers at venues around Hackney. Winter shelter roles include set up, welcomers, evening cooks, breakfast cooks, tidying up and a special need for overnighters. Under 18s are welcome to volunteer before the guests arrive. HWNS also needs year-round volunteers including admin, IT, fundraising and communications. Find out more and apply for the roles on the Hackney Winter Night Shelter website here.
Quaker Homeless Action runs their annual Quaker Christmas Shelter for the homeless at Union Chapel in Highbury, Islington. They are also looking for volunteers in a number of roles from 23-30th December. Have a look at the Quaker Homeless Action volunteering opportunities here.
The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to serve meals to people who would otherwise be on their own on Christmas Day, as well as involving volunteers in a number of roles all year round. Have a look at The Salvation Army volunteering opportunities here.
St Martin’s in the Fields in Trafalgar Square is looking for people to volunteer for the annual BBC Radio 4 St Martin’s in the Fields Christmas Appeal. Roles include opening post, answering the phone, helping with their appeal exhibition and even singing with their choir. Proceeds will transform the lives of homeless and vulnerable people across the UK. Find out more about the Christmas Appeal here and apply for the roles on the St Martin’s in the Fields’ website here.
Whitechapel Mission helps the homeless all year round in their many programmes, and at Christmastime they are looking for a number of people (in groups of at least five and no more than ten) to prepare and serve meals in their day centre. Have a look at Whitechapel Mission’s volunteering opportunities here.
Everything Else That’s Seasonal!
Highgate Cemetery is looking for Visitor Assistants in the run-up and New Year to enhance the visitor welcome and experience. Your role will be making visitors feel welcome and ensuring their visit is friendly, enjoyable and safe. Highgate Cemetery is open every day except Christmas and Boxing Day, and shifts are on weekdays from 9.45 – 1.00 and from 12.45 – 4.15, and at weekends from 10.45 – 1.00 and 12.45 – 4.45. This role isn’t limited to the Christmas season, and they are always in need of more volunteers. However they do have a particular need for extra volunteers around Christmas when many of their more regular volunteers are away or busy. Find out more about volunteering at Highgate Cemetery and apply for their roles on their website here.
HOST UK is looking for Cultural Exchange Christmas Hosts to invite students to visit for a few days at Christmas so the student can experience ‘real’ Britain, away from university and heavy tourism — and so the host can meet new people and learn about diverse cultures from around the world. Hundreds of adult international students studying in the UK will be facing a lonely Christmas on a deserted University campus. You can welcome one or two students into your home for four days at Christmas, learn about their culture, show them your local area and traditions, and invite them to experience your own home life. This role requires a minimum time commitment of four days (evening 24th December – 27th December morning / afternoon), and is also available year round. Find out more and apply for the role via our online matching tool, Volunteer Connect here.
The Jewish Museum is looking for Gallery Invigilators over the Christmas holidays, especially on Sundays and Thursdays. Have a look at The Jewish Museum volunteering opportunities here.
RNIB is looking for a large number of enthusiastic volunteers to help with a range of Christmas opportunities. Whether it’s helping out at a Santa fun run or to gift wrapping presents, there’s lots of small ways you can make a massive difference. Check out all of RNIB’s Christmas volunteering opportunities and apply on their website here.
MS Society is looking for a number of volunteers to sell fundraising Christmas cards at a number of pop-up shops between October and December. Local venues include St Mary’s Church on Upper Street in Islington and St Paul’s Church on bedford Street in Covent Garden. Volunteers are needed for three-hour shifts and training is given. Find out more and apply for MS Society’s volunteering on their website here.
We are still looking for other volunteering opportunities at Christmas and beyond, so if you have anything you would like for us to promote (or add to this page), then contact Sheila by email, and she will take it from there.
