This Week’s Top 5 Volunteering Opportunities
February 27, 2015
1.Gardening Volunteers – Living Under One Sun Community Allotment 
Where: East Hale Allotments, Mill Mead Road, Tottenham Hale, N17 9QU
When: Ongoing, Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Commitment Level: Low
Any Dot Dot Dot guardians already involved? Yes
The LUOS Community Allotment is a community space in the heart of Tottenham. Their core goal is to bring nature closer to the community by hosting regular volunteering sessions and training. Fruit and vegetables are grown at the allotment as well as a range of medicinal herbs and flowers and bee keeping. They currently have opportunities in ‘gardening skills and community outreach’, ‘introduction to herbal medicine’ and also run a bee keeping course. Please contact Sandra on 07828 080155 if you are interested.
2.Volunteer Mentors – Sova
Where: Nationwide, there are plenty of opportunities in central London and South East in Woolwich
When: Ongoing, volunteers are expected to give 4 – 8 hours a week
Commitment Level: Moderate
Any Dot Dot Dot guardians already involved? Yes
Sova is a charity that works in the heart of communities in England and Wales to help people steer clear of crime. They do this by making sure that when people find themselves in difficult situations they have someone on their side to help them make better choices so they can stay out of trouble and build better lives. They are currently recruiting motivated and open-minded individuals to volunteer to support adult ex-offenders with long-standing psychological needs to reintegrate successfully back into London. They offer accredited training through the Open College Network and also specialist training. If this sounds interesting to you then have a look at their opportunities here.
3.Front of House Volunteers – Benjamin Franklin House
Where: Benjamin Franklin House, 36 Craven Street, London, WC2N 5NF
When: Ongoing
Commitment Level: Moderate
Any Dot Dot Dot guardians already involved? No
Benjamin Franklin House is the world’s only remaining home of Dr Benjamin Franklin – scientist, diplomat, philosopher, Founding Father of The United States and more. Franklin lived in the house for nearly 16 years between 1757 and 1775. The house now serves as an educational facility and a front of house volunteer is needed to be the the public face of the museum. The front of house volunteers will assist with running the Box Office and shop, give tours of the House to visitors and also assist with the running of the busy and varied events programme. Details of how to apply can be found here. Applications are judged on a first come, first serve basis so get your details in quick if you are interested.
4.Make Kindness Cupcakes – Here To Islington
Where: Jenuis Social, 6 Hornsey Street, London, N7 8GR
When: 16th March
Commitment Level: Low
Any Dot Dot Dot guardians already involved? No
Here To Islington are looking for people to spare a couple of hours and bake caked together so they are ready to be decorated by the Good Gym runners and eaten by residents and the Here To Islington coffee morning. It is an opportunity to meet residents and learn about things going on in Islington whilst baking cakes. You will learn how to bake from a qualified chef and also get a chance to taste your creations at the coffee morning the following day. More details can be found here.
5.Drop- in Volunteers – Clissold Park
Where: Clissold Park, Green Lanes, London N16 9HJ
When: Drop in volunteering sessions are held one Sunday a month.
Commitment Level: Low
Any Dot Dot Dot guardians already involved? Yes
The volunteer sessions are run by the Clissold Park User Group. As part of the park development project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and Hackney Council, a volunteering programme is being developed and there are lots of different opportunities to get involved with. The London Wildlife Trust has been bought in to run a number of different projects on wildlife and biodiversity. The next session in March is a session on hedgerow planting. To get involved have a look here.
