This week’s top five volunteering opportunites

1. Cheering Team Volunteer – Run Hackney Half Marathon
When: May 10th    
Where: Hackney Marathon Route
Commitment level: Low
Any Dot Dot Dot guardians involved: No
Cancer Research UK are looking for cheering team volunteers to support their runners at the Hackney Half marathon on 10th May. For just a few hours cheering, volunteers will be helping to raise over £100,000 for Cancer Research’s pioneering, life saving research. Volunteers will be part of the cheering team located on the race route and will be responsible for cheering and supporting the runners; encouraging them to keep going and beat their challenge! Please feel free to bring friends and family along to help support the team and enjoy the event. Cancer Research will provide volunteers with everything the need to cheer on their runners – clappers, cheering sticks, whistles and loud hailers – as well as a free Cancer Research UK t-shirt to make volunteers stand out from the crowd! If you have lots of enthusiasm and the ability to make lots of noise, please take a look here for details of the race.

2. Room Stewards at Carlyle House 
When: April – October     
Where: Canalside House, 383Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5AA
Commitment Level: Moderate
Any Dot Dot Dot guardians involved: No
Carlyle house is a literary historic house and museum open to the general public. The volunteer centre Kensington and Chelsea are looking for help in welcoming visitors to a wonderful little house in the heart of Chelsea with its connections to Dickens, Tennyson, Ruskin and many more. If you are interested in the Victorians, particularly their literature and art, this is a great opportunity to help visitors discover the home of Thomas and Jane Carlyle. Volunteers need to have a friendly and welcoming manner, be a good listener and have the ability to work as a small team. They are currently looking for volunteers at the weekends who can commit to 3 hours a week. Take a look here to get involved.

3. Befriender
When: 27th July – mid August    
Where: Kith and Kids, 3rd Floor, c/o The Irish Centre, Pretoria Road, London, N17 8DX
Commitment level: Moderate
Any other Dot Dot Dot guardians involved: No
Kith & Kids provides activities, opportunities, information and support for people with a learning disability or autism, their parents and siblings. They are looking for volunteers over the summer to befriend and support their members. On the project volunteers will be in pairs, working with one of their members with a learning disability, where they will support and encourage them to take part in a wide range of activities, such as arts and crafts, video, massage and music workshops. Not only is it a week full of fun and games for volunteers and the members, volunteers will be a vital part in supporting the children’s social skills in a day to day environment. The project runs from the 27th of July. Training will be provided and training days will be held on 6th June or 21st of June. Have a look here for the application form.

4. Photographer – Flame of Hope Awards
When: 5th June, applications close on 30th April    
Where: Angel, London EC1V 4AD
Commitment level: High
Any other Dot Dot Dot guardians involved: No
Each year Cancer Research UK recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements of their truly inspiring volunteers through their Flame of Hope Awards. This year they are looking for a talented photographer to join them at their formal luncheon and awards ceremony in London on Friday 5th June to capture images of the volunteer winners and guests. The volunteers role on the day will be invaluable, helping Cancer Research to capture exciting and important moments at the event which will support the post event marketing work. Ideally, this role would suit either a professional or talented amateur photographer, or a photography student looking to develop their portfolio of work. Fill out this form to apply.

When: 23rd April 2015    

Ingeenium provide accessible creative projects for the people of London in order to empower communities and boost happiness. Their projects aim to be a catalyst sparking change for participants, and therefore change in the local area and beyond. Ingeenium are looking for some events assistants to help at their creative tea party event for World Book Night at Custom House Library. Roles will include helping serve cake and lemonade, hosting art activities and creative writing and assisting community members, old and young. Volunteers will help to enable participants to access and enjoy every element of this event, making writing and reading more accessible. The event hopes to bring the community together, enhancing happiness and promoting the library as a community hub. Have a look here for more information.