This week’s top five volunteering opportunities

1. Food Fight! Islington
When: Monday-Friday, AM-PM, throughout May & June.    
Where: 1-3 Highbury Station Road, London N1 SE1
Food fight is a celebration of food history and culture with the purpose of bringing people together and keeping us healthy. Exploring the food that made us, the food we eat today and how food can help us fight a wide range of health challenges but also to introduce new, exciting but above all, accessible ideas for people to taste and then cook for themselves.  Food Fight is taking place in sheltered housing schemes for older people in Islington.  You could help by talking to people about the food they love, by facilitating food and healthy eating events in the sheltered housing schemes or by promoting participation amongst Centra’s older people.  Centra are looking for reliable and enthusiastic people who want to be part of this celebration. So if you are a nutrition nut, kitchen whizz or party planner, with a few hours per week to spare, please contact Centra on 020 7447 3192 or volunteering@circle.org.uk

2. Run to help older people in Tower Hamlets
When: Ongoing
Where: Vault 14 Somerset House, London, WC2R 11A, and across London    
If you are a keen runner or wanting to get a bit fitter, GoodGym could be the perfect place to volunteer. GoodGym combines workouts with doing good for the community. They can pair you up with an older person in your area that is isolated, immobile or feeling lonely and would benefit from a weekly social visit. GoodGym call these people coaches as they help motivate you to go for a run. The visits are primarily social and aim to improve the well- being of both people. You run to your coach, stop in for 15 – 30 minutes for a chat, and then run back. GoodGym runners are asked to commit to one visit per week. Have a look at their website to get started. There are lots of opportunities with other boroughs too.

3. Performance assistant volunteer 
When: 26th June – 5th July
Where: The Borough Hall, Royal Hill, London, SE12 8RE    
Greenwich and Docklands International Festival is London’s leading festival of free outdoor performing arts (theatre, dance and street arts). It is an annual 10 day celebration of extraordinary outdoor events that transform people’s lives. They are currently looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join the festival team, to make London’s annual festival of outdoor arts a memorable event. As a performance assistant, the main role will be to provide practical support for shows during rehearsals and performances. The festival takes place outdoors over a variety of sites in Greenwich and Tower Hamlets. Take a look here to apply, the deadline for applications is Monday 25th May at 5pm.

4. Triage Volunteer
When: Ongoing, the shifts available are between Monday and Firday 8.45am to 4.30pm
Where: The Dellow Centre, 82 Wentworth Street, London, E1 7SA    
Providence Row tackles the root causes of homelessness to help people get off, and stay off the streets. They are looking for some volunteers to help to meet with prospective clients and assess their needs. The objectives of this role include conducting initial assessments, carrying out joint work with specialist workers, creating client accounts and record actions and to refer to appropriate agencies as well as other tasks. There will be a comprehensive learning programme provided that will be supported by handbooks and online materials. Please have a look here to apply.

5. Friends of Vauxhall Park Summer Fair volunteer
When: June 21st 2015
Where: Vauxhall Park, Fentiman Road, London SW8 1PU    
The Friends of Vauxhall Park Summer Fair usually attracts around 500 people and some help is needed on the day! The fair is a great community event and always a lot of fun. It is quite a traditional community summer fair with plenty to do and see. Help is needed with setting up gazebos, stewarding and clearing up afterwards. Please have a look at their website for more information.