Top 5 London Volunteering Opportunities

It’s Friday and time to have a look at the many brilliant volunteering opportunities across the city. We’re very proud to include the innovative LondonSOUP, co-founded by Helene-Marie, a previous guardian and outstanding volunteer. Other roles include running an open mic night and getting crafty to cheer up poorly children.

Don’t forget; if you have a volunteering opportunity you’d like us to share please do email us on hello@dotdotdotproperty.com.

Help run LondonSOUP
Where: east London based 
When: Ongoing
LondonSOUP is a community dinner and micro-funding project, bringing people together to share a meal and raise funds for small, community-led projects that make London better.

They’re looking for extra volunteers to help them run the project, more details about the various roles here. An information night is planned for the end of Sept, if you’re interested in getting involved please submit your details via the website.

Open Mic volunteers at Spotlight
Where: 30 Hay Currie Street, E14 6GN 
When: Ongoing
Volunteers in this role will provide technical support for our Open Mic night in the Spotlight café. You will volunteer directly with young people, providing encouragement and support to perform. Ideally you will have experience and be confident in setting up live sound equipment. Be willing to get stuck in, singing or playing an instrument yourself to encourage young people to participate.

It’s a fantastic opportunity; there will be a member of the Spotlight Youth Work team on hand but they are ideally looking for people who might like to take ownership of the project.

Find out more about the position and how to apply by emailing Terri Calbraith on volunteer@wearespotlight.com.

Distribute water at the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon
Where: Hyde Park, Central London
When: Sunday 12th October 2014
The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon was created seven years ago by the Royal Parks Foundation, in order to raise funds to support the maintenance of the Royal Parks and keep them safe, clean, bursting with life and blooming with beauty.

They would love volunteers to help out at the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon event, fulfilling roles such as manning water stations, cheering on participants or handing out finisher goodies. To register your interest in volunteering simply fill out this online form.

Cheer up a sick child with Post Pals
Where: Home based
When: Ongoing
Post Pals is a small charity run solely by volunteers who are dedicated to making seriously ill children and their siblings smile by the sending of cards, letters, little gifts, support and friendship.

You can send a hand written card/note, make one or order one from sites like MoonPig and Funky Pigeon, you can also send a gift (again this could be a bought one or handmade). Pop it in the post to the address on the child’s page and know that you have made a child smile! All details on how to get started can be found here.

Volunteer for Born to Read
Where: across England
When: Ongoing
Reading well is one of the best routes out of poverty for the UK’s poorest children: they do better at school and in the workplace and are better placed to give their own children the best start.

As a Born to Read volunteer you will provide one-to-one support through playing word games with a child, listening to what they have to say and of course, reading with them. By volunteering to help poorer children improve their reading, boost their confidence and improve their prospects. And you will be giving them a great gift: the lifelong love of reading

To become a volunteer reading helper, Save the Children ask that you can commit to 90 minutes twice a week in a local primary school for one academic year. You can sign up at anytime during the school year. Find out more information  about the project and how to apply here.