Volunteering in North Northumberland
“Supporting the people who support our Communities”
Volunteering in North Northumberland is a unique brokerage service set up to support community organisations, groups and charities in identifying and referring potential volunteers who fit the bill.
Many social enterprises, charities and community organisations and support services are continuously seeking enthusiastic, compassionate and caring volunteers to support the ongoing needs of communities.
So……. If you are a Community Group seeking volunteers – get in touch and let us help you identify volunteers who can support your local projects
So ………Looking to volunteer and want to help people, meet new people, learn new skills and support your local communities? Get in touch for an informal discussion of how you can help make a difference.
We are delighted to announce that we have appointed Verity Owens as the new Volunteering in North Northumberland Volunteer Advisor. Verity comes to us with a wealth of experience in the VCSE and previously held a similar positions with a national charity.
In her spare time Verity volunteers herself and states “Encouraged by my parents, I caught the volunteering bug as a child, fundraising for the World Wildlife Fund and JMA, finding a sense of purpose to make positive changes in the world.”
“As a grown up I’ve volunteered for national charities like Rathbone, the National Trust and the RNLI as well as for the NHS during the recent pandemic and for local groups like Brownies and a food bank. Volunteering’s great. You can’t help but be inspired by the vast network of selfless people organising to achieve progress in so many areas of need. When volunteering, you’re surrounded by and focused on the good in life, so I’m delighted to join NNVF as a Volunteer Advisor. Opportunities to volunteer are plentiful, from local lunch clubs to national health charities, freely lending a helping hand is a very rich way to invest your time.”
To contact Verity:
Volunteering in North Northumberland
Volunteer Advisor
Mobile: 07783 331 549
Telephone: 01289 304141
Email: volunteeringnn@gmail.com
(Volunteer Roles updated March 2025)
Be a part of Making a Difference – You’re going to love it!
BERWICK – Volunteer roles
Greener Berwick
Greener Berwick is setting up a Tool Library (like a book library, but for DIY and other simple tools, so you don’t have to buy them) in the town centre. This will be open two times a week, on a weekday evening and a Saturday morning, for a couple of hours each time, from Spring 2025.
They are looking for volunteers, with a few hours spare every month, to help make this happen:
· Tool Librarians, who are friendly, good with people, able to check tools in and out, carry out straightforward admin tasks and maintain our simple on-line inventory and
· Tool Specialists, who are ready to share their knowledge about tools, and willing to help keep them safe and maintained
As a regular volunteer you will gain free membership of the Tool Library, and know you are helping a new and exciting project, right from the very beginning. Any necessary training will be provided.
If you are interested in either of these roles, please contact volunteeringnn@gmail.com or call our Volunteer Advisor on 07783 331549.
Tweed & Threads Pre-loved Boutique (run by HospiceCare North Northumberland)
Can you support this vital end of life care charity to raise funds via its flagship clothing shop in Berwick? Tweed & Threads on Marygate, which sells premium-brand, pre-loved clothing for men and women, is looking for volunteers for the following roles:
- Volunteer Retail Assistant
- Volunteer Stockroom Assistant
If you enjoy fashion and a bubbly, friendly atmosphere, would like to gain retail experience or simply want to support the brilliant work of HospiceCare North Northumberland, read on to find out more.
Hospice Care NN who run the shop is looking for a minimum commitment from new volunteers of 3.5 hours/week between the hours of 9.30-4.30pm. Volunteer shifts are flexible and available between Monday-Saturday. If you have never volunteered in a retail environment before, be reassured that volunteering would always take place alongside either the shop manager, a retail manager from Hospice Care NN or other experienced shop volunteers.
Volunteer Retail Assistants can get involved in welcoming and serving customers, operating the till, working on shop displays, window dressing and keeping the store stocked and beautiful. Full training on the simple shop till will be given.
Volunteer Stockroom Assistants get involved in sorting and preparing clothing to go out on display in the shop. Some light manual handling and use of a steamer to prepare garments (full operational training will be given) is involved.
Volunteers are welcome to flex between both roles or stick to either one if being Front of House or Backroom support appeals more to you.
If you are interested in either of these roles, please contact volunteeringnn@gmail.com or call our Volunteer Advisor on 07783 331549.
HospiceCare North Northumberland
- Dementia Café Helper in Berwick (Spittal) – every Tuesday 10:30 – 12:30
- Seated Exercise Class Helper in Berwick – every Monday 1:00 – 2:00pm including serving refreshments afterwards – a time commitment of 2 hours
These volunteer roles involve supporting staff running the sessions above.
Each role involves making tea and coffee, chatting with participants and having a good sense of humour because there is lots of fun and laughter at the groups.
There are a small amount of online training modules to complete for these roles – support can be given with these. A DBS check via HospiceCare North Northumberland is also required.
If you would like to find out more, please contact volunteeringnn@gmail.com or call our Volunteer Advisor on 07783 331549 for a chat about this role.
Veteran’s WARM HUB
- Coffee Morning Volunteers required – last Wednesday morning in the month
Ex service personnel who would be interested in supporting this coffee morning, for service veterans. Part of this role would involve setting up the venue, preparing refreshments and having a coffee and a chat with participants, sharing experiences and generally demonstrating good listening skills and an understanding. This would be a small group gathering ideally run by ex-forces members and would take place on a monthly basis (last Wednesday of each month) at the Berwick Voluntary Centre, Tweed Street, Berwick upon Tweed.
If you feel you would be interested in this and can spare a couple of hours a month, possess a caring personality, a sense of humour and good listening skills, please contact volunteeringnn@gmail.com or call our Volunteer Advisor on 07783 331549 for a chat about this role.
Farplace Animal Rescue
- Volunteer Retail Staff
If you have a few hours a week to spare and would like to spend it supporting an amazing Animal Charity – Farplace Animal Rescue are looking for volunteers who would like to work in the shop itself or in the background as there’s lots of different types of support required. You might utilise some of your skills in creative display, provide admin and organisational skills, PAT Test electronic donations (free PAT testing training available) and many other areas where you can add value to this great charity.
Please feel free to contact us for a chat and further information if you feel you might be able to spare some time to help this organisation.
Interested in finding out more? Please contact volunteeringnn@gmail.com or call our Volunteer Advisor on 07783 331549 for a chat about this role.
Etal
English Heritage Etal Castle are looking for volunteer support at Etal Castle and have a new role which you may be interested in.
First of all – a little bit of information (if you don’t already know it):
“In the pretty village of Etal lies the ruins of a small 14th-century castle in what was once a strategic border location. It fell to James IV’s invading Scottish army and was partially destroyed shortly before his defeat at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. A military presence was maintained here until the Union of the Crowns in 1603 when James VI of Scotland acceded to the English throne. Etal Castle is managed by English Heritage and is visited by many people throughout the year.”
- Tour Guide – your role would be providing a tour around the Castle site for one day a month (approx. 45 mins to an hour). This is a brand new role and may develop into more tours or the requirement of more volunteers in the future. Training will be given and the tour information will be provided.
You will be comfortable and confident in speaking to the public, bringing history to life and able to engage with the community and may have an interest in local heritage.
If you are interested in either of these roles, please contact volunteeringnn@gmail.com or call our Volunteer Advisor on 07783 331549.
SEAHOUSES – Volunteer roles
North Sunderland Luncheon Club hosts an event organised and delivered by a team of volunteers in North Sunderland (Seahouses) to support individuals who are living alone and provide a social space to interact with others as well as providing a delicious two course lunch for approximately 26 people.
- Volunteer Cook – One Wednesday a month (as part of a rota with 3 other cooks). The meals are cooked on site at St Paul’s Church Hostel Hall. Food shopping for the meal (for which funds are reimbursed or supplied beforehand) is part of the volunteer role. Lunch is served at 12.15pm and access to the hall is available from 9.30am. Volunteer support is available to help in the kitchen and prepare and serve the food. Volunteer Cooks must enjoy cooking and have a calm and friendly manner. Of course, you can enjoy the fruits of your labour by joining in the meal alongside attendees and volunteers.
- General Helper Volunteer – If you would like to help facilitate North Sunderland Luncheon Club, we would warmly welcome you. The time commitment is 11am – 1.45pm on Wednesdays, which Wednesdays you can commit to is up to you. General helpers support us by setting up the dining area, meeting and greeting Luncheon Club attendees, washing up and clearing away after the lunch and of course are invited to share a delicious 2 course cooked lunch alongside our attendees.
If you are a good home cook and can spare a day a month or would like to be a general helper to support this group, please contact volunteeringnn@gmail.com or call our Volunteer Advisor on 07783 331549 for a chat about these roles.
WOOLER
The Wooler Repair Café is seeking extra helpful volunteers for this local and exceptional service – please can you help?
The Repair Café takes place every other month, on a Saturday 10.00 am – 1pm at the Cheviot Centre in Wooler. Members of the public attend with items in need of repair. Repair Café volunteers then assess and advise on how to repair the items and help to repair them to save them from landfill.
- Volunteer Repairer – if you are good at, and enjoy, repairing items then please get in touch. You may have skills in furniture repair, upholstery, electrical item repair, sewing or fixing mechanical items. Qualified electrical specialists are particularly sought after but all skills are welcome.
- Volunteer Servers are also welcomed to help serve teas and coffees – it’s a vibrant atmosphere and it’s an opportunity to meet new people and have interesting conversations.
If you are interested in this role, please contact volunteeringnn@gmail.com or call our Volunteer Advisor on 07783 331549.
Across North Northumberland Area – Volunteer roles
Rural Digital Inclusion Project (Community Action Northumberland – CAN)
- Volunteer Rural Digital Champion
As a Digital Champion, you will play a crucial role in empowering members of your community by providing digital assistance and guidance to people who need support to get the most out of being online. Digital Champions will make a real difference to the people they support, by helping people to do some of the following:
- Help with the initial setup of smartphones, tablets, laptops, and computers.
- Changing the settings on their device so they find it easier to use. E.g. enabling and customising accessibility features.
- Set up an email or social media account, so they can link with friends and family.
- Assisting with connecting to Wi-Fi networks, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and understanding data usage.
- Helping to find, download, and use various apps from app stores, including the NHS app, banking apps, and games and entertainment apps.
You don’t need to be an IT whizz to become a Digital Champion, you just need confidence, enthusiasm and a bit of spare time to help people realise the benefits of using digital technology.
This role would suit people who:
- Are patient, empathetic, and supportive attitude towards individuals learning new skills.
- Have strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Are competent in using digital devices and online platforms.
- Can adapt to the needs of community members and research solutions to issues.
The time commitment for this role will vary depending on your availability, the specific needs of the community and opportunities to provide support. Examples of potential activities include:
- Being available at existing meetings and events at your hall to answer people’s digital questions
- Running a regular digital drop-in session for the community
Training and ongoing support will be provided to Digital Champions to ensure they feel confident and equipped to fulfil their role effectively.
If you are interested in this role, please contact volunteeringnn@gmail.com or call our Volunteer Advisor on 07783 331549.
English Heritage
- Maintenance Volunteer
A full induction and training programme will be provided for this role which involves making minor improvements to sites to keep them presentable so England’s heritage thrives and can be enjoyed to the full by visitors.
This role will cover the English Heritage sites of North Northumberland; including Berwick Ramparts, Berwick Barracks, Norham Castle, Etal Castle, Lindisfarne Priory, Edlingham Castle and Dunstanburgh Castle.
English Heritage is looking for someone able to use their own car to reach these sites, some of which are remote.
If you have a good understanding of health & safety principles, experience of working on practical tasks such as painting and low-level maintenance tasks and if you are self-motivated and happy to work alone, please consider applying for this role.
More information is available, please email volunteeringnn@gmail.com or call our volunteer advisor on 07783 331549 for details.
Citizens Advice Northumberland
Volunteering with Citizens Advice Northumberland is rewarding, challenging and enjoyable. It can keep your mind active. You can meet new people. It can help you develop skills and experience for employability.
Whatever your reasons, or the role, you will find an interesting and rewarding volunteer experience with Citizens Advice Northumberland.
Current volunteer opportunities:
- Volunteer Face to Face Adviser – Citizens Advice
Make a real difference in your community by volunteering as a Face to Face Adviser with Citizens Advice Northumberland; helping people access the information and giving the advice they need to move forward with their lives.
Volunteers receive:
- Free comprehensive, high quality training.
- Support and supervision
- Development Opportunities
- An interesting and rewarding experience
- Travel Expenses
Become part of a friendly, enthusiastic and dedicated team. Volunteer in your local Citizens Advice offices for one or 2 days a week, depending on when the office is open. No previous experience required. Basic IT skills needed.
YOU could be advising after 6 months and fully trained after 12 to 18 months, or sooner.
- Volunteer Community First Aider – Citizens Advice
Do you already work in a community setting, or with the general public, and would like more tools to assist people with their problems and to signpost effectively? Then volunteering as a Community First Aider with Citizens Advice Northumberland is the role for you.
Citizens Advice Northumberland believe everyone deserves access to independent, free advice to help them deal with life’s problems and challenges, and you can help us do that. The Aim of Citizens Advice Community First Aid is to provide the right help in the right place at the right time: working with those who are at the heart of their local communities, adding our advice and information service to what they already offer; being proactive, giving people easy access to our support without having to look for it, and so avoiding problems escalating.
Volunteer with Citizens Advice Northumberland for as long as suits you – it could be long term, or perhaps you want to contribute to a specific campaign only. They are happy to discuss your preferences. No previous experience required. IT skills are needed as this role is mostly done from home with remote training and meetings.
If you are interested in any of these roles, please contact volunteeringnn@gmail.com or call our Volunteer Advisor on 07783 331549.
Healthwatch Northumberland
- ‘Occasional’ Volunteers required
Healthwatch Northumberland – ‘local health and social care champions’ are currently seeking a number of volunteers in North Northumberland to support them at various drop-in sessions and events, interacting with local people and gathering views about their NHS health and social care experiences, good and bad.
The feedback is then analysed and used to influence NHS leaders and other decision makers to make positive changes.
They also offer a number of other services including a signposting service to help people find suitable support from local groups or services.
They hold regular drop-in engagement sessions around the county to chat with the public, usually in venues such as libraries, community centres etc as well as attending health and wellbeing events.
Being a small team, they also have a number of volunteers to support them who join them at various drop-in sessions to talk with the public and would be very interested in talking to people who may be interested in supporting them on a voluntary basis, on an ad hoc basis, around the Wooler, Berwick, Belford and Seahouses areas. You would be accompanying staff to sessions and events and training would be given. There may also be some delivering of leaflets and feedback forms to local NHS services and possibility of undertaking some online entry of feedback from forms if you wanted to explore that route.
You will have a positive and pleasant personality with good communication and listening skills as well as an empathetic manner.
There are no set days, requirements would be on an ad hoc basis as and when events are organised.
If you are interested in this role, please contact volunteeringnn@gmail.com or call our Volunteer Advisor on 07783 331549.
WHAT VOLUNTEERS SAY ABOUT VOLUNTEERING IN NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND…
“When I approached the Volunteering Advisor about volunteering they pointed me in the direction of Northern Soul Kitchen where I have been volunteering 1 day a week since last August. I thoroughly enjoy my day in the café – it has given me the opportunity to meet lots of different people and have also made some friends, which being new to the area has been great. Knowing you are doing something that positively contributes to the local community is hugely fulfilling. Thank you – I think my skills and interests have be utilised to good effect.”
“You are doing a brilliant job facilitating lots of great volunteering projects.
“I first thought of volunteering locally early this year I looked up local voluntary agencies and found Volunteering in North Northumberland, after contacting you I was offered various options in my area , the role of volunteering was discussed along organisations looking for volunteers , I chose The Gathering in Wooler I now volunteer there on a weekly basis.“
“I found Volunteering in North Northumberland very supportive and informative when making a decision about where to volunteer.”
“As far as the volunteer service is concerned, I would say that I am very happy with the support that I initially received when first finding some volunteer roles to help with in North Northumberland. I discussed several options with Lynda and decided on 2 different roles which fitted in with my time schedule and experience. Lynda keeps in touch with any new opportunities and is always available if I require anything, I am very happy with my volunteer roles.”
“I’m extremely grateful to the volunteering advisor and the North Northumberland Voluntary Forum for linking me with a walking group in Berwick supporting people with mental health issues, people who have suffered in other area’s of their lives’ but are now looking to take their first steps back into society, without the projects networking I wouldn’t have been aware of this group.