Volunteering at St. Hilda’s East
Our rich history of volunteering
At St. Hilda’s East we have a rich history of volunteering, offering a wide range of opportunities to volunteer in East London. Our volunteers come from diverse backgrounds and cultures, reflecting the multicultural and multifaith nature of our local community.
Many of our services are developed in partnership with our beneficiaries to ensure we meet the current needs of our community. Volunteers are integral to the regularity of our service delivery, helping us provide a range of weekly activities designed to promote social inclusion, boost mental health and wellbeing, and assist members of our local community in their daily lives.
We host a wide range of volunteers in East London, including individuals, corporates, local businesses, and schools.
Notably, we have volunteers from Cheltenham Ladies’ College, whose alumnae association, Guild, is our founding institution. We also welcome international volunteers.
Volunteers are involved in services across the organisation, with placements available on both a short- and long-term basis. They also have the opportunity to design and lead sessions.
What do we provide our volunteers?
- FREE TRAINING: Available for personal development and social enterprise skills.
- TRAVEL & LUNCH EXPENSES: Volunteers receive food and travel expenses while working here.
- REFERENCES: If you volunteer for three months, we can provide you with a reference.
- DBS CHECK: If you are working with children and young people or adults with social care needs.
Why volunteer with us?
Volunteering with us not only benefits the community, but also provides you with the chance to make a meaningful impact and develop new skills in a supportive and dynamic environment.
Improve your social skills
Benefit your mental and physical health and happiness
Offer you a chance to make new friends
Connect with the community
Provide you with work experience to help advance your career
Offer Duke of Edinburgh skills opportunities
Enjoy yourself and have fun
Admin & Front Desk Volunteer
About the role
We are looking for a reliable and detail-oriented volunteer to support our Sonali Gardens office. The role involves covering reception, maintaining records, and supporting staff with day-to-day administrative duties.
Location, Hours, Expenses, other details
Location: Sonali Gardens, 79 Tarling Street, London
Schedule: Hours and days will vary
Commitment: 5-8 hours a week
If successful, you will be expected to undergo a Standard DBS check.
Reimbursement for Travel Expenses
We understand that volunteering requires a commitment of time and effort, and we want to ensure that your experience is as accessible as possible. As such, we offer reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while attending your volunteer shifts, and lunch for shifts over 4 hours as detailed in the Volunteer handbook.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for a dependable, trustworthy person who is comfortable working independently, with a willingness to learn and contribute ideas for improving structure and enthusiastic about supporting charitable and community focused work. Ideal candidates will have:
- Warm, friendly and welcoming
- Good people skills and a team player
- Strong organisational and time-management skills
- Ability to work independently and meet agreed deadlines
- Good communication skills
- Previous experience with front desk or administration is an added plus
What you’ll be doing - Your Key Responsibilities
- Welcome visitors and answer enquiries in a friendly and professional manner.
- Answer phone calls, taking messages, and directing enquiries to the appropriate person.
- Provide administrative support, such as data entry, filing, photocopying, and scanning documents.
- Support in maintaining the Day Centre manager’s schedule organised.
- Maintain reception and office areas, ensuring they are tidy and presentable
What You’ll Gain
- Practical experience in administration and office management
- Opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause and support community impact
- Development of organisational, administrative, and communication skills
- Experience working with a mission-driven organisation and a diverse team
- Reference and recognition for your volunteer contribution
How to apply
If you are interested in this position, please send your application (CV) to [email protected]
Our team will then contact you for a short conversation and next steps.
General volunteer opportunities
Older People’s Project
Volunteers assist with activities such as arts and crafts, keep fit, games and quizzes, parties, outings, and teaching computer classes.
Women’s Project
As a volunteer, you would assist in regular activities with a vibrant group of local women. Sessions include cooking, arts, sewing, and various talks throughout the year. You can also help organise events such as fundraisers, International Women’s Day celebrations, and training sessions.
Life Skills Programme
Our Life Skills Programme is a 4‑week course that runs on Tuesdays during term time. The programme focuses on building practical skills that support personal development and help prepare participants for employment.
Each session includes a healthy cooked lunch, which is prepared and shared together.
Volunteers support the sessions by:
- Helping to prepare and serve the lunch, and working alongside the facilitator to tidy and clean up after the session
- Setting up the room
- Carrying out basic admin tasks such as photocopying and preparing worksheets
- Supporting the facilitator with delivering the programme
Women’s Wellbeing Café
Our Women’s Wellbeing Cafe takes place on the second Tuesday of every month. An external project delivers creative and wellbeing workshops in a relaxed and friendly setting. Light refreshments and healthy snacks are provided.
Volunteers support the sessions by:
- Preparing snacks and refreshments, and working alongside the facilitator to tidy and clean up after the session
- Setting up the space
- Supporting the facilitator during the workshop
Young Peoples’ Programmes
(Aged 10-19)
We are looking for people who have a passion and drive to work with young people. This may involve supporting both single sex and mixed group sessions.
We currently run a Brave Girls session once a week, as well as weekly sports sessions for mixed groups. In addition, we deliver a range of young leaders sessions and work in partnership with a number of organisations.
We also provide half term activities and a variety of youth development programmes throughout the year. You can develop skills in conflict resolution, peer support, and youth work. Some of our former young service users are now volunteers themselves and help design and lead sessions.
All volunteers who are successful at interview will be required to undergo a DBS check.
Family Learning Under 5’s Stay and Play
As a volunteer, you would work with pre-school children aged 0-4 years, assisting in play sessions. You can gain childcare skills and develop an understanding of child development. We welcome individuals who are studying towards a childcare qualification, as well as those who would like to gain experience within the childcare sector.
All volunteers who are successful at interview will be required to undergo a DBS check.
Reception and Administration
Volunteers are needed to help cover our reception area at St. Hilda’s East Community Centre and Sonali Gardens. You would provide a warm welcome for visitors, book appointments, and undertake various administrative duties.
Painting, Decorating, and Gardening
Team up with a group of friends or work colleagues and help with painting, decorating, and gardening.
Fundraising and Marketing
Activities can include producing marketing surveys and questionnaires, designing social media posts and flyers, data entry, funder research, and helping produce our newsletter. You can also organise fundraising events with your family, friends, or work colleagues such as coffee mornings, a 5k run, annual quiz, or bingo night. See our A-Z Fundraising guide for more ideas.
“I love volunteering with the Feeling Good programme. Meeting new people and making friends of all ages is great. It’s an incredibility rewarding (and fun!) experience.”
Apply to be a volunteer with us
.If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the form below or pick up a paper copy of the volunteer application pack from reception at St. Hilda’s East Community Centre, 18 Club Row, E2 7EY.
If you need assistance with completing this form, please email us at [email protected].
Any information given on this form is confidential will be treated with care, in line with GDPR regulation and the Data Protection Act 1998.
Please note: to ensure the safety of our service users and staff, most volunteer roles will require an enhanced background search, using the DBS service
Thank you very much for your interest in volunteering for St. Hilda’s East.
“We had a lovely time meeting all your wonderful members and chatting away, the day flew by for us because of the buzz of the lunch service. Was a pleasure to be involved. You offer such a warm a welcoming environment for everyone there and you can see how much it means to them, to have somewhere like that to go.”