Volunteering opportunities

Volunteering can be a valuable and rewarding experience for both the volunteers and the communities they support. People volunteer for a range of reasons. Each opportunity provides its own experience and benefits.

Volunteering can help you to:

  • develop new skills and experience
  • enhance your CV
  • meet new people
  • make a difference to other people’s lives
  • keep services running in your community

Take a look at this guide to find out about volunteering opportunities at Surrey Heath Borough Council. You can also find out about other local organisations which can support with volunteering.

Become a volunteer gardener

About the role

As a volunteer gardener, you will be helping carry out general gardening tasks. This helps to maintain the community garden for it's visitors. The garden hosts a wide range of activities for many types of groups, including people with dementia and mental health challenges. Catalyst, a local charity, are managing the garden with the aim for it to be a quiet and safe space to meet.

Experience and requirements

  • no experience needed

Place 

Flourish Community Gardens, Frimley Lodge Park, Sturt Road, Frimley Green GU16 6HY

More information

Contact Catalyst

Email: volunteering@catalystsupport.org.uk (link sends email)

Become a Windle Valley Centre volunteer

Become a Windle Valley Centre volunteer and make a difference

About the role

Our Windle Valley Centre in Bagshot offers older residents the chance to get involved in arange of activities, have a freshly prepared hot lunch and meet new people.

Volunteers play an integral part in delivering the services and activities that are offered at the centre, every Monday to Friday between 10am and 3pm.

From helping with teas and coffees, to serving lunch, to being a friendly face to welcome our clients, every little helps. You may want to share your hobby and support a painting group, or a singing session. You might enjoy supporting an older person in taking part in a group activity - there are so many ways in which you can support the staff and our clients.

Pam volunteers for a few hours in the afternoon once a week at the centre. Pam said:

“I love to see the smiling faces, and the difference that my volunteering makes to the people who visit the centre – it's a lovely feeling. Volunteering is really sociable, I enjoy chatting with the staff and clients at the centre.”

About the centre

Windle Valley is a warm and friendly centre, and the staff work hard to make a difference and create a vibrant and fun place to be.

Residents can meet and socialise with friends and take part in a varied schedule of activities including exercise classes, bingo and quizzes, creative activities and special events. Our Community Transport service is available to ensure that our day centre is accessible to those who may otherwise be lonely and isolated.

Experience and requirements

If you have some time available, and would like to try volunteering at the Windle Valley Centre, please get in touch to arrange an informal visit.
No experience is required, volunteers will need to undergo a DBS check.

Where to find us 

Windle Valley Centre, 6 Park Street, Bagshot GU19 5AQ 

More information

Contact Windle Valley Centre

Email: windlevalley@runnymede.gov.uk (link sends e-mail)
 

Become a walks leader

About the role

Walks leaders support with the Surrey Heath Health Walks scheme.

You would be the walks guide, making sure your group takes the correct route. You would ensure walks are safe, friendly and well run. Walk leaders help people in the community get active and healthy. You should be enthusiastic and be able to show people what a big difference walking can make to their lives.

Experience and requirements

  • must be at least 18 years old
  • no experience needed
  • training is provided

Place 

Walks take place at a number of locations across the borough. See the walk routes webpage for more details.

More information

Contact the Community Development team

Email: community.development@surreyheath.gov.uk (link sends email)

Become a parks and countryside volunteer

About the role

Our Greenspace team depend on volunteers to help with conservation tasks in our parks and open spaces. Tasks include:

  • removing invasive plant species
  • trimming trees 
  • litter picking

Experience and requirements

  • no experience needed

Place 

Surrey Heath Borough Council own a number of parks and greenspaces across the borough. The place you volunteer may vary.

More information

Contact Business Services

Email: business.services@surreyheath.gov.uk (link sends email)

Become a volunteer on a resettlement schemes

We are looking for committed volunteers to help with the integration of Afghan families in the Borough.

Moving to the UK has been a huge adjustment for the families and they have faced various challenges settling into Surrey. Volunteer support will help them become more independent and to integrate into the community.

About the role

This role could be supporting with the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) or the Afghan Locally Employed Staff (LES) Relocation Scheme.

This role includes a wide variety of activities, from providing transport or accompanying the families on public transport to and from hospital/GP appointments, to providing ESOL support (English to Speakers of Other Languages), to helping with getting involved with events and the local community.

Applicants should be willing to undergo a DBS check and basic safeguarding and cultural awareness training before carrying out this role.

Experience and requirements

Our team will help place people into appropriate volunteer positions, based on interest, experience, available hours and skills, and will offer support where needed. Expenses incurred during volunteering will be reimbursed.

Place 

A variety of locations across Surrey Heath. The place you volunteer may vary.

More information

Contact Family Support

Email: familysupport.resettlementprogramme@surreyheath.gov.uk (link sends email)

Become a youth club volunteer

About the role

Youth club volunteers support the youth workers to run sessions for young people Club Dean.

Volunteers help to run the sessions which can involve a range of activities including games, crafts, sports and interacting and engaging with young people. 

Experience and requirements

  • must be at least 18 years old
  • a DBS check
  • some experience of working with or volunteering with 11 to 16 year olds
  • enthusiastic and keen to support young people

Place 

Surrey Heath Young People and Family Centre, Kingston Road, Camberley GU15 4AF

More information

Contact Camberley Youth for Christ

Email: katy.baker@camberley.yfc.co.uk (link sends email)

Website: Camberley Youth for Christ website (external link)

Other volunteering opportunities

Surrey Heath Tree Wardens

Surrey Heath Tree Wardens are a local charity who help care for our local trees and woodland. If you would like to find out more please visit the Surrey Heath Tree Wardens Facebook Page .

Voluntary Support North Surrey

Voluntary Support North Surrey is a registered charity. They are funded by Surrey Heath and Runnymede Borough Councils, Surrey County Council and Clinical Commissioning Groups.

They work to improves the lives of the people in Surrey Heath and Runnymede by:

  • promoting voluntary work
  • supporting voluntary and community organisations
  • being a voice for the voluntary sector
  • identifying gaps in provision of services

They offer free membership and many free services to local volunteer groups including funding advice, help with business planning, marketing and access to training.

Find out more on the Voluntary Support website (external link).