Volunteering Opportunities

All of our volunteers want to be part of something that provides a valuable community service - and they make such a difference with their time and dedication.

Cotswold Friends has volunteer roles available now to support people who may be isolated in the North Cotswolds and Cirencester.

If you think you could help, we would love to hear from you. Contact our Volunteer Manager, on 01608 697007 or email [email protected].

Take a look at our latest roles here

If there isn’t one that suits you there, we still have lots of other opportunities to get involved. Just email or give us a call.

Alternatively, pop into our offices at the Moreton Area Centre, High Street, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0AZ.

Find out about some of our volunteering roles below:

Community Activity Volunteers

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In our aim to combat loneliness and isolation, we host a number of community activities including Lunch Clubs, Community Singing, Men in Sheds, Knit and Natter, and Community Day Clubs. We need volunteers to help with all of these.

Richard Hamer Men in Sheds Watch our film of Men in Sheds Volunteer Leader, Richard Hamer, chatting about his role and what it involves.

There are groups running across the North Cotswolds and we’d like to set up more in other villages too. If you:

  • could help to run a friendly local Lunch Club
  • enjoy craft activities
  • love to sing or play an instrument
  • could share your DIY or gardening skills
  • could lead a day club activity

then we’d love you to join us and be part of our friendly team.

Find out more about our Community Activities.

Community Transport Volunteers

IMG 8656 web Watch our film of Cotswold Friends volunteer, Keith Rogers, chatting about his role as a Community Transport Driver.

Our drivers help older and vulnerable people, or those without access to transport, to get to medical and social appointments.

We are always looking for new Volunteer Drivers throughout the North Cotswolds and in Cirencester. This is one of our fastest growing services and a priority area for us.

If you are a confident, safe driver and your vehicle is insured, taxed and has an MOT, plus you are happy to take passengers on journeys for medical and social appointments, such as weekly shopping, then we would love to hear from you. You will be paid a mileage allowance, plus any additional payments for long wait times.

We are also looking for Passenger Assistants to accompany some of our more vulnerable clients on their journeys. You would be given full training for this role which provides valuable support to those passengers in need.

Our busy Transport Bookings Desk always needs volunteers to chat to our clients and organise the journeys they require. If you are interested in this role, have a confident telephone manner and ideally some IT skills to help you use our bookings systems, please get in touch.

Find out more about our Community Transport Service.

Befriending Volunteers

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Are you a good listener who enjoys a chat and a cup of tea? Would you like to be a Befriender?

As we get older, we may struggle to get out and about due to health issues or general frailty. A regular visitor can really brighten someone’s week and can make a significant impact to health and wellbeing.

We match befrienders to clients with shared interests and experiences to ensure you’re both happy in the relationship. Our Befriending Volunteers provide regular visits, making people feel cared for and connected to the community.

Watch our film of Kay Grey chatting about her role as a Cotswold Friends volunteer, including being a Befriender.

We also work with young people (16 to 18 years old) in our Young Friends Projects. Our young volunteers visit Care Homes to provide friendship and support to the residents and to help out with group activities.

Find out more about our Befriending Service.

Young Friends

There are a number of ways that young people can get involved with the charity including Young Friends Befriending, organising fundraising events, providing local community support and offering help with marketing. Or any other ideas you might have!

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To find out how to get involved and the process check out - What Can I Do?

Carer Support Volunteers

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Could you become a Carer Support befriender? Our Carer Support service provides a regular break for carers.

It is often difficult for carers to take a much-needed break from their caring responsibilities, but regular breaks are vital to allow carers to stay well themselves.

Our Carer Support Volunteers support the carer by befriending the cared-for allowing the carer some much needed respite. If you think this role could be for you, we would love to hear from you.

Find out more about our Carer Support Service.

Local Charity Representative

Could you help to promote the services of Cotswold Friends to residents in your area?

Our representatives help to ensure that people in their community are aware of the support we can offer by distributing leaflets and newsletters, updating and changing posters and representing the charity at local events.

This role is completely flexible, so if you could offer one day of time spread across each month to help, this role could be for you.

Ready to volunteer? Contact our Volunteer Manager, on 01608 697007 or email [email protected].

Office Administration Volunteers

Could you volunteer to use your IT and office administration skills? We are always looking for support within our office.

Fundraiser - Events

Could you help to Lead, Host or help during one of our events for Cotswold Friends?

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Our representatives help during our Pop-up Shop, Chastleton teas fundraiser, a local coffee morning and so much more!

This role is completely flexible, so if you could offer one day of time spread across each month to help, this role could be for you.

Ready to volunteer? Contact our Volunteer Manager, on 01608 697007 or email [email protected].