June 2024

Thanet Volunteering Opportunities

Broadstairs Folk Week, which runs from 9th to 16th August, need around 250 fabulous people to volunteer for them each year – without you they cannot run the festival! You will be part of a great, and well thought of, team. In return for around 35 hours of your time – approximately 4.5 hours a day – they offer you a festival ticket with camping (if you want to camp that is!) which gives you access to all events (space allowing), a Workforce t-shirt to wear on duty and an opportunity to be part of a fantastic team of volunteers. This great opportunity, open to all ages and genders,  is definitely one not to be missed! Find out more and apply here

The Ramsgate International Film Festival is held in Ramsgate, with its stunning Royal Harbour. It is a celebration of new works by local and international filmmakers, embracing innovative storytelling and new technologies, where diversity and inclusion are a matter of fact. This year the festival is taking place from 25th -30th June, and the organisers are hoping to reach out to more local volunteers to experience this wonderful community festival together! Don’t miss the opportunity to be involved! Complete the form to register your interest here.

Looping the Loop are looking for a Digital Facilitator to handle the digital element of their online Social Singing Session (no singing required). This is an opportunity for a volunteer to oversee the tech of the online meeting, making sure that digital participants are included in the group, acting as a relay between the digital room and the in-person session, including facilitating conversations during break time. Contact Estelle Rosenfeld, Producer on email estelle.loopingtheloop@gmail.com  

Dickens House Museum in Broadstairs celebrates Charles Dickens’ long connection with the town (1837-1851). It is housed in the cottage that was Charles Dickens’ inspiration for the home of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield. They are looking for volunteer House Guides to welcome visitors to the house providing a brief introduction to the property and explain the connection on with Charles Dickens. Contact the Visitor and House Manager, Sarah Candlish Wakefield on email sarah.wakefield@thanet.gov.uk or call 01843 861232

Nuckell’s Almshouse Charities are seeking a Trustee. The role includes attending monthly meetings and assisting with issues related to ongoing maintenance of the Grade II listed almshouse, including some contact with residents regarding day-to-day issues that may arise. Contact Michela Martin George, Chair of trustees on email michela.martingeorge@btinternet.com or call 07800 575521.

Folkestone and Hythe Opportunities

Custom Food Lab’s goals are to improve food education and resilience by supporting local people to grow, cook and share food. They are passionate about where food comes from, how it’s grown, its potential to tell a story, to connect people to each other, to nature, to heritage, to discover long lost sustainable practices and to reimagine their food system. They are looking for a Financial Support Admin volunteer in Folkestone (or this role can be done remotely). This opportunity is to support the garden’s financial development and future through admin support and book-keeping. They would benefit from a volunteer with funding application experience! Contact Charmaine Jacobs, Managing Director, on Customfoodlab@gmail.com

Dover District Opportunities

The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership has a new task programme for June. It’s packed full of volunteer events and activities – dip in as and when it suits you! If you would like to find out more about any of the tasks, please contact the Ranger listed as leading the task in the programme and, if you would like to join the task, you will need to contact the leader to let them know with as much notice as possible. Their telephone numbers are listed on the back page of the programme. Once they know you are coming, they can then let you know all the details and can notify you if there are any last-minute changes.  

Leaps & Bounds, Deal are looking for a volunteer to assist adults with learning disabilities, helping them to engage with different projects while promoting independence and helping with practical skills. This role is for a few hours per week and will mainly involve arts and crafts. A skill in wood working would be an advantage. Contact Debbie Smith on 01304 381945 or 07587 781545 or email debbieleapsandbounds@gmail.com

Deal Pantry, in partnership with Deal Foodbank, have recently launched in their new home Deal Welfare Club in Cowdray Square, Deal. They have various volunteering opportunities to fill, including Pantry Assistant, Stockroom Assistant, Delivery Driver, Admin Assistant, Committee member and a Volunteer Coordinator. More details can be found here or email contact@dealpantry.org.uk to register your interest.

All Area Opportunities

Sense Virtual Buddying want you to join their amazing volunteer team for one hour per week to make a difference to disabled people who are lonely. Sense matches each volunteer with someone who has similar interests to ensure you’ll have lots of fun together. Once matched, you will get to know each other remotely via video calls, phone calls, texting, emails or through letters. You’ll arrange weekly sessions and plan fun things to do together – what this looks like will be inspired by your mutual interests. You could be gaming, doing arts and crafts, playing music, seed planting – there are so many possibilities! We will provide you with weekly themed activities to help to support you in planning your interactions with your buddy.

Find out more details and sign up here or for more information email volunteer@sense.org.uk

Inspire children to become readers!
This wonderful role will take you into local primary schools listening to children read, reading to children, engaging in book chat and helping children to find a love of reading, as part of the Beanstalk reading helper community. Training will be given and an enhanced DBS check will be undertaken. Contact Kerry Ward, Growth & Partnership Manager on email admin@cormabeanstalk.org.uk or apply online on the website

Porchlight, are a major charity supporting those who are homeless or facing homelessness. They have several opportunities available which include a Homelessness Accommodation Volunteer , various Activities Organisers in several areas and an Administration Support Volunteer. Download and complete their Volunteer Application Form here or email volunteer@porchlight.org.uk for more details 

Volunteer Family Coach opportunities are available within immediate local area at various Family Hub locations across 12 districts in Kent. The main purpose of the role is to support the improvement of Start for Life and Family Hub delivery outcomes, by working closely with the Family Hub Community Development 
Workers. Volunteers are asked to give at least two hours of their time per week. Full training will be given and an enhanced DBS will be undertaken. For more details and to apply click here

Volunteer Drivers make a difference! We are expanding our team of volunteer drivers and would love to hear from you. Mileage paid, full training and support provided.