Volunteering opportunities | Kent Coast Volunteering

We can help you find volunteering opportunities across Dover district (Deal, Dover, Sandwich and surrounding villages), the Folkestone, Hythe and New Romney area and Thanet. Our friendly advisors are on hand to answer all your volunteering questions and let you know about the many and varied opportunities available in your local area. Contact us.

Below we have listed some current volunteering opportunities. We change these regularly. You can also –

Search online

Just visit our friends at Kent Volunteers where you will be able to search the many Kent-wide volunteering opportunities, including in your local area.

Current volunteering opportunities

September 2024

Thanet Volunteering Opportunities

Margate Bookie, ‘the friendly lit fest by the sea’, is looking to fill a variety of volunteer roles for its 2024 festival which runs September 28th to October 6th, in several venues in the town. Volunteers can also attend festival events when not actively volunteering. There are also opportunities for people to get involved in the lead up to the festival with social media, digital design leafleting, and website support. Contact Zita Whalley, Volunteer Coordinator zita@margatebookie.com

A Shower Monitor is required for Hardres Street Drop-In Centre (Hardres Street United Church) in Ramsgate. The centre is offering those who are homeless a chance to shower and this monitoring role is crucial for the smooth running of this important facility. Contact Ruth Armstrong by email ruthlucy@live.com or call 07778 689872

Windmill Community Gardens, Margate are looking for volunteers to be Programme Assistants or Learning Buddies for their September Community Roots Learning Programme, a programme of learning and wellbeing opportunities for the local community. If you are interested in developing skills in learning support, facilitating workshops, working in a fun and vibrant team, get in touch! Email contact@windmillcommunitygardensmargate.com with the subject ‘learning buddy’ or ‘programme assistant’.

Folkestone and Hythe Opportunities

RNLI have a vacancy to fill in Littlestone, near Folkestone, for an Events Group Chair. This role is part of the fundraising and events infrastructure that enables volunteer RNLI lifeboat crews to save lives at sea. Join an inclusive and diverse organisation, have fun, meet new people and join a motivated and
enthusiastic team who are making a difference. For more details click here.

Mencap are looking for a Volunteer Visitor to share a cuppa and a natter with a friendly, welcoming lady who lives in New Romney. Go for a stroll, visit some shops or just have a chat about films, TV and music of about an hour. More details are here or contact Kalle Hogh, Lead Coordinator, Mencap Visiting Service Kalle.Hogh@mencap.org.uk or call 07989 448 606 to find out more.

Dover District Opportunities

Dover Greeters are part of the Worldwide Greeters Association and have been welcoming visitors to Dover for over 15 years. They love to share the unique and hidden parts of Dover, and signpost visitors to make the most of their time in the iconic town of Dover. If you enjoy meeting people from all over the world, Dover Greeters would love you to volunteer to escort visitors around for tours lasting between 1 to 3 hours. Contact Denise on email dovergreeters@virginmedia.com

Age Concern Sandwich is a local independent charity built of monies raised locally. Most of the monies are raised internally via donations, legacies and our their two charity shops, which are managed by staff and volunteers. Their Well-being Centre by the Guildhall in Sandwich is a hub for many types of engagements and services that provide both mental and physical well-being for those in the community and relies on donations and legacies. Volunteers are always needed to assist in the day to day running of the busy centre. More details about the varied roles available are here

The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership couldn’t carry out its work without the help of volunteers. They have a large, friendly group of volunteers supporting their work in a number of ways, from helping us manage nature reserves and checking livestock, to helping in the office and with the running of Samphire Hoe. Have a look here for the details of how you can get involved.

All Area Opportunities

Remote, flexible volunteering opportunity for those who are bilingual or multi-lingual. Medaille Trust supports and empowers survivors of modern slavery, trafficking and exploitation, and they are looking for volunteers who can accurately translate English text into any of these languages (although others will be considered): Bengali, Arabic, Amharic, Albanian, Vietnamese, Romanian, Polish, Tigrinya, Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi. They invite you to their online Volunteer Information Session for Translators. Book into the sessions on Wednesday, September 11th daytime or evening to find out more.

Dementia Adventure are a national charity based in Essex but operating across the UK, providing supported respite breaks for people living with dementia and their carers. They are looking for volunteer Community Connectors to promote their mission and support services at local community events. All with a view to enable people living with dementia to get outdoors, connect with nature, themselves and their community, and retain a sense of adventure in their lives. They are also seeking Holiday Supporter volunteers to support them for the duration of one (or more if you have time), of their five-day supported respite breaks in 2025. Contact Janet Whitehead, Volunteers Manager volunteering@dementiaadventure.co.uk or call 01245 237548.

Social Enterprise Kent are looking for a Business Support Volunteer, a remote volunteering opportunity making links with small local businesses by email and /or telephone to bring an awareness of the free training SEK are providing. Contact Helen Tomlinson, Volunteer Engagement Supervisor
h.tomlinson@sekgroup.org.uk or call 07362 393794 for more details.

At Kent Coast Volunteering our mission is to connect communities across the Dover, Folkestone and Hythe and Thanet areas through volunteering and community-led projects. We also have our own volunteering opportunities, and are looking for a Social Media volunteer, a Fundraising volunteer and an Events volunteer. Please contact patrick.sutcliffe@kcv.org.uk for more details.

Kent Coast Volunteering also runs the community transport service across Thanet, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe districts, and we are urgently looking for more drivers to join our team. Did you know that you can do voluntary work, including driving, if you have a mobility car? You can! What a great way to do something enjoyable and help your local community at the same time. Contact Jess and the team at transport@kcv.org.uk Mileage paid, full training and support provided.

August 2024

Thanet Volunteering Opportunities

East Kent Mencap are looking for Gateway Club Volunteers to support adults with a learning disability who come along to their weekly social club, Gateway, to take part and to have a great time. They are looking for volunteers who have patience, approachability, and who are comfortable communicating with adults with a learning disability.

Mencap are also holding a Fashion Show and Pre-Loved Clothes Sale and are looking for volunteers to help on the day. The event takes place at Holy Trinity Church, St Mary Avenue, Dane Valley, Margate on Tuesday, 20th August, 1pm – 3pm. Find out more here.

See Me Play are a play space for neurodivergent children and their families. They are looking for Volunteer Play Workers to help facilitate child-led, affirming play. You’ll be supporting children roughly aged 2-8 to play, however they want, in their beautiful space in Margate. seeme.playspace@gmail.com

21 Together are looking for one or two Group Volunteers to support their Senior Group Leader in the running of small communication groups (up to four children), working with children aged from two – 11 years who have Down’s Syndrome, in Margate. Group Volunteers will be patient and supportive when working with the children.

Royal British Legion are reaching out as their Poppy Appeal is gearing up for the Remembrance period in the autumn. They are currently without an organiser in Broadstairs and Ramsgate and need someone to co-ordinate fundraising throughout schools and supermarkets, plus Poppy Appeal Collectors to put out collection boxes/spare a few hours in a supermarket. If you can spare some time to help this important cause please complete the application form.

Ellington Park Community Café invite you to become a member of their Board of Directors, contributing to the continued success of their not-for-profit community café. This role involves being involved with the local community, ensuring that ideas and suggestions are followed through and also assisting with office duties. The ethos of the café is to benefit the community, and this role is to help facilitate this. More details to be found here

Social Enterprise Kent are looking for volunteer Cancer Smart Community Connectors, raising awareness about the NHS breast/ bowel/ cervical screening programmes and the early signs of these cancers. Click here for details of the interactive online workshops and to sign up using the QR code. Contact their Volunteer Engagement Supervisor by email h.tomlinson@sekgroup.org.uk or call 07362 393794

Keep Talking Services require a Feedback Volunteer which involves collecting client feedback and supporting clients who are waiting to be paired with a student volunteer. The role is remote, and the ideal candidate should be able to work independently and have access to a password-protected computer with an internet connection. Email angelica@keeptalkingservices.com

Folkestone and Hythe Opportunities

There are so many ways to volunteer for the Rainbow Centre in Folkestone, but how about joining in with ‘The Big Sleep Out – Your Way’, event. Participants are sponsored to sleep out for one evening in makeshift shelters and, by depriving themselves of a cosy bed, they are trying to develop awareness, empathy and understanding of the plight of the homeless. Click here to see what other opportunities are on offer this month. For more details telephone: 01303 850733 or email: volunteering@rainbow-centre.org

Dover District Opportunities

Carer’s Support East Kent are looking for Carer Advisory Group Members who will make a difference by using their lived experiences and/or knowledge of the experiences of other Carers. Find out more details and how to apply here

Home-Start Dover District is always looking to recruit volunteers to provide support to families with at least one child under five years old. They will usually visit a family in their home once a week for 2-3 hours, and how they help is really down to the needs of the parent or child. If you have parenting experience (your own children or not) you could help a family local to you. Complete the initial application form here or email office@homestartdover.org.uk

Join the Fundraising Team at Walmer RNLI and help save lives at sea. There are so many different ways you can help with fundraising and you will be joining a warm and welcoming team. Choose the number of hours to suit you and you can dip in and out to suit your lifestyle. Have fun while meeting new people. Email Amy_Rutland@rnli.org.uk in the first instance

The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership has a new task programme for August. 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 and always give them a call so they can look out for you.

All Area Opportunities

Hounslow Allies are looking for Independent Visitors from all over Kent to provide essential support, friendship, and fun to children in care who have been relocated from Hounslow. Volunteers are matched with young people aged 8 to 16+ and support them until they reach their 19th birthday. Find out more here

Sense want you to join their volunteer team as a remote Virtual Buddy (video call, telephone call) for one hour per week, helping to make a difference to disabled people who are lonely. They will provide you with weekly themed activities to help to support you in planning your interactions with your buddy. Find out more details or for more information email volunteer@sense.org.uk

Various volunteering opportunities are available at Family Hub locations across Kent. Hours are flexible to suit you and training is given, so you can choose from a range of training and development opportunities based around your personal goals, interests and skills. The main purpose of the roles is to help children and young people get the best possible start in life. Complete the application form here

July 2024

Thanet Volunteering Opportunities

Diabetes UK are seeking Micro Volunteers in Thanet. Micro-volunteering is perfect for busy people who’d like to get involved and help Diabetes UK but don’t have much time to give. You’ll be helping them by carrying out quick activities, such as social media sharing etc when you get a few moments to spare, that make a big difference to people with diabetes. Apply here

East Kent Mencap are holding a Pre-Loved Clothes Sale and are looking for volunteers to help on the day. The event takes place at Holy Trinity Church, St Mary Avenue, Dane Valley, Margate on Tuesday, 20th August, 1pm – 3pm. Find out more here.

Kent 50s Festival is back for the third year on Saturday, 3rd August at The Guildhall, Sandwich. As always, a mixture of classic cars, music and retro clothing will fill the town. They are looking for volunteers to help by signing in visitors at the Guildhall between 10am and 5pm, possibly extending to the evening if they would like to. Contact Sonny on 07872 652323 for more details.

Folkestone and Hythe Opportunities

Martello Tower 24, Dymchurch – Volunteer Stewards Wanted! Their role is to assist visitors as they make their way around the building. The Tower is open on Saturdays and Bank Holiday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm from April to October. With additional stewards we would be able to open on Sundays as well. To find out more contact Richard on 01303 872828.

Nature opportunity calls! Bird or butterfly surveying in the Folkestone areas. Keen bird or butterfly watchers needed for the surveys to be carried out on Folkestone Downs, Folkestone Warren or Romney Warren. To find out more look at the website here.

Love of horses and community? Join the team at Woodchurch who are looking for help with grooming and harnessing up their ponies, preparing the carriagse and loading and securing clients in wheelchairs. General yard duties, cleaning and sanitising carriages and tack plus fund raising and help at events and shows. Training given and you will need to be reasonably fit and have your own transport to get to the yard.

There are various current volunteering opportunities for the Rainbow Centre in Folkestone, click here to see what opportunities are on offer this month. For more details telephone: 01303 850733 or email: volunteering@rainbow-centre.org

Dover District Opportunities

Become an Explainer Volunteer at the beautiful Walmer Castle. Join the team and be a part of preserving the legacy of Walmer Castle and Gardens and embrace the opportunity to share your love for heritage.

Emmaus Dover invite you to join their Community Garden Project.
Do you have a green thumb or just some spare time? They’d love your help. You can claim a plot yourself or volunteer to help. Find out more here

The White Cliffs Countryside Partnership has a new task programme for July. 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.

Kearsney Parks, Dover have several outdoor volunteering opportunities for anyone wanting to help make a difference to local parks, develop new skills or meet new people and have fun. For more details click here

All Area Opportunities

Social Enterprise Kent are looking for volunteer Cancer Smart Community Connectors, raising awareness about the NHS breast/ bowel/ cervical screening programmes and the early signs of these cancers. Be their eyes and ears in your local community. Free training event to be held in Canterbury’s Westgate Hall on Monday 5th August, 2024. Contact their Volunteer Engagement Supervisor h.tomlinson@sekgroup.org.uk or call 07362 393794