New Volunteering Opportunities for August 2026
Telephone Befriender
A local charity that supports people who have a visual impairment or are blind runs a telephone befriending service. The aim is to reduce the isolation that individuals may be experiencing.
As a telephone befriender, you would make weekly calls to a person with sight loss. The aim of the call is to provide a friendly chat, and you will ask the individual about their week. Most calls last around 30 minutes. After the call, you complete a short online form to record that you spoke and to let the charity know if anything needs to be followed up. The role would suit good listeners with a cheerful disposition.
Ref: V29
Volunteer Librarian
A community library in south Newbury is seeking volunteer librarians. Tasks include issuing items, helping users access books and services, shelving and tidying. This would suit someone who enjoys meeting people of all ages.
Volunteers are requested to commit to a 2-hour slot, which is carried out with someone else. The number of slots you volunteer for is up to you and is very flexible.
Ref: V88
Club Volunteer
A Newbury based project supports people living with the earlier stages of dementia or mild cognitive impairment. Guests benefit from discussion, activities and social connections, and a hot midday meal.
As a volunteer, you will use your interpersonal skills to support those attending. Tasks include welcoming guests, offering tea and coffee, serving and clearing away the meal, setting up and packing away and supporting guests during activities.
The sessions run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 to 15:00. They would love for you to volunteer for a whole day, but understand some people might prefer a shorter session. The role would suit friendly and empathetic volunteers who can offer a regular commitment.
Ref: V92
Befriender
Could you be a friend to an older person in West Berkshire? Volunteer to visit someone who is lonely or can’t get out much.
As a befriender, you will visit the person regularly in their home, building up a long-term relationship with them. During a visit you will spend quality time talking and listening – you may play cards or games, do craft activities or take a short walk if the person is mobile.
Visits are usually 1-2 hours a week in the daytime. The role would suit kind, caring and friendly volunteers. You will be given training and ongoing support. It is also possible for volunteers to do telephone befriending.
Ref: V20
Community Governor
Governors are being recruited for a local provider of education to students unable to access mainstream classes. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring clarity of strategic direction, hold executive leaders to account for the organisation’s educational performance and oversee finances, ensuring money is well spent.
They are particularly interested in applicants who have experience of working in a secondary school and are specifically looking for someone with finance or budget management/monitoring experience. Meetings are held 2 or 3 times a term, in the main on Tuesdays, early evening. You will also need to be able to visit education units for 1 to 2 hours once or twice a term.
Ref: V206
Walk Leaders
Improve your health and wellbeing whilst sharing some of West Berkshire’s beautiful country and town locations with others. There is a timetable of walks that take place across the district and are of varying length and pace.
As a volunteer walk leader, you could get involved in scheduled walks, or perhaps plan your own. By giving just a little time, you could help yourself and others get active and healthy.
Ref: V280
For additional advice and guidance on volunteering roles, please contact Volunteer Centre West Berkshire via vbase@vcwb.org.uk or call 01635 49004