From dog walking to gardening: use your free time to give back with our round-up of five fun ways to volunteer in London at the weekend
Words Joy Montgomery
VOLUNTEERING FOR FASHIONISTAS
Love discovering a designer gem? Label-lovers should head down to Mary’s Living & Giving shops for a very stylish volunteering experience. Set up with the help of Mary Portas, these elegant boutiques are filled with designer donations, the proceeds of which go to Save the Children. With over 20 locations in London, you’ll design shop windows, dress mannequins and promote the shop on social media.
VOLUNTEERING FOR NEWS-WATCHERS
If you’ve been moved by recent news headlines and want to do something about it then Refugee Action is your charity. There are a wide range of ways you can help, from teaching English to working in the head office. Volunteering also offers excellent opportunities to make friends and develop new skills!
VOLUNTEERING FOR ANIMAL-LOVERS
If the idea of spending your weekends looking after poorly pups then Battersea Dogs and Cats home is the one for you. With over 1,000 volunteers working around the charity’s three centres, roles range from volunteering at events to fundraising. Keep an eye on the vacancies page to stay up to date on the latest positions.
VOLUNTEERING FOR GYM BUNNIES
Ever wondered if you could combine your love of exercise with volunteering? Well, you can with Good gym, the charity which leads groups of runners to help with everything from gardening to social visits. Led by some of the best personal trainers and running coaches in the UK, the group aims to harness the energy used in the gym and use it for social good.
VOLUNTEERING FOR HISTORY BUFFS
The National Trust relies on volunteers to keep their beautiful houses and gardens running and one of them could be you. History buffs will relish working in one of the charity’s iconic houses. This will give you behind-the-scenes access and a chance to brush up on your culture. Or, if you’re craving some fresh air, then you can get involved as a garden volunteer. It’s a great way to share your love for horticulture (and pick up some ideas of your own).