Internal projects are managed by SCA itself and cater for the interests of Cambridge students. Check them out!
who? children
when? usually 2 hours/week during term
where? various locations around Cambridge City
Big Siblings are paired with a child with a single parent, special needs or a family member with special need; you can choose whether to be paired with a child with special needs or not.
Big sibs often take theirlittle sib out to the local playground, go bike riding or even just watch TV with them although group activities are arranged as well.
Reliability is crucial as children and parents get very upset if they are let down.
Volunteer profile: Tom Chigbo
I’ve been abig sib for the last 2 years and have found the experience very rewarding. I typically spend about an hour a week with my little sib, playing games at home, trampolining or running around the local park. It’s great fun and the perfect way to escape from the daily grind of lectures, essays or supervisions. The experience has also allowed me to connect with people and places beyond the University and Colleges, which is extremely valuable. For my little sib, it’s been helpful to get to know another adult outside the family and to have some regular time to just relax and get away from the pressures of daily life. Whether you’re looking to make a positive impact in a family or for excuse to relive the fun you had as a child, I’d definitely recommend becoming a big sib.
who? children
where? Coleridge School & Manor School
Pathways to Literacy is a new project which gives volunteers the opportunity to improve the reading abilities of local secondary school children. Based at Coleridge School (Homerton volunteers mostly) and Manor School, volunteers are paired up with a few children struggling with their literacy, and all of the volunteers visit each week at a given time to read with each child and give them a bit of extra help.
who? children
when? 1.5 hours every Sunday afternoon and/or alternate Mondays after school
where? within cycling distance of Cambridge City Centre
Volunteers work with a group of disadvantaged children to give them experiences that they would not normally have access to, such as climbing, archery, trampolining, football, basketball or short tennis. Some of the children involved may have learning, behavioural or physical disabilities and so need a little extra help to get involved.
Volunteer profile: Jonny Walker
I got involved in volunteering right from Freshers week and never looked back. I run the Bounce project now, which gives disadvantaged kids in the area the chance to do activities they wouldn't normally get to do, like trampolining, archery and athletics. After a week of SPS and Social Anthropology's intellectual offerings - writing essays about Mongolian tents, Nietzsche and smoked meat - there's an unexpected catharsis in being chased around a sports centre by a hyperactive 9 year old wielding a bowling pin. You can volunteer as little or as often as you like - with me it has fitted in perfectly with my studies and with my other societies and I look forward to every SCA session that I do. The other volunteers are a great bunch, and it's useful for making friends outside college. The kids love it too of course, which makes it even more fun. I'd recommend it to everyone - it helps you, as an individual, as much as those you are volunteering with. Give it a try I say!
who? elderly residents of local care homes
when? 7pm on Wednesdays
where? various locations around Cambridge City (minibus transport is provided from a central pick-up point)
Volunteers entertain in the form of sing-alongs, group performances, solos and occasional readings. They also have refreshments and chat with the residents during the evening – an aspect as important as the entertainment. Volunteers of all musical standards are welcome.
who? children
when? 1 hour/week
where? walking distance from Cambridge City Centre
Get out the glitter, glue, paper and paints and prepare to get your hands mucky! Craft Room gives disadvantaged children the chance to have some creative fun whilst enjoying the attention of SCA volunteers; re-live your Blue Peter days.
This project is for female volunteers only.
who? children from mainstream schools
when? 1-2 hours/week during term (Usually between 1:15-5:00pm)
where? various schools within walking distance of the centre of town
This is great project if you are looking for experience of working with children in an educational environment. The aim is to help children from mainstream schools who are having difficulty with their academic work. Teaching can be in small groups or on a one-to-one basis.
who? children
when? 2 hours every Sunday morning
where? a local park
First-off, we meet and collect the kids then herd them to the park, which is where the fun begins; we get locked in imaginary caves, display appalling football skills, go on mystery train journeys, get dizzy on the roundabout, climb to the top of the world (or the climbing frame, depending on your point of view) and generally just feel like big kids for a couple of hours!
who? elderly people in residential homes
when? 2-4pm on Saturdays
where? Linnet House
Volunteers chat, drink tea and play board games (lots of Trivial Pursuit!) with residents. Based in the very intimate communal lounge, this project is ideal for those who would like to make meaningful one-to-one relationships but still maintain the support network of a group atmosphere.
who? elderly people in residential homes
when? 2-4pm on Sundays
where? Ditchburn Place, Mill Road
Volunteers share tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits with elderly residents. There is often some form of entertainment – music, a visiting juggler or belly dancer, bingo or sometimes the afternoon takes the form of just a pleasant sit and chat.
who? anyone who might need your help!
when? very flexible
where? various locations
If you can only help once in a while, sign up for our weekly email bulletin. You will then receive a details of SCA training, events and requests for help. For example:
• Write letters and Christmas cards for a partially paralysed lady
• Help an elderly blind gent visit his old College
• Visit the Botanical Gardens with wheelchair users
who? schoolchildren
when? 1-2 hours/week after school or at the weekend
where? various schools within walking distance from the centre of town or at a child’s home
TESL is a one-to-one scheme for bilingual children who need help with their English. Working closely with the child’s teacher, volunteers usually visit their child at home to help with general reading and writing skills. Sometimes help is needed in the classroom when volunteers work under the direction of their teacher.
who? people with mental health conditions, carers and friends
when? 1.5 hours per week
where? Central Cambridge
We have a small choir for anybody of any age with a mental health condition, their informal carers and friends. Led with enthusiasm and humour such that all voices are welcome, even inexperienced.
who? children (4-17) in mainstream and special schools, adults and the elderly
when? 1 hour/week - 1 hour/term
where? West Road concert hall, Addenbrookes Hospital, local schools and community centres
Our volunteers, musicians from any genre, can give their time by performing, running workshops, assisting with children's musicals and tea dances for the elderly, or supervising at events. Whatever your talent or ability there is something to get involved with and we are interested in your ideas for new activities too!
who? young people (16-25)
when? Flexible and variable opportunities available
where? Centre 33 (central Cambridge) and/or private homes
We support groups of young people to create peer education projects (anything from murals to short films) on issues they identify as important. Range of flexible volunteering opportunities: group support, mentoring, training or office-based work.
who? adults with disabilities
when? 3 hours/fortnight
where? rehearsal hall in Cambridge
We encourage adults with disabilities to get involved with in theatre productions. They are supported by able-bodied volunteers who work alongside them and also take part in the productions.
See also:
Big Sibs
Bounce
Craft Room
Homework Help
Parklife
Pathways to Literacy
Teaching English as a Second Language
who? Children in age ranges 6 to 8, 8 to 10, 10 to 14, 14 to 18
when? 2 to 3 hours per week plus some planning time and occasional weekend activities
where? Various locations around Cambridge
Scouts provides an opportunity to develop leadership and team skills through camping, adventurous activities and travel. Adult volunteers are required to help deliver an active programme of indoor and outdoor activities.
who? Rainbows aged 5-7, Brownies aged 7-10 and Guides aged 10-14.
when? 1-2 hours for 1 evening per week during term time.
where? Various meeting places, depending on specific group.
Enthusiastic volunteers are needed to help run local Rainbow, Brownie and Guide groups. You’ll make new friends, have fun, develop skills in leadership, teamwork, communication, and, most importantly, make a real difference to the lives of today’s girls and young women.
who? children (0-5) with various disabilities
when? 2.5 hours/ week
where? Histon Village
There's a warm welcome for you to come and play with our preschool children. This helps families to cope with the challenges of having a child with special needs and gives their children a boost in confidence.
who? children
when? flexible
where? within Cambridge during term, elsewhere out of term
CHaOS aims to inspire children about science through fun, interactive experiments. At out events, volunteers demonstrate experiments to small groups of children, giving a more personal approach to learning. Events are run throughout the year so volunteers pick whose which appeal most.
who? adults
when? min 2 hours/month although preferably 2 hours/week
where? Hester Adrian Centre, CB4 1AX
The services we provide include free computer access, computer training, consultancy, web hosting and web design. Many of our services are tailored for disabled and disadvantaged people but all are welcome. We urgently need additional volunteers to help support our learners; you don’t have to be a computer expert to help a beginner.
who? school pupils, teachers, students
when? no minimum commitment
where? local schools and at our storage location
Our student volunteers give presentations to schools pupils to promote student volunteering, young social enterprise, recycling and global citizenship. We also have a number of student-run READ Book Projects, which collect disused, high-quality textbooks from school for further use.
who? children (4-18)
when? 2 hours/wk (you only commit to one term at a time)
where? schools within 25 minutes cycling distance of the city centre
Volunteers are assigned to a class at a primary or secondary schools to help with maths, science and IT teaching by helping individuals and small groups. You select the ages and subjects you wish to work with.
who? unemployed adults (18+)
when? half-day/week
where? walking distance from city centre
This project supports and delivers training sessions for our members to help them find employment. Volunteers are needed to help with administration, reception duties, marketing and research. Volunteers can also get involved in delivering job-related and self-development training sessions.
who? variable
when? no minimum commitment
where? Cambridge Botanical Gardens
There are plenty of opportunities for volunteers to help: organising our monthly ‘drop-in’ family art event; helping with our schools programme; event planning; compiling exhibition materials; producing publicity materials and data collation.
who? all ages and backgrounds
when? once/month – 5 hours/week
where? Central Cambridge
We aim to raise awareness about climate change whilst encouraging and supporting people to take personal responsibility for reducing carbon emissions. We run several projects including Carbon Conversations Courses, stalls and workshops in the community and the Akashi project.
who? The Ranger Team, Education Team and park visitors
when? Occasional - 4 hours/week.
where? Wandlebury County Park, CB22 3AE
We care for green spaces and historic buildings in and around Cambridge, including Wandlebury County Park, Coton Countryside Reserve and the Leper Chapel. We welcome volunteers to help with practical nature conservation tasks, events and education programmes.
who? adults with terminal illnesses
when? 2-3hours/week
where? walking distance from the city centre
We provide support for patients and their loved ones coming to terms with terminal illness. The hospice can be an emotionally charged environment so volunteers, who are vital for a number of roles, need to be able to respond sensitively; plenty of support is available from the staff.
who? local community
when? flexible
where? cycling distance from the city centre
We have a range of volunteering opportunities including joining our Cambridge First Aid group and providing First Aid cover at local events. In addition, we have a medical loan service, which needs volunteers to help maintain and repair equipment, and opportunities for volunteers to help.
who? adults who have become isolated due to mental breakdown
when? negotiable
where? cycling distance from the city centre
CAM-MIND runs a befriending scheme. Volunteers are needed to help out with day services, one-to-one befriending and fundraising events. The scheme aims to build up confidence and relationships of trust and support through regular contact so reliability and commitment are essential.
who? visually impaired adults
when? 2 hours/week
where? various locations (including homes)
We help visually impaired people lead a life of independence by offering services including a resource centre, IT training, social groups and sports. Much of what we do is assisted by volunteers who befriend, drive and escort members to various events.
who? general public
when? very flexible
where? walking distance from city centre
DHIVerse fights the spread of HIV infection by increasing public awareness of HIV and AIDS. We have a variety of volunteering roles including: delivering training to young people; sexual health outreach in pubs and clubs; raising awareness of HIV in the workplace; organising and fundraising for health promotion events; preparing press releases.
who? adults with acquired brain injury
when? 2 hours/week
where? Headway Centre, Mill Road, Cambridge
We provide specialist rehabilitative day services to people with an acquired brain injury, their family and their carers. Activities include cognitive work, gym, creative writing, group work, art projects, allotment groups, drama, Tai Chi, IT and WiiHab.
who? Children and young people who have a learning disability and/or a physical diasbility.
when? 2-4 hours each fortnight.
where? The local community or the young person’s home.
Volunteers are required to support our members; this could be by playing with favourite toys in the child’s home or helping them to access leisure facilities. You could make a real difference to a person’s life and have a lot of fun doing it!
who? adults with multiple sclerosis
when? 10.30-12.30pm on Wednesdays or Fridays
where? Meadows Community Centre, Arbury
We have recently acquired a Motomed cycling machine which is designed to increase strength and movement in the legs - even wheelchair users can benefit from this. Volunteers are needed to help people to use the machine, check the readings and chat to users.
who? children and adults with autistic spectrum disorders
when? negotiable
where? walking distance from city centre
Volunteers facilitate informal learning activities for children, adults and families living with autism. You will be supported by our professional staff, have training opportunities, meet like-minded people and be involved in event organisation.
See also:
Betty Stubben's Musical Entertainment Group
Saturday Club
Sunday Club
who? Older and housebound vulnerable people
when? 1 hour per week
where? Usually in the visitees own home
CONTACT is the students' visiting service for the housebound and older people of Cambridge. We pair up Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin University students with elderly and housebound residents in Cambridge; arrange weekly visits during term time, and organising fundraiser events and termly events for the residents. The charity has been run in Cambridge for a long time by a student committee with a paid administrative officer.
(registered charity no 800834)
who? Older people over the age of 75 years
when? 2 hours per week, some one-off opportunities
where? Mainly at St. Martin’s Church, Suez Road, Cambridge. Some outside our project base
St. Martin’s Centre is a day facility providing support, social and recreational activities for older people at risk of being isolated in the community. Based at St. Martin’s Church in Suez Road Cambridge, we seek to provide a range of activities that our members can enjoy, using the skills and interests of each individual volunteer.
who? refugees and/or school children
when? 2-4pm on Wednesday and/or 5-7pm on Thursdays
where? walking distance from city centre
We offer voluntary projects working with local refugees such as befriending schemes, language classes and visiting refugees at Oakington Detention Centre. We also run sessions in local schools to raise awareness about immigration topics.
who? women who have been raped or sexually abused
when? 6:30-9:30pm on Mondays and/or Wednesdays
where? cycling distance from city centre
We are by women for women and aim to offer information, help or simply someone to listen for women who have been raped or sexually abused. Volunteers work in pairs on our telephone helpline, help with fundraising, grant preparation and office administration.
who? homeless women
when? Monday evenings and/or Tuesday afternoons
where? within cycling distance from the city centre
We run a hostel for homeless women providing support and outreach. Volunteers are needed on Tuesdays for drop-in sessions, Monday evenings for the management collective and, occasionally, to provide study support.
who? children and adults (able-bodied and disabled)
when? variable
where? within Cambridge city
Staff and students can support the local community by volunteering at local sports clubs and sporting events. Volunteers are needed to assist with a wide variety of sports with both able and disabled adults and children. Volunteers also have the opportunity to gain coaching qualifications.
who?charity shop customers and staff
when? flexible
where? Mill Road
Our shop sells donated items for the benefit, care and support of terminally ill children. Volunteers are needed to serve customers, sort donated goods and to stock shelves.
who? staff from HMP Edmund Hill
when? negotiable
where? at volunteer’s discretion
At HMP Edmunds Hill, on average, 25% prisoners have immigration problems and a foreign mother tongue. We need volunteers to translate documents into as many different languages as possible, especially Eastern European and Chinese. Work would be allocated on an agreed time frame and delivered via e-mail.
who? ARU and Cambridge University students
when? 3-4 half-night sessions/term
where? central Cambridge
Linkline is a confidential listening and information service run by students for students between 7pm and 7am every night during Cambridge University Full Term. Volunteers and clients come from both ARU and Cambridge University. Volunteers are given full training.
who? homeless men and women adults (18+)
when? at least fortnightly (hours vary according to shift)
where? East Road, Cambridge
Jimmy's is open every night welcoming up to 31 people. We offer bed, food, showers, laundry, warmth and safety. Duties include serving meals, cleaning & tidying, giving support to guests and project workers.
who? partners and family members of people in the prison system.
when? 3 hours/week
where? Milton, Cambridge
National telephone helpline to give non-judgmental support and advice to anyone with a friend or relative in prison Volunteers work alongside experienced staff. Full training given.
who? office staff
when? flexible
where? central Cambridge
We look after orphaned and abandoned children in 123 countries across the world, as well as running community outreach projects, schools, medical centres and emergency relief programmes. The Cambridge office is a fundraising office, where we occasionally need help with administrative tasks like filing, writing projects overviews, entering information on our donor database and promoting our work.
who? dogs and their owners
when? flexible
where? pick-up from homes around Cambridge
We provide help with day-to-day care of pets for terminally ill people and the elderly. Dog walking is one of the services we offer; we do not expect volunteers to go out every day with the dog as we match at least 2-3 volunteers per household so that the task can be shared.