Join our over 200 volunteers helping us spread queer hope and joy!
Volunteering is at the heart of LGBT Foundation. Without our dedicated volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to deliver our life-affirming services which support and empower our communities. With over 200 volunteers in roles across the organisation, our volunteers are essential members of our team.
We strive for our volunteer team to reflect the diversity of LGBTQ+ communities and we want to help you find the right role for you. Below are the roles we are currently recruiting for, if you don’t see yourself in one of these roles, please get in touch.
How our volunteers help us
Our volunteers are Helpline Call Takers, Village Angels, Counsellors, Advisory Panelists, Befrienders, Café Helpers, Gardeners, Group Supporters to name a few things!
Get a flavour of volunteering with us by watching this video:
How we help our volunteers
Our Volunteers: Jonathan's volunteering journey
Jonathan joined LGBT Foundation as a Rainbow Buddy. Our Rainbow Buddy programme aims to reduce loneliness and isolation for LGBTQ+ people. This cause really spoke to Jonathan. “I live alone so home working can be quite isolating. It was one of the main factors for starting during the pandemic. I, myself, had felt the loneliness that comes with it so I really felt that I could relate to that particular programme.”
In his time as a volunteer, he’s supported his buddy through weekly phone calls and moved to face-to-face support at our Fairbairn Centre. His buddy was finding anxiety was holding them back from attending LGBT Foundation’s support groups so Jonathan attended these groups with his buddy. Jonathan found attending these groups really helpful to see the work we do in action.
Jonathan’s support from Dan, our Wellbeing Manager, through one-to-one coaching, booking rooms, and quick responses to queries has made Jonathan see Dan as a “great mentor”.
Jonathan’s connection to the Foundation started before his time volunteering. “I was introduced to the Foundation by one of my friends as I received some support from them a few years as I was experiencing something with my ex. They put me in touch with an IDVA. There was this feeling that I wanted to give back as I’d received the compassion and knowledge and help at that time.”
The knowledge Jonathan has gained from volunteering has helped him support others too. “For me, gaining more knowledge by being present and knowing more about it has helped me direct people to the services as well. That’s a benefit that comes from volunteering as you only know these things if you Google specific things and if you’re going through something it can be really overwhelming. It’s been nice to offer that advice and nudge to friends who have needed help.” Jonathan has also helped at our pride events and enjoys his role as a volunteer “being part of the community but in a different way”.
We’re so grateful for volunteers like Jonathan who help us to spread queer hope and joy with LGBTQ+ communities.
Our Volunteer Vision
Volunteering at LGBT Foundation is guided by our Volunteer Vision.
Recruit: We recruit diverse teams of volunteers to represent our communities
Retain: We champion a supportive culture and encourage volunteer development
Recognise: We recognise the contributions of our volunteers and celebrate success
"I find it really rewarding when I feel we’ve genuinely helped people that otherwise might not have had anybody to turn to"
- LGBT Foundation Volunteer
"I enjoy just to be a part of something important and worthwhile and to have a sense of purpose and feel that I am helping and supporting people"
- LGBT Foundation Volunteer
Have a look at our roles currently recruiting, apply to volunteer (https://form.jotform.com/220763317176355), or drop us a line [email protected].
