Volunteer with us
Whether you can help once a month or a few times a week, in person or from home, your support makes a real difference. We take pride in our welcoming, community-driven spirit, and when you join us, you become part of the Dons Local Action Group family.
Store volunteers
Store volunteers are the lifeblood of DLAG and our model is brilliantly unique. Volunteering at a store, you will ensure we receive the items needed most each day to support our community without any waste.
The role: Stationed at our collection tables outside stores, you will let customers know what is needed on their way in and thank those who donate on the way out.
Time commitment: Shifts are typically 1.5 to 3 hours long, depending on the store, and can be done alone or in pairs.
Delivery drivers
Drivers get a real feel for the impact of what we do, as they come face to face with the people needing our support. A DBS check is required, which we will cover. The role also involved some light manual handling and lifting.
The role: As a volunteer driver, you’ll either use your own vehicle or drive the dedicated DLAG van to collect food from our Wimbledon hub and distribute it directly to households in need. Occasionally, you may drive to store in the areas to collect food as well.
Time commitment: Shifts are typically short and impactful, lasting between 1 and 1.5 hours, and covering three to four delivery addresses.
Hubsters
The Hub is where a lot of the magic happens. It is normally fast moving and a really enjoyable volunteering atmosphere.
The role: Food comes into the Hub and the hubsters prepare one week food boxes and bulk orders for our referred clients and partners, such as food banks.
Time commitment: Shifts are typically 3 hours. Most people do a set time each week, which is really welcomed.
Store Leaders
Store Leaders are the hidden stars within the DLAG operation. Volunteers are welcome to start as store volunteers and move into store leadership, or apply directly. We almost have a full quote of Store Leaders, but we welcome applications especially when we open new stores, or when existing Leaders become temporarily or permanently unavailable.
The role: Store Leaders do their best to ensure as many shifts as possible are covered, and guide store volunteers to help them understand their role and enjoy their experience to the fullest.
Time commitment: More flexibility is required for this role, as it is part of the leadership team.
Onboarders
Without the Onboarders we wouldn’t have volunteers, which makes them a vital part of the team. In this role, you’ll be able to always talk to new people, and get to know our volunteers firsthand.
The role: Part of the role is ensuring volunteers know how to book shifts and get fully onboarded onto their role, so they can be as useful and as happy as possible. It also includes submitting necessary links, paperwork and contacts to new volunteers.
Time commitment: This is subject to availability and will require a level of flexibility. We expect it to be between 1-3 hours per week.
Marketing
Our Marketing team is central to everything we do. They help raise awareness, attract volunteers, raise funds and maintain a network between our current volunteers.
The role: The team is varied, so we are always looking for new marketers. Depending on your skills and experience, this may include graphic design, social media management, PR and blogging.
Time commitment: This is subject to availability and will require a level of flexibility. We expect it to be between 1-3 hours per week.
Newsletter Team
Our monthly newsletter aims to attract and engage volunteers, encourage increased involvement and serves as a platform to share DLAG activities to the whole community.
The role: Depending on your skills and experience, the role may include writing, proofreading, designing, project coordinating, and much more!
Time commitment: This is subject to availability and will require a level of flexibility. We expect it to be between 1-3 hours per week.
Research
Research is key to our operation as it ensures we can stay up to date and expand our key activities. It is a growing role, and we are always looking for new people who have a knack for research tasks.
The role: This role is varied and, based on your skills and experience, may include: compiling lists of community events, identifying marketing channels for attracting volunteers, listing potential funders and much more.
Time commitment: 1 to 2 hours a week, subject to your availability.
Event Team
DLAG events are a vital part of the whole fundraising and awareness strategy, and they are how we stay connected with our community. We run sleep outs, family fun days and always have more exciting events being planned. We are looking for volunteers to help us take our events to the next level, from looking after a DLAG stall at the Wimbledon Village Fair to helping with our own brilliant events.
The role: There are many opportunities in this team, including Event Directors, Managers and Team Members. Depending on your role, you will help us organise our recurring event, and plan new and exciting ones.
Time commitment: This is subject to availability and will require a level of flexibility, especially around dates of events. We expect it to be between 1-3 hours per week.
Fundraisers
We are always looking to work with experienced charity fundraisers, and we value a fresh take.
The role: Depending on your skillset and experience, you will be working in areas such as donor acquisition, management and funding proposals.
Time commitment: 1-3 hours per week.
Corporate Outreach
Corporate volunteering is becoming increasingly popular. We get local, regional, national and even international companies volunteering with us. We would like to create a corporate outreach structure and team that enables us to build strong relationships with businesses across the country.
The role: Depending on your experience, you will be involved in creating and maintaining relationships with businesses through DLAG, as well as assisting them in volunteering days and other activities related to our charity.
Time commitment: 1-3 hours per week.
Schools Outreach
As a community organisation, we have over 200 amazing school partners. This is a key element of our structure, as we run several events with schools every year.
The role: You will help manage current relationships with schools, including being involved in the planning of events in partnership with them, and help us find new potential schools to add to our network.
Time commitment: 1-3 hours per week.
Keeping Kids Connected
KKC ensures that kids around South West are equipped with the tech needed to learn and stay connected.
The role: We are always looking for coordinators, drivers to collect and drop off devices, and IT specialists to help wipe devices and restore them to factory settings.
Time commitment: 1-3 hours per week.
Furniture
The Furniture team is an immense asset to DLAG, as they provide families with various pieces of furniture they may need in their homes.
The role: We are always looking for van drivers, basic maintenance at our new Furniture Hub, sourcing stock and handling referrals.
Time commitment: 1-3 hours per week. Many volunteers do a set shift each week, which is welcomed.
Administration
Delivering impact at the levels we do takes a lot of organising, and the administration team is the backbone of DLAG.
The role: Depending on your skillset and experience, you will provide essential admin support and logistics tasks.
Time commitment: 1-3 hours per week.