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Want to change childhoods and change lives for the better?

Whether you’re assisting children during one of our awesome sessions, part of a team running a fundraising event, helping behind the scenes in our office, or taking care of our animals, by volunteering you can help make a difference to people’s lives. 

You might be a jobseeker, scout/guides leader, retired, seeking asylum, in full or part-time employment or studying. Wherever you’re from, whatever your background, and however you choose to volunteer, you’ll be making a real difference to people’s lives.

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Why volunteer with us?

If you choose to volunteer with us you’ll get:

  • an amazing experience – we’re committed to giving our volunteers the best time possible. We’ll listen to you and find out what you want to get out of volunteering. And we’ll make sure you’re in a role suited to your experience and skills.

  • ongoing support and guidance – we will make sure you’re supported and offer you regular catch ups to discuss your role, the activities you are taking part in, any challenges, successes and training needs. You’ll also get support from the rest of your team, both colleagues and other volunteers.

  • training – all our volunteers complete induction training, which helps you settle in and makes sure you have the knowledge and support you need for your role. We also offer additional training relevant to your role if you want to broaden your skills more widely.

  • a potential health boost! 100% of our volunteers reported improved mental health and wellbeing and 77% reported improved physical health.

Our Values and behaviours

Everyone who volunteers with us is different, but we ask anyone who works or volunteers with us to act in a way that reflects our values. This helps us make sure you feel you belong and means we can make a meaningful difference to people’s lives and provide the best service possible.

 

Applying to become a volunteer

Decided you would like to volunteer with us? Complete the application that applies to you.

The next step is an interview for you to get to know us, as well as the other way round!  Your potential volunteer manager will chat to you about the role and learn more about you, so you can both find out if it could be a good fit. They'll also discuss any disability or support needs you may have. Wherever possible, we’ll make reasonable adjustment to ensure you can carry out the role. 

Disclosure checks 

For most of our roles volunteers who are over 16 years need to first undergo disclosure checks to see if they have criminal convictions and cautions. If the role you have applied for requires either a PVG we will take you through the process. 

Having a criminal record will not necessarily stop you from volunteering with us. It will depend on the nature of any offences and the role you want to apply for. We would encourage you to discuss this with your volunteer manager in your initial conversation. 

References  

For those over 16 years, you will need to give us the names and contact details of two people who can provide a reference for you. This helps us make sure we are keeping the children, young people and families we support safe. Your referees must have known you for at least two years and not be related to you in any way. They can be from outside the UK, but references must be written in English. For Junior volunteers references are only optional.

How long does the application process take?

After you submit your application we know you’ll be keen to hear back from us. We aim to respond within five working days, but there may be times where we take a little longer. If you have not heard from someone within 10 working days, please email hello@little-acorns.org

FAQs

  • There’s no minimum time commitment when volunteering with us. However, for some roles we do ask you to help us regularly so there’s continuity for the children, young people and families we support. We have a range of roles so we are confident that we can find something to suit your needs, be that regular or flexible volunteering. 

  • You’ll get a proper induction to welcome you, help you settle in and make sure you have the knowledge and support you need for your volunteer role. It will introduce you to us, as well as covering basics in safeguarding, health and safety, data protection, confidentiality, and equality, diversity and inclusion.  

    There may also be other training specific to your role you need to complete before starting. Your volunteer manager will talk to you about this. 

    You’ll also get access to further Learning and Development training where you can complete a wide range of open courses. These might be linked to your role or in other areas you wish to develop. 

  • Yes. We have some roles such as admin volunteer or funding supporter that can be done from home.

  • Yes! We have many roles for junior volunteers and have an established cohort that enjoy welcoming new volunteers to the team. If you are aged 16 and under you will need a parent/guardian’s permission to volunteer.  

  • You can volunteer while receiving benefits, as long as you continue to meet all the conditions of your benefit. Read full details about volunteering and claiming benefits on the Government’s website.

  • You can! Please look for a role suitable for your needs and apply as usual. Please mention you are looking to volunteer as part of your DofE in your application.

  • Yes, our volunteering programme is open to anyone who can meet the screening steps for the role they are applying for, including references and disclosure checks (if applicable).  

  • Yes. Acorns is an equal opportunities employer and we strive to apply this to our volunteer programme as well. Part of our recruitment process is ensuring that the role is right for you. Please detail any disability or support needs in your application and our volunteer manager will have an open and honest conversation with you about this. Wherever possible, we will make reasonable adjustment to ensure you can carry out the role.