Volunteer with us

Location: Colchester & Ipswich

Join our mission to support children and young people’s mental health!

As a volunteer with our Community Engagement Team, you’ll help deliver impactful mental health assemblies and resilience workshops in schools, and represent Kids Inspire at community events across Colchester and Ipswich.

We want all children and families to get the support they need to recover from trauma and thrive.

To meet that goal the Community Engagement team are going into local schools to ensure that the message about our free therapy offer reaches as many children and young people as we can.

Time commitment

• School Workshops & Assemblies: Usually half-day sessions during the week, depending on school size.

• Community Events: Vary throughout the week and may include weekends. We use a booking app so you can choose dates and events that work and support at the ones that fit in with your commitments.

Main tasks

• Assist in delivering and facilitation of assemblies and workshops in primary and/or secondary schools.

• Support our team at community events, such as school fairs, college events, and networking days.

• Act as a positive ambassador for Kids Inspire

Be alert and confident to raise safeguarding concerns where necessary (training provided).

Who we're looking for

We’re seeking volunteers who are:

• 18+ years old

• Passionate about children’s mental health

• Reliable, organised, and punctual

• Friendly, outgoing, and adaptable

• Able to act appropriately and in-line with safeguarding procedures

What we offer

• Training, including safeguarding and facilitation support

• Regular check-ins with the Volunteer Manager and Community Engagement Team

• Opportunities to meet and network with the wider Kids Inspire team

• A chance to make a real difference in your community

Requirements

• Two references

• Enhanced DBS check

• Completion of online safeguarding training

• Agreement to follow all Kids Inspire policies and procedures

Ready to get involved?

We’d love to hear from you. Please email communityengagement@kidsinspire.org.uk

Our fundraising team always need more support as the demand for our services continues to grow.

Date - Ongoing

• Coin counting: Support our work by helping to sort and count coins donated through collection pots across the community. It’s a simple but important task that keeps our fundraising running smoothly.

• Collection pot coordinators: Lend a hand by collecting and delivering donation pots and foreign currency tins across Essex and Suffolk. This role helps make sure every penny donated reaches the children and families who need it.

• Pre-loved sales volunteers: Help list and sell donated items on our Kids Inspire Vinted and eBay. Every sale helps raise funds for therapy support, and gives pre‑loved items a new home.

Contact volunteering@kidsinspire.org.ukfor more information about any of these opportunities.

Regular slots are available to work alongside one of our supporters in Chelmsford market.

Sell market items and preloved items and accessories donated to Kids Inspire to help raise funds.

Dates - Ongoing (Thursday/Friday/Saturday)

Contact volunteering@kidsinspire.org.uk for more information

Train to be a Volunteer Mentor and gift an hour of your time every week to a young person in need of a guiding hand. Current upcoming training dates are pending. Learn more.