Groundwork North East helps people and organisations make changes in order to create better neighbourhoods, to build skills and job prospects, and to live and work in a greener way.

We focus on disadvantaged communities where we can make the most difference and work towards a vision of a society of sustainable communities that are vibrant, healthy and safe, and which respect the local and global environment and where individuals and enterprise prosper.

There is a number of opportunities available including:

Education volunteers aged 16+ are needed to assist in the delivery of environmental and heritage education programmes in Schools and communities across Sunderland.

Volunteers should have an interest in environment issues, nature or heritage.

Experience of environmental education is not required as training and supervision will be provided. Volunteers will be assisting experienced education professionals to deliver session in schools or within community groups.

- WRVS help people maintain dignity and independence in their homes and communities, particularly in later life. WRVS run a series of cafes, tea bars and shops throughout all of the Sunderland Hospitals. They also operate a Book’s on Wheels Service to housebound residents of Sunderland.

There is currently a volunteering opportunity for a Cafe / Tea Bar Assistant at Cherry Knowle.

Volunteers will assist in providing refreshments in the WRVS cafe / tea bar at Cherry Knowle Hospital in Ryhope.

Volunteers should possess good organisational skills and have a friendly and welcoming personality. They should have the ability to volunteer in a busy environment and be a team player.

The Tea Bar is open from 10.30am to 2.30pm each day from Monday to Friday.

Age UK Sunderland aims to promote the well-being of all older people throughout the City of Sunderland, improve their quality of life and help them maintain independence.

This Good Neighbourhood Project is looking for a team of volunteers who are willing to help in their local communities giving a few hours of their time each week. This could involve shopping for basic food items, changing a light bulb, reading forms and helping to complete them, collecting prescriptions, dog walking etc.

Volunteers should be aged 18+.

Mission 12-17 CIC operate a social club for young people aged 12 - 17 years old. They aim to provide a safe, secure environment, tackling issues of binge drinking, drug misuse and anti-social behaviour. The Club is a two level building providing Sky Sports, pool, arcade games, games consoles and a dance club with live bands.

• There is a volunteering opportunity for a: Kitchen Volunteer.

Volunteers aged 17- 40 years are required to prepare and serve hot and cold food and keep the kitchen clean and tidy. The club operates between 5pm and 10pm each day and also noon to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.  Volunteers are required for 10 hours per week and a full induction and role specific training will be provided. Please note that there is no disabled access at present.

Volunteers should have good inter-personal and communication skills. They should enjoy working with young people and have food health and hygiene experience.

• There is also an opportunity for a Kiosk Volunteer.

Volunteers aged 17-40 are required to answer queries from customers and to facilitate customer transactions at Reception. Volunteers are required for 10 hours per week. A full induction and role specific training will be provided.

Volunteers should have good inter-personal and communication skills. Good numerical and cash handling skills are essential. Experience of working with young people is preferred.

As a church and registered charity, the Salvation Army demonstrate Christian principles through social welfare provision. Worldwide there are over 1.6million members, with programmes including homeless centres, drug rehabilitation centres, schools, hospitals and medical centres, as well as nearly 16,000 church and community centres.

Volunteer Retail Assistants aged 16+ are required to assist with all aspects of shop work in the Charity Shop eg. on the shop floor, till work and in the stock room. There are a number of stairs in the premises and deliveries need to be carried to the stock room.