The following may be of interest to you if you are looking for volunteering opportunities. Bristol u3a is not endorsing any particular organisation, and members are therefore advised to research any one of particular interest before committing.
Volunteering in Schools
RSVP West is looking for volunteers over 50 to go into local primary schools for an hour or two per week to help pupils with their reading and encourage their enjoyment of books. As well as giving significant support to overstretched teachers, the volunteers find interaction with the children very rewarding.
To get started, you will need two referees who can vouch for your suitability, the school will arrange a DBS safeguarding check and you will be provided with a short training course.
If this interests you, you can find the application form here or contact RSVP Organiser Sue Andresen on sue.andresen@rsvp-west.org.uk or 07817848290 for further information.
19/02/2026
Happy Days Cafe
The Cafe is looking for volunteers to help support people with Alzheimers.
They are looking for volunteers, 2 hours once a month, starting in the 2nd Tuesday in March 2026, to help chat and interact with people with this condition. It's a friendly space where the local community and residents can mix, understand and enjoy each other's company.
Meadowcare Care Home in Redland will be hosting the Happy Days Cafe.
Please can you get in touch with Becky if you would like to help brighten someone's day at becky@baryahs.com
13/02/2026
Action Tutoring
Action Tutoring tackles educational inequality by offering free maths and English tutoring to pupils facing disadvantage in and around Bristol. By volunteering as a tutor for just one hour a week at a school near you, or online, you can give support to pupils whose families couldn't otherwise afford this help. You would receive induction training and ongoing development support and meet and socialise with like-minded people. Also - tutoring pupils is fun!
For more information please visit the website.
13/02/2026
FareShare South West
Could you spare a few hours to join the fight against food poverty? With volunteer roles ranging from van driving, to packing food orders, to administrative support, there is something for everyone. Warehouses are in St Judes and Bedminster. For more information visit the Fareshare website
13/02/2026
Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity
Would you like to volunteer a few hours a week to help and support the Bristol and Weston Hospitals? They need volunteers to help in their shop in the BRI selling merchandise and books, to be hospital liaison volunteers, volunteer tin collectors and event volunteers. For more information and to apply take a look at their volunteering page.
13/02/2026
Borderlands is a Bristol based charity which supports asylum-seekers and refugees. They are based in the Old Market area. They would like to recruit volunteers with relevant experience (eg language-teaching, supporting adult learners with literacy needs, etc) to teach or assist in their English classes. If you are interested, have a look at their volunteering page for more information.
13/02/2026
Alive
Alive is an award-winning Bristol-based charity, dedicated to improving the lives of older people, especially those living with dementia. They are looking for volunteers to support their therapeutic gardening sessions at community gardens, and activity sessions at their Dementia Meeting Centres. Each session is delivered by a trained facilitator. Come along and take part in gardening, crafts, events and daytrips, and connect with your local community.
Volunteering takes place on weekdays only. Alive offers training and reimburses expenses. For further information please see the website, email volunteer@aliveactivities.org or phone 07861 385 543.
13/02/2026
The Hive Avon
The Hive Avon, based in Kingswood, runs a drop-in centre for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, providing them with a safe place to socialise and engage in a range of fun and engaging activities. Volunteers, under staff supervision, help to facilitate the sessions activities, encourage service users to socialise, and serve teas and coffees. An induction, training, and ongoing support are provided for the volunteers, and expenses can be claimed if necessary.
Volunteers volunteer either weekly or fortnightly.
If you are interested either call 0117 961 4372 or email volunteers@thehiveavon.org.uk
13/02/2026
Bristol Samaritans - ordinary people doing extraordinary things
Volunteer and play a part in keeping the phone lines open. As a listening volunteer you'll be there for people who need someone to talk to. You'll be willing to listen without telling people what to do.
Bristol Samaritans, based in the city centre, has almost 200 active volunteers and is open 24/7 throughout the year.
They provide a warm and very supportive environment and exceptional mentoring and training.
Go along to an information evening to hear first hand and ask questions. Contact recruitment@bristolsamaritans.org.uk
26/11/2025