On this page you will find information about ways to help during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact the organisations directly with the details provided.
Our online volunteering system, Volunteer Connect, has information about more long term volunteering opportunities.
Follow Middlesbrough Volunteer Centre on Facebook
Local volunteering opportunities
Mutual Aid Groups
Mutual Aid is a list of local support groups that have been established during the COVID-19 pandemic. To find your local group click here.
You can join the Middlesbrough Covid-19 Mutual Aid Facebook Group which is offering help and services from local people and businesses and for those who also need help.
Age UK Teesside
. Telephone Befriender: Volunteers are required to provide company and friendship to people living alone, aged 65 and over and who are the most lonely and isolated in the area. To find out more call 01642 805500 or email paula.taylor@ageukteesside.org.uk
. Online Sales Champion Volunteer: We are looking for volunteers to increase the reach of the retail outlet through various digital outlets such as eBay and gumtree etc. For more information call 01642805500 or email retail@ageukteesside.org.uk
. Digital Explorers Volunteer: An exciting and innovative project targeting digitally excluded older people by introducing them to the world of technology. The project supports older people improve their ability to access the internet and online services as well as improve their health and wellbeing plus reducing the impact/risk of loneliness and social isolation. For more information click here.
Tees Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust (TEWV)
. Volunteer Driver: You will be helping patients/service users that require transport on discharge from hospital to home or require transport to essential services. There may be occasions when you may be asked to transport good or equipment (such as masks, post and IT equipment) to other parts of the Trust.
. Community Responder: You will be supporting teams during this difficult time in the NHS by providing community response activities for service users that will enable them and their pets to have access to food, drink and any other essential basic needs.
. Chat and Check Volunteers: The role is to make telephone contact with service users who are socially isolated or may require some additional contact during this time. Contact would be on a regular basis as directed by the local care team. The volunteer will offer support to individuals, who are under the care of secondary mental health services, to try and reduce loneliness and check how they are. The role will be informal chats and is not as an alternative to contact with the mental health service. (Note: currently full)
If interested in any of these roles please contact TEAWVNT.voluntaryservices@nhs.net or 0191 3336328 – you will be given full Coronavirus Guidance
Changing Futures North East - Independent Visitor
We're looking for volunteers across Teesside to support young people living in care across the area. This role is called the Independent Visitor role and it's a volunteering position that enables you to help change the lives of children living in your local area. Click here to find out more.
British Red Cross: Emergency Response Volunteer
You will be helping people prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. Every individual affected by an emergency will need different support from us to help them recover. To find out more and apply click here.
Royal Volunteer Service: Patient Support Volunteer
Would you like to help relieve the pressure on your NHS this winter? Become a Patient Support Volunteer in South Tees and provide invaluable support to patients before and after a hospital stay. To find out more information click here.
Volunteer from Home / Remote Volunteering Opportunities
Access Project: Volunteer Tutoring Online
Could you support a student from a disadvantaged background to catch up on their school studies? If you live in the UK and have a degree, sign up today to become an online volunteer tutor. You don't need to have a background in education or experience tutoring, just a passion for helping others. To find out more click here.
Quolimbo UK: Varied home-based roles
Do you have time to spare? Are you looking to learn something new? We have taken our volunteer positions national and all will be home-based. Some of the roles they are promoting include: social media researcher, HR, Finance officer etc. If you're looking for experience, have the required skills, and live in the UK or Ireland contact them through their Facebook page.
Be My Eyes: Sighted volunteer
Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers and company representatives for visual assistance through a live video call. As a sighted volunteer you can help just by installing the Be My Eyes app. A blind or a low-vision user may need help with anything from checking expiry dates, distinguishing colours, reading instructions or navigating new surroundings. To find out more and download the app click here.
Shout: Crisis Volunteer
Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere and is powered by a team of volunteers, who are at the heart of the service. Volunteers need to commit to 25 hours of online training and then fulfil 200 total hours of volunteering; that’s 2 – 4 hours volunteering per week. If you are someone who is resilient and mentally robust to help people in distress and want to make a difference ti peoples lives by resolving crises then this role may be suitable for you. Visit the Shout website here.
Translators without Borders: Translator volunteers
TWB translates more than ten million words per year for non-profit organizations by working with thousands of volunteer translators worldwide. Their work focuses on crisis response, development, capacity building, and advocacy. By specializing in language solutions, they provide meaningful and critical support that allows the core work of a wide range of non-profit and aid organizations to be more impactful and to better serve communities.
You can volunteer as a translator volunteer if you are fluent in at least one language other than your native language. Whether you are interested in translating medical texts or translating for crisis response, there are engaging projects available to suit all preferences. Professional translators are especially encouraged to apply. Other roles such as project manager, graphic or web page designers and fundraising are also available. To find out more about how you can help click here.
Missing Maps: Mapping Volunteer
Each year, disasters around the world kill nearly 100,000 and affect or displace 200 million people. Many of the places where these disasters occur are literally 'missing' from any map and first responders lack the information to make valuable decisions regarding relief efforts. Missing Maps is an open, collaborative project in which you can help to map areas where humanitarian organisations are trying to meet the needs of vulnerable people. It is no problem if you have never mapped before - it doesn't take long to learn. To find out more click here.