Information for Volunteers
Volunteer in your local area – help make a difference to others and yourself!
Volunteering can be so beneficial in enhancing self-esteem and confidence, gaining experience and knowledge, widening social networks and improving CVs for future employment.
We can help you to volunteer and find an opportunity that matches your skills and interests. We can advise you on what’s available in your local area and help you find something that meets your needs. There are lots of exciting opportunities including caring, administration, supporting disabled or older people, driving, conservation and being a trustee.
Get involved – volunteering can change your life for the better – so why not give it a go?
Where to start
Think carefully about what type of volunteering role you want to do, where you would like volunteer and how much time you want to give. Local organisations offer a variety of opportunities.
You can register your interest in volunteering here:
https://volunteering.cumbriacvs.org.uk/
Search for local volunteering opportunities and then apply or register your interest with your chosen organisation.
Volunteering Information Events and Volunteering Fairs
Come along to our next Volunteering Fairs:
South Lakes Volunteering Fair
Sunday 5th October, 11.00am – 3.00pm at Kendal Leisure Centre.
Eden Volunteer Fair
Wednesday 22nd October 202, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Penrith Leisure Centre.
These events aims to attract the general public to come along and to meet local groups, charities or organisations to find out about local volunteering opportunities and how individuals interested in volunteering can register and become a volunteer. Drop in at any time
Virtual Volunteer Trustee Recruitment Session
Thursday 6th November 2025, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm (Online)
If you are interested in becoming a trustee and to find out about current trustee roles please book here
Hear Paul’s story about Cumbria CVS support into volunteering and how he became a Trustee from attending a previous Trustee Recruitment Session. See: Paul’s volunteering story
Volunteering Portal
If you want to know more about local volunteering opportunities, the benefits of volunteering and how to register as a volunteer watch this short video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYvO4zfEe2g&feature=youtu.be
The Volunteering Portal aims to strengthen volunteering in the county. The service allows individuals to self-register their interest in volunteering and search for the latest volunteering opportunities and events.
Projects and support in your area
This Is Us
This is Us is a project for Cumbria CVS, made possible by Westmorland and Furness Council through funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, aiming to develop new volunteering opportunities and to support organisations to recruit volunteers.
If you would like support in Westmorland and Furness email Volunteering Manager (Westmorland and Furness) Caroline Burden on Caroline.Burden@cumbriacvs.org.uk or Volunteering Support Officer: Rachel.Miller@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Helping to transform West Cumbria – Bedrock
Cumbria CVS is a delivery partner in the Transforming West Cumbria programme. This programme is funded by Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and managed by Cumbria Community Foundation. Cumbria CVS can support individuals in West Cumbria to find out about local volunteering opportunities.
For support in West Cumbria or all other areas of Cumbria please email: judiths@cumbriacvs.org.uk
South Copeland Volunteering Support
If you would like to find out about local volunteering opportunities in South Copeland, please email Beresford.moylerosser@cumbria.cvs.org.uk who is based in Millom.
Volunteer Case Studies to inspire you to volunteer!
Check out some of our Volunteering in Cumbria videos to hear stories about why people volunteer and why you should too!
Oak Tree Animals’ Charity Volunteer Taster Day
Workington Nature Partnership Volunteer Taster Day, 26 November 24
Growing Well, Egremont, Volunteer Taster Day, 29 November 24
British Heart Foundation Volunteer Taster Day – November 2024
Cumbria Wildlife Trust – Volunteer Taster Day, February 2025
You can also read about some inspiring volunteers in the case studies below (click on the thumbnail images to expand):
Keith – Barrow and District Disability Association
Ged – Business Development Lead for The Well Communities
Jacquetta – Buddhist Group of Kendal Theravada
Judith – Girlguiding Cumbria South
Pete – Heron Corn Mill, Beetham
Stuart – Carer Support South Lakes
Interested to know more about What a Volunteer Trustee is and Roles and Responsibilities?
Watch this video from Sheila, Chair of Cumbria CVS about what a trustee is and why she volunteers:
Sheila Gregory, Chair of Cumbria CVS
Download our Case Study on a Volunteer Trustees Recruitment Session with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.
Alternatively visit: https://volunteering.cumbriacvs.org.uk and Search Trustee for the latest volunteering opportunities
What to do next?
Contact us to:
- find out more about volunteering
- register as a volunteer https://volunteering.cumbriacvs.org.uk/
- discuss opportunities in your area
- organise a confidential (virtual) appointment via Microsoft Teams, Facebook Messenger or Zoom
Call: 01768 800350
Email: info@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Or complete this online form below:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cumbriacvs
We are open five days/week: Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm; Friday 9am – 3pm.
Tell Us!
If you have any comments, feedback, compliments and/or complaints regarding the Cumbria CVS Volunteering Service, please email info@cumbriacvs.org.uk.
Alternatively contact Judith Smale, Volunteering Manager (Cumberland) for Cumbria CVS at judiths@cumbriacvs.org.uk or Caroline Burden, Volunteering Manager (Westmorland and Furness) for Cumbris CVS at caroline.burden@cumbriacvs.org.uk
