Volunteering

We're looking for passionate, caring individuals to help make a real difference in the lives of children, young people, and families across Sunderland through volunteering. Whether you can spare an hour a week or a few days a month, your time, energy, and kindness can have a lasting impact.

From mentoring young people and supporting families in our Family Hubs, to being a friendly face for children in care, there are a variety of rewarding volunteer roles to suit your interests and availability.

Independent Visitors

Volunteering as an Independent Visitor is a unique and rewarding opportunity to make a lasting difference in the life of a child or young person in care. Many of these young people have little or no contact with their families and may live in children's homes, with foster carers, or with extended family or friends.

As an Independent Visitor, you'll become a trusted adult friend—someone who offers consistent, long-term support and a listening ear through life's challenges. You might help them join a sports team or enjoy simple activities together like going to the cinema, cycling, bowling, or walking a dog.

We're looking for volunteers from all walks of life who can spare some time to build a meaningful relationship with a young person. You must be over 18 and independent from Children's Social Care, which means you cannot work for Together for Children or be an elected local councillor. No formal qualifications are needed—just a genuine interest in the welfare of children, a flexible and resilient attitude, and a commitment to regular visits.

Breathing Space

Volunteering with the Breathing Space project is a meaningful way to support young people with additional needs who are at risk of suspension or exclusion from school.

Breathing Space is a Together for Children-funded initiative that provides valuable space, time, and support to help young people stay connected to education. It offers positive experiences and opportunities to improve emotional wellbeing, build confidence, and develop social skills.

We're looking for compassionate, reliable, and enthusiastic volunteers to become Mentors, working one-to-one with young people in school years 5 to 9—many of whom may have a diagnosis or be on the pathway for Autism and/or Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

As a mentor, you'll meet weekly with a young person over a 12-week period, take part in fun, interest-based activities in the community, and provide consistent emotional support. You'll help create a safe, trusting environment that encourages participation in positive, structured opportunities.

Family Hub

Volunteering at one of our five Family Hubs across the city is a fantastic way to support local families and make a meaningful impact in your community. The welcoming, inclusive spaces offer free support and activities for parents, carers, and children—from conception through to age 18, or up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Services range from essential support like health and breastfeeding advice, stop smoking help, and benefits guidance, to fun and engaging sessions such as musical activities, baby massage, sensory play, arts and crafts, story time, and pregnancy yoga.

We're currently looking for volunteers to take on a variety of roles, including supporting food distribution through Bread and Butter Thing, becoming Family Champions who offer peer support and promote services, acting as Play Space Friendly Faces who welcome families and help set up activities, or joining as Milky Advocates who promote breastfeeding-friendly spaces. Other roles include Buggy Walk Leaders, Family Voice contributors who help shape services, and Family Hub Community volunteers who welcome new families. With full training provided and flexible opportunities to suit your availability, volunteering at a Family Hub is a great way to meet new people, build skills, and help families thrive.

Targetted Youth Service

Volunteering with Sunderland's Targetted Youth Service, part of Together for Children's Youth Offending Service (YOS), is a meaningful way to support young people and families affected by youth crime. Sunderland YOS is a multi-agency service made up of police, probation, health, and the local authority, working closely with courts and specialist services such as mental health, substance misuse, and housing support. The service supports young people aged 10 to 17 who are involved in or at risk of entering the criminal justice system, as well as their families and the victims of youth crime.

As a Community Panel volunteer, you'll help guide young people and their parents or carers through referral or court orders, read reports, agree on support programmes, and work alongside case managers to understand and respond to the needs of everyone involved.

This role is ideal for someone who is empathetic, reliable, and passionate about helping young people make positive changes. Full training is provided, and your involvement can have a lasting impact on both individuals and the wider community by helping to prevent reoffending and promote rehabilitation.

Training

Volunteers receive full induction training, ongoing support, and reimbursement for mileage and expenses. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a lasting difference in a young person's life.

Find out more

For more information, contact volunteering@togetherforchildren.org.uk