Volunteering Opportunities Christmas 2025
1. Islington Food Hubs
Festive period
Some of the Islington food hubs will be open over the festive period. If you would like to help them during the festive period, please check with them in advance. More information here.
2. Islington Foodbank (Trussell Trust)
Volunteers needed regularly with extra demand in December.
Roles includes helping to make food parcels, distributing food, administrative tasks. Find out more on islington.foodbank.org.uk
3. Food Cycle – Islington
Volunteers needed year-round with extra demand during festive period.
FoodCycle runs a free community meal every Wednesday lunchtime in Islington. Volunteer roles include cooking, hosting, and food-redistribution. Volunteering in December can help keep their services running smoothly during a busy time. Find out more on FoodCycle Volunteer Portal
4. St Luke’s Community Centre
Festive period and year round
St Luke’s relies on volunteers for its community services, including events. At Christmas, they host parties / events, and volunteers help with catering, stalls, serving food, etc. For more detail check St Luke’s Community Centre
5. Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants
Long-term/ ongoing with additional festive or winter drop-in sessions.
Volunteers support in a variety of roles: interpreters, befrienders, lunch cooks, and more. For more detail check islingtoncentre.co.uk
6. Shelter (Islington Boutique Shop)
Festive period and year round
Shelter has a boutique shop in Islington (Upper Street) and always needs retail volunteers. At Christmas, charity shops often see more footfall, so more hands are useful: helping with stock, customer service, displays, etc. For more detail check Shelter England
7.The Salvation Army
Festive period, Christmas present packing, delivery volunteers, Christmas meal preparation & distribution
There is a range of opportunities available, however, what is on offer will vary on a local level – and so depends on each local church. You can also discover what’s on offer by visiting a shop and speaking to the staff or volunteers. Other voluntary roles include cooks and caterers, befrienders and debt advisers, at their food banks, lunch clubs and community cafes amongst other roles. To find out more email ATMSVolunteering@salvationarmy.org.uk or visit Christmas Volunteering | The Salvation Army website
8. Little Village
One off session in the run up to Christmas at their Wandsworth Warehouse
Little Village is a baby bank powerhouse which was founded in Camden in 2016. Since then, they have helped more than 32,000 children to ‘have the essentials they need to thrive’. They are looking for people to help sorting donations in their Wandsworth warehouse for several one-off sessions in the run up to Christmas. All the details are on: One Off Volunteering Days – Little Village
9. Crisis
Festive period volunteer
Volunteer with Crisis this Christmas and be there for someone as they start to build a life beyond homelessness. They have a range of roles and shift times across December and January. You could be welcoming guests, serving hot meals, or running activities and services in our hotels and day centres. Or you could work behind the scenes in our Canning Town Warehouse, helping to get vital supplies out to our services. Check out all the details on the Crisis website.
10.Basket Brigade
Festive Event volunteers, 23rd December
Volunteer with Basket Brigade and be part of this wonderful event, where we have a few choices. Have a look and see what works best for you. For more detail are on Event Day volunteers – Basket Brigade UK
11. St Mungo
Festive period and all year round
St. Mungo believes that support is needed all year round, and they offer a variety of volunteer roles online. For more information about the tasks involved, time commitments and how to apply, please visit their webpage and click ‘Apply Now’ Thank you for your support – not just at Christmas, but all year round. Find out more on Volunteer with Us | Make a Difference at St Mungo’s
12. C4WS- C4WS Homeless Project
Winter Shelter volunteers-Start of November to End of March
‘Each shift relies on volunteers to help with set-up, food preparation, making and stripping beds, and providing hospitality to our guests. They have several roles available in their shelters for volunteers who have not previously been associated with their project, they are known as Floating Volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering email Shelter Coordinator sian@c4wshomelessproject.org Check out more info about C4WS on their website.
13. Driver Volunteer – Jacksons Lane (Highgate)
Driver volunteers for Wednesday 25th December
2024 marked the 50th Christmas Day lunch at Jacksons Lane. They need an army of volunteers to cook the meals, drive around guests, wrap gifts and spread joy on the day. Sign up and/or find out more info on what’s needed on the Jacksons Lane website.
14.The Big Issue
The Big Issue has produced a roundup of volunteering in London at Christmas. Have a look at the Big Issue website.
