To ask how to go about finding volunteering opportunities?

[AnaViaSalamanca]

Would love to dedicate a few hours every now and then to volunteering, but really don't know where to start. I have done a lot of googling, but mostly came across volunteer jobs requiring heavy commitment or applications, which at this point I can't afford. I mainly want to do one off weekend or evening hours in London.

Do you know any websites or anywhere such opportunities are listed?

Thanks!

My local council has a volunteering section on their jobs part of their website - yours might have similar?

www.do-it.org

Depends. What are you interested in? Historic houses? Animals? Working with children? Arranging fundraising events?

Find your local community and voluntary services support agency from this directory

navca.org.uk/find-a-member-1

They will most likely be able to help you with local opportunities

Guiding or Scouting?

You don’t always need to make a weekly commitment, there’s other things you could help with less often.

Places like zoos and museums (especially little, independent, quirky type of places) often use a lot of volunteers. If you're looking for something casual it'll be fairly routine stuff that doesn't require training. ime the more rewarding/interesting tasks require more commitment.

Local foodbank? sorting donations maybe.

Most volunteer roles like a regular commitment though- it has to be worth their while going to the effort of accepting you as a volunteer (with all the paperwork involved, especially if you are working with money or vulnerable people), training you and fitting you into their organisation. Commitment just has to mean three hours once a week or something, not daily.

It has to be of a benefit to the charity, not just to you.

There are quite a few volunteer centres near me, I don't know if they are nationwide but that might be something to google

If you have a local preschool, they are often run by volunteers and would probably love someone to offer some help.

The do it website above is good for being able to filter eg evenings, particular days and some you can do from home (eg telephone befriending)

Local cvs's (via my link above) will also be aware of short term opportunities. For example (and I know it is nowhere near where you are, but just to show they exist, and are likely to be more plentiful in SE/LO...) www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/9450/World-Transplant-Games-2019-volunteer-roles

Do-it.org is a great starting point but not all charities will be listed so have a think if there's a specific sector you'd like to work in.

thanks everyone for the suggestions, I will check them out!

I am not too particular about what to do, just want to do something with people rather than a computer for a change, and physical rather than mental work if you know what I mean.

Does your workplace have a CSR policy? All of my volunteering is through work and I can pick and choose based on my availability.

Woodland trust often have tree planting events, or other adhoc events they want casual volunteers for

www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/get-involved/