Volunteer opportunities

On this page you can find out about our available opportunities.

If you know which one you'd like to apply for, please fill in our application form (PDF, 854KB) and email it to your local Diabetes UK office using the email address on the bottom of the form. If you're unsure which role would suit you, please fill in our volunteer interest form and we'll be in touch.

What we can offer you:

• experience of working in the charity sector
• information and materials to help you carry out your role effectively
• full training, guidance and support
• reimbursement of out of pocket expenses incurred while carrying out activities for us, for example travel & lunch
• recognition of the role that you are carrying out in support of us

Fundraising events volunteer

Show your support for the 4.7 million people in the UK living with diabetes by volunteering at our fundraising events

By volunteering at one of our fundraising events, as a cheerer or helping at our start or finish venue. You are guaranteed a fun day out with an amazing festival atmosphere. This is one off opportunity and very flexible - if you can give 2 hours, great, if you would like to stay for longer - amazing, even better.

Find out more

Online Forum Host Volunteer

Help welcome people to our online community and make a difference to a huge network of people

Forum Hosts welcome new members to our online support forum and use their own experiences of diabetes to offer helpful responses, making a difference to a large network of people living with diabetes.

Read the role description (PDF, 553KB) for more information about the role.

Please note that we're not currently recruiting for volunteers for the online forum. 

Online Forum Moderator Volunteer

Help directly support a wide network of people affected by diabetes in our online support forum

Our Forum Moderators help us to maintain a helpful and inclusive community online, by contributing practical advice and support, responding to issue reports and by being a positive member of the community. This is a rewarding volunteer opportunity and a great chance to use your own experiences to directly support people who are affected by diabetes. You can volunteer flexible hours, from home and we will provide training.

Read the role description (PDF, 600KB) for more information about the role.

Please note that we're not currently recruiting for volunteers for the online forum. 

Office volunteer

Help keep our offices running smoothly by supporting your local team

We often need volunteers in our offices around the UK to assist with the day to day running of the charity. You could be helping with administration, event organisation, research or any other area of our work.

Our office volunteer roles are a great way to develop new skills, gain practical experience of working in the office environment and make a real difference to the lives of people living with diabetes.

Contact your local volunteering team if you are interested in volunteering in one of our offices.

Groups support and development volunteer

Do you have a talent for building credible and effective relationships?

Working closely with your local volunteering team, you will form strong links with our local groups and work with them to develop and try new ideas to involve as many people as possible within their local community. 

Read the role description (PDF, 544KB) for more information about the role.

Local group volunteer

Lend a helping hand to our local support groups

Our local groups are networks of support to those affected by diabetes. They run their own meetings, events, walks and activities in their communities.

As a local group volunteer, you will help our groups to develop allowing them to do more for people living with diabetes in your local area. You will be supporting our groups to hire venues for their meetings, arranging speakers to attend and help them promote their group to the public.

Read the role description (PDF, 498KB) for more information about the role.

Speaker volunteer

Do you have a passion for public speaking? This is the perfect volunteering role for you.

Our speaker scheme volunteers are a network of volunteer speakers trained to raise awareness about diabetes and the services we provide to support people living with diabetes in their communities.

Our speakers give talks to a wide range of people, from community groups to local companies or council committees. You can fit the talks into your existing commitments and decide when you are available and who you are going to be speaking to.

All speaker scheme volunteers need to attend a training day to learn more about diabetes and Diabetes UK. The training days happen regularly throughout the year, but your local volunteer officer can tell you more about what training is available and when.

This is the perfect opportunity for those looking to improve and strengthen their speaking skills.

Read the role description (PDF, 542KB) for more information about the role.

School Speaker Volunteer

Help raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes to make sure more children are diagnosed early

As a school speaker volunteer, you will give talks and presentations to school students and staff in your local community to raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes in schools and promote fundraising opportunities and schools campaigns for Diabetes UK.

As part of the role you will attend a school speaker volunteer training session to learn more about diabetes, the work we do and help develop your presentation skills.

Read the role description (PDF, 548KB) for more information about the role.

Events volunteer

Help set the record straight about diabetes by becoming an events volunteer

We need help at events all over the country, so if you have some time to spare, this could be the role for you.

As an events volunteer, you will be working with Diabetes UK staff, talking to members of the public and handing out information about diabetes.

The events range from stands in shopping centres and high streets, to big events such as county shows. You don't need any previous knowledge or experience about diabetes or Diabetes UK. We give you all the information and support that you need.

Read the role description (PDF, 531KB) for more information about the role.

Fundraising ambassador

Bring your creativity, energy and enthusiasm for fundraising to our team

It is important to both raise awareness of diabetes, and generate vital funds to help us one day find a cure. Our fundraising ambassadors play a important role in talking to our groups about our work, supporting our fundraising team to organise events and attend cheque presentations locally.

Read the role description (PDF, 528KB) for more information about the role.