Volunteer With Us
Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at Holbeck Together. Every week, our volunteers give their time, skills and kindness to help support local people and strengthen our community. Whether you have a few hours a week or just occasional time, volunteering is a great way to meet people, build skills, and make a real difference in Holbeck.
Why volunteer with us?
Volunteering with Holbeck Together helps both the community and you. Many of our volunteers tell us they gain just as much as they give.
Benefits of volunteering include:
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Making a positive difference to local people in Holbeck
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Meeting new people and building friendships
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Learning new skills and gaining experience
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Boosting confidence and wellbeing
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Being part of a supportive community organisation
No previous experience is needed – we provide guidance and support. You do not need any formal qualifications; full training is provided. We cover out of pocket expenses and the cost of DBS checks. You can contact us on 0113 245 5553 if you have any questions or would like an informal chat about volunteering/opportunities.
Who we’re looking for…
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds who want to make a positive difference in the community.
You don’t need any special experience – the most important qualities are a friendly and approachable attitude, kindness and patience when supporting others, commitment to your role and willingness to work as part of a team.
Current volunteering opportunities:
Get involved
If you’d like to volunteer or find out more, we’d love to hear from you. Check out our current volunteer opportunities above to see which available role you may be interested in. To find out more or request an application form, contact our Volunteer Engagement Officer, Leanne at leanne@holbecktogether.org.
Meet our volunteers
Gloria
Although Gloria was born and raised in Leeds, she doesn’t live locally in Holbeck. In 2000, she decided to try volunteering through a government initiative that matched people with charities needing support. That’s when she was introduced to Holbeck Together – and she has been volunteering with the organisation ever since.
Gloria first volunteered as a befriender, visiting older and disabled people in their homes on Saturday mornings. She continued in this role for many years, building strong relationships with the people she supported.
After retiring in 2007, Gloria began helping more regularly at Holbeck Together, supporting lunch clubs, social activities, and helping out in the office. From cooking and washing up to answering the phone and welcoming visitors, Gloria has helped with almost everything.
Gloria says she enjoys meeting people and getting to know the members who attend activities. Volunteering has given her a sense of purpose and routine, while allowing her to continue supporting the community.
“It’s a two-way process – you give away your time, but you take a huge amount from it in terms of friends and support from others, especially in the past year. I live on my own, so it helps me to avoid social isolation and improve my mental wellbeing. It’s given me a purpose.”
To someone who was thinking about volunteering, Gloria would say: Try it out, give it a go, even if it’s a couple of hours a week. It’s so rewarding – not because you’re being a ‘do-gooder’ but it’s what you get from it. I get a lot from it, as I’m sure someone else would.
Sue and Geoff
Husband and Wife, Sue and Geoff have been supporting Holbeck Together for over 18 years.
Sue first became involved in 2008 after hearing that Holbeck Together needed help in the office. She began volunteering on Tuesdays, while Geoff helped out at the lunchtime club. Geoff had grown up in Holbeck and even sang in the choir at St Matthew’s, so returning to support the local community meant a lot to him.
Over the years, the couple have played a huge role in fundraising and organising social activities. From music quizzes and tea dances to raffles, craft stalls and community events, they have helped bring fun and entertainment to many of Holbeck Together’s members.
They have also supported the charity by organising collection boxes in local shops and delivering newsletters around the community, building strong relationships with local businesses along the way.
Sue and Geoff say the reason they continue volunteering is simple – they love seeing people enjoy themselves. As they put it, “We like to see people’s faces – we get joy out of seeing them so excited about what we can do. We get a lot out of it as well – everybody wins. We do our bit.”
