Volunteer Roles

Due to the breadth of services we provide within the local community, we can offer a variety of volunteering opportunities at Changes. We aim to find you a mutually beneficial and rewarding role that suits your skills, experience and interests.

Our opportunities range from working with individuals in the community through 1-1 work, to supporting our groups, courses and activities – both indoors and out.

Please note: below we have separated our volunteer roles to ‘Current Vacancies’ which we are actively recruiting for, and ‘Other Volunteer Roles’ which have limited capacity, and may not be actively recruiting for. You will be informed by our recruitment officer if we can offer you a role.

Current Volunteer Vacancies

Active Recruitment

Befriender Volunteer

1-1 | Face to Face/Phone | 3-6 Month Commitment (min)

We are currently seeking volunteer befrienders to provide long-term, one-to-one support to individuals in East Lothian who may be experiencing loneliness, isolation, or challenges with their mental health. In this rewarding role you will help people improve their social confidence and re-engage with their hobbies and interests.

Befriending is an exciting way to give back to the community while building a strong and trusting relationship with someone in the community. Face-to-face meetups are activity based, and phone calls are about sustaining connection and trust.

You are expected to be non-judgmental, open and have good communication. You can befriend in person or over the phone. Both roles involve lone working.

Befriending Volunteer Handbook

Befriender Role Descriptor

Board Member Volunteer

2-3 Hour Commitment Per Month

As a board member, you’ll play a vital role in guiding our strategic direction, ensuring we continue to meet the needs of East Lothian’s diverse community. You will be expected to add value and the benefit of your experience to help shape our efforts in providing compassionate, welcoming, and effective mental health support.

You’ll be required to attend monthly board meetings to discuss and shape the direction of the organisation and provide support to the Changes CEO.

Board members should be team players who value compassion, inclusivity, and community engagement. You should be passionate about mental health and wellbeing, with a genuine desire to make a lasting contribution to a vital cause.

To Apply: please contact Jill Jeans on ceo@changeseastlothian.org

Other Volunteer Roles

Limited capacity / occasionally available

Buddy Walk Volunteer

1-1 | Face to Face

If you are a keen walker, have experience supporting others, and want to give back to the community, then Buddy Walk volunteering may be for you. We are seeking engaging, non-judgmental and communicative people to volunteer.

You will be expected to walk with people, one-to-one, within the East Lothian community who may be struggling with their own fitness and social connection. Walks last up to 1 hour for a pre-arranged 10 weeks.

Buddy Walk Role Descriptor

Nature Project Volunteer

Group Facilitation and Support | Based Outdoors | Flexible Commitment

Do you love spending time in nature? Do you have a keen interest in meeting new people? Our nature projects might be the perfect fit for your volunteering. As nature project volunteer, you will be expected to help support facilitators with their workshops ensuring they run smoothly. You can find out more about our Nature Activities here.

Nature Project Volunteer Role Descriptor

Group Facilitator Volunteer

Group Facilitation and Support | 2-3 Hours per Group

As a Group Facilitator volunteer you will be expected to support our participants attending groups and courses (mainly First Steps & outdoor fitness) to ensure they feel welcomed and able to talk openly about their wellbeing. If you have great communication and enjoy working with others, then why not apply to be a Peer Group Volunteer.

Peer Group Facilitator Descriptor

Qualified Volunteer Counsellors

We welcome applications from experienced counsellors, qualified to diploma level, who may be working towards accreditation. If you are looking to build on your skills, hours, and practice, then apply for our volunteer counsellor roles.

How to Apply:

Please send a copy of your full CV, and a short statement outlining why you would like to volunteer with us to the Therapy Coordinator Rebecca: info@ChangesEastLothian.org  Please also include the days and times you would be available to see clients, and the name of two referees who are familiar with your counselling work (e.g. supervisor, tutor).