Volunteering with Daybreak
Volunteering with Daybreak is a chance to build new skills, gain experiences and support a charity working with others to create positive change for children, young people and families. Whether you have professional expertise to share, creativity to offer, or simply the desire to “give back”, there are lots of ways to get involved.
“If you are looking for a meaningful volunteering experience and Daybreak’s mission speaks to your heart, I highly recommend reaching out to them.” - Cristina, Marketing Team Volunteer
We offer a range of volunteering opportunities to suit different interests, skills and availability. If you’d like to talk through any of these roles before applying, we’d love to hear from you.
Find out more:
Why volunteer with Daybreak
Use your skills and develop new ones in a friendly, supportive environment
Flexible micro‑volunteering options to fit around your interests, skills and availability
Make a real, visible difference for families and communities by helping to fund, develop and share our services
Gain experience into how a values‑led charity works
Receive training, guidance and ongoing support
“I had the opportunity to apply everything I had learned at university and see it make an impact in real time. I wasn’t just pracitising marketing, I was using it for a purpose and receiving thoughtful guidance and encouragement along the way.” - Cristina, Marketing Team Volunteer
What it is like to volunteer with Daybreak
At Daybreak, we are committed to making sure volunteering feels rewarding, relevant and doesn’t feel overwhelming.
You’ll have a dedicated point of contact who understands your role and will support you along the way.
You won’t be asked to give more than you can. You’ll agree together what feels realistic and keep this under review.
We’ll provide any training you need for your role, with occasional check‑ins to make sure everything is working well for you.
If you’d like to develop new skills or explore other areas, we’re happy to support this
Communication is simple and accessible, using tools like Monday.com and WhatsApp
You’ll have opportunities to get to know the team and work together on projects when needed
To hear first hand about volunteering with Daybreak, you can read Cristina’s experiences.
“Through continuous involvement, feedback, and exposure to real-world practice, I developed the confidence and experience I needed to leave university ready for my first full-time role.” - Cristina, Marketing Team Volunteer
Apply for a role
For most roles, we follow the below process. Specific role applications routes are shared below.
Expression of Interest
To keep things simple, start by completing our short Expression of Interest form. This is your chance to tell us what you’re interested in and ask any questions
Application + friendly conversations
A member of our team will then get in touch with more information about the role. We can also offer a short, informal phone call if you’d find that helpful
We’ll ask you to complete a full Application Form, which is part of our Safer Recruitment process
As part of this process, you’ll need to provide two references. Depending on the role, we may also need a DBS check or some additional paperwork
If your application is successful, we’ll invite you to an informal interview. This is a relaxed conversation so we can get to know each other and answer any questions you might have.
Onboarding and getting started
After that, we’ll support you through onboarding. This may include some paperwork and setting you up with access to our systems
You’ll also be invited to a few get to know you sessions to meet the team and receive some initial training to help you get started
Volunteering Opportunities
Expand the menus to find your next role - complete your Expression of Interest to start your journey today.
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Our Board of Trustees plays a vital role in shaping Daybreak’s future. Board members provide oversight, insight and strategic guidance, drawing on both professional skills and lived experience to support our mission.
When we are looking for new members to join our Board, we will post specific adverts on our Recruitment Pages. To register your interest to hear first about opportunities as they become available, please complete our short Expression of Interest form.
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Join one of our Voice Panels to help shape how our services are designed and delivered or become a local ambassador to help spread the word about our community services (currently based in Portsmouth).
Voice Panels | Remote: Our Voice Panels are designed to ensure that those with lived experiences of the issue our projects aim to support are able to influence and shape how services. We have Voice Panels for Families, Young People and Professionals.
More information is available on our Feedback Page. To join one of our Voice Panels, complete a dedicated short form. Please note, that you do not need to formally apply join a Voice Panel.
Daybreak Ambassador (Portsmouth): If you share our values and believe in people leading the decisions that affect their own lives, we’d love to hear from you. The Daybreak Ambassador role is new and evolving, and you’ll have the opportunity to help shape it as we learn and grow together.
As an Ambassador, you might raise awareness of our services within your community, host a fundraising event, support or attend local events, help host focus groups, or simply share information in community spaces, every contribution makes an impact.
Daybreak Ambassadors receive free training to build a strong understanding of our values and services, along with practical resources to support you in promoting Daybreak and the work we do.
To join, complete our Expression of Interest form today.
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Fundraising helps make everything we do possible. Whether you enjoy research, have strong application‑writing or proofreading skills, or are happy to lend a hand at the occasional community event or fundraising stall, your support will help fund our vital work.
To continue building our community services, we rely on fundraising. There are lots of ways you can contribute, and with a micro‑volunteering approach, you can choose opportunities that fit your time, skills and interests — whether that’s a one‑off task or something you dip into occasionally.
Below are some of the flexible roles within our Fundraising Support Team.
Trusts & Grants Researcher (Remote): you’ll use online sources to identify trusts and grant funders we’re eligible to apply to, recording your findings in our online database. Ideal role if you enjoy behind-the-scenes research. Your research will help find new funding opportunities and keep vital projects running.
Funding Pipeline Coordinator (Remote): Our database of funding opportunities needs regular care and attention. If you enjoy systems, data and keeping things organised, this role is ideal. You’ll help ensure deadlines are tracked, records are up to date, and opportunities don’t slip through the net.
Funding Outreach Assistant (Remote): Many funders invite brief introductory emails or letters before an application is submitted. Ideal for those wanting to dip-in-and-out. With a bit of consistency and attention to detail, you’ll help us take those first steps by sending occasional emails or letters that move us closer to our fundraising goals.
Application Proofreader / Critical Friend (Remote): Have a keen eye for detail? Passionate about clear, persuasive writing? Not afraid of the red pen? As a ‘critical friend’, you’ll review applications with fresh eyes, helping turn them from good into fundable.
Community Events & Fundraising Supporter (Hampshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire): If you enjoy chatting to people and getting out and about, this role might be for you. We often attend community and professional events but don’t always have the staff capacity to be everywhere. You can support us at events, help promote what we do, and gain experience along the way. Everything is on a sign‑up when‑you’re‑available basis.
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Clear, accessible communication is essential to sharing our impact and values. If you enjoy social media, websites, accessible communications, or getting creative with tools like Canva, we’d love your help to bring Daybreak’s story to life.
We have a very small Marketing and Communications team, but raising awareness of what we do — and the difference it makes — is vital to keeping our services going and ensuring people know we’re here when they need support. With a micro‑volunteering approach, you can dip in where it suits you, choosing tasks that match your time, skills and interests.
Below are some of the flexible roles within our Marketing & Communications Support Team.
Social Media Scheduler (Remote): We use scheduling tools such as Buffer to keep our social media active, consistent and accessible. This is a flexible, low‑pressure role that’s ideal if you’re looking to gain experience or contribute in short bursts. Your support will help ensure vital information reaches our audiences at the right time.
Content Creator Community Support (Remote): We share community support content on our website and social media to help empower problem‑solving and decision‑making. With your help, we can do more of this. This is the ideal role if you enjoy writing, and are empathetic to the challenges that people face. You’ll support the creation or curation of helpful, accessible content that enables families and communities to tackle life’s challenges.
Design Support - Canva & Accessible Design (Remote): The role for all the creatives! Whether it’s designing a new leaflet or refreshing digital content for our website and social media, there are plenty of opportunities to get creative. Working on a task-by-task basis, you’ll help ensure our materials are clear, accessible, eye‑catching and aligned with our values.
Website Support & Optimisation (Remote): Our website continues to grow in visitors, and we want to make sure it works as smoothly as possible for users. You might help with SEO basics, updating links and content, refreshing page layouts, or even supporting new website features. Your input will help people find the information they need quickly and easily.
Translator / Language Support Volunteer (Remote): Are you a confident reader and writer of a non‑English language? We’re keen to expand our resources in different languages and ensure they’re translated and checked by real people. Your support will help ensure families are clearly and meaningfully informed about our services.
Priority languages: Polish, Romanian, Portuguese, Nepalese, Urdu, Panjabi, Arabic.
Recruitment Promotion Support (Remote and/or Local to operational areas): Recruiting new Coordinators is vital to ensuring families receive timely support but getting the word out isn’t always easy. This role is perfect if you want to offer support just now-and-then. You’ll help share opportunities through online platforms, community spaces and local venues, using creativity and initiative to reach new audiences. Your contribution will directly support families by helping us build a diverse and passionate Coordinator team.