Volunteer with us

All kinds of volunteers commit time and effort that help us give children better chances in life.

Every year, a wide range of people help us carry out our vital work with children and young people by volunteering their time, passion and skills.

Who can be a volunteer?

Anyone over 18 can apply to be a Coram volunteer. You don’t need to be a children’s services expert because we have so many practical ways you can get involved.  You can volunteer as an individual or as part of a team – many of our teams volunteer through their workplace, for example. Volunteering opportunities range from being a Coram Beanstalk reading helper to helping people in need on our Child Law Advice and Children’s Advocacy helplines.

The rewards

As a volunteer, you will receive: 

  • full training in your chosen volunteering activity 
  • regular support sessions with your volunteer coordinator 
  • reasonable expenses paid

However, many of our volunteers say that doing something worthwhile in their spare time that will have a lasting, positive impact is the best reward for giving up their time.

What happens when I apply to volunteer?

Once you have applied to be a volunteer, you may need an enhanced DBS check and reference checks, depending on the kind of role you have applied for. We will then invite you to an interview and, in some cases, there will be a two-stage assessment process. The first stage will be general to all volunteers and the second will be more specific to the volunteering role(s) you are interested in. 

Start your volunteer experience today

Explore our range of opportunities which suit different levels of expertise and time-commitments, and find out how to apply below.

Current volunteering opportunities

Independent Visitors

Make a difference to a looked after child by becoming an Independent Visitor – a reliable, consistent role model who visits a child independently.

Child Law Advice Helpline

If you have studied or are in the process of studying either family, child or education law, you can volunteer for our Child Law Advice helpline and provide advice and guidance to families.

Parent Champions

If you’re a parent, you can volunteer a few hours a week to talk to other parents about the local services available to families.

Reading Helpers

A Coram Beanstalk reading helper is a volunteer who is trained and supported to help children develop their reading confidence and ability. You’ll work with children on a one-to-one basis, giving them consistent support to practise reading skills and increase confidence and self-esteem.

Youth Offending Service (YOS) Participation Volunteers

We are looking for volunteers who want to make a difference to the lives of children and young people involved with the youth offending service in Stockport.

Roles currently not open but to be advertised soon.

"I'm proud of setting up the weekly peer-to-peer group at the local library. I love the creativity and preparation involved in running the group and seeing parents and children interact and have fun. We aim to break barriers and reduce isolation. The biggest benefit for me is seeing people grow in themselves and become confident."
Stella
Parent Champions volunteer
"I was searching for a voluntary organisation where I could support young, struggling readers. Yours stuck out because I had read Coram Boy and taken my daughter to the theatre to see it. Memorable."
Coram Beanstalk volunteer
"I live right by Coram Fields and upon learning about the institution really wanted to reach out and help in whatever way is the best fit."
Coram Beanstalk volunteer