Microvolunteering
Looking for a volunteer role that fits around your busy schedule?
Look no further! Whether you're looking to volunteer for a day, a week, or even just an hour, Fight for Sight has the role for you.
We know how hard it can be to get involved with the things that matter to you when you're working around the demands of modern life.
Microvolunteering allows you to join our mission to Save Sight. Change Lives no matter how much time you have to give. We have in-person opportunities for those of you based in London, as well as a range of remote activities.
Choose your microvolunteering opportunity depending on how much time you can give:
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I want to give an hour
Volunteer for celebrity and influencer research
Our Communications team is always on the lookout for cool people platforming sight-loss information or sustainable shoppers who might want to visit our charity shops. No matter where you're based, if you're social media savvy we'd love your help!
Our volunteering team are keen to find someone to fill this role on a more regular basis, however if you know some people who'd love to get involved or just feel like a social media deep-dive we appreciate any recommendations and would love for you to get in touch.
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I want to attend an event
We have a huge range of opportunities throughout the year for people to join us at events - everything from cheering on our marathon runners to taking part in a pop-up choir.
While most of our events are London-based, there are sometimes opportunities for people from further afield to get involved.
Our Assemble page will be updated with each new opportunity, so stay tuned for upcoming events!
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I want to do something in my local area
Fundraise for us
No matter where you're based, you're can run a fundraiser on behalf of Fight for Sight. This could be a bake sale, a coffee morning, a sponsored event - anything you'd like! Our friendly fundraising team will be on hand to help you through things and supply you with assets.
Run your own donations drive
If you're located within the Greater London area, you can run a local donations drive! Get in touch with your neighbours and see if they have any pre-loved goods they're eager to donate. We'll send a van to pick everything up!
Our warehouse is currently getting a makeover, but we'll update this page when our van is back in action!
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I want to give an hour a week
Volunteer in our shops
An hour may not seem like a lot, but every moment truly helps in our bustling charity shops! Find your local shop and get in touch; volunteers are always welcome!
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I want to volunteer as part of our CSR requirement
Take part in one of our corporate volunteering days
Hosted in our lively charity shops across London, these experiences combine corporate volunteering, friendly competition, and genuine social impact. Find out more about "Shop Wars" here:
Benefits to us and you
We really appreciate you giving your time to support our mission to Save Sight. Change Lives. But microvolunteering has plenty of benefits to you, too! Including:
- Building new skills
- Meeting new people
- Trying new things
- Getting involved with your local community
- Experiencing iconic events (such as Swim Serpentine and the London Marathon)
- References for job applications and future volunteering roles
- Sighted guide training
Volunteering FAQ
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What skills do I need to microvolunteer with Fight for Sight?
You don't need any specific skills to volunteer with Fight for Sight in any capacity! All we ask is that you're enthusiastic about raising funds for the projects we support and willing to help.
If you don't think our current microvolunteer opportunities make the best use of your skillset please feel free to reach out to our volunteering team; they'd love to hear about others ways you might want to help!
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What will happen after I apply to volunteer at Fight for Sight?
Once you've submitted your application, one of two things will happen:
- EITHER - You'll hear from the Fight for Sight Volunteer Team, who will schedule a meeting or pass on further information about your application (depending on how soon your microvolunteering event is taking place).
- OR - You'll hear from the manager at shop you've applied to, who will arrange a time for you to come in.
We'll ensure you have all the information and training required before you begin volunteering. Then you can be in the mix helping us to Save Sight. Change Lives.
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Is microvolunteering a good way to meet people?
If you're volunteering in one of our shops or at one of our events then absolutely! Some of our mircovolunteers will even attend multiple events throughout the year, so you could arrange to attend future microvolunteering events together.
Many of our volunteers have struck up long-term friendships with the people they volunteer alongside. One example is Sheila and Christine in Hampton - read the story of their volunteering friendship here >
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Can I microvolunteer with a friend?
The more the merrier! Volunteering at our events and in our shops is a really sociable thing to do. Take a look at the volunteering roles on offer so you can apply.
You can even set up a family volunteering day, where you all get stuck in together!
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I'm job-hunting, can I still attend a microvolunteering event?
Absolutely. And we've found that people who volunteer with us have a greater chance of finding employment thanks to the boost volunteering gives your CV.
Any time you can offer is appreciated and if your commitments change we just ask that you let us know as soon as possible.
It's also worth highlighting that a sizeable number of people who have volunteered with Fight for Sight have gone on to have paid roles within the charity.
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How old do I have to be to volunteer with Fight for Sight?
If you are volunteering independently you must be aged 16 or over.
If you'd like to volunteer as part of a Duke of Edinburgh or work-placement scheme, you can volunteer from the age of 14.
If you're attending an event, such as cheering at the London marathon, volunteers of any age are welcome, though we ask that anyone under the age of 14 be accompanied by a responsible adult.
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Can I do any microvolunteering from home?
Absolutely. Since we offer a Home Collections service, how about running a local donations drive from your house? This would involve collecting donations from friends, family and neighbours and then booking a visit from our Fight for Sight van. We'll then take the donations you've collected and deliver them to sell in our shops.
This can be a lovely way to help people in your area to clear out unwanted fashion, shoes and accessories, small items of furniture, and homewares - while helping to raise funds that will Save Sight. Change Lives.
We can even give you a poster with our charity number on to help you promote the donations drive in your area!
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Can I volunteer as a refugee on a Section 4?
Absolutely. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and we're proud of the diversity of our volunteering team. Our values are all about inclusion so please rest assured that you'll get a warm welcome from our shop teams.
Under current Home Office guidelines, those on a Section 4 under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 are free to volunteer and have expenses reimbursed.
Please be aware that you can only apply to volunteer at Fight for Sight if you have a UK-based post code in place.
If you have any questions please get in touch via volunteering@fightforsight.org.uk
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Can I apply for multiple microvolunteering events at Fight for Sight?
Yes, you can apply for as many events as you like.
If you already volunteer with another charity, you're welcome to volunteer at Fight for Sight too. We appreciate people have connections to different causes and shops.
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Can I volunteer with you if I already volunteer at another charity?
If you already volunteer with another charity, you're welcome to volunteer at Fight for Sight too. We appreciate people have connections to different causes and shops. Any time you can give us will be hugely appreciated.
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Can I volunteer if I have a criminal conviction?
We treat all volunteer applications equally and don’t discriminate unfairly based on a criminal conviction or other information you share with us.
Having a criminal record doesn’t necessarily stop you from volunteering. We’ll consider the nature of the role and the details of your situation.
Any information you provide will be kept confidential and only used to help us make a fair decision.
Inclusion and accessibility
Fight for Sight is passionate about giving everyone equal opportunities to volunteer, and we welcome your application whoever you are and whatever your needs. We work hard to ensure our volunteer opportunities are accessible to and inclusive of disabled people and other minority groups.
Volunteering and vision loss
Lots of blind and vision impaired volunteers support Fight for Sight and indeed the projects we fund. We particularly welcome volunteers who have lived experience of vision loss and are ready and willing to offer any support you might need to find a role within our organisation.
Contact us
If you are interested in volunteering with Fight for Sight, work with a community group who could support us or have any questions about our opportunities, please do drop us an email at volunteering@fightforsight.org.uk or call us on 020 7620 2066.