We held our Summer Award lunch on 11 June, at which the Alan Hudson and Clare Fardell awards for volunteering effort were presented. Full report below.
Volunteers are needed to help with Thornbury Carnival on Saturday 5 July. See below for details.
Other new volunteering opportunities are listed below.
We’re now on Instagram. Why not visit and give us a follow? We’d love to see you there.
Our annual report for 2024-25 has been published. Read or download.
What we do
We help individuals find volunteering opportunities that suit them best. We work with local organisations to find volunteers for recurring and one-off projects. We advise organisations about creating schemes that give employees the opportunity to volunteer. We provide advice, support and training.
Summer Award lunch
On Wednesday 11 June, as part of our celebrations for Volunteers’ Week, we welcomed more than 70 representatives and volunteers from 33 volunteer-involving organisations to a lunch in the United Reformed Church Hall, Thornbury.
This lovely summer event allowed us to say thank you for the hard work and commitment this section of the community has given, and continues to give, to the Thornbury and district area. It also provided guests with the opportunity to meet other volunteers and organisations and share experiences.
We welcomed guests to the event, sponsored by Thornbury Lions Club, and treated them to a delicious lunch generously prepared and donated by Sandra at The Swan.
We were joined by guest speaker Mark Cardwell of Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire who gave a highly informative talk on the services it offers to the community.
The annual Alan Hudson award for volunteering achievement was awarded to Thornbury Radio for their outstanding contribution to the local community. The award was presented by Julie Kent, MBE, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire.
We presented the Clare Fardell award to Kinsley Hawkesford for her outstanding voluntary contribution to Thornbury parkrun. The award was presented by Thornbury Town Mayor Cllr. Helen Ball.
Follow the links for more details about the award winners and their contributions to the community.
Thornbury Carnival
Thornbury Carnival needs volunteers on Saturday 5 July for 2 hour shifts:
- Between 0800 and 11.00, helping to set up the site. This role will involve lots of walking and potentially some light lifting and carrying (eg of plastic safety barriers and chairs etc) and guiding vehicles; and
- Between 10.30 and 18.00 in various marshalling and admittance roles (eg) putting on wrist-bands, scanning QR code tickets and answering visitor queries.
If you need an incentive, all volunteers:
- are admitted free and are welcome to spend the rest of their time enjoying the Carnival; and
- will be able to park in the Mundy Playing Fields car park off Kington Lane.
If you are interested, please get in touch with Jo Glasgow, the Carnival Volunteer Co-ordinator by email.
New opportunities
New opportunities are also posted to our Facebook, Instagram and X pages. You can search all opportunities by visiting this page. Feel free to get in touch with us — details at bottom of page — for further information or advice.
DIY HELP A local charity helping people with multiple sclerosis (MS) seeks volunteers for simple DIY tasks (eg putting up shelves or changing a light bulb) in the homes of MS sufferers. Reasonable degree of physical fitness needed. More details
GARDEN MAINTENANCE The same charity needs volunteers for regular general garden care in the homes of MS sufferers. The skill level required is of someone who has maintained their own garden. Reasonable degree of physical fitness needed. More details.
SHIFT LEADERS A national charity has opportunities in its local fund-raising shop for four hours any day to open and close the shop and undertake various duties. More details.
E-COMMERCE VOLUNTEERS The same charity needs help for (eg) researching valuable and vintage stock, photographing and listing items for the online shop and preparing items for dispatch. More details.
VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR At our office you will help people volunteer and organisations find volunteers. Must enjoy talking on the telephone and in person and be computer literate. Wednesday mornings, 10am-12 noon. More details.
SWIMMING VOLUNTEERS You will provide transport for stroke survivors from their homes to Thornbury Leisure Centre for a medical swim on Monday mornings, 9.30-11. More details.
TILL OPERATORS Required at local charity shop. Must be over 18 years; no prior experience needed as full training given. More details.
REMOTE BEFRIENDER (WOMEN ONLY) Befrienders encourage and support vulnerable women who have experienced abuse and violence to become more independent. More details.
SCOUT ASSISTANT LEADERS You will run weekly meetings, run games, assist with achieving awards and badges, plus camps and nights-away experiences. More details.
BEAVER TEAM LEADERS
CUB ASSISTANT
SCHOOL GOVERNOR An expanding primary school in Thornbury needs governors to support the leadership team and help the school function effectively. You would be joining an enthusiastic and welcoming governing body. More details.
TREASURER You will bank monies from street collections and donations, pay bills, keep detailed records and liaise with the auditor. Ask us for details.
Be a volunteer!
Volunteering is about giving your time to a good cause. You don’t get paid, but you do get the chance to use your talents, develop new skills, and experience the pleasure that comes from making a real difference to other people’s lives, as well as your own.
Who can be a volunteer?
Anyone. Whatever your age, background or work experience, you will have a skill someone needs. No matter how busy you are, there will be something you can do. It can be trickier to find volunteer roles if you are under 16, but not impossible. Just ask us.
What can I do?
Anything. (Almost.) More than 100 different volunteer roles are available in the Thornbury area, from driving to gardening, fundraising to shop work, befriending to administration. There’s something for everyone.
How do I get started?
Search our opportunities to find one you like, then follow it up with us. Or you can ask us to suggest an opportunity that inspires you. (Contact details are at the bottom of the page.) Either way, it’s best to register with us first so we know a little about you and your interests. See also our frequently asked questions page.
For organisations
Every month, new people register to volunteer with us from all walks of life. We provide a range of services to help you to find the volunteers you need.
More than just great volunteers
With nearly three decades of experience, we know that finding a volunteer is only the start. Planning is essential to successfully place and retain volunteers. That’s why we can also provide you with good practice advice, resources, support and training and help you provide successful experiences for both yourselves and your volunteers. We can also help you set up an employer-supported volunteering scheme.
Getting started
To start recruiting volunteers, you need to complete our organisation registration form and register your volunteering opportunities so that we can promote them for you. For information and advice at any time, get in touch with us. (Our contact details are at the bottom of the page.) See also our frequently asked questions page.
The Town Hall, 35 High Street, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 2AR. Telephone: 01454 413392. Or use our Contact form. Open Monday to Friday, 10.30–12.00; closed on public holidays.
We’re also on social media:
Thornbury Volunteer Centre is a registered charity, number 1180775. This site © Thornbury Volunteer Centre 2016-. Site design by Michael Quinion. Page last updated 16 Jun. 2025.