Volunteer with us

If you are interested in volunteering within Reach or if you are in a position to offer Reach clients a volunteering opportunity, please contact our Volunteer Manager Wayne by emailing Wayne.Wilmot@reachuk.org or call 01636 819066.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

Reach is all about people coming together to make a difference. We rely on fundraising, donations and the time and skills of volunteers.

In the last year alone our volunteers donated 240 client-facing hours every week, massively enhancing the diversity of experiences for clients. As our client base continues to grow, we will need to recruit even more volunteers. Can you help?

Community involvement through volunteering is crucially important to our work. Why?

because local people bring an amazing range of skills and experience which enable us to offer personalised support that is varied and challenging - you can read more about some of our clients and volunteers' personal stories below.
it ensures each client can be better supported to participate and engage in activities at their own pace
it is important for people with learning disabilities to make connections with people outside of their family and carers; getting to know new people helps boost their confidence and self-esteem
people who take the time to get know people with learning disabilities as individuals help promote greater understanding of living with a learning disability.

Hi, I'm Wayne – Volunteer Manager at Reach.

I’m passionate about how volunteering can change lives.

Right from the early days of our charity, local people have been turning up, getting stuck in, and making a difference. And we couldn’t be more grateful.

Why Volunteer?

When you volunteer with us, you're helping someone build confidence, learn new skills, and feel more connected to their community.

Volunteers bring life to our 65+ weekly courses and socials – from cooking to literacy, gardening to DIY. You might help someone master their times tables or grow their first tomato. Every moment matters.

You’ll also be helping people with learning disabilities to connect with others outside of their family or care setting – building friendships, confidence, and stronger communities.

And you’re not alone. Volunteers are supported by myself and our wider teams to feel comfortable in their volunteering.

Thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund, over the next five years, we’re going to be developing volunteering through our All Part of Change Project.

Part of my role will helping adults with learning disabilities take their own steps into volunteering and community participation. Some now mentor others and help lead our co-production work – check out our Voice & Participation page to learn more.

Photo of Wayne leaning against the Reach van

• 130 community volunteers
• 20 adults with learning disabilities volunteered in our centres
• 10 helped establish our Voice & Participation Group
• 400+ client-facing volunteer hours delivered each week
• 200 corporate volunteers contributed time and skills
Creating an estimated £197,200 in social value annually

We are very grateful that so many local people already generously give their time – but we always need to recruit more volunteers.

Current Volunteering Roles:

We offer short- and long-term volunteering roles for individuals, students, and groups. Opportunities include:

Gardening and horticultural help at Flower Pod Southwell or Flower Pod Newark
Supporting in weekly courses and socials at our centres in Newark, Mansfield or Southwell
Admin, ICT, and reception support
Social media and content support
Volunteer drivers

If you’d like to be one of our valued ‘ad hoc’ fundraising volunteers , email sarah.cobb@reachuk.org.

Here is what some of our volunteers have to say about volunteering at Reach:

"Can I just say I've been blown away by how much I enjoy volunteering with Reach. The staff, clients and volunteers are such a wonderful family."

"I started volunteering with the charity with no experience – I just needed a new challenge. I wasn’t sure if it would be for me, but I’m glad I started as I would have missed out on meeting so many lovely people. Even if you have a couple of hours to spare, they may be the best two hours of your week."

"I have been volunteering for Reach for nearly 10 years - I love it!"

"I can’t think of a better way to spend my spare time."

"I had the most wonderful time. It was really nice to finally get out the house and do something, everyone is so lovely! I can't wait to come in again tomorrow!"

Michelle