
Get Involved – Volunteer With Us
Make a real difference in the lives of young people and your local community and be part of something amazing!
At YMCA Norfolk, we believe that every young person should have the opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive. We support vulnerable children, young people and families across Norfolk through housing, mental health services, youth work, and community programmes.
But we can’t do it alone. Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re giving your time for a few hours a week or helping at a one-off event, your support helps us reach further, care deeper, and create lasting impact.
Why volunteer with us?
Whatever your reason for volunteering. Your enthusiasm, time and expertise is invaluable to YMCA Norfolk. And together we will work together to transform the lives of young people.
People volunteer for a variety of reasons and volunteering can help you:
- Learn new skills
- Experience new things
- Build confidence and self-esteem
- Make new friends and socialise
How to get Involved
YMCA Norfolk warmly welcomes volunteers to support the day-to-day running of the hostels and supported living facilities. This voluntary role can be varied and flexible, ranging from sharing skills and hobbies, running activities, helping to serve food and drinks or socialising with residents, having a chat and playing games to helping clients with practical tasks, such as moving furniture, and gardening.
Some of the roles we offer within this service include: Youth Engagement Volunteer; Volunteer Befriender; and Housing Support Volunteer.
We aim to provide flexible voluntary roles that fit around the volunteer so please fill in the enquiry form even if a specific role you are interested in is not detailed. We will endeavour to create a volunteer role that works for you.
Based at YMCA Norfolk Aylsham Road Hub is a team leading on various administrative & maintenance duties of the charity: Finance, HR, IT, Marketing & Fundraising, and Site Maintenance. Volunteers looking to gain experience or with experience to offer in these fields contribute significantly to the organisation. Voluntary roles are flexible, in person or virtual, and can form part of wider educational studies.
Some of the roles we offer within this service include: Data Protection Volunteer; IT Volunteer; HR Volunteer; Marketing & Fundraising Volunteer; Maintenance Volunteer; Administration Volunteer.
We aim to provide flexible voluntary roles that fit around the volunteer so please fill in the enquiry form even if a specific role you are interested in is not detailed. We will endeavour to create a volunteer role that works for you.
Williams’ Kitchen, based at YMCA Norfolk Aylsham Road Hub, is widely known as ‘a cafe with a cause,’ raising valuable funds for the charity while providing a great social space and healthy food choices. Work experience placements are available for students in this friendly customer service area. The role involves welcoming visitors, as well as teamwork delivering food to tables and cleaning duties. Food Hygiene awareness training is provided to all students. We will endeavour to create a volunteer role that works for you.
Some of the roles we offer within this service include: Work Experience Placement; Cafe Volunteer.
We aim to provide flexible voluntary roles that fit around the volunteer so please fill in the enquiry form even if a specific role you are interested in is not detailed. We will endeavour to create a volunteer role that works for you.
YMCA Norfolk’s chaplaincy team provide exceptional spiritual and pastoral support to vulnerable young people and colleagues. Chaplains listen with empathy and understanding, sharing the hope they have, offering spiritual guidance. They visit clients in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn, listen, play games and offer engaging activities to motivate and inspire young people.
Some of the roles we offer within this service include: Volunteer Chaplain.

As part of YMCA Norfolk’s Therapeutic team, its Counselling offer to young people provides a neutral, trusting and non-judgmental relationship. Volunteer Counsellors provide a safe space for young people to share and explore ways to resolve situations. Supervision is provided for counsellors, along with appropriate training opportunities for the role.
Some of the roles we offer within this service include: Volunteer Counsellor.
We aim to provide flexible voluntary roles that fit around the volunteer so please fill in the enquiry form even if a specific role you are interested in is not detailed. We will endeavour to create a volunteer role that works for you.
Dedicated & passionate volunteers, corporate partners, and donors provide great energy and inspiration to raise valuable funds for YMCA Norfolk. They provide a community voice to spread awareness of the great work of YMCA while raising much needed funds for our critical services.
Some of the roles we offer within this service include: Volunteer Event Fundraiser.
We aim to provide flexible voluntary roles that fit around the volunteer so please fill in the enquiry form even if a specific role you are interested in is not detailed. We will endeavour to create a volunteer role that works for you.
NIGHTSTOP provides emergency temporary accommodation for 18-15 year olds in need of a safe, supportive bed for the night.
In the home of a NIGHTSTOP volunteer host, a young person will get a single occupancy room to sleep, plus breakfast and an evening meal. Wash facilities will be available to the young person, as well as continued support from a member of the housing team.
A young person can stay with a NIGHTSTOP host from one night up to a week. During this time the YMCA Norfolk housing team, along with partner agencies, will support the young person seeking appropriate, long term housing.
NIGHTSTOP needs hosts so if you are able to offer a room to a young person, please contact us. Your expenses will be reimbursed and you would be providing an invaluable service that makes a real difference.

Muddy Puddles Nursery, based at YMCA Norfolk’s Aylsham Road Hub, offers young children a warm, safe and caring environment in which they can grow, learn and flourish. Work experience placements are available in the Nursery, as well as volunteering opportunities to gain experience working with young children, supporting staff in providing a high quality environment where they thrive.
Some of the roles we offer within this service include: Work Experience Placement; Nursery Volunteer.
We aim to provide flexible voluntary roles that fit around the volunteer so please fill in the enquiry form even if a specific role you are interested in is not detailed. We will endeavour to create a volunteer role that works for you.

YMCA Norfolk runs Youth Clubs in Catton Grove, Horsford, Mattishall, Taverham and Newton Flotman after school hours on varying days and times of the week. Each week Youth Workers run different games and activities in a safe, friendly environment, providing opportunities for 5-16 years olds to chat and build their confidence.
Some of the roles we offer within this service include: Volunteer Youth Worker.
We aim to provide flexible voluntary roles that fit around the volunteer so please fill in the enquiry form even if a specific role you are interested in is not detailed. We will endeavour to create a volunteer role that works for you.

A collaboration of YMCAs across England, Wales and Scotland are delighted to announce that the RAF Benevolent Fund (the Fund) have awarded them a 4-year contract to deliver their flagship Airplay programme from January 2022.
Airplay is approaching its 11th birthday and is designed to help meet the social, recreational and developmental needs of children and young people of the RAF family, as well as providing respite and support to their parents.
Some of the roles we offer within this service include: Volunteer Youth Worker at the RAF Bases (additional security checks may be required).
We aim to provide flexible voluntary roles that fit around the volunteer so please fill in the enquiry form even if a specific role you are interested in is not detailed. We will endeavour to create a volunteer role that works for you.
Register your interest today by emailing:
volunteer@ymcanorfolk.org
Or by completing the form via the link below:
Once we hear from you, our team will be in touch to chat about opportunities, your interests, and next steps.







