Our centres
Volunteer with Barnardos
Become one of our volunteers. It's a fantastic way to meet like-minded people, have a lot of fun and make a difference.
Volunteers can make a huge difference!
We always need enthusiastic volunteers to help at a range of our fundraising events and help us raise funds for vital programs to help children, young people and families.
We simply couldn’t help Australia’s most vulnerable children without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers so thank you for considering to donate your time.
Ways you can volunteer
Volunteer at our events
Corporate engagement
Skilled volunteering
Upcoming volunteer opportunities
Food collection
Staff at our Penrith Centre are currently collecting goods from two local supermarkets, three - four mornings per week!
To help free up some of their time and get back to working directly with families in need, we are calling on reliable volunteers in the local area who can help pick up and deliver these goods to the Centre. You will need to have a WWCC, police check and drivers licence.
Fill in the form to become a Barnardos volunteer
FAQs
What types of volunteering opportunities does Barnardos offer?
Barnardos offers several ways to get involved as a volunteer. Event volunteers help out at fundraising events throughout the year, meeting new people while raising money that supports children, young people and families. Staff with specialised skills can apply for skills-based volunteering, putting their expertise to work for the organisation. Businesses can also get their teams involved through corporate engagement, which pairs staff volunteering with wider partnership opportunities. Every option, large or small, frees up caseworkers to spend more time directly with the families who need them.
What checks do I need to volunteer with Barnardos?
Requirements vary by role. Volunteer positions that involve direct contact with children, young people or families, or that require entering a Barnardos centre or driving on the organisation’s behalf, may call for a Working with Children Check, a police check and a current driver’s licence, as outlined for roles such as the Penrith food collection program. Not every volunteer role needs all three checks. Get in touch with the Barnardos team before signing up so they can confirm exactly what applies to the opportunity you’re interested in.
How do I sign up to become a Barnardos volunteer?
Signing up starts with the volunteer form on this page. Once it’s submitted, a member of the Barnardos team follows up to talk through current opportunities and match you with a role that suits your skills, availability and location. If you’d rather talk options through first, you can also reach out directly by email to the events or partnerships team, depending on the type of volunteering you’re after.
Can my workplace volunteer together at Barnardos?
Yes. Barnardos works with corporate partners to design volunteering days that suit a team’s size, skills and schedule, from single-day fundraising events to ongoing skills-based projects. Corporate engagement is often paired with a broader partnership, giving a business the chance to combine team volunteering with sponsorship, workplace giving or cause-related marketing. Visit the corporate partnerships page for the full range of ways a workplace can get involved.
What is skilled volunteering and how do I apply?
Skilled volunteering, also called skills-based volunteering, lets people donate professional expertise rather than time at an event: marketing, legal, finance, HR or design skills that help Barnardos run more effectively as a non-profit. It suits professionals who want to make a difference but can’t commit to regular event shifts. To apply, email the partnerships team directly with details of the skills you’d like to offer and they’ll be in touch about current needs.
