Ways to help out around Exeter: drop-in sessions you can just turn up to, one-off tasks, and longer roles with local charities and groups.
Ways to help out around Exeter: drop-in sessions you can just turn up to, one-off tasks, and longer roles with local charities and groups.
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Help at the branch's fundraising events
Exeter (branch run from volunteers' homes) · Animals · Free to volunteer
Volunteer-run Cats Protection branch helping Exeter cat owners with neutering advice and costs. Volunteers help at its fundraising events; it no longer rehomes or fosters cats.
How to start: Often looking to welcome new volunteers; as the branch no longer rehomes or fosters, volunteers help at fundraising events. Ring the branch's fundraising officer (number on the page)
Shop volunteering at the Exeter shops (31 Cowick Street
Exeter (Alphington / Bakers Hill) · Animals · Free to volunteer
The RSPCA's Devon branch runs Little Valley Animal Shelter in Exeter, rehoming around 1,000 animals a year. For now it is only taking volunteers for its charity shops, including two in Exeter.
How to start: Roles support the charity shops, offices and shelter, but it is currently only offering retail (shop) roles while other roles are reviewed.
Exeter Community Centre, 17 St David's Hill, EX4 3RG · Refugees & migrants
Trained volunteers run drop-ins, give accredited immigration advice, support people in hotels and garden alongside clients.
Not recruiting right now: register interest
Exeter (St Thomas) · Repair & reuse · Free; donations welcome
A monthly repair café in St Thomas where volunteers mend clothes, small electricals, toys, crockery and small furniture. Repairers, refreshment helpers and welcomers are wanted.
How to start: Bring one item per visit; repairs by donation. Volunteers without repair skills are welcome for customer service or refreshments.
About every two months on a Tuesday, 11am–3pm (2026: 27 Jan, 24 Mar, 2 Jun, 20 Oct)
Streatham campus, Exeter · Repair & reuse · Free to volunteer
Free repair café in the Forum Library's Digital Maker Space, open to students, staff and local residents. Volunteers with repair, sewing or electronics skills help people fix broken items.
How to start: Volunteers include university staff, students and members of local repair cafés; email to volunteer.
Email to ask about current volunteer roles (advice, campaigns and promotions)
Exeter (city centre) · Community centres & groups · Free to volunteer
Independent local charity giving free, confidential advice to Exeter residents by phone and face to face, largely through trained volunteer advisers.
How to start: Email the recruitment address for information about volunteering; volunteers are trained, supported and supervised.
King William Street, Exeter EX4 6PD · Community centres & groups, Health & care
Volunteer at CoLab, a community and wellbeing hub at Wat Tyler House in the city centre.
Not recruiting right now: register interest
Jelly shop shifts are usually 10am–1pm or 1–4pm
Exeter (city centre) · Community centres & groups · Free to volunteer
One of Exeter's oldest charities. Volunteers work in its Jelly charity shop, as Transitions wellbeing coaches and mentors, at a weekly Open Studios art group, or as ambassadors and trustees.
How to start: Training and support given for every role; it doesn't have to be a big commitment, some give a couple of hours a week or month. No experience needed for shop roles.
Exeter city centre (Sidwell Street) · Community centres & groups, Food & homelessness, Conservation & green spaces
Help in the community café and bakehouse, collect food for the community fridge, welcome visitors, support English classes or join the gardening team.
How to start: Come to the Friday volunteer drop-in to talk about roles, or apply online. Gardening sessions need booking.