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 · Befriending & older people
Visit an older person at home for about an hour a week, make friendly phone calls, help in the community café or give information and advice.
Exeter city centre · Heritage & museums, Arts & festivals
Steward, guide tours (including the roof), tell stories, help at events, in the shop and with education, or join the flower arrangers.
Shifts at partner venues, booked through the volunteer portal
Exeter city centre · Heritage & museums · Free to volunteer
Flexible volunteering across Exeter's heritage sites, from St Nicholas Priory and the Custom House to RAMM and Tuckers Hall: artefact care, gardening, events, front of house and guided tours.
How to start: Apply online; training offered (public engagement, conservation, safeguarding, first aid)
Broadclyst · 7 miles from the centre · Conservation & green spaces, Heritage & museums
Conservation work on the Killerton estate and in the house, welcoming visitors, driving the visitor buggy and behind-the-scenes help, plus one-off tree-planting days.
Exeter city centre · Heritage & museums
Guide exhibitions, welcome visitors, run object handling in the galleries or help with research at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum.
Not recruiting right now: register interest
Streatham campus, Exeter · Arts & festivals
Front-of-house audience care and special projects at the Exeter Northcott Theatre.
Not recruiting right now: register interest
Exeter city centre · Arts & festivals
Steward cinema screenings and events, invigilate the galleries or help with festivals and projects at Exeter Phoenix.
Not recruiting right now: register interest
Pride 2026 was on 9 May
Exeter (city centre) · Arts & festivals · Free to volunteer
Exeter's annual Pride march and festival, run by a charity with over 100 volunteers on the day: welcoming visitors, carrying flags, collecting donations and stewarding.
Not recruiting right now: register interest
How to start: No experience necessary; volunteers are trained before the event and can volunteer with friends or be paired with a steward. Health and safety training (online or in person) is required.
Exeter · Sport & events
Marshal courses, staff aid stations or ride as lead cyclist at Exeter running events such as the Quayside 5 series and the Exeter Half.
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.
The museum building is closed for major structural repairs
Topsham · Heritage & museums · Free to volunteer
Volunteer-run independent museum on the Strand in Topsham. Volunteers help with collections, research and oral history, displays, the garden, publicity and, when open, the shop and tea room.
How to start: New volunteers are given a very friendly welcome, whatever their experience; tell them your interests via the form.
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.