Volunteering in Sunderland: Groups, Charities and How to Get Involved

Sunderland has a large and busy voluntary sector, from small Friends groups looking after a single park to city-wide charities supporting thousands of people a year. Volunteering is one of the quickest ways to meet people if you are new to the city, to build experience for a job, or simply to put something back. This guide sets out where to start looking, the kinds of organisations that regularly need help, and a few practical points before you sign up.

Start with the volunteering support charities

Two local infrastructure charities exist to support the city's voluntary and community groups, and both are useful first stops.

Sunderland Voluntary Sector Alliance (SVSA) is a registered charity (number 1202811) that describes its role as promoting high-quality volunteering to strengthen the voluntary sector in Sunderland. Sunderland City Council's volunteering pages direct would-be volunteers to SVSA, and it can be contacted at volunteer@sunderlandvsa.co.uk. It also works with employers on corporate and community volunteering days.

Voluntary and Community Action Sunderland (VCAS) is a long-established membership body for local charities and community groups, based on Norfolk Street in Sunniside. In March 2026 the two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding to work together from April 2026 and reduce duplication across the sector, so whichever you contact should be able to point you in the right direction.

Best for: Suits anyone who knows they want to help but is not sure where: tell them your interests and the time you have.

Search the online listings

National volunteering websites carry a steady stream of Sunderland roles. At the time of writing, Get Volunteering listed opportunities including social activities volunteering on the inpatient wards at Hopewood Park, the mental health hospital in Ryhope, and peer advice roles, while the armed forces charity SSAFA was recruiting volunteer caseworkers in the area. Listings change constantly, so check back regularly and filter by distance from your postcode.

Best for: Suits people who want to browse at their own pace and compare roles side by side.

Food banks and food projects

Sunderland Foodbank, part of the Trussell network, has its main office and store on Coronation Street in the East End (food parcels are not handed out there). Emergency food is given out through a network of distribution centres in different parts of the city, including Washington, Shiney Row and Ryhope. Food bank volunteers typically sort and check donations, help at distribution sessions and collect from supermarket donation points. You can find out about current roles on the Sunderland Foodbank website.

In Washington, the Washington Community Food Project is a separate registered charity based at the Galleries shopping centre.

Best for: Suits people who can commit to a regular shift, even a couple of hours a week.

Litter picks and green spaces

Much of the volunteering in Sunderland's parks, denes and beaches is done by local Friends groups and informal litter-picking teams. Each spring the council joins the national Great British Spring Clean; in 2026 it ran from 13 to 29 March, with organised picks across the city's wards, and housing association Gentoo encouraged tenants to join in. The council publishes guidance for volunteer litter pickers on its website.

Established Friends groups include the Friends of Doxford Park, a registered charity whose volunteers clear litter and help with planting in the park. If there is no group for your local green space, the council's volunteering team and SVSA can advise on starting one. Our parks and green spaces guide lists the city's main parks, and anyone wanting to grow food should read our allotments guide.

Best for: Suits people who like being outdoors and want to see the difference they make straight away.

Mental health charities

Sunderland Mind, based at its wellbeing hub on Church Street East, and Washington Mind on Grasmere Terrace in Columbia are independent local mental health charities. Both run services that rely in part on volunteers and fundraisers; check each charity's website for current roles, which may include befriending, helping at groups or supporting events. Roles that involve one-to-one support usually come with training and background checks.

Best for: Suits people with patience, good listening skills and an interest in wellbeing.

Sport and community programmes

The Beacon of Light, beside the Stadium of Light, is home to the Foundation of Light, the official charity of Sunderland AFC. Its sport, education, health and employability programmes reach people across the city, and the Foundation's website is the place to look for volunteering and fundraising opportunities. Grassroots football and other sports clubs also run almost entirely on volunteer coaches, referees and committee members; see our football in Sunderland guide.

Best for: Suits sports fans and anyone happy to help with coaching, events or fundraising.

Youth groups, charity shops and trustee roles

Uniformed groups such as Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts depend on adult volunteers, and groups often need more adult helpers to take on new members. Our Rainbows, Brownies, Cubs and Scouts guide links the official unit finders. Charity shops across the city also need help on the till, sorting donations and steaming stock; our charity shops guide lists branches. If you have professional skills, becoming a trustee of a local charity is another way to contribute, and SVSA and VCAS can help match you with organisations looking for board members.

Before you sign up

Be honest about how much time you can give, and ask what training and expenses the organisation offers. Roles with children or vulnerable adults will need a DBS check, which the organisation arranges. Most groups are happy for you to try a session before committing.

Run a volunteer group in Sunderland that we have missed? Get in touch.