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Volunteering
Volunteers are at the heart of all we do at Marmalade Trust
Volunteer with us this Christmas
For the past 13 years, our volunteers have brought cheer and companionship to people who would otherwise be alone on Christmas Day. Project members – those who feel particularly lonely at this time of year – ​enjoy either a festive lunch in a pub or restaurant in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, or a doorstep visit from a friendly volunteer, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
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All volunteers must be available to volunteer on Christmas Day (25th December 2025). If you're not available on Christmas Day but you'll still love to make a difference, scroll down for information on our Marmalade Companions project. For more information, please contact us at christmas@marmaladetrust.org.
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Choose from the roles available below and apply today!
Volunteer roles available
This role involves collecting two project members on Christmas Day and driving them to one of our host venues. You'll enjoy a meal with other volunteers and project members, creating a warm, friendly, inclusive environment. You'll transport project members back home from the venue safely.
Perfect for: Friendly, reliable people with a car, keen to spread some Christmas cheer
This role involves visiting two of our project members on Christmas Day, having a chat on the doorstep and delivering a festive hamper gift. Find out how they are and bring a bit of Christmas cheer. Some of our project members are unable to attend one of our events, so a doorstep visit can really make their day!
Perfect for: Friendly, reliable people keen to spread some Christmas cheer
This role involves driving one or ideally two project members from their homes, driving them to one of our host venues, and driving them home again afterwards. This role is suited to volunteers who can spare approximately one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon on Christmas Day.
Perfect for: Friendly people with a car and around two hours to spare on Christmas Day
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This role involves hosting a Christmas Cheer event at a local pub or restaurant with one or two others. You'll liaise with project members and venues, collect hampers before the event, help set up the venue as well as other important jobs to ensure the day runs smoothly for volunteers and project members.
Perfect for: Organised, friendly and reliable people who make others feel special
In 2024, we are proud to have brought joy and companionship to 200 people experiencing long-term loneliness in our area. Everyone who joined us was supported by our network of over 150 wonderful volunteers.
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One project member told us: "Christmas Day for me was the happiest I have known for years.”
Last Christmas...
Volunteer and empower someone to make new connections
As a Marmalade Connections volunteer, you'll play a vital role in empowering people experiencing loneliness to make new connections in their community.
Marmalade Connections is a time-limited, phone-based service supporting people to form lasting connections in their community. Volunteers receive training to make a weekly phone call to project members, focusing on their specific needs and interests. These conversations lead to volunteers signposting project members to local social activities and community support, to improve their social connections long term. Learn more about this life-changing project >​​
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This project runs for up to 15 weeks on a rolling basis. We're delighted to be accepting volunteer applications!
What happens when I apply?
Full training will be provided before you begin making calls and additional support is available throughout the programme.
We expect the time investment to encompass:
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2 x one hour training sessions (online via MS Teams)
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Approximately 30 minutes a week spent talking on the phone to your project member
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30 minutes a week researching activity groups in their area - we have resources to help with this
For more information, please contact us at: connections@marmaladetrust.org.
Volunteer stories: Meet Vicki
More ways to support us
From sponsored runs to cake sales, fundraising is a brilliant way to support our charity.
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