Thank you for visiting us
Why volunteer
Volunteering offers numerous benefits, including personal growth, community impact, and the opportunity to connect with others, making it a rewarding experience for both the volunteer and those they help.
Please find below latest the volunteering opportunities available with us:
Stitcher volunteers:
Our amazing volunteers play a vital role in supporting our ongoing work for communities across the UK.
Using experiences and expertise - from knitting, sewing and crocheting items to running groups or workshops, help with admin, fundraising, accounts, funding, events and other core tasks - our volunteers make a real difference. Many also join our leadership committee, helping to shape Oakley Stitchers CIC and keep us on track with our organisation's aims and goals.
Whatever your strengths, we'd love for you to get involved.
We aim to provide positive and meaningful opportunities for anyone who wants to support Oakley Stitchers CIC, ensuring that your experience benefits you just as much as it benefits us.
Our team of over 400 volunteers takes pride in working together with commitment and care, creating a stronger community and improving the lives of those we support across the UK. Whether you prefer to volunteer in person, remotely, or within your local community, we offer a range of opportunities to suit your lifestyle and interests.
In return, Oakley Stitchers aims to help you develop, grow and enhance your own life - whether through learning new skills, gaining valuable experience, or building personal confidence - all while making a difference. We respect this is your hobby and personal time!
Most of our roles are purely voluntary. However, for some positions that require additional time or travel, we may offer expense payments. Please refer to individual role descriptions for more information.
Our volunteers join us for many reasons - to give their time and skills, to learn or develop new ones, to build confidence, to meet new people, or to support their own wellbeing.
There are so many reasons for people to get involved - so
take a look and see how we could be part of your journey.
Thank you for having a look throught the opportunities Oakley Stitchers have available, we look forward to hearing from you.
Opportunities available with Oakley Stitchers
Knitter, Sewer and Crochet volunteers
Our volunteers locally in Hampshire or remotely around the UK create a range of items to help individuals, organisations and hospital units needing support around the UK .
We provide the patterns and have a support network in place to help you with any questions you may have.
Oakley Stitchers will never put you under pressure to create at speed or hit targets as this is your hobby and we are protective of this.
There are patterns to suit all levels of knitter, sewer or crochetter and we know every item has been made with love to be passed on for free to those that need it.
we have support via a facebook and whatsapp groups so that you feel part of a team and have people to ask questions, form new friendships or receive support.
this role is one that you fit into your life at home in our groups, at our shop... well anywhere!
If this looks like something youd enjoy, do get in touch.
Project Leaders
Our project leaders support and co-ordinate the volunteers creating items for their area.
Identifying areas of need and working with organisations to ensure that the items we are requesting are needed, appropriate and helpful for the people they support.
Creating relationships with hopspital departments and organisations to form supportive and working relationships, becoming a specific, named contact within Stitchers for the project you lead.
Promoting, advertising the project and actively getting involved with local and remote organisations providing information and information about Stitchers and your project.
Supporting stitchers with their events and promotional activites
Attending leadership meetings to ensure that our Directors, team and committee are aware of the developments and sucesses within your project to enable others to accurately promote what you do.
If this sounds like something you'd like to get involved with.. please contact us for more info.
Group Leaders
Oakley Stitchers CIC are all about our communities and supporting the people in them to meet and get involved in something they enjoy.
As a group leader you will be responsible for the running of specific group(s) around Basingstoke and Deane providing support, refreshments, activites and information to those who would like to get involved with the work stitchers do and those attending who are wanting a fun and welcoming place to meet other creative people in their community.
This role can be for 3.5 - 4 hours once a month to several times a month depending on your schedule and ability.
full training on the activites and support is always available to ensure that you are confident and comfortable in your role.
You will be responsible for ensuring that you have everything you need for your group to run successfully. Handling money taken from the participants of your group by cash and card.
Most importantly, you will need to make sure that tea coffee etc are always stocked up and in date and there are plently of biscuits!
This is an expenses paid role.
If this role is for you, please let us know..
Community Shop Manager
We have recently opened our Community pop up shop at the Wote Street Club in Basingstoke on a Monday and Tuesday each week between 10-4
We are looking for an experienced manager to take care of the shop and support the volunteers and visitors who visit us.
You will be responsible for cash/card payment handling, donations, tidiness, product placement, end of day process, promotion etc
This role can be shared/ split into 2 opportunities covering Monday 9-4.30 and Tuesday 9.30 - 5.30
this is an expenses paid position
if this sounds like a role for you.. please message us.
Community Shop assistant
Supporting the Store Manager. We are looking for volunteer assistants for our new pop up shop at The Wote Street Club, in Basingstoke.
The hours are a min of 3 hour sessions between Monday 9.30-4.30 and Tuesday 9.30-4.30 whatever fits the time you have available. we require commitment to the hours you choose and would hope that you would cover others if necessary.
You will be helping our customers to have a positive experience promoting the work that Oakley Stitchers do and also helping them with seasonal activities.
Cash handling, customer service and organisational skills will be useful but willing applicants will be supported to learn and develop skills.
if you'd like to find out more please contact us....
Event/promotion volunteers
Face to face promotion of the work that Oakley Stitchers provides to so many is imperetive to Stitchers, future volunteers knowing who we are, what we do and what we provide.. in turn, also giving information to those who may require our support.
You will need an outgoing and warm nature, a passion for the projects and activities we provide, as you will bring life to our projects to the public.
We hold a wide range of external stalls and events. there is minimal lifting and creating of displays to deliver the best visual impact. they last from a few hours to a full day and are on random dates.
These are planned in advance and all of our volunteers are encouraged to join in with these events. This backs up the leaflets and generic information we can provide with interactive questions.
These are lots of fun and provide a great deal of satisfaction.
Please get in contact if you would like to attend these with us.
Book keeping
Keeping on top of the money is crucial to our organisation.
As a not for profit every penny counts, ensuring that we keep everything up and runing while managing our funding and income streams.
Our bookeeper would need to be someone with experience in digital book keeping, although support and training on our system is available if needed.
This role can be remote or office based. We are looking for someone able to commit and provide us with 3-4 voluntary hours per week to keep our accounts in order.
Pickers and Packers
To ensure that each item arrives at their intended destination in the best and safest way, we pack most items in individual bags. This keeps each item in the best condition during travel and germ free while waiting for its new home.
Having 56000 items leaving HQ last year this is a lot of ongoing packing. The packing role is mostly adhoc and office based, however some can be taken, packed and returned ready for posting.
Once the individual items are packed items are then packaged into boxes to be sent out to individuals, organisations and Hospitals around the UK. Records need updating to ensure that we keep track on how much we help.
Event Co-ordinator
The Oakley Stitchers Team are keen to visit and support community events, provide presentations, attend organisations, promote and encourage others to get involved and get the message of who we are out into the world.
This role involves identifying opportunities approaching and booking the appropriate person/people to attend and keeping track of informaiton re the event. Including the odd reminder!
This opportunity requires an organised and committed volunteer to keep us on track.
This can be a remote position requiring a couple of hours a week to keep on top of all appontment
Committee Member
Committee members are the essential volunteers who support the Directors. Making decisions and strategies regarding our not-for-profit organisation. Building our procedures policies, guiding best practice, including the directions Oakley Sittchers takes and how its purposes and aims are achieved.
Oakley Stitchers CIC relies on our enthusiastic and committed Committee members, Directors, other volunteers and the wider community to steer us to improve the service we offer. Many people have the professional or life skills and experience perfect for fulfilling the roles needed by this group of people.
Commitment and passion for Stitchers, the work we do, volunteers we support and its objectives are the most important qualities.
Committee member meet several times a year to discuss and consolidate ideas and discuss how they will benefit our organisations aims, goals, and objetives while making decisions and create procedures, to best support and enhance the work we do.
Marketing
Are you passionate about creativity, community, and making a meaningful difference?
Oakley Stitchers CIC is looking for a marketing volunteer to help us amplify our mission and connect with more hearts and hands.
We are a community-driven initiative that bring people together through stitching, knitting, and crocheting projects that promote well-being, mindfulness, and social connection. From crafting comfort items to supporting local causes, we stitch with purpose.
The items our volunteers create are then provided to individuals, organisations and hospital units around the UK to help support them at a time of need.
We’re seeking a marketing-savvy volunteer to help us:
Create engaging social media content and campaigns
Design promotional materials (digital and print)
Support outreach efforts to grow our community presence
Share our story in a way that inspires and uplifts
We are looking for a volunteer who: Loves creative storytelling and visual design, Understand the power of community and connection, has experience with social media, Canva, or other marketing tools
Wants to use your skills for good, make a real impact in your local community
This can be a remote or office based position of a min of 2 days a month to keep on top of everying
if tthis is you...We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a message
Social media
Are you passionate about storytelling, social media, and making a difference?
Oakley Stitchers CIC is looking for a Social Media Volunteer to help us share our mission of creativity, connection, and community care.
Oakley Stitchers bring people together through stitching, knitting, and crocheting projects that support local causes and promote well-being. The items created by our volunteers provide a lifeline to those recieving them leaving us with 2 demographics to inform about what we do.. can you help with this?
We are looking for a committed and outward focused volunteer to help us craft engaging posts, share inspiring stories, and grow our online presence across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Whether you're a caption wizard, a reel enthusiast, or just love connecting with others online — we’d love to hear from you!
We would love you to joing us to provide a real impact in Basingstoke and beyond
Knocker Stuffer
Some of the recipients of our knockers and other knitters and crochetters from further afield are eager to be involved in our Knitted Knockers project.
To ensure that postage costs are kept low these volunteers create knocker 'skins' to post, leaving us with a need for local Knocker stuffers to provide them with their customary Va Va Voom.
There is no experience or specific skill needed for this role. However, an eye for detail and a smoke free environment is required. Full training is provided to ensure that our knockers are perfect.
If this is a project you would like to get involved with please contact us for more information.
Fundraising and Grant Co-ordinator
To help us continue our work and expand our impact, we’re looking for an organised, detail orientated volunteer to play a key part in helping Oakley Stitchers CIC grow sustainably by supporting our funding efforts.
We are looking for a committed volunteer(s) eager to research suitable grants, community funds, and partnership opportunities. Drafting and submitting compelling funding applications you will need to have strong written skills. Ensuring we maintain a funding calendar and track deadlines and impact reports for funders.
Working closely with the Leadership team and project leaders under the guidance of the directors, you will need to be a good communicator to plan funding priorities to discuss during our regular meetings.
Able to work independently and meet deadlines.
Experienced in grant writing or fundraising — though enthusiasm and willingness to learn are just as valuable!
In return, we offer practical experience in community fundraising and social enterprise development.
The satisfaction of directly supporting local communities,purpose, wellbeing projects and a flexible, friendly, and supportive volunteer environment.
If you’d like to use your skills to help Oakley Stitchers continue stitching our community together, we’d love to hear from you!
Community liason
We are always looking and entifying ways of engaging and supporting the communities we support. By engaging with other organisations and local promotional events we get the word out about the benefits for community members to get involved.
Working alongside the events co-ordinator you will need to be self motivated and enthusiastic. Finding a variety of innovative ways to promote the many benefits of becoming involved or recieving items from Oakley stitchers, including spotlighting the various projects that we provide.
This position would require a commitment of about 1-2 hours a week either in the office or remotely, including, supporting promotional events, talks and volunteer cover, where needed.
We are looking for someone who is able to represent us effectively and engage with the public and other organisationsin a positive and confident way.
If this sounds like you, please let us know.
Admin volunteer
These are support roles for all of our leadership team. Ensuring we can keep on top of and manage the administration of our groups, workshops, grants, invoices answering the office phone, supporting and maintaining the office for volunteers etc
These positions can be one voluntary position of a min of a day a week or sectioned into a min of 3 hours a week to support individuals.
This opportunity will need to be office based at the Orchard in Basingstoke.
Workshop leaders
Are you confident with supporting others to learn new skills?
we offer workshops on a monthly basis usually only on the 2nd Saturday of each month. 12-5.
If you are a person that has a specific skill or feel you could pass on the current workshop skills to someone else in a confident and patient way this may be the position for you.
All workshop materials are provided as well as an expenses payment to cover fuel, parking costs etc
We currently provide several craft activites including beginners sewing machine, #2 sewing, pyrography, wet felting and several others
Workshop/Group assistants
We provide 14 community groups and between 1 and 4 workshops per month.
Our groups are the life of our communities, we are looking for volunteers to support visitors to create, relax and meet others locally to them.
The workshops create an environment for people to learn or develop new skills
We are looking for volunteers to support our leaders to provide a variety of groups and experience to local people.
Employee volunteering opportunities with
Oakley Stitchers CIC
Employee volunteering benefits both individuals and organisations by boosting morale, enhancing skills, and strengthening community ties. It’s a powerful tool for engagement, purpose, and impact.
Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits of employee volunteering:
For Employees
Increased engagement and morale: Volunteering gives employees a sense of purpose and pride, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and motivation.
Skill development: Employees often gain or refine skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving through volunteering experiences.
Well-being and fulfillment: Giving back to the community can reduce stress and improve mental health, create a wider perspective and contributing to overall well-being.
For Employers
Stronger company culture: Volunteering fosters a culture of empathy, collaboration, and shared values, which enhances workplace cohesion.
Improved retention and recruitment: Companies with strong social responsibility programs are more attractive to talent and tend to retain employees longer.
Enhanced brand reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to community impact boosts public perception and trust in the brand.
Alignment with ESG goals: Volunteering supports environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives, which are increasingly important to stakeholders.
For Communities
Tangible social impact: Volunteer programs channel time and skills into causes that need them most, from education and health to environmental sustainability. By having businesses involved and value the work provided by charities or not for profit organisations, we can support communities and the aims and goals we set out to promote and alleviate the needs for local people.
Sustainable partnerships: Long-term engagement between businesses and nonprofits can lead to deeper, more effective community support and cohesion. Providing communities with a positive perspective of local business.
Employee volunteering is more than a feel-good initiative—it’s a strategic investment in people, purpose, and progress.
Would you like help designing a volunteering initiative that aligns with Oakley Stitchers CIC’s mission? of so please do get in touch.