organisation spotlight - Volunteering Kingston

Tell us a little about your organisation (what do you do, what is your mission, how long you have been active, where are you based in the borough etc):

RBKares is a Kingston-based charity that works to improve the wellbeing of local residents by reducing social isolation, increasing access to support and helping people build meaningful connections within their communities. Our vision is a borough where everyone can access pathways to wellbeing, regardless of their age, income, language, disability or personal circumstances. We bring people together through community activities, wellbeing events and practical support, helping residents access the information, services and opportunities they need to thrive. Based in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, RBKares works in partnership with local voluntary, community and statutory organisations to support some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents. Our activities include monthly Wellbeing Days, community workshops, information and signposting services, volunteer-led projects and initiatives that promote inclusion, connection and wellbeing. Through our work, we aim to create stronger, more connected communities where people feel supported, valued and empowered.

Why do you want to involve volunteers in your organisation?

Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. They help us extend our reach, strengthen our connections with local communities and create welcoming, inclusive spaces for residents. By involving volunteers, we are able to offer a wider range of activities and support services while also providing meaningful opportunities for local people to develop skills, build confidence, make new connections and give back to their community. Volunteers bring a diverse range of experiences, knowledge and perspectives that enrich our work and help us better understand and respond to local needs. Their contribution enables us to deliver community events, wellbeing activities and practical support that make a real difference to people’s lives.

What volunteer roles do you have available?

RBKares offers a variety of volunteering opportunities to suit different interests, skills and availability. Current volunteer roles include: • Wellbeing Day Volunteers – supporting the set-up and delivery of monthly wellbeing events, welcoming attendees, assisting partner organisations and helping residents access information and services. • Activity Volunteers – supporting creative, wellbeing and community-based activities such as sewing workshops, social groups and community engagement events. • Administration and Communications Volunteers – assisting with data entry, event promotion, social media content and general administrative tasks. Most roles are flexible and can be tailored to suit individual availability. Full induction, training and ongoing support are provided, along with opportunities to develop new skills, gain experience and become part of a friendly and supportive team.

What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for your organisation?

Go for it! Volunteering is a fantastic way to meet new people, make lasting friendships, develop new skills, gain confidence and make a positive difference in your local community. At RBKares, volunteers are part of a friendly and supportive team, working alongside people from all walks of life who share a desire to help others and strengthen their community. Many volunteers find that they gain just as much as they give, building new friendships, feeling more connected and becoming part of a welcoming community. You don’t need any specific experience to get started—just a willingness to help, learn and get involved. We provide support, training and a welcoming environment where everyone can contribute in a way that suits their skills, interests and availability. Volunteering with RBKares offers the opportunity to connect with local residents, support community wellbeing and see first-hand the difference your time and effort can make. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps us build a stronger, more caring and connected Kingston.

The RBKares team winning the Community Team Award at the 2026 Celebrating Communities Awards in Kingston

Thank you very much to RBKares for speaking to us! If you’re inspired to volunteer with them, be sure to check out openings on our site. Alternatively, keep up with RBKares on their website and Instagram.

Not sure where to begin with your volunteering journey? Check out our resources page here.

Hello, please could you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about Climate Ed?

Hello, my name is Ben and I co-founded Climate Ed in 2018! Before that, I worked as a history teacher, and had a background in history and education. I was interested in climate change and I felt more needed to be done about educating people about it. So, I left my job and set up Climate Ed with a friend! We started visiting local schools, giving presentations and workshops about climate change.

Through a long process of trial and error we designed a climate action programme. We then began recruiting volunteers to deliver it. Since then, we’ve been sending out volunteers across London – we’ve worked with over 200 schools, 10,000 students and nearly 250 volunteers! We’re also very excited to be launching in Oxford and Birmingham soon.

Our action program looks at three thematic areas – travel, food and general consumption – clothes, what we buy, for instance. Usually we work with years 5 and 6. We aim to get students carbon literate, give them an understanding of the climate impact so that hopefully they can go away and share that knowledge with their family

Could you tell us a little more about the project? How might a volunteering session go at Climate Ed?

Our program includes five workshops, each running for an hour. These are designed to support

students in their learning, through a range of activities. We might begin with a volunteer, giving a presentation talking through slides.Then students will watch a video, answering a question sheet based on it. Then follows group activities, including drama and role play activities. We designed this to be varied, stimulating and importantly fun. Climate Change can be depressing and alarming, but we try to focus on the solutions for it.

What can volunteers learn by volunteering with Climate Ed?

A huge amount. We do look out for people with expertise in climate change – so the more subject knowledge you have, the better. But because it’s quite a challenging volunteering role, our volunteers learn a lot from this – however much knowledge they have on the subject. We’ve had people with PHds on climate change deliver the program who find it stretches their knowledge! Working with children also challenges people’s teaching skills.

Above all, volunteers find passing on their knowledge to the next generation really rewarding. The kids also really appreciate that people are volunteering out of their own free time. Most of our volunteers are doing this because they care about climate change. Quite a few volunteers are interested in building experience in the sector and this is a great place to do that.

Any funny stories?

Children being children they ask extraordinary questions, so we keep track of the craziest questions they ask. Here are a selection…

“Will the world get taken over by giant insects?”

“If the world gets flooded will we have to evolve to fish to swim?”

“If the world gets hotter will we have to spend all our money on sun cream?”

“Is there one person in the world who controls the climate?”

Thank you so much to Ben from Climate Ed for your time! Interested in teaching the next generation to take a stand against climate change? Become a volunteer for Climate Ed here! Want to find out more? Check out their website, Facebook page, X (formerly twitter) and Instagram.