Find a range of volunteering opportunities and placements with Quakers in Britain and elsewhere in the world.

Voluntary opportunities

  • Quiet Company Board Member

    Hours
    4–5 board meetings a year and one annual away day
    Salary
    Unremunerated; reasonable expenses will be paid
    Contract
    The initial term is three years, with the possibility of an additional three-year extension to a maximum of six.
    Location
    The majority of our meetings are online, with one annual meeting in person, and one annual away day in person – these are in currently in London or Swarthmoor Hall.
    Closing date:
    15 December 2024
    Interview
    To be confirmed

    Quiet Company is the trading company for Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM), based at Friends House in London. Quiet Company supports BYM in two main ways: making money to help fund Quaker work and by putting faith into action both as a Quaker employer and as a physical embodiment of outreach. These activities are carried out through the Company's portfolio of conferencing, catering and retail, and also through its holiday accommodation at Swarthmoor Hall in Cumbria.

    There is now an exciting opportunity to join the Board of Quiet Company as an independent director and work alongside like-minded and business-minded Quakers to help facilitate these functions. Quiet Company is a fast-paced business that has delivered annual profits of over £1m , so the right person will be able to influence the future strategy of this business.

    We are particularly looking for individuals with expertise in the following areas:

    communications and marketing

    catering/hospitality

    clerking or acting as chair of a board

    knowledge of running a trading or commercial entity of a charity

    However, the most important element is that you are enthusiastic about the future of Quiet Company and how you can contribute.

    It is currently a requirement that you are a Quaker to serve on this board; you may be an attender considering membership, and we would support you through this process.

    For informal queries on the role, you are most welcome to contact Lisa San Martin, CEO of Quiet Company: LisaS@quaker.org.uk or Matt Baker, Clerk of Quiet Company: QC-clerk@quaker.org.uk.

    Quakers are committed to equality and welcome applicants from all identities and backgrounds. Selection is based solely on skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. Sex, sexual orientation, age, race, religion, belief, ethnicity, nationality, disability, marital status, or class will not be a barrier to employment. We aim for an equitable, user-friendly application process, and reasonable adjustments can be made if needed. BYM is a Quaker organisation and we expect all applicants and employees to uphold our values.

    We are committed to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and all candidates will undergo pre-employment checks in line with our Safer Recruitment guidelines.

    Application Pack Application Form

  • Pendle Hill Friends in Residence

    Closing date:
    Open applications
    Interview
    Does not apply

    Every year two British Friends or Attenders are supported to spend a term at Pendle Hill, a retreat and educational centre near Philadelphia. Central Nominations Committee has the responsibility of finding the Friends to go. Friends will next be able to go to Pendle Hill for the Spring term in 2024.

    Central Nominations Committee is looking for:

    A couple, or close friends, well grounded in their Quakerism and who can support each other and are free from other responsibilities between end of February and mid May 2024.

    The opportunity to serve is generously funded by a grant so Friends would not have to fund the trip themselves.

    Qualities a Friend in Residence may need, (to name only a few):

    • in your spiritual life, perhaps wanting some time off and be ready for a retreat where one also able to give service;
    • likes people, outgoing, confident, can approach strangers in a friendly fashion;
    • flexible – prepared to go with the flow when asked to perform a variety of tasks, some quite menial;
    • open to new experiences, ready to explore: to get on with what comes and also to initiate your own ideas;
    • prepared to join in programmes (i.e. courses, seminars) and to participate in Meetings, sometimes Eldering;
    • a 'teachable spirit', prepared to listen and receive new, even strange, ideas...

    Please read the Information Pack (below) for the full list of qualities and what is involved in this service.

    If you want to put your name(s) forward to CNC for consideration please email nominations@quaker.org.uk with 'Pendle Hill' in the title of your email.

    Information Pack Send an enquiry

  • Volunteering opportunities at children and young people's events

    Contract
    Voluntary
    Closing date:
    TBC
    Interview
    TBC

    Volunteers are key to Quaker work with children and young people. Find events and offer your help by visiting the children and young people's pages.

  • Serve on a BYM Committee or Group

    Closing date:
    Various
    Interview
    None

    Share your gifts, skills and talent with Quaker service

    Each year, we need 100-200 Quakers to take up service roles across Britain Yearly Meeting. Information about Quaker service can be found on our dedicated Give Time area.

    Serving with Britain Yearly Meeting is exciting and inspiring. Friends who offer service find that they can be led to achieve great things. There are a number of different ways that you can take part and get involved in the work.

    BYM work is helped and directed by committees that answer to Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM). Quakers from across Britain serve on these committees and groups. Full information is available on our Committees and Groups page.

    Give time