
Volunteers make our community stronger and help make the Northern Beaches an even better place to live. They help deliver services that would otherwise be out of reach for some in the community.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering. Your generosity demonstrates our strong community spirit here on the Northern Beaches.
Council is working with community organisations to support their volunteering efforts, and their available roles are listed below.
If your community organisation/group would like to be listed here, please email volunteer@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au and provide information in the same format as below.
Council also has volunteer opportunities. Find out more.
Current community volunteer opportunities
Council has provided links below about these community groups in good faith. Council does not purport to advocate or endorse these organisations and volunteers should conduct their own due diligence before deciding to join a community group. Council does not guarantee and accepts no responsibility or legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to the activities of these organisations or the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any information they provide.
Wildlife Rescue Hotline
Sydney Wildlife (Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services Inc.)- Volunteer role description: Taking calls from people who have found a native animal requiring assistance and organising a rescuer. This can be undertaken from our rescue office in the Lane Cove National Park or from your home. Shifts run for four hours and training is provided by an experienced rescue coordinator.
- Role Requirements: Access to a computer/laptop, internet connection, and a phone.
- Apply: email Carolyn Martin
Tutor - Computers and Smart Phones
Computer Pals for Seniors - Frenchs Forest or Manly- Volunteer role description: Training over 50's in the use of their digital devices (smart phones, tablets and/or laptop computers and related applications)
- Commitment: 2-3 hours per week depending on availability
- Essential role requirements: Knowledge and confidence to use digital devices and willingness to build rapport, share knowledge and help seniors learn to use their devices.
- Apply Frenchs Forest: online or phone 0434 760 203.
- Apply Manly: online or phone Judy 02 9976 0930.
Volunteer Bus Driver
Easylink Community Services Ltd (Cromer)- Volunteer role description: To drive minibuses driving customers to various scenic drives, shopping and social outings.
- Commitment: One day a week or a fortnight (Monday to Saturday) for up to 6 -8 hours.
- Essential role requirements: Minimum LR licence with clear driving record, Fitness to Drive Report, First Aid Certificate, willing to undergo Working with Children Checks and Criminal Record Checks (Easylink will submit on your behalf). Ability to maintain boundaries and confidentiality. Compliance with Easylink’s policies and procedures.
- Desirable role requirements: Live on the Northern Beaches, driving an accessible vehicle, experience relating to elderly people & people with a disability. Familiarity with Aged Care and Community Sector. Friendly nature and flexible.
- Apply: email Pat Lang (Fleet and Administration Manager)
Volunteer bus assistant
Easylink Community Services Ltd (Cromer)- Volunteer role description: Assist with the delivery of door-to-door transport on the group outings and shopping, pack picnic basket in the office prior to departure, assisting customers to get in and out of the vehicle, ensure all customers have seatbelts fastened, prepare and server refreshments, collect and record fares.
- Commitment: One day a week or a fortnight (Monday to Saturday) for up to 6-8 hours.
- Essential role requirements: willing to obtain First Aid Certificate, willing to undergo Working with Children Checks and Criminal Record Checks (Easylink will submit on your behalf). A sensitive and caring attitudes and respect the elderly and younger people with disabilities. Ability to maintain boundaries and confidentiality. Compliance with Easylink’s policies and procedures.
- Desirable role requirements: Live on the Northern Beaches, experience relating to elderly people & people with a disability. Familiarity with Aged Care and Community Sector. Friendly nature and flexible.
- Apply: email Pat Lang (Fleet and Administration Manager)
Toy Library Assistant
Early Ed - Forestville- Volunteer role description: Help families, children, and the environment as a Toy Library Assistant.
- Volunteer duties include: helping parents borrow toys, interacting with children, recording loans, shelving items, managing click n collect services at local sites, driving toys to local libraries, checking and maintaining toys
- Commitment: As often as you want (weekly or fortnightly preferred). Toy Library is open Mondays 12-2.30pm and Thursdays 10.30am-12.30pm. If possible volunteers requested to start 1hr before opening.
- Essential role requirements: Covid-19 vaccination, National Police Check, Working with Children Check (free), NDIS Worker Screening Check (free)
- Training will be provided
- Apply: email services@earlyed.co.au or phone 9923 2727
Warehouse helpers, Meal servers, Cook-at-home, Delivery drivers
One Meal Northern Beaches - Brookvale warehouse or other varying locations- Volunteer role description: Multiple roles available including deliver food, serve meals to vulnerable members of the community, prepare meals at home, sort and pack hampers and meals at our warehouse or help in the office.
- Commitment: 2-3 hrs per fortnight, with shifts available from 7am-5pm week days and after hours shifts on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons. Time commitment varies by role.
- Essential role requirements: All roles require a Working With Children Check. Drivers require current drivers licence and their own car. Cooking facilities required if cooking at home.
- Apply: via the website by clicking 'apply' below and going to the Get Involved section. For more information, email volunteer@onemeal.org.au or call Jodi on 0418 803 353.
Driver & Vehicle Loading
Community Co-op Northern Beaches - Warriewood Shopper & Driver- Volunteer role description: Help collect and load large boxes (18-20kg) of fresh fruit and veg, which will ultimately be packed and delivered to community members in need.
- Commitment: Any day between Monday to Friday at 2pm for approximately 1.5hrs.
- Essential role requirements: Drivers licence with clear driving record; Ability to lift 18-20kg boxes on your own.
- Apply: email Community Co-op Northern Beaches
Sports Coaches; Sports Coordinators; Committee Members; Fundraising
Special Olympics - Sydney Northern Beaches Club- Volunteer role description: Support people living with an intellectual disability to engage, be active and social through sport.
- Commitment: Varies depending on the role, from 1 hour per week to a few hours per month.
- Essential role requirements: A valid Working With Children Check and Police Check clearance (can be obtained once accepted).
- Apply: email Elizabeth Maister
Escorted Shopping Volunteer
MWP Care- Volunteer role description: Take clients shopping. Be responsible for the welfare, comfort and safety of clients from their home to their destination and return.
- Essential role requirements: Current drivers licence, a safe driving record, and own vehicle.
- A sensitive and caring attitude and respect for the frail aged and younger people with disabilities.
- Good listening and communications skills to enable clear and precise instructions from clients regarding their needs.
- Desirable: Own mobile phone.
- Apply: email or phone (02) 9913 3244
Volunteer Driver
MWP Care- Volunteer role description: Transport clients to appointments. Be responsible for the welfare, comfort and safety of clients from their home to their destination and return.
- Essential role requirements: Current drivers licence, a safe driving record, and own vehicle.
- A sensitive and caring attitude and respect for the frail aged and younger people with disabilities.
- Desirable: Own mobile phone.
- Vehicle reimbursement of 76c/km available
- Apply: email or phone (02) 9913 3244
Volunteer Receptionist
Easylink Community Services Ltd (Cromer)- Volunteer role description: To assist the office staff to respond to enquiries, answer telephone calls and take messages.
- Commitment: One day each week (Mon or Tues) from 9am until 2pm.
- Essential requirements: Good verbal communication; ability to take direction and maintain confidentiality; good attention to detail. Ability to learn RouteMatch software system for bookings.
- Desirable: Live on the Northern Beaches; experience using Microsoft office application (Word, Outlook, Excel)
- Apply: email Pat Lang, Fleet and Administration Manager
Social Media Volunteer
Northern Beaches Dementia Alliance- Volunteer role description: Oversee Northern Beaches Dementia Alliance social media accounts. Generate high quality content and create a regular publishing schedule. Manage the Alliances’ email account.
- Commitment: 1 – 2 days a week. Remote work.
- Essential role requirements: A thorough understanding of our social media platforms and how to use them. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strengths in copywriting and proofreading. Knowledge of traditional and digital marketing, content marketing and social media marketing
- Apply: Email Bettina Esposito
Driver/deliverer with Meals on Wheels
Northern Beaches Meals on Wheels - Mona Vale- Role description: Transport and deliver meals to frail aged and people with a disability. Also check in with the clients and provide feedback to staff on any concerns.
- Commitment: Can be regular or casual role. Once a week or fortnight, Monday-Friday, 11am-1pm approx.
- Essential requirements: Willingness to undergo a Criminal Record Check. Current Drivers Licence and own car essential. Knowledge of local area and ability to navigate and do deliveries independently.
- Apply: Call Milly Wallace on 02 9457 3900 or email Nbeachesvolunteer@kmow.org.au
Website designer, Editor, Event Coordinator
Spill the Beans - Allambie Heights or Online- Role description: Join the community of budding and published writers who take challenges and share stories. Due to a growing membership, we need to expand our team and upgrade our services.
- Commitment: Flexible dependent on your other commitments.
- Essential requirements: Good organiser, ability to use word and gmail. For website design - experience with GoDaddy and Word Press.
- Desirable requirements: Love of reading and writing
- Apply: Email us and tell us why you would like to join the team
- Find out more: Spill the Beans website
Volunteer Administrator / Coordinator
The Forest Community Men's Shed (Belrose)- Role Description: Responsible for many of the computer based aspects of daily operations. Requires frequent interaction with the Men's Shed Committee and male members who are aged 65 – 85.
- Commitment: Willing to be present at The Shed for 1-2 hours on at least 2 days per week. Willingness to work from home at other times. Hours flexible - part time or full time. Preference given to a volunteer willing to make a long term commitment.
- Essential criteria: Good working knowledge of MS Windows including MS Word & Excel; home access to internet, email and mobile phone. Good interpersonal skills and a willingness to work with older aged men. Willing to provide Criminal Police Check (Aged Care). The Shed will apply for and pay for this. Mandatory Double Covid-19 Vaccination.
- Desirable: Working knowledge of Word Press to manage website. Knowledge of TeamViewer remote access software or similar application.
- Apply: call President, Tim O'Sullivan on 0418 191 121 or email info@forestmensshed.org.au
Sailability Volunteer
Sailability Pittwater- Role Description: We offer opportunities for people with a disability to enjoy recreational sailing. Volunteers assist in many ways including rigging boats, assisting people in and out of boats (with appropriate lifting equipment when required), administrative matters, and taking people sailing in specially designed small boats.
- Location of role: Rowland Reserve, Bayview
- Commitment: September to May, Wednesdays and/or Saturdays, fortnightly, 9am - 1pm. (Weather and Covid safety permitting)
- Essential criteria: Working with Children Check
- Desirable: Willingness to be part of a team helping others, particularly those with a disability. Sailing experience not essential but always welcome.
- Apply: Contact Volunteer Coordinator Marjorie Colman on 0433 733 320 or email marjcolman@ozemail.com.au
Visitor Services
Harbour Trust, North Head- Role Description: Visitor Services welcome visitors to North Head, offer directions and historical information, sell merchandise and tour tickets.
- Commitment: Volunteers are usually rostered one day per fortnight; however, this is negotiable. Shift is 10am – 4pm. Volunteers required for Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- Essential criteria: Over 18yrs age.
- Desirable: People persons with an interest in local history and wildlife.
- Apply: Online or email Alison Houlihan, volunteers@harbourtrust.gov.au
Volunteer Driving Instructor/Mentor
Community Northern Beaches (CNB)- Role Description: Volunteer driving mentors to assist our migrant and refugee community members to gain confidence with driving experience. The goal is to pass their driving test as the pathway to independence and employment.
- Commitment: 1-2 x Two hour blocks per week
- Essential criteria: Please get in touch if you are passionate about helping people, kind, patient and have a good driving record
- Benefits: Training, education and support. Meet new people and volunteer with a great local organisation!
- Apply: email jaz@cnb.org.au or call 9977 1066
Sailability Volunteer - Manly
Sailability Manly- Role Description: We offer opportunities for people with a disability to enjoy recreational or competitive sailing. Volunteers assist in many ways, including rigging boats, assisting people into and out of boats, administration, cooking sausages, driving our Support Boat, and taking participants sailing in specially designed small sailing dinghies which cannot capsize or sink.
- Location: Manly Yacht Club, East Esplanade Manly.
- Commitment: We sail right through the year, with reduced days in Winter. Volunteers can nominate dates they would like to sail, every second Wednesday, every second Saturday and one Monday a month. No sailing in uncomfortable weather.
- Essential criteria: Working With Children Check
- Desirable: Willing to work as a team, embrace new situations, and meet a constant stream of new and interesting people.
- Benefits: Parking Permits provided for local area on sailing days.
- Apply: email eli@manlysailability.com.au or call 9976 2747
Community Visitor
CatholicCare- Role Description: Visit seniors in local aged care facility or in their own home and help improve their quality of life as part of the federally funded Community Visitors Scheme. Have a cuppa, read together, listen to music, go on outings or play games.
- Location: Various, Northern Beaches
- Commitment: A hour a fortnight, flexible times and days to suit your schedule and the resident's
- Requirements: Police check (paid for by CatholicCare), provide evidence of 3 Covid-19 vaccinations, attend induction training
- French, Greek and Italian-speaking volunteers needed
- Enquiries: email nicki.bispham@catholiccaredbb.org.au or call 0418 435 304
Tutors - Computers, Tablets and Phones
Computer Pals for Seniors Northern Beaches Inc.- Volunteer role description: Tutoring seniors to confidently use their device in one-on-one hourly sessions during term times. Our operating hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Ideally suited to a mature minded person of any age.
- Commitment: 1 to 3 hours per week
- Role Requirements: A sound basic knowledge of your device and a desire to use your skills to help seniors confidently navigate their device at their own pace. We match student requirements to your area of expertise.
- Location: based at the Tramshed Arts & Community Centre, 1395a Pittwater Road, Narrabeen
- Website: compalsnb.org.au
- Apply: email anne.computerpals@gmail.com or phone Anne Matthews on 9984 0604