Where to donate your time on volunteering day?

Many companies are waking up to the benefits of corporate volunteering. Offering employees a few days of paid leave per year to volunteer with charities of their choice, or organising volunteering days for the entire team, can be a great way for employers to empower their staff to give something back – and, if they volunteer together, to do some team bonding along the way. And as well as being a good thing to do in itself, it can be good for the image and longevity of your brand to be working for good causes and be connected to your local community.

For businesses based in London who have decided to adopt corporate volunteering, or for those employees who’ve been offered time to donate to a cause of their choice, you might be thinking: which cause to choose? There are a whole wealth of charities and social enterprises in London, from the grassroots to the big players, addressing a whole range of issues.

Whether it’s helping people leaving prison, those escaping domestic violence, the homeless, those struggling with mental health problems, or another cause, these organisations are providing a safety net and trying to effect change, making London a better place to live and blunting its harsher edges. (And in related reading, check this list of charities and organisations reducing clothes waste.) You’ve probably thought of volunteering with some of them before. To help jog your memory, or to point you in the direction of a cause you might not have thought of, here are ideas for charities in London to donate your or your company’s time.

My AFK – Empowering young londoners through corporate volunteering

My AFK supports disabled children and young adults throughout London by providing mobility equipment, job-interview coaching, and school holiday activities that build confidence and create new friendships.

This charity offers excellent corporate volunteering opportunities for companies looking to make a meaningful impact in the local community. You and your team can get involved by mentoring students, leading creative sessions, or helping with admin tasks behind the scenes. If your business wants to contribute useful skills, this is a perfect match for both employee engagement and real social value.

Whether you’re a small startup or a large organisation, My AFK can tailor volunteering activities to your group size. It’s a brilliant way to get involved, build stronger teams, and create a lasting positive impact on the lives of young people.

Corporate Volunteering in green spaces: stepney city far

Looking for volunteering opportunities that get your team outside and working with their hands? Stepney City Farm in East London offers a unique volunteering day experience in one of the city’s most charming green spaces.

Your corporate volunteering group can help with a variety of seasonal tasks, such as planting vegetables, maintaining the kitchen garden, or building shelters for pigs, sheep, donkeys, and goats. These well-organised volunteering activities are ideal for both small and large groups looking to reconnect with nature, enjoy time outdoors, and work toward a positive impact in the local community.

It’s also a brilliant team-building experience that can strengthen bonds between colleagues and enhance employee engagement. Whether you’re based nearby or looking for a refreshing break from the office, this is one of the most hands-on ways to get involved.

The Trussell Trust: Delivering care packages and compassion where it’s needed most

Food insecurity continues to affect families across the UK, and The Trussell Trust—one of the country’s leading food bank networks—is on the frontline of this crisis. Last year alone, the organisation distributed more than 1.6 million emergency care packages to people in urgent need. For companies looking to make a tangible positive impact, this is one of the most direct and essential corporate volunteering options available. Whether it’s supporting a local food drive, preparing meals, sorting donations, or offering admin and logistics skills, these well-structured volunteering opportunities suit all group sizes and levels of experience.

Beyond the immediate help you’re providing, volunteering with The Trussell Trust strengthens your connection to the local community and promotes authentic employee engagement. It’s a practical, meaningful way to get involved, one that encourages your team to work together, think beyond the office, and feel the value of making a real difference.

Stonewall Housing: Make a positive impact through inclusive volunteering

Not every volunteering day is about packing boxes or planting trees. Sometimes, it’s about presence, conversation, and trust.

Stonewall Housing supports LGBTQ+ people in London who have experienced homelessness, discrimination, or violence. For many, it’s the first place they’ve felt safe in a long time. And while donations help keep the lights on, the charity also relies on people — volunteers who show up to listen, organise events, offer admin support, or mentor young people rebuilding their lives.

At ICON Printing, we’ve been proud to support Stonewall Housing through custom t-shirts for their campaigns — and we’ve seen firsthand how deeply their work resonates. For businesses seeking volunteering opportunities rooted in inclusion, mental health, and social justice, this is a meaningful space to contribute. It’s a chance for employees to move beyond office walls and show solidarity through action. It’s also an opportunity for teams to engage with a cause that reflects modern company values — and create a positive impact that reaches well beyond the workday.

Get Involved with TimeBank

Not sure where to start with your company’s volunteering day? TimeBank makes it easy. Specialising in team-based projects, they help match businesses with causes that align with their values and availability — whether that’s supporting mental health, working with refugees, or mentoring young people.

They’ve partnered with companies like EE, Barclays, and The Telegraph, but welcome businesses of all sizes looking to do something meaningful together. If you’re after a flexible, well-organised experience for your group volunteering effort, this is a good place to begin.

Great Ormond Street Hospital

There are more than 100 different ways to volunteer at this groundbreaking children’s hospital. Opportunities are available at weekends as well as during the week, and range from ward visits to beauty therapy, running craft clubs and the hospital’s radio station, Radio Lollipop.

Volunteering here is a chance to bring light and laughter into a child’s day — and for your team volunteering day, it’s hard to imagine a more rewarding setting. Whether you’re helping out with creative activities or simply offering your time, it’s a genuinely fun way to give back. You’ll likely make a few new friends along the way, too — and leave feeling like you’ve done something that truly matters in the world.

Refuge

Refuge provides housing and mental health support to women and children escaping domestic abuse. The charity offers a lifeline at a time when safety and support are most needed.

Volunteering here does ask for commitment. Whether it’s helping to run the 24-hour helpline or acting as a peer mentor at the Lambeth centre, these are meaningful volunteering activities for those who want to get involved in something long-term. If your company values depth over one-off engagements, this is a way to make a real difference.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

If your team loves animals, few charitable activities are more rewarding than spending time at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. This beloved London charity has been rehoming animals since 1860, and they’re always looking for committed volunteers to support their work.

Volunteer roles often require a longer-term commitment, but if you’re able to give your time, the experience is worth it. Activities may include walking dogs, cleaning enclosures, or simply helping to socialise cats. These sessions typically take place during weekdays and weekends, so you can plan your team volunteering day around what suits your group best.

It’s a chance to give back, make a difference, and enjoy a day fun of tail wags and purrs — no better way to bond with your colleagues and support the local community.

Looking to create custom merch for your business on sustainable fabrics? 

At ICON Printing we can deliver fast turnaround printing on organic and recycled cotton, as well as a range of eco fabrics, and we count clients in charities such as Stonewall Housing and Coppa Feel, as well as the likes of TransferWise and Boiler Room. For any charities looking to print with us, get in touch to arrange discussing a discount. Get a quote in 2 minutes online.