Volunteering
Looking for a way to use your skills, experience and knowledge?
Volunteering with Renaissance gives you the chance to have a meaningful impact in people’s lives. You’ll support vital services, from sexual health outreach and testing to substance use community engagement and LGBTQ+ support. Every role aims to empower, promote harm reduction, and build safer, stronger communities. Join our team and use your skills, energy, and compassion to make a real difference.
Get in touch to find out how
Volunteering Opportunities
Counsellor / CBT Therapist
At Renaissance, we welcome students who are completing their placement hours as part of their professional training.
To volunteer in this role, you must either be a qualified counsellor or currently working at Level 4 in your counselling studies. Our team includes practitioners across multiple approaches, including Person Centred Counselling, Pluralistic Counselling, Integrative Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Psychosexual Therapy. Volunteers have the opportunity to gain practical experience contributing to a supportive, client-focused service.
This opportunity allows volunteers to develop their skills and make a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of our clients.
Sexual Health Outreach Support
As a Sexual Health Outreach Volunteer, you’ll team up with our Outreach Workers to take sexual health support out into the community—think LGBTQ+ bars, clubs, saunas, and other public spaces. You’ll help make sure everyone stays safe while having honest, respectful conversations about sexual health. Your role will include handing out condoms and lube, sharing tips on safer sex and harm reduction, and connecting people with the right support services.
At sex-on-premises sites and other public sex environments, our mobile testing team offers confidential HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, and Chlamydia testing—and you’ll help promote these services, welcome participants, and keep things running smoothly. By volunteering, you’re helping to raise awareness, reduce risk, and make sure everyone feels informed, supported, and empowered about their sexual health.
Drug & Alcohol Outreach Support
As a volunteer with our Assertive Outreach Service, you’ll be helping people who have dropped out of Horizon treatment or who haven’t accessed support yet. Life happens—missed appointments, illness, family pressures, or just not knowing where to start—and that’s where you come in! You’ll support our Outreach Workers in connecting with clients, helping them get into treatment or back into treatment.
You’ll visit clients in a variety of places—hospitals, community drop-ins, mental health facilities, and even their homes—to make sure they feel supported, informed, and encouraged on their recovery journey. Your role includes accompanying the outreach worker, providing friendly assistance, and sharing harm reduction advice where appropriate. By volunteering, you’ll be making a real difference, helping people re-engage with treatment and take positive steps towards recovery.
Needle Exchange Support
As a Needle Exchange Volunteer, you’ll help create a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental space for people who use our services. You’ll distribute sterile injecting equipment, safely collect used items, and provide practical harm reduction advice to reduce the risk of infection and overdose. You’ll also be trained in the use of Naloxone and have the chance to offer this life-saving support to people using opiates.
Volunteers play a key role in engaging respectfully with service users, keeping the space clean and welcoming, and connecting people to the health, treatment, and support services they need. By volunteering, you’ll make a real difference in people’s lives—helping keep them safe, supported, and empowered.
LGBTQ+ / HIV Group Support
Join us in creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people. As a volunteer, you’ll support our community groups, attend local LGBTQ+ bars and venues, and represent us at Pride events and other community gatherings. You’ll engage with attendees, share harm reduction and service information, provide peer support, and help connect people with the services they need.
Events Support
Throughout the year, we take part in all kinds of exciting events—and we need volunteers to help us make them a success! From Pride celebrations across the region to health and wellbeing fairs, Dry January initiatives, and other community events, you’ll be at the heart of it all. Volunteers help engage with the public, share vital information, and make sure every event is safe, welcoming, and fun.
We also run regular sexual health testing events in communities and universities across Lancashire. With our mobile testing van, we offer confidential HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, and Chlamydia testing—reaching people who might not otherwise get tested. Volunteers help promote these sessions, welcome attendees, and keep everything running smoothly, making a real difference to community health and wellbeing!
Benefits of Volunteering
Meet new
people
Connect with a diverse range of people, make friends, and become part of a supportive team.
Make a
real difference
Support people in your community, promote harm reduction, and help create safer, more inclusive spaces.
Build your
skills
Build practical skills in areas like communication, outreach, peer support, and event work—great for boosting your CV or career prospects.
Receive support & training
Access training in areas such as sexual health, harm reduction, LGBTQ+ awareness, and substance use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills do I need to volunteer?
We’re looking for volunteers who are reliable, flexible, and able to work well as part of a team. Strong communication skills and the ability to listen with empathy are essential, along with a non-judgmental and respectful approach to others. Maintaining confidentiality is key in this role, and while lived experience is beneficial, it is not essential.
What are the requirements to volunteer?
We require all our volunteers to be at least 18 years old, willing to undergo a basic or enhanced DBS check, and able to provide 2 references – one personal and one professional.
I've submitted my application form... what happens next?
Great! Our Volunteer Coordinator will be in touch via the email you provided to organise an informal interview so we can get to know each other better. After the chat you will be invited to start your induction sessions.
How often do I have to volunteer?
Volunteering at Renaissance is very flexible. Depending on what area of the organisation you are interested in volunteering with, you can volunteer every week or you can help us out on an ad hoc basis at events throughout the year, its up to you!
What induction training and support will I get?
As part of your journey with us, you’ll take part in two induction sessions designed to prepare and support you in your role. The first session (around 1.5 hours) provides an introduction to Renaissance, including an overview of our projects, a needle exchange demonstration, key information on HIV, and essential health and safety guidance. The second session is a one-to-one with the Volunteer Coordinator, where you’ll explore the roles you’re interested in, complete key policies, and enjoy a tour of the building while meeting the team.
We also offer a wide range of ongoing training opportunities to support your development, including Naloxone awareness, substance use awareness, LGBTQ+ awareness, HIV and stigma awareness, and sexual health training. Much of your learning will also take place within your chosen role, with hands-on support from experienced staff.
To ensure you feel supported, we cover reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses, support with clinical supervision expenses, and offer refreshments at events lasting longer than four hours.
