What's it like volunteering for Macmillan?

Only a few hours to spare during the year? Back to top

If you have limited time to give there are still lots of ways you can help make a difference.

Help us improve cancer care and get a better deal for people affected by cancer by supporting our campaigns. View campaign opportunities and join our e-campaigners network here| . 

Cheer on our amazing competitors at marathons, triathlons and other events -  you can help to keep our teams going through some of their biggest physical challenges. Visit our running event pages| for further details of specific events.

Or get involved in your local area . |Take part in a local fundraising collection, help out at a local event, research new fundraising opportunities from home or your office.

Become a Macmillan Speaker and help us reach everyone living with cancer by telling more people about who we are and what we do.

Contact your local fundraising office| for further details of opportunities available near you. Enter your postcode below to find your nearest office...

Join or start a Macmillan fundraising group Back to top

Our fundraising groups are vital to Macmillan. As well as directly raising over £7 million annually for people living with cancer, you raise awareness of who we are and what we do, helping us to grow our networks and reach everyone who needs us.

It's easy to join an existing group or set up your own and it's up to you how much time you want to give and how you want it to fit around your other commitments. It could be a matter of simply getting a few friends together and turning things you do anyway into a fundraising opportunity.

Or, if you have more time, organising more or bigger events and getting involved in other aspects of Macmillan's activities. Some examples of events our groups organise include: fundraising collections, Christmas parties, clothes swaps, coffee mornings, club nights, quiz nights, walks and bike rides, art shows and balls… and much, much more!

We'll provide you with all the information and support you need to help with fundraising.

Interested? Get in touch with your local office |to find out more.

Macmillan's Colchester Fundraising Group

The Colchester group first got together in October 2008, introduced by Lyn, their local fundraising manager. They now get on brilliantly and despite their busy work lives they find time to fundraise and meet up socially outside. They organise a whole range of events which include a Colchester Castle treasure hunt for local kids, quiz nights and a Japanese car 'car run' from Thurrock to Brighton. They're now also planning a Winter Wonderland ball in November.

'It is so nice to be a part of a friendly and vibrant team of people, full of ideas and working together to make a small amount of difference in the world. I like to get involved in new projects and seeing our ideas come to life is going to be so rewarding. I can't wait! ...I leave our meetings as high as a kite! It's addictive!'
Colchester fundraising group

Volunteer in your local Macmillan office Back to top

Whether you're interested in coordinating or managing local volunteers or collections, office admin, PR and communications, events or in becoming a Macmillan speaker, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved with your local fundraising team.

Get in touch with your local office to find out more.|

If you are interested in volunteering at our Head Office in London, please contact Chris Lewis by emailing clewis@macmillan.org.uk| or call 020 7840 4926.

Making local headlines

Dave Cook, Kent's media volunteer tells us how he helps Macmillan Cancer Support make local headlines.

'I began volunteering with Macmillan in February 2009, working one day a week as a media volunteer. I found this opportunity through Connexions and it all went from there. From the beginning I felt comfortable with the Macmillan environment.

'I want to be a journalist as I have a big passion for writing. My role mainly involves writing about people who have given up their time to fundraise for Macmillan or about volunteers who've won awards for their contribution to the charity then contacting editors and journalists to get the stories published in local papers. It's all about giving our fundraisers the recognition they deserve but also spreading the message of Macmillan and getting people to read about the work that we do.

'I would recommend this position to anyone. Although this is a voluntary role, the experience, satisfaction and the sense of wellbeing you have from working with such positive, energetic people makes it worthwhile.'

Be an employee volunteer Back to top

If your company is interested in employee volunteering please contact Wendy Askew, Macmillan's Corporate Volunteer Involvement Coordinator. Email waskew@macmillan.org.uk| or call 01925 846 757.

For other ways to get your company involved, see the corporate, group or association section| .

Volunteer at our information and support centres Back to top

Volunteers at our information and support centres are helping Macmillan extend its services to the local community by ensuring that people can get the support and information they need. Trained volunteers provide a warm welcome, counselling, hairdressing, manicures and complementary therapies.

Search for your local centre| and contact them directly to find out what opportunities are available.

Internship or work placement Back to top

Our internship scheme| offers a fantastic opportunity to get involved with Macmillan by working with our experienced staff on projects and events. We've got opportunities for you to build on your existing skills and gain new ones. We also have work placements available, where you can gain experience by volunteering for one month in one of our departments. Find out more| .

Become a Cancer Voice Back to top

Use your cancer experience to help improve the future of cancer care. Become a Cancer Voice| .