Volunteer Centre Kensington & Chelsea

What Volunteer Centre Kensington & Chelsea does

Volunteer Centre Kensington & Chelsea (VCKC) is a registered charity (No. 1076392) founded in 1969 by Lady Anstice Goodman, operating from 1 Thorpe Close, London W10 5XL. It is a community-led volunteer infrastructure organisation that matches residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea with volunteering opportunities across 300+ local charities and organisations, and delivers a portfolio of specialist programmes targeting vulnerable populations: InsideOut (criminal justice reintegration), Wellbeing (disability and mental health), Supported Access (young people 16-25 with additional needs), Stepping Stones (learning or physical disabilities), Climate Champions, Community Champions, Maternity Champions, and RBKC Young Makers. In FY 2024/25 it placed 438 volunteers, supported 1,217 people, and offered 148 opportunities.

The organisation's technology stack is modest: a WordPress-based website (voluntarywork.org.uk) integrated with the Plinth volunteer management platform (help.plinth.org.uk) for opportunity registration and matching, plus Microsoft 365, Google Analytics, social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube), a JustGiving donation integration, and email newsletter distribution. There is no proprietary AI/ML, no public API, and no mobile app. Service delivery is conducted through self-serve web sign-up, phone support (020 8960 3722), in-person appointments, and partner referrals.

VCKC's revenue model is grant and donation funded rather than commercial. All services are free to volunteers and partner organisations. Named income sources include a £20,000 grant from Garfield Weston Foundation (March 2025), co-funding from Henry Smith Foundation and Leigh Trust for the InsideOut programme, individual donations via JustGiving, and legacy gifts. Operating geographies are domestic (London/Greater London), with no parent company and an independent Board of Trustees governance structure. The CEO is Michael Ashe (joined August 2017) and the Chair is Ruth Leonard (from 2025).

Name

Volunteer Centre Kensington & Chelsea

Legal name

Volunteer Centre Kensington & Chelsea

Website

https://voluntarywork.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Volunteer Centre Kensington & Chelsea is a registered charity founded in 1969 that matches RBKC residents with volunteering opportunities across 300+ local charities and runs specialist programmes for people with disabilities, mental health needs, and criminal convictions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Volunteer Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Volunteer matching services
• Community volunteering programmes
• Charity volunteer coordination
• Criminal justice reintegration
• Social welfare programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

London, England

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Major grants from charitable foundations including Garfield Weston Foundation (£20,000), Henry Smith Foundation, and Leigh Trust to fund specific programmes such as InsideOut and general operations.
2. Individual Donations: Donations from individuals via JustGiving platform and other giving mechanisms. Also receives legacy gifts from supporters.
3. Charitable Operations: Founded in 1969 with initial income of £232.11 from donations. Now achieves over 1,000 placements annually through volunteer services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Volunteer Centre Kensington & Chelsea is a registered charity that matches residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea with volunteering opportunities across 300+ local charities and organisations. Its central service is volunteer coordination and placement, extended through specialised support programmes for vulnerable populations including people with criminal records (InsideOut), disabilities and mental health needs (Wellbeing Programme, Stepping Stones), and young people aged 16-25 with additional needs (Supported Access). Community-facing initiatives include Climate Champions, Community Champions, RBKC Young Makers, and Maternity Champions. All services are provided free of charge.

Product overview

Volunteer Centre Kensington & Chelsea operates as a social welfare organization offering a portfolio of volunteer coordination and support programmes rather than a unified technology product. The Core Volunteering Services function as the central hub, matching individuals with local charities, while specialized programmes (InsideOut, Wellbeing, Supported Access, Stepping Stones) provide tailored support for vulnerable populations including people with criminal records, disabilities, and mental health needs. Community-focused initiatives (Climate Champions, Community Champions, RBKC Young Makers, Maternity Champions) engage residents in neighbourhood improvement and health awareness. All programmes operate through the organization's website and the Plinth volunteer management platform for registration and opportunity management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Volunteering Services Central volunteer matching service that connects individuals with local charities and organizations in Kensington & Chelsea, offering guidance sessions, placement support, and ongoing volunteer coordination.
• InsideOut Programme Holistic support programme for people leaving custody or with criminal records, providing personalized 1:1 support, advice, advocacy, and referrals to rebuild lives and reconnect with communities.
• Wellbeing Programme Specialist support service for disabled people and those with mental health needs, offering personalized 1:1 guidance, group activities, workshops, and matched volunteering opportunities to enhance wellbeing and community connection.
• Supported Access Programme One-to-one support service for young people aged 16-25 with disabilities, learning needs, or mental health conditions, helping them find adaptive volunteering placements and prepare for employment through workshops and personalized progress plans.
• Stepping Stones Project Dedicated project helping adults with learning or physical disabilities in Kensington & Chelsea access volunteering through supportive placements, wellbeing workshops, and one-to-one guidance tailored to individual needs.
• Climate Champions Future Neighbourhoods 2030 initiative bringing together local residents as volunteers to take climate action through practical community-led projects on climate preparedness, biodiversity, food growing, reuse/repair, and walking/cycling.
• Notting Dale and Golborne Community Champions Volunteer programme engaging local residents to raise awareness of health and wellbeing needs through community outreach, surveys, events, and signposting to local services including NHS, council, and neighbourhood forums.
• RBKC Young Makers Creative programme offering young adults opportunities to engage in charitable initiatives through art and upcycling, transforming donated materials into handcrafted pieces while gaining experience in volunteering and sustainability.
• Maternity Champions Specialized Community Champions programme focused on supporting expectant and new parents with health and wellbeing guidance, connected to the Notting Dale and Golborne Community Champions projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 438 volunteers successfully placed in 2024/25
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Imperial College LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Partnership for Great Exhibition Road Festival. VCKC coordinates 48+ volunteers to support the annual festival celebrating innovation and community.
• Groundwork LondonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Delivers Climate Action Training for Climate Champions programme participants.
• Lancaster West EstateminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2024Partnership with volunteer Kai Lok for launching litter picking group in the estate area.
• Age UK Kensington and ChelseacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Annual partnership for Valentine's Gala event bringing together over 480 older residents. VCKC coordinates volunteers for card-making sessions and event support.
• Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council (RBKC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Key municipal partner for community services. Partnership includes digital inclusion initiatives, housing strategy consultation, Early Help Partnership, and coordination during crisis events including Grenfell response and pandemic.
• ClementJames CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Host organisation for volunteers providing employment support, adult learning, and wellbeing programmes. Located in shadow of Grenfell Tower.
• Future Makers (Goldfinger's)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Furniture-making workshop providing volunteering and training opportunities for Supported Access programme participants.
• Lancaster West Neighbourhood TeamcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Partnership for Wellbeing gardening sessions and litter-picking volunteer group coordination.
• Digital Poverty AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with RBKC Council to collect, refurbish, and redistribute unused digital devices to residents facing digital exclusion.
• Dalgarno TrustcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Host organisation for volunteer reception and admin support roles including food bank day operations.
• Equal People MencapcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Charity supporting vulnerable people. Volunteer Tracey helps run Harrington Club evening social club.
• Deafblind UKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Organisation providing support to deafblind individuals. VCKC volunteers provide befriending and outings support.
• The Chelsea Theatre & Community CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Host for Community Champions programme and Men's Home initiative run by volunteer Richard.
• Kensington and Chelsea Social CouncilminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Referral partner for organisational training and events when VCKC training unavailable.
• Breakthrough T1DminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Charity for which VCKC coordinates Royal Parks Cheer Station volunteers for half marathon events.
• Mutual Aid KCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Community initiative supporting refugees and asylum seekers. VCKC volunteer Nassima helps at clothes bank.
• K&C Mutual AidcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2020Community-led initiative partnered with VCKC during COVID-19 pandemic response. Over 2,000 volunteers coordinated for food deliveries, befriending, and public health campaigns.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations): UK umbrella body for the voluntary sector, supporting volunteer-involving charities with policy, research, and infrastructure. Comparable to VCKC as a sector-support organisation but operating nationally and at a much larger scale.
• Locality: UK membership body supporting community-led organisations with advice, peer learning, and resources. Comparable to VCKC's role in supporting local charities with best practice, training, and infrastructure.
• Groundwork UK: Federated UK charity running practical community programmes on environment, wellbeing, and employability, with embedded volunteer engagement. Comparable to VCKC's Climate Champions and Wellbeing programmes in combining community-led volunteering with thematic programme delivery.

Direct peers

• Reach Volunteering: UK charity that connects skilled volunteers with charity boards and trustee roles. Directly comparable to VCKC as a volunteer-matching intermediary for the charity sector, though focused on board-level/skilled placements versus VCKC's broader community volunteering.
• Do-it.org: UK-wide online volunteer opportunity database operated by NCVO. Directly comparable to VCKC's Plinth-based opportunity listing and matching functionality for connecting volunteers with charities.

Regional players

• Volunteer Scotland: National volunteer centre for Scotland, providing volunteer infrastructure, training, and policy support. Highly comparable to VCKC's role as a volunteer centre but operating at a national level in a different UK geography.
• Wales Council for Voluntary Action: National umbrella body for Wales's voluntary sector, supporting volunteer-involving organisations with training, funding, and representation. Comparable mission to VCKC in supporting local volunteering infrastructure but at country-wide scale.
• Citizens Advice Kensington & Chelsea: Local Citizens Advice branch providing advice services in the same borough, often referred by VCKC's network. Comparable as a borough-level charity providing community support services with volunteer involvement.

Emerging players

• Project Trust: UK charity running international volunteering and gap year programmes, often working with young people. Comparable to VCKC's Supported Access and Stepping Stones programmes in providing structured volunteering pathways for young people.
• Catch22: UK social business delivering programmes in justice, education, and employability, including resettlement and rehabilitation services for people with convictions. Comparable to VCKC's InsideOut programme in addressing criminal justice reintegration through structured support.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/volcentre_kandc
• Facebookfacebook.com/VolunteerCentreKensingtonandChelsea
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/volunteer-centre-kensington-chelsea
• Instagraminstagram.com/volcentre_kc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Volunteer Centre Kensington & Chelsea