Make a difference. Meet people. Help Ukraine.

Leeds Ukrainian Community Association (LUCA) is a charity run entirely by volunteers. We support people affected by the war in Ukraine and Ukrainians living in Leeds. Our volunteers help send humanitarian aid, support local communities, run events and projects, raise funds and build partnerships.

Volunteering with LUCA is a chance to make a practical difference, meet people and use or develop your skills. You do not need to be Ukrainian, speak Ukrainian or have previous charity experience. We welcome your time, ideas and willingness to help.

There is no need to make a big commitment to get started. You can help from time to time, join a Volunteer Pool or take on a role in one of our Functional Teams. Choose what suits your interests, skills and availability.

Register to Volunteer with Luca

How Would You Like to Get Involved?

Help occasionally

Help when you are available, with no regular commitment. We can let you know when LUCA needs help with an event, project, kitchen activity, driving or another task. If you are free and interested, let us know.
You do not need to respond to every request.

Join a Volunteer Pool

A Volunteer Pool is simply a group of people who are happy to be contacted about particular types of activities. You can join one or more pools, receive relevant opportunities and decide each time whether to help. Being in a pool does not mean taking on a fixed role

Join a Functional Team

Functional Teams organise and develop the main areas of LUCA’s work. You can bring your skills and ideas and take some ongoing responsibility for an area that interests you. Roles can include team leadership, coordination and specialist tasks.

 

You can join a Functional Team, one or more Volunteer Pools, or both. Your involvement can change over time.

What Volunteering with LUCA Is Like

What you can expect from LUCA

We will give you clear information, support and someone to ask when you need help. We want you to use your experience and ideas, and we want everyone to feel welcome, safe and respected. You may also have opportunities to learn new skills, take part in training and take on more responsibility.

What we ask from our volunteers

If you agree to help, please do your best to follow through, or let us know if your plans change. Treat others with respect, follow the guidance for your activity or role, work safely and respect private information. Nobody is expected to know everything, so please ask if you are unsure.

Join a Volunteer Pool

Our four Volunteer Pools are flexible ways to help. We contact you when something suitable comes up, and you decide whether you are available.

Events & Projects

Help at events and practical projects, from setting up and welcoming people to running stalls, moving equipment and supporting activities. If you have the interest and experience, you could also organise or lead a particular event or project.

Kitchen

Help prepare, cook, serve or provide food for activities. You might help in a kitchen or prepare something at home. Volunteers with suitable skills and training may also organise and supervise kitchen activities.

Drivers

Help with collections, deliveries and transport, including donated goods, supplies, equipment and agreed passenger journeys. We will explain the journey and requirements before you decide whether to help.

Saturday Club

Help with LUCA’s regular Saturday activities, including stalls, souvenir sales, fundraising, raffles, welcoming visitors and passing on enquiries. Choose the Saturdays that suit you.

No fixed minimum commitment. Join more than one pool if you wish.

Explore Our Functional Teams

Our seven Functional Teams help organise and develop LUCA’s work. Explore a team that interests you to see what it does and the volunteer roles available.

Aid Coordination

Help get the right aid to the right people. Support aid requests, sourcing, transport, deliveries, records and follow-up.

Explore Aid Coordination roles

Events

Help plan and deliver community, cultural and fundraising events, including venues, activities, equipment and volunteers.

Explore Events roles

Projects

Help turn ideas into practical projects, including community, cultural, educational and humanitarian activities.

Explore Projects roles

Fundraising

Help raise the funds LUCA needs through grants, campaigns, regular giving, sponsorship, business support and new ideas.

Explore Fundraising roles

Volunteer Development

Help recruit, welcome, support and develop volunteers, and match people with opportunities that suit them.

Explore Volunteer Development roles

Communications

Help tell LUCA’s story through social media, news, photography, video, design, website content and supporter updates.

Explore Communications roles

Partnerships

Help build relationships with charities, businesses, community groups, public bodies and other supporters.

Explore Partnerships roles

Want to understand how LUCA is organised? Visit How LUCA Works in the About Us section

Other Ways to Help

You may have something to offer that does not fit neatly into a Functional Team or Volunteer Pool. We would also welcome enquiries from people who can help with charity administration, meeting paperwork and minutes, finance records and bookkeeping, research, professional advice or other specialist work.

You might have connections with businesses, community organisations or individuals who could support LUCA, help establish partnerships, offer donations or introduce new opportunities. We would also welcome a conversation if you are interested in becoming a LUCA trustee. Trustee appointments have separate responsibilities and requirements.

Tell us what you could offer, even if you are not sure where it fits.

Getting Started

Register your interest through our Google Form. We will be in touch to discuss what you would like to do, suitable opportunities and what happens next.


You can start small and change your involvement over time. You do not need to know exactly where you fit before getting in touch.

Occasional volunteering and Volunteer Pools

We will contact you about relevant opportunities. You decide whether to help. We will give you the information and briefing you need, and arrange any checks or training required for the activity.

Functional Team roles

We will arrange a short LUCA Volunteer Induction, ask you to sign the Volunteer Agreement and help you get started with the relevant team. We will provide any additional role-specific guidance, checks or training.

Register to Volunteer with Luca

Alternatively, email volunteer@leeds-uca.co.uk.