Volunteering with Spread Kindness Volunteering Team
About Spread Kindness Volunteering Team
Spread Kindness Volunteering Team is a Dubai group that focuses on small, practical acts of care, much of it for the city’s blue-collar workers. It was founded by Ayesha Ismail, and its roots go back to 2015, when a group of friends and family began doing acts of kindness together under the name Open Arms.
In 2026 the group rebranded as Spread Kindness and registered with Dubai’s Community Development Authority (CDA). That registration matters for volunteers: it means you sign up through official channels, your hours are recorded, and you receive a certificate.
What volunteers do
The team is perhaps best known for its summer ice cream drive. In 2026 it ran the campaign for a second year under the slogan “Beat the Heat with the Cool Treat”, aiming to reach more than 19,000 blue-collar workers across Dubai, according to Khaleej Times.
Distribution days start with a safety and hydration briefing. Volunteers then work alongside an ice cream van, coordinate with site supervisors and approach workers during their breaks. It is quick, cheerful work, and you can see straight away how much a cold treat means in the heat.
Away from the summer campaign, the team also runs a weekly meal drive. As reported in July 2026, this takes place every Saturday in Al Nahda 1, from 11.15am to 12.30pm. That is a manageable slot, so it suits people who want a regular commitment without giving up a whole day.
Who can volunteer
Because the team is registered with the CDA, volunteers sign up through the CDA Volunteer Portal or the DubaiNow app. You will need to create an account on one of these platforms to join an activity. The team has not published a minimum age or dress code that we could find, so check the details on each opportunity listing before you apply.
As a general rule, government volunteering platforms in the UAE ask volunteers to be residents and often set their own age limits per activity, so read the listing carefully, particularly if you want to bring teenagers.
How to get involved
- Open the CDA Dubai Volunteering portal or the DubaiNow app on your phone.
- Log in or register as a volunteer.
- Search for “Spread Kindness” to find the team’s current opportunities.
- Pick an activity, such as a meal drive or a distribution day, and register.
- Turn up on time for the briefing, follow the organisers’ instructions, and your volunteer hours will be logged by the CDA.
If you have a question before signing up, the team’s published contact number is 056 312 7666. You can also find the team on Instagram by searching for Spread Kindness Volunteer Team.
Other ways to help
For the ice cream campaign, the team asks residents to donate ice cream rather than money. Contributions go directly to the campaign’s ice cream supplier, not to the team itself. It is a tidy system that keeps things transparent.
Companies are welcome too. The team has said it welcomes corporate collaborations, so if your workplace is looking for a staff volunteering day or a sponsorship that reaches workers directly, it is worth getting in touch.
Good to know before you go
- Heat: summer distributions happen in serious heat. Drink plenty of water, wear a hat and sunscreen, and take the hydration briefing seriously.
- Clothing: no official dress code is published, but in general, modest, breathable clothing and comfortable closed shoes are the sensible choice for work sites and labour areas.
- Respect breaks: workers are on short breaks. Be quick, friendly and let them get back to resting.
- Photos: always ask before taking pictures of anyone, and accept a no with good grace.
- Follow supervisors: on site, organisers coordinate with site supervisors. Stick to the areas you are directed to.
Contact and links
- Sign up: CDA Dubai Volunteering portal or the DubaiNow app (search “Spread Kindness”)
- Phone: 056 312 7666
- Weekly meal drive: Saturdays, Al Nahda 1, 11.15am to 12.30pm (as reported in July 2026)
- Instagram: search for Spread Kindness Volunteer Team
- Press: Khaleej Times, July 2026
We like Spread Kindness for its straightforward mix of a regular weekly slot and a big seasonal campaign. It is an easy way to make volunteering part of your routine.