Voluntary Volunteer Roles in Berkshire

Are you passionate about singing and would like to empower others to use their voices in a choir?

We are recruiting for a Choir Support and Engagement Volunteer at our Dame Gertrude Young House which supports men who have mental health needs. Choirs have shown to reduce stress levels and depression as well as creating a sense of togetherness. We are looking for a volunteer who loves singing and is willing to get involved, whilst also encouraging our service users to participate and sing together! Your role will also involve supporting service users getting to and from the venue.

Volunteering with Hestia will mean that you will play a key role in promoting strategies for positive wellbeing and recovery through music and singing! 

What you will be doing

• Encourage service users to get involved in the choir and sing together.
• Participating in the choir
• Supporting service users with getting to and from the venue

The skills you need

• Good communication skills
• Interest in singing
• Fun and friendly personality to be able to engage our service users

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

***This is an unpaid volunteer role***

A crucial volunteer role at the centre, volunteer Centre Assistants help out at least one morning per week to warmly welcome members to the centre, help with queries (in person, by email and over the phone) and direct people to our various activities. This is an active and varied way to volunteer where no two days are the same!

Qualities you need for this role

• Confidence and communication skills in person and over the phone

• Reliable, dependable and a good sense of humour

• Flexibility, happy to support staff as needed

• Able to think on your feet 

• Basic IT skills

When you'll be needed

• A morning per week: volunteers must commit for at least six months

• Monday-Friday between the hours 9:30am – 1:00pm

***This is an unpaid voluntary role***

A crucial volunteer role at the centre, volunteer Reception Helpers help out at least one afternoon per week to warmly welcome members to the centre, help with queries (in person, by email and over the phone) and direct people to our various activities. This is an active and varied way to volunteer where no two days are the same!

Qualities you need for this role

• Confidence and communication skills in person and over the phone
• Reliable, dependable and a good sense of humour
• Flexibility, happy to support staff as needed
• Able to think on your feet 
• Basic IT skills

When you'll be needed

• An afternoon per week: volunteers must commit for at least six months
• Monday-Friday between the hours 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Chief of Staff  

Youth Mix is a new start-up young people’s charity that aims to become an award-winning charity that’s about “Inspiring A Generation” empowering young people to be change-makers in their communities, as well as through projects that UNITE communities, EDUCATE on social issues, INSPIRE a generation of leaders and CREATE active citizens. 

ROLE TITLE: 

Volunteer Chief of Staff

HOURS: 

Approx. 6 hours per week 

COMMITMENT PERIOD: 

A minimum of 12 months is needed for this volunteer management role

RESPONSIBLE TO: 

CEO

LOCATION: 

Remote with possible in person meetings in London 

CLOSING DATE: 

TBC 

ROLE SUMMARY 

The Chief of Staff is a brand new position at Youth Mix and plays a crucial and key role in ensuring the smooth running of operational activities by being the liaison between the volunteers and the CEO on all operational matters.

The CEO is currently heavily involved with the operational staff and projects. The team is growing, and the work is expanding. Therefore, we are looking for a self-motivated volunteer who is an excellent communicator, is great with people, a good problem solver to support the CEO and be a crucial link and coordinator between the CEO and the rest of the operational team. 

This is a senior role and reports directly to the CEO. In this new exciting role, you will: 

• Act as a liaison between the staff and the CEO regarding the company’s project updates, processes as well as volunteers’ well-being; 

• Meet with the charity's senior team for business updates, supporting with challenges and escalating to CEO as appropriate; 

• Attendance at bi-monthly trustee meetings if required

• Assist, communicate and support volunteers and Young Leaders throughout the decision-making, program management and initiative implementation stages;

• Continuously improve the company’s ongoing processes and develop procedures to ensure compliance, optimal efficiency and productivity;

• Design, review and improve the organisation’s structure (as appropriate) and address or escalate to the CEO ongoing problems 

• Cover reasonable requests from the CEO 

• Build good relationships with volunteers and Young Leaders

• Work with the CEO on succession planning; and 

• Assist with reporting e.g. gathering multiple projects and progress reports and compiling them into one organisational reporting pack.

Experience and skills requirements  

Essential: 

• Programme management skills,

• Strategic planning and thinking 

• Managing operational volunteers

• Excellent communication

• Strong problem-solving skills

• Be open, transparent and approachable.  

Desirable: 

• Matrix management 

• Management of remote teams

• Experience of working with young people

How to apply  

Email us your CV with the reference COS0124. We will then send you a short application form for you to complete and email back to us. Once your application has been reviewed and if you are successful we will contact you to arrange a telephone interview.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the high number of applications we are expecting to receive for this role, we are not able to respond individually to candidates concerning their applications.

Therefore, if after the application stage of the process, if you do not hear from us 4 weeks from the date of submitting your application, please consider your application unsuccessful on this occasion

***This is an unpaid voluntary role***

A crucial volunteer role at the centre, volunteer Reception Helpers help out at least one morning per week to warmly welcome members to the centre, help with queries (in person, by email and over the phone) and direct people to our various activities. This is an active and varied way to volunteer where no two days are the same!

Qualities you need for this role

• Confidence and communication skills in person and over the phone
• Reliable, dependable and a good sense of humour
• Flexibility, happy to support staff as needed
• Able to think on your feet 
• Basic IT skills

When you'll be needed

• A morning per week: volunteers must commit for at least six months
• Monday-Friday between the hours 9:30am – 1:00pm

Numberfit is a social enterprise that makes maths fun and engaging for children across all age groups. 

We're seeking a dynamic and versatile individual to join our team as a marketing specialist. In this role, you'll be responsible for developing and executing integrated digital marketing, with a little PR, strategies to promote Numberfit's brand, products, and mission. You'll work closely with our team to craft compelling narratives, engage with our audience, and drive awareness and engagement across various online and offline channels.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement comprehensive digital, traditional and guerrilla marketing and PR strategies to enhance Numberfit's brand presence and reach.

• Create engaging content for digital platforms, including social media, blogs, email newsletters, and website copy.

• Manage and grow Numberfit's social media channels, fostering community engagement and interaction.

• Build and maintain relationships with media contacts, influencers, and key stakeholders to secure press coverage and partnerships.

• Monitor and analyse PR and digital marketing performance metrics, making data-driven decisions to optimise strategies and campaigns.

• Stay up-to-date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in digital marketing and PR.

If you're passionate about making a difference and ready to join a small team dedicated to transforming education and empowering children, we'd love to hear from you!

Sooty, the famous loveable bear and national treasure, has featured on RNIB’s collection boxes for more than 50 years. With your support, RNIB has raised more than £13 million in public donations collected in our iconic Sooty boxes. 

Join our community of amazing volunteer Sooty box collectors and help us to provide blind and partially sighted people with the support they need. RNIB urgently needs volunteers to collect and bank donations received through our Sooty boxes, which play a vital role in generating income and raising our profile in local communities. This role is completely flexible, can be performed by individuals, pairs or groups and the time you dedicate to it is entirely up to you and your commitments. You can give your time as little or as often as you like!

Please note: Volunteers will be expected to use their own transportation and ideally should have access to a car. Mileage or transport costs will be reimbursed.

We're seeking a creative and passionate Volunteer Copywriter to join our team. This role involves crafting compelling copy that resonates with our audience, supports our campaigns, and aligns with the "Their Future Today" voice and style.

What will you be doing?

Key Responsibilities

• Develop engaging and impactful copy for a variety of channels including our website, social media, email campaigns, and promotional materials.
• Work closely with our General Manager and CEO to maintain and refine the "Their Future Today" style guide, ensuring consistency across all communications.
• Assist in creating compelling narratives for our fundraising campaigns, events, and awareness initiatives.
• Edit and proofread content to ensure it meets the organisation's quality standards.

What are we looking for?

Requirements

• Proven experience in copywriting, with a portfolio of work that demonstrates your skill in creating compelling written content.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with an eye for detail and a heart for storytelling.
• Ability to adapt style and tone to align with "Their Future Today" brand voice.
• Creative thinker with the ability to generate innovative ideas and translate them into effective copy.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

What difference will you make?

The volunteer copywriter at Their Future Today will play a pivotal role in shaping our voice and narrative, enabling us to connect more deeply with our audience and stakeholders. Through the power of words, they will help illuminate the challenges and triumphs we face, compelling action and fostering a community united in support of our mission. Their creative and impactful storytelling will not only elevate our brand but also drive vital support and awareness, making a significant difference in the lives of those we aim to help. This role is essential in amplifying our efforts to create lasting change, ensuring every message we share resonates and inspires.

Our mission is to end the institutionalisation and suffering of vulnerable children disadvantaged through poverty in Sri Lanka.

***This is an unpaid voluntary role***

A crucial volunteer role at the centre, volunteer Centre Assistants help out at least one afternoon per week to warmly welcome members to the centre, help with queries (in person, by email and over the phone) and direct people to our various activities. This is an active and varied way to volunteer where no two days are the same!

Qualities you need for this role

• Confidence and communication skills in person and over the phone
• Reliable, dependable and a good sense of humour
• Flexibility, happy to support staff as needed
• Able to think on your feet 
• Basic IT skills

When you'll be needed

• An afternoon per week: volunteers must commit for at least six months
• Monday-Friday between the hours 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Borderline Support UK CIC supports people from all over the UK who are living with borderline personality disorder, their families, and the professionals who work with them. Safeguarding is central to everything we do, we recognise that the welfare of our service users and volunteers is paramount and that we have a duty of care to everyone in our services. We will do everything we can to provide a safe environment for service users and volunteers. 

About the role

Although we recognise that safeguarding is the responsibility of all, the Safeguarding Trustee will take the lead on safeguarding, supporting the board and chief executive. 

The safeguarding trustee will:

• review and implement safeguarding policies and procedures
• ensure there is an annual review
• be aware of safeguarding legislation and other relevant obligations including the safeguarding expectations of the Charity Commission
• produce and deliver safeguarding reports to the board 
• produce and assist with safeguarding training
• support the trustees to develop their understanding of safeguarding

About you

Experience and skills we are looking for:

• experience of working in safeguarding for adults
• awareness of relevant guidance and legislation
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive and confidential information
• commitment to the values and aims of the organisation

About the board

Our board of trustees is a friendly, dedicated and active group. Our six trustees help run committees and groups, and are passionate about the goals of the organisation. The board meets once a month at present (this will move to less frequently in time), and meets remotely over Teams. 

Why join us? 

This is an exciting time to join us, as we implement our strategy for 2024 onwards. Over the next five years we want to develop our services, invest in new ways of supporting people, and grow our service to meet the increased need for support. We are also implementing awareness campaigns and training workshops. 

In 2016, we set out on a mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by MCAS. Mast Cell Action is more than a charity; it's a movement, a community, and a collective voice that echoes the needs and concerns of those we serve. We provide support to the MCAS Community and work to raise awareness and understanding of MCAS amongst relevant professionals and organisations. Our dedication to the MCAS community extends far beyond words; it's at the heart of everything we do. 

We provide support in multiple ways and are led by the voice of the MCAS community. Through virtual sessions, supportive resources, and awareness-raising activities, we are here for everyone in the UK living with MCAS. Our driving force is the profound desire to improve the lives of everyone affected by MCAS. We are deeply committed to standing by the side of the mast cell disease community, their families and dedicated doctors. We don't merely hope for change; we actively work to create it. 

Our vision is bold and unwavering: a world where every person affected by Mast Cell Disease is not only heard but truly understood. We envision a world where their symptoms are acknowledged, leading to accurate diagnoses and, most importantly, the compassionate care and support they need and deserve.

At Mast Cell Action, we believe in the power of community, the strength of passion, and the boundless potential of collective action. We invite you to join us on this incredible journey, whether you're someone touched by MCAS, a dedicated healthcare professional, or just someone who shares our enthusiasm for making the world a better place for those affected by mast cell diseases. Together, we can transform this vision into reality. 

Our mission: 

To provide support for all those affected by Mast Cell Activation Disorders 

To bring the MCAS community together with one unified voice 

To work with the medical community to help ensure patients with MCAS receive the best care possible 

To promote increased research into conditions related to mast cell activation

To lobby for universal awareness, diagnosis and treatment of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome 

To educate the wider community, helping to reduce stigma and improve lives for those living with MCAS 

Mast Cell Action's vision is of a world where everyone affected by Mast Cell Disease has their symptoms acknowledged and experiences listened to, to achieve a correct diagnosis, and to receive the care and support that they need. 

Our charitable objective is to improve the lives of people affected by Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. 

Database Coordinator role spec: We are looking to recruit a well-organised and practical Database Coordinator who can manage our Salesforce database. You must have sufficient knowledge of Salesforce, this is not a training opportunity and we will be relying on your expertise to manage the workload. 

Key tasks include:  

• Maintain our existing Salesforce database; cleansing and uploading data, managing integrations, overseeing dashboards, creating reports as needed, managing apps 

• Streamlining processes for efficiency 

• Advise on best practice use of Salesforce tools to maximise potential  

• Create user guides/training to support effective ongoing use of database 

• Ensure GDPR compliance with data storage  

Key Objectives Include: 

• Well maintained and GDPR compliant Salesforce database  

• Efficient and accurate reporting in place and accessible to the team 

• Creation of ‘how to’ guides for ongoing usage  

The role is flexible and may be altered to suit both the needs of the organisation and the skills of the candidate. You will be responsible for planning of your work and may involve working with a team of volunteers. An induction will be provided, with continual guidance from a member of the team.

You will have the opportunity to measure your progress through regular check-ins with both your supervisor. This is a great opportunity to gain invaluable experience and enhance your CV and we would be happy to provide a reference.  Currently, this opportunity is remote/home based. 

Applications should consist of a CV and a one-page covering letter explaining why you would like to be part of Mast Cell Action, which aspects of our work particularly appeal to you, and what you would bring to the role. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom/Teams video conferencing on a rolling basis, so apply as early as possible. 

All applicants will be considered for this opportunity without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, parental status or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, parental status. 

Renumeration: 

This is an unpaid role, but any expenses related to charity work will be paid. 

Closing Date: 
Immediate start date if successful 

Other info

UK applicants only

Please check you spam/junk folders for a response as our emails occasionally fall into them 

Bipolar UK was originally formed in the 1980s as a local support system for the community by the community. Our first meeting was held in 1983 and since that day Bipolar UK has supported people living with the condition and their loved ones.  Our aim is to enable everyone affected by bipolar to live well.

Each year we support thousands of individuals through our range of peer support services, which include:

• Peer Support Groups (in-person and online)
• A call-back Peer Support Line
• Our eCommunity

In the years ahead, providing peer support services will remain central to everything we do. This vital work is only possible because of volunteers such as yourself.

How volunteers support us

We couldn’t exist without the amazing support of our dedicated team of volunteers. They help us by giving us key insights from our community. They also provide hands-on support so we can run a significant network of peer support groups and a one-to-one peer support line via telephone and email.

Thanks to the incredible collaboration between our staff team and our volunteers we currently empower approximately 1,000 people a month to stay well, and we have the ambition to reach thousands more.

Our commitment to volunteers:

We want you to get the most out of volunteering with us and we take our responsibility towards you very seriously.

 To support you, we will:

• Provide clear descriptions for our volunteering roles
• Treat volunteers fairly and in accordance with the Bipolar UK Equal Opportunities policy
• Ensure volunteers’ information is kept securely and in accordance with Bipolar UK Privacy policy, the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR
• Keep volunteers informed of relevant changes, including to policies and staff
• Provide appropriate training and support to encourage and develop volunteers in every role
• Work collaboratively with all our volunteers to improve the services we deliver, identifying training needs and providing additional learning
• Ensure our volunteering practices are compliant with current and relevant legislation
• Reimburse agreed out of pocket expenses in line with Bipolar UK’s policy and guidance
• Celebrate and recognise all our volunteers’ successes and ongoing contributions to the charity
• Support aspirations to upskill with relevant training and development

Training and development

All volunteers are given an induction and training relevant to their role before they begin volunteering so they can feel confident to carry out their tasks. Training is an ongoing commitment for both Bipolar UK staff and volunteers. Training sessions are usually held by the Bipolar UK team, although external training will be given whenever relevant and appropriate.

Who can volunteer?

As part of the volunteer recruitment process, we ask you to complete an application form. We will then invite you for an informal phone interview and ask you to provide two referees.

Roles within Bipolar UK are subject to an enhanced DBS check. The information gathered throughout this process helps us to make an informed decision about whether the volunteering role is right for you, as well as following our safeguarding procedures.

Skills and experience

We look for people who:

• Communicate well
• Enjoy teamwork
• Are able to adapt and willing to learn
• Are reliable, punctual and good at time management
• See situations with objectivity and compassion 
• All our volunteers must be 18 or older.

Bipolar UK will make sure that people are judged on their ability and potential, not on their background and situation. We will seek to treat people fairly, regardless of visible and non-visible differences such as mental health, health, gender, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religious beliefs or practices, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, age, family/marital status, social background, pregnancy or potential pregnancy, caring responsibilities, spent criminal convictions or trade union affiliation.

We appreciate that these differences will contribute to diverse experiences of life, attitudes, values, and ways of thinking and communicating - and that these different perspectives can make a valuable contribution to our work.

What we ask of volunteers:

We ask that all volunteers commit to a minimum of two to four hours a week for our phone/email service or up to 4 hours per month for our support groups, for at least six months wherever possible.

We expect all volunteers to attend regular training as part of role development and progression, and to abide by our policies and guidelines. A commitment to our mission and values is imperative, along with a desire to make a difference to those affected by bipolar.  All volunteers represent the charity and must always remain professional when interacting with the public and external services.

Volunteers should:

• Have personal experience of bipolar if the role requires it
• Display empathy and understanding of the needs of others
• Understand and remain conscious of their own needs, including managing their own wellbeing
• Communicate effectively with the team
• Be always respectful of others, in line with Bipolar UK policies
• Have basic IT skills and computer literacy 

Our volunteering roles:

• Support Group Co-facilitator (online)
• Support Group Co-facilitator (in-person)
• Support Group Administrator
• Peer Support Line Volunteer
• Media Ambassador
• Fundraising Assistant
• Events Assistant

The Survivors Trust is keen to find someone with a finance background to join our active and highly motivated Trustee Board.We really welcome the insight and drive that survivors can bring to our work and are keen to promote diversity on the Board.

The Survivors Trust is a national membership organisation for specialist voluntary sector rape and sexual abuse support services in the UK and Ireland.  We have 120+ member agencies who are all independent charities providing a range of counselling, support and advocacy services for women, men, children and young people, partners and family members who have been affected by sexual violence of any kind at any time in their lives.

The impact of sexual violence of any form, whether experienced as an adult or as a child, can be devastating and can last a lifetime. Survivors may experience a wide range of physical and mental health problems as a result of being sexually violated, affecting every aspect of their health, lives, relationships, education and work.  We aim to raise awareness of the support survivors need and the work of our Member Agencies in providing this crucial help.

TST is in the unique position of having member agencies that are working with all victims and survivors of sexual violence and sexual abuse.  We are well aware of the issues facing organisations that are delivering trauma informed services and can support them and policy makers and commissioners to understand how services need to be developed and provided.  TST is an independent inspection body for our UKAS accredited service standards for specialist sexual violence organisations.

We provide an accredited Diploma for Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and CPD accredited workshops.  We have also established a quality mark for educational establishments and corporate organisations, our Trauma Informed Educator and Trauma Informed Employer Quality Marks (TIE).

The right candidate will need to make a pesonal commitment to our work and to support our vision and values with compassion and empathy.  They will need to be willing to work with the other Trustees, the Chief Executive and staff team, acting as an ambassador for TST and helping to support our collaboration with partners and secure funds to deliver our objectives.

We are looking for someone who knows the CSA / CMS system to either do some on-line advice sessions or to be on the board readily available to answer CSA questions. This is an on-line role so needs access to facebook and an email address will be provided