Academic Researcher Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Cure Parkinson’s is a UK registered medical research charity that supports research internationally focused on disease modification in Parkinson’s. Preclinically, our funding remit is centred around Parkinson’s research that is of a disease modifying nature and within 5 years of clinical testing in people with Parkinson’s. Cure Parkinson’s also funds clinical research, particularly trials and sub studies of clinical trials evaluating disease modification in Parkinson’s. Cure Parkinson’s is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and as such we adhere to the principles and guidelines on research management set out by the organisation.
The Cure Parkinson’s Research Committee (RC) is responsible for reviewing research proposals that are submitted on a quarterly basis. The RC is a committee of 10-12 academics and people with Parkinson’s who voluntarily meet four times per year to evaluate approximately 10 grant applications per round. If an application is considered to be within the funding remit and of interest to the RC, they will be sent out for expert peer review. The feedback from those peer reviews will be used by the RC at the next RC meeting (~3 months later) to decide whether to recommend funding the project to the Cure Parkinson’s Trustees.
The main purpose of the RC Chair is to provide leadership to, and oversee management of the RC.
The Cure Parkinson’s research team provides support to the Chair by organising the RC meetings and managing the grant application process (including organisation of the expert peer reviewers).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
JOB DESCRIPTION
The National Institute for African Studies (NIAS) is a London-based think tank that provides objective information on African affairs, looking to appoint a Research & Publishing Intern within its office in Central London. Our main publication, The Saharan is an interdisciplinary journal published by NIAS aimed at exploring the dynamic relationship between culture and development in Africa.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
- Support the editors in the sourcing & production of blog and journal publications
- Checking material for completeness, copy-edit and check appropriate non-technical material such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter updates
- Generate, check and correct files with names, contact information, number of articles, review assessments, and consent forms.
- Serve as a custodian of approved originals of all documentation produced for The Saharan journal
- Use NIAS LinkedIn account to connect to academics and groups to promote the journal, acquire papers, and attract skilled scholars to become reviewers
- Coordinate the publication flow of the journal and all stages of the editorial processes upon the release of each issue
- Review and adjust publications according to the style of the journal, ensuring the correct usage of references and plagiarism checking
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST:
- Have a minimum of undergraduate degree
- Excellent knowledge of MS Office applications
- Demonstrate excellent editorial and administrative skills together with high attention to detail
- Ability to work under pressure to tight schedules and deadlines
TO APPLY:
- CV
- Covering Letter
- Official transcript(s) of universities attended
- Contact information for two referees (email and telephone preferably from both universities and workplaces)
The position is based in London, UK. Only candidates who already possess the right to work in the UK should apply. The contract is for three months with a probation period of four weeks, extendable upon agreement and contingent on a continued volunteer/paid position.
Candidates should send a covering letter explaining the skills they would offer to NIAS, attaching a CV and a list of referees. The deadline for this round of application is 10 April. Due to the high number of applicants, only those selected will be contacted.
Flexible Working Options Available:
- Flexitime
- Work from home/university
- Part-time
Job Types: Volunteer, Internship
Benefits:
- Travel Expenses, Flexitime
Education:
- BSc. and equivalent or higher (required)
Experience:
- Publishing: 1 year (preferred)
- Research 1 year (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Criminal Justice Alliance (CJA) advocates for a fair and effective justice system. Our insight come from our members: over 200 non-profit organisations and academics with expertise across the UK justice system. We investigate key issues in criminal justice, co-produce evidence-led briefings and reports with our members to influence policy change. We connect practitioners, academics, the media, people with lived experience and policy makers from across the justice system to hold the government and other institutions to account and to promote power sharing.
We are looking for a Chair to lead the Board of trustees, ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation. The Chair's role is also to work in partnership with the Director, helping them achieve the aims of the organisation and to optimise the relationship between the Board and staff.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
All Nations Christian College is world renowned for effective cross-cultural training for Christian missional life and work, both locally and globally.
We are looking for a qualified lecturer to take overall responsibility for all aspects of our 10-week missions training En Route course at the Easneye site, teach on all other programmes offered by All Nations Christian College according to their area of expertise, and provide support and pastoral care to students. The successful candidate will have recent, extensive and relevant experience in cross-cultural mission and teaching experience in an academic context, together with pastoral skills.
This role is for a Tutor to be a residential volunteer on site (accommodation and meals are provided free of charge); or the role can suit a local volunteer who travels on site (travel expenses covered).
In the nature of the role, it is a genuine requirement that the post holder is a committed Christian and fully supports the objectives of the college.
Working conditions
Located: Easneye, Ware, Hertfordshire
Hours of work: full time / part time
(In order to apply, please send a completed application form and updated CV. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis)
All Nations Christian College is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children from abuse and neglect. We expect all staff who work with us to share this commitment.
All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The job entails working closely with project/programme managers in ensuring the smooth running of the organisation's internal operations, external networking, HR, events, communications & fundraising. Successful candidates will be able to gain proven experience in each of the highlighted areas.
The successful candidate must be a quick learner, trustworthy, intelligent and pro-active self-starter, highly organised and able to multitask effectively.
Key responsibilities include:
Provide receptionist and general admin support to the team, including basic bookkeeping
Provide seamless support to project leads, contractors and freelancers
Help with events and conferences.
Help with writing of funding proposals, publicity & marketing
Update social media, website, marketing and promotion content
The Ideal Candidate will:
Be Intelligent & Trustworthy - have gained great academic results
Demonstrate excellent writing skills and speaking ability
Pay attention to details and exhibit high degree of precision with work assignments
Be Tech Savvy - Be competent/confident with CRM, CMS, social media and spreadsheets
Have some interest in Art Galleries, Creativity, Research, International Devevelopment and/or business administration
Benefits:
Career Development Plan Support
Access to paid training and qualification enhancement
Reimbursement of out of pocket expenses
Fully remote working option available to suitably experienced candidate(s).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are seeking a Trustee Treasurer to help to manage our finances and investments, as well as being involved in strategic decision-making and grant giving.
Trustee Treasurer
The Lipman Miliband Trust funds socialist research and education as well as “educational activities that raise public awareness and understanding of struggles and movements for peace, human rights and a more equal, diverse co-operative and democratic society.”
The Trust was established by socialist businessman Michael Lipman in 1974 and academic Ralph Miliband until his death in 1994. Information about the Trust’s history can be found here, and examples of projects and organisations we have supported in recent years can be found here and here. We are celebrating fifty years of the Trust’s existence this year – and looking forward to the next 50!
Having benefited from a significant increase in resources in recent years we have started on an exciting new phase of our development that has meant increasing staff support and expanding our outreach, fund-raising and grant-giving activities. We are currently a Board of ten trustees and we are now seeking a Trustee Treasurer who shares our values and our belief in the vital importance of socialist education.
About the role
You will work with our Trust Coordinator as well as external advisors and accountants in helping to manage our finances and investments, and be a member of our Governance and Finance Working Group. Our finances and investments are critical to the success of our work so we are looking for someone with experience of financial management and/or accounting, as well as some level of experience in understanding and/or managing investments. This is a voluntary, unpaid post, but we are happy to pay for appropriate additional training and there will be a lot of support from the Trust Coordinator and other trustees.
Being a Trustee is a significant commitment and responsibility, but it is also hugely rewarding. The role will require you to attend each of our four Trustee meetings a year, and to participate in regular online meetings of the Finance & Governance Working Group. You will be part of strategic decision-making about the Trust, contribute towards the Trust’s governance and take part in decisions about grant awards.
We are based in different locations around the country and most of our work is conducted online, however we aim to meet in-person as a Board at least twice a year.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
You will support the Digital Marketing & Communications Officer with marketing and admin tasks, helping promote Equality in Tourism’s work across our website, social media, newsletters and PR. Typical tasks might include sourcing and designing imagery, keyword research and uploading blog posts.
About us:
Equality in Tourism is a non-profit organisation, transforming the lives of women in tourism by
promoting gender equality across the industry. We envision a just and sustainable tourism
industry that empowers women and girls, promotes diversity and inclusion, and contributes to the
social, economic and environmental well-being of local communities. Our team and associates
are experts in the field of gender equality in tourism and we work together to create and inspire
meaningful change within the industry.
Person Specification
This role would suit a student or recent graduate in marketing and communications or tourism. It could also be a good opportunity for someone with a marketing background looking to gain experience in the non-profit sector or someone with relevant experience who has retired from paid work.
We’re looking for someone who has…
- A great understanding of digital marketing and social media, with relevant academic or work experience.
- Strong writing and proofreading skills.
- Good organisation and time management, able to manage deadlines and keep the team updated on progress.
- Committed to gender equality and has enthusiasm towards our goal of creating a fairer, more sustainable tourism industry.
It’s a bonus if you have…
- Graphic design experience, using tools like Canva or Adobe.
- Video editing skills.
- Knowledge of SEO.
- Experience with CMS, especially WordPress and HubSpot.
Why Volunteer With Equality in Tourism?
You’ll be joining a small team but one with a wealth of knowledge on gender, tourism and marketing that you can learn from. While most of your contact will be with the Digital Marketing Officer, you’ll also get to work and connect with our directors, trustees and fellow volunteers.
You’ll also have the opportunity to influence our campaigns and make a difference with your ideas. We’ll make sure you’re developing skills that enhance your CV and work portfolio.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Council of Deans of Health is a dynamic and influential charity and membership organisation representing the interests of university faculties engaged in education and research for nursing, midwifery, and the allied health professions across the UK.
With a presence spanning England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and Gibraltar, we operate as a charity registered across the UK, advocating for the vital role our members play in health and social care. With over 100 member institutions from across the tertiary education system educating approximately 200,000 current and future health professionals and conducting research that directly impacts the health and wellbeing of our population we truly represent those responsible for healthcare education throughout the UK.
Trustee opportunities
We are currently seeking enthusiastic individuals who are willing to learn, collaborate effectively, demonstrate emotional intelligence, and engage fully with the aims and objectives of our organisation to join our Board. We are looking for people who can bring a variety of skills and experience, including the ability to work strategically, expertise in charity governance and compliance, and commercial acumen.
As we embark on shaping a new strategy for the Council to run from 2025 onwards, we are particularly keen to welcome Trustees who will bring diverse perspectives and ensure our Board is inclusive and representative.
As a trustee, you will have the opportunity to play a pivotal role in influencing policy, strengthening membership engagement, and shaping the future direction of our organisation. Our values of inclusivity, innovation, and impact underpin everything we do, and our strategic aims reflect our commitment to advancing healthcare education and research.
We are looking for people who share our vision and values. Previous board experience is not required.
How to apply
Eastside People is supporting the Council of Deans of Health in recruiting for these roles. Please apply by submitting your CV and cover letter, which should cover the following:
- Why are you interested in a trustee role at the Council of Deans of Health?
- How you can contribute to the Council as a trustee? Please highlight relevant experience and demonstrate how your skills match the specific requirements of the role set out in the candidate pack.
- Why do you think you would be a good fit for the Council?
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. Please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can make the application process work for you.
The closing date for applications is Friday 24 May with online shortlisting interviews taking place the week after. Face to face interviews with the recruitment panel at the Council will take place early to mid-June.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you want to gain professional writing skills and have your named work viewed by thousands? Do you have a passion for great literature or fine art or classical or contemporary music or history or archaeology or something else in the humanities? Do you love to learn about other cultures, their cuisine, customs and language? Do you want to join a vibrant community of writers? Then write for us!
The Cultural Me helps our subscribers learn about the arts and culture the same way they would learn a new language. We are a tech company and are developing artificial intelligence-assisted learning.
We are looking for writers to research and write micro-articles (roughly 300–350 words) on selected subjects, for example, a piece on Tolstoy, or Early Renaissance to Contemporary Art, or Latin American magic realism to Postcolonial Literature, or Sri Lankan culture, or Beethoven, or Film... You will also be involved in editing contributions from other writers.
If you have never written professionally before, then don't worry: all we ask for is a Bachelor’s Degree in the Arts and Humanities. We are also happy to consider you if you have alternative qualifications — provided you can demonstrate specialist subject matter knowledge in one or more areas in the arts and culture (and you love reading). The articles we produce (unlike popular media) are to the best academic standards. The ideal person, therefore, should enjoy writing articles that are well researched yet written in an accessible format suitable for the public at large.
Here is what you can expect from us in return for your voluntary work:
- Detailed and friendly, one-to-one editorial feedback on almost every line you write.
- How to write for a busy mainstream reader: developing a story.
- A language and style guide reflecting modern trends in mainstream media.
- The chance to develop a deeper understanding of the arts, history, philosophy...
- Publication of your work to a global audience on a fast-growing platform.
- Providing a link to your writing portfolio to include in your CV.
- An (optional) fun-filled drop-in Video Meeting every Friday to meet fellow writers and to contribute to fun initiatives including Poetry Challenge (see poster on 'About the Company').
In addition, if you provide The Cultural Me as a reference for a potential job, we will provide a personalised reference based on your portfolio. Our writers have secured jobs with organisations such as the Red Cross, Kobalt Music, Oxford University Museums, amongst others.
This is a brilliant opportunity for someone with a passion for the arts and culture to join a community on a worthy mission. If you love the idea, then please email Gemma by clicking on ‘Apply’ and writing a short covering letter explaining what you like about the role.
COMMENTS FROM OUR WRITERS
Claire Woods — MA Creative Writing, Open University
‘The editors have a keen eye for detail, and I’m learning so much already!’
Florence Gildea — MPhil Sociology, University of Cambridge
‘The level of support, the attention to detail and the encouragement I experienced while writing for The Cultural Me was absolutely unprecedented in all my years of writing. Editing is an underappreciated skill these days, as people are keen to publish content as quickly as possible. It is a testament to the commitment of the Editors at The Cultural Me for producing resources of the highest quality that they put so much time and effort into working with writers like me. I felt both stretched and valued.’
Zoe Willis — BA French and German, University of Bristol
‘Working on The Cultural Me micro-articles really made me interrogate what I was writing, making sure the subject was absolutely clear for those reading it. At university you are never told to examine each sentence as to how it fits in with your argument.’
Elise Czyzowska — BA English Literature & Language, University of Oxford
‘Writing for The Cultural Me has allowed me to continue practising my analytical reading from university, and given me the opportunity to share my thoughts on the literature I know and love.’
Nicholas Benton — BA English Literature, University of Sheffield
‘The Cultural Me provided me with a detailed commendatory reference that helped me secure a place on a master’s degree at the University of Birmingham.’
Tom Mackinnon — BA History of Art, University of Cambridge
‘Since starting to write for The Cultural Me, I’ve actually learnt a lot about writing for mainstream readers. At the same time, I really enjoy being able to keep in touch with the topics I love. I do recommend this experience to anyone wanting to pursue a career in writing, curation or education.’
SAMPLE MICRO-ARTICLES
Please see the attachment.
SAMPLE WRITER PROFILES
Ugne — https://thecultural.me/people/Ugne-Civilyte-109496
Isabella — https://thecultural.me/people/Isabella-Barber-109388
Rami — https://thecultural.me/people/Rami-Barhoumi-109470
Judith — https://thecultural.me/people/Judith-Kuthy-109397
Ashly — https://thecultural.me/people/Ashly-Cork-109382
Christina — https://thecultural.me/people/Christina-Apostolidou-109357
Katerina — https://thecultural.me/people/Katerina-Koukouthaki-109393
Satkartar — https://thecultural.me/people/Satkartar-Chaggar-109383
To demystify and to bring to life the scholarly humanities for practical use.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role: Grant and Bid Writer (Volunteer)
Team: Finance and Commercial
Location: Remote
Reports to: Commercial Manager (Volunteer)
Hours: Approx. 4hrs a week
About Us
Join us at Fair Game, where we're passionate about shaping a brighter future for football! With a vibrant community of 34 football clubs, we're on a journey to revolutionise the game we all love. Collaborating with top-notch academics and industry experts, our goal is to nurture a sport that fills every fan with pride. Imagine wearing your team's colours, confident in the values it represents and the rich traditions it upholds.
Be part of a movement that champions fan involvement, financial health, exemplary governance, and unwavering commitment to equality. Let's team up to make football not just a game, but a legacy we're all proud to be part of. Join Fair Game and help us turn this vision into reality!
What we are Looking For
We're thrilled to share that Fair Game has experienced incredible growth recently, and we're on the brink of making a significant impact. As a volunteer-driven initiative, we're on the lookout for an enthusiastic individual eager to contribute to Fair Game's commercial goals.
This volunteer position is a fantastic chance for someone keen on gaining insights into the football industry and expanding their connections, setting the stage for a promising career in sports management or governance. If this resonates with you, you might just be the person we need to help shape the future of football in an extraordinary way.
Main Responsibilities
(Don’t worry, you won’t be doing all of these on your own)
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Support the Commercial Manager in developing and delivering Fair Game’s multi-stream fundraising and partnering strategy.
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To research and identify potential grants and funds that support Fair Game’s objectives.
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To prepare high-quality grant applications, including writing and editing content, and production of documents in support of the respective applications.
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End-to-end management of grant applications, including updating the respective libraries and funnels for management reporting.
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Managing tender emails, portals, and websites for grant applications, identifying opportunities and future pipeline, registering interest, and downloading the relevant documents.
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Evaluating and identifying areas for improvement from tender and bid feedback.
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To attend a fortnightly one-hour management meeting.
As an organisation, we believe that we are not perfect. We welcome creativity and will always strive to improve.
What you will Need to Bring
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Strong ability to organise and manage tasks efficiently
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Effective communication and relationship-building abilities
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Proficiency in information technology and superior writing capabilities
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Outstanding skills in networking and building rapport with others
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Keen eye for detail
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Experience in preparing and submitting grant applications
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Dedication to the principles and ethos of Fair Game
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Passionate about contributing to a more equitable future in football
What you will Gain
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A network of contacts in the football industry
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An opportunity to develop media, campaigning and researching skills
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And a chance to change football for the better
Volunteering
We are seeking dedicated individuals who are genuinely passionate about contributing to our cause. This voluntary role demands more than just an initial burst of enthusiasm; it requires a steadfast commitment and a deep-seated desire to make a difference.
We kindly ask that only those who are prepared to invest their time and energy, with a serious intent to contribute and grow with us, consider applying. This is not just a role, but a journey towards creating meaningful impact. If you are looking for a casual commitment or are uncertain about your availability and dedication, this might not be the right opportunity for you. We value the contribution of our volunteers immensely and wish to build a team that shares our commitment to the cause
We strongly believe in having more diverse voices in our team and actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those currently under-represented.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for young people currently include: ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), study group, youth club, swimming lessons and football.
About Youth Club:
Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14-19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games.
Youth club takes place at Tooting Hub- Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7BU.
About Sports Programme:
We work in partnership with Fulham Kicks to run a football session every Monday. We provide 1:1 sports advice to help build confidence and remove barriers by supporting young people to plan their journeys and accompanying them to join their first sessions. We find new sessions for young people at youth clubs, gyms and other sports providers. We arrange frequent trips to offer new sports to our young people including: boxing, yoga, trampolining and hopefully to go-karting.
We will also deliver a research project to sports providers, local authorities, support networks and other young people. The project will detail: (1) the accessibility barriers to sports faced by young people, (2) methods of best practice on including young refugees and asylum seekers, (3) funding and support options available from local authorities, and (4) what participatory 1:1 support looks like for young people.
About the role:
As a sports program volunteer, you would be helping young people to travel safely around London, to feel welcome in the city, to join in with sports activities where possible and to inspire young people to take part in sports. You will need to go on group trips to external sports providers and to attend our youth club occasionally. We welcome volunteers with any level of sporting ability, the only thing necessary is to be willing to give some sports a go when it is possible. Please note, some sessions you attend will be only for under 18’s, and so you will not always be allowed to take part, and then your role will only be to accompany. We are very happy to be flexible regarding which sessions you attend according to your interests.
We ask for a commitment of at least 1-2 sports sessions or youth club evenings every month. Our youth club runs every Wednesday from 6.00-8.00pm, the external sports trips will usually be weekday evenings. We are able to be flexible according to your schedule.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- To attend and contribute to volunteer de-briefs which occur after each session/trip.
- Providing feedback of your experience to contribute to the research project.
- To act as a positive role model and set standards of behaviour when volunteering with young people.
- To encourage and inspire young people to reach their full potential.
- To assist young people to both recognise and celebrate their achievements.
- To challenge young peoples’ negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manner.
- To adhere to CARAS Child Protection procedures, Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
- To occasionally research local sports providers to find sessions for our young people.
Requirements:
Essential:
To be 18 years or older;
- To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
- To be reliable and punctual;
- Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
- To be passionate about sports and helping young people to access sports.
- Current resident of the UK;
- Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
- Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to the start of role
Volunteer induction training currently takes place online once a month on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 6pm – 8pm. we offer the same trainings on Tuesday and Wednesday daytimes online between 12noon – 2pm once every 3 months.
Your availability to attend 1 general and 1 safeguarding online training session at these times within 3 months of your application would be a prerequisite of being accepted as a volunteer at CARAS.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish.
Through volunteering with us you will:
- Meet new members of your local community;
- Learn about different cultures;
- Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum and their ability to access sports in London;
- Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
- Develop your skills and competencies;
- Be able to access relevant training;
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role: Youth casework volunteer
Team: Casework
Supervised by: Youth caseworker
Location: Tooting Hub on a Wednesday afternoon (13:30-16:00pm or 18:30-21:00pm)
Time commitment: 2.5 hours a week, we ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 6 months
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.
Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation, we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.
We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.
Our values are at the centre of all our work:
• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests.
• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.
• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.
• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.
About CARAS Casework:
CARAS works with adults and young people of a refugee and asylum seeker background to find solutions to their problems. There are two separate sub-teams within the Casework team; young people and adults. We support young people to navigate the asylum system, understand their rights and entitlements, access education, connect with services and realise their goals. We are a non-specialist casework and advocacy service, so we work in close partnership with other local organisations to whom we refer people with more complex issues.
Using the empowerment model, our casework service embodies CARAS’ values of ‘with not for’, always striving to ensure people are armed with the information and resources they need to make decisions and take action for themselves.
About the Role:
We are currently recruiting 3 volunteers to join our Youth Casework team.
The purpose of the Youth Casework volunteer role is to support young people with a refugee or asylum-seeking background to understand their rights, access information and services, and ultimately, take control of their own lives. You will work with individuals to address problems they may face relating to, among other issues, asylum support, accessing healthcare and education, access to legal advice and finding activities and opportunities.
You will start from an understanding that individuals are always best placed to solve their own problems, and often need nothing more than to talk out a problem and find the solution themselves. When helpful, you will provide information to clarify and support to take action.
The Youth Casework team hold a support session at our community space in Tooting Hub on Wednesday afternoons from 13:30-16:00pm and evenings from 18:00-21:00pm. Volunteer caseworkers have 1:1 appointments, either in person or by phone, with CARAS members. These can be related to a range of topics. Currently, our biggest areas of work are around social care, the National Transfer Scheme, access to college, nursery/school places for children, referrals to mental health providers, searches, and signposting to activities, finding solicitors and supporting people to apply for bus passes and ID cards. Volunteers also support administrative tasks such as updating our databases, collating resources, and creating information guides.
Youth Casework Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities:
Working in an empowering way with individuals and promoting their independence through goal-setting.
Supporting people to develop their knowledge of rights and entitlements.
Assisting with filling out forms.
Signposting and referring to other services and organisations.
Gathering information from experts and disseminating information to people in an accessible manner.
Engaging in collaborative internet and phone research on services, organisations, and grants.
Flagging safeguarding concerns and other issues where further support is required.
Keeping accurate case notes.
Supporting to maintain our signposting database.
Researching and collating resources.
Working collaboratively as a team and assisting in shaping the Youth Casework project.
Adhering to CARAS Confidentiality Policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements (all experience can be from paid or voluntary roles):
Essential:
Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English.
Confidence in using IT (Microsoft Office, Outlook, Zoom, Google Search, online forms)
To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;
A commitment to confidentiality and data protection
Thorough with good attention to detail
Reliable
A high level of spoken and written English
Ability to gather information from people in a sensitive way
A calm, friendly, kind, and patient approach
Enjoyment in speaking to new people
A commitment to working in an empowering way
Able to maintain boundaries
Able to work autonomously
Currently resident in the UK
Desirable:
Experience in doing 1:1 advice work/casework
Working knowledge or experience of relevant law and policy around asylum support, the asylum process, rights, and entitlements for people seeking asylum.
Direct experience of the UK immigration system.
Past experience of working with people seeking asylum.
Proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu, or Vietnamese.
We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process.
Benefits of Volunteering:
· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum.
· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team.
· Develop your skills and competencies.
· Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.
Obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months regular volunteering
All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.
To Apply:
Applicants will have an informal meeting with the Youth caseworker, and one with community members, to assess compatibility to the role. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP.
Successful applicants will be required to complete 2 hours of online general CARAS induction and 2 hours of online safeguarding training and specialist Casework volunteer training before commencing their placement.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Adult Casework Volunteer - Role description
Role: Adult Casework Volunteer
Team: Casework
Supervised by: Adult caseworker
Location: Tooting office on a Thursday afternoon (2-5.30pm)
Time commitment: 3.5 hours a week, we ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 6 months
About CARAS :
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.
Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.
We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.
Our values are at the centre of all our work
• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests
• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society
• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes
• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do
About CARAS casework:
CARAS works with adults and young people of a refugee and asylum seeker background to find solutions to their problems. There are two separate sub-teams within the Casework team; young people and adults. We support adults to navigate the asylum system, understand their options, access benefits, connect with services and realise their goals. We are a non-specialist casework and advocacy service, so we work in close partnership with other local organisations to whom we refer people with more complex issues.
Using the empowerment model, our casework service embodies CARAS’ values of ‘with not for’, always striving to ensure people are armed with the information and resources they need to make decisions and take action for themselves.
About the Role:
We are currently recruiting for 2 volunteers to join our Adult Casework team.
The purpose of the Adult Casework volunteer role is to support adults with a refugee or asylum seeking background to understand their rights, access information and services, and ultimately, take control of their own lives. You will work with individuals to address problems they may face relating to, among other issues, asylum support, accessing healthcare and education, access to legal advice and finding activities and opportunities.
You will start from an understanding that individuals are always best placed to solve their own problems, and often need nothing more than to talk out a problem and find the solution themselves. When helpful, you will provide information to clarify and support to take action.
The Adult Casework team hold a support session at our office in Tooting on Thursday afternoons from 2-5.30pm. Volunteer caseworkers have 1:1 appointments, either in person or by phone, with CARAS members. These can be related to a range of topics. Currently our biggest areas of work are around housing for people seeking asylum, access to college, nursery/school places for children, referrals to mental health providers, searches and signposting to activities, finding solicitors and supporting people to apply for bus passes and ID cards. Volunteers also support with administrative tasks such as updating our databases, collating resources and creating information guides.
Adult Casework Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities:
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Working in an empowering way with individuals and promoting their independence through goal-setting.
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Supporting people to develop their knowledge of rights and entitlements.
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Assisting with filling out forms
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Signposting and referring onto other services and organisations.
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Gathering information from experts and disseminating information to people in an accessible manner.
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Engaging in collaborative internet and phone research on services, organisations and grants.
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Flagging safeguarding concerns and other issues where further support is required.
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Keeping accurate casenotes
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Supporting to maintain our signposting database
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Researching and collating resources
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Working collaboratively as a team and assisting to shape the Adult Casework project.
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Adhering to CARAS Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential
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Experience of doing 1:1 advice work/casework.
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Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English.
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Confidence in using IT (Microsft office, outlook, zoom, Google search, online forms)
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To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;
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A commitment to confidentiality and data protection
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Thorough with good attention to detail
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Reliable
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A high level of spoken and written English
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Ability to gather information from people in a sensitive way
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A calm, friendly, kind and patient approach
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Enjoyment in speaking to new people
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A commitment to working in an empowering way
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Able to maintain boundaries
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Able to work autonomously
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Currently resident in the UK
Desirable
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Working knowledge or experience of relevant law and policy around asylum support, the asylum process, rights and entitlements for people seeking asylum
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Experience of working with interpreters
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Direct experience of the UK immigration system.
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Past experience of working with people seeking asylum
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Proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu or Vietnamese.
We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process
Benefits to Volunteering:
-
Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
-
Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
-
Develop your skills and competencies;
-
Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.
-
Obtain a reference from us relating to your volunteering
All volunteers must complete a basic DBS check for volunteers working with adults and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.
To Apply:
To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form, using this volunteer role description to inform your answers.
Applicants will have an informal meeting with the Adult caseworker, and one with community members, to assess compatibility to the role. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP.
Successful applicants will undergo training and induction with our team.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
As an External Trustee, you will play a crucial role in guiding the strategic direction of Chester Students' Union, ensuring it is delivering effectively for its members and challenging the University to deliver the best possible University experience.
We are seeking individuals who bring a diverse range of skills, experiences, and perspectives to contribute to our dynamic and student-focused Board. If you are passionate about higher education, student well-being, and making a
positive impact, we invite you to consider the following criteria:
In particular we are keen to see people with experience of the following areas:
- Financial Strategy and Governance
- High level leadership experience within the Students’ Union/Charity sector.
- Strategic Partnerships and Measuring impact within Charity, Public Sector
- and/or membership organisations.
- Governance, and Human Resources/People Leadership.
1. Commitment to the Mission:
Demonstrated alignment with the mission and values of Chester Students' Union, with a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities within higher education.
2. Governance and Leadership:
Previous experience serving on boards or in leadership positions, preferably within the education or non-profit sector.
Strong understanding of governance principles and a commitment to upholding ethical standards.
3. Strategic Vision:
Proven ability to think strategically and contribute to the development of long-term organisational goals.
Experience in strategic planning, risk management, and performance evaluation.
4. Financial Acumen:
Familiarity with financial management, budgeting, and financial reporting. Ability to analyse financial information and make informed decisions in the best interest of the organisation.
5. Legal and Compliance Knowledge:
Understanding of the legal and regulatory obligations of charitable companies in the UK. Awareness of governance and compliance issues relevant to the higher education sector.
6. Networking and Advocacy:
Strong networking skills with the ability to advocate for the Students' Union and build collaborative partnerships.
A willingness to represent the organisation at external events and engage with stakeholders.
7. Student-Centric Approach:
A genuine commitment to student welfare and the enhancement of the student experience. Ability to empathise with and understand the diverse needs of the student community.
8. Effective Communication:
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
Comfortable engaging with students, staff, and external partners.
9. Innovation and Adaptability:
A forward-thinking mindset with a focus on innovation and adaptability to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education.
10. Time Commitment:
Willingness and availability to commit the necessary time to fulfil trustee responsibilities, attend meetings, and actively contribute to board discussions.
This is an opportunity to lead the Board of a rapidly growing children’s mental health charity, significantly impacting the lives, mental health and well-being of our children and young people through the provision of award-winning mental health services. Play your part in leading Kids Inspire as they grow in scale and geography and further their impact.
Applications close on: Monday 10th June 2024.
Location: Essex and Suffolk (with meetings in Chelmsford)
Time commitment: c.2 days per month
About Kids Inspire
Kids Inspire was founded in 2007 by our Chief Executive, Sue Bell OBE, to fill gaps in mental health provision for children and young people. Today, Kids Inspire has a track record of success, providing specialist mental health services for children, young people and families.
We have a highly ambitious executive team and an engaged board of trustees. Together, we are determined and driven to make a sustainable difference in the lives of children, young people, and families by ensuring they get the support they need to recover from trauma and thrive.
We provide a range of therapeutic and community services which are suited to each child’s needs. Our holistic specialist services empower children, young people and their families affected by trauma or negative experiences to make positive choices and reclaim their lives.
Our services are informed by the latest developments in research and practice of neuroscience, trauma, and therapy. We believe the best outcomes are achieved when the adults around the child are included in the support, keeping the child at the centre.
Uniquely, therefore, since our inception we have provided ‘family inclusive’ specialist services to children and young people affected by negative experiences or trauma. This approach is one of the critical differentiators that enable us to make a positive impact in young people’s lives.
We are experiencing ever-increasing demands for mental health support. As a society, we are navigating post-pandemic challenges alongside the cost-of-living crisis and its effects.
The global uncertainty puts pressure on everyone, and we know children and young people are sensitive to the well-being and emotional capacity of their parents and/or adults who care for them.
Alongside this, we have seen an increase in the complexity of how our young people present and what concerns them. We need to ensure young people have access to support as we face an emerging and growing mental health crisis.
We know that children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have, on average, weaker social and emotional learning skills at all ages than their peers. This is linked to poor mental health, lower academic attainment, and poorer employment outcomes. However, evidence suggests that developing social and emotional skills can improve young people’s lives.
A recent partnership with Impetus who supports and funds ‘high potential charities,’ has enabled us to reflect on and refine our theory of change and create a rigorous and robust strategy for the next three years of growth. The partnership also gave us access to pro bono support from Bain and Company who pressure-tested our strategy and created a comprehensive implementation plan which is already underway.
We work across Essex and are rapidly growing into Thurrock and Suffolk, with ambitious plans to continue to grow sustainably and have a bigger impact on the lives of children and young people.
We are on the cusp of our next stage of development, from local charity to countrywide provider, and, as we embark on our new business plan, this is a great time to join and lead our board as Chair.
About the role
As our current Chair, Simon Carpenter, is due to step down later this year, we are looking for a new Chair to lead our board at this pivotal time of growth, scaling and development for our organisation.
Who we are looking for
Our new Chair will:
- Bring governance experience and strong commercial acumen, with entrepreneurial experience in scaling and growing organisations.
- Together with our Chief Executive, Sue Bell, help to develop and drive our strategy, creating a bigger impact.
- Have experience leading organisations through growth and change and bringing a business focus.
- Understand the distinctive culture of the charity sector.
- Challenge and support our board and executive team alongside a strategic, open, calm, diplomatic and inclusive approach.
- Join our ambitious and engaged board and collaborate with the executive team to ensure our organisation grows sustainably.
- Share our vision and values and have a passion for supporting children’s and young people’s mental health and well-being.
We want to ensure that all voices are heard across our organisation, and our Chair will work closely with our Chief Executive and team to ensure that young people are at the core of how we work.
Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.
Applications for this role close on Monday 10th June 2024.