Access To Benefits Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Amazing, giving, inspiring and awesome are just a few of the words we would use to describe our volunteers.
Our volunteers play an integral part in the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will really make a difference whilst gaining experience along the way, then join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.
About the role
Do you have great administration and IT skills and enjoy meeting new people? Want a flexible voluntary role that allows you to make a difference to peoples’ lives? Then read on!
We are looking for a Volunteer On-line Meeting Assistant to support the Head of Area (Central Region) with organising and preparing for monthly and quarterly virtual meetings, and on occasion events or conferences.
You will be remote based at home, with some occasional travel for face-to-face meetings (expenses reimbursed), and ideally will be able to commit up to 4 hours per week to volunteering, during usual office hours Monday to Friday.
You will receive training and regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role.
What you will be doing as a Volunteer On-line Meeting Assistant
The majority of meetings are held virtually on-line via MS Teams. You will support the Head of Area (and meeting Chair) by:
- Co-ordinating meeting invitations (via MS Teams), attendee registration and apologies
- Distributing documents in advance of meetings
- Take notes of the meeting and share these with attendees, eg, updating SharePoint
- General meeting support, share any slides, launch polls and set up break out rooms as required during virtual meetings
- Co-ordinate and collate post event evaluations and feedback
- Develop and maintain information systems, eg, attendee contact details and distribution lists
What will make you a great fit for this role?
- Experience of note taking
- Good listening & orgnisational skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft office packages, Outlook and MS Teams
- Good time management skills and the ability to prioritise work
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Warm, friendly, empathetic and able to connect with people from a range of backgrounds
Who are we?
We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”
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 looking for a team player, who is able to support our board to grow the charity over the next few years. Our aim is to break down barriers which prevent people accessing the arts – as well as enriching our community with our workshops, community events and gallery space. We are a passionate and dedicated team in need of support embedding new procedures, strategies and development plans to help the charity grow. We welcome hand-on trustees who wish to come and help at workshops and events, but this is not expected or a requirement of the role.
If you have a background in any of the following it would be very useful for our board: charity experience, marketing and communications, human resources, inclusion and diversity and/or finance. Previous trustee experience is not necessary and we are actively seeking applications from all ages and backgrounds. Having a board with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences will enable SCIP to improve decision making to be more inclusive whilst having better understandings of potential barriers people have experience accessing arts. SCIP are focused on working with people who share our vision and values.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About the role
Becoming a Bus Driver Volunteer is a wonderful way to have fun and meet new people whilst supporting the Charity in raising vital funds and awareness of the charity within the local communities across the county.
What you will be doing
• Driving our ‘Hearing Hopper’ outreach vehicle through the local communities within East Sussex
• Undertake vehicle and health & safety checks as required
• Act as an Ambassador for East Sussex Hearing whilst out and about
• Support the public to access the vehicle and/or services
• Assist other Volunteers and ESH staff to provide general hearing loss information and advice, including signposting to other services
• Deal with any issues or incidents as they arise – following East Sussex Hearing policy & procedures
• Help to keep the ‘Hearing hopper’ clean, tidy and safe
If you are seeking a hands-on role that lets you support East Sussex Hearing whilst having fun - Joining us as a Bus Driver Volunteer is the perfect opportunity! Let's make a difference together, as we’re ‘Here to Help You Hear.’
It is essential that you have a clean C1 driving licence with a minimum of two years' driving experience. The bus is similar in size to an NHS ambulance. Also, essential is the ability to travel to a rural location in Upper Dicker.
What will you gain from volunteering with us
• A chance to meet new people, make new friends and dedicate yourself to a rewarding role
• The time to develop new skills, take on new challenges and enjoy new experiences
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to East Sussex Hearing and support the deaf and hard of hearing community
• Travel expenses can be claimed
• FREE admission to our BSL Sign Language classes
• FREE admission to our Lipreading classes
• Access to exclusive discounts, cashback & vouchers for charity workers & volunteers
Training & Support
East Sussex Hearing will provide all relevant training at our Eastbourne centre, and locally where possible.
What we are looking for
• You're friendly, welcoming and enjoy being part of events
• You enjoy engaging with people and being part of a team
• You’re flexible and willing to take on a variety of tasks
• You’re over the age of 30 due to insurance purposes.
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!
About East Sussex
Hearing Join us in making a meaningful impact! East Sussex Hearing, an independent countywide charity based in Eastbourne, has dedicated over two decades to serving the deaf and hard of hearing community across East Sussex. Our mission is to empower individuals with advice and practical support, enabling them to lead vibrant, active lives and be integral members of their community.
We actively participate in various community events to bolster and enrich the services we offer, while also fostering collaborative working relationships throughout the county, for the benefit of the hard of hearing and deaf population. We are now on the lookout for a passionate Hearing Aid Maintenance (HAM) Volunteer - Uckfield, to join our cause on a voluntary basis.
About the role
Volunteering as a HAM Volunteer offers an enjoyable opportunity to socialise and make new connections, all whilst contributing to the charity's vital services within the Uckfield community. You'll be involved in offering warm and helpful hearing aid maintenance services, along with sharing information and advice on hearing loss.
What you will be doing
• Meet and greet members of the public who visit HAM sessions
• Keep written records of help given
• Check and clean hearing aids
• Replace hearing aid tubing
• Check hearing aid batteries and issue replacement batteries
• Provide basic guidance on use and care of hearing aids
• Provide general hearing loss information and advice, including signposting to other services
If you are seeking a hands-on role that lets you support East Sussex Hearing whilst having fun - Joining us as a HAM Volunteer is the perfect opportunity! Let's make a difference together, as we're Here to Help You Hear.’
What will you gain from volunteering with us
• A chance to meet new people, make new friends and dedicate yourself to a rewarding role
• The time to develop new skills, take on new challenges and enjoy new experiences
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to East Sussex Hearing and support the deaf and hard of hearing community
• Travel expenses can be claimed
• FREE admission to our BSL Sign Language classes
• FREE admission to our Lipreading classes
• Access to exclusive discounts, cashback & vouchers for charity workers & volunteers.
Training & Support
East Sussex Hearing will provide all relevant training at their Eastbourne centre, and locally where possible.
What we are looking for:
• You're friendly, enjoy engaging with people and being part of a team
• You’re flexible and willing to take on a variety of tasks.
To apply for this role, you need to be over the age of 16.
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!
About East Sussex Hearing
Join us in making a meaningful impact! East Sussex Hearing, an independent countywide charity based in Eastbourne, has dedicated over two decades to serving the deaf and hard of hearing community across East Sussex. Our mission is to empower individuals with advice and practical support, enabling them to lead vibrant, active lives and be integral members of their community.
We actively participate in various community events to bolster and enrich the services we offer, while also fostering collaborative working relationships throughout the county, for the benefit of the hard of hearing and deaf population. We are now on the lookout for a Hearing Aid Maintenance (HAM) Volunteer – Peacehaven & Newhaven to join our cause on a voluntary basis.
About the role
Volunteering as a Hearing Aid Maintenance (HAM) Volunteer - Peacehaven & Newhaven offers an enjoyable opportunity to socialise and make new connections, all whilst contributing to the Charity's vital services within the Peacehaven & Newhaven communities. You'll be involved in offering warm and helpful hearing aid maintenance services, along with sharing information and advice on hearing loss.
What you will be doing
• Meet and greet members of the public who visit HAM sessions
• Keep written records of help given
• Check and clean hearing aids
• Replace hearing aid tubing
• Check hearing aid batteries and issue replacement batteries
• Provide basic guidance on the use and care of hearing aids
• Provide general hearing loss information and advice, including signposting to other services
If you are seeking a hands-on role that lets you support East Sussex Hearing whilst having fun - Joining us as a Hearing Aid Maintenance (HAM) Volunteer - Peacehaven & Newhaven is the perfect opportunity! Let's make a difference together, as we're Here to Help You Hear.’
What will you gain from volunteering with us
• A chance to meet new people, make new friends and dedicate yourself to a rewarding role
• The time to develop new skills, take on new challenges and enjoy new experiences
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to East Sussex Hearing and support the deaf and hard of hearing community
• Travel expenses can be claimed
• FREE admission to our BSL Sign Language classes
• FREE admission to our Lipreading classes
• Access to exclusive discounts, cashback & vouchers for charity workers & volunteers.
Training & Support
East Sussex Hearing will provide all relevant training at their Eastbourne centre and locally.
What we are looking for:
• You're friendly, enjoy engaging with people and being part of a team
• You’re flexible and willing to take on a variety of tasks.
To apply for this role, you need to be over the age of 16.
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!
About East Sussex Hearing
Join us in making a meaningful impact! East Sussex Hearing, an independent countywide charity based in Eastbourne, has dedicated over two decades to serving the deaf and hard of hearing community across East Sussex. Our mission is to empower individuals with advice and practical support, enabling them to lead vibrant, active lives and be integral members of their community.
We actively participate in various community events to bolster and enrich the services we offer, while also fostering collaborative working relationships throughout the county, for the benefit of the hard of hearing and deaf population. We are now on the lookout for a passionate Hearing Aid Maintenance (HAM) Volunteer - Crowborough to join our cause on a voluntary basis.
About the role
Volunteering as a Hearing Aid Maintenance (HAM) Volunteer - Crowborough offers an enjoyable opportunity to socialise and make new connections, all whilst contributing to the Charity's vital services within the Crowborough community.
You'll be involved in offering warm and helpful hearing aid maintenance services, along with sharing information and advice on hearing loss.
What you will be doing
• Meet and greet members of the public who visit HAM sessions
• Keep written records of help given
• Check and clean hearing aids
• Replace hearing aid tubing
• Check hearing aid batteries and issue replacement batteries
• Provide basic guidance on use and care of hearing aids
• Provide general hearing loss information and advice, including signposting to other services
If you seek a hands-on role that lets you support East Sussex Hearing whilst having fun - Joining us as a Hearing Aid Maintenance (HAM) Volunteer - Crowborough is the perfect opportunity! Let's make a difference together, as we're Here to Help You Hear.’
What will you gain from volunteering with us
• A chance to meet new people, make new friends and dedicate yourself to a rewarding role
• The time to develop new skills, take on new challenges and enjoy new experiences
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to East Sussex Hearing and support the deaf and hard of hearing community
• Travel expenses can be claimed
• FREE admission to our BSL Sign Language classes
• FREE admission to our Lipreading classes
• Access to exclusive discounts, cashback & vouchers for charity workers & Volunteers.
Training & Support
ast Sussex Hearing will provide all relevant training locally and at their Eastbourne centre.
What we are looking for:
• You're friendly, enjoy engaging with people and being part of a team
• You’re flexible and willing to take on a variety of tasks.
To apply for this role, you need to be over the age of 16.
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 looking for a friendly face to help staff the Yeldall Manor reception desk for a few hours each week.
The role entails being the first point of contact for telephone callers, visitors and residents, welcoming and redirecting their queries/calls as appropriate. You will be comfortable using a computer in order to send emails, access the diary and assist with basic admin tasks, although there may also be times with less to do.
The role includes a lot of client contact, so you will have daily contact with those men whom you are helping. They inspire and motivate us just as much as we seek to encourage and support them. As part of this, we ask that all our staff and volunteers help support the residents by interacting with them and encouraging them in their recovery and spiritual growth, and so ask that you will have a committed Christian faith yourself.
Yeldall Manor is set in the Berkshire countryside, about three miles from Twyford station. Lunch is provided with fellow staff and resident.
Yeldall wants all those affected by addiction to heal, transform and thrive.
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're extending the opening hours of our Family Support Centre, so families experiencing childhood cancer have access to more support services. We're looking for a volunteer to support the Family Support Team at the Weekend to deliver crucial support to our families.
Purpose of the Role and Key Activities
Families who have been affected by children’s cancer come to our Family Support Centre, known as The Square, to access a variety of support services. We’re looking for a volunteer to join the team and support our Family Support Coordinator make sure families feel welcomed and supported while at The Square.
- Making drinks for families and visitors
- Answering the telephone, transferring calls and taking messages
- Making bookings and updating our database
- Keeping the reception area clean and tidy
- Setting up rooms for meetings and events
We are looking for a volunteer who:
- Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Have experience of working in a customer service environment
- Are confident, friendly and approachable
- Have a fun and positive outlook
- Are proactive and able to use own initiative
- Have good IT skills and experience of using a database
- Are able to move furniture (tables and chairs) and boxes
- Are able to climb multiple flights of stairs
- Are able to maintain professional boundaries and follow Candlelighters Policies and Procedures.
This role is subject to an enhanced criminal record check, which is processed through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Support and Benefits
- Thorough induction & training to give you the confidence to perform your role well and to the best of your ability
- Opportunity to develop new and existing skills to help you beyond your involvement with Candlelighters
- Ongoing support from the Family Support and HR teams
- The opportunity to meet lots of new, friendly people
- The opportunity to expose yourself to new experiences
- Certain expenses to be reimbursed as agreed with your Volunteer Supervisor, in accordance with our Expenses policy
- Regular reviews with your Volunteer Supervisor to help you develop in your role
- Satisfaction in knowing you are making a valuable contribution to supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer
- We can be a reference once you’ve volunteered for three months
- Access to a 24/7 mental health hotline
- Charity Worker Discount card
- Access to The Company Shop
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!
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.
What is a Caseworker?
Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.
What would you be doing?
- Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
- Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
- Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
- Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system
- Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
- Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
- Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
- Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
- Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
- Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
- Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
- Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
- Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!
What training and support would you receive?
- Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
- Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
- Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
- Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
- Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
- Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.
What are we looking for?
- Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
- Good communication skills both written and verbally.
- Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
- Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
- Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
- Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
- Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
- Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.
Minimum Age: 18
Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.
References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)
Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)
*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Every community across the UK deserves equitable access to trees and the benefits they bring; from reducing air and noise pollution, alleviating stress and anxiety, making our neighbourhoods more attractive places to live and work, and boosting local ecosystems. However, while some urban areas enjoy abundant greenery and tree cover, others lack these essential natural assets. Our new Tree Equity Score tool, developed in partnership with American Forests, has been developed to help us understand where disparities in urban tree cover lie.
Now we need your help to collect data from remote urban areas across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to complete our map of tree equity across the UK. Between February – May 2024, we need your help to complete over 500 tree canopy cover assessments. Do as many or as few as you like, pick any available location from our list, and complete the assessment at a time that suits you - they only take around 1.5 hours to complete. Send us your findings by the end of this project and we will add them to our database. No specialist technical knowledge is needed and guidance is provided.
This is a 'Drop-in-Days' volunteering opportunity for people that lead busy lives, or that just want to volunteer ad-hoc or for a one-off event or project. Registering to take part in this project will provide you with access to our volunteer news and we will let you know about other volunteering opportunities in your area for up to to 12 months after the initial event. You can opt out anytime.
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
Join Legasee in our mission to honour the legacy of the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) by preserving their stories and making them accessible to all. We're seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Volunteer CMS/WordPress User to assist in managing our website. Your role will be crucial in ensuring that our digital platform effectively showcases the remarkable history of the WRAC and provides a seamless user experience for visitors.
Our purpose at Legasee is to record history in the words of the people who made it, in order to educate and raise awareness about the bravery, service and sacrifice our military personnel have made over the past century.
What will you do?
As a Volunteer CMS/WordPress User at Legasee, your main responsibilities will be to showcase the remarkable history of the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) on the Legasee website. This includes inputting descriptions, photos, and Vimeo codes onto our website, ensuring accuracy and adherence to established protocols. You'll collaborate closely with our project team to prioritise content updates and improvements, contributing valuable insights and suggestions for enhancing user experience. Your role will be pivotal in ensuring that our digital platform remains engaging and accessible to visitors, thus playing a vital part in preserving the legacy of courageous women in military history.
What are we looking for?
Ideal candidates will be detail-oriented with excellent organisational skills. Proficiency in using content management systems (CMS), particularly WordPress (prior experience preferred), is desirable. You should have the ability to follow instructions carefully and adhere to established protocols, along with strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with team members.
What's in it for you?
Upon joining, you'll receive comprehensive induction and training to familiarise yourself with our website and procedures. Gain valuable experience in website management and digital content publishing while becoming part of a community dedicated to preserving the voices of courageous women in military history and making their stories accessible to a global audience.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Heart diseases. Stroke. Vascular dementia. Diabetes. They're all connected, and they're all under our microscope. Our volunteers help us fund lifesaving science to improve the lives of families and loved ones living with heart and circulatory disease. If you can spare a few hours a week, or a couple of hours occasionally, we’d love you to join our volunteer team.
Are you calm, collected and happy to chat on the phone? Join the volunteer team at our new brislington furniture store. With support from the shop team, you will be the first point of contact for customers, helping them with any phone or online enquiries, arranging collections of donations via our local van teams and explaining our Gift Aid scheme. You will also be using our online collections request system to process online collection booking requests. This is a busy front of house role for those who like to be in the thick of it and makes a huge difference in helping us continue to fund lifesaving research.
Typical tasks include:
· Dealing with face-to-face, phone and online enquiries, supported by the team
· Reception and front of house duties, helping around the cashier desk
· Completing administration procedures accurately
· Arranging collections of donations via our local van teams
Volunteering with the British Heart Foundation comes with plenty of benefits too…
· A 25% discount on donated goods and 10% discount on New Goods in our shops
· Unlimited, free, and confidential support by Retail Trust
· Access to training and development
· Reasonable travel expenses reimbursed
· Refreshments available
· Volunteer certificates, references and long service awards provided
· Access to discounts with other retailers
Just so you know, we are unable to accept volunteers aged under 16 or with unspent criminal convictions. Please note this is an unpaid voluntary position in a friendly charity shop.
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!
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.
What is a Caseworker?
Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.
What would you be doing?
- Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
- Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
- Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
- Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system
- Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
- Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
- Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
- Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
- Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
- Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
- Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
- Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
- Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!
What training and support would you receive?
- Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
- Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
- Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
- Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
- Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
- Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.
What are we looking for?
- Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
- Good communication skills both written and verbally.
- Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
- Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
- Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
- Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
- Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
- Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.
Minimum Age: 18
Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.
References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)
Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)
*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.
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!
English Conversation Club Volunteer
Role Summary:
We are looking for volunteers to facilitate our new English Conversation Club working in partnership with SAVTE (Sheffield Association for the Voluntary Teaching of English). The Conversation Club will support clients to enhance their English language skills and to understand how to respond to real life situations. Clients who are learning English as a second language will access the Conversation Club to learn and practice words and phrases that will benefit them in their daily lives. Each week you will prepare a relevant topic to discuss with clients. The topics will range from typical daily conversations to more specific housing related interactions.
Our expert partners SAVTE run various Conversation Clubs across the city. SAVTE will provide ongoing training for the role with access to a conversation group volunteers network and insightful events to meet with other peers. Shelter will facilitate the Conversation Club and manage the volunteer roles. This is a great opportunity to work alongside two forward-thinking Charities who are looking at innovative ways to improve people’s lives.
Volunteers must be passionate about helping others to make positive and meaningful changes in their lives. This role is perfect for individuals who have a passion for upskilling others, enjoy facilitating learning in an interactive and enriching environment, and can organise resources that offer purposeful conversation topics for clients.
Suggested Involvement: 2 hrs per week (30 mins preps, 1hr 30 mins session)
Availability: This volunteering opportunity will take place within our working hours, Monday-Friday, 9-5.
Location: Shelter Hub
Supervised by: Volunteer Coordinator
Why volunteer with Shelter?
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support, and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We're here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
The Conversation Club is a new offer Shelter is delivering in partnership with SATVE. Shelter is aware that people with English as a second language have greater barriers to accessing help, support and acting on their rights. The Conversation Club aims to empower individuals to break down barriers they are facing and tackle discrimination within the housing system. The opportunity will also offer clients the chance to expand their understanding of the English Language and help them integrate into their communities, increase their employment prospects, and have other beneficial factors such as parents supporting children with their homework. This is a fantastic opportunity to offer individuals support to make transformative steps in their lives and join an exciting new initiative.
Main Tasks
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Initiate and facilitate a weekly Conversation Group with suitable topical discussions, ensuring participants involvement.
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Willing and able to work with participants from diverse cultures and background
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Manage or facilitate conversations in a group and provide positive guidance and encouragement.
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Refer any safeguarding issues or concerns to Shelter and SAVTE.
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Collect participants feedback and own comments and suggestions to improve sessions.
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Working with other volunteers to deliver sessions and ideas and resources and best practice.
Skills and Abilities required:
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Enthusiasm to support people to learn and empower them to improve their lives.
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Ability to facilitate discussion and involve the whole group in the conversations.
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An organised individual who will prepare the conversation topics on a weekly basis.
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Patience in communicating with individuals who speak English as a second language.
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Be friendly, welcoming, respectful, and have a positive attitude.
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Capacity to clearly relay information to others and communicate topics effectively.
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Willing to work with other people sharing ideas to enable the groups continued learning.
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Willingness to work with SAVTE to increase your knowledge and learn from other established conversation group volunteers.
Learning & Development
To enable you to take part in this opportunity Shelter will:
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Provide you with a Volunteer Handbook
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Provide a local induction into your role
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Provide access to eLearning including Equality & Diversity, Health & Safety, Data Protection, Environmental Awareness and Safeguarding
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Provide access to our other training appropriate to your role
Benefits of Volunteering with Shelter
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Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness
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Gain valuable work experience and enhance your CV
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Be part of a great team
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Build your confidence and develop transferable skills
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 have financial skills and enthusiasm to help an organisation that supports families of young children? You could be the next Treasurer for Home-Start Surrey heath and help drive our vision.
Our board includes people with experience and skills in support for Early Years; we'd expect our new Treasurer to have empathy with our cause and the families we support.
If you have some experience of charity finance, we'd welcome that, although if your experience is from other sectors, please talk to us. Full induction to our organisation will be provided plus specialist support as a new Trustee, including access to external training.
We’d welcome your financial qualification but that’s not a requirement as our finances aren’t complex. An understanding of how charity finance works is beneficial, with the important ability to communicate financial information clearly, especially to other trustees. Support from our employees is always available, as they will be dealing with day-to-day finances.
We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for fresh expertise and experience from a variety of backgrounds to our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our board, in all meanings of the word, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups.
The focus of a trustee role is strategic, and trustees will not be expected to get involved in the organisation’s operations on a day-to-day basis; however, contact and liaison with other trustees and employees is expected.
A detailed Role Description and Person Specification can be made available to you upon request.
Your CV or similar will be read by our existing trustees, after which we ask for completion of our Application Form.
Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references, to completion of an online Safeguarding course and an Enhanced DBS check.