Access to health volunteer volunteer roles

Help create a warm, welcoming, and non judgemental space where people accessing our mental health services can socialise, build confidence, and form positive connections. By offering friendly conversation, refreshments, and gentle support, volunteers play an important part in reducing isolation and promoting emotional wellbeing.

What you will be doing

• Create a Welcoming Environment, greeting attendees with warmth and a friendly attitude
• Help set up the space, including arranging seating, preparing refreshments, and creating an atmosphere that feels safe and comfortable.
• Encourage a sense of belonging and inclusion for all participants.
• Support tidy-up duties after the session.
• Be a calm, reassuring presence, offering empathetic listening without giving clinical or therapeutic advice.
• Support attendees to build confidence in attending groups and engaging with others.
• Maintain clear boundaries while being friendly and approachable.
• Report any concerns, incidents, or wellbeing issues to staff promptly.

The skills you need

• Warm, friendly, and approachable
• Good listening and communication skills
• Patient, empathetic, and calm under pressure
• Non judgemental attitude with respect for mental-health related challenges
• Reliable and able to maintain confidentiality
• Comfortable supporting small groups

What's in it for you

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

Popham Kidney Support’s counselling service provides individual counselling to clients who are kidney patients and parents /carers who are affected by kidney disease

Working in a confidential setting counsellors provide nondirective support to clients in exploring feelings, anxieties and life events that impact on their emotional wellbeing.

Through this process clients can feel more empowered to manage their mental health and make positive life changes.

Volunteer Placement Counsellor 

Location: Remote - online & telephone

Hours: 3 x clients per week - Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays

Supervision provided:3.30pm Tuesdays, fortnightly

Wimbledon Guild are recruiting up to three Volunteer Placement Counsellors to help deliver our online and telephone counselling service.  

We offer up to 16 sessions of individual online or telephone counselling to people who might find it hard to leave their homes, or their carers.

You will be on or have completed a Level 4 or above counselling course and have completed 50 hours of clinical experience or the equivalent.

You will be available to attend online supervision at 3.30pm Tuesday afternoons.  You will see a caseload of up to 3 clients online or over the telephone on either Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays. As this position is for online / telephone counselling, you will need access to a private and confidential working space, Wi-Fi, a private laptop and telephone. 

Wimbledon Guild Talking Therapies is accredited with BACP.

In return for your volunteering, you will receive free, online supervision, a full induction, and experience in a well-established counselling department in a London-based charity.

If you are interested, please read the Job Description/Person Specification attached.

To Apply:  Please complete the Application Form, addressing the specific criteria in the Person Specification in your Supporting Statement and return the form to us.

Closing Date:  There is currently no closing date, although we reserve the right to close applications when placements are full. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and applicants notified if they are invited to interview.

1. POSITION SUMMARY

At Release Therapy for Women, our mission is to ensure every woman in Sussex has access to high-quality therapeutic support. The Community Outreach & Inclusion Ambassador acts as a vital "bridge" between our charity and the local community. This is an active, relationship-focused role. You will work to build trust within diverse neighbourhoods, speak with healthcare professionals, and ensure that women who might not find us on social media are aware of the free, safe, therapeutic spaces we offer.

2. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Mapping & Trust Building

* Local Mapping: Research and identify multicultural community groups, faith centres, and women’s organisations in your specific area (Worthing, Peacehaven, or Brighton).

* Networking: Attend local coffee mornings, community festivals, and group meetings to introduce Release’s services in a warm, accessible, and non-clinical way.

* Targeted Engagement: Actively work to engage all communities by building relationships with respected community leaders.

Health & Social Prescribing Liaison

* GP Practice Outreach: Visit local GP surgeries to ensure Social Prescribing Link Workers and Practice Managers have our latest flyers and understand our referral process.

* Pharmacy & Hubs: Place information cards in local pharmacies and community health hubs, particularly in Peacehaven and East Worthing.

* Removing Barriers: Briefly chat with potential participants to help diffuse any initial anxiety about "joining a group," explaining the supportive nature of our sessions.

3. PERSON SPECIFICATION

Skills and Abilities

* Strong Interpersonal Skills: You are a "people person" who can start warm conversations with individuals from all walks of life.

* Active Listening: The ability to listen without judgment and empathise with the diverse experiences of women.

* Independence: You are a self-starter who is comfortable managing your own local schedule and reaching out to organisations.

* Local Knowledge: You must have strong ties to, or a deep understanding of, Worthing, Peacehaven, or Brighton & Hove.

Knowledge and Experience

* Diversity & Inclusion: An understanding of (or lived experience of) the barriers that prevent marginalised women from accessing mental health support.

* Community Awareness: Knowledge of local community hubs, faith centres, or health services in your area.

* No professional clinical experience is required, but a passion for women's mental health and wellbeing is essential.

4. WHAT WE OFFER YOU

* A Supportive Home: Join a volunteer team that is 19% neurodiverse and 25% ethnically diverse.

* Training & Induction: We provide a comprehensive induction into our therapeutic model, safeguarding, and cultural competency.

* Expenses: We reimburse reasonable travel and out-of-pocket costs incurred during your outreach.

Befriender Volunteers play a key role in supporting individuals as they move on from our services and begin to live more independently. This role helps individuals stay connected, build stability, and feel confident in their next steps. Volunteers provide emotional support, practical assistance, and companionship to help people achieve their personal goals and stay engaged with their community.

What you will be doing

• Carry out regular check-ins—via phone, online, or in person—to help service users feel supported after leaving the service. Provide friendly visits where appropriate, offering a listening ear and encouragement during the transition to independent living
• Support individuals to build links within their local community, such as identifying clubs, social groups, local activities, or places of interest based on their personal goals.
• Encourage service users to take part in community events and build social connections that promote long-term wellbeing.
• Accompany service users to view potential properties where needed. Provide assistance exploring practical items or resources they may need after moving on, such as furniture options, budgeting tools, or local amenities.
• support service users to attend GP or other health appointments, helping reduce anxiety and build confidence in navigating services.
• Help individuals develop social skills, communication skills, and confidence through positive interactions and gentle encouragement. Providing motivation and reassurance as they work towards independent living goals.
• Support service users to access and participate in our online activities, helping them build digital confidence and stay connected. Assist with basic digital navigation, where needed (e.g., joining online groups, using communication platforms, accessing resources).

The skills you need

• Good communication skills
• Friendly and calm nature
• Mental health experience who feels strong enough to help others
• Willingness to listen to people with a genuine enthusiasm to support others
• Confident, sympathetic and can inspire trust and able to maintain boundaries in a non-judgemental way

What's in it for you

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

Martlets, Chestnut Tree House and St Barnabas House have collection tins hosted by a wide variety of businesses across Worthing, Sussex, Brighton and Hove and surrounding areas. Our tins continue to play an important role in raising money and awareness for the hospices so that we can continue to provide specialist care.

These tins need to be collected, replaced, and returned to our fundraising offices or shops on a regular basis. With collections expected to be completed on a 6-8 week cycle.

We are looking for friendly, reliable people to help us with this important fundraising and community liaison role.

You will be the face of the Fundraising team in your locality, representing the hospices when collecting. This is a chance to involve yourself with the community by building a relationship with our collection tin hosts and keeping them up to date with any news from us.

This is the perfect opportunity for anyone looking for a flexible volunteering role to fit around other commitments. We can discuss potential rounds based on where you live and an appropriate distance to travel.

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces?  You don’t need a military background, just the ability to listen, some basic I.T skills and good written and spoken English.  If so, this could be the role for you.

Our Branch provides lifelong support to anyone who has ever served, in the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and their dependants. We also give support to those who has been in the Merchant Navy, Seafarers, Fishermen and their dependants, and British Airways staff past and present. Our main role is seeking welfare benevolent grants on behalf of clients who reside in the 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland. They can arrange anything from household goods, funeral costs, mobility aids or other general needs. Legal fees are not considered. We would advise clients to seek state and local benefits by signposting them to the relevant agencies.

What is a caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of help they need, this might be funds 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?

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.  Our trained volunteers listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help people navigate life in and beyond military service.  We need you to join your local SSAFA team to help us achieve this.

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. Our volunteers are based at home with a yearly AGM invite.

What does this role involve?

• Contacting clients and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time

• Meeting clients and completing a form to assess their circumstances

• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice

• Keeping in touch with your branch so they know 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 including observing our policies such as the

Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Support people in your community with a military background and their dependents

• 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 will you receive?

• On-line or face to face instructor led training and e-learning modules, to prepare you for your voluntary role.

• 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. •

• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.

• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses

What skills or experience do you need?

• Good listening and communication skills including written and spoken English

• Respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues

• Willingness and ability to learn basic digital skills.  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 clients by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms

• If required, willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the caseworker training course)

• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice

• Reliable attitude, contact clients promptly, keep appointments, update the branch regarding your availability 

• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients

• Friendly and approachable with some experience of coordinating people and admin

•       Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies. 

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 references, this can be former employers or people that know you well (other than relatives)

Is a criminal record check required?  Yes, Garda Vetting, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

Are you passionate about fitness and the positive impact it can have on others? Do you hold a fitness qualification and interested in volunteering your time to support people in crisis? If so, we have the perfect role for you!

What you will be doing

• Design session plans which will enable group members to increase fitness and their general well-being
• Able to recognise the needs of beginners and mixed age/ability groups
• Ensure that everyone taking part has completed a health and wellbeing form, which includes referring those with existing health issues to their GP
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• A skilled and qualified Fitness Instructor
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach
• Willing to participate in supervision and to liaise with Hestia staff as required

What's in it for you

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

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces?  You don’t need a military background, just the ability to listen, some basic I.T skills and good written and spoken English.  If so, this could be the role for you.

Our Branch provides lifelong support to anyone who has ever served, in the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and their dependants. We also give support to those who has been in the Merchant Navy, Seafarers, Fishermen and their dependants, and British Airways staff past and present. Our main role is seeking welfare benevolent grants on behalf of clients who reside in the 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland. They can arrange anything from household goods, funeral costs, mobility aids or other general needs. Legal fees are not considered. We would advise clients to seek state and local benefits by signposting them to the relevant agencies.

What is a caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of help they need, this might be funds 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?

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.  Our trained volunteers listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help people navigate life in and beyond military service.  We need you to join your local SSAFA team to help us achieve this.

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. Our volunteers are based at home with a yearly AGM invite.

What does this role involve?

• Contacting clients and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time

• Meeting clients and completing a form to assess their circumstances

• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice

• Keeping in touch with your branch so they know 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 including observing our policies such as the

Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Support people in your community with a military background and their dependents

• 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 will you receive?

• On-line or face to face instructor led training and e-learning modules, to prepare you for your voluntary role.

• 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. •

• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.

• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses

What skills or experience do you need?

• Good listening and communication skills including written and spoken English

• Respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues

• Willingness and ability to learn basic digital skills.  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 clients by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms

• If required, willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the caseworker training course)

• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice

• Reliable attitude, contact clients promptly, keep appointments, update the branch regarding your availability 

• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients

• Friendly and approachable with some experience of coordinating people and admin

•       Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies. 

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 references, this can be former employers or people that know you well (other than relatives)

Is a criminal record check required?  Yes, Garda Vetting, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer.

Do you enjoy organising things and making this happen?

Are you able to volunteer a few hours a week?

Yes? We’d love to hear from you.

We’re looking for admin volunteers to help with our daily operations.  We have a variety of ways you can get involved:

• Responding to client requests and enquiries
• Fundrasing and partnership management
• Managing and updating company databases
• Keeping track of partnership enquiries
• Maintaining internal, volunteer, and client records
• Drafting and mailing client correspondence and newsletters
• Organising events, scheduling meetings, and making travel arrangements
• Providing administrative support to other departments or projects as needed
• Performing other duties as agreed in advance

We’ve designed our volunteering programme to be flexible and adaptive to you.  All volunteering is 100% remote and you’re supported fully by our team.  You control what you do and how many hours per week you want to volunteer.  Some roles may require an Enhanced DBS check. If your application is successful, we will ask for a donation towards the cost of your enhanced DBS check if it's required for your role. This cost is £22.60.

Here’s some further information on what’s needed:

Are you over 18 and living in the UK?

You must be over the 18 years of age and live permanently in the UK.  You must be a UK resident to apply for this role.

Do you have a laptop?

A laptop and a quiet space to volunteer is essential.

How much time can you give?

A minimum of 2 hours per week is required. We are flexible and like to work around you.

Training

We provide accredited training with 3 short courses needing to be completed prior starting your volunteer role.  After, you’ll have access to over 90 accredited courses should you want to study further.

Position: Volunteer Urban Ranger
Responsible to: Urban Ranger
Location: Various outdoor spaces across BD3, BD4 and BD5
Hours: Anything from two hours here and there, to two days a week.
Expenses: Travel expenses will be reimbursed for bus tickets, train tickets or car mileage

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At Better Place Bradford, our mission is to identify and oversee improvements to local parks and outdoor spaces with the aim of providing a healthier and happier environment for babies, young children and families. We work across larger parks, pocket parks, community centres, streets and green spaces across BD3, BD4 and BD5.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, passionate, and highly motivated individual, who is looking to gain some practical landscape maintenance experience.

As a Volunteer Urban Ranger, you’ll play a vital role in maintaining the upkeep of our sites, regularly checking that each site is safe, inviting, and free from rubbish — noting any issues that arise.

Duties include: Litter clearance, sweeping sand back into the sand pits, weeding, planting, watering plants, affixing signs, checking in on the Little Free Library boxes, strimming, raking leaves, supporting at event days, promoting responsible use and enjoyment of our sites.

This role is for you if you;

• Enjoy being outdoors (in all weather)
• Are not afraid of physical work
• Want to make a difference in your local area
• Are comfortable getting to sites across BD3/BD4/BD5
• Enjoy interacting with members of the public
• Want to gain practical landscape maintenance experience
• Are looking for an intro into the environmental / conservation / ranger sectors

Volunteers must be in the UK already.

The Stroke Association - Fundraising Project Volunteer

Our Regional Fundraising Team work closely with individuals, groups, and organisations who are raising money for us or have the potential to raise funds. This can be through our campaigns, active challenges, partnerships or through their own ideas. Fundraising is important to our charity as our specialist support, research and campaigning are only possible with the generosity of supporters. In this role you will help with projects that will help us find new fundraising supporters, help with promoting our campaigns or be involved with ensuring our supporters have a fantastic experience

What the role involves:

As a fundraising project volunteer, there are a wide range of activities that you might be involved with. When you enquire about volunteering, we will find out about your interests and skills to find the right projects for you to support us with. Tasks may vary throughout the year. They include:

• Researching organisations and community groups that may be able to support the charity financially.
• Promoting our fundraising campaigns in communities to encourage them to get involved.
• Helping ensure our supporters have a great experience by thanking them, wishing them good luck or sharing charity updates. This could be through cards, emails or phone calls.
• General administrative tasks on word or excel.
• Support with our events in person if they are near to you. This could involve meeting fundraisers, cheering along our runners or talking about the charity.

Who the role might suit:

• To be an effective fundraising project volunteer you will need a methodical approach to work and be able to follow agreed systems and processes.
• Our fundraising project volunteers need to be thorough with a good eye for detail, and able to use office equipment and relevant computer software.
• Some of the tasks involved will need you to be someone who can communicate effectively in writing, over the phone and in person.
• You will have ongoing support from our staff but will spend much of your time working on your own so you will need to be someone who is comfortable working without direct supervision.

What the role can offer you personally:

• Being a fundraising project volunteer means you will gain practical experience of working in a busy team, supporting our ongoing work and on a variety of projects that make a real difference to people’s lives. 
• The role provides an opportunity to learn new keyboard and IT skills and use various software and database packages.
• Fundraising project volunteers also find it helps them develop new skills with a well-respected charity which can improve their CV and employability.
• You would be able to see how your support has made an impact by seeing the amount of money raised or hearing feedback from our supporters.

Training for this role:

We provide all of our volunteers with training, so they feel confident in the role and give the best possible support to stroke survivors.

Essential training for the role will include some modules on our learn system, such as GDPR, safeguarding and information security. Other training may be required depending on the tasks you complete. We will confirm this as part of your induction.

We also offer a range of optional training courses to support you in your role and to support your knowledge of the Stroke Association.

We also offer ongoing support and expenses where appropriate.

Where and when you would volunteer:

The role is a remote volunteering role that you will complete from home at a time that suits you. There may be times when we invite you along to virtual meetings, but times would be discussed.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, an Access NI check or membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme is not required for this role.

Our vision is for there to be fewer strokes, and for people affected by stroke to get the help they need to live the best life they can.

Our core purpose is to be the trusted voice of stroke survivors and their families. We want to drive better outcomes in stroke prevention, treatment and lifelong support for everyone affected by stroke.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces?  You don’t need a military background, just the ability to listen, some basic I.T skills and good written and spoken English.  If so, this could be the role for you.

Our Branch provides lifelong support to anyone who has ever served, in the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and their dependants. We also give support to those who has been in the Merchant Navy, Seafarers, Fishermen and their dependants, and British Airways staff past and present. Our main role is seeking welfare benevolent grants on behalf of clients who reside in the 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland. They can arrange anything from household goods, funeral costs, mobility aids or other general needs. Legal fees are not considered. We would advise clients to seek state and local benefits by signposting them to the relevant agencies.

What is a caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of help they need, this might be funds 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?

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.  Our trained volunteers listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help people navigate life in and beyond military service.  We need you to join your local SSAFA team to help us achieve this.

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. Our volunteers are based at home with a yearly AGM invite.

What does this role involve?

• Contacting clients and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time

• Meeting clients and completing a form to assess their circumstances

• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice

• Keeping in touch with your branch so they know 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 including observing our policies such as the

Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Support people in your community with a military background and their dependents

• 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 will you receive?

• On-line or face to face instructor led training and e-learning modules, to prepare you for your voluntary role.

• 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. •

• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.

• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses

What skills or experience do you need?

• Good listening and communication skills including written and spoken English

• Respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues

• Willingness and ability to learn basic digital skills.  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 clients by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms

• If required, willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the caseworker training course)

• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice

• Reliable attitude, contact clients promptly, keep appointments, update the branch regarding your availability 

• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients

• Friendly and approachable with some experience of coordinating people and admin

•       Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies. 

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 references, this can be former employers or people that know you well (other than relatives)

Is a criminal record check required?  Yes, Garda Vetting, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer.