Activities Support Volunteer Roles in Central London, Greater London

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit an Activities Volunteer for the Croydon Group. As our local group Activities Volunteer you’ll help us to set up activities in the area. Whether you’re serving refreshments, talking to people, registering attendees or collecting payments, you’ll be making sure everyone feel welcome.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your organisation, communication and team working skills. Most importantly you’ll be supporting your local group to run activities that bring friendship and fun to your local MS Community.

About you

You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the area the group to carry out this role.

Time Commitment

We estimate this role will need up to two hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2. Please apply online

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

About CARAS:

CARAS is a leading refugee charity in Southwest London, providing firm foundations for new-arrival asylum seekers to build happy and successful lives. Arriving as an asylum seeker in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. We exist to help people seeking asylum overcome those challenges, and to help them rebuild their lives.

We provide person-centred educational, social and casework support to over 600 young people and adults across South London each year, recognising the moment of arrival as one of opportunity. Our work provides individuals with essential support to build language and employability skills, develop social networks and friendships, and access essential services such as legal and mental health services. Our work has multi-generational impact, providing forced migrants with early interventions to support language and skill acquisition, tackling the root causes of socio-economic marginalisation by supporting social inclusion and future labour market access.

Volunteering with CARAS – our Community of Welcome:

CARAS has a proud history of volunteers helping us deliver our charitable aims. Volunteers are an essential part of the CARAS community, bringing skills, insights, experience, different languages, and enthusiasm to the roles. Community members tell us the welcome by volunteers is so important in an often hostile world. It helps them feel safe and wanted. Community is at the heart of all we do, and we could not deliver the projects we do without the enormous contribution that volunteers bring.

About CARAS Adult Programme:

Alongside educational and casework support, CARAS has a thriving social program of weekly activities, from women’s yoga, to creative coffee afternoons, sports sessions and workshops, designed and built in collaboration with our community, volunteers and local partners. Most people we work with in the adult team are waiting for a decision on their asylum claim, are accommodated in cramped and inadequate hotels contracted by the Home Office for up to – and sometimes more than – 2 years whilst they wait for a decision on their asylum claim. During this time, they are eligible for only £8.86 per week and are prohibited from working. This is an incredibly stressful and disempowering period for those seeking asylum. Against this backdrop, our social activities exist as spaces of welcome, for people to come and make meaningful connections, build confidence and importantly – have fun!

About the Trips and Holiday Activities Project:

Alongside our weekly timetable of term time activities, we run trips across London during the school holidays. These are always chosen and planned together with our community members, and so far have included trips to famous parks, museums, galleries, and the theatre. We know from our community members how important these trips are; they are a chance to explore parts of the city that would otherwise be inaccessible, and to feel more at home in the city. As one community member told us, ‘to discover new places…this makes us feel included’. They are an opportunity to learn something new with others, to meet new people, relax and have fun.

About the Role:

To support us with these trips and holiday activities, we are looking for friendly, welcoming, enthusiastic and proactive volunteers. You will support us practically to ensure the trips run smoothly and on time, but also will be an essential part of our community of welcome – to chat and get to know our community members, and make sure everyone feels included and is having a good time.

We intend to hold 2 trips in the Easter holidays, and up to 5 trips in the summer holidays. These will all be in locations across London, most likely during daytime hours. We will also run a combination of adult-only and child-friendly trips across the year – this is what our community have told us they want! We usually have a group of 10-20 community members and will always have at least one CARAS staff member present too.

Ideally, we are looking for volunteers who are flexible during school holidays and can attend at least 3 trips throughout the year, though we may consider those who might only be able to volunteer on a one-off basis.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

To attend CARAS trips as and when you are available to do so.

To support with the logistics of travelling to and from the trip location.

To keep an eye on the general health and wellbeing of our Community Members and report any concerns to the CARAS staff member present.

To encourage positive connections between people and the places we are visiting, opening up conversations to learn about each other.

On family-friendly trips, to assist where needed with the supervision of children present (alongside parents)

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;

To be welcoming, friendly part of the group, and to make sure our community members have the best and most fruitful time possible at the locations we visit.

Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;

Current resident of the UK;

Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;

Able to complete compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding via 2 self-paced induction training webinars prior to the start of role;

Requirements – Desirable:

Knowledge of community languages, such as Farsi, Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Somali and Spanish.

Through volunteering with us you will gain:

An opportunity to connect with and learn from a vibrant and diverse community of people who are new to the city;

A chance to share your knowledge of the city and places of interest with our community;

A deeper understanding of the experiences, challenges, and strengths of those seeking asylum here;

A deeper understanding of language-inclusive practices in multi-lingual groups;

Develop your skills and competencies;

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit an Activities Volunteer for the West Central London Group. As our local group Activities Volunteer you’ll help us to set up activities in the area. Whether you’re serving refreshments, talking to people, registering attendees or collecting payments, you’ll be making sure everyone feel welcome.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your organisation, communication and team working skills. Most importantly you’ll be supporting your local group to run activities that bring friendship and fun to your local MS Community.

About you

You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the area the group to carry out this role.

Time Commitment

We estimate this role will need up to two hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2. Please apply online

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

Activities coordinator in our Live Smart independent living scheme for over 55s.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable and compassionate volunteer with good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. Experience of working with older people, with a kind caring nature, and an understanding of resident’s needs.

Activities include:
- Organising activities such as a board games afternoon, craft club and trips out.
- Communicating with the residents to find out the activities they would like to do.
- Arranging for visitors to come in to do activities, or talks.
- Encouraging residents to join in activities.

Skills and requirements:
- Experience of working with older people, with a kind caring nature, and an understanding of resident’s needs.
- An ability to organise activities, offering new ideas and initiatives. Experience with crafts or games skills would be an advantage.
- Able to liaise with the manager who will be able to support advertising the activities to all residents

Practical Considerations:

- Required to live locally, as local knowledge is key to this role.

- Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training.

- Volunteers have a named supervisor providing day-to-day support and encouragement.

-Reasonable travel and lunch expenses with be reimbursed

- A DBS check will be required for this role.

Commitment:

Commitment can be flexible to suit your availability, from about 1-2 hours per week. The commitment may increase as more residents become interested in activities, but a maximum should be 4 hours per week. Ideally this volunteer will commit to a minimum of

Become an activity lead

As a volunteer activity lead you will run a local Re-engage group who meet on a monthly or fortnightly basis. You will deliver or facilitate regular physical activity sessions for people aged 75 and over in community centres, pubs or church spaces.

This is a flexible role and each group will host activity guests, along with our volunteer drivers who pick up and drop off our activity guests.

Activities can vary from boules and skittles, dancing or singing, or coming up with your own activity to get people moving. In some groups we may have another person coming in to run a specific class so we would ask you to facilitate this and support the activity guests who are attending on the day.

You will be required to complete a DBS check for this role, for which Re-engage will cover the cost.

 Tasks include:

• Facilitating or delivering an inclusive activity with the focus on physical health and social wellbeing.
• Making activity guests feel welcome to the groups and ensuring people can participate in the activities. Activity groups are coordinated by a volunteer group coordinator.
• Following the guidance in your training to ensure that your group sessions are enjoyable, appropriate and in line with our charitable aims.

Your role as an activity lead will be to plan and deliver a session that is achievable for all the activity guests attending. Your session should be inclusive, fun and safely delivered to activity guests. Group activities can stay the same or change on a monthly or fortnightly basis.

This is a long-term voluntary role, so we are ideally looking for individuals who can commit to volunteering with us for at least 12 months.

We are looking for activity leads with the following skills and attributes: 

• Well organised 
• Good conversation skills 
• An enthusiasm for making genuine connections with older people in your community 
• A friendly, empathetic approach 
• The ability to really listen to people 
• Patience 
• A good sense of humour 
• A passion for improving the lives of lonely and isolated older people.  
• The ability to volunteer with others 
• Basic computer literacy (including the ability to use email) 
• As one of our valued volunteers, you’ll receive training from Re-engage, and support and regular communications from your group coordinator. This is a fun and rewarding role which will enable you to connect with lonely older people and make a real and lasting difference to their life.

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit an Activities Organiser for the Asian MS Group. As our local group Activities Organiser you’ll play a crucial role in developing and planning activities and events with your local group. You’ll be responsible for creating and coordinating an annual calendar of events and making sure they’re run safely and effectively to make the most impact. You’ll take a lead role at events on the day and inspire your fellow volunteers to get involved.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your organisation, communication, administration and negotiation skills. 

Time commitment

We estimate this role will need around 2 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you

You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers.

You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the local area the group to carry out this role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2.Please apply online

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

As a volunteer group coordinator, you will set up or coordinate an activity group in your local area.

You will coordinate activity-based groups for people aged 75 and over in community centres, pubs or church spaces. Groups will host activity guests, along with our volunteer drivers who pick up and drop off our activity guests.

Activities can vary from chair fitness, dancing, yoga and boules to singing, Tai-Chi or coming up with your own activity to get people moving. Groups meet for around two hours on a monthly or fortnightly basis and activities must be inclusive for all activity guests.

You will be required to complete a DBS check for this role, for which Re-engage will cover the cost.

Tasks include:

• Setting up and coordinating a monthly or fortnightly activity group, with the support of Re-engage.
• Contacting volunteers and contacting activity guests prior to each activity group.
• Arranging the activities for the group. Activities must have an element of light physical activity.
• Keeping in regular contact with your group of volunteers and sharing any updates from Re-engage that are relevant to them.
• Following the guidance in your training modules to ensure that your group activity sessions are enjoyable, appropriate and in line with our charitable aims.

This is a voluntary role that will require you to organise the monthly or fortnightly activity groups which usually take place in the same venue.

If you are setting up a new group in your area, it is your role to support setting up these groups, sourcing a venue, arranging an activity, and ensuring activity guests and volunteers are contacted prior to the monthly or fortnightly group activities.

Attendance is not essential at every group but is expected periodically throughout the year. You will need to confirm attendance with our volunteer drivers and activity leads who will arrange pick-ups.

This is a long-term voluntary role, so we are ideally looking for individuals who can commit to volunteering with us for at least 12 months. 

We are looking for group coordinators with the following skills and attributes: 

• Well organised 
• Good conversation skills 
• An enthusiasm for making genuine connections with older people in your community 
• A friendly, empathetic approach 
• The ability to really listen to people 
• Patience 
• A good sense of humour 
• A passion for improving the lives of lonely and isolated older people
• The ability to volunteer with others 
• Basic computer literacy (including the ability to use email)
•  
•  
• As one of our valued volunteers, you will receive training, support from Re-engage, and regular communications from the charity.

• This is a fulfilling and enjoyable role which will enable you to develop your leadership skills, gain valuable experience with a national charity and, most importantly, connect with lonely older people and make a real and lasting difference to their lives. 

We’re here for the cure! Everything we do is to move us closer to our goal, of finding new treatments to slow, stop or reverse the progression of Parkinson’s.

Volunteering is a great way for you to play a vital role in our work to raise funds towards innovative and exciting research that will lead to the breakthrough we all want to see.

It is also an opportunity to improve your career prospects, while using your skills for a worthwhile cause.

We are looking for a volunteer to assist our Public Fundraising team with supporter care and income-generating activities, and to help grow the profile of Cure Parkinson’s. Your work will be essential in helping our team to provide excellent supporter care to our donors and fundraisers, as well as assisting with the smooth running of our office and fundraising activities.

You can make a difference…Age UK Wandsworth is a small, local, independent charity that has been working with older people in the area since 1963. We rely on your support to keep serving the older residents with in the Wandsworth community. We have a dedicated team of experienced staff and a large network of dedicated local volunteers. Our aim is to enable everyone to age well in Wandsworth. We would love your help to be able to continue to support older Wandsworth residents

Joining our amazing team of volunteers is a fantastic way to give back to the community by providing company and support to an older person in your area.

About the role 

We are looking to find a volunteers for our Memory Lane Project to assist us in providing sessions that will be stimulating, engaging and include a variety of activities that could include word and memory games, paired and group discussions, puzzles and board games, seated exercise and physical activities such as parachute and ball games and target practice.

 You will have fun and enjoy this sessions on a Friday between 11.00am – 1.00pm

About the service 

Gwynneth Morgan Day Centre, where we support older people, adults with dementia, and adults with disabilities between 10am-3pm Monday-Friday. This could include supporting our dementia groups, or providing a hairdressing or nail care service as a treat for our service users.

What will make you a great fit for this role?

• Friendly
• Patient
• Great listening skills

Purpose of the role?

People with a learning disability or additional needs are often isolated and excluded from mainstream leisure and social activities. We believe that EVERYONE has the right to have fun and feel safe.

Our adult citizens want to enjoy social & leisure activities with their friends, and by giving just a little time each month, you can help them do that.

What would I be doing?

You will help us to support a small group of people to enjoy a variety of activities including:

· Going to a local café or browsing the shops

· Going to the pub, restaurant, or cinema

· Activities such ten-pin bowling, visiting a park or attending a local event.

This is a nice, light touch way to make a difference, have fun and gain valuable experience. Expenses are reimbursed.

What do I need?

To be a volunteer you need to be

· Friendly

· Calm and patient

· A good listener

· Accepting of people who may be different to you

· Happy to chat

· Willing to learn and act within guidelines set out by Midland Mencap

· An enhanced DBS check and references will be required

.       No experience of support work is needed.

When and where do you need me?

· Once or twice a month in the Coventry area

· Days and times to be arranged with the group (may include evenings and weekends)

What’s in it for me?

As one of our valued volunteers, Midland Mencap will offer you:

• The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities

and their family carers

• Any training and development that is needed

• The chance to develop your skills and gain experience

• The opportunity to meet new people and be part of a diverse team

• Support within your role

• Agreed out-of-pocket expenses

• Lots of appreciation for your amazing contribution

• Positive wellbeing from doing something great

• Improve career opportunities by adding your volunteer role to a CV

You can make a difference…Age UK Wandsworth is a small, local, independent charity that has been working with older people in the area since 1963. We rely on your support to keep serving the older residents with in the Wandsworth community. We have a dedicated team of experienced staff and a large network of dedicated local volunteers. Our aim is to enable everyone to age well in Wandsworth. We would love your help to be able to continue to support older Wandsworth residents

Joining our amazing team of volunteers is a fantastic way to give back to the community by providing company and support to an older person in your area.

About the role 

We are looking to find a volunteers for our Memory Lane Project to assist us in providing sessions that will be stimulating, engaging and include a variety of activities that could include word and memory games, paired and group discussions, puzzles and board games, seated exercise and physical activities such as parachute and ball games and target practice.

 You will have fun and enjoy this sessions on a Friday between 11.00am – 1.00pm

About the service 

Gwynneth Morgan Day Centre, where we support older people, adults with dementia, and adults with disabilities between 10am-3pm Monday-Friday. This could include supporting our dementia groups, or providing a hairdressing or nail care service as a treat for our service users.

What will make you a great fit for this role?

• Friendly
• Patient
• Great listening skills

*This particular service has an emphasis on empowering female clients and working to improve the experiences of the women that the team work with, which means that we are only looking for volunteers who are female or female identifying. 

In this role, you will be supporting us with all or some of the following tasks:  Accompanying clients to attend appointments at the job centre, GP and other services  Accompanying clients on outings to the library, and other local community activities.  Supporting clients to access services over the phone and online  Supporting clients in a range of practical ways under the guidance of the Housing First worker.  Adhering to St Mungo’s Policies and Procedures at all times.  Promoting St Mungo’s work in an appropriate manner.  Actively promoting equality, diversity and inclusion among staff, fellow volunteers and clients.

EnhanceAble’s mission is to impact positively on the lives of local disabled people and their families through the provision of excellent social care.  We pride ourselves on going the extra mile in provision of service and placing our customers at the centre of our work.

EnhanceAble is a medium sized charity in the social care sector.  We have a turn over of circa. £2 million per annum.  We have a Board of Trustees, and a Senior Management Team (SMT) consisting of our Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Head of Finance and HR Manager.

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that EnhanceAble achieves its core  purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity.  They also ensure that EnhanceAble has a clear strategy and that our work and  goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the  executive team to enable  EnhanceAble] to grow and thrive, and through this, to achieve our mission. 

Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees always act  as a group and not as individuals.

Duties Include: 

• Support and provide advice on EnhanceAble’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.

• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of new strategies

• Oversee EnhanceAble’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.

• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation

• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.

• Review and approve EnhanceAble’s financial statements.

• Provide support and challenge to EnhanceAble’s CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.

• Keep abreast of changes in EnhanceAble’s operating environment. 

• Contribute to regular reviews of EnhanceAble’s own governance.

•  Attend  Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.

• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect EnhanceAble’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.

• Contribute to the broader promotion of EnhanceAble]’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

What we are looking for 

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.

You do not need previous governance experience – we will provide a full induction  and training.

Personal skills and qualities

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation. 

• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgment and work effectively as a board member.

• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.

• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. 

• Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.

• Willingness to lead according to our values.

• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity,  objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Terms of appointment

Terms of office

• Trustees are appointed for a 3 year term of office, renewal for 3 further terms to a maximum of 9 years.

• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

Time commitment

• Attending 4  Board meetings annually. Currently meetings are held in person at our head office in KT1 2TW 

• Attending circa 4 other meetings or event during any year

Do you enjoy meeting people and engaging with them? We are looking for volunteers to join our team to provide a friendly face as people arrive at our Services. You will help people to connect with others, make them feel welcome whilst assisting our staff to run services for people that require support. Get in touch and make a difference!

What you will be doing:

• Work alongside staff to support people living in the service or accessing one of our drop-in sessions
• Welcoming and engaging people using the Service
• Holding conversations with people using the Service, checking in on their wellbeing and providing a listening ear/friendly face
• Motivate and inspire people to take part in activities
• Opportunities to deliver activities alongside the staff team and other volunteers
• Support with preparing light refreshments to create a relaxed environment
• To support with ad hoc and administrative tasks to ensure smooth running of the Service

The skills you need:

• Good communications skills
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach
• Maintain discretion and judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential information

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!