Activities support volunteer volunteer roles in london, england
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
At RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch, our Volunteer Events Assistants are vital in helping us raise the funds we need to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome or release hundreds of animals each year!
This is an excellent volunteering opportunity which would enable you to play a major role in our fundraising activities, really put your flair into the role, and gain a vast amount of personal satisfaction and achievement in return.
Why Volunteer With Us?
As a volunteer events assistant, you will:
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Support a worthwhile cause and help improve animal welfare in your area.
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Be part of a friendly and dedicated team.
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Enjoy a fun and fulfilling role at the heart of the local community.
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Training and development opportunities, including induction and ongoing support.
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Learn excellent new skills to add to your CV, such as customer service, multi-tasking, fundraising, and many more.
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Access to the RSPCA Learning Hub with a wide range of training materials.
What You’ll Be Doing:
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Helping out at fundraising events to spread awareness, raise money and educate the public on animal welfare.
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Assisting with the preparation for fundraising events, including driving donations, drafting leaflets, coordinating with other volunteers and much more.
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Helping us identify potential sources of funding which could be explored so we can continue this important work.
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Using your knowledge of the area to contact local businesses who might be interested in supporting the RSPCA.
What We’re Looking For:
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Someone who is reliable and committed to helping us.
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Excellent organisational and communication skills as well as being PC literate.
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Excellent interpersonal skills which you will utilise when interacting with the public.
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Previous experience of organising events or managing projects on any scale would be desirable but not a requirement.
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Someone who is flexible and can offer an ongoing commitment predominately on weekends.
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You will need to be aged 16 or over.
What’s in It for You?
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Meet new people and make new friends.
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Learn new skills to enhance your CV.
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A comprehensive induction and training programme relevant to your role.
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Volunteer in a fun environment at the heart of your local community.
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Know that your time and effort is making a real difference to the welfare of animals.
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We’re happy to reimburse reasonable travel expenses incurred while volunteering. You will need to arrange your own travel to events in the South Buckinghamshire area.
Practical Considerations:
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Health & Safety: You’ll need to complete a simple online Health & Safety course before starting the role.
Disclaimer:
Our voluntary roles are subject to:
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An informal interview and trial period.
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Submission of two referees’ contact details.
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Completion of relevant training and assessments for the role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We’re looking for a friendly and empathetic Pathway Volunteer. As the first point of contact for individuals accessing our Community Wellbeing Service, you’ll play a vital role in welcoming guests, conducting initial triage appointments to understand their goals and needs, and signposting them to the most appropriate support services.
The role will require you to:
- Greet guests who are visiting the Community Wellbeing service for the first time
- Conduct a ‘pathway’ triage appointment, establishing the members’ goals and note down areas of concern and current issues
- Signpost to local services and partners that come into the space
- If needed, book an appointment for the member with an advisor
- Update Sufra’s case management system, keeping detailed notes of appointments
Skills required
Professional
- No formal qualifications are necessary, however understanding and having knowledge of the landscape of Brent, the welfare benefit system and other voluntary and statutory services will be beneficial.
- You need to be a confident communicator, able to give a warm welcome to all and keep to timely appointment slots.
- Digital literacy is essential.
- You must be confident with IT platforms such as Microsoft Office and preferably have used case management systems before.
Personal - We need volunteers who:
- Are friendly
- Are non-judgemental
- Can actively listen
- Are passionate about supporting local families to access the support they need
- Are empathic
- Preferably be able to speak another language: Arabic, Persian, Spanish
- Are confident communicating to people without a shared first language
- Have IT skills (ability to use Microsoft Office applications, or willing and able to learn)
- Have a good understanding of confidentiality
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to create a world without barriers. This face to face opportunity will see you providing information about RNIB services and activities to help people with sight loss live the lives they want, enabling them to hear about the support that is available, and how they can help others.
What you’ll be doing
• Creating a welcoming and interesting display stand.
• Speaking directly to people affected by sight loss.
• Being a friendly face of RNIB locally - engaging with a diverse range of people.
• Providing information and demonstrations of basic independent living aids for the general public and professionals.
What you’ll gain from the role:
• An opportunity to give something back.
• A chance to build a strong community.
• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.
In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A supportive route to building your confidence in meeting members of the public and serving customers.
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.
In applying for / signing up for this role you agree to be contacted when we are seeking volunteers to help with an event in relation to this role description. We will contact you via a communication method for which you have given consent.
How often will I be needed?
- 4 Hours per Event
Key requirements
- 1 reference
Location
Region
- Scotland
Who this opportunity will suit
Minimum age
- You must be at least 18 years old to apply
What skills and experience are needed?
- • An outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people • An empathetic and professional manner. • Good communications skills with active listening. • An interest in helping people access the information they need.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to create a world without barriers. This face to face opportunity will see you providing information about RNIB services and activities to help people with sight loss live the lives they want, enabling them to hear about the support that is available, and how they can help others.
What you’ll be doing
• Creating a welcoming and interesting display stand.
• Speaking directly to people affected by sight loss.
• Being a friendly face of RNIB locally - engaging with a diverse range of people.
• Providing information and demonstrations of basic independent living aids for the general public and professionals.
What you’ll gain from the role:
• An opportunity to give something back.
• A chance to build a strong community.
• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.
In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A supportive route to building your confidence in meeting members of the public and serving customers.
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.
In applying for / signing up for this role you agree to be contacted when we are seeking volunteers to help with an event in relation to this role description. We will contact you via a communication method for which you have given consent.
How often will I be needed?
- 4 Hours per Event
Key requirements
- 1 reference
Location
Region
- Northern Ireland
Additional location information
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Currently looking for applicants within the Belfast area Only
Who this opportunity will suit
Minimum age
- You must be at least 18 years old to apply
What skills and experience are needed?
- • An outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people • An empathetic and professional manner. • Good communications skills with active listening. • An interest in helping people access the information they need.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteers needed for the friendliest club in London!
Can you spare two hours a week to work with some of the friendliest, welcoming people
you’ll ever meet? If so, then please come and help our volunteers organise fun, engaging
activities at our ever-growing club for people with learning disabilities. No previous experience
is needed; you just need a caring attitude and sense of fun!
Our club is split into two age groups: 14-25 years and 25 years +. You have a chance to make a real
difference to either group by creating new experiences, helping our members to grow in
confidence, build friendships and learn new skills. Our specialist club leaders will support and
train you, and you’ll benefit from working in a very rewarding environment!
The Squad Club is an impactful hyper-local charity supporting young people and adults with learning disabilities through our weekly social club.




Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Fight for Home Champion [London]
Do you have great communication skills that you’d like to put to good use?
Information about the role
In this role you’ll be representing Shelter at local events and functions, speaking about our work and encouraging more people to support our movement for change. You’ll also promote our local Shelter services and our campaigning work to tackle the root causes of the housing emergency.
Location: London (various)
Suggested contribution: Ideally at least once month, but it’s up to you.
Availability: This is a flexible opportunity, with meetings and events that might take place in evenings and weekends.
The above is the essential information you need to know. You can apply now by clicking ‘fill in an application’ or read on more for details.
Main activities may include:
· Delivering talks to local community groups, schools and faith groups about the work of Shelter and the ways in which your audience could help us achieve our goals.
· Raising awareness of Shelter and our work through talking to friends, family and on social media
· Attending cheque presentations on behalf of Shelter to thank people and say a few words about how the money raised could be used to tackle homelessness
· Supporting our campaigns to tackle the root cause of the housing emergency by encouraging people to sign petitions and spreading the word in your community
This role fights the housing emergency by raising funds that enable Shelter to provide advice and support and campaigning for change. The events you’ll be attending are also great for raising awareness of the housing emergency and how people can get involved to help tackle it.
Benefits of volunteering with Shelter
Volunteers are essential to Shelter’s mission to end housing injustice. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. The insights and life experiences our volunteers bring to Shelter are valued as much as their contribution through volunteering.
We aim to provide our volunteers with a positive experience. This is by prioritising accessibility and tailoring the support we provide to the needs of the individual. We make sure our policies and processes are equitable, which means that no-one is unfairly disadvantaged while volunteering because of their background or identity.
Your skills and experience
For this role it’s important you’re willing to speak in front of an audience, but it doesn’t matter if you have experience in this area or not. The most important thing is that you are passionate about joining our fight for home!
Supporting you
· You will be provided with an induction into your role, access to relevant learning and a copy of our volunteer handbook.
· The role, including learning and communications, are flexible, so can be tailored so they best suit your needs and preferences.
· You will be able to claim reasonable volunteering expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer policy. Where financial circumstances would be a barrier to volunteering, we may be able to offer these funds in advance.
· You will be able to access our volunteer support package, including our colleague assistance programme and Shelter’s network of mental health first aiders.
Next steps
You can apply for this role by clicking ‘fill in an application’. If you need to apply by an alternative method, please contact us.
We will then get back to you about your application. Shortlisted applicants will have a recruitment conversation to discuss the role further.
Upon offer of role, you will be asked to declare any unspent convictions. Having a criminal record does not automatically mean you can’t volunteer with us. We will have a conversation with you to discuss the convictions in relation to the role you have applied for. Sometimes it may limit the ways you can get involved. Please contact us if you require more information.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Cheerer Volunteering at the 2025 Royal Parks Half Marathon
Would you like to have a great day out, while supporting Shelter’s fundraisers?
Information about the role
The main thing we need you to do is cheer! You will be a vital part of race day, supporting 282 Shelter runners from the side lines. You’ll need to help create a high energy, friendly atmosphere, motivating everyone on race day to do their best.
Volunteering at this event is also an opportunity to have fun, meet new people and experience some wonderful community spirit whilst contributing towards our mission.
Date: Sunday 12th October 2025
Time: 09:00-12:30
Location: Somewhere along the race route, exact locations to be confirmed
This role fights the housing emergency by creating an inspirational buzz and providing much needed support to our fantastic runners, helping them in their mission to raise money for our Fight for Home.
Benefits of volunteering with Shelter
Volunteers are essential to Shelter’s mission to end housing injustice. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. The insights and life experiences our volunteers bring to Shelter are valued as much as their contribution through volunteering.
We aim to provide our volunteers with a positive experience. This is by prioritising accessibility and tailoring the support we provide to the needs of the individual. We make sure our policies and processes are equitable, which means that no-one is unfairly disadvantaged while volunteering because of their background or identity.
Next steps
If you would like to volunteer at this event, click ‘fill in an application’. After you have applied, we’ll be in touch to say hi and discuss the volunteering opportunity further.
Please note, you will be asked to declare any unspent convictions. Having a criminal record does not automatically mean that you cannot volunteer with us but it may limit the different ways that you can get involved. Please get in touch if you require more information.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Purpose of role
We're on a mission to grant magical wishes and create lasting memories for seriously ill children and their families. Join us in the office to help us manage our admin and provide the best support for our donors. This role requires you to be in the office either Monday or Thursday.
Main Tasks:
- Assisting with day-to-day customer care of fundraising activities as required by the team, e.g., managing incoming emails and telephone calls, helping with post, counting money etc.
- Helping to write letters and handwritten thank you cards to supporters.
- Helping to manage event guest lists and other admin tasks related to our special events
- Sending out fundraising materials as requested by supporters.
- Managing deliveries of items as they arrive in the office.
- Sorting fundraising materials in our storage space
- Updating and maintaining the CRM database where needed (training provided and open to people who would prefer not to use a database
- Creating materials using Word, PowerPoint or other software
- Any other admin tasks that will help the team manage workload
What skills do I need to have?
Experience of delivering good customer service and/or administration in a voluntary or paid capacity – or the desire to learn new skills
- Experience of using Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, email, and the Internet for research purposes.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
- Managing data.
- Organised with good attention to detail.
Why volunteer with us?
- Make a real difference: Witness the impact of your support firsthand as you spread joy and raise awareness.
- Join a supportive community: Be part of a friendly and passionate team, connecting with people who are driven to make more wishes happen.
- Gain experience and a great way to get involved in the charity sector.
- Enjoy flexible opportunities: volunteer at times that fit your schedule and interests, volunteering as much or as little as you like.
- Meet new people from different backgrounds.
We brighten the lives of seriously ill children across the UK by granting wishes and providing ongoing support in hospitals and within the community
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Based in either our Main Gallery or Stables Gallery, the role is integral in providing a high-quality visitor experience by bringing our gallery spaces to life by welcoming and engaging visitors, as well as sharing your passion and the stories of our exhibitions.
Tasks and Responsibilities
- Welcoming and engaging visitors in a warm and friendly manner
- Interpreting our gallery spaces, exhibition content, the Richmond Borough Art Collection and the gallery’s history for all ages and abilities
- Being a visible presence in our galleries, ensuring everyone's safety and the security of our exhibitions
- Guiding visitors around the gallery and wider site
- Monitoring visitor numbers and contributing to evaluation initiatives
- Representing the Gallery and Richmond Arts Service
What we hope you will get from the role
- The opportunity to engage with people and communities from the local area, West London and beyond
- Opportunity to develop interpersonal and communication skills
- -An insight into the day-to-day running of a contemporary art gallery and museum crossing a range of sectors
- Opportunities to engage with artists and learn about their practice
- An understanding of the breadth of arts activity offered by Richmond Arts Service
Training and Support
We will provide training and an induction which covers all aspects of the role. On-going support and supervision will be provided by staff throughout your time with us. Additionally, there are regular training sessions to supplement and further your initial training, as well as a varied programme of volunteer events and activities to join in, meet people and learn something new!
We offer a tour of our exhibitions with the artist(s) or a member of staff prior to their opening. This will give you a first hand insight into the concept, processes and artist’s vision behind the exhibition.
Desirable qualities and experience
- Enthusiasm for meeting and engaging with people and sharing information
- Interest for contemporary art, history and/or heritage
- Able to answer enquiries in a friendly and helpful manner
- Willingness to learn
- Enjoys being part of a team
- Ability to complete tasks independently
- Good time keeping
Availability
The gallery is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm, with two volunteer shifts a day, 10am – 1pm and 1pm – 5pm.
We ask for a minimum commitment of one shift every fortnight, although there is flexibility over scheduling.
Location
This role is based at Orleans House Gallery, in either the Main Gallery or Stables Gallery.
Expenses
We will cover travel expenses up to £17 per day.
Building community through creativity
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We usually only hold new volunteer inductions at the start of each school term, we will confirm the next date once you have applied.
Action for Refugees in Lewisham works to relieve poverty and isolation amongst refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants in Lewisham. At the Rainbow Club supplementary school we aim to help children between the ages of 4 and 11 to improve their literacy, numeracy and social skills in a friendly and supportive environment. We need your skills and enthusiasm to assist the teacher in the delivery of a literacy and numeracy class and work with other volunteers to develop a programme of recreational activities. The Rainbow Club runs on Saturday mornings during term-time.
Your duties will include:
- Arriving punctually for the 9am briefing by the Rainbow Club Headteacher;
- Working in a team with other volunteers and teachers to deliver literacy, numeracy, arts, sport activities – this includes ensuring children remain engaged throughout the lesson and carry out set tasks as instructed by the teacher;
- Working one-to-one with specific children if and when required;
- Filing classroom work and homework in children’s individual files and keeping all materials and resources tidy and properly stored;
- Liaising with parents as and when required for example distributing leaflets and news about future meetings and events and also assisting with parents' day;
- Following the teacher’s policies on discipline and classroom management;
- Supervising the children during break times;
- Supporting the children during class trips;
- Ensuring classrooms are clean and tidy at the end of each day – this may include being part of a regular team rota;
- Providing feedback and comments to the Rainbow Club Headteacher when required.
We support asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants to lift themselves out of poverty and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community.




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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 a Support Volunteer for the London Borough of Sutton Group. As our local group Support Volunteer you’ll help people affected by MS find information about local and national services. That could be helping someone access local information about the care or benefits they need or giving them a hand with a grant application.
In this role you’ll be able to develop your listening and communication skills, as well as your knowledge of local services. Most importantly you’ll help people affected by MS to access the help they need.
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.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
VOLUNTEER VICE-CHAIR
Across the UK, our 65 local branches help disabled people live the lives they choose. Our network of skilled volunteers respond to thousands of requests each year to design and make customised equipment free of charge.
As a Vice-Chair you’ll support your Chair or Coordinator in making sure your local branch works as effectively as possible.
You’ll bring your leadership, communication, organisation, and motivational skills to this role.
What the role involves
This is a varied role where local need shapes what you’ll be working on, but it can include:
• Supporting the Chair/Coordinator in organising branch activities, from setting up branch meetings to planning and completing referrals
• Helping the Chair/Coordinator oversee the recruitment, induction, and ongoing support of new volunteers
• Deputising for the Chair/Coordinator when necessary
• Acting as a key contact between staff and volunteers
What you’ll need for this role
Essential
• Confident in leading and chairing a meeting when required
• Confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email
• Willingness to attend local events to promote the charity’s work
• Ability to understand and follow external and internal policies and procedures
• Able to keep people’s personal details safe
• Willing to follow Remap policies and procedures – and a commitment to our values
Desirable
• Confident in communicating with different audiences, including decision-makers and volunteers
• Able to delegate and motivate the activities of others
• Enthusiastic about raising awareness of the charity’s work in the local area
• Willingness to develop skills and experience
You’ll also need to complete the induction checklist and reference check, and you may need a DBS check if you also have another client facing role.
Why volunteer
When you volunteer with us, you join a community of committed people with a passion for helping to improve the lives of others. We’re a volunteer led organisation and we couldn’t do what we do without your hard work, skills and commitment.
N.B. We’ll reimburse any out-of-pocket expenses during your time with us.
REMAP exists to improve the quality of life for people who experience short or long-term disability through infirmity, illness or ageing.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you speak Farsi and are looking to give back to the local community? By joining our team of befrienders, you will support us to reach some of the most isolated adults in the community to reduce their feelings of loneliness, build friendships and provide support for mental wellbeing.
You will support individuals who struggle to communicate with others and help them to reconnect with their local community. You will support to relight a spark in a hobby, interest or encourage individuals to explore and participate in new social activities.
Loneliness and isolation can affect anyone in life, whatever their age or family situation. Official data from the Office for National Statistics shows that rates of depression doubled during the COVID pandemic, and one of the major causes of depression is isolation.
What you will be doing
- Agree a mutual time and frequency to meet in the local community
- To develop and promote a positive relationship with your befriendee
- To engage in conversation in Kurdish
- To encourage your befriendee to engage in social activities and support them in doing so whilst building their confidence
- To support your befriendee in developing their goals and social skills
- Encourage your befriendee to make links with community services, based on their identified goals
The skills you need
- Able to communicate confidently in Kurdish
- Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere which motivates and inspires others
- Willingness to engage in activities in the community
- Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow professional boundaries
- To be consistent in attendance
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 - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.




Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Become an Independent Visitor to be matched one to one with a young person in care. You will meet once or twice a month to take them out to do fun activities together. This is an opportunity for our young people to develop a healthy relationship with a trusted adult, have fun and share their worries and feelings if they are ready to do so.
We'll provide full training, all your expenses and ongoing support from dedicated staff.
This is an opportunity for you to build skills and knowledge within social care and test yourself with real life experience of a young person in care.
We're looking for enthusiastic, committed people to bring their experience, skills and positivity to the lives of young people who have been through tough times. We will be providing training on the following subjects.
Session 1 Introduction to IV and the Care system
Session 2 Trauma, Attachment and Growth
Session 3 Safeguarding
Session 4 Communications and Boundaries
Session 5 The Role Of The IV
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
INDEPENDENT READING GROUP VOLUNTEER (FACE-TO-FACE)
CARAS Youth ESOL Programme – Monday, Wednesday mornings
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.
Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.
We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.
Our values are at the centre of all our work:
• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests.
• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.
• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.
• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.
About Youth ESOL:
Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.
About the Role:
- CARAS is looking for Reading Group Volunteer to support our face-to-face study programme for young people.
- The reading group is in Tooting and is an important element of a study programme for young people aged 14 to 18 who are out of formal education.
- Students will be supported to read at length and complete challenges that are adapted to their ability level.
- The reading group aims to foster independence and a joy of reading among the young people and requires volunteers to learn about the young peoples' interests in order to help them select an appropriate text.
- The ESOL teacher will provide volunteers with tips to support reading and understanding for emerging learners of English, such as phonics and elicitation strategies.
- Volunteers will work with 1-5 students, mostly reading out loud with them or helping them to decode unfamiliar language.
- Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.
Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:
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Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within the Reading Group sessions;
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Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources;
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Contributing to debriefs to inform the ESOL teacher how each student found the lesson/task and the students’ areas of greatest challenge and success;
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Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;
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Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class;
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Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project;
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Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential;
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Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;
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Listening and supporting students to select, read and understand a text; Showing flexibility to the wide range of ability levels in the classroom;
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Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential
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To be 18 years or older;
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An interest in education and English language teaching;
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Currently resident in the UK; has asylum-seeker or refugee status
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* Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; *DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK.
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Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role
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Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (food and travel expenses can be reimbursed);
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To be non-judgemental and able to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds;
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To be reliable and punctual;
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Good communication skills, especially with people who are new to English;
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An interest in books and stories, writing and poetry
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The ability to volunteer on Wednesday during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months;
Desirable:
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Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish;
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Experience of reading with young people or learners of English, or teaching ESOL or phonics.
Through volunteering with us you will:
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Gain experience of English language teaching;
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Meet new members of your local community;
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Learn about different cultures;
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Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
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Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
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Develop your skills and competencies such as literacy and phonics strategies for emerging learners of English;
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Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.
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Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering.
We provide firm foundations for new-arrival asylum seekers to build happy and successful lives.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.