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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 want to co-ordinate vegan volunteering?
As an Organiser, you would be the caretaker of your local area. This is the more time-intensive role but so rewarding! Tasks would be emailed to you directly every month by our Volunteering Coordinator, who would be your main point of contact here at The Vegan Society. It would then be your job to send out the task to Advocates in your local area and get feedback from them. You'll also be able to ask your Advocates for help with any stalls and lobbying. Every Organiser receives an outreach pack, including a table runner, leaflets and banners. We make sure you are fully supported with an Organisers' WhatsApp group for socialising and ideas. We also have a monthly gathering on video.
What does the Organiser role involve?
Every month, you will be sent a collection of tasks to choose from. We create these from our programme of campaigns. You would be the point of contact for Advocates in your area, sharing these tasks and coordinating activities, such as stalls and lobbying councillors. We will provide you with a campaign toolkit and be in regular contact with you to ensure you have everything you need. You will also be invited to our private Facebook group and WhatsApp chat.
We would expect you to provide any updates from your group and give feedback on each task. It's vital that we measure the impact that we are having, in terms of positive conversations and leaflets handed out. You can also give us ideas you have for future outreach tasks or campaigning. Many Organisers find a huge sense of satisfaction, improvement in self-esteem and enjoy the social side of volunteering in this role.
You will also be responsible for welcoming new Advocates in your area. We will let you know when somebody new applies, and you will help them to get involved with any activities. As the main contact for Advocates, this role does require some awareness of safeguarding and data protection procedures and policy. There will be full training on your role in this, as well as a handbook and ongoing guidance and support.
What training and support is available?
There will be a full induction to the role, with a gradual introduction of new tasks and responsibilities. To start with, we will provide an initial training session to cover the basics of community organising, communication skills and event planning. This will be done remotely from wherever you are. Along with this, we will provide a full pack of resources that covers a range of work that we do.
From there, there will be regular conversations and reviews, where we can discuss other training requirements. Staff are always available to Organisers for any questions, via phone or email.
What skills would be useful in doing this role?
How much time do I need to invest?
You should be able to commit around two days a month to carry out actions, and this is usually spread out across the month. We also expect timely responses to emails. When a new Advocate applies to work with you, we would like them to be contacted within seven days via email.
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!
Cancer support charity The Mulberry Centre, is looking for new volunteers with flexible availability to help us set up and run out stall at a variety of fun community fundraising & enagement events, mainly in West London - Hounslow, Richmond & Ealing area. Come and sell rafle tickets, inspire donations, hold a collection bucket, give out leaflets and engage with the public at our own events and at fetes, fairs and stadium days.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
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!
This friendship group was started to provide opportunities for people with learning disabilities to make friends, go on monthly trips and overall have a lot of fun. You can help us make that happen!
An opportunity is available to volunteer at a friendship group for adults with learning disabilities No prior experience is required. Enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and a supportive attitude are what matter most.
Projects You May Support
Volunteers can choose to help with one or both projects:
1. Friendship Group
Key Responsibilities:
2. Joy Hub
Key Responsibilities:
Skills You’ll Develop
Useful Experience (Not Essential)
Enthusiastic learners are encouraged to apply even without direct experience!
DBS will be provided!
Our mission is to create opportunities for autistic people, those with learning disabilities and their families to thrive in local communities



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!
Organisation: Make a Smile
Location: Remote - UK-based (with opportunities for occasional in-person involvement)
Commitment: Flexible, approx. 4–6 hours per week
About Make a Smile
At Make a Smile, we believe every volunteer should feel supported, valued, and empowered. Our volunteers are the heart of our charity, and we work hard to break down barriers so that everyone—no matter their background—can get involved and make a difference to children’s lives.
The Role
The Supporting Chapter Manager provides support to Chapter that are deemed to be struggling. They should assess chapters frequently to ensure they have a clear awareness of what a chapter requires support, in addition to input from other Trustees. They will then provide hands on support to the struggling chapters with focus on recruitment, events and costumes.
What You’ll Gain
Hands-on experience in volunteer management and co-ordination.
The chance to make a lasting impact in the areas needing the most support.
Opportunities to develop leadership, communication, and management.
The satisfaction of knowing you’re helping volunteers feel supported, engaged, and empowered.
Time Commitment
This role is flexible and can be done remotely. We ask for around 4–6 hours per week, though this may vary depending on activities or events.
* To bring children's dreams to life * To provide a professional service * To bring fun to both children and volunteers



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!
Perinatal Support Volunteers provide one-to-one support to parents during pregnancy and up to nine months after the birth. These parents either have mental health issues or are at risk of developing them.
Perinatal Support Volunteers visit these families once a week (usually weekdays during working hours) for 2-3 hours, providing emotional support and practical help in the family’s home or local community. Support is aimed at empowering parents and building resilience beyond the support period.
The type of support Perinatal Support Volunteers provide to parents may include:
No special qualifications are necessary to become a Perinatal Support Volunteer, but Home-Start volunteers are usually either parents or grandparents themselves, or people with experience of young children and family life. We particularly welcome volunteers with lived experience of perinatal mental health challenges.
Home-Start Croydon is a voluntary organisation committed to helping local families through emotional & practical support.
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!
About Make A Smile
Make A Smile is a UK charity dedicated to bringing joy, play, and magical experiences to children facing illness, disability, or disadvantage. Volunteers dress as beloved characters and deliver uplifting activities, from hospital visits and care‑centre sessions to arts, crafts, stories, and games - ensuring every child gets the chance to enjoy their childhood. Our Trustees and Central Officers help keep the charity running smoothly across the UK, acting “in the best interests of Make a Smile” and ensuring volunteers are well‑trained, supported, and empowered.
About the Role
The Sign Language Officer leads Make A Smile’s British Sign Language (BSL) and Makaton training programme, ensuring volunteers gain the communication skills needed to create magical, inclusive interactions at events. You will oversee teachers, develop engaging lesson plans, and ensure volunteers progress through training effectively.
Key Responsibilities
You will play a central role in developing and delivering high‑quality sign language training. Responsibilities include:
● Overseeing BSL and Makaton teachers and supporting them in running weekly sessions.
● Recruiting suitable teachers or supporting new teachers to develop their skills to the required level.
● Ensuring the charity can offer training at multiple levels (Beginners, Improvers, Novice, Intermediate) for both BSL and Makaton.
● Reviewing and approving lesson plans, ensuring content focuses on vocabulary and phrases useful for Make A Smile events.
● Managing volunteer applications for training, selecting participants based on commitment and likelihood of attending events.
● Supporting weekly sessions by ensuring attendance is taken, volunteers are engaged, and teachers have the resources they need.
● Stepping in to run a session or arranging cover if a teacher is unavailable.
● Monitoring volunteer engagement and removing volunteers from the programme if attendance or participation is consistently poor.
● Ensuring asynchronous training materials on the dashboard remain relevant and accessible.
● Reporting on training progress, volunteer engagement, and teacher needs at monthly Charity Leadership Meetings.
Skills and Qualities We’re Looking For
This role suits someone organised, supportive, and passionate about inclusive communication. You’ll thrive if you bring:
● Strong organisational and coordination skills.
● Confidence in supporting and guiding teachers.
● Creativity in helping shape engaging, event‑focused lesson plans.
● A proactive, solution‑focused mindset.
● Professionalism, dedication, and alignment with Make A Smile’s ethos (“Show dedication… Enjoy it!”).
● An interest in BSL or Makaton (you do not need to be fluent - teachers deliver the content).
Time Commitment
Sign Language Officers are expected to contribute around 4 hours per week, including supporting teachers, reviewing lesson plans, managing training groups, and attending monthly Charity Leadership Meetings.
Training and Support
You will receive:
● Full Trustee Training (online).
● A comprehensive handover and access to all systems (OneDrive, Simvoly, WhatsApp communities).
● Guidance from the Chair and fellow Trustees.
● Access to existing lesson plans, training materials, and templates.
● Opportunities for personal development through CPD and charity‑funded training.
What You’ll Gain
● Experience managing a training programme within a national charity.
● Skills in coordination, leadership, and inclusive communication.
● The chance to shape how volunteers interact with children who use BSL or Makaton.
● A meaningful role that directly enhances the accessibility and impact of Make A Smile events.
● The joy of helping volunteers develop skills that create magical, inclusive moments for children.
Safeguarding and Eligibility
Sign Language Officers must act in line with charity standards, including professionalism, confidentiality, and reliability. You must be able to attend monthly meetings and engage actively in communication channels. A DBS check may be required depending on involvement with events.
How to Apply
To express your interest, please send a CV along with a short message outlining your experience, interest in sign language, and why you’d like to support Make A Smile’s training programme.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who share our passion for helping children smile.
* To bring children's dreams to life * To provide a professional service * To bring fun to both children and volunteers



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!
No Panic has hundreds of members, and dozens of volunteers. We aim to create a sense of community among our members and volunteers.
The Community Engagement Team Co-ordinator volunteer will be responsible for running activities that will bring this about.
These include holding social events on Zoom and maintaining WhatsApp groups.
The engagement team can use their imagination and interests – events/groups could be anything from book groups to craft sessions. The co-ordinator organises and maintains the activities and can participate in them if desired.
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!
HEAD OF HR & VOLUNTEERING (REMOTE VOLUNTEER ROLE)
Build the backbone. Shape the culture. Power the movement.
Urban Youth is a start-up fast-moving, street‑level start‑up charity bringing high‑impact, urban-style youth work to London. We don’t sit in offices waiting for young people to come to us — we drop into the heart of the city, transforming unused spaces into hubs of creativity, connection, and opportunity.
But every movement needs structure. Every crew needs a culture. Every launch needs someone who can build the scaffolding behind the scenes.
We’re looking for a Head of HR & Volunteering — a founding volunteer leader who can design our systems, shape our people experience, and build the volunteer-powered engine that makes Urban Youth unstoppable.
Your Mission
You’ll be the architect of Urban Youth’s internal world — the person who builds the infrastructure that allows our street-level work to thrive.
You will:
Design and implement our HR systems, processes, and policies from the ground up
Build a volunteer programme that feels energising, inclusive, and purpose-driven
Lead our volunteer recruitment strategy, working with our Volunteer Coordinator
Shape a culture rooted in positivity, continuous improvement, team spirit, and belonging
Develop onboarding, training, and support pathways for all volunteers
Create simple, effective frameworks that help a start-up charity move fast without losing heart
Work closely with the leadership team to prepare Urban Youth for launch and long-term growth
This is a rare chance to build the foundations of a charity before it takes off.
Who You Are
You don’t need to be a traditional HR professional — though you can be. What matters most is your ability to build systems, nurture people, and create culture.
You might be:
Someone who loves structure, clarity, and good organisation
A natural community-builder who believes in people-first leadership
A champion of positivity, fairness, and continuous improvement
A creative thinker who enjoys designing processes that actually work
Someone excited by the idea of shaping a charity’s DNA from day one
Above all, you believe that people are the heart of everything — and you want to build a place where volunteers feel valued, supported, and part of a family.
Why This Role Matters
Urban Youth is volunteer-powered at its core. The systems you build will shape:
How volunteers join
How they’re supported
How they grow
How they feel
How we deliver high-impact youth work across London
You’ll be setting the tone for an organisation that moves at the speed of the street — bold, agile, and full of heart.
This is a founding leadership role. A legacy role. A chance to build something that will outlast all of us.
If you want to help build a charity’s entire people ecosystem — and shape a culture rooted in hope, energy, and community — we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now and become the backbone of Urban Youth.
To empower London’s youth through agile, short-term opportunities that build skills, social capital, and confidence via a radical, volunteer led model
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!
Support Our Founder & CEO and Help Shape the Heart of SUNSHINE
SUNSHINE is a grassroots, volunteer‑powered community charity bringing joy, connection and belonging to people who need it most. We create warm, uplifting spaces where no one stands alone — ever. From coffee mornings to community socials, every SUNSHINE moment is designed to spark smiles, laughter and genuine human connection.
As we grow, we’re looking for a compassionate, capable and people‑focused Head of HR & Volunteering to support our Founder & CEO in building a thriving, inclusive and well‑supported volunteer community.
This is a senior leadership volunteer role for someone who believes in kindness‑led culture, strong people practices and the power of human connection.
The Role
As Head of HR & Volunteering, you will lead the development of SUNSHINE’s people culture, volunteer pathways and HR foundations. You’ll work closely with the Founder & CEO to ensure our volunteers feel valued, supported and empowered — and that SUNSHINE grows with warmth, integrity and good governance.
This role is perfect for someone who:
Has experience in HR, people management or volunteer leadership.
Loves building positive culture and supporting others to flourish.
Is organised, emotionally intelligent and grounded.
Wants to help shape a young, hopeful, community‑led charity.
Believes in kindness, dignity and belonging for all.
Key Responsibilities
1. Volunteer Leadership & Support
Develop and oversee volunteer recruitment, onboarding and engagement.
Create clear volunteer pathways, role descriptions and support structures.
Ensure volunteers feel welcomed, appreciated and connected.
Support wellbeing, inclusion and positive team culture.
2. HR Foundations & Good Practice
Help build simple, ethical HR processes and policies.
Support with safeguarding, training, documentation and compliance.
Advise the Founder & CEO on people‑related matters.
Help ensure SUNSHINE is a safe, supportive and empowering place for all.
3. Culture & Community
Champion SUNSHINE’s values of joy, kindness and radical welcome.
Help nurture a warm, inclusive, intergenerational volunteer community.
Support conflict resolution, reflective practice and healthy communication.
4. Strategic Partnership with the Founder & CEO
Act as a trusted advisor on people, culture and volunteer strategy.
Help shape the long‑term development of SUNSHINE’s volunteer‑powered model.
Bring insight, steadiness and leadership perspective to organisational decisions.
What You Bring
Experience in HR, people leadership, volunteer management or organisational development.
Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
A calm, supportive, grounded presence.
Commitment to inclusion, kindness and community‑led values.
Reliability, integrity and a collaborative spirit.
What You’ll Gain
A meaningful senior leadership role in a growing grassroots charity.
The chance to shape a volunteer culture rooted in warmth and belonging.
A close working relationship with the Founder & CEO.
The joy of seeing your work directly improve people’s lives.
A community that values kindness, humanity and connection.
Help Us Build a Community Where No One Stands Alone
If you’re someone who leads with heart, believes in people and wants to help build something hopeful and human‑centred, we’d love to hear from you.
Together, we can bring more SUNSHINE into the world.
SUNSHINE is a small grassroots charity that works to reduce loneliness & help people feel more connected: through projects, partnerships & community
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!
It’s an exciting time to join Victim Support, as we prepare to begin delivery of the Witness Service from April 2026. We look forward to welcoming current Witness Service staff and volunteers to Victim Support — and we’re also now beginning recruitment for several new roles and to fill vacant positions.
The Witness Service provides free, independent support to any witness giving evidence in criminal courts in England and Wales — both for the prosecution and the defence.
Our trained staff and volunteers help people understand what to expect before, during and after a trial, and offer practical and emotional support every step of the way, so witnesses can give their best evidence.
The Witness Service also supports bereaved family members, and friends and family who are accompanying witnesses in court.
This is an exceptional opportunity to help us ensure a smooth transition and shape a high-quality, high-impact and trauma-informed service — so every witness feels informed, supported and more confident in court.
Witness Service Outreach Volunteers provide support to witnesses when they are attending court, as well as pre-trial and post-trial helping them to feel safe and informed. You will provide support to both prosecution and defence witnesses.
Why volunteer with us?
Make a difference - you will volunteer directly with victims and witnesses.
Gain skills and experience - you will receive training on how to provide practical and emotional support.
Join our community - you will be part of a large community of over 2,000 volunteers and staff.
Beyond your role – attend one of our many events/webinars and join one of our six Equality, Diversity & Inclusion networks.
What do we ask of you?
In order to join us as a Witness Service Volunteer, you must:
Be 18 years of age or over.
Be able to volunteer for at least 1 day per week, for at least 12 months.
Undertake training – this includes virtual training days as well as completing online learning modules.
Undertake an Enhanced DBS with Child Barred List check & be part of the DBS Update Service.
Be able to provide two satisfactory references.
Have an active email address that you are comfortable using in order to engage with VS communications.
Diversity Matters
VS strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.
VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.
We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to support you through the application process.
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!
VOLUNTEER BRANCH CHAIR/COORDINATOR
Across the UK, our 60+ 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 your local Chair or Coordinator, you’ll take the lead in making sure your local branch works as effectively as possible. You’ll recruit, induct, and support other branch volunteers to make sure your branch’s activities meet the needs of your local disabled community.
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 often includes:
• Coordinating the activities of our local branch to undertake and meet the needs of referrals in your area
• Coordinating and chairing the branch meetings
• Leading the branch’s shared responsibility for planning and completing referrals
• Coordinating the recruitment, induction, and ongoing support of new local branch volunteers
• Working with your Treasurer or Finance Officer to approve branch accounts
• Ensuring the branch’s activities comply with policies to keep people safe
• Regularly communicate and act as a key contact between staff and volunteers
What you’ll need for this role
Essential
• Confident in leading and chairing a meeting
• 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.
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!
Our vision for volunteering
Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.
The difference you will make to cats and people
As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you!
What you can expect us to
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats
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!
A great opportunity to play a role at an exciting stage of LRC’s growth!In 2025, the charity set-up a CRM system - after initial configuration, we now need a volunteer to help operationalise and is used optimally to achieve LRC’s goals.
In 2025, the charity set-up a CRM system using CiviPlus, a CRM system specific to the not-for-profit sector. We already have a technical volunteer who has helped with initial system configuration and can provide ongoing technical support.
The Lyme Resource Centre (LRC) is a charity with a mission to minimise risk of Lyme disease whilst enjoying the outdoors, by educating the public and healthcare professionals about ticks and Lyme disease.
The charity has grown significantly over the past couple of years, and is now looking for volunteers to help with its next phase of evolution.
Aiming to minimise risk of Lyme disease whilst enjoying the outdoors, by educating the public & health professionals about ticks & Lyme disease
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!
Make A Smile is seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable Safeguarding Officer to help us ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children, families, and volunteers we support across the UK. If you have safeguarding experience and want to use your skills to make a meaningful impact, this role offers the chance to help shape safe, joyful experiences for vulnerable children.
About the Role
The Safeguarding Officer plays a central role in maintaining high safeguarding standards across all Make A Smile Chapters. You will work closely with the Recruitment Manager to deliver high‑quality safeguarding training to volunteers, ensuring they understand their responsibilities and feel confident when working with children.
You will also lead on maintaining and updating our safeguarding policies, liaising with relevant organisations to ensure they remain comprehensive, compliant, and aligned with current legislation. A key part of the role involves supporting local officers to ensure all volunteers have an up‑to‑date DBS check before attending events.
As the charity’s central point of safeguarding expertise, you will provide guidance on concerns, advise on escalation routes, and help embed a strong safeguarding culture throughout the organisation.
What We Need You to Do
- Deliver safeguarding training to volunteers
- Maintain and update safeguarding policies
- Ensure DBS compliance across all Chapters
- Provide guidance on safeguarding concerns
- Promote best practice and support volunteers
- Liaise with external organisations and stay up‑to‑date with legislation
Qualities and Experience
We are looking for someone with:
- Proven safeguarding experience (charity, education, healthcare, or social care preferred)
- Strong understanding of safeguarding legislation and best practice
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- A calm, supportive, and approachable manner
- The ability to coordinate processes across multiple teams
- Good judgement, discretion, and attention to detail
- A commitment to Make A Smile’s mission and values
How This Role Helps Make A Smile
The Safeguarding Officer ensures Make A Smile can operate safely, responsibly, and confidently. Your leadership protects children, supports volunteers, and strengthens trust with families and partners. By maintaining robust safeguarding processes, you enable us to continue delivering magical, meaningful experiences to vulnerable children across the UK.
* To bring children's dreams to life * To provide a professional service * To bring fun to both children and volunteers



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 Streatham and is an important element of a study programme for young people aged 14 to 18 who are out of formal education. The timings of the reading group sessions are as follows:
Monday afternoons 2pm to 3pm
Wednesday mornings 11am to 1pm.
Volunteers are required to attend either one of both sessions. Volunteers are also welcome to stay and support the more traditional English language classes either before the reading session on Mondays or after the reading session on Wednesdays.
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:
Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within the Reading Group sessions;
Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources;
Contributing to debriefs to inform the ESOL teacher how each student found the lesson/task and the students’ areas of greatest challenge and success;
Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;
Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class;
Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project;
Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential;
Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;
Listening and supporting students to select, read and understand a text; Showing flexibility to the wide range of ability levels in the classroom;
Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential
To be 18 years or older;
An interest in education and English language teaching;
Currently resident in the UK; has asylum-seeker or refugee status
* 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.
Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role
Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (food and travel expenses can be reimbursed);
To be non-judgemental and able to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds;
To be reliable and punctual;
Good communication skills, especially with people who are new to English;
An interest in books and stories, writing and poetry
The ability to volunteer on Wednesday during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months;
Desirable:
Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish;
Experience of reading with young people or learners of English, or teaching ESOL or phonics.
Through volunteering with us you will:
Gain experience of English language teaching;
Meet new members of your local community;
Learn about different cultures;
Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
Develop your skills and competencies such as literacy and phonics strategies for emerging learners of English;
Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.
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.