Advocacy volunteer volunteer volunteer roles in Greenford, greater london

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 Club:

Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14-19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games.

Youth club takes place at Tooting Hub- Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7B

About the Role:

CARAS is looking for volunteer Football Assistants to support our Football sessions on Mondays, 5.30-7pm in Balham.

Football coaching sessions are led by Fulham FC Kicks programme weekly, supported by CARAS volunteers to offer welcome to young people.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities

· Welcoming young people to the session;

· Helping young people to register for sessions;

· Join in and be role model for young refugees and asylum seekers;

· Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;

· Following FULHAM FC safeguarding policy and CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management, online communications and all other policies as relevant.

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;

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

· The ability to volunteer on Monday evenings for a minimum of four months;

· Currently resident in the UK;

- A love of football, and wanting to encourage others to play.

· Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check (residency is not necessary if you are a Caras community member who is more recently arrived in the UK);

· Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to start of role

Desirable

· Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).

Through volunteering with us you will:

· Meet new members of your local community;

· Learn about different cultures;

· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;

- Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering

· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;

· Develop your skills and competencies;

· Be able to access relevant training;

We are looking for up to ten UK university students to join our volunteer Student Ambassadors team and help Ygam achieve its social purpose by reaching out to students at university. This will be achieved by advising Ygam on the needs of students, supporting with content development, organising activities at your campus, and join us at events to raise awareness of gaming and gambling harms.

We are seeking individuals who are outgoing, with a confident personality. You will enjoy engaging with other students and be able to advise us on the experiences of students with regards to gaming and gambling. 

We are looking for volunteers to join the GBSL project run by the Sickle Cell Society and help increase life-saving blood donations in Black-heritage communities.

What you’ll do:

• Raise awareness about the importance of ethnically matched blood for people with Sickle Cell
• Help grow the movement through community events and social media
• Encourage friends, family and community networks to register as donors
• Share facts and real stories about blood donation

Be Part of our Communication Team at Watford & Three Rivers Refugee Partnership

Location: Hybrid - charity based in Watford, Hertfordshire
Commitment: 5-7 hours a week

Watford & Three Rivers Refugee Partnership is dedicated to supporting refugees and asylum seekers by providing immigration services, advocacy, a social hub and ESOL classes. As  Communication Volunteers, you will play a key role in sharing the stories of refugees and asylum seekers, raising awareness about their challenges, and promoting the charity’s mission. As part of a team you will develop and implement communication strategies to engage supporters, attract donors, and build partnerships. This role involves managing social media, creating compelling content, and ensuring consistent messaging across all platforms.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop engaging content for social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tiktok), newsletters, blogs, and website updates whilst monitoring engagement and responding to comments.
• Write press releases, articles, and promotional materials to raise awareness.
• Develop partnerships with influencers, community groups, media outlets and other charities and organisations.
• Support campaigns that promote refugee rights, integration, and policy change.
• Help develop communication guidelines that ensure respectful and ethical storytelling.
• Assist in volunteer and donor engagement through impactful messaging.
• Provide updates on the charity’s work through reports, newsletters, and event promotions.

Skills & Experience

• Passion for refugee rights, humanitarian work, or social justice.
• desirable to have experience in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field (volunteer or professional).
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with sensitivity to refugee experiences.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and content creation tools (e.g., Canva, Hootsuite, Mailchimp).
• Basic graphic design or video editing skills (preferred but not required).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

What we offer

• Gain hands-on experience in nonprofit communications and advocacy.
• Help amplify refugee voices and raise awareness about critical issues.
• Expand your professional network and build valuable skills.

How to Apply:
Please apply via Charity Job and someone will give you a call/email to discuss further.

Job Description

We are looking for a Volunteer SEO & Content Strategy Manager to help plan and manage the CIC’s content and search strategy.

You will ensure our educational materials, campaigns, and survivor-centred resources are easy to find, well-structured, and accessible online. This role involves working with the Digital Marketing Director and Digital Marketing team to organise content into a long-term strategy that supports awareness, education, and engagement.

The role focuses on SEO, content systems, and structured knowledge management.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an SEO and content strategy aligned with CIC’s mission and campaigns
• Conduct keyword research and topic analysis related to CSA awareness, survivor support, and education
• Plan structured content systems such as pillar pages, topic clusters, and learning pathways
• Work with copywriters, designers, and campaign leads to prioritise content
• Optimise website pages, blogs, and campaign content for search visibility and accessibility
• Track content performance using search and engagement data
• Identify content gaps and opportunities for educational resources
• Ensure all content follows trauma-informed and safeguarding standards
• Document content strategy, workflows, and processes for scalability

What We’re Looking For

• Experience or interest in SEO, content strategy, or digital publishing
• Ability to plan long-term content systems rather than individual posts
• Familiarity with SEO tools, analytics platforms, or content management systems
• Strategic thinking and structured planning skills
• Sensitivity and ethical awareness when communicating about serious topics
• Comfort collaborating with a remote volunteer team
• Experience in nonprofit, advocacy, or educational content is helpful but not required

What You’ll Gain

• Founding experience building a long-term content and knowledge strategy for a social impact organisation
• Leadership exposure in ethical SEO and content systems
• Opportunity to shape how the CIC shares survivor-centred knowledge with the public
• Hands-on experience working with multidisciplinary content, marketing, and campaign teams
• Priority consideration for future paid roles when funding becomes available

People & Planet is looking for volunteers to assist with compiling its 2026/27 People & Planet University League; the only higher education ranking that classifies based on ethics and climate justice criteria.

Universities impart skills and knowledge, form life-long beliefs and behaviours, act as centres of communities, employ, house and feed large numbers of people and promote the creation and sharing of knowledge. We believe this makes them uniquely placed to lead on environmental and ethical issues. For this reason the People & Planet University League has been running since 2007 and has been published by high-profile media partners such as The Guardian (2021, 2022. 2023, 2024, 2025), The BBC, and whose data is used in the Sunday Time Good University Guide.

Volunteers will research publicly available university documents and assess universities against our marking criteria, which cover a wide range of climate and social justice issues including decarbonisation, fossil fuel divestment, ethical banking, workers’ rights and environmental management among others. This work will help to incentivise the university sector towards taking immediate and appropriate action on the climate crisis and upholding the rights and wellbeing of all people internationally.

The role will develop and improve the following areas:

• Qualitative research skills

• Attention to detail

• Use of data collection software

• Time management and keeping to deadlines

• Working independently and remotely

• Communication skills

• Knowledge of environmental management processes and sustainability reporting.

Training is provided for the role. We believe the skills and experience gained could be valuable for a number of career paths, including working in NGOs, corporate sustainability, estates management, higher education policy making, research and campaigning among many others.

People & Planet would like to support volunteers in their future careers, so will give all volunteers an official reference letter on successful completion of their placement and will act as a referee for future positions for which you may apply. From last year’s cohort, 100% said they would recommend this position to someone who wanted to add experience to their CV.

Feedback from previous volunteers

‘I think as someone looking for relevant experience to bolster a CV, this is a helpful and not-too-time-consuming position. It had exactly the kind of flexibility that I required at this point in time.’

‘It's a really great opportunity to hone one's research skills, learn more about what our universities can do to improve their impact on the planet, and make a small but real difference.’

Person Specification -the following are essential:

• Access to a computer or laptop and internet connection.

• Familiarity with desk-based research.

• Ability to work accurately and efficiently to agreed standards.

• Reliability and commitment to completing work to deadlines.

• Able to communicate needs with staff at People & Planet and if needed, ask for appropriate support to complete tasks in time.

• Ability to search policy documents for specific information in English.

• Ability to assess information against standardised frameworks.

• Ability to work remotely and independently

The following are desirable:

• Awareness of current issues in sustainability and ethics.

• Experience of research and data collection.

• An interest in higher education policy.

Please note anyone employed by a UK university cannot volunteer as a Researcher.

You will need to commit to

• Two 25 hour weeks of remote work in July and August.

• 5 hours work per day for the two week period. Volunteers can manage their own time flexibly and will receive support from People & Planet, but must meet task deadlines on a weekly basis and attend a short daily meeting. Volunteers are free to work evenings and weekends, but please note People & Planet operates a 4 day week from 9-5.

• One induction session the week prior to your 2 week engagement.

• Completion of a self-access standardisation activity prior to the start of your engagement.

• Attending a brief meeting in the morning or afternoon each day and one individual check-in meeting in week 1.

• Checking the work chat function regularly.

Summer timetable

June 22nd-July 3rd Ethical Investment and Banking, Ethical Careers and Recruitment, Education for Sustainable Development. Induction 18th June 10am

July 13th-July 24th Sustainable Food, Staff & HR, Environmental Policy and Strategy Induction 9th July 10am

August 3rd-August 14th Managing Carbon, Workers’ Rights, Staff and Student Engagement. Induction 30th July 10am

How to Apply

Fill in this form and attach a C.V that has your full name in the filename.

Applications will be processed on a rolling basis until positions are filled, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. The deadline for applications is Wednesday the 20th May at 11:59

Candidates will need to attend a non-competitive group recruitment session and complete an online self-access task before being invited to volunteer with us.

Please let us know if you have specific access needs and what we can do to make the interview, training and volunteer experience more accessible to you, including organising a one-on-one interview. We welcome people with hearing loss, deaf and or disabled people to apply for this volunteer opportunity -unfortunately we don't use BSL so would need to make alternative support provisions for the training, unless a BSL interpreter can join you. If you have specific needs where we might support you by making this volunteering opportunity more accessible, please contact us.

People & Planet welcome applications from BAME folks and people of colour, from disabled people, from LGBTQI*people, from people who speak English as a second language, from people who identify as non-binary gender, from women, from people of different ages, from people with caring responsibilities and from people with irregular migration status, people seeking asylum in the UK or with a migrant background, folks with a working class background, and everyone else.

Are you a parent, grandparent or have experience of caring for children?

Do you have 2-3 hours per week to spare? Use your experience to support a family facing challenging times.

Our Home-Visiting Service supports families who are experiencing difficulties or suffering stress and who have at least one child under the age of five years.

Our aims are:

To increase the confidence and independence of the family by:

Offering support, friendship and practical assistance

Visiting families in their own homes and in their community, where the dignity and identity of each adult and child can be respected and protected

Reassuring parents that difficulties in bringing up children is not unusual and encouraging them to enjoy family life.

Developing a relationship with the family in which time can be shared and understanding can be developed. This approach is flexible to take account of different needs.

Encouraging parents’ strengths and emotional wellbeing – for the ultimate benefit of their children.

Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships, and to effectively use the support and services available within the community.

Beacon for Rare Diseases hosts The Resources Hub, a 100% free and accessible e-learning platform created to support the rare disease community, including:

• Patient groups, patients and families
• Researchers and life science professionals
• Rare disease advocates

The Resources Hub brings together over 100 free resources, including written courses, video guides, webinars and recordings from events and conferences. These resources are designed to support people at every stage of their rare disease journey, whether they are just getting started or are part of a well-established organisation.

We are incredibly proud of the breadth and quality of what’s available on the Hub. However, much of our long-standing content is under-promoted, meaning that people don’t always find the right resource at the right time.

“The Resources Hub provides invaluable resources to help patient group leaders navigate challenges such as caring responsibilities, health issues, and employment.”

“It breaks down topics relevant to the rare community in a way that's easy to digest and empowering to take action!”

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About the role

We are looking for a social media volunteer to help us shine a light on the wealth of content already available within the Resources Hub.

In this role, you will:

• Spend time exploring our existing Resources Hub content
• Write 1–3 social media posts per resource, tailored for different platforms
• Help us build a reusable library of social media posts that we can draw on to promote resources when they are most relevant

This role is about helping people discover support that already exists, making it easier for patient groups and advocates to find information that could make a real difference to their work.

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Who this role would suit

This is a specific, project-based placement and would suit someone who already has experience in communications, social media or content creation.

You’ll be someone who:

• Enjoys writing clear, engaging social media copy
• Understands how to adapt messaging across different platforms
• Is comfortable working independently and managing their own time
• Can take guidance on tone and branding and run with it

While we don’t have capacity to provide training, you won’t be left on your own. We will:

• Provide clear direction on priorities and approach
• Share brand guidance and examples
• Review initial work to make sure everything feels aligned
• Have routine check-ins, provide feedback, and an end-of-placement review

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Time commitment and flexibility

​This is a fully remote volunteering role, which we ideally hope can be completed within around three months. We anticipate a minimum commitment of approximately two hours per week, though a shorter, more intensive placement could also be arranged to suit the volunteer. We are open to having more than one volunteer on this project and do not expect a single person to work through the entire Hub.

Please note: we are looking for this placement to begin as soon as possible. 

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Why volunteer with Beacon?

By volunteering with Beacon, you will:

• Help improve access to free, high-quality resources for the rare disease community
• Support patient groups, patients and advocates to build confidence and capacity
• Gain experience working with a well-established national charity
• Take on a clearly defined project with flexible working

About Bank.Green

Since the Paris Agreement, global banks have poured a staggering $7.9 trillion into the fossil fuel industry. Bank.Green exists to change that.

We build tools that help people understand how their bank finances climate change, and what they can do about it, whether that’s switching to genuinely greener alternatives or pushing their existing bank to improve. To date, our bank-checking tool has been used 500,000+ times globally and has helped influence at least £25 million in customer deposits toward banks financing a cleaner future.

Through transparency, technology, and public engagement, we aim to redefine the role of banks in the climate transition.

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced engineer to act as a technical steward for the Bank.Green website, our primary public-facing platform, working alongside another senior engineer already on the project. Technical decisions are made in a collaborative, consensus-driven way, rather than top-down.

The site is transitioning to Astro, with a React-based frontend, and is deployed via Cloudflare. Content is managed via Prismic as a headless CMS, with data coming from internal GraphQL and REST APIs.

The platform serves roughly 5,000 pages, the majority of which are repeatable, programmatically generated bank profile pages built from shared templates and structured data. As a result, performance, caching, SEO, and build efficiency are key concerns.

This is a hands-on but flexible role, suited to someone who enjoys maintaining and improving real-world infrastructure that thousands of people rely on.

What you’d be working on

• Building and shipping new frontend features that improve how users understand and act on bank climate data

• Maintaining and improving the Astro/React codebase with a focus on clarity, performance, and long-term maintainability

• Improving build performance, caching strategy, and CDN efficiency to keep the site fast and cost-effective at scale

• Collaborating on architectural and technical decisions with the other senior engineer

• Reviewing and contributing pull requests, and helping establish sensible frontend and deployment patterns

Ways we work

• Fully remote and asynchronous
• Communication via Slack, Linear, and occasional calls (MS365)
• Pragmatic, low-process, mission-driven team
• Strong bias toward maintainable code and real-world impact

Commitment

This is an unpaid, volunteer role.

• Roughly 7–10 hours per week, flexible
• We’re looking for a longer-term engagement (around 6 months or more) to provide continuity and stewardship

What we’re looking for

• Required: A portfolio, GitHub profile, or equivalent code samples demonstrating real-world frontend or full-stack work
• Experience as a frontend or full-stack engineer at a mid-to-senior level
• Strong JavaScript fundamentals
• Experience with React and modern frontend tooling
• Familiarity with Astro, or strong interest in content-first frameworks (Next.js, Nuxt, Gatsby, etc.)
• Comfort reviewing code and guiding less experienced developers
• Experience working asynchronously with distributed teams
• Familiarity with Git-based workflows and Agile-style tools
• Genuine interest in climate action and environmental accountability

Job Description

We are looking for a Volunteer Creative Storyteller to help create meaningful written content that supports our campaigns, fundraising and community engagement.

You will help turn complex and sensitive topics into clear, respectful stories that raise awareness and encourage people to support our mission. This role works closely with the Digital Marketing Director and Digital Marketing teams to create content for social media, websites and digital campaigns.

The role focuses on ethical storytelling, clear communication and helping build the organisation’s public voice.

Key Responsibilities

• Create written content for social media, campaigns, websites and emails
• Help shape stories that support awareness, advocacy and fundraising
• Work with designers and campaign teams to develop engaging content
• Adapt messaging for different audiences and platforms
• Ensure all content is respectful, trauma-informed and aligned with our values
• Review and improve content based on feedback and engagement

What We’re Looking For

• Strong writing and storytelling skills for digital audiences
• Ability to communicate sensitive topics clearly and responsibly
• Interest in social impact, advocacy or community-focused work
• Ability to collaborate with a remote volunteer team
• Comfort adapting content for different platforms (social media, web, email)
• Experience in content writing, communications, campaigns or similar work is helpful but not required

What You’ll Gain

• Experience creating storytelling campaigns for a social impact organisation
• Opportunity to help shape the voice of a growing initiative
• Experience working with digital campaign teams
• Priority consideration for future paid roles when funding becomes available

Help Us Bring Joy, Connection & Belonging to Our Community

SUNSHINE is a start-up grassroots, volunteer‑powered community based loneliness charity bringing joy, connection and belonging to people who need it most. We create warm, uplifting spaces where no one stands alone — ever. Whether it’s a coffee, a conversation, a walk, a workshop or a moment of joy, every person is welcomed with open arms and genuine care.

And now… we’re looking for compassionate, community‑minded volunteers to help us run SUNSHINE and spread warmth even further.

Volunteer Roles Available

1. Community Hosts

Be the welcoming face of SUNSHINE. Greet people, offer a warm drink, spark conversations and help create a space where everyone feels they belong.

2. Event Helpers

Support our joyful activities — from coffee mornings to socials, walks, workshops and community gatherings.

3. Admin & Organising Support

Help behind the scenes with planning, emails, scheduling, coordination and keeping SUNSHINE running smoothly.

4. Social Media & Storytelling

Share moments of joy, capture community stories and help us spread SUNSHINE online.

5. Outreach & Community Engagement

Help us reach isolated people, local groups, partners and neighbours who would benefit from SUNSHINE.

6. Kindness Crew

Small acts of kindness that create big ripple effects — checking in on someone, writing a card, offering a listening ear.

What SUNSHINE Stands For

• Joyful Events & Activities — moments that spark smiles and connection.

• Radical Welcome — you matter here.

• Human Connection — real conversations, real relationships.

• Community‑Led — shaped by local people.

• Kindness in Action — small acts, big impact.

• Inclusive & Intergenerational — every age, every background, every ability.

Why Volunteer With Us

Because SUNSHINE isn’t just a charity — it’s a feeling. A community. A place where people rediscover belonging, purpose and joy.

Volunteering with us means:

• Making a real difference to people who need connection.

• Being part of a warm, supportive team.

• Bringing your personality, creativity and heart.

• Helping build something beautiful for your community.

Ready to Bring a Little More SUNSHINE Into the World?

Together, we can make sure no one stands alone.

Who are we?

We are Buttons & Bubbles C.I.C. We work to increase inclusion and representation across society for the disabled community.We have several different services including inclusive characters, sensory workshops, resources, events, advocacy and more.

What are we looking for?

Are you looking for a volunteering opportunity that you can do in your own time and without having to leave the comfort of the sofa? Do you have a good imagination? Are you interested in graphic design? Or have an artistic flair?

We have a range of creative projects and tasks and our creative team have more work than people. From helping to bring our characters and bubble world to life to helping with our rebrand project. 

What do we expect?

• Be willing to undertake our training programme which will be done virtually and at a time to suit you.

• Sign our volunteer contract. (If you disagree with anything in it please do discuss it with us and we will be happy to have a conversation and make small changes if appropriate).

• A positive attitude to disability and illness. We are happy to answer questions on this.

What can you expect?

• A community group that does not currently operate a rota system of any kind. Youdon’t have to regularly commit your time.

• A kind, caring, nurturing company who cares about people, staff and volunteers. Our aim is to keep your wellbeing at the centre of our work.

• A very positive and proactive approach to disability and illness. Any and all accommodations will be made that you require. If there is anything you wish to discuss in private please email us and we will arrange a confidential chat.

Benefits to Volunteering with Buttons & Bubbles CIC

• Gaining valuable experience and improving your confidence

• Allows you to explore potentially different areas of interest.

• Make a difference to community

• Develop your current skill set and gain new skills.

• Displays your level of commitment to future employers.

• Displays your ability to balance and schedule your time effectively when seeking future employment.

For further information or to apply email us and we will be more than happy to have a chat. 

Please note we are looking for volunteers who are based in the UK. 

This position is a Trustee role, sitting on and managing Hidayah's Board of Trustees. The Chair of Hidayah provides strategic leadership to Hidayah, ensuring the organization remains aligned with its mission to support and advocate for LGBTQ+ Muslims. The Chair will guide the Board of Trustees in effective governance and act as an ambassador for the charity within both the Muslim and LGBTQ+ communities.

What are the key responsibilities of this role?

This role will have the following duties, but are not limited to:

Leadership and Governance:

· Provide leadership to the Board, ensuring that Trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity.

· Oversee the Board of Trustees’ operation, ensuring its members work collaboratively and effectively.

· Ensure the charity complies with its constitution, governing documents, charity law, and other relevant legislation/regulations.

Strategy and Planning:

· Lead the development and implementation of the charity’s annual strategic plan, ensuring alignment with the needs of LGBTQ+ Muslims.

· Liaise with the Secretary in writing the annual report outlining Hidayah’s impact and achievements

· Work with the Board of Trustees to ensure that strategic objectives are effectively executed and serve the community

· Liaising with the HR & Recruitment Trustee regarding a portfolio of policies to ensure the smooth running of Hidayah

Risk Management:

· Ensure appropriate risk management policies and procedures are in place and adhered to.

· Regularly review and address potential risks to the charity’s operations and reputation.

Board of Trustees Management:

· Chair monthly Board meetings effectively, ensuring decisions are taken in a timely manner and that actions are followed up.

· Facilitate a positive and inclusive Board culture where diverse viewpoints are encouraged and respected.

· Manage all Trustees at Hidayah

Advocacy and Representation:

· Act as an ambassador for the charity, promoting its work within both the Muslim and LGBTQ+ communities and to a wider audience.

· Represent the charity at key events, meetings, and functions, and develop relationships with key stakeholders and partners.

Financial Oversight:

· Oversee the charity’s financial health, ensuring it operates within its means and maintains proper financial control and accountability.

· Work with the Treasurer and the finance team to ensure the Board of Trustees receives accurate and timely financial information.

· Act as a signatory for Hidayah’s bank account and financial operations.

· To seek out partnerships, sponsors and endorsements from individuals and organisations.

What do we expect from the Chair of Hidayah?

Please note that you must agree with and fit the criteria below to be eligible to volunteer in this role:

Essential:

· Demonstrable experience in a leadership role within a charity, non-profit, or similar organization.

· Strong understanding of governance best practices and charity law.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive culture.

· Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.

· Strong financial acumen and experience overseeing budgets and financial planning.

· Passion for the charity’s mission and commitment to its values, with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ Muslims.

Desirable:

· Previous experience as a Chair or in a senior non-executive role.

· Experience in fundraising and development activities.

· Established network within the Muslim and LGBTQ+ communities and among relevant stakeholders.

Terms of Appointment:

· The Chair will be appointed for an initial term of 3 years, which may be renewed for a further term(s).

· This is a voluntary position; however, expenses incurred in fulfilling the role will be reimbursed as approved by the Board of Trustees in line with Hidayah’s policies.

All volunteers are expected to join Hidayah's Membership and Hidayah Discord server, read all Hidayah policies read, understand and agree with the constitution of Hidayah (available on our website).

Please ensure you do not have a conflict of interest with your current role and check this prior to applying for this role.

How much commitment is required?

The hours are flexible around your schedule. All Trustees volunteers are expected to:

· Attend monthly meetings to update on tasks, progress etc.

· Aim to attend all other planning meetings as necessary

· Attend Hidayah events where geographically possible

· Add to and maintain the administration of our file-sharing system ‘Google Drive’ to ensure it’s up to date with clear records, templates and forms

· Check and respond to emails in a timely manner

· Contribute to the communications group (via Discord) and stay up to date with Hidayah developments

· Keep up to date with Hidayah communication and organisational developments

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.