Advocate volunteer roles in london, essex

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 volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our face-to-face study programme called ‘Get Ready for School.’ 

This programme is attended by young people out of education and is based in Tooting on Mondays and Wednesdays. Core delivery of the programme includes English, Maths, Digital skills, complemented by Reading and Writing for Pleasure.

Volunteers in this role are required to commit to at least one 2-hour session per week, during these times:

• Monday 10am - 3pm
• Tuesday 2pm - 6pm
• Wednesday 11am - 6pm

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 ESOL classes;

• Help young people to build confidence in digital literacy;

• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources;

• Engaging learners in informal conversations or games during breaks to help them practice their conversational English.

• Checking the session plan aims with the lead teacher and assisting learners achieve them;

• 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;

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements: 

Essential 

• To be 18 years or older;

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (travel and food expenses can be reimbursed);

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;

• To be reliable and punctual;

• Excellent communication skills, especially with people who are new to English;

• The ability to volunteer on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons/evenings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months;

• 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 

Desirable 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish. 

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; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

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

To Apply: 

To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form from the CARAS website using this volunteer role description to inform your answers with email subject header “Youth ESOL Teaching Assistant Volunteer”. 

Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with a member of the CARAS learning staff team and a community member. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP! 

 All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role. 

Seeking the next visionary to lead Pegasus Opera Company as Chair of Trustees

What will you be doing?

Are you ready to lead with purpose and passion? Pegasus is seeking a dynamic and visionary Chair of the Board to help shape the future of our vibrant charity. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact by championing our mission, empowering our people, and guiding us toward an ambitious new era.

As Chair, you’ll provide inspiring, inclusive leadership to our Board of Trustees—ensuring we remain bold, accountable, and united in delivering real change. You'll collaborate closely with a committed Executive Team, including our Artistic Director, Executive Director, and Talent Director, to set the strategic direction and drive innovation at every level.

What are we looking for?

The ideal Chair will have senior strategic leadership experience, a successful track record, and a solid understanding of charity governance. They’ll be confident in chairing meetings, managing stakeholders, and acting as an ambassador. A strong passion for opera and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the charity’s mission are essential. Candidates should bring gravitas, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to foster collaboration and be willing to commit time to attend events and meetings outside of normal working hours.

What difference will you make?

The Chair will play a pivotal role in shaping Pegasus’s future, providing the strategic leadership, governance oversight, and inspiration needed to drive the charity into its next chapter. By fostering a high-performing Board, strengthening accountability, and supporting the Senior Management Team, the Chair will ensure that Pegasus remains artistically bold, financially resilient, and true to its mission of championing diversity in opera.

They will be a unifying force—guiding trustees, energising stakeholders, and amplifying Pegasus’s voice across the sector. With their influence, the organisation will build deeper partnerships, enhance its public profile, and grow its impact for artists and communities alike.

Ultimately, the Chair will be the catalyst for Pegasus to thrive artistically, operationally, and socially—ensuring it continues to lead with purpose and ambition on a national stage.

Before you apply

To be considered for this role, please send your CV along with an expression of interest in the form of a cover note or letter 

2 positions available - Tuesday 7 hours (1 full day) and Wednesday 9-11am

£Volunteer - Reasonable travel expenses paid

Camberwell, London

Closing date Tuesday, 27th May 2025 at 11.00pm

Ref VPD-251

Are you a physically fit, proactive and organised individual with experience of working in a van delivery role, preferably in food distribution and use of chilled vehicles?  Looking to make a difference in a vital voluntary role?

If so, St Giles is looking for a Voluntary Pantry Delivery Driver to be responsible for the food delivery to our Camberwell Pantry. The Pantry is a Social Supermarket which will support clients to access affordable and healthy food each week (for a maximum of six months) and offers both a responsive solution and a sustainable route out of poverty, ensuring people can access healthy food whilst getting the support they need.

About St Giles Trust 

An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need.  Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.  

About this important role

Our Voluntary Pantry Delivery Driver will safely drive between food collection points and St Giles Pantry sites across London, loading the vehicle with food in line with food safety and manual handling regulations.  You will ensure your vehicle is checked for safety and cleanliness before each shift, report any incidents with management and calmly react to changing scenarios, such as traffic, while always being polite and courteous to other volunteers who may be accompanying deliveries.

On the road, and at the Pantries, you will be representing St Giles and so you will drive safely, responsibly and within the law and be courteous to all road users, staff, volunteers and members.  At all times you will ensure that you are following St Giles’ health and safety policy and food safety standards protocols to consistently ensure safe collection and delivery of food is maintained.

What we are looking for

• A full and valid driving licence
• You must be physically fit to be able to manually load heavy items into a van
• Experience of working in a similar van delivery role, preferably in food distribution and use of chilled vehicles
• Food safety and hygiene qualification or willingness to work towards one
• Problem-solving skills and the ability to make effective decisions ‘on the spot’
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• An awareness of safety issues especially when driving, loading and unloading vehicles

As an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients and successful applicants will require a Basic DBS check.

We actively encourage people with personal experience of the criminal justice system or lived experience of the issues facing this client group to apply for this role.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

To apply, please visit our website via the ‘Apply’ button. We encourage you to apply early as we will be shortlisting as applications come in.

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’d love to hear from students with an interest in mental health, psychology, content development, and gaming. 

Introduction

Do you care about the future of the countryside in North and East Yorkshire?  Do you have skills and experience in supporter development/fundraising that you could bring to our work?  CPRE North and East Yorkshire are looking for a Trustee and Supporter Development Lead to contribute to our important work protecting our beautiful local countryside and green spaces.

Who we are

CPRE campaigns nationally and locally for positive solutions which safeguard the long-term future of our precious countryside. At national level, the charity produces in-depth research and sound arguments to press government, Parliament and other decision-makers to support our countryside, be it national landscapes or simply much loved local green spaces, through policies which ensure:

- The right development in the right place

- Active support to improve biodiversity and 

- Countryside protection from climate change impacts and contribution to climate change solutions.

Here in North and East Yorkshire, the largest of the CPRE regions (6,900 square miles!), we have a successful track record of enabling residents and community groups to help shape development in ways that enrich the countryside around them. We also use our planning expertise to proactively campaign for local authority planning policies that safeguard and enhance our beautiful and varied landscapes.

The role

Our small but energetic team of volunteer Trustees enable people to protect the countryside they love and enjoy the benefits it brings wherever they live.  But with your support we can do even more! 

In joining us as a Trustee on the Board you’ll have a general role in developing the charity in line with our strategy and, together with other Trustees, ensuring compliance with Charity Commission and other legal and governance regulations.  However additionally as our Lead for Supporter Development you will use your specialist knowledge to inform and guide the Trustee Board in this area and coordinate and drive forward related activities to meet agreed aims.   As part of this remit, you will also oversee the recruitment of a Communications and Supporter Care Officer (a brand new role) and have ongoing responsibility for communicating organisational requirements and providing feedback to the individual once engaged.

+Trustees initially serve a three-year term and may serve up to six years in total. 

What we need and what’s in it for you

You don’t need to have prior Trustee experience but we are looking for applicants with manager/senior level expertise in Supporter Development/Fundraising.  By volunteering with us you’ll be using what you know to help find positive solutions for the major issues facing the countryside and the environment as well as being part of a group of people who share your passion for the countryside.  Our friendly team will provide you with initial training and support to develop in your role. You’ll gain valuable skills and experience in charity governance and leadership.  Further information on role responsibilities and our skill requirements are provided in the supplementary documents available on our application website CPRENEY. 

We are seeking two dynamic, strategic thinkers to join our Board of Trustees. We are looking for individuals who will bring insight and challenge to our innovation journey, help us to strengthen our global digital presence, and help us to deepen our engagement in UK and international markets, particularly across Asia. You will be able to demonstrate relevant experience in one or more of educational technology development, digital marketing, publishing, law or risk management, within an international context.

If you want to make a difference to people living with a mental health condition then we’d love to hear from you!

About us

At The Mental Health Community we use our lived experience to build understanding and support for what it’s like to live and work alongside managing a mental health condition. 

We know that it can be difficult to get, or keep a job if your energy levels, how you’re feeling and your ability to go to a place of work every day are affected by a mental health condition like anxiety or depression. But we also know that having a sense of purpose and belonging can really help with the symptoms and impact that mental health conditions can have on you.

Our work is focused on helping people with a mental health condition who are in work or looking for work. We do this by supporting businesses to improve how they look after people, because we know that by creating inclusive and safe spaces at work we make it possible for people with mental ill health to stay in the workplace which helps keep them well and benefits the businesses too.

By joining our board you will be: 

• Making a lasting impact by helping us make more workplaces safe and inclusive for people with a mental health condition
• Shaping the future of our charity as we expand our services and reach more people who need our support
• Using your skills and experience for good by helping guide the strategic direction of our charity.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for at least 4 new trustees to join our team. Whatever your skillset, we’d love to hear from you and there are some areas where we need particular help:

· Treasurer: oversee our financial health, provide guidance on building long term financial plans to help us grow and ensure appropriate financial management.

· Marketing and Communications: strategic oversight of our marketing and communications, raising awareness of our work and reaching new audiences through digital strategies and media engagement.

· Fundraising: develop our fundraising strategy and income streams, including grant applications, corporate sponsorship and campaigns.

· Governance: guide us in operating transparently and effectively whilst maintaining high standards of governance in compliance with our governing document and charity law.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental ill health, young people aged 18-30, people of all socio-economic backgrounds, genders and people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

About the role

As a board of trustees we meet remotely every 6 weeks, there may be some activity in between meetings so the estimated total time commitment is 4 hours every 6 weeks.

In addition to using your specific skills to develop how we work, all trustees share responsibility for:

· Developing our activities to help us achieve our purpose and positive impact,

· Making sure we are compliant with our governing document and the requirements of the Charity Commission, and

· Being an active member of the board to help us make good decisions

What you can expect from us

We are committed to supporting our Trustees: you can expect an induction to the organisation and trustee role plus any additional conversations and support you need to help you feel confident in your role.

Our meetings are relaxed and informal; there are no expectations of ‘business clothes’, technical jargon or having all the answers.

We welcome and support your preferences for the way we work together, how you like to receive information and how we can make it easier for you to participate actively in our discussions.

One more thing

We know that great trustees come from many backgrounds and with a variety of experiences and that’s great - we really value people who bring different perspectives and add new voices to our team.

But you might not feel you ‘check all the boxes’ as you read this advert or the role description, especially if you’ve been marginalised or excluded. We get it, and we’ve felt like that too. But we hope you’ll apply anyway because we’d love to hear from you and will take care to help you feel welcome and included.

For more information on the role please see the role description.

Community researchers wanted to help East London Waterworks Park ensure our community-owned park is inclusive and welcoming for all.

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

We are looking for community researchers specialised to contribute to our community-led working circle who are working on on a listening project to ensure often underrepresented voices in conservation and environmental projects are heard and centred. 

There is opportunity to lead on projects and facilitate the direction of the working circle.

The Inclusivity Circle currently meets monthly on a Wednesday evening on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

While your experienced research skills are crucial, we also value your ability to engage with the community and build partnerships. Experience in conducting community-based research or working with community organisations is important. A strong understanding of community dynamics and the ability to collaborate effectively will be invaluable in ensuring your research findings are relevant and impactful. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role. 

Contribute to the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds. Your research expertise will be vital in shaping our new biodiverse park. By conducting listening research on community needs, and potential park uses, you'll help us create a sustainable and inclusive space. Your findings will inform our design, programming, and outreach efforts, ensuring the park meets the needs of our community and contributes to biodiversity conservation.

Join us on a transformational journey

Be part of something powerful. As a Trustee on the Board of AfriKids UK, you’ll help shape the future of a proven, high-impact organisation that’s ready to go further. You’ll bring your ideas, insights and perspective to help us improve and grow for the children and communities we serve.

About AfriKids

AfriKids is an award-winning, locally-led charity dedicated to ensuring the rights of children in northern Ghana. Our mission is to help unlock the power of communities to ensure child rights, with a focus on helping people secure the means, motive and opportunity for every child to complete a quality basic education, as the most sustainable route out of poverty. Locally-led and internationally supported, we work hand-in-hand with local communities to design and deliver programmes that create lasting change for children, so they can thrive now and as the leaders of tomorrow. AfriKids UK exists to support this mission through faciliating access to international funding, partnerships, technical support and expertise — working in close collaboration with AfriKids Ghana, our independent local implementing partner.

The Role

With nearly 25 years of experience behind us, our Boards in the UK and Ghana are now helping to lead us through a period of transformational change, to impact more children than ever. We are seeking two more trustees to join the Board of AfriKids UK. As a Trustee of AfriKids, you will share collective responsibility for the governance and strategic direction of the charity, with guidance and support to learn about your responsibilities as a trustee if you have not been one before. Trustees play a crucial role in ensuring that AfriKids operates in accordance with its mission, values, and legal obligations.​ This is an opportunity to lend your unique knowledge, skills and experience to help advance our mission and make a difference for children. 

Founded in 1997, the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants provides a place for refugees, migrants, and people seeking asylum to rebuild their life with support and community. From classes to casework to financial assistance, the Centre has a wide offering available for our community of over 200 people. Our approach is compassionate and human and the support we offer is long term - on average people stay with us around four years.

The current Board brings a wide range of charity and public body experience including strategy and fundraising and we are looking for skills to both enhance and complement these strengths.

The Centre has a dedicated and talented staff team led by our CEO, Andy Ruiz Palma, who joined in 2000 as an English teacher. In addition to this staff resource we have around 40 volunteers who provide direct support through activities. We also have in place accountancy support to the executive and a dedicated fundraising team.

We are looking for people who can demonstrate a strong empathy with our client group and who understand how to work with organisations rooted in a local community. You will bring excellent people and communication skills and demonstrate good team-working.

You will demonstrate this through your experience working with marginalised communities (either in a frontline operational role, a policymaking role, or on the Board of another organisation) or personal lived experience as a member of a marginalised community.

We are open to applications from people looking for their first Trustee role or who may not have considered being a Trustee before and will provide mentoring to help trustees find their feet.

We are looking to recruit 2- 3 new trustees and have a strong preference for any of the following or a combination of these skills:

• Finance/Accountancy qualification – we have an excellent Treasurer Trustee and are looking for a deputy
• HR
• Fundraising
• IT/Data management
• Lived Experience as a refugee or migrant

The Role

As a Flyer Distributor you will play a crucial role in helping to raise awareness about our services and events within the Enfield community. You will be responsible for disseminating promotional materials such as flyers, brochures, and event announcements to various locations within the Enfield area.

• Distribute promotional materials provided by Age UK Enfield to designated locations across the Enfield area. This may include community centers, libraries, local businesses, healthcare facilities, and other relevant locations.
• Engage with members of the public in a friendly and courteous manner while distributing flyers. Answer any questions they may have about Age UK Enfield's services and provide basic information about upcoming events or initiatives.
• Keep accurate records of the locations visited and the quantity of promotional materials distributed. Report back to the supervisor on to provide updates on distribution progress.
• Act as an ambassador for Age UK Enfield by promoting the organisation's mission, values, and services to the community. Help to increase brand recognition and visibility within the local area.

General Key Skills:

• Ability to work independently without constant supervision.
• Comfortable with walking and standing for long periods in various weather conditions.
• Maintaining professionalism and addressing public inquiries effectively.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality, with a strong sense of responsibility.

Time Commitment

2-4 hours Between 10 am - 2 pm (there are other volunteer opportunities available)

Requirements

A DBS Enhanced check will be required. Training to be provided around safeguarding.

Other Information

Please note: It is a unpaid position however travel costs and other volunteering expenses will be covered.

About TLC 

The Trans Legal Clinic is the first trans-led specialist gender identity legal practice and registered charity in the UK. The mission of the Trans Legal Clinic is simple; we provide free and accessible legal help to transgender and non-binary people in need. Our overarching vision is a society where all people have access to the legal resources required for gender self-determination and where gender diversity is not just accepted but embraced, with trans* people equipped with the necessary legal tools to navigate the world in their affirmed gender. 

Service Introduction 

The Social Media department is integral to our organisation. The social media team works together to create informative and entertaining content to build a community around the Trans Legal Clinic. We have assisted over 70 clients since October 2023.

Our Social Media department is made up of committed Social Media Content Officers, working under the Social Media Manager. 

Key tasks and responsibilities 

Design and Content Creation 

Be adept and comfortable using Canva, with an eye for design. 

Create engaging and eye-catching posts and content for Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn. 

Write engaging captions and copy for social media content to drive engagement across social media channels.  

Confident using video editing software and a willingness to learn new editing software as and when required. 

Write and edit scripts for video posts. 

Teamwork 

Engage with assigned tasks and support other volunteers in the social media team.

Keep your fellow volunteers and manager updated on your content creation and any issues you encounter throughout the process.   

Set out to reach team performance targets.

Attend team meetings and contribute to discussions.

Be respectful to colleagues and support good communication between all stakeholders. 

Work with caseworkers to create content for specific raised issues. 

Research and Outreach 

Create resources for the organisation and those seeking information on our website in a digestible way. 

Reach out to other organisations, especially those that work with trans* people, to collaborate and share knowledge and resources.   

Conduct research into relevant topics and how they affect trans* and gender diverse people. 

Review 

Review and evaluate own performance to identify strengths and areas for development. 

Undertake development and training opportunities. 

General 

Adhere to Trans Legal Clinic’s Policies and Procedures at all times. 

Cover for other members of the team and department as necessary. 

Be proactive in reviewing and evaluating own performance and identifying upon areas for improvement and development. 

Undertake any other duties compatible with the level and nature of the role and/or reasonable duties required by more senior members of staff. 

Attend and participate in external meetings and briefings as required. 

Healthwatch Haringey is the independent ‘people’s champion’ for health and social
care in the London Borough of Haringey.

We actively seek out the views of the public and patients on all matters relating to
health and social care, e.g. their experience in hospital, interim care, at the GP or
dentist, and collate those together to produce impact statements and reports.

With this evidence we seek to campaign for and change for the better the way
health and social care services are designed, delivered, and improved.

We have a statutory role, as set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, are a
member of the London Borough of Haringey Health and Wellbeing Board and have
excellent relations with Commissioners across the borough. We also have a great
staff team who work hard to achieve the aims of Healthwatch Haringey.

While you might not have a background in health or social care, we are looking
for someone who has the transferrable skills to play a leading part in the future of
Healthwatch Haringey.

You will ensure Healthwatch Haringey is well governed with robust policies and
procedures in place, continue to establish and build constructive relationships with
Healthwatch Haringey’s key stakeholders and represent the organisation externally
whenever appropriate as one of its leading ambassadors.

As well as line managing the Healthwatch Haringey Manager, you will be responsible
for the strategic development of the organisation, the setting of priorities and the
delivery of statutory and contractual obligations.

We welcome applications from anyone who lives or works or is registered with a
GP in the London Borough of Haringey or North Central London ICS area (includes
London Boroughs of Haringey, Barnet, Enfield, Camden, and Islington). We absolutely
welcome and encourage applications from ALL sections of the community including
those from minority ethnic communities, disabled people, every gender, every age
group (over 18), and all socio-economic groups. You would be representing all
Haringey residents, but it is essential to make sure every voice is heard.

Please see the Person Specification in the recruitment pack on page 10 for more details and how to apply on
page 12.

We look forward to receiving your application. Thank you.