Charity Shop Volunteer Worker Volunteer Roles

Wellbeing Volunteer

Herriot Hospice@The Lambert & Local Community, North Yorkshire

Wellbeing volunteers are vital within the Wellbeing Network, in supporting people living with terminal illness, their families, and carers.

As we will soon be opening the doors of our new Herriot Hospice@the Lambert in Thirsk, we are looking to expand the number of Wellbeing volunteers to reach more people. The roles are varied and bespoke, to support the needs of individuals providing reliable social and emotional support to people wherever they need it. 

Volunteer roles are designed to support both the patient or client, and their carer to live as well as they can with a terminal diagnosis.

To apply, please click on 'How to apply' .

Role Description   

Through volunteering your time at Saint Michael’s and Herriot Hospice Homecare you are supporting those in our community at a time when they need it most.  Volunteers are integral to our work; and we would love to welcome you to our team.

Wellbeing volunteer roles are delivered as below, however if you have a particular skill that you feel would support us, please get in touch.

• The Community Hub at The Lambert – our newest addition to our volunteer roles, providing support to patients, their families and anyone else that comes in, signposting to our services and offering a listening ear. This role will also work closely with the Food and Nutrition team in the hub.
• Sitting - simply staying with the patient, providing respite and empowering their carer to get out for a walk, appointments, or meeting friends.
• Befriending - simply being there, listening, supporting with isolation, accompanying the individual with their support networks in the community, going for a walk.
• Driving – to offer a short drive to medical appointments and to social groups , to pick up prescriptions for the inpatient unit .
• Groups – The Wellbeing Network has a range of social groups to offer the opportunity for people to come together to provide each other with social and emotional support.  Volunteers are to welcome individuals, offer refreshments and a listening ear and support the wider team with collecting feedback about the support received.
• IPU – Volunteers to visit patients on the inpatient unit and offer some companionship, reading to patients, sitting with them to provide reassurance, or helping with activities.
• Armed Forces - The service also provides befriending support to veterans who have served in the Armed Forces.

Volunteering should be a mutually beneficial role, and we believe that consistency is important, so we hope volunteers will be able to support for 2-4 hours per week in whichever role you want to support in – we welcome applicants who want to combine different roles!

1. Key Tasks

• Offering companionship and social support either in person or on the telephone.
• Accompanying the person on a walk or other social activity, for example visit a café.
• Support the person with an activity like shopping, carry out some gardening or a light household task.
• Driving someone to an appointment, for example a medical appointment.
• Sitting with a person with a terminal diagnosis to allow their family member or carer to leave the house for a short period or time, for example to allow them to go shopping, attend a medical appointment, have a break or another essential appointment.
• We will ask for feedback about the service and this will be in the form of questionnaires for the client, carer and volunteer this will enable us to plan any further developments to the service.

NB:  volunteers may use their own vehicles where appropriate – after notifying their insurance provider and providing a copy of their driving licence

Tasks are not to include (more detail will be given during the training programme):

• Assisting the person whilst they are using the toilet, dressing, showering (this is considered personal care)
• Giving the person their medication or assisting with their oxygen
• Nursing tasks

It is essential that volunteers adhere to the role description, undertake appropriate tasks only and are clear about the boundaries of this role. If volunteers are unsure about any task they have been asked to carry out, they should contact their line manager for advice. This is to ensure the safety and well-being of both clients and volunteers.

Overarching responsibilities

• To embed the values of the organisation into your working practices, evidencing this regularly and ensuring this remains a priority.
• To live out our values, which drive all that we do, in the context of your everyday work following our behaviour framework.
• To work in accordance and fully comply with our organisational policies and procedures.
• To carry out all duties in accordance with the law, regulations, organisational frameworks, recognised professional guidelines and the have a commitment to FREDIE, integration and collective decision making.

Throughout your time with us we will conduct ongoing employment checks and performance reviews relevant to your role, for example professional registration checks, DBS, appraisals and regular contact meetings.

1. Person Specification

Is this the right role for you?

You will be:

• Sensitive and empathetic
• Friendly and approachable
• Confident in your ability to undertake a role that may be emotionally challenging at times.
• Happy working as part of a team, but also happy to work independently
• Confident in following the boundaries of the role
• Strict adherence to confidentiality.
• Confident in escalating any concerns.

We will:

• Provide a key contact who will be contactable at any time during the working hours of (Mon-Fri 9:00-16.00). The key contact will offer responsive supervision if an issue arises during a visit or telephone call.
• Facilitate a monthly group supervision session with a member of the team; this provides an opportunity to for more structured supervision and to reflect with other volunteer visitors, and share your experiences.
• Provide regular one to one review/supervision– giving you the opportunity to reflect on the volunteering experience and receive feedback.
• Ensure you have all the training you need to feel confident in your role. 
• Ensure any patient or client you interact with has an up to date risk assessment
• Communicate regularly and effectively with you to ensure you are empowered in your role.
• Provide an up to date suite of policies to support you in delivering your role.

Getting started and training:

• Interested candidates will be invited to a short interview, which is an opportunity for you and us to get to know each other and understand more about the role, and what an impact volunteering can have.
• We offer a thorough and comprehensive training programme, with elements of face-to face and online training, providing you with the skills and knowledge needed to undertake these roles, with yearly updates.
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken before commencing volunteering.
• Attendance at group supervision on a monthly basis.

We're extending the opening hours of our Family Support Centre, so families experiencing childhood cancer have access to more support services. We're looking for a volunteer to support the Family Support Team at the Weekend to deliver crucial support to our families.

Purpose of the Role and Key Activities

Families who have been affected by children’s cancer come to our Family Support Centre, known as The Square, to access a variety of support services. We’re looking for a volunteer to join the team and support our Family Support Coordinator make sure families feel welcomed and supported while at The Square.

• Making drinks for families and visitors
• Answering the telephone, transferring calls and taking messages 
• Making bookings and updating our database 
• Keeping the reception area clean and tidy 
• Setting up rooms for meetings and events 

We are looking for a volunteer who: 

• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills 
• Have experience of working in a customer service environment 
• Are confident, friendly and approachable 
• Have a fun and positive outlook
• Are proactive and able to use own initiative 
• Have good IT skills and experience of using a database 
• Are able to move furniture (tables and chairs) and boxes
• Are able to climb multiple flights of stairs 
• Are able to maintain professional boundaries and follow Candlelighters Policies and Procedures. 

This role is subject to an enhanced criminal record check, which is processed through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Support and Benefits 

• Thorough induction & training to give you the confidence to perform your role well and to the best of your ability 
• Opportunity to develop new and existing skills to help you beyond your involvement with Candlelighters 
• Ongoing support from the Family Support and HR teams 
• The opportunity to meet lots of new, friendly people 
• The opportunity to expose yourself to new experiences 
• Certain expenses to be reimbursed as agreed with your Volunteer Supervisor, in accordance with our Expenses policy 
• Regular reviews with your Volunteer Supervisor to help you develop in your role 
• Satisfaction in knowing you are making a valuable contribution to supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer 
• We can be a reference once you’ve volunteered for three months 
• Access to a 24/7 mental health hotline 
• Charity Worker Discount card 
• Access to The Company Shop 

SPITALFIELDS CRYPT TRUST

Charity Number: 1075947

A Company Limited by Guarantee, Number 3734793, Registered in England

“The care, welfare, treatment and maintenance, in accordance with Christian ideals, of individuals in the United Kingdom who are suffering from the effects of alcohol or drug addiction, homelessness, social isolation, poverty and related problems.”

Spitalfields Crypt Trust charitable objects

ROLE DESCRIPTION

POST TITLE: Trustee (voluntary position)

RESPONSIBLE TO: Collective Board Responsibility

PURPOSE OF POST: To ensure the good governance of Spitalfields Crypt Trust (SCT)

HOURS: Evening Board Meetings of approximately 2 hours, 4 times per year with some additional commitments

SALARY: This is a voluntary role but reasonable expenses may be claimed

LOCATION: Meetings are normally held in SCT offices in Shoreditch (E1) or a

location near Liverpool Street Station (EC2)

ROLE FUNCTION: Charity Trustee - Finance experience is welcomed. 

Non-Executive Director Company Member

Spitalfields Crypt Trust (SCT) is an East London charity embedded in the local community, providing practical help, support and training to people affected by homelessness and addiction. We are passionate about the people and communities we support and embrace creative, innovative and inclusive ways of working that build on our collective strengths. We provide a Recovery Hub (including an abstinence-based residential recovery facility, an addictions counselling programme and a Training & Development Programme), supported houses, a Housing First service, community supports, charity shops and two social enterprises supporting people in recovery from addictions to rebuild their lives. Our integrative approach is based on the concept of ‘Recovery Capital’, a whole-person approach taking into account physical, cultural, social, human and spiritual factors and assets.

SCT is committed to social justice and resolutely opposed to discrimination in society. We are committed to providing services, employment and volunteer opportunities on a fair and equitable basis, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion [please see Person Specification below], life-style, gender, sexuality, physical/mental disability, offending background or any other factor. No person requiring services from or applying to SCT for either voluntary or paid employment, will be treated less favourably than any other person on any grounds.

In employment we actively seek to recruit people with a good combination of talent, skills and potential, promoting equality for all, and we welcome applications from a wide range of candidates. We select all candidates for interview based on their skills, qualifications, experience and commitment to the values and purposes of the organisation. (Sources - Equal Opportunities Policy 2.2 (i) and (v)).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

o Ensure the good governance of SCT in accordance with best practice

o Ensure with the Board and CEO that the charity’s Vision and strategic direction are aligned and consistent with the Charitable Objects as well as its operating environments

o Participate in Board meetings 4 times a year

o Use personal expertise to provide advice, assistance and guidance to the CEO as appropriate in consultation with other Trustees, including meetings and discussions with the CEO between Board meetings on specific issues or projects and attending Board committees (e.g. quarterly Finance Committee and/or Service Forum, etc.)

o Support and assist with the promotion of the Charity and its services

o The role has no Executive function

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential:

o A proven track-record in one of the following:

- a professional field

- the management of a service, department and/or organisation

- Governance and/or advisory role with an organisation

- lived experience of an issue relevant to SCT’s service provision

Desirable:

o Board/Committee experience

o A specialism in any of the following areas:

- Drug and alcohol addiction

- PR/Media/Marketing

- Fundraising

- Legal/Finance

- Human Resources

- IT

- Quality management

- Management

- Property/Real Estate/Housing

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

o Heart for the marginalised and passionate about supporting those with complex needs

o Good verbal communication skills

o Person with enthusiasm, motivation, commitment and sound judgment.

o Full commitment to SCT’s Mission and Ethos

o Personal Christian faith (GOR applies to SCT trusteeship as a Christian Charity)

o Ability to handle confidential information

o Ability to operate in a team

o Commitment to Equality & Diversity

Ability to comply with the requirements and responsibilities of a trustee as set out by the Charity Commission 

The role is for a Befriender in our Tenancy Sustainment Teams in the London Boroughs of Kingston, Richmond, Sutton, and Wandsworth and we’re now recruiting for volunteers. We would particularly like to hear from you if you live in or near the above boroughs.

The Tenancy Sustainment teams support people on their first steps from homelessness to independence – providing accommodation and support to assist people off the streets.

We work with people who are have experienced rough sleeping and, once accommodated, SPEAR then works with people on a housing pathway and assists them to link into various support services, tailored to the challenges an individual might face.

SPEAR is looking for self-motivated, outgoing, and empathic people who could volunteer to provide support to vulnerably housed, rough sleepers, or anyone using homelessness services in the London boroughs of Richmond, Wandsworth, Sutton, and Kingston.

The volunteer will enjoy developing positive relationships with new people and will be willing to work outside of their own comfort zone providing befriending support to the clients. The volunteer must have an enhanced DBS background check (SPEAR will apply for this on your behalf.)

It would be desirable if you had a driving license.

We're looking for a volunteer to join the Engagement Team to support them while they work to increase income and awareness for the charity. The specific tasks may include but are not limited to the following:

• Copywriting, for example creating content for social media posts and writing news updates. 

• Designing materials using Canva. 

• Producing regular reports to give insights for social media strategies. 

• Writing press releases. 

• Monitoring press coverage and updating a press tracker spreadsheet. 

• Carrying out desk-based market research. 

• Updating the website – including uploading news stories, updating the online shop and merchandise stock levels. 

• Writing family and fundraiser case studies. 

• Digital organisation of photos and case studies. 

• Updating the CRM. 

• General administration duties, such as printing and laminating marketing materials, sending out merchandise, and franking post. 

• Any other duties as assigned by your Volunteer Supervisor. 

We’re looking for a volunteer who has: 

• Experience in marketing. 

• An understanding of design tools, such as Canva. 

• Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 

Support and Benefits 

It’s vital that our volunteers feel rewarded for their amazing efforts so we want to match your goals, aspirations, availability and everything else with the right opportunity for you. Here are a few examples of what you will receive as a volunteer:

• Opportunity to develop new and existing skills to help you beyond your involvement with Candlelighters 
• Regular reviews with your Volunteer Supervisor to help you develop in your role 
• Access to the mental health hotline 
• Charity Worker Discount card 

MHA is the largest charity care provider for older people in the UK. Our mission is to inspire the best care and wellbeing at every stage of later life. MHA Moorlands is a Retirement Living Scheme offering a supportive and friendly community with purpose-built properties designed to help our residents maintain their independence.

As a Befriender you’ll support one of our male residents by visiting him regularly to bring friendship, company, and a chance to chat. The visits will also include shopping trips (access to own vehicle required) and going for walks.

Benefits for you:

• Help improve the quality of life for older people
• Help reduce loneliness and isolation
• Support your community
• Keep socially active
• Be part of a friendly team

Skills and qualities desired:

• Good communication and people skills
• Enthusiasm
• Patience, empathy and understanding of the needs of older people
• Reliable and punctual
• Clear sense of personal boundaries and ability to maintain confidentiality
• A willingness to engage with training and development
• A good understanding of your personal strengths and limitations

Times and Commitment:

• Monday-Friday- preferably around 11am however the time can be negotiated
• Each visit will last around 2 hours
• We ask you to be able to commit on a regular basis for a minimum of 6 months

Training, support and requirements:

• You need to be aged 18 or over
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two character references are required
• Proof of a clean driving licence, insurance cover and MOT
• Access to own vehicle
• A good driving safety awareness
• We will provide you with a full induction for the role
• Training on safeguarding, health and safety and other training and updating of skills and knowledge relevant to the role
• Ongoing support from a named contact

*Please note- we can only accept applications from UK residents*

• The Board of Trustees work with the Chief Executive at a strategic level to ensure the organisation is effective within its aims and objectives.
• The Board, made up of 6 Trustees, meet with the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive, approximately every two months, to discuss the wider obligations and challenges of the specific sector in which we work
• The Board have a joint responsibility with the Chief Executive to ensure the charity complies with good practice and legal obligations.
• The Board through the Chairman and Treasurer work with the Chief Executive and their Deputy to ensure finance and resources are adequate for the needs of the organisation
• The Board support the Chief Executive through the Chairman, in order for her to carry out the management of the Charity
• Trustees should act with integrity and in the interests of the organisation and its clients and staff
• The Board takes and gives advice and guidance to and from the Chief Executive as required.

We are especially interested in applications from people with some experience working or have worked in the following sectors:

• Medicine
• Social Work
• Local Government
• Religion

Please contact Jo Rising in the first instance for further information.

We are seeking a new trustee to join our Board. This opportunity has arisen at an exciting time in our journey at St Helena. We have recently agreed a new 10-year vision and strategic direction. However, to achieve our vision we need to find a way through a perfect storm of spiraling costs and increased demand, at the same time as income from traditional fundraising methods is diminishing and inflationary pressures are increasing. To help with income we have set up a subsidiary trading arm to manage our growing range of commercial activities. Already the lead organisation for palliative and end of life care in our area, we want to extend our reach and services to also become a key provider of complex frailty and dementia care. We are exploring moving to a new site and taking the opportunity that presents to develop business cases for new ventures that could be co-located with existing services. We operate two very successful B2B lottery partnerships delivering lotteries for other hospices and charities across the country. We have recently launched a new home care service in partnership with a national franchisor. We have a growing retail arm, with an increasing online presence. We also have a well-established and successful fundraising operation. We want to build on this success and diversify even further. You will be joining a welcoming, motivated, and supportive Board of Trustees, and you will find us a friendly and caring organisation to work with. We are keen to hear from you if you would like to be a Trustee. Previous experience in a management or leadership role and of working at Board level would be an advantage. Ideally, we are looking for someone who is motivated by our social purpose, and who will help us develop and implement new ways of delivering care and support that improve