Childrens social club volunteers volunteer volunteer roles in Edinburgh
Purpose of the role
In this important role, you will be responsible for assessing the eligibility of applicants for our grants and services, in adherence with Variety’s structured grant management approach (guided interviews, weighted scoring and panel review) to maximise impact for disabled and disadvantaged children and young people.
You will be required to handle grant applications and supporting information with the utmost confidentiality, following organisational policies to ensure the privacy and security of all sensitive and personal information.
Using our defined eligibility criteria and assessment tools, you will evaluate applications and conduct fair and consistent assessments, making award recommendations to support the decision-making process. You will bring an independent voice, playing a key role in ensuring that decisions are made fairly, equitably and transparently and will be required to support your recommendations with evidence of sound analysis and reasoning.
Key Responsibilities
• Review applications and supporting evidence prepared by the case management team.
• Clarify points with applicants when required (within agreed boundaries).
• Conduct structured, remote assessments (by telephone/video call) to understand need, urgency and likely impact on the child, their family life and communities.
• Establish the baseline for monitoring and evaluation by articulating the impact of the intervention.
• Where applicable, use the weighted assessment tool (base on the eligibility criteria and the Theory of Change) consistently and document clear, impartial rationales to prioritise need.
• Prepare concise, written recommendations aligned to policy, criteria and evidence.
• Attend quarterly Assessor Network meetings, which are a forum for sharing good practice, peer support, news sharing, undertaking essential training and reward and recognition.
Optional, Additional Responsibilities
• Where applicable, support the Impact Monitoring and Evaluation team to undertake post-award follow-up interviews to measure the impact made over time.
• Where applicable and available, represent Variety at events, presentations of awards and through online content.
Adherence to Policy and Quality
• Act as a beacon of good practice in fair grant assessment.
• Uphold safeguarding, confidentiality, GDPR, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and anti‑bias standards throughout the assessment process.
• Escalate concerns (quality, safeguarding, unusual risk, conflicts of interest) in line with policy.
• Follow process controls and segregation of roles, supporting a robust, auditable trail.
• Participate in induction, refresher training, and calibration sessions to ensure consistency and continuous improvement.
• Adhere to Variety’s Code of Conduct.
Time Commitment
• Assessments: the time commitment for these varies and is flexible but we expect you will be spending 4 – 8 hours per month on these, dependent on demand and pool of assessors.
• Assessor Network: hybrid meetings that will last 1.5 – 2 hours and will be held quarterly.
• Training: short modular induction plus periodic refreshers usually rolled into Assessor Network meetings.
Support & Supervision
• Induction & training: policy, criteria, assessment skills, impact tools, safeguarding, data protection.
• Ongoing support through Programme Manager, Programmes Support Officer and Head of Programmes.
• Expenses: out‑of‑pocket expenses will be reimbursed in line with Variety’s Expenses Policy.
Impact Measures (Volunteer‑Appropriate)
• Timely completion of assigned assessments; adherence to guidance and safeguarding.
• Quality of written rationales; consistency of weighted scoring.
• Constructive contribution to committee discussion and calibration.
• Positive feedback from applicants (tone/respect) gathered via staff.
• Case study preparation
Person Specification
We welcome people from many walks of life. If you’re feel that you are the right person for this role but are unsure whether you “tick every box,” please still consider applying; training and support are provided.
What you’ll bring (essential)
• Fair assessment mindset: you can weigh information against clear criteria and explain your reasoning.
• Analysis skills: comfortable reviewing forms/evidence and using a simple scoring tool. Able to summarise and analyse complex information to extract relevant data, paying attention to detail.
• Communication: great written and spoken English (we have templates to help).
• Lived experience or insight: personal, professional or volunteer experience that helps you understand the challenges faced by disabled or disadvantaged children and young people (or you can demonstrate thoughtful knowledge of these issues).
• Friendly and approachable: comfortable conducting sensitive conversations by telephone/video call with empathy and professionalism.
• Reliability and care: you follow guidance, meet agreed timeframes where you can, and ask for help if something isn’t clear.
• Values & conduct: commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion; willing to complete safeguarding training and a DBS check.
Helpful extras (nice to have, but not essential)
• Comfortable using basic digital tools (email, online forms, video calls) – we can show you the rest.
• Experience in any of the following is desirable:
o Grant-making
o Community/children’s services
o Health/education/SEND
o Occupational Therapy
o Social care
o Structured interviewing
o Teaching
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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.
If you are interested, your application should include a copy of your CV and a cover letter (of no more than two sides of A4) detailing what you would bring to the Ygam Student Ambassador team and how your experiences (life and/or work) demonstrate our values of integrity, empathy, innovation, and empowerment.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
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 the CARAS ESOL Team:
Our ESOL team offer English language classes to adults at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling people to attend college and access other services in the future.
About the Role:
CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our online Zoom classes on Wednesdays:
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ESOL Entry 2+ level: 1:30pm to 2:30pm (plus a 10-minute debrief)
Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.
As a volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistant your role is flexible and varied. It will involve supporting the Adult ESOL Teacher in the delivery of online Zoom classes, as well as providing learners with one-to-one or small-group support.
Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:
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Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes;
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Helping learners build confidence in digital literacy;
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Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;
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Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class;
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Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the lessons;
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Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential;
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Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;
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Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management, online communications and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential
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To be 18 years or older;
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An interest in education and English language teaching;
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To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
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To be reliable and punctual;
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Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
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The ability to volunteer on Tuesday mornings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of three months;
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Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; *
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Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to start of role
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UK resident; has asylum-seeker or refugee status
*DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK.
Desirable
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Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).
Through volunteering with us you will:
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Meet new members of your local community;
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Learn about different cultures;
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Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
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Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
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Develop your skills and competencies;
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Be able to access relevant training, including ESOL safeguarding training;
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Gain experience in teaching and interpreting.
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Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
We provide firm foundations for new-arrival asylum seekers to build happy and successful lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you passionate about creating transformative learning experiences that empower individuals and communities?
Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C. is seeking a skilled Instructional Designer to join our founding volunteer team. This role is central to designing, structuring and delivering educational programmes that support survivors, young people and marginalised communities to access knowledge, develop skills and achieve personal and collective growth.
Purpose of the role:
The Volunteer Instructional Designer supports our mission by designing engaging, effective and learner-centred educational materials. In this role, you will collaborate with subject matter experts, program staff and other volunteers to transform ideas and content into structured learning experiences that are accessible, inclusive and impactful.
About the Role:
As Instructional Designer, you will work closely with the Membership Director, Book Club Coordinator, and Social & Digital Media Education Lead to develop structured learning pathways, modules, and resources for our membership programmes. Your work will ensure that all learning experiences are engaging, accessible, and aligned with our anti-capitalist, community-driven, and survivor-centred mission. This is a hands-on, impactful role combining strategy, creativity, and operational delivery.
Experience Qualification and Requirements
Essential Technical Competencies:
- Experience in instructional design, curriculum development or educational programme creation in formal or informal learning environments.
- Proven experience designing and delivering community-based education, training or learning programmes.
- Experience using content creation tools (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Workspace, Canva).
- Basic familiarity with e-learning tools, learning management systems or content creation software is a plus.
- Ability to develop structured learning pathways with clear outcomes and assessments.
- Ability to translate complex or technical information into clear, accessible and inclusive learning materials.
- Knowledge of accessibility and inclusive design best practices.
- Hands-on experience contributing to open-source projects.
- Implementing security, accessibility or system optimisation practices in real-world projects.
Desirable / Can Be Developed:
- Experience in instructional design, learning design or educational content creation.
- Developing skills in structuring learning objectives, activities and simple assessments.
- Willingness to collaborate with facilitators, subject matter experts and community members.
Qualifications:
- Formal qualifications are not required but desirable.
- Experience in education, instructional design, learning and development or a related field is valued.
Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties
- Design and develop educational programmes, courses and learning resources for members and volunteers.
- Collaborate with subject matter experts, facilitators and leadership to ensure content is accurate, relevant and impactful.
- Structure learning experiences with clear objectives, assessments and progression pathways.
- Integrate digital platforms, multimedia resources and interactive tools to enhance accessibility and engagement.
- Evaluate learning outcomes and gather participant feedback to continuously improve programmes.
- Ensure all learning programmes comply with safeguarding, accessibility and data protection standards.
- Ensure all integrations follow best practices for security, data privacy and performance, maintaining
- compliance with GDPR and other relevant standards.
- Facilitate knowledge transfer by providing clear resources for onboarding new volunteers, team members and technical contributors.
- Maintain documentation of course materials, learning pathways and instructional guides for internal use.
- Support capacity-building by training facilitators, volunteers and community members in programme delivery.
- Collaborate with leadership, technical teams and stakeholders to define the long-term vision and goals for digital platforms and systems.
- Identify opportunities for innovation, including new features, technologies, tools or workflows that improve platform functionality, user experience and operational efficiency.
- Continuously monitor the open-source platform to ensure optimal performance, uptime and reliability, using monitoring tools, analytics, and performance metrics.
- Identify and diagnose technical issues, bugs, or system errors promptly, assessing root causes and prioritising fixes based on impact and urgency.
What This Role Offers You:
- Leadership experience in designing and delivering learning initiatives that directly impact communities.
- Personal and professional growth through hands-on instructional development and facilitation.
- The opportunity to shape transformative learning systems within a pioneering, values-led CIC.
- The satisfaction of empowering survivors, young people, and community members through education.
What This Role Is Not For:
- Individuals seeking purely administrative or content curation work without engagement.
- Those unwilling to adapt learning resources to diverse audiences and community needs.
- People expecting pre-packaged or rigid course structures—this role requires creativity, collaboration, and active problem-solving.
Next Steps
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to
- A values-led conversation.
- If you are ready to design meaningful learning experiences that empower communities and foster personal transformation, we want to hear from you.
- Apply now and help build education systems that create lasting social impact.
A Final Word
Design learning turns knowledge into action. Shapes the path from curiosity to competence.
If you know that: Education is the bridge between knowledge and action.A bridge between knowing and doing
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.