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Volunteer Receptionist / Administration Support

Organisation: Rotherham & Barnsley Mind
Location: Osborne House, Rotherham
(May be required to work at other RB Mind locations occasionally)
Responsible to: Director of Services
Role Type: Voluntary (unpaid)
Time Commitment: Flexible
Expenses: Reasonable out‑of‑pocket expenses reimbursed in line with policy

About the Role

Rotherham & Barnsley Mind are seeking a Receptionist / Administration Support Volunteer to provide a friendly, professional front‑of‑house service at our Rotherham office.

This is a key volunteer role within the organisation. As the first point of contact, you will help create a welcoming, calm and supportive environment for people accessing our mental health services, as well as staff, volunteers and visitors.

The role also includes a range of general administrative tasks to support the smooth running of the organisation. We are looking for a reliable and flexible volunteer who enjoys working with people and supporting a busy office environment.

Key Responsibilities

Reception & Front‑of‑House

• Provide a warm, respectful and professional welcome to all visitors
• Answer incoming telephone calls, take messages and direct enquiries appropriately
• Ensure visitors sign in and out of the building in line with Health & Safety procedures
• Maintain a tidy, welcoming reception and waiting area
• Make refreshments for visitors where required
• Act as a first point of contact for suppliers and contractors
• Support cashless payments for services where applicable (with training and supervision)

Administration & Office Support

• Support with general administrative tasks such as photocopying, scanning and printing
• Assist with managing the room booking diary
• Deal with incoming and outgoing post
• Support stock checks and ordering of office supplies (e.g. stationery and kitchen items)
• Input basic information and update records on internal systems, following GDPR guidance
• Provide ad‑hoc administrative support to staff and services as required

Health, Safety & Safeguarding

• Support the Office Manager in maintaining a safe and secure building
• Assist with opening and closing the building, where appropriate and agreed
• Undertake health and safety responsibilities appropriate to a volunteer role
  (e.g. fire marshal or first aid support – training provided if required)
• Recognise and promptly raise any safeguarding concerns with a named staff member

Boundaries of the Role

This is a non‑therapeutic volunteer role. You will not be expected to provide counselling or mental health advice. Clear boundaries will be in place, and support will always be available from staff.

Skills, Experience & Attributes

Essential

• Friendly, approachable and non‑judgemental manner
• Good communication skills, both face‑to‑face and on the telephone
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries
• Reliability and commitment to agreed volunteer hours
• Willingness to follow policies, procedures and guidance

Desirable

• Previous reception, administration or customer service experience
• Basic IT skills (email, Word, simple record systems)
• Interest in mental health, wellbeing and community services
• Experience working with the public or in a support environment

What We Offer

• Full volunteer induction and role‑specific training
• Ongoing support and supervision
• Training in safeguarding, confidentiality, equality and boundaries
• Opportunity to develop transferable administration and communication skills
• Experience within a leading mental health charity
• A chance to make a meaningful difference to your local community

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Rotherham & Barnsley Mind is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and with lived experience of mental health, and we make reasonable adjustments wherever possible.

Safeguarding & Checks

An Enhanced DBS check may be required for this role depending on duties and access to vulnerable adults. This will be arranged and paid for by the organisation.

Guardian Light Foundation

Location: Remote
Commitment: Flexible – approx. 20 hours per month
Role Type: Volunteer
Reports to: Board of directors

�� About Guardian Light Foundation

Guardian Light Foundation exists to protect, support, and empower children, teenagers, and single-parent families facing homelessness, abuse, and extreme hardship.

Many of the individuals we serve are navigating complex legal situations while already dealing with trauma, fear, and instability. Access to safe, ethical, and compassionate legal advice can be life-changing — and that’s where you come in.

⚖️ About the Role

We are seeking a Volunteer Solicitor with experience in family law, safeguarding, or domestic abuse-related legal matters to provide initial legal guidance, signposting, and referrals to vulnerable individuals supported by Guardian Light Foundation.

This role is advisory and supportive, not high-volume casework. Your expertise will help people understand their rights, options, and next steps at critical moments in their lives.

�� Focus Areas

�� Children’s Arrangements

• Custody and contact arrangements

• Child safeguarding concerns

• Schooling and parental responsibility guidance

• Early advice on family court processes

��️ Domestic Violence Injunctions

• Non-molestation orders

• Occupation orders

• Restraining orders

• Emergency protection guidance and referrals

��‍�� Single-Parent Legal Support

• Family court guidance

• Child maintenance advice

• Housing rights and homelessness-related legal signposting

• Referrals to specialist legal services where appropriate

�� What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing initial legal advice and guidance (not ongoing representation)

• Supporting safeguarding decisions where legal insight is required

• Advising on urgent legal options in high-risk situations

• Signposting individuals to appropriate external legal services

• Working closely with GLF’s safeguarding and support teams

• Maintaining clear professional boundaries and ethical practice

��️ Safeguarding & Compliance

Because this role supports vulnerable individuals:

• An Enhanced Volunteer DBS Check is required

• DBS checks are conducted via our trusted partner Serve (Rushden)

• All work must align with GLF’s safeguarding policies

• Confidentiality and GDPR compliance are essential

�� Skills & Experience Required

Essential:

• Qualified UK Solicitor (or equivalent legal professional)

• Experience in family law, domestic abuse, or child safeguarding

• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice

• Ability to explain legal concepts clearly and compassionately

• Commitment to ethical and client-centred practice

• Solicitor must hold - Their own Professional Indemnity Insurance and/or Public Liability Insurance cover

Desirable:

• Experience working with charities or vulnerable populations

• Knowledge of housing or homelessness law

• Familiarity with referral pathways and support services

�� Who We’re Looking For

You are someone who:

• Has a genuine passion for protecting children and families

• Believes access to justice should never depend on income

• Can balance professionalism with empathy

• Understands the emotional impact of legal uncertainty

• Wants to use their expertise to create real social impact

⏰ Time Commitment

• Approx. 20 hours per month

• Flexible scheduling

• Fully remote

�� What You’ll Gain

• The opportunity to make a direct, meaningful impact

• Professional fulfilment through purpose-led legal work

• Recognition and appreciation within a growing social enterprise

• Networking with professionals across counselling, housing, and social care

• Opportunity to join an Advisory Board or Board of Directors as the organisation grows

Chair

Harrogate Homeless Project

Board meetings take place at Springboard day centre, Oxford Street, Harrogate, HG1 1PP.

Harrogate Homeless Project is the leading charity in the Harrogate district supporting individuals who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or recovering from homelessness. Our mission is to use our expertise to address the root causes of a person’s homelessness and support them to long-term independent living. We aim to influence local, regional and national policy to help deliver better outcomes for our clients.

We have bold ambitions to make a step change in the support given to our clients.  We benefit from strong and positive public awareness of our work.  That work is supported by a staff team of around 18 people, nearly 50 volunteers and strong links with partners including North Yorkshire Council, other charities and local businesses.

The next period promises to be exciting for Harrogate Homeless Project as we develop our direct services to clients, extend the support offered in our premises by partners, put our influencing of public policy on a firmer footing and to significantly invest in, and expand, our fundraising.

The role.

Our current Chair is leaving in a planned way to take up a non-executive role in another organisation.  We are seeking an exceptional successor to lead our Board and work with our executive team to progress our ambitious plans.

We are looking for someone with proven leadership qualities; you will also be well-connected with any of our key partner groups in North Yorkshire – charities, businesses and the public sector.  The highest levels of personal credibility are essential for this role and sound judgment in dealings with staff, clients and partners is essential. Our longer-term impact and sustainability rely on rigorous governance and statutory compliance.  You will ensure that our oversight, scrutiny and legal compliance arrangements are as strong as possible.

This is a great time to join us, as we work collaboratively with a diverse range of partners to bring hope and empowerment to our clients.  If you want to be part of this, we look forward to hearing from you.

The appointment is on a voluntary basis with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

Information

Download the candidate brief from the vacancies section of our website to find out more about the role.

How to apply

To make an application, please visit the recruitment page of our website, read the candidate pack and submit:

• Your CV
• A covering letter (no more than two sides) that sets out how you match the criteria and describes the specific experience you can bring to the appointment to support Harrogate Homeless Project’s aims.

Recruitment timeline

Closing date: Friday 31 July 2026

Shortlisting: August 2026

Interviews: 14 September 2026 (provisional)