Communications volunteer roles in deals gateway, greater london

Birkbeck Students' Union is looking for two exceptional individuals to join our Board of Trustees as volunteer Lay Trustees. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the student experience at Birkbeck, guiding our strategic direction and ensuring we continue to support and enrich the lives of our diverse student body.

Role Overview: As a Lay Trustee, you will attend and actively participate in five Board of Trustee Meetings and five Finance & Audit Committee meetings per year. Your strategic oversight and governance will help ensure the Students' Union operates in line with its mission, values, and legal obligations. You will provide guidance and insight based on your expertise in one of the following areas Cybersecurity; Fundraising; Legal; and Marketing.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume and a cover letter outlining their relevant experience and motivation for applying. Applications should be sent via email by 13th April 2025. 

Any questions about the role please email Yousuf Joondan (CEO).

Birkbeck Students' Union is committed to diversity and encourages applications from all individuals, regardless of background, who meet the role's criteria.

Who Are We?

We're setting up a new youth project in London called Urban Youth. Our aim is to create a positive community for young people, offering a number of activities and programmes that forge connections by getting young people together and away from their phones and social media. We want them to actively take part in fun and engaging interactive activities that create memories, boost confidence and resilience, and teach key skills for life – skills that young people can take with them into adulthood, helping to build their future.

Why We Are Doing This?

In a city grappling with the cost of living crisis, rising crime rates, and pervasive worry, it's easy to feel helpless. London is a city of dreams, but for many young people, it can also present unique challenges. Access to positive spaces, mentorship, and opportunities to develop crucial life skills can be limited. We saw a need for a fresh, vibrant approach to youth work – a place where young voices are heard, and potential is unleashed.

Can You Help Us Achieve This?

We need a dedicated and experienced volunteer to join us as our Project Manager. This pivotal role will lead the entire setup and operational running of Urban Youth, transforming our vision into a tangible, thriving youth project. You'll be instrumental in bringing our programmes to life, ensuring everything runs smoothly from concept to delivery.

We know you're busy. We know you have choices. So, why dedicate your precious time to Urban Youth in this crucial role? Because this isn't just volunteering; it's an unparalleled opportunity to:

• Lead from the Front: You'll be the driving force behind Urban Youth, responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing all aspects of our project's launch and ongoing activities.

• Build Something from the Ground Up: Take ownership of shaping our operational framework, implementing systems, and ensuring our activities are delivered effectively and safely for young people.

• Apply Your Project Management Prowess: Utilise your expertise in project planning, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder coordination within a dynamic, impactful setting.

• Be a Strategic Operator: Work closely with our management committee and volunteer coordinator to ensure our programmes align with our mission and deliver maximum benefit to young Londoners.

• Experience Unrivalled Satisfaction: Feel the profound satisfaction of knowing your leadership directly creates a positive impact on the lives of young people, fostering their growth and potential.

• Join a Dynamic Community: Become part of a passionate, supportive, and fun-loving team of like-minded individuals. Forge new friendships and find your own sense of belonging.

We Need You!

If you have a proven track record in project management, a keen eye for detail, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and a passion for youth empowerment, then we would love to have you join us in this exciting adventure. We're seeking someone with enthusiasm, a willingness to get hands-on, and a desire to help a new charity get set up and thrive, ultimately shaping and changing young people's lives.

Ready to Ignite Young People's Future by Leading Our Project?

This is your chance to be part of something extraordinary. To turn worry into hope, isolation into connection, and potential into reality, by directly leading the charge in bringing Urban Youth to life.

Don't just watch Young People's future unfold. Help build it!

URBAN YOUTH

Forging Connections | Creating Memories | Building Futures

About the Charity: Path To Prosper is a UK registered charity that provides professional training to vulnerable young adults in Uganda, enabling them to escape extreme poverty through gaining employable skills. 

Role Overview: The Finance Lead will play a key role in overseeing our financial management, ensuring the charity remains financially sustainable and compliant with all relevant regulations.

You will be responsible for overseeing the financial health of the charity, working closely with the CEO to provide strategic financial advice and support to the Board. You will ensure that our financial operations are transparent, efficient, and compliant with charity law, while reporting to the CEO and Board on key financial matters. You will be entrusted with the responsibility of managing the charity's finances, preparing financial reports, and ensuring that the charity is financially well-positioned to achieve its goals.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial administration

   1. Maintain accurate financial records, recording income and expenditure as per agreed categories.

   2. Ensure bank statements match internal financial records.

   3. Process all necessary charity expenses.

   4. Process all invoices received by the charity.

   5. Manage international transfers, and accounts held by international transfer providers. Responsible for transferring funds to agreed providers as per approved budgets and the annual operating plan.

   6. Maintaining charity’s financial signatures as directed by the Treasurer.

2. Financial Oversight:

   1. Lead the charity’s financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes in collaboration with the CEO.

   2. Oversee the financial tracking of restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring that funds are used according to the terms set by donors or funders.

   3. Monitor cash flow, ensuring that the charity’s financial position is healthy and sustainable.

   4. Advise the CEO and Board on financial strategies, risks, and opportunities.

3. Financial Planning

   1. To continually research and suggest to the CEO any changes to banking arrangements that would benefit the charities financial position, such as more favourable banking terms, international financial transfers or interest rates.

   2. To support the operations lead with any approved changes to banking arrangements

   3.  

4. Financial Reporting:

   1. Prepare financial reports for the CEO, including income and expenditure statements, balance sheets, and cash flow forecasts, in line with the organisations agreed income and expenditure categories

   2. Ensure the charity’s financial statements are accurate and comply with accounting standards, charity law, and other relevant regulations. 

   3. Work with external auditors and independent examiners to ensure a smooth annual audit process.

   4. Maintain accurate records and respond to adhoc requests for financial information from the operations team.

5. Compliance and Governance:

   1. Ensure compliance with financial regulations; including the Charity Commission’s requirements and other applicable laws 

   2. File annual returns and financial statements with the Charity Commission in a timely manner.

   3. Advise the CEO and Board on financial governance and risk management.

6. Fundraising and Grant Management:

   1. Support the Fundraising Lead by providing financial insights and reports for grant applications and donor reports.

7. Team Collaboration:

   1. Assist with training or guidance on financial matters where necessary.

Person Specification:

• Essential:

  • Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) or substantial relevant experience in financial management.

  • Experience with accounting software (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks).

  • Understanding of charity finance; including statutory reporting, VAT, and charity-specific financial regulations.

  • Strong attention to detail and ability to analyse and interpret financial data.

  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information to non-financial stakeholders.

  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines.

• Desirable:

  • Previous experience as a trustee or in a senior financial role within a charity.

  • Familiarity with charity fundraising practices and grant management.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives and families of vulnerable young adults living in extreme poverty

• Gain valuable experience in charity finance and governance.

• Work with a committed and passionate team of trustees and volunteers.

• Flexible role that can be done remotely with occasional meetings.

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in your community?

Lambourne End Centre for Outdoor Learning is seeking an exceptional individual to serve as the Chair of Trustees for our charitable organisation. This is a unique opportunity to guide our mission, shape our strategy, and inspire positive change. 

About us

Lambourne End Centre for Outdoor Learning invests in people and their potential. Established in 2004 and nicknamed the “54-acre classroom”, our work uses a unique combination of adventurous and environmental activities, a working farm and horticulture gardens to reconnect people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities with nature through outdoor learning.

Our mission is “to support people to overcome obstacles in life through nurturing them in nature, encouraging them in play and curiosity, challenging them in risk and adventure, and engaging them in outdoor learning.  Cultivating connections to the world around them, and inspiring positive lasting change.” 

The Centre is located in south west Essex and works with over 18,000 young people each year on a wide range of programmes that improve health and wellbeing and foster personal development, using our unique blend activities.  We do this by using the activities to generate a wide range of tailored programmes designed to encourage team building, problem solving and communication skills, as well as build confidence, enthuse and motivate, and raise aspirations.

Over the past ten years, the Centre has grown significantly its revenue, it’s profitability and its influence, such that it is now in a strong position and faces huge demand for its services.

The Role

As the Chair of Trustees, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring effective governance and strategic oversight. Working closely with the Board of Trustees and the Chief Executive, you will help steer the organisation toward its goals while upholding our values and ensuring accountability.  The role has become vacant due to the retirement of the current Chair.

Key Responsibilities

· Provide leadership to the Board of Trustees, fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusivity.

· Chair board meetings effectively, ensuring productive discussions and sound decision-making.

· Work with the Chief Executive Officer to set and review strategic priorities and objectives.

· Act as an ambassador for the organisation, representing its interests to stakeholders and communities.

· Support the recruitment and development of a diverse and skilled Board of Trustees.

· Oversee compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.

· Ensure the organisation remains financially sustainable and aligned with its mission.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking a dedicated and inspiring leader who shares our passion for creating a better future. The ideal candidate will bring:

· Experience in governance or leadership roles, ideally within non-profit, public, or corporate sectors.

· Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with trustees, staff, and external stakeholders.

· Strategic thinking and the ability to navigate complex challenges.

· A good understanding of charity governance and relevant legislation (or a willingness to develop this knowledge).

· A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of leadership.

Time Commitment and Term

The Chair of Trustees role is voluntary, though reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. The time commitment is approximately 10 hours/month, including board meetings, sub-committee involvement, and occasional events.

How to Apply

If this opportunity resonates with you, we would love to hear from you.  If you would be interested in exploring the possibility of becoming the new Chair of Trustees at Lambourne End, we would like to invite you to contact the Chief Executive Officer to arrange a visit to the Centre and an informal chat; please contact Rob at the Centre.   Additionally, you would be very welcome to have an informal discussion about the role with the outgoing Chair; please let us know if you would like us to arrange this.  To formally apply for this role, please send a CV and a covering letter detailing why you are interested in the role and how your experience aligns with our vision.   Applications should be sent by 31st August 2025.

Inclusive Recruitment

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities and are dedicated to equality of opportunity in our recruitment process.

Join us in this exciting journey of leadership and impact. Together, we can shape a brighter future for generations to come.

Do you use technology on a regular basis for work, study, or daily life? If so, it is likely that you have the needed skills for this role! Help people to stay connected, improve their financial health, employability, and learn how to access much needed services and resources online! You will make a positive difference to bridging the digital divide, empowering others to gain knowledge and confidence in using technology!

This role may involve travelling to different parts of London.

What you will be doing

• Supporting service users to gain digital skills and knowledge on a computer, tablet and smart phone via one to one or in small group sessions
• Supporting service users to use digital apps, emails, search the internet, online shopping and set up online accounts
• Supporting service users to learn the skills to keep in touch with family and friends, such a video call and messaging
• Support individuals to agree and aspire on the steps/ goals they would like to achieve in the sessions
• Lead on the logistics and organisation of the sessions alongside the staff team
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• Confident using digital skills
• Willingness and interest in facilitating one to one and group session on basic digital skills
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Are you creative? Would you like to support others to express their emotions through arts and crafting?

Art plays a valuable role in mental wellbeing with research showing that crafting, regardless of the medium you use can boost your mood, self-confidence and reduce stress overall. Taking part in art-based activities increases our resilience and engages us in the here and now. You will be supporting people to express their emotions, provide a time for people to relax and feel proud of their final art products!

We are recruiting for a volunteer to support and facilitate an art and craft group.

We work with people who need support with their mental health across London and the South East. Our support ranges from registered accommodation services for people with severe mental health conditions to drop-in community and crisis services.

In the last year, 9,499 adults accessed Hestia’s mental health support.

We help people to feel safe, develop hope for a better future, and achieve their personal goals. These goals may include rebuilding relationships with family members and friends or connecting more with their local community.

What you will be doing

• To prepare arts and craft sessions, involving individuals in the planning process where possible
• Inspire and motivate individuals to develop their arts and craft skills, assisting them in the creation of their projects and supporting them to brainstorm and use their own initiative
• Encourage individuals to continue independent activities

The skills you need

• Experience of arts and/or crafts either in a professional, educational, or personal level
• Able to collaborate with individuals to plan an art group session and facilitate confidently
• A calm and patient manner
• Ability to provide a trusting, open, kind-hearted atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• An effective communicator with a patient and sympathetic nature

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Helping young people to reach their personal best

“SportsAid believed in me when I was just a young, inexperienced racer. As a self-funded teenager travelling the world with my Mum, financial challenges were a constant hurdle. Funding my passion was daunting until SportsAid alleviated that burden, enabling me to pursue what I loved and take my passion to the next level. Without SportsAid, I would never have gone from the little girl you invested in, to the Paralympic and World medallist I became.”

Millie Knight, Paralympic medallist & World Champion

 COULD YOU HELP SPORTSAID AS THE CHAIR OF TRUSTEES?

SportsAid’s Mission is to encourage, enable and empower the next generation of athletes to achieve their ambitions in sport and life. Since 1976, we have been side-by-side with Britain’s greatest emerging sporting talent – from Mo Farah to Jessica Ennis-Hill, from Ade Adepitan to Ellie Simmonds – and so many others. SportsAid provides vital support to young sports people at a pivotal moment in their development.  HRH The Princess of Wales is the charity’s Patron.

We are looking for a trustee to join our board as Chair of Trustees. With our five-year fundraising strategy underway, this is an exciting time to join as we develop new, impactful partnerships to deliver our mission for young sports people towards and beyond SportsAid’s 50th anniversary in 2026. 

As the Chair of Trustees you will lead and support an effective, diverse and committed Board.  The Chair will provide inclusive leadership to deliver the charity’s vision and mission, ensuring that each trustee enjoys fulfilling their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. The Chair will also support the Chief Executive to ensure that the Board functions to best effect in supporting the executive team to achieve its objectives. He or she will act as an ambassador and be a public face of the charity in partnership with the Chief Executive.

You will have significant Board experience, ideally at Chair or other senior level, in the public, private or voluntary sector; or substantial Board experience as a member of a National Governing Body of Sport or Charitable Trust.  You will be familiar with partnership working and engaging with a complex stakeholder mix.  You will have strong financial and commercial acumen and a genuine passion and personal connection to the core purpose and mission of SportsAid.

This is a vital role offering the opportunity to join a committed and driven charity at an exciting time.  You do not need to be a sports expert, but you will have a desire to help young people and a willingness to get stuck in.  You can make a difference.

You will join a board of eight trustees in working with an effective executive team to support the charity’s work. 

The minimum commitment as a board member will be to attend four board meetings per year (typically held in London but with the facility to join remotely if necessary) plus two half-day induction sessions and at least one half-day strategy planning session.  There will likely be an additional time commitment to attend events representing SportsAid. Board positions are unremunerated but reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.

SportsAid recognises that certain sections of the community have been affected by structural inequities and may be denied the opportunity to participate equally and fully in sport at all levels. SportsAid as an organisation believes our role is to remove the barriers that our most under-served, at risk and minoritised groups of young people experience when trying to access sport and physical activities.

SportsAid therefore positively welcomes, and seeks to achieve, diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants, volunteers and employees receive equal and fair treatment.  We positively encourage applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, disability, marriage and civil partnership status, gender identity, background, religion, faith, sexual orientation, maternity status, pregnancy, belief or nationality.

A role description is available on request.

Please apply by emailing your CV with an outline of how your skills and experience meet the specification of this Chair of Trustees role and why you are interested in joining SportsAid by 5pm Friday 5 September 2025.  

On receipt of your application you will be sent a confidential equal opportunities form which all applicants will be asked to complete. 

SANE is a UK-wide mental health charity working to improve the quality of life of anyone affected by mental illness. It aims to raise awareness and understanding of all mental health conditions; fight to improve frontline mental health services for individuals and carers; provide support, information and guidance through its helpline, email and text support and Online Forum; and promote and host research into causes, treatments and therapies.

About the role:

We are now looking for people interested in providing compassionate support to those affected by mental health problems, particularly people with severe mental illness, and carers, families and friends. As a volunteer, you will provide support on-site, in our Islington offices, by telephone. You will also form a close team with our other skilled volunteers and shift leads.

Volunteering can help improve mental well-being, increase physical activity, enhance social bonds and bring meaning to people's lives. It is an excellent way of putting a structure on your free time and keeping your brain active. When you volunteer, you feel useful to and valued by your community.

SANEline Volunteers provide support to callers with a wide range of mental health problems via our confidential crisis line, which is open from 4-10pm, 365 days a year.

Working on SANEline requires empathy and resilience, and we take pride in providing a nurturing environment and unwavering support to our team.

About you:

- You are empathetic, highly compassionate and genuinely interested in supporting people from all walks of life

- You are a good listener and a warm and confident communicator

- You have a few hours to spare each week and want to use that time to make a difference to help vulnerable people

- You can commit to one 4-hour shift per week, including one weekend shift per month

- You are looking for a way to continue using skills built up over your working life or a route to learn and explore new avenues previously blocked by the demands of your career or job.

- You can work collaboratively with our team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service on SANEline

- No previous helpline or mental health experience is required, just a sincere desire to help others

Altogether, we are looking for warm, compassionate, understanding and committed people who are good communicators to join our services team as a volunteer.
You don't need to be a mental health expert: empathy and commitment matter more than academic qualifications or experience, and we’re keen to hear from people of all ages and walks of life.

We particularly encourage applications from retirees, empty nesters, or people changing careers and wanting to develop new skills. 

This summer, we will run two drop-in sessions for you to find out more about SANE and ask any questions you may have about volunteering with us. 

What can you expect?

To work within SANE's framework, including regular check-ins and debriefs to support you and help refine your newly acquired skills.

To receive the full SANEline training and further online training opportunities within specific areas.

To become part of an established and diverse team.

To gain exposure to a wide range of mental health problems.

To gain valuable practical experience in providing emotional support to vulnerable people.

A culture where team members support and learn from each other.

A warm, supportive and encouraging environment.

To apply: Please click on "Apply via Website" and fill in the form to register your interest. We will then get in touch and let you know about the following steps. 

Social Friday

Social Friday reinvents the end of the workweek by transforming unproductive Friday hours into a global tradition of purpose, teamwork, and impact—connecting businesses, nonprofits, and communities through hands-on engagement.

Fridays are the least productive time of the week. Work slows down, focus fades, and hours are lost. The numbers are staggering:

• Unproductive Friday hours cost the U.S. economy $1.9 trillion annually.
• 1 in 4 people worldwide feel lonely, struggling to reach their full potential.
• The U.S. Surgeon General calls loneliness an epidemic, costing employers $154 billion yearly.
• Remote and hybrid work has widened the gap, leaving employees more disconnected than ever.
• Societal tensions are rising, creating an urgent need for initiatives that bring people together.

Governments debate the four-day workweek—but what if, instead of subtracting a day from work, we added purpose to Fridays?

We face a choice: -Accept the status quo and keep losing trillions. +Or flip the script, turning Fridays into a force for good.

Social Friday isn’t just a project—it’s a movement. A global tradition in the making that transforms the least productive hours of the week into moments of connection, impact, and purpose, where doing good becomes a habit.

Beyond one-time events, Social Friday is designed to scale into a lasting global movement, embedding social impact into work culture and everyday life.

How It Works

A scalable platform connects businesses, NGOs, and volunteers, transforming Fridays into a global force for change through engagement, collaboration, and gamification.

By integrating leaderboards, challenges, badges, and rewards, Social Friday keeps participation exciting and fosters a culture where social impact becomes part of the routine.

This isn’t just about reducing disengagement. It is about transforming the way society, nonprofits, and businesses connect, creating a future where social impact is a shared responsibility, embedded into everyday life. Social Friday has the power to turn the least productive time of the week into the most meaningful, a global tradition, the Olympics of Giving Back.

Event Manager

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

Join the movement turning Fridays into something meaningful.

We’re not looking for someone to plan another meeting. We’re looking for someone who creates moments that matter.

At Social Friday, we bring companies and nonprofits together to flip unproductive Friday afternoons into purpose-driven events. As our Event Manager, you’ll lead the planning and execution of these experiences, from idea to impact.

What You’ll Do:

• Plan and run inspiring, fun, and meaningful Social Friday events
• Coordinate with nonprofits and companies
• Keep timelines, logistics, and communication on track
• Gather content and feedback from events
• Bring energy, structure, and purpose to every gathering

What You Bring:

• Experience in event planning or experiential marketing
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Creativity, reliability, and a people-first mindset
• Passion for social impact

Social Friday is the Olympics of Giving Back. You’re the one who sets the stage for the opening ceremony.

Weekly Time Commitment

4-6 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

1-2 weeks

Join our team of befrienders! You will support us to reach some of the most isolated adults in your community to reduce their feelings of loneliness, build friendships and provide support for mental wellbeing. You will support people to relight a spark to continue a hobby, interest or encourage them to explore and participate in new social activities.

You will support individuals to rebuild their lives beyond crisis.

Loneliness and isolation can affect anyone in life, whatever their age or family situation. Official data from the Office for National Statistics shows that rates of depression doubled during the COVID pandemic, and one of the major causes of depression is isolation.

About the service..

We work with people who need support with their mental health across London and the South East. Our support ranges from registered accommodation services for people with severe mental health conditions to drop-in community and crisis services.

In the last year, 9,499 adults accessed Hestia’s mental health support.

We help people to feel safe, develop hope for a better future, and achieve their personal goals. These goals may include rebuilding relationships with family members and friends or connecting more with their local community.

What you will be doing

• Agree a mutual time and frequency to meet in the local community
• To develop and promote a positive relationship with your befriendee
• To encourage your befriendee to engage in social activities and support them in doing so whilst building their confidence
• To support your befriendee in developing their goals and social skills
• Encourage your befriendee to make links with community services, based on their identified goals

The skills you need

• Good listening and communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere which motivates and inspires others
• Willingness to engage in activities in the community
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow professional boundaries

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Trailblazers’ mission is to reduce re-offending and inspire new futures and the charity has been providing mentoring services to people in prison since 1998. We provide support to men between the ages of 18 - 35 in custody who have 6 months left of their prison sentence, and then 'through the gate' into their community for up to 12 months.

In London, services are delivered at HMP Brixton and HMPYOI Isis. We are looking for volunteer mentors who can spare half a day per week to support young men to change their life by acting as an inspirational role model and helping with goal setting. Mentoring sessions usually last 1 hour per week; allowing enough time for travel and liaising with Trailblazers staff will take about half a day.

Your support will help a young man to reconnect with his own community, friends and loved ones, go into education, training and employment, and to give a person a sense of hope for the future. As a charity we are reliant on volunteers; with your help we can continue to support people in prison to make and change to their lives, their family and wider society. We welcome all skill sets within Trailblazers as we work with a diverse group of men, all we ask if you have a genuine passion for social change and that you can commit to at least 1 young man for up to 12 months, so they have a consistent person in their life - something that some of our mentees have never had. The national average re-offending rate for a person leaving prison is up to 55%, the rate for those who have a Trailblazers mentor is lowered to 9%. 

We are actively looking for people to join our mentoring community with lived experience of the criminal justice system, underrepresented groups from BAME community, creative arts, business skills, wellbeing - whatever your skills and background we are open to hear from you to support our diverse group of men.Out of pocket expenses are covered as well as training to equip you for your role. More information and the application form can be found on the website. 

Role activities:

• To provide a positive role model for people in prison and in their own community, to be empathic and to have a desire and commitment to support people to fulfil their potential.

• To attend and participate fully in the initial and ongoing mentor training.

• To attend group support/supervision meetings and review performance within mentoring relationships.

• To complete mentoring session notes relevant to the mentoring service for monitoring purposes.

• To take part in introductory meetings with mentees and set ground rules and boundaries.

• To report safeguarding concerns immediately.

• To follow relevant policies and procedures. 

• To perform your role in line with the aims of the organisation.

• To meet with and actively develop a supportive relationship with mentees.

• Be prepared to travel and undertake visits for mentoring sessions. 

• To make the necessary practical arrangements to meet the mentee on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

• Assist the mentee to celebrate their achievements.

• Support the mentee to meet identified goals.

• Develop an understanding of the role, responsibilities and boundaries of a volunteer mentor.

• Be committed to the project for a minimum of 12 months.

• Regular communication with Trailblazers staff in support of your mentee. 

Skills/behaviours/knowledge required:

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and challenges faced by mentees (Desirable) full training will be given. 

• Awareness of own professional boundaries and the ability to report any concerns within the mentoring relationship that could be pertinent to risk to the mentee, or to others. 

• To be an advocate for a mentee and to actively seek opportunities for mentees for resettlement back into their own community in conjunction with Trailblazers staff. 

• To be non-judgmental, focus on the person rather than the offense. 

• Professional but relatable with strong communication skills. 

• Awareness of adversity and how to overcome barriers to build a supportive network around the mentee. 

• Basic IT skills. 

• Be able to take advice and guidance from Trailblazers staff. 

Criteria: 

• Over 21. 

• We encourage applications from those with lived experience of the Criminal Justice System but you must be off licence for a minimum of 12 months, and not in crisis yourself. 

• You cannot apply to a project if you have been a resident in the same prison yourself. 

• A good level of fitness to able to move around a prison at fast past that does include stairs 

• Due to security checks at the prison you must be a British citizen.     

• Not committed an offense where you are barred from working with vulnerable adults or children. 

• Live within a 30-mile radius from the prison at which you would like to volunteer.

Join our Board of Directors

Trustee Lead for Safeguarding required for an innovative, best-practice charity

Help to make a real difference to the lives of women and girls by joining the board of directors of Advance

Our vision is a world where women and girls lead safe, just and equal lives.

Title: Chair Elect

Reporting to: Board of Trustees

Role Type: Volunteer

Location: London

Renumeration: The role of Trustee is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed.

Do you have expertise in the role described below and a belief that your skills will contribute to the strong and effective governance of an innovative medium-sized charity? We are looking to appoint up to four new Trustees to the Board with skills specifically focused on Safeguarding Adults & Children

This post is open to female applicants only as this is deemed a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Advance is committed to equality and diversity and aims to have a board of trustees that reflects the communities we work with. We strongly encourage applications from women with diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities, BAME and LBT communities.

About Us

Advance is a women’s organisation, delivering systems change, and trauma and gender-informed community-based support for women and girls affected by domestic abuse, including those in contact with the criminal justice system. We work nationally through our innovative, best-practice approach and systems change initiatives. We deliver wraparound frontline services across the South and East of England, including Greater London. Our expertise lies in decades of providing specialist support by women and for women and girls, to achieve safety, justice and equality at the intersection of domestic abuse and the criminal justice system.

Our whole-system approach is aligned with our values of collaboration and innovation, partnering with other statutory and non-statutory providers, to deliver a coordinated community and gendered response, improving access to services across the whole system, enabling consistency and continuity of support throughout a woman’s journey. Through our advocacy and awareness-raising work, we focus on systemic change and sustainable impact to meet women’s needs and improve their outcomes.

This is an exciting opportunity for you to join our experienced and committed Board.

You will join a dedicated and skilled group of Trustees and support the charity through a significant period of growth. Our staff team now includes over 150 skilled and passionate women across our programmes and our 10 womens’ centres in London and the South and East of England.

Time commitment

• Five Board meetings per year (in person in Hammersmith west London), plus membership of at least one board sub-committee (four meetings a year online)
• Ad hoc availability as matters arise (by telephone)
• Participate in one strategy away day each year (on a Saturday, usually held in January)
• Commit to the Board of Trustees for at least three years
• Note - the Chair of the Fundraising, Business Development and Communications Committee will be expected to chair a committee meeting four times a year (online) in addition to the Board meetings

The statutory duties of a trustee

• To ensure the organisation complies with its governing document in the articles of association
• To ensure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document
• To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives - the charity must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objectives, no matter how charitable and worthwhile those activities are
• To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets
• To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation
• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation
• To ensure the financial stability of the organisation
• To protect and manage the property of the organisation and to ensure the proper investment of the organisation's funds
• To appoint the Chief Executive and monitor their performance

In addition with other trustees to hold the charity in trust for current and future beneficiaries by:

• Ensuring that Advance has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these
• Being responsible for the performance of the charity and for its corporate behaviour; ensuring that the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements
• Acting as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application
• Ensuring that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard

As well as the various statutory duties, any trustee should make full use of any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the board make good decisions. The above list of duties is indicative only and not exhaustive. The Trustee will be expected to perform all such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the role.

Process
Please download the job specification below, complete the application form and equality monitoring survey 
Closing date for applications: 31 August 2025
Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a first round interview week commencing 5 October via Teams. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an in person interview in Hammersmith west London.

You can find more information on our website

To learn more about the role and duties of Trustees, please click here.

We would love to hear from you.

FCCT are looking for volunteers of the Catholic faith to play a supportive role by actively mentoring young offenders (aged 15-30 in HMP/YOI Feltham) and to offer support under the ‘7 pathways to Reducing Reoffending’:

FCCT offer support under the seven pathways to reducing reoffending, including signposting to relevant organisations:

• Accommodation
• Education, Training and Employment (ETE)
• Health
• Drug and Alcohol Misuse
• Finance, Benefits and Debts
• Children & Families
• Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour
• Faith

Our aim is to help young people overcome hardships and make the positive transition back into wider society and to help to reduce reoffending rates.

Scope of Volunteer Main Role and Duties (not exhaustive):

Mentoring Arm:

1. Work through a ‘Discharge List’ systematically, cross referencing with the Operations Manager, so as not to duplicate any work or contact with the young people (primarily of Catholic faith).
2. Hand out and (where needed) help complete ‘Questionnaires’ given to young people from the ‘Discharge List’, in order to ascertain what type of job or education sector the young person would be interested in going into. Forms to be given to the Operations Manager afterwards.
3. Follow up with a one-to-one session – register the young person to the FCCT programme and completing relevant paperwork, which will include our ‘Client Profile Form’ and ‘Consent Form’.
4. Update a shared ‘Client Spreadsheet’ which will be used to capture data information, as to the young people that FCCT are engaging with.
5. If required, identify relevant Churches etc for the young people to attend post release and contact said religious establishments, to understand their referral criteria and then make relevant referrals, where required.
6. Collect testimonials from the young people in relation to the support FCCT have offered them.
7. Mentoring of young people 
8. Make or facilitate family contacts for resettlement purposes, in relation to the young people.

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate the following attributes:

• Commitment: Shows commitment to the organisation, its values and its clients, understanding that the building of trust and consistency is key, in terms of the clientele FCCT work with.
• Communication: Communicates well both verbally and in writing. An ability to communicate effectively with young people would also be an added benefit.
• Resilience: Demonstrates patience and understanding in the face of challenges.
• Professionalism: Complies with all FCCT policies and procedures, particularly regarding Safeguarding, GDPR etc.
• Non-judgemental: Demonstrates empathy and openness and does not impose personal values or conscious or unconscious bias.
• Solution focused: Can help to identify issues and meets challenges with optimism and offers solutions, seeing them as an opportunity to learn.

Training and Support

We will provide all the necessary training. Training will be provided on an ongoing basis and volunteers will be given a full induction of the organisation and how the projects run.

Time Required

FCCT ask for a minimum of 8 hours a month. Due to the flexibility of the role, the hours can be distributed over different days between the core hours of 9am - 5pm, including Sundays. We are for a commitment of at least a year with the project, due to the flexibility of the role.

Benefits for Mentors Include

Volunteer Expenses will be paid

Training given, which includes modules such as an Introduction to Mentoring, The Criminal Justice System, Communication Skills etc

FCCT staff can provide references for other job/opportunities

Client front-facing work with people with complex needs

Liaison with statutory agencies within the prison

Liaison with community organisations

Liaison with other volunteers

Student Placements

Position Overview:
The Programme Lead oversees the strategic delivery of a multi-project programme focused on enhancing employability and skills development for target populations. This role ensures alignment with organisational and community goals, driving initiatives that reduce skills gaps, improve workforce readiness, and foster partnerships with employers and training providers. Reporting to the Programme Manager, the Programme Lead manages a team of project specialists and coordinators, ensuring seamless execution of programme activities and measurable impact.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Programme Leadership:

   • Lead the end-to-end employability and skills development programme delivery, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.

   • Mentor and manage project specialists and coordinators, assigning tasks tied to programme milestones such as training workshops, employer partnerships, and participant assessments.

2. Stakeholder Collaboration:

   • Build and maintain relationships with employers, educational institutions, government agencies, and community organisations to align programme outcomes with labour market needs.

   • Act as the primary point of contact for external partners, ensuring their requirements (e.g., hiring criteria, certification standards) are integrated into programme design.

3. Programme Design & Delivery:

   • Oversee the development of training curricula, mentorship initiatives, and job placement strategies tailored to diverse participant groups (e.g., youth, career changers).

   • Monitor participant progress and employment outcomes, using data to refine programme effectiveness.

4. Risk & Compliance Management:

   • Identify barriers to participant success (e.g., accessibility, resource gaps) and escalate systemic challenges to the Programme Manager with actionable solutions.

1. Reporting & Communication:

   • Track and report on key metrics such as participant engagement, skill acquisition rates, and post-programme employment status.

   • Prepare updates for senior leadership and stakeholders to demonstrate programme impact.

2. Process Improvement:

   • Implement feedback loops with participants and partners to continuously enhance programme quality.

   • Promote best practices in adult education, vocational training, and equity-focused initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Human Resources, or a related field.

• Experience:

  • 3–5 years managing employability, workforce development, or adult education programmes.

  • Proven experience leading teams and collaborating with cross-sector stakeholders.

• Skills:

  • Strong understanding of labour market trends and barriers to employment.

  • Ability to design inclusive, participant-centric programmes.

  • Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, CRM systems) and project management software.

  • Exceptional communication skills for engaging diverse audiences.

• Certifications: Certifications in programme management (e.g., PgMP), career coaching, or adult education are advantageous.
  
   

  The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK is a 16-week UNPAID opportunity that requires a minimum commitment of 12 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

  QUILOMBO UK is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment that values diversity and promotes equality for all employees. As part of our commitment to upholding these principles, we adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Equality Act 2010. We firmly believe in creating a workplace where all individuals are respected and treated fairly. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.