Communications volunteer roles in deals gateway, greater london

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Fundraisers wanted to support East London Waterworks Park in developing and implementing our fundraising strategy.

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

We are looking for fundraisers to contribute to our community-led fundraising strategy, to develop relationships with funders and to write funding applications. 

You would join our fundraising circle, which coordinates our fundraising efforts. It is currently exploring grant opportunities and developing relationships with businesses and other funders. We meet online on Google Meet and volunteers complete agreed tasks remotely. 

If you have experience in writing grants and funding applications, corporate fundraising, philanthropy, or any other aspect of fundraising, it would be great to hear from you. 

We are keen fundraisers but we are lacking professional expertise and experience and we would love your help and input. We would welcome one-off advice on the phone or in person, as well as longer term volunteers. 

We would also love to hear from potential volunteers without experience but with transferable skills.

East London Waterworks Park is an exciting and ambitious project. Without funding we won’t be able to make it happen, so you will be directly contributing to the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system  
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.  

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbally.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.

Chair of North Surrey Domestic Abuse Service

Our Charity

North Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (NSDAS) supports anyone affected by domestic abuse and their children living in the boroughs of Elmbridge, Spelthorne and Epsom and Ewell. We provide free, confidential and independent advice, skilled practical help and ongoing emotional support and information, regardless of sex, race, ability, gender, religion or income level.

Historically the service was provided as part of Citizens Advice Elmbridge (West). We have operated as an independent charity since April 2024 (charity number 1203855) and this is an exciting time to help shape the strategy and direction of the organisation.

The board currently comprises of nine Trustees.The current Chair is looking to step down by Christmas 2025 but will remain as a Trustee to provide continuity and support.

The Role

In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, duties of the chair include the following. 

·Providing leadership to the organisation and the board, ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes to provide greater public benefit. 

·Chairing and facilitating board meetings. 

·Checking that decisions taken at meetings are implemented. 

·Representing the organisation at functions and meetings. Acting as a spokesperson as appropriate. 

·Bringing impartiality and objectivity to decision-making. 

With the chief executive

·Planning the annual cycle of board meetings and other general meetings where required.

·Setting agendas for board meetings and other general meetings. 

·Developing the board of trustees. This includes induction, training, appraisal and succession planning. 

·Addressing conflict within the board and the organisation.

·Liaising with the chief executive to keep an overview of the organisation’s affairs and providing support where required. 

·Developing relationships with our partner organisations. 

·Sitting on appointment and disciplinary panels and conducting exit interviews when required. 

WCC is recruiting for voluntary positions to join our Board of Trustees.

Whether you are an experienced Trustee or wanting to take your first step at board level, we would like to hear from you.

Our Board comprises ten Trustees including the Chair and there are currently two vacancies.

We are particularly interested in people with skills and expertise to offer around:

• Financial experience and/or knowledge of charity accounting and the ability to apply this strategically
• Income generation/ fundraising skills and expertise

Trustee roles

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that WCC achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that WCC has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the executive team to enable WCC to grow and thrive, and through this, achieve our mission.

Trustees have a collective responsibility, and this means that they always act as a group and not as individuals.

Duties:

• Support and provide advice on WCC’s purpose, vision, goals, and activities
• Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation
• Oversee WCC’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress
• Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored, and controlled effectively
• Review and approve WCC’s financial statements
• Provide support and challenge to WCC’s senior manager in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs
• Keep abreast of changes in WCC’s operating environment
• Contribute to regular reviews of WCC’s own governance. Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.

• Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect WCC’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests

• Contribute to the broader promotion of WCC’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge, and contacts.

What we’re looking for

Our Board comprises ten Trustees including the Chair and there are currently two vacancies.

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.

We are particularly interested in people with skills and expertise to offer around:

• Finance – experience and/or knowledge of charity accounting or financial management, and the ability to apply this strategically to support with budget forecasting and financial planning
• Income generation/ fundraising skills and expertise – corporate, trust and foundations, and/or community

WCC is passionately committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and wish to reflect these values in our Board. We strongly encourage people from all backgrounds, communities, and industries.

We are keen to address the underrepresentation of some communities we serve at leadership level, and welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, or with lived experience of immigration/asylum.

Personal skills and qualities

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion
• A strong personal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Enthusiasm for our vision and mission
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.
• Willingness to lead according to our values

Terms of appointment

• Trustees are appointed for a three-year term of office. Our Articles of Association state that one third of the trustees will retire from office at each AGM with the longest serving trustees retiring first. Trustees can stand for re-election at the same AGM
• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
• Time commitment- approximately 8 hours per month
• Board meetings- attending four Board meetings annually (currently on Tuesday evenings). We alternate between meeting in-person at WCC’s office in Waterloo and online
• Sub-committees- we have two subcommittees (Finance & Operations, and Clinical) that meet in between Board meetings, with individual trustees attending one or more of these depending on skills and preferences.
• Two half day strategy days a year and training where needed
• Reading Board papers in advance, being involved in discussions, advising on specialist areas
• We hold an Annual General Meeting with all staff and members.

Time commitment

Approximately 8 hours per month
There are four board meetings a year, currently on Tuesday evenings – we alternate between meeting in-person at WCC’s office in Waterloo and online. We hold an Annual General Meeting with all staff and members. We have two sub committees that meet in between Board meetings, with individual trustees attending one or more of these depending on preferences and time commitment.

Fine Cell Work (FCW) is a UK-based rehabilitation charity and social enterprise. We are supported by an incredible team of prison volunteers who are the link between the charity and the stitchers we work with in prison. Our volunteers run fortnightly stitching groups in the prisons we work with to facilitate our stitchers’ production of high-quality needlework.

Our prison volunteers work in small teams to teach our stitchers’ embroidery and needlepoint, organise their group sessions, and liaise with the prison and FCW office.

What you will do as a prison volunteer:

• Teach people in prison how to stitch and support the completion of our premade kits in our cell groups, which consist of around 10-15 stitchers.
• Communicate with staff at our hub in Battersea to receive kits and supplies for your group and send back completed work for your stitchers to be paid.
• Encourage and help stitchers to complete our Open College Network certifications in creative needlework.
• Develop stitchers’ skills and confidence by encouraging them to take responsibility as peer mentors.
• Act as an ambassador for the charity and sharing our vision and values throughout your volunteering.

Who we are looking for:

• Skills in embroidery and/or needlepoint or a willingness to learn to stitch is essential for this role.
• Ideally some teaching experience or experience working with socially-excluded groups.
• Someone with a non-judgemental attitude and commitment to rehabilitation.
• Someone who is an excellent team worker.
• Someone who is good at observing personal boundaries.

Commitment: our stitching groups run for 2 hours every fortnight, so with travel time and some admin work after groups we ask prison volunteers to set aside a morning or afternoon every 2 weeks.

You must be over 18 for this role with the ability to travel to the prison. Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the charity.

Please take some time to read the role description to find out more details about the role and what we offer to our prison volunteers. 

At Fine Cell Work, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented amongst FCW’s prison volunteers. This includes applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, and male identifying applicants.

Why we want you

Prison in reach volunteers support members of the Armed Forces community who are in prison. They make a real difference by providing essential support during these incredibly difficult times.

Our volunteers work closely with veterans in custody support officers, attending veteran forums, and offering one to one support, including making applications for financial assistance. We also connect clients with organisations, to help support pathways for positive change.

Come and join our team! We value all our volunteers and the unique skills and experience they bring.

We are keen to increase volunteer diversity, especially from under-represented groups such as young people, those of working age and individuals from minoritised groups.

What you will be doing

• Attend group forums for veterans within the prison environment.
• Complete individual assessments and complete one to one personalised support for veterans within the prison environment, which includes casework.
• Promote the services available to family members.
• Establish an agreement around the rate of visits with the VCJS team and the prison.
• Record the support offered to veterans accordingly and appropriately.
• Complete monitoring reports.

The skills you need

• Be over 21.
• Have a good level of fitness to able to move around a prison quickly - including stairs.
• Excellent listening skills.
• Awareness of boundaries and confidentiality.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a range of people, including prison staff, other agencies, SSAFA colleagues and clients.
• Positive, committed and non-judgemental. Non-judgemental and empathetic attitude.
• Good IT skills.
• An enhanced DBS check is required for this role. Individual prisons will determine if they authorise individuals to be based in their facilities based on security considerations. Security Vetting by His Majesty’s Prison Service is often required. For further discussion, please get in touch.
• You will need to declare potential conflicts of interest, for example any family connection with the prison.

What's in it for you

• Full training provided with regular ongoing support.
• You gain criminal justice sector experience and build your CV.
• You can make a real difference to the lives of Veterans who are in the justice system.

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment. This role qualifies for a criminal record check, which will be carried out at no cost for you. If you have a criminal record, it won't necessarily stop you becoming a volunteer. Please read our Volunteer Vetting Guidance for more information.

About Impetus

Impetus transforms the education and employment outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly those facing systemic barriers.

We do this by using our deep expertise and high calibre networks to give the best non-profits in these sectors the essential ingredients to have a real and lasting impact.

Through a powerful combination of long-term funding, direct capacity building support from our experienced team and our pro bono partners, alongside research and policy influencing to drive lasting systems change, we work towards a society where all young people can thrive in school, pass their exams and unlock the doors to sustained employment, for a fulfilling life. We are resolutely focused on outcomes and impact, driven by quality evidence.

You would be joining a team that is passionate, rigorous, determined, creative and warm. We care deeply for our colleagues, our charity partners and the young people we serve.

Governance

Impetus is a charitable company registered with the Charities Commission (Charity number 1152262) in 2013 under its Memorandum and Articles (governing document). The governing body of the charity is the Board of Trustees, led by our Chair. The Board sets strategy and reviews policy. Day-to-day responsibility is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, who works closely with the Chair. We have several committees and advisory groups made up of experts from a range of fields, providing in-depth review and oversight of our activities led, where possible, by Trustees.

Trustees are aware of and comply with the duty to act in the public benefit in accordance with section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 and members are listed on the administrative details page of our website. The governing body also meets as the sole corporate Trustee of The Youth Endowment Fund, a registered charitable trust.

Our Trustees provide strategic direction, hold the executive to account, and safeguard our mission and values. At Impetus, we recognise that a diverse Board strengthens our governance and better reflects the communities we serve, and we are now seeking two new Trustees. One with significant expertise in public affairs, government relations, or political communications, and one with extensive experience of the chairty sector. These roles will strengthen our ability to invest with stronger insight, as well as to shape policy and secure the systems level change needed to give every young person a fair chance to succeed.

About this role 

This role will complement the existing strengths of our Board, which includes leaders from business, civil society and philanthropy. We are seeking a candidate with deep charity sector experience who can bring insight and challenge to our work supporting frontline delivery organisations. The successful candidate will help ensure our strategic decisions remain grounded in the realities of the young people we serve and the charities that support them. They will play a key role in strengthening how we partner with our portfolio, and in championing systemic change across the education and employment landscape for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Commitment: 

​1 term (3 years) - with a possible second term extension

Time commitment: 

Part-time, flexible. Includes Board meetings (5 per year), occasional sub-committee meetings (up to 4 per year), an annual strategic Board away day, and attendance at in-person events.

Location: 

​Hybrid. While much work can be done remotely, we expect Trustees to attend in-person meetings in central London and at key events throughout the year.

Reports to: 

Chair of Trustees

Key responsibilities

Charity Sector Related:

• Bring insight from your experience in the charity sector to strengthen Board understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing frontline delivery organisations.
• Champion the needs and perspectives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring their lived experience remains central to our strategy and decisions.
• Support the Investment Committee with sector insight to inform funding and partnership decisions across our portfolio.
• Offer strategic guidance on how to deepen our support to charity partners and strengthen their capacity to deliver impactful outcomes at scale.
• Help shape our organisational approach to working in partnership with delivery organisations, ensuring it is rooted in trust, challenge and a shared commitment to excellence.

Role in Relation to the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF):

• Impetus is the legal entity accountable for the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF), which operates under the strategic direction of an independent Committee, chaired by an Impetus Trustee. While this trustee role does not sit on the YEF Committee, the Impetus Board retains overall governance responsibility for the Fund’s effective delivery, including safeguarding and financial oversight.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the public affairs landscape and the role of policy, funding, and government relationships in shaping large-scale initiatives like YEF. They will recognise the significance of YEF’s mission in preventing youth violence and the importance of influencing government decisions on future funding streams, including opportunities such as the Dormant Assets Fund. They will contribute to Board-level discussions with strategic insight and a clear grasp of their non-executive responsibilities.

Core Trustee Responsibilities:

• Attend quarterly Board meetings and occasional sub-committee or strategy sessions.
• Provide oversight of organisational performance, risk, and compliance.
• Ensure the charity is governed effectively and in line with legal obligations.
• Support the CEO and leadership team with advice, challenge, and strategic insight.
• Review and understand core governance documents (e.g. Articles of Association, audited accounts).
• Complete the necessary documentation, such as declarations of interest and trustee eligibility.

Person specification

Essential skills and experience:

• Substantial experience in the UK charity sector, ideally with a focus on improving outcomes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• A deep understanding of the operational and strategic challenges faced by frontline delivery organisations, including funding, growth, and impact measurement.
• Experience working in or with youth-focused charities, with a clear commitment to addressing the systemic barriers young people face.
• Proven ability to bring charity sector insight to strategic decision-making, particularly in support of long-term organisational partnerships.
• Ability to bring constructive challenge and sound judgement to Board discussions, with diplomacy and clarity.
• Strong alignment with Impetus’ mission to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve their potential.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

At Impetus, we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more open, creative and gets better results.

We want our team at Impetus to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our team to be one where different experience, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, ages and genders. We particularly welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, whether through professional experience, cultural background, or personal journeys that include the challenges faced by the young people we serve. We value the diversity of thought and perspective lived experience can bring, while recognising that personal experience is not something we expect candidates to disclose or revisit.

Induction and Training

At Impetus, we’re committed to ensuring that every trustee feels informed, supported, and confident in their role from day one. Our structured induction process includes a comprehensive welcome pack, access to key organisational documents and strategy, one-to-one meetings with staff and fellow trustees, and the opportunity to observe our work in action. We ask new trustees to commit three to four hours over their first few months to fully engage in the induction process. We take this seriously because we know that strong, effective governance starts with clarity, connection, and a shared understanding of our mission to transform the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

How to apply

You will need to:

• Complete the online form (including the equal opportunities monitoring form).
• Upload a comprehensive CV and supporting statement. 

The supporting statement should be no more than two sides of A4 and should address the criteria in the person specification.

If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact recruitment.

The deadline for applications is August 22nd, 2025

Interviews

Interviews will take place in the end of August, or as applications come in, to suit both the availability of the applicants as well as members of the Impetus Leadership Team and Board.

Personal Data

Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.

Here at Youth4Youth, we have grown a strong, tight-knit community of individuals who are passionate about making a difference and improving the lives of young people across the UK. Our growing team of volunteers all contribute, significantly, to the impact that we have as a charity on our direct beneficiaries, regardless of the department that they work in of the level of time that they are able to commit. Our services primarily offer a peer-support network to young people right across the UK, allowing them to access a peer mentor who is of a similar age to them and somebody that they feel more comfortable speaking with.

If successful, you will be joining a growing team of diverse, but likeminded individuals, collaborating to increase the reach of the Charity and improve support provisions available to young people. All of our volunteers and employees are remote workers, but that doesn't stop us keeping in touch and maintaining a strong positive culture amongst our whole team. 

About the role

Our Peer Mentors are at the forefront of our Youth Services delivery, tackling head on the issues that young people are facing everyday. As a Peer Mentor, you will engage with young people who reach out to Youth4Youth for support, taking time to coach and guide them through the difficulties that they are facing. This exciting opportunity, targeted at individuals who are between the ages of 16 and 25, provides young people with the space to directly impact and transform the lives of young people, significantly improving their overall wellbeing.

Ideal candidates are those who are able to commit to regular volunteering activity of at least 2 hours per week (on average) and who are able to comfortably communicate via written e-mail and other remote chat functionalities.

Responsibilities:

Your core responsibilities as a Peer Mentor at Youth4Youth include:

• Building strong, professional relationships with young people seeking mentoring support.
• Demonstrating commitment to the charity by regular volunteer engagement to maintain ongoing communication with young people (which includes responding to young people within an agreed and reasonable time frame).
• Providing light support, advice and guidance to young people in relation to the troubles that they are facing, in line with the resources provided to you by the charity.
• Maintaining professional boundaries with young people and not seeking to offer support beyond your capability that may put a young person at risk.
• Maintaining regular contact with your Youth4Youth supervisor, with the expectation that you will meet at least once per month for a supervision session that involves reflective practice and a focus on your development as a mentor.
• Providing support as part of our Peer Mentor network to colleagues across the Charity who are also directly supporting young people.
• Maintaining compliance with all policies. Most importantly this means maintaining the right level of confidentiality around your conversations with young people and recognising your safeguarding responsibilities in raising concerns as they arise to keep young people safe.

Peer Mentors are also actively encouraged to get involved in fundraising, outreach and social media activities where they feel comfortable and able to.

Skills 

• Strong written communication skills, such as being able to effectively compose a written e-mail in response to a young person.
• Ability to build strong, professional relationships and maintain trust between yourself and a young person, such as through active listening and adapting to the individual needs of different young people.
• Ability to demonstrate empathy to others.
• Ability to work in a challenging environment and recognise when you may need support yourself.
• Proficient in the use of IT tools, such as Microsoft Outlook.

Our mission is to continue to grow towards becoming one of the best charities in the UK. Our aim is to do this by building a diverse team, rich with different backgrounds and perspectives. Therefore, even if you feel you only are a 75% match, we would still love to hear from you. Skills can be learned, but diversity cannot.

Skills development for you:

As a Peer Mentor at Youth4Youth, you will be required to take part and graduate our Youth Services Academy. This program requires an upfront commitment of 10 - 13 hours of training prior to taking on the role of communicating with young people. This investment in you not only equips you with the understanding of what it takes to be a successful peer mentor, and the skills that you will need, but also is an investment in you. This training will provide you with core soft skills that are transferrable to many opportunities, whether that's in everyday life for you, your education setting or your place of work. All Mentors graduating from the Youth Services Academy will be provided with an electronic certificate to demonstrate your successful completion of the program, which can be shared with potential employers.

Benefits of volunteering with Youth4Youth

We recognise that you will be joining us and giving your time as an 'in-kind' donation, but there must be benefits for you too. When joining our team, you will be open to the following benefits:

• Professional and personal development opportunities in a variety of skill areas through volunteering in real roles. This may be general development or tailored to your specific needs or ambitions
• Becoming a member of a strong network of likeminded individuals, spread across the UK, who you can connect with and collaborate with both within and outside of the Charity
• Access to bespoke discounts, specifically designed for non-profit workers and Youth4Youth volunteers
• Opportunities to truly shape the future of the Charity, having a direct influence over the impact that Youth4Youth has on its direct beneficiaries

The hiring process:

Unlike other roles at Youth4Youth, the hiring process has been simplified for peer mentors, recognising the demographic of individuals that we are seeking to fill these positions. To put you at ease, the hiring process includes:

• An initial application, stating your reasons for wishing to become a Peer Mentor
• A remote interview conducted via Microsoft Teams

Successful candidates at this stage will be invited into the final stage of the recruitment process which includes:

• Satisfactory references being received (these do not need to be employment references)
• A satisfactory DBS check being received
• Successful completion of the Youth Services Academy

"We are looking for 3 candidates to join our volunteer enhanced professional development programme and gain real world experience in your chosen field). While we only have 3 vacancies available through this programme, other options are available if your skills match our criteria".

QuilomboUK is looking for a PR & Marketing Assistant, who would love to join a growing organization. Quilombo UK works with the objective to promote different arts, sports, and cultures to encourage an intercultural understanding between different communities and societies; To promote cultural awareness in the community and educate, regardless of nationality or origin, about race diversity and mutual respect; To promote good health and wellbeing; and run a community organisation with a strong focus on individuals, the community and society.

This role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to; gain experience in marketing; develop their skills and management experience; or just simply ‘give something back to their community’. The role provides you flexibility and autonomy at work. Where necessary specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

As a PR & Marketing Assistant at Quilombo UK, you will play a vital role in providing general marketing support while actively engaging in various marketing tasks to contribute to the overall success of our initiatives. This position offers opportunities for personal and professional development within the different units of Marketing, including Social Media, Images, Video, and Website. Your responsibilities will encompass a wide range of tasks, from data collection and report compilation to active participation in campaign organization and development. You will also be actively contributing to real-life marketing projects and playing a key role in planning, developing, and implementing effective marketing strategies. This role requires a proactive and creative individual who will promote our organization through various channels, manage social media presence, contribute to innovative marketing programs, and engage in comprehensive market research.

This role is perfect for an enthusiastic and creative individual who is eager to gain hands-on experience in various aspects of marketing, from strategic planning to social media management.

Main tasks:

• Working on real life marketing projects

• Planning, developing and implementing marketing strategies.

• Promote the organisation through Social Media channels , and through maintaining and updating information about the organisation. 

• Managing the organisation’s social media pages by posting updates and responding to comments and messages

• Submitting ideas for marketing programmes/campaigns designed to enhance and grow the company’s brand

• Organising marketing campaigns

• Creating, organising and delivering presentations 

• Conducting market research and analysing participants’ reports, questionnaires and surveys. 

• Using social media and website analytics to find out the effectiveness of ongoing campaigns and understand the way users interact with the site and social media posts. 

• Contribute to staff meetings, and other internal meetings with views and suggestions.

• Analyze information to provide actionable insights and recommendations to the Directors

• Receive and interpret briefings from the Directors, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of organizational objectives

• Develop and deliver clear and concise communication to internal and external stakeholders

• Translate briefings into actionable outcomes, coordinating with various teams and individuals

·

Training and support available:

• Social media

• Canvas

Skills:

Essential

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Attention to detail

• Flexibility and willingness to learn new skills

• Problem-solving, planning and creative-thinking skills

• Time management and prioritisation abilities

• Tactical understanding of all primary social media platforms

• Knowledge and understanding of online and offline marketing tactics

• Good Teamworking skills

• Strong organisational skills

• Numerical skills, which includes analysing and compiling spreadsheets

• Social Media skills.

• Office based skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Adheres to the organisation’s key objectives 

• Delivering quality work in a timely manner

• Self-driven

• Ability to multi-task and adhere to deadlines

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate. 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.

• Good Knowledge of market research techniques and database

• Previous experience working in an office environment, dealing with administrative tasks or using a product database.

When needed:

Willing to volunteer at least 12 hours a week, for a duration of 16 weeks as part of a Personal Development Program (PDP).

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.

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system  
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.  

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbally.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.

Do you love Bollywood dance? Would you like to inspire others to find their rhythm and get moving? If so, we have the perfect role for you! Through dance you will be helping others to boost their mood, releases endorphins and get active whilst socialising! Dance and movement have many positive benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing and allows us to express ourselves and let loose!
We are recruiting for a volunteer to facilitate a group for women to come together and have fun each week!

About Our Service... Hestia supports survivors of domestic abuse in London and the Southeast.

Our team provide support in 31 refuges across 11 London Boroughs. Last year Hestia supported 4,000 people to recover from the trauma of domestic abuse.

Anyone can be affected by domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, race, or identity. Domestic abuse is not always physical violence, and it can take many forms including emotional, sexual abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour.

1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men are affected by domestic abuse.

What you will be doing

• Coordinate and set up a weekly dance class
• Inspire and motivate individuals to participate in the sessions and take a role in planning/designing upcoming sessions
• Create a safe space for individuals to express themselves
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback and report any concerns to the staff team
• Support with beginner, first stage, gentle Bollywood dancing, using basic dance moves

The skills you need

• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach
• Experience in teaching dance classes desirable but not essential

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.

Disclaimer

Hestia is proud to be a Disability Confident employer. Should you require our role pack in an alternative format or wish to discuss any reasonable adjustments you may need for your interview, please contact hestia. As part of the process of volunteering, all applicants will need to complete a DBS and references. If you have any convictions/cautions, this does not mean that you cannot apply for any of our roles, however we do require a DBS for all positions. We ensure that all positive disclosures on DBS records are discussed with our volunteers and fairly assessed. Schedule 9 (1a) of the Equality Act 2010 applies to this position – (Only Female applicants please)