Community companion volunteer volunteer roles in kensington and chelsea, greater london

***Please note that this is an opportunity based in Nottingham (shire) in the United Kingdom and we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

Department: Health and Wellbeing

Role Location: Supporting people in their own homes across the city and county.

Role Support: You will be supported by the Companion Service Team

What is the purpose of this role?

To provide personalised digital/IT support to older people

What impact does this role have?

Supports older people to gain or improve technical skills and to become digitally included. This inclusivity results in reduced loneliness and isolation and helps older people lead more healthy and independent lives.

What activities might you be involved in?

The purpose of this role is to provide personalised digital/IT support to older people to gain or improve technical skills and to become digitally included. This may include but is not limited to supporting with digital access & building confidence skills & motivation to access the opportunities of the internet.

What are we looking for?

· Individuals with an interest in the wellbeing of older people and who are committed to volunteering

· IT literate with good digital skills and who are confident using different Apple and Android devices (including smart phones and tablets, laptops, and smart speakers).

· Individuals who can work with learners with different levels of knowledge and skill and to be able to demonstrate empathy when needed.

· Excellent interpersonal skills.

· Commitment to complete our Volunteer Report Form accurately and regularly.

· Ability to travel to visits either by car or public transport.

When would you be needed to volunteer?

Volunteering will be on an ad hoc basis to meet the needs of the older person that you are supporting in line with your availability.

What training will you be given?

You will be given all the training you need to enable you to carry out your role which will include a thorough departmental induction.

What can you gain from this opportunity?

· The chance to make a difference to an older person’s life

· Ongoing support, ensuring your volunteering experience is a fulfilling and positive one

· The opportunity to learn new skills

· Experience to add to your CV

· The opportunity to meet new people and make new friends

· Reimbursement of travel expenses as defined in the Age UK Notts Volunteer Handbook

Additional Information

Please note an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring check) is required for this role which will be undertaken by the Charity at no cost to the volunteer, after being offered the role.

***Please note that this is an opportunity based in Nottingham (shire) in the United Kingdom and we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

Ever been told you that you're a good listener, or that your calm presence helps others feel at ease?

Marie Curie is looking for compassionate, everyday people to join our Companion Team within the surrounding areas of Huddersfield, Halifax or Bradford

What you’ll be part of:

• ​Visit a person weekly in their home and spend time with them and their family members
• Have a chat, a cuppa, or share some quiet time
• Listen to memories, share stories, or talk about everyday things
• Support carers or family members by giving them a short break

You’d be a great fit if you’re:

• Patient and good at listening
• Non-judgmental of others and friendly
• Emotionally steady in sensitive moments
• Able to commit to 3 hours p/week
• Comfortable using email and completing short visit reports

What we will provide you with:

• A deep sense of purpose and connection
• Ongoing support, training and guidance
• A welcoming volunteer community
• Recognition and appreciation for the time you give
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses each month

You must be ages 18 years or older to apply and be willing to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) applicaiton

Want to know more before applying? 

Whether you're curious about the role, have questions, or simply want to get a sense of what it's really like - feel free to reach out and connect with us. We're always happy to chat and give you an insider's view.

Would you like to support people in their time of need?

At our sanctuary (Finsbury Park, North London) for those in suicidal crisis, we offer a potentially transformative experience with a once-only 5 day (4-night) stay at our non-medical, family-style house. Through respite, time and space for reflection and compassionate and nurturing care, our Volunteer Befrienders and Lead Befrienders support an opportunity for the revival of hope and resilience.  

Volunteer Befrienders are key to Maytree and work alongside Lead Befrienders to provide an open and containing space for people who are feeling suicidal. 

Befriending is as it sounds: sitting alongside our guests as a friendly, compassionate and non-judgemental companion. Through active listening and human warmth our volunteers enable our guests to feel supported, explore their feelings in a confidential setting and discuss their options in their own way and in their own time. This face-to-face support is not therapy; it is about being calm and committed and not afraid of difficult subjects, including suicide.  

IAPWA (International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals) is a UK-registered animal welfare charity dedicated to creating a better future for animals in need. 

Since our first project based in Borneo in 2009, we have helped over 50,000 animals across the globe. We provide a lifeline to dogs and cats every year in need of veterinary care and support via humane dog and cat population projects. We also provide aid to companion animals, working donkeys, and endangered wildlife.

As a small charity, who has big plans, we can’t do it without the support of volunteers and fundraisers.

That’s where you come in! - Join Our Team and Make a Difference!

Are you passionate about animal welfare and looking for a rewarding way to contribute? Become a key part of our monthly online auctions and help raise vital funds for our cause!

As a Donation Support Officer, you'll play a crucial role in collecting items for our auctions, which take place in our Facebook group each month.

What You'll Do:

• Engage your network: Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues to gather preloved items for auction. You’ll help give things a second life while raising funds for animals in need!

• Connect with your community: Tap into local Freecycle groups, social media, and even your neighborhood to find exciting items to auction.

• Reach out to businesses: Approach local businesses for new, unused donations. It could be products, services, or gift cards that can help boost the auction's success.

• Spread the word: Share the auctions within your network to encourage bidding and excitement around the cause.

Why Volunteer with Us?

• Make a real impact: Every item you help secure means more funds for our charity, which go toward animal care, rescue operations, and rehoming programs.

• Flexible commitment: You can volunteer from the comfort of your own home and set your own pace. We are looking for around 1-3hrs per week and while some tasks may be time sensitive the majority of the role will be flexible. 

• Support & Training: You’ll join a small friendly team and we will provide guidance to help you succeed in your role.

We’re looking for volunteers with a keen interest in dementia to join our team of Trustees, contributing their experience and skills to help support, shape and develop the charity.

Who we are

Arts for Dementia uses the power of the arts to inspire people living with dementia to get creative, connect, learn new skills and most importantly, have fun.Our free workshops aim to challenge and boost confidence and wellbeing through a variety of art forms from visual arts to drama, sculpture, dance and more.

For people living with dementia and those who support them day to day, these are opportunities to make friends in a safe and friendly setting, to be part of the local community, to stay active and to enjoy the fulfilment that comes from creative activities. Our current priority locations are the London boroughs of Southwark and Camden.Our in-person workshops are all in London, while online activities are open to people across the UK.

Our regular one-day training courses provide creative facilitators across the UK with the knowledge and skills they need to support dementia-friendly activities.

The role of a trustee

Our team of trustees plays a key role in setting the strategy – the overall direction – of the charity. There are four formal board meetings each year where, together with the Chief Executive, our trustees oversee the delivery of the strategy and financial management, consider operational plans and explore what support they can provide to enable the staff team in their work.

Often this support is connected to a trustee’s expertise in a particular field, for example marketing, fundraising, I.T. or legal, or the networks they have access to such as local community groups, potential donors or arts organisations. 

Specific areas of activity such as finance and fundraising are also supported by small sub-committees that bring appropriate staff and trustees together so that work can be progressed between the quarterly meetings. These are arranged at times to suit those involved. 

Currently quarterly meetings of all Trustees are held in person and online alternately. Online meetings are early evening, and in-person meetings are in central London during the day. They each last for two hours. If it helps new trustees to be fully involved, we are happy to explore different timings for future meetings. 

What difference could you make?

If you are reading this, it is likely you care about the lives of people living with and affected by dementia, and you may well have some personal experience. You can make a real difference to those and others affected by bringing your additional experience into the charity.  This might be from involvement in your community or your understanding of dementia within a minoritized ethnic group. It might be from your work, leisure activities or your profession.

The important thing is that your experience should broaden our knowledge, help us reach a wide range of people and ensure our charity is far-sighted and well run. 

What you could gain from being a Trustee

We know that dementia and its effects have no barriers, so our approach to recruiting new trustees aims to have no barriers and to be supportive and open to ideas.  You may have never considered yourself as a potential trustee but feel that you do have something you could offer to a charity like ours. If so, do please contact us. 

As a Trustee, you would be working with a friendly and approachable board that brings together a range of experience, which is enhanced by the skills of the staff team. The role also comes with responsibilities that incorporate legislation and good governance practice and this Charity Commission document explains these. 

All new Trustees will benefit from an induction programme that allows them to get to know the staff and other trustees, meet some of the beneficiaries, learn how the charity works and understand the formal responsibilities.  We would also enable you to develop your skills and confidence through access to training and information on Trustee responsibilities and skills.

There are many opportunities to broaden your own experience and develop your confidence in new skills within a supportive environment. 

We also ensure no Trustee is out of pocket due to their responsibilities, so all reasonable expenses (e.g. travel to board meetings) are reimbursed.