Community group volunteer volunteer roles in weybridge, surrey

About Croydon Community Energy (CCE)

Croydon Community Energy is the only community energy organisation in Croydon, combining grassroots climate action with real-world renewable power projects. Since launching in 2021, we’ve built a passionate volunteer-led team and are in the process of our first major initiative: installing rooftop solar across three community sites. In early 2025, we successfully raised over £120,000 in community investment in just eight weeks — a huge vote of confidence in our mission to cut carbon, lower energy bills, and empower local people. As a Community Benefit Society, everything we do is rooted in social impact, from delivering free energy advice to creating hands-on opportunities for residents to lead the energy transition.

Job Purpose

We are seeking an organised and detail-oriented individual to join our community energy group as a Secretary. As the Secretary, you will play a vital role in supporting the Chairperson and Board of Directors, as well as ensuring the smooth administration and financial compliance of the organisation. This voluntary position offers an opportunity to contribute to the success of our community energy initiatives and make a meaningful impact on sustainable development.

The below are example responsibilities you might be undertaking. 

Responsibilities

Annual Duties

• Help organise the annual general meeting (AGM) in accordance with the society’s rules. It is usual for the AGM to take place within six months of the society’s year end in order for members to receive the accounts, and for them to be filed within seven months of the society’s financial year end. Usual AGM business includes:

  • Election of governing body members (usually directors) or the announcement of results if the election is held beforehand.

  • The receipt of balance sheets, accounts, the auditor’s report (if any) and consideration of any reports from the governing body.

  • The setting of any member subscription.

• Arrange for society accounts to be audited (if applicable)

• Send annual return and accounts to the FCA within seven months of society’s year end

• Display the society’s latest balance sheet

Continual Duties

• Keep a Register of Members at the registered office

• Keep minutes to record the proceedings of all meetings

• Ensure that the number of members does not fall below three

• If membership falls below three the registrar has the power to cancel the society’s registration.

• Provide each member with a free copy of the rules

• Give proper notice of all general meetings to all members and to the auditor

• Prepare and distribute meeting materials, reports, and other relevant documentation to board members in a timely manner.

• Assist in the coordination and execution of special events, workshops, and community engagement activities.

• Handle incoming and outgoing correspondence, including emails, letters, and phone calls, and ensure timely responses and appropriate follow-up actions.

• Draft and edit official communications, letters, and announcements on behalf of the organisation and the Chairperson.

• Maintain the organisation's contact database, keeping it up to date and accurate.

• Assist in managing the organisation's general email account and redirect inquiries to the appropriate individuals or teams.

Qualifications

Even if you don’t feel you meet 100% of the requirements, please don’t be deterred from applying - we would still love to hear why you’re the right person for the role!

Essential

• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proficiency in drafting professional correspondence and meeting minutes.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with board members, volunteers, and stakeholders.

• Reliable and responsible, with a commitment to fulfilling duties and responsibilities in a timely and efficient manner.

• Passion for sustainable development and renewable energy initiatives within the community.

Desirable

• Familiarity with financial administration processes and an understanding of financial regulations and compliance.

• Proficient in using office software and tools, such as word processing, spreadsheet, and email management applications.

• Previous experience in a secretary or administrative role.

Join our community energy group as a voluntary Secretary and contribute to the success of our organisation in promoting renewable energy and sustainable development. Together, we can create a greener and more resilient future for our community.

Terms and Conditions

Length of contract: 12 months (until next AGM)

Salary: Voluntary, expenses covered inline with our expenses policy

Hours/days: Approximately 10-15 hours per month

Place of work: Remote, with occasional face-to-face meetings in Croydon

Upon taking the position, you will be required to sign a Director’s agreement including a commitment to attend monthly Board meetings and monthly wider volunteer meetings (giving reasonable notice if you cannot attend), and the agreement to log time spent on CCE activities.

At St John Ambulance, we are looking to develop our volunteering offer and become an even more integral part of our communities through delivering community first aid and education within East Surrey - Covering Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge.

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference, supporting them to become safe and more resilient by sharing your first aid skills and knowledge. As a Community First Aider, you’ll deliver first aid to those in need through local events, as well as provide education to the public so that the ripple effect of First Aid grows.

Through supporting the growth of community partnerships, you will bring people along to our cause, growing our membership and fundraising base and spreading the message that First Aid Saves Lives. 

Through volunteering as a Community First Aider, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

We will make sure you will have access to a proper induction to volunteering with SJA and the training you need for the role you take on. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

The network meets weekly on Monday evenings from 19:30.

Group interviews on the 19th May @ St John Ambulance, Kingsfield Business Park, Philanthropic Road, Redhill, RH1 4DP

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:
Training for role - Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th July

Closing date for these opportunities is: 18/05/2025

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

About CARAS:

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community. 

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives. 

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support. 

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests. 

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society. 

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes. 

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do. 

About the CARAS ESOL Team:

Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to adults at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling people to attend college and access other services in the future.

About the Role:

CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our face-to-face adult ESOL classes in Tooting. Volunteers in this role are required to commit to at least one 2-hour session every Wednesday during these times: 

• Mondays ESOL 9:30 to 13:30

• Tuesday 9:30 to 11:30

• Tuesday One-to-one employability and language learning support 15:00 to 17:00 

Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes; 

• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources;

• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session; 

• Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class; 

• Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project; 

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential; 

• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements; 

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements: 

Essential: 

• To be 18 years or older; 

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (travel expenses can be reimbursed); 

• An interest in education and English language teaching; 

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds; 

• To be reliable and punctual; 

• Excellent communication skills, especially with people who are new to English; 

• The ability to volunteer on Mondays or Wednesdays during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of three months; 

• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum-seeker or refugee status 

• *Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; 

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role. 

 *DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK. 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• Meet new members of your local community; 

• Learn about different cultures; 

• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum; 

• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 

• Develop your skills and competencies; 

• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

Join our amazing team and make a real difference to people living with sight loss. Help create a welcoming and safe environment for people to share their experiences, ask questions and support each other and connect with a local community in a group setting via Facebook.

In this role you will be: 

• Managing group membership – authorising Requests to Join. 

• Creating a warm and welcoming environment. 

• Supporting group conversations. 

• Working with a Volunteer Moderator Team to create engaging content for the Group. 

• Ensuring House Rules are followed and content is appropriate. 

What you’ll gain from the role: 

• An opportunity to give something back. 

• A chance to build a strong community. 

• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.

•  A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people 

• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. 

In return for donating your time we will provide: 

• A rewarding experience. 

• A great Induction and training. 

• A supportive manager. 

• Regular updates and catchups. 

• Expenses. 

• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers. 

***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***

Age UK Notts are seeking individuals who would like to be considered as a volunteer for our Companion Service.

Volunteers will be supporting people remotely, in their own homes and in the community within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and ideally, we ask all applicants to provide a minimum of 1 hour volunteering a week.

The companion service volunteer can choose to be:

• A companion telephone/video caller                                                               

• A companion within the person’s home

• A companion outside the person’s home

• Or a combination of all three.

Examples of the type of support the service offers include:

• Telephone / video calls for an older person/s on a regular basis at a mutually agreed time for a friendly chat. 

• Supporting an older person/s hobbies and interests or simply chatting with them in their own home on a regular basis.

• Supporting with digital access & building confidence skills & motivation to access the opportunities of the internet.

• Supporting the person outside of their home e.g., by accompanying them on a walk, to the shops, to a café, garden centre, theatre or cinema or other social activities / community groups. 

• Where appropriate, supporting the older person to access other services through information and signposting or referring to the Companion Service Coordinator for support.

We are looking for the following skills/interests:

• Individuals with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of older people who are committed to volunteering on a regular basis.

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

• Ability to travel for visits in the local community either by car or public transport for those volunteers who choose to participate in this type of activity.

• Digital literacy for those volunteers who choose to participate in this type of activity.

Please do note, however, that at the moment we are not looking for Volunteer Telephone Companions.

We are looking for volunteers with good daytime availability in specific areas of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Please contact the volunteering team for further information on where specifically in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Our Mission

Brain tumours do not discriminate, and they do not respect boundaries. They can strike anyone, at any age. And they strike quickly. The Marketing team at The Brain Tumour Charity want to capture more high quality photos of our fundraisers and supporters. Not only do our photos capture the brain tumour community and their amazing efforts to help find cures but they also help create more awareness and engagement of our cause.

How can you help?

As a Volunteer Photographer, you will be present at big fundraising events or carrying out photoshoots with our supporters. This role requires that you are quick to capture those blink-and-you-miss-it moments! Other requirements include:

• Potentially walking a large amount of steps at some events if you are able (The Twilight Walk in London, for example)
• Being prepared for different weather conditions
• Taking portraits and group shots of fundraisers when asked by them
• Sending photos (unedited or edited) via wetransfer or another sharing platform soon after the event has ended

What impact will you have?

Your photos will capture the atmosphere and excitement of big events as well as the emotions that come with fundraisers. Capturing and displaying our community is a key concern for The Charity and your photos make an impact in reaching our goals. Your photos could also be featured on our website, social media and external news outlets with full credit given.

We’re looking for...

Individuals with technical experience in photography, whether that is buddying hobbyists or professionals looking to volunteer their time. You will also need:

• To have your own photography equipment
• An ability to direct people to get the right shot
• An ability to work autonomously

The Brain Tumour Charity is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals belonging to minority ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ communities, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented communities. 

What can you gain from volunteering? 

• You’ll have the opportunity to utilise your existing skills, while developing and learning new ones to take forward into the future 
• You'll get to meets members of the community and experience the fun atmosphere of fundraising events
• The satisfaction of knowing that you’re making a valuable contribution to the lives of those affected by brain tumours.

Time commitment

This is a flexible, ad-hoc role and there is no minimum amount of events you need to cover in this role. Photographer shifts at events usually last no longer than 6 hours. We have opportunities to volunteer all across the UK, but we would work with you to ensure that we only offer opportunities within a reasonable travelling distance and therefore the number of opportunities available will be dependent on your location.

Practical considerations

You will receive a full induction to The Brain Tumour Charity and any specific training for the role, as well as ongoing direction from one of the team, who will be your key contact. We carry out reference checks for all individuals who will be volunteering with us on a regular basis. Volunteers will be required to complete some internal data protection and disclosure documentation before commencing the role. Volunteers must be over 18.  We encourage volunteers to claim for any reasonable expenses that are incurred in the course of their volunteering with the Charity.

Need support with the application process?

We are committed to being inclusive and recognise that there may be a number of ways we could support you through the application process.  If there’s any adjustments we can make to help you fully engage in the process, don’t hesitate to let us know by getting in touch with the Volunteering Team. 

Our groups are entirely volunteer run and led. They are in the front line of engagement with local people, with an extensive programme of walks, talks, day trips and indoor meetings for the group and members of the public. We're looking for people who are passionate about connecting people with nature and helping in the smooth running of the group. By becoming part of the group, you'll have the chance to use your existing skills (and learn new ones) to build the group and make it an ever more important aspect of local RSPB connections with people. The roles available will depend on the group and can include:

• Publicity and / or social media
• Website editor
• Helping with organising and running events

Being a community group, you'll also have the opportunity to make new friends, have fun, and know you are enthusing people about the joys of nature. All you need is a willingness and ability to help with one or more of the varied activities of our RSPB groups, and able to give a minimum of a few hours each month. We have groups across the UK (see our map to find your nearest group). Feel free to contact your local group direct or go along to an event or two to find out more. If you can't find a group near you and would like to help set one up, please click on "Ask a question".

Notes: This opportunity is not based on a reserve and may not include practical conservation work. It is also not suitable for work experience. However it can usually be customised to your skills, experience and requirements depending on your situation.

We are committed to better reflecting society within our workforce and are keen to encourage more applications from people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and younger people.

We are seeking a Trustee with experience and understanding around women’s rehabilitation and recovery needs, as we expand our work to support women in recovery.

About Hope and Vision Communities

Hope and Vision Communities provides supported, move-on accommodation in the Reading area for individuals who have successfully completed residential rehabilitation.

The charity was founded in 2020 by Tony Attwood, a former offender who broke free from the cycle of addiction, and the very judge who sentenced him, Peter Ross. Together, they recognized the urgent need for stable housing and a supportive community for men leaving addiction treatment. Having witnessed firsthand how many relapse at this critical stage, Tony developed a plan - one shaped by his own experiences and those of the men around him and who remain an integral part of the charity today.

What will you be doing?

As part of our three-year strategy, we are expanding our work to support women in recovery. We recognise that women’s support and accommodation requirements are different to those of men.

We are developing a response that reflects their unique experiences. We are in the early stages of planning this next phase of our journey and are seeking a Trustee to help bring this exciting vision to life.

We are seeking someone who can bring experience of women’s rehabilitation and recovery, or insight from the women’s sector more broadly. We value wisdom gained through both professional roles and lived experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to help us expand our work to provide vital support to women in recovery.

What are we looking for?

· Experience and understanding around women’s rehabilitation and recovery needs (e.g., addiction support, criminal justice system, mental health, trauma-informed care). This may have been acquired via professional roles or lived experience.

· Understanding of the unique challenges faced by women in recovery, particularly regarding domestic abuse, sexual violence, family relationships, motherhood / maternity and societal stigma.

· Understanding of the impact of trauma upon women, and a commitment to developing services that are trauma responsive.

· Passionate about championing the voices and needs of women in recovery, both within Hope and Vision and beyond.

· Commitment to co-production. A working understanding of how to embed it throughout all stages of service design and delivery.

· Commitment to Hope and Vision Communities’ mission and a passion for supporting people in recovery.

· Ability to provide strategic guidance and contribute to high-level decision-making.

· Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage constructively with other trustees and staff.

· Experience working in or with charities, particularly in governance or advisory roles.

Time Commitment

· Monthly Board Meetings (general catchup): 1-hour virtual meeting via Teams

· Quarterly Board Meetings (formal): 3-hour in-person meeting (remote attendance can be accommodated if needed)

· Annual Strategy Day: In-person meeting to discuss long-term planning and goals

· Occasional email or ad-hoc discussions to provide advice and insight as needed

For further details, please request a copy of the candidate pack.

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Volunteer Car Drivers to join our team based in Surrey. 

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in your community? Join us as a Patient Transport Volunteer Driver and become a vital part of our Patient Transport Service in your local area. Your commitment will ensure that vulnerable patients can access essential medical appointments on time with ease and comfort.

Our volunteer team is a diverse blend of individuals united by a shared desire to make a positive difference in their communities.

As a volunteer, you'll be the friendly face that patients rely on during their journey to appointments. Your role is simple yet profoundly impactful: providing safe and reliable transportation, while offering reassurance and support during a challenging time in their lives.

No prior experience is necessary - just bring your caring attitude, a 4-5 door car, and some spare time. Whether you're available from the crack of dawn or prefer flexible hours that fit around your schedule, every contribution counts.

By volunteering, you will experience the fulfilment of giving back to your community and supporting the NHS. Join our growing team of compassionate volunteers who are dedicated to enhancing patient care and making a real difference in people's lives.

What benefits can you expect?

·50p per mile with reimbursement for approved expenses

·The chance to make a tangible difference in your local community

·Be a part of our excellent EMED Volunteer Team

·Comprehensive induction, training, and ongoing support

·Opportunities to connect with new people

Other duties include:

·Drive patients to non-emergency appointments

·Assist individuals in accessing vital hospital services

·Coordinate with our dispatch teams for seamless operations

·Foster positive relationships within the community

·Enjoy the autonomy of volunteering independently while knowing you have the backing of a supportive team

What we're looking for:

·A valid driving licence with (no more than 6 penalty points)

·A friendly and empathetic demeanour

·Access to a 4 door (minimum) car

·Alignment with our organization's values

·Basic IT skills (like the use of smartphone)

Please note that this role will be subject to several regulatory pre-employment checks, and you will be asked to provide details of your full employment history should you be invited to an interview. Your HMRC record, available to download from the Government Gateway may help you in preparing this information when required.

Our Values 

Collaborative – we work as one team with a shared purpose to meet the needs of our patients, passengers, colleagues, customers, communities, and the planet.

Agile – We listen, learn and adapt to improve the business, each other, and ourselves.

Reliable – We do what we say we will do, we take responsibility and we behave with integrity.

Empowered – We are confident and committed to taking responsibility to deliver the highest quality service.

About Us

The exciting merger of ERS Medical and E-Zec Medical has enabled us to rebrand, therefore as a combined business we are now known as EMED Group.  We are the largest Patient Transport and Care Partner to the NHS with more than 3000 colleagues across 60 depots. Our ambition is to continue developing transport services that improve the health and wellbeing for people across our local communities by providing transport that supports patient care, community support, secure mental health and medical courier services.

EMED Group are committed to providing equal opportunities and we endeavour to provide an inclusive and safe working culture for all.

As a Parent support group volunteer at our monthly get together on a Wednesday morning , you’ll support parents of deafblind children of all ages in a group setting. A friendly face at the group, you’ll welcome and talk to people to help them feel comfortable, encourage conversation and make sure they’re offered refreshments. You’ll also help set up and tidy away at the end of the group.

There is also an opportunity to work with our Schools Liaison Officer to help contact and organise external speakers to attend the group.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for you to meet new friends, learn new skills, have fun and make a difference supporting your community.

Your involvement in this role will ensure parents of deafblind children are able to meet others in a similar situation, access the support and information they need and enjoy meaningful activities. You’ll be great for the role if:

You have good verbal communication and listening skills

You enjoy meeting new people and being part of a team

You are aware of or are willing to learn about deafblindness

You can demonstrate empathy and compassion

You are over the age of 18

Home-Start Croydon offers parents the support they need to help give their children the best start in life. As a Parent Champion Volunteer you will be engaging with families from your own community, providing peer to peer support and promoting services for children under 5 and their families. By connecting with other parents and carers, Parent Champions help communities thrive, breaking barriers and reducing isolation.

Key activities

• Engage with parents with children under 5 years old
• Build good knowledge of own community and links with local families
• Signpost parents to children’s centres and local organisations providing services for families
• Talk with parents in groups
• Facilitate parents to build peer to peer support groups
• Provide information on childcare options including the free early learning for two year olds
• Record accurate information manually
• Attend training and personal development activities
• Meet the Parent Champion Coordinator and other Parent Champions to share good practice

Person Specification

• Have experience of being a parent or carer
• Ability to talk and listen to other parents and understand their world
• Have a non-judgemental attitude
• Have an understanding of the difficulties parents face when looking for childcare
• Have a positive experience of using formal childcare and family services
• Have an understanding about confidentiality
• Have an awareness on the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults
• Have knowledge of and commitment to equal opportunities, fairness and diversity
• Be able to keep basic records as requested by Home-Start

Are you musical? Would you like to support others to express their emotions through music? Music plays a valuable role in mental wellbeing with research showing that it can boost your mood, self-confidence and reduce stress overall. Taking part in music-based activities increases our resilience and engages us in the here and now.

This role offers a wonderful opportunity to share your passion for music and make a positive impact on the well-being of our community in Kingston.

What you will be doing

• Lead engaging and interactive musical sessions aimed at fostering creativity, relaxation, and joy among our members who are struggling with their mental health
• To prepare music sessions, involving individuals in the planning process where possible
• Inspire and motivate individuals to develop their musical skills, assisting them in the creation of their projects and supporting them to brainstorm and use their own initiative
• Provide a supportive space for individuals to explore and enjoy music.
• Encourage individuals to continue independent activities

The skills you need

• Experience of Music either in a professional, educational, or personal level
• Able to collaborate with individuals to plan a music 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
• Ability to handle individuals with complex needs and work with a person-centred 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

This collections volunteer role involves managing all static collection tins within your local area including identifying opportunities to place a collection tin, emptying the tin and banking the money.

There is no minimum time commitment, but the role requires a level of regular commitment to ensure that tasks are completed.

Canine Partners is a registered charity that transforms the lives of people with physical disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs. Our amazing dogs bring a greater independence and quality of life to their partners, offering support, security, companionship, and practical help with everyday household tasks.

By volunteering at Canine Partners, you contribute to something incredibly special - ‘transforming the lives of people with physical disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs’

By volunteering you will:

• Be a valued member of our Charity
• Can work with dogs without lifelong commitment or costs associated with dog ownership
• Be able to meet like-minded people
• Gain practical experience in the field of canine care and welfare.

‘With out the continued hard work and support from our volunteers, we would not be able to provide our clients with our life changing dogs’

What we require from you

• Age 18 or over
• Access to your own transport with flexibility to visit different locations
• Polite, confident and personable manner
• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent record keeping skills

Support and Training

• Public Liability Insurance
• Payment of expenditure such as mileage to and from a talk.
• Volunteer clothing and ID badge
• Dedicated point of contact in the fundraising team
• Guidance on cash handling
• Income monitoring sheet provided
• Access to our volunteer portal with many resources for your use.
• Invitation to join our Official Canine Partners Community Facebook Group

Shout is the UK’s only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. When people text 'Shout' to 85258, they are connected to a Shout Volunteer for a text conversation. Our volunteers provide a safe space for people to share what's causing them distress, while showing warmth and compassion.

Tasks and Responsibilities

If your application is successful, you’ll be enrolled in a training group. New groups start every two weeks.

Shout Volunteers receive 25 hours of free training in communication, listening, managing and assessing risk, and problem solving. The training is self-paced and done online. You’ll learn how to bring people in distress to a place of calm and practice skills that will be useful to you throughout life.

As we are investing in you throughout your time with us, our hope is that you will complete the training in a timely manner and look at this as a longer term commitment. The experience you gain over time is valuable and our goal is to have volunteers commit to 200 hours on the platform, which can take up to two years to complete, as we ask you to take one 2-4 hour shift per week. 

Our Volunteer Training Support team is here to support you, answer any questions and provide feedback during training and throughout your time with Shout. You’ll be joining an incredibly supportive volunteer community and have access to the resources you need to do your role.

As a volunteer, you’ll be supporting people in distress, so it’s important we see the skills required to do that while you are in training. While most trainees complete the training and go on to volunteer, not everyone will pass the training. If this happens, there are other ways you can still support us.

Selection Criteria

A Shout Volunteer is kind and compassionate, a good listener, and has the ability to remain calm when supporting people in crisis. You will also:

• Understand the difference between being friendly and being a friend

• Be aware of your own mental health and wellbeing

• Be open-minded

• Be supportive

• Be reliable

• Be discreet and able to respect confidentiality at all times

• Be accepting and non-judgemental

• Be passionate about contributing some of your time to a cause such as Shout

• Adopt a growth mindset, and be willing to accept feedback

Requirements

• You must live in the United Kingdom or New Zealand while volunteering. 
• You must be over 18 years of age.
• You will need a reliable internet connection and a private place to take your shift.
• All of your volunteering must be done using a laptop or desktop computer and Google Chrome.

It’s worth spending time thinking about the nature of the role, and whether it’s right for you. We support all texters, regardless of race, religion, sexual identity or issue. You will need to be comfortable addressing topics frequently discussed with texters (suicide, self-harm, depression, etc.) without compromising your own mental health. 

Before you apply, please consider whether either of the following applies to you:

• Have you recently experienced grief, loss or change issue/s? For example; someone close to you has been ill or has died, you’ve lost your job, your relationship has ended.

• Is your current mental health and wellbeing in a place such that the stress and pressure of listening to the challenges of others would bring additional burden to you personally?

Benefits to Volunteers

The role is rewarding and can save lives. Shout Volunteers tell us they gain a sense of pride, satisfaction and purpose from taking conversations. They also tell us that their own wellbeing increases, they learn valuable skills and gain experience they can use at work and in their personal lives.

Volunteering can also be a great addition to your CV. You do not need to have any past experience in mental health to be a Shout Volunteer - we’ll provide you with all the training and support you need to do the role.

Application Process

You will need to create your account and fill in the application using a laptop or desktop computer and in a Google Chrome browser. This is a standard requirement for all of our systems at Shout, from the application through to the platform.

You should leave up to an hour to complete the form. As Shout is a text based service and we do not conduct in person interviews for our volunteer candidates what you write in your application and the strength of your references are how we get to know you. 

We appreciate when candidates take the time to write thoughtful, considered answers. We recommend you review your application with an eye toward things like spelling, grammar and punctuation. While some of our texters will occasionally reach out using more informal text speak, our volunteers respond in full sentences and double check their messages for accuracy before hitting send. 

Your application will be reviewed once we have received responses from both of your references. We ask for a personal reference and a professional reference. The personal reference can be a friend or colleague but the other must be someone who knows you professionally or has supervised you in some way. 

This could be a manager or supervisor from where you work or a teacher or educator from where you study. We recommend you choose references who are able to speak to your ability to fulfil the selection criteria outlined above.

We do not accept references from family members. This includes your partner or their relatives, your children, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents or godparents. 

Please allow up to a month for us to review your application and return a decision. 

If your application is approved, you can book your place on training. Training groups usually start every two weeks and spaces are available to book a couple of months ahead. While you are in training and before you are allowed on the platform we will carry out a background check.