Community services volunteers volunteer roles in plaistow, greater london

Public Programme Volunteers are a big part of making sure our diverse range of events go off without a hitch. They’re creative, enthusiastic, and great with people. They’re also keen to get stuck in and learn more about how public programmes in the heritage sector are put together and delivered.

The museum offers a range of public programming throughout the year but particularly in the summer (Wednesday to Sunday), and during Holiday periods (Monday to Sunday): February Half Term, Easter Holidays, May Half Term and October Half Term. We are looking for volunteers who are available during these periods to support with a range of activities.

How you will help

• Providing a friendly greeting for all visitors.
• Supporting the set up and take down of workshops, activities, and events
• Facilitating activities such as: Tower building in the Splash Zone, Bubble discos, crafts, Water Filtration Experiments, and more!
• Supporting visitors way-finding and access through the museum
• Working collaboratively with the wider LMWS volunteer team

Time Commitment

Volunteers can book a full day, or a half-day shift. Shifts are flexible and you can choose the number of days you work. As stated above, we particularly needs support during our Holiday periods. Full training will be provided.

London Museum of Water and Steam

The London Museum of Water and Steam tells the story of London’s water supply, the site, its people and the amazing pumping engines that helped to make London the city it is today.

Today the museum is at the heart of the community, working in partnership with community groups and welcoming many residents.

Unfold 

Unfold is led by the people it serves and gets them where they want to be. For 35 years, Unfold has been providing support to vulnerable families who are at risk of social exclusion, offering mentoring to women with children and young people in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and the neighbouring boroughs. We’re a bold, agile and growing organization, with a friendly, energetic and welcoming team.  As an established local charity (previously known as Westminster Befriend a Family), we’re powered by volunteers who support young people and families to identify and achieve goals that matter to them.

Your role 

The purpose of your role is to assist Unfold’s volunteer applicants in a smooth and timely onboarding experience.  The role will provide you with an opportunity to gain or further develop administrative, organisational, data processing and communication skills in a welcoming and supportive environment, whilst gaining an understanding of the charity business and development.

What will you be doing? 

On a weekly basis you will be supported to carry out the following:

• Send next step emails following mentoring training.
• Request, track and confirm receipt of references.
• Create volunteer profiles on our online training platform.
• Send DBS application invites and see DBS applications through to completion 
• Communicate updates with the Volunteer Coordinator and share any challenges or concerns regarding the onboarding process.
• Work in line with GDPR guidelines.
• Any other duties as reasonably required.

Training  

• You will be trained by the Volunteer Coordinator and supported throughout your role in Unfold’s systems and processes.
• You are welcome to attend our mentoring training, giving you the opportunity to further understand the needs and lives of the communities your role will help us to serve.

About you 

This is a great opportunity to gain experience working with a charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of families and young people in Westminster. 

You will be an individual who: 

• Has good organisational and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Is confident with or willing to learn the use of Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook). 
• Is willing to develop skills in the use of our CRM system.
• Is committed to working as a team to achieve Unfold's aims. 

This role may particularly appeal to you if you are studying or interested in Psychology, Sociology or learning more about the charity sector. Previous Office Volunteers have undertaken studies on Unfold’s service user trends as part of their Master's degree dissertation, which we would welcome should you like to initiate a similar project, however, this is absolutely not a requirement for the role!

The Commitment

Minimum 6 hours weekly, Monday to Friday, including Tuesdays or Wednesdays at Unfold’s Office in Victoria. 

Our vision is to enable people in Kew to remain independent for as long as possible.  Our volunteers offer driving, companionship, shopping, and light gardening. We do not provide intensive support or specialised help.We work closely with individuals and organisations to support people in Kew who have difficulty getting out and about, or who would appreciate a little regular company, by providing access to reliable, neighbourly help.

KNA has a committee of Trustees, including a Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer.  It is administered by a part-time salaried Director (24hrs/wk), Companionship Manager (16hrs/wk), Operations Manager (20 hours/wk) and a Communications & Marketing Assistant(3hrs/wk)  from a small office in St Luke’s House, Sandycombe Road, Kew TW9.

KNA is funded via legacies and donations, Richmond Parish Lands Charity (RPLC) as a Regularly Funded Organisation, Richmond Council's Community Independent Living Service (CILS) and by donations and fundraising events.

KNA’s current activities are:

• the provision of lifts by volunteer drivers in their own cars to those needing transport to medical appointments (e.g., GP or hospital) and to the Avenue Club in Kew

• providing volunteer companionship to isolated residents by regular visits in their homes for a chat or to play games such as chess, phone calls, accompanying them for local walks and to local cafes, cinema, theatre, cricket, etc

• assisting those in need of help with shopping and some light gardening;

• providing moments of joy to celebrate client birthdays with a card each year and a gift in milestone years

• an annual tea party for clients and thank you party for KNA's Volunteers.

Statistics

KNA has some 230 clients, and has around 50 active volunteer drivers and 30 companionship volunteers.  KNA carries out 3000- 3,500 driving, shopping, prescription pick up, gardening and companionship visits and jobs per year by KNA volunteers. 

KNA had income of £61,536 in its last reported financial year (to August 2023) and expenditure of £72,117.  It had assets of £130,926 at that date.

Purpose: 

KNA’s Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing the organisation’s objectives in accordance with its constitution, legal and regulatory guidelines.

Key Skills

We welcome applications from individuals with an interest in helping those needing support in our community to maintain their independence,  and are in particular looking for those with experience in:-

• Treasurer 

• Healthcare

• Older people

• Marketing & Communication

• Individual Giving and Legacies

• Experience or contacts in the voluntary sector (in Richmond), and in relevant parts of Richmond Council

Commitment

• We are looking for trustees who are prepared to do more than simply attend committee meetings (four evening meetings per year,) and our AGM

• The term of office for each Trustee is an initial two years, with annual re-election up to a maximum of six;

• Trustees receive no remuneration for their trustee duties; we can reimburse reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the course of carrying out duties in line with our Volunteer Expenses Policy. 

Trustee Responsibilities

• Oversee the charity’s mission statement and review the four part time members of staff performance in achieving it;

• Review and approve the charity’s financial condition and goals;

• Annually review and approve the charity’s budget;

• Approve major policies;

• Ensure management succession is properly provided;

• Ensure organisational strength and staffing are equal to the requirements of the long-range goals;

• Approve appropriate salaries, terms and conditions of service for staff;

• Put forward names of prospective trustees and fill vacancies as needed;

• Provide candid and constructive criticism and advice;

• Approve major actions of the organisation, such as expenditure on all items over authorised limits and changes in activities and services;

• Appoint independent auditors subject to approval by members;

• Review compliance with relevant laws and policies affecting the organisation

Enabling KNA's over 140 volunteers continue to make a practical difference to Kew, TW9's local community  by providing thorough trustee management.  Feeling good about providing a small amount of time that ensures KNA's legacy of the last 45 years is sustainable for future generations of people who need the kind of support a good neighbour would provide. 

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.

Background to the role:

Keep Active is a volunteer-delivered project at The Creighton Centre, which aims to provide support to older people (60+) who have had a fall, stroke or other illness.  We work in partnership with the NHS Community Rehabilitation Service across Hammersmith & Fulham. As a Keep Active Volunteer you would visit an older person (the average age is 84) once a week for up to nine weeks to help them with improving mobility indoors with exercises, or outdoors with walks in their community. This project aims to empower people to get back to independence, access community once more and reduce risks of future falls and hospital re-admittance.

Availability/commitment:

· To live in or near Hammersmith and Fulham, or travel regularly through

· To be able to spare 1-2 hours a week, preferably during working hours

Role of the Keep Active Volunteer:

· To attend an initial one-off training session [with Volunteer Coordinator and therapists from NHS rehabilitation teams].

· To visit an older person’s home once a week for up to 9 weeks to supervise and motivate them to continue practicing their exercise and walking goals, as prescribed by NHS rehabilitation teams.

· Support might include:

- A walk around their local community possibly going to the park or visiting shops.

- Encouraging them to complete a prescribed gentle exercise program.

- Keeping an older and sometimes isolated person company.

- Visiting someone in their homes to help them reach their exercise goals.

NB: Please note that this is a volunteer role and you will not be expected to provide any physical support. This is a motivational role only.

We will provide:

· Induction training and NHS Community Rehabilitation led training (weekday training).

· Regular contact and support from the project staff.

· Occasional social events for volunteers

· Occasional training opportunities for volunteers

· A reference after 3-6 months of volunteering with us

· An enhanced DBS check

· Reimbursement of travel expenses incurred during your volunteering

Skills needed:

· Good listening and communication skills and a good level of spoken English.

· Empathy and a kind and patience approach.

· Enthusiasm and commitment.

· A friendly personality.

· The desire to make a positive difference to someone’s health and wellbeing

· Ability to cope with clients who are unwell.

· A positive attitude towards empowering and improving the lives of older people

· An understanding of and commitment to our policies (including: Confidentiality, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities)

Accountable to:

Keep Active Coordinator

Brave Core Counselling is a values-driven counselling service offering inclusive, trauma-informed support for individuals navigating life's challenges. We are a small, heart-centred organisation committed to promoting emotional wellbeing and mental health awareness.

We are currently seeking a passionate and proactive Volunteer Director of Fundraising to help secure essential funding through grant writing and creative fundraising strategies. This role is key to helping us sustain and expand our therapeutic services.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify suitable grant opportunities, trust funds, and community funding streams.

• Write compelling, values-aligned funding proposals and grant applications.

• Develop and implement a fundraising strategy aligned with Brave Core’s mission and goals.

• Build relationships with potential funders, sponsors, and supporters.

• Explore and implement other fundraising avenues (e.g. crowdfunding campaigns, donor outreach).

• Keep accurate records of applications submitted and track outcomes.

• Stay informed about developments in the mental health charity funding landscape.

Requirements

• Experience in fundraising, bid writing, or grant applications is highly desirable, but not essential—we welcome motivated learners.

• Strong writing and research skills with attention to clarity, tone, and impact.

• Organised, self-motivated, and able to manage deadlines effectively.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, mission-driven team.

• Alignment with Brave Core’s values of compassion, inclusivity, and integrity.

• A genuine interest in mental health, counselling, or community-based support work.

Benefits

• Gain valuable experience in nonprofit fundraising and strategy.

• Be part of a supportive and purpose-led organisation.

• Contribute to making mental health support more accessible and sustainable.

• Receive mentorship and a reference for your contribution.

• Work remotely and flexibly.

Volunteer Sunday Admissions Assistant

You'll be multitasking throughout the day, with a mix of responsibilities including customer service, ticket sales, promoting Gift Aid donations, shop duties, guiding visitors and providing information about the Museum and the collection. If you enjoy a fast-paced environment and love engaging with people, this is the role for you. 

The Volunteer Admissions Assistant role is all about making a lasting impression and creating a memorable visitor experience. You’ll be:

• Welcoming and engaging with visitors, sharing information about the museum and its collection.
• Selling tickets and gift shop items, ensuring smooth transactions and great customer service.
• Collecting data for Gift Aid and marketing purposes, including how visitors found out about us.
• Creating positive experiences to encourage return visits and word-of-mouth recommendations.
• Helping visitors explore the Museum through interpretation, answering questions and distributing trails, accessibility and family activities.
• Maintaining the gift shop, including restocking, counting stock, and setting up attractive displays.
• Conducting online research and building contact lists to support marketing efforts.
• Promoting the Museum locally, raising awareness and encouraging more visitors to discover what we have to offer!

Who we’re looking for:

We’d like to extend an invitation to anyone, particularly members of the local community.  Full training will be provided, we are looking for anyone with:

• Great customer service skills – you will be friendly and confident about approaching visitors of all ages and backgrounds
• Great communication skills – you will be able to clearly explain information about the Museum and ticketing to visitors
• Good computer skills – with training, you will be able to use our ticketing system, email and Microsoft Office
• Good Sales Skills – you will be able to promote ticket sales and gift shop items as well as encouraging Gift Aid donations
• Multitasking skills – with various responsibilities such as selling tickets, guiding visitors, and managing the gift shop, you will be able to juggle tasks efficiently
• A good telephone manner
• Good team working skills

This role offers plenty of variety, and you'll play an important part in making every visitor's experience unforgettable.

Training and support:

All volunteers will first be invited for a trial shift.  We have an induction and training process, during which we give volunteers the information they need to enjoy their time with us. Training is mainly 'on the job', supported by an experienced volunteer as well as the manager on duty. Volunteers are given regular feedback and we remain open to suggestions on how we can improve the volunteer experience. The Admissions Assistant receives continued training and development throughout their time with us.

Availability:

We are looking for Sunday volunteers to support our reopening.  We are looking for volunteers who would ideally like to donate 2-4 shifts per month, as a 11am-2pm shift, a 2pm-5pm shift, or a full day, for a minimum of 3 months. Ideally you will be able to start immediately, although this is not essential. Travel expenses up to £5 will be paid, with up to an additional £5 for lunch expenses if you are on a full day shift.

Please note: Applicants from some overseas countries are required to have a relevant work permit or student visa to volunteer in the U.K. We’ll need to see this for our records before volunteering can commence.

Role Description:

The Safe Space is a local hub for anyone who feels they are nearing crisis point. We are here to listen to what you need and work with you to help. These might be strategies to help you cope in the moment, a range of activities that we provide free of charge, resources to take away or connect you with practical local services. As a part of this, we are looking for volunteers to offer support to individuals who may access our crisis drop-in services. This includes a variety of tasks, which include greeting individuals, offering a cup of tea and biscuits, general reception duties, supporting 1:1 session, completing administrative tasks and generally keeping clients engaged and safe on our premises.

We are looking for someone who

• Has lived experience of mental health/social crisis
• Preferably have had experience working with people who experience poor mental health
• Are comfortable with co-producing and facilitating peer led workshops where applicable if required.
• Are willing to actively participate with clients 1:1 and in group settings
• Are able to take on any ad hoc admin/support responsibilities within the Safe Space Team

Time commitment and expenses:

• Minimum 6 months commitment, offer I day per week during our opening hours of 2pm–10pm.  Please indicate your preferred volunteering day(s) plus preferred site (H&F, Ealing or Hounslow) on your application.
• We will provide volunteers with an induction, training, and ongoing mentoring to support them in the role 
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed where required.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering at Mind is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with a nationally recognised charity, and volunteering in Safe Space is an opportunity to experience and get involved in crisis support. We provide initial and ongoing training, as well as plenty of opportunities for progression within the organisation. You will also be a part of a supportive team with great awareness of wellbeing and the mental health sector.

Introduction

The Passage is establishing a new Special Events Fundraising Committee to support the Senior Events and Community Manager, with the primary goal of growing income from Special Events and attracting new supporters to The Passage.

Purpose of the Committee

• The purpose of the committee is to support The Passage’s Senior Events and Community Manager in delivering successful fundraising events that generate significant income and expand The Passage’s network of supporters. Specifically, the Committee will:
• Work collaboratively with the Senior Events and Community Manager to meet or exceed fundraising goals through special events.
• Source exclusive, money-can’t-buy auction items and experiences to enhance the appeal and revenue of live and silent auctions.
• Leverage personal and professional networks to sell tickets and tables for events like A Little Night Music and the Sports Quiz.
• Introduce new supporters to The Passage through event participation.
• Explore and implement creative ways to promote The Passage’s events to a wider audience, increasing awareness and attendance.
• Utilise personal and professional networks to identify potential corporate sponsors.
• Leverage connections to bring celebrities or high-profile individuals to the event to increase its visibility and appeal.
• Assist in innovation of the Special events portfolio.

Desired skills & expertise

• Sales and Business Development experience
• Marketing and Comms skills
• Knowledge of fundraising
• Networking and relationship building
• Creativity and innovation
• Entertaiment or sports industry connections
• Committed to the values of The Passage

How to apply

Please submit a short covering letter outlining your motivation and suitability for joining the committee and link to your LinkedIn / a very brief employment history to Martina Tamburrino​​​​, People Services & Volunteers Partner.

We are also able to arrange an informal discussion with Emma Noble, Director of Income Generation & Communications and Rachel Fenton, Senior Events & Community Manager.

Above all we are looking for inspiring and committed individuals who have a genuine desire to support people, and to help them to rebuild their lives.

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit a Support Volunteer for the Camden Group. As our local group Support Volunteer you’ll help people affected by MS find information about local and national services. That could be helping someone access local information about the care or benefits they need or giving them a hand with a grant application. See a video about one of our Support Volunteers here.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your listening and communication skills, as well as your knowledge of local services. Most importantly you’ll help people affected by MS to access the help they need. 

Time commitment

We estimate this role will need around 2 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you

You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the local area the group to carry out this role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2. Please apply online

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of the issues affecting blind and partially sighted people in relation to sport. You will give talks in person or virtually, sharing your own story to improve understanding of sight loss to sports clubs, sporting venues and facilities and community groups. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to improve accessibility and inclusivity, creating a sporting world without barriers.

What you’ll be doing
1. Talks to sports and physical activity providers to support and encourage them to consider the needs of blind and partially sighted people by sharing your story to audiences, for example, local leisure centres, sporting venues and sports clubs.
2. Delivering talks to raise awareness of existing sporting and physical activity opportunities for blind and partially sighted people.
3. Representing RNIB as an Ambassador for the Community Connection service.

What you’ll gain from the role
1. A chance to give something back in an area you are passionate about.
2. A chance to make a difference with a sense of achievement.
3. A chance to build a strong community of sports people with sight loss.
4. A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people, increasing your confidence and skills to talk to groups of people with impact, with an opportunity to develop your role into delivering independently over time.
5. Opportunity to explore different roles within our organisation including our internal recruitment vacancies

In return for donating your time we will support you with:
1. A rewarding role
2. A great Induction and Training, in particular training in public speaking and story telling will be given.
3. A supportive Manager
4. Regular catch-ups
5. Expenses
6. An opportunity to connect with other volunteers

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Month

Key requirements

• This role requires 1 reference.

Location

Region

• Scotland

Who this opportunity will suit

• This role is reserved for blind and partially sighted applicants

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• You’ll ideally have 1. Lived experience in playing, spectating, or delivering sport or physical activity sessions as a blind or partially sighted person. 2. Lived experience of issues affecting blind and partially sighted people in relation to sports and physical activity. 3. Be comfortable speaking to different audiences to share your sporting story, or a willingness to try with our support. 4. Have effective communication skills. 5. An outgoing friendly approach to meeting new people

Are you qualified to teach Yoga and passionate about promoting wellness? We are looking for dedicated volunteers to facilitate Chair Yoga sessions on Mondays at 7pm in our Tooting Recover Café. If you would like to promote relaxation and reduce others anxiety through mindful breathing and movement, we would like to hear from you!

about the service

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

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

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

What you will be doing

• Lead engaging chair yoga sessions for participants of mixed ages and abilities
• Assisting participants with the correct movements and breathing techniques
• Provide a supportive and welcoming environment, encouraging participation
• Provide guidance and support to help individuals to enhance their flexibility, strength and relaxation

The skills you need

• Qualified to teach Yoga
• Patience, empathy and a positive attitude

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.
• Good communication skills

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.

Amazing, giving, and inspiring are a few words we would use to describe our volunteers.

Our volunteers play an integral part in the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will really make a difference whilst gaining experience along the way, then join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.

About the role

We are looking for Volunteer Befrienders to support our Brent Mental Health service in the London Borough of Brent. 

As a Volunteer Befriender, you will be required to travel across Brent to meet with service users and carry out your role. Ideally, you will be able to commit a minimum of 2 hours per week to volunteering. 

You will be supported by Befriending Volunteer Coordinators who will provide regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role. You can read more about the benefits of volunteering on the full advert on our website.

About the service

Our Brent Mental Health service provides support to people aged 18 and above who live in the Borough of Brent, and who have a mental illness and are known to the local NHS trust, Central and North West London (CNWL).

The aim of the Befriending Service is to;

• Reduce social isolation of service users
• Increase the confidence of service users in accessing community resources independently
• Provide meaningful activities and peer support for service users 
• Help service users to live happier, healthier, independent lives
• Provide volunteering opportunities for people with mental health issues
• Reduce stigma and raise mental health awareness

What you will be doing as a Volunteer Befriender:

• Meeting with service users in locations and times which meet their needs (including evenings and weekends)
• Provide befriending support to a maximum of 2 service users at any one time
• Provide emotional support based on your own lived experience
• Support service users to access and build social and community networks and activities
• Act as a community connector to local services

What will make you a great fit for this role?

• You will have good communication skills
• You will be flexible in order to meet the needs of the service users

If you would like to express an interest in this opportunity, please complete an application as soon as possible, as the advert may close early if we receive a high level of interest.

Who are we?

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”    

It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.    

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion  

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.  

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation  

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.  

We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. 

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit a Support Volunteer for the Lambeth and Southwark Group. As our local group Support Volunteer you’ll help people affected by MS find information about local and national services. That could be helping someone access local information about the care or benefits they need or giving them a hand with a grant application. See a video about one of our Support Volunteers here.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your listening and communication skills, as well as your knowledge of local services. Most importantly you’ll help people affected by MS to access the help they need.

Time commitment

We estimate this role will need around 2 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you

You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the local area the group to carry out this role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2. Please apply online

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.