Community volunteer roles in wallington, surrey

Join our ever expanding team of therapists to deliver face to face counselling to anyone over the age of 18 years, in South West London.

You will become part of an organisation that is passionate about providing support for the local community, along with therapists from a diverse range of backgrounds.

We offer

• Free fortnightly supervision
• Appraisals and feedback for institutions
• Support from counselling and admin team
• Free training and CPD

We ask for therapists to:

• Have completed at least 100 hours of face to face, supervised clinical experience completed. Relevant work / life experience will be considered.
• Be qualified to Level 5 diploma level or be enrolled on the 2nd year of a BACP or UKCP accredited course.
• Be able to commit to three clients a week, for a minimum of 2 years.
• Attend personal therapy throughout their placement while a trainee.
• Attend fortnightly Richmond AID supervision.
• Hold membership of their relevant awarding body

As a Youth Support Officer, you will play a crucial role in supporting the development of young people in our community programmes. You will provide guidance, mentorship, and assistance to participants, helping them navigate through the Degrees of Opportunity (DOFO) framework, and encourage their personal growth, well-being, and skill development. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide one-on-one and group support to youth participants in the Degrees of Opportunity program. 

• Assist in the delivery of personal development, leadership, and skills-building workshops. 

• Foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment for all young people involved in the program. 

• Act as a mentor to guide youth participants in setting and achieving personal goals. 

• Monitor and assess youth progress, offering support and feedback as needed. 

• Provide emotional and social support, helping young people manage challenges in a positive manner. 

• Encourage active participation in group activities, team-building exercises, and community projects. 

• Promote well-being and positive mental health practices among youth participants. 

Skills & Qualifications 

• Previous experience working with young people in a support or mentoring role. 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Ability to work effectively in both individual and group settings. 

• Empathy and patience in supporting youth through challenges. 

• Experience with community programs or social services (desirable). 

• A passion for youth development and empowerment. 

• DBS check (desirable). 

Commitment 

• Minimum 15 hours per week, with flexible hours. 

Benefits 

• Gain valuable experience in youth development and support. 

• Develop skills in mentoring, coaching, and program facilitation. 

• Make a positive impact on the lives of young people in the community. 

• Access to professional development and training in youth support. 

• Work within a dynamic and inclusive team of like-minded individuals. 

Wimbledon Guild is recruiting a new Trustee to serve on our Finance Committee and our experienced and established Board. We are looking for people who have the professional skills and personal passion to help us deliver support services to adults in Merton with the ambition that no-one should face life’s challenges alone.​

About Wimbledon Guild

Wimbledon Guild is a community charity offering practical help and support so that people in Merton never have to face life’s challenges alone.

Whether someone is worried about money, they’re feeling low or overwhelmed, or they’re looking for new friends and activities locally, we’re always here.

Wimbledon Guild is more than just a place, we're a real community where everyone belongs.

We’ve supported our community for over 100 years and continue to grow our services in response to local needs and aspirations.

We are passionate about providing holistic services tackling issues such as social isolation, financial hardship, emotional  and mental health difficulties. We also have an extensive activity programme aimed at keeping older people active and healthy. We have earned a reputation for delivering excellent services and we collaborate closely with other local and national organisations to ensure that our approach is dynamic and relevant.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong professional background in finance to join a well-established and effective Board, and to contribute their experience to ensure that Wimbledon Guild achieves its goals. The Trustee will attend the Finance Committee and Board meetings, fulfilling all of the general duties of an active trustee. These include helping to develop strategy, providing oversight, and promoting the highest standards of corporate governance.

About You

We are looking for someone with the following qualities:

- A clear and confident communicator who has experience working at a senior level.

- An ability to work with complex financial information and identify its strategic significance.

- A strong professional background in finance, audit, banking or related professions in the private, public or voluntary sector

- A willingness to be a committed Board member, and to contribute actively to a skilled and experienced Board.

- A commitment to Wimbledon Guild’s objectives and to the Merton community.

- An understanding of and commitment to our  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies

To apply please read the Finance Trustee recruitment pack.

Closing date for applications - Monday 2nd June at 9am.

Interviews will be scheduled for end of June.

Are you passionate about the power of the arts to transform lives and do you have experience in one of the following: the arts, therapeutic arts, management, governance, EDI, the charity sector, developing partnerships, fundraising or safeguarding?

Talitha Arts is seeking volunteers to join the organisation as Trustees. We currently have seven Trustees, with backgrounds encompassing human resources, finance, creative arts, coaching, leadership and small charity management. We are seeking trustees who would be interested in one or more of the following roles: Chair, Secretary, Equity Diversity and Inclusion, Fundraising and/or Safeguarding.

Our Trustees meet formally four times a year; twice in person in London, Bethnal Green, and twice by video-conference. This is a volunteer position, and all reasonable expenses, including accessibility needs, travel and childcare will be reimbursed.

Who are We?

Talitha Arts is creative arts charity that delivers therapeutic arts workshops that benefit the mental health and wellbeing of those who have experienced trauma (through trafficking, living with dementia, domestic and sexual abuse, homelessness) and/or are living with mental health problems, addiction or disability. We are a small team comprising our Artistic Director (Executive), Fundraiser, and Therapeutic Arts Programme Manager.

Our Mission

We aim to use the power of the therapeutic arts to enable transformation in those in need of mental health support.

Our Vision

To empower all individuals and communities by providing excellent and bespoke therapeutic arts workshops that promote better mental health and well-being, enabling people to reach their full potential.

Equal Opportunities

At Talitha Arts we are committed to creating and supporting an inclusive environment and to celebrate diversity and the value of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage applications from all backgrounds - we are particularly interested in welcoming global majority candidates, those with disabilities and LGBTQI+ candidates.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our organisation's core values and the work we do.

Please apply with a CV and cover letter by the 20th May at 6pm.

Duties

• To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.

• To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.

• To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects (i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are).

• To contribute actively to the board of directors' role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.

• To safeguard the good name and ethos of the organisation.

• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

• To ensure the financial stability of the organisation and to assist with fundraising, where necessary.

• To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds.

• To appoint the executive director and monitor their performance.

• In addition to the above statutory duties, each director should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of directors reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, and other issues in which the director has special expertise.

Responsibilities

•  Trustees must have a good understanding of and be sympathetic with the aims and objects of the charity and act in accordance with the governing document at all times.

•  Trustees must act and make decisions in the best interests of the charity, present and future beneficiaries.

•  Where professional assistance is required for the Trustees to be able to make the most appropriate decision affecting the charity, that assistance should be sought and considered carefully.

•  Trustees must not receive any financial or non-financial benefit that is not explicitly authorised by the governing document. Trustees should not exert any influence to garner any preferential treatment for themselves or their family.

 •  Trustees are jointly and severally liable for their decisions; therefore decisions should be taken together and communicated to staff, stakeholders and funders in a unified manner.

•  Trustees are accountable to stakeholders for their actions and as such decision-making and governance issues should be as transparent as possible, except for when confidentiality is required.

•  Trustees should be prepared to spend an appropriate amount of time reading papers and preparing for board meetings, which will be held on a quarterly basis. A minimum attendance of 75% meetings is required of Trustees to ensure that best practice in governance is reached and maintained.

•  Should a Trustee feel that they require further guidance or training in their role, they have a duty to inform the charity secretary and actively develop aspects for new training on an individual or group basis.

•  Any information of a confidential nature must remain so outside the confines of the Trustee meeting.

•  Trustees should familiarise themselves with the ‘Nolan Principles’, and act in accordance with them.

Person Specification

Each Talitha Trustee will have:

•  a passion for supporting survivors of trauma and people who are vulnerable (including trafficking, domestic violence and abuse, people recovering from addiction, refugees and asylum seekers, and people living with dementia)

•  excellent interpersonal and team-working skills

•   a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

• strategic vision

•  good, independent judgment

•  an ability to think creatively

•  a willingness to speak their mind

•  an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of directorship

•  sympathetic to the Christian faith and Christian ethos of the organisation

•  demonstrable commitment to Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life (see ‘Code of Conduct – Citizens UK’ document); selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Our Story

Talitha Arts was founded by actor, Amanda Root. It began as a small volunteer organisation, primarily offering mental health support by facilitating arts workshops for International Justice Mission in India and working with professionals in aftercare homes for girls rescued from trafficking and violent abuse.

Over the years, our work has expanded to respond to the needs of U.K. organisations working directly with those who have experienced trauma, abuse, violence, homelessness; ex-offenders, refugees, children, and those who are living with dementia.

Every year as part of our mandate, we train new practitioners in the Talitha Approach to deliver our workshops. Our approach is 'person-centred', meaning it is tailored to the individuals we serve. Our practitioners are both professional creative artists and registered therapists who are passionate about the Talitha Mission.

​At Talitha, we aim to change the world one life at a time by providing mental health support through the power of the arts. 

​We do this by delivering programmes of workshops that support creative expression, foster community, and empower through music, movement, drama and the visual arts.

Be the difference on your doorstep.
Compassionate Neighbours are trained volunteers offering friendship, support and listening ear to people living in their local community, sometimes with serious, long-term or terminal illness who often struggle with loneliness.

By popping round for a cup of tea or a friendly chat once a week you can make a world of difference. You will be a good listener, kind and have a genuine interest in other people.

As a Compassionate Neighbour Volunteer you’ll not only gain new skills, confidence, and social networks; you’ll be making a difference in your local community.

Full training and support is provided. Training for our next intake will be held at the Hospice on the following dates:
Wednesday 21 & Friday 23 May 2025, 9.30am – 3.30pm

If you are unable to attend those, we have scheduled training later on:
Saturdays 21 & 28 June 2025, 9.30am – 3.30pm

Could You Help a Young Refugee Find Their Path?

Are you passionate about supporting young refugees and asylum seekers as they begin their journey into the UK workforce? Become a Volunteer Mentor with Breadwinners!

What Does a Volunteer Mentor Do?

As a volunteer mentor, you'll be paired with a young person in one of our two core programmes:

• Risers Programme (2 months): For young asylum seekers aged 16-24 who are awaiting refugee status.
• Breadwinners Programme (6 months): For refugees with the right to work in the UK, helping them gain vital skills and experience.

Most mentors will work with our Risers, as this program is more fast-paced, but opportunities exist to mentor our Breadwinners too.

Your role? Help your mentee gain hands-on work experience at one of our weekend market stalls and lead weekly 1:1 mentoring sessions. These sessions are designed to develop employability skills, explore future goals, and foster social connections. Many of our mentors build lasting relationships with their mentees even after the program ends.

Time Commitment:

• Market Shifts: 2 hours per weekend (Saturday or Sunday).
• 1:1 Mentoring: 1 hour per week, in person or online, to support career development.
• Ongoing Support: Stay in touch via text or calls during the week to help with logistics and provide encouragement.

What Our Graduates Say:

“Having a mentor helped me feel more confident. I could ask questions, felt motivated, and learned new things. It was nice to have conversations about my future and how to succeed.”
— Sura, Risers Graduate

Who Are We Looking For?

You don’t need special qualifications to be a mentor—just a good understanding of working in the UK, strong communication skills, and a passion for helping young people succeed. If you’re ready to make a real difference and become part of a fun, supportive community, this role is for you!

Feeling Inspired?
Apply today and join us in helping young refugees build brighter futures!

We recruit every January, April, July, October. 

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital funds for our work and act as incredible advocates for the rights of children both in the UK and around the world.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. 

Volunteering in the shop

Mary's Living & Giving for Save the Children is unique - a vibrant result of the generous gifts of local individuals and companies being turned around by the skills and passions of volunteer teams, to create a destination retail experience. We hold a prime position on the picturesque Church Street and from our little pink shop we raise lifesaving funds for Save The Children’s work both in the U.K. and abroad. As well as raising awareness on sustainable fashion and fashion climate activism, we’re a hub of excitement and passion!

Our Stoke Newington Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied.

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick.

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children. 

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related). 

How to apply

Express your interest on email via the apply button. 

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. 

Job description

"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".

Quilombo UK is looking for Legal 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 as a whole.

Quilombo UK is looking to recruit a Legal Assistant who helps organization in various legal matters.

This role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to; gain experience in the Third Sector; develop their skills and management experience; or just simply 'give something back to their community'. The role provides you flexibility and autonomy at work. This will further help you to develop your professional development programme (PDP). Where necessary specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

Main Responsibilities

• We are looking for an experienced lawyer to assist the organisation in overlooking projects, ensuring they are compliant with relevant and up to date legislation and regulations.
• The legal assistant will be responsible for making sure all contracts, legislations and documents are treated within correct legal standards. They are to make sure that all activities are being performed in line with contracts and the law.
• The Legal Assistant will work closely with the HR department in overlooking the volunteer forms, legislations and documents. They should also assist the different departments within the organisation(Marketing, Funding, HR, Finance) in upholding the legal requirements needed to run the tasks that they do.
• Provide written reports as and when required. To undertake additional duties as required for the role.

General tasks

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

Essential

• Well-organized, proactive and able to deliver tasks efficiently.
• Excellent researching skills
• Reading and report writing skills
• You will need to be an experienced lawyer or have a good legal understanding.
• You will be respectful of the confidentiality of the organisation.
• You will need to help deliver work that adheres to the key objectives of the organisation.
• Able to speak confidently with a variety of stakeholders.
• Good time-management & communication skills.
• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments
• Strong team player
• Ability to work independently and ask for clarification when needed.

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.
• Can work without much supervision

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK runs over a period of 16 weeks, is UNPAID and requires a minimum of 12 hours commitment per week across Monday to Friday.

Upon successful application, our HR team will contact you to arrange an interview. Following a successful interview, we'll initiate the onboarding process by sending you the necessary documents. Once your onboarding and identification documents are received and verified, you'll be invited to a 6-hour HR and System Induction. Subsequently, you'll meet with your Head of Department or Assistant Manager for your First Day.

Job Type: Volunteer

Benefits:

• Work from home

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Legal Secretary: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: Remote

Perinatal Support Volunteers provide one-to-one support to parents during pregnancy and up to nine months after the birth. These parents either have mental health issues or are at risk of developing them.

Perinatal Support Volunteers visit these families once a week (usually weekdays during working hours) for 2-3 hours, providing emotional support and practical help in the family’s home or local community. Support is aimed at empowering parents and building resilience beyond the support period.

The type of support Perinatal Support Volunteers provide to parents may include:

• An empathetic and non-judgemental listening ear
• Support to prepare for parenthood
• Support to build confidence in parenting skills
• Support to develop a positive relationship with their infant
• Support to establish daily and weekly routines
• Support to take time for self-care
• Support to manage the things that are causing stress
• Support to access relevant services
• Support to access local green spaces
• Support to make connections with other parents

No special qualifications are necessary to become a Perinatal Support Volunteer, but Home-Start volunteers are usually either parents or grandparents themselves, or people with experience of young children and family life. We particularly welcome volunteers with lived experience of perinatal mental health challenges.

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

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

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

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

Role activities:

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

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

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

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

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

• To report safeguarding concerns immediately.

• To follow relevant policies and procedures. 

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

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

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

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

• Assist the mentee to celebrate their achievements.

• Support the mentee to meet identified goals.

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

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

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

Skills/behaviours/knowledge required:

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

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

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

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

• Professional but relatable with strong communication skills. 

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

• Basic IT skills. 

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

Criteria: 

• Over 21. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Unify Giving is an innovative charitable technology platform that connects donors directly with verified individuals in need. Our mobile app enables anyone to donate directly to beneficiariesm ensuring 100% of donations reach recipients while preserving their dignity and choice. We partner with established charities who verify legitimate need.

Following our successful Newport pilot, we're expanding across the UK to help more individuals experiencing hidden homelessness and other forms of vulnerability.

Role Overview

As a Charity Liaison Officer volunteer, you'll be at the heart of our mission to bridge the gap between donors and those in need. This purpose-driven role focuses on establishing and nurturing partnerships with charitable organisations across the UK, enabling more vulnerable individuals to receive direct support through our platform.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference while gaining valuable experience in the charity tech sector. You'll represent Unify Giving to potential charity partners, help onboard new beneficiaries, and ensure our existing partners are up-to-date with platform developments that can enhance their work.

Key Responsibilities

• Relationship Building: Develop and maintain strong relationships with charity partners who can verify and support potential beneficiaries.
• Partnership Outreach: Identify and approach suitable charitable organisations working with homeless individuals and other vulnerable populations.
• Onboarding Support: Guide charity partners through the process of bringing verified beneficiaries onto the Unify Giving platform.
• Training & Education: Provide training to charity staff on how to use the Unify Giving platform effectively.
• Impact Communication: Gather and share success stories (while maintaining privacy) to demonstrate the effectiveness of our direct giving model.
• Platform Ambassador: Keep charity partners informed about new features and improvements to the Unify Giving platform.
• Feedback Collection: Gather insights from charity partners to help us continuously improve our service.

What We're Looking For

• Passion for addressing homelessness and supporting vulnerable individuals
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to explain technology in accessible, non-technical terms
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently
• Experience in the charity sector, social work, or community engagement (desirable but not essential)
• Understanding of homelessness issues and challenges in the UK (desirable)
• Reliable access to transportation for partner visits when needed
• Comfortable using digital platforms and mobile applications

Time Commitment

We're looking for volunteers who can commit to approximately 5-10 hours per week, with flexibility around your schedule. This can include:

• Virtual meetings with potential and existing charity partners
• Occasional in-person visits to charities in your region (dependent on distance/ travel expenses covered)
• Regular check-ins with the Unify Giving team

What You'll Gain

• Make a direct impact on addressing homelessness and supporting vulnerable individuals
• Develop professional skills in partnership building, communication, and the charity tech sector
• Gain insight into innovative solutions to social problems
• Be part of a passionate, mission-driven team
• Receive training and support from Unify Giving
• Opportunity to build your professional network across the charity sector
• Letter of recommendation upon successful completion of a 3-month volunteer period

Locations

We're particularly seeking volunteers in the following areas:

• London
• Newport
• Manchester
• Bristol
• Brighton & Hove
• Edinburgh
• Cardiff
• Other major UK cities (please specify your location when applying)

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from those with lived experience of homelessness or other forms of social exclusion.

Unify Giving connects those who want to help with those who need support, ensuring direct impact while preserving dignity and choice.

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Summary

The Sussex Area of the Ramblers has two Countryside Officers, one for East Sussex and one for West Sussex. The primary activity in the role is to act on behalf of members where a reported planning development is likely to have an adverse impact on the walking environment in the Sussex countryside.

Description

The Ramblers, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2025, is the only charity dedicated to removing barriers so everyone can enjoy walking in green spaces, and to improving Britain’s most popular and least-known walking places. We’re committed to campaigning to keep our countryside open to all and to fighting for the things that matter most to walkers. We lead the way, and the walks, for a vibrant community united by the joys of walking, helping everyone get more out of their walks. 

The role of East Sussex Area Countryside Officer involves reviewing planning applications published by Local Authorities and lodging objections on behalf of Sussex Ramblers if an application is likely to have an adverse impact on the Sussex countryside and the places where people walk. Objections may be expressed in writing through a response to the planning process, but could also involve site visits and on occasions attendance at public hearings or meetings with representatives of Local Authorities or with other stakeholders such as Parish Councils and environmental and wildlife organisations.

The role holder will work closely with other Ramblers volunteers such as the East Sussex Area Footpath Officer, the West Sussex Area Countryside Officer and Local Footpath Wardens in East Sussex and where necessary will seek advice and guidance from Ramblers' Central Office. Other main contacts include the Local Authorities, Parish/Town Councils, the South Downs National Park Authority and the East Sussex Local Access Forum. The role holder will be a member of the Area leadership team (Area Council). You will need to be a member of the Ramblers.

Educators and facilitators wanted to help East London Waterworks Park deliver its environmental learning goals.

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 educator and facilitator volunteers to participate in our community-led working group, who are collaborating with schools, universities and youth groups that help the design of the park. 

Examples of projects are: 

• collaborating on nature walk activities for schools
• supporting university students interviewing teachers
• creating lesson plans to co-design the park. 

Schools, universities and youth groups we've collaborated with include:

• Buxton School, Leytonstone
• Kingsmead School, Enfield 
• UCL 
• Royal College of Art
• University of Westminster 
• Project Zero
• Voyage Youth 
• Loyola University Chicago 
• Vanderbilt University Nashville. 

We're looking for people to lead on these projects and facilitate the direction of the learning working group.

The Learning Circle currently meets monthly on a Wednesday evening at 8pm for an hour on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

You should be an experienced teacher, educational consultant, forest school leader, training and development specialist, learning designer, facilitator or any other kind of role creating learning projects, programmes and experiences. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role. 

Your support will help young people and learners improve their environmental knowledge of design and research as well as contributing to our community-owned park. This will in turn provide a sense of stewardship over the land once the park is created and student's ideas have been built into the park. 

Creating learning projects with educational institutions will also help our charity with the strategy to buy the land through showing the value of our environmental education programme before we create the park. 

The role of the Independent member is to provide the Safety Committee and the Movement with knowledge and experience for making key decisions. The role is pro bono, but reasonable expense will be paid in accordance with The Scout Association (TSA)’s Expenses Policy. The appointed candidate should expect to spend the equivalent of a day per quarter on The Scout Association’s work after the induction phase - this is based on preparation for and attendance at the scheduled Safety Committee meetings (four in each year, with the intention that two are held online and two face to face).

The Safety Committee reports directly to the Board of Trustees which has overall legal responsibility for TSA. The committee is Chaired by an external appointee who is a Trustee of the board. The safety committee comprises independent members with Health & Safety expertise across a range of sectors and members from the movement. The purpose of the committee is to hold to account those with responsibility for delivery of Health & Safety across Scouting.

Main responsibilities

The remit of the Committee is to support the Board of Trustees to fulfil its responsibilities in relation to Safety by: 

1. providing vision and direction for consideration and endorsement by the Board (as required), by identifying and contributing to the development of safety policies, procedures and guidance; 

2. ensuring that youth members, adult volunteers, parents and staff are engaged in contributing to the development of safety policies; 

3. developing and overseeing a performance framework to ensure that safety policies, procedures and practice are monitored to provide assurance to the Board (relating to members, staff and service users) and use this management information to inform and drive improvements; monitoring the local and national implementation of safety policies and procedures to ensure practice is effective and consistently applied; 

4. ensuring that appropriate connections are made with other areas of the Association’s work that may have an impact on safety (for example Adult Training by using incident data to highlight areas of success or concern); 

5. ensuring that members receive appropriate support and communication to aid understanding of their responsibilities to enable Safe Scouting; 

6. leading the process for Fatal Accident and/or Near Miss inquiries from commissioning through to completion; 

7. reviewing and overseeing actions from inquiry reports (this should be in conjunction with the respective staff functions, particularly where there is specific policy, procedure and/or practice changes that need to be recommended for consideration by the Strategy and Delivery Committee and/or Board (as required); 

8. identifying possible areas of development for the Association’s safety activities, taking into account relevant national agendas and learning from reviews whether this be external or internal to the Association. 

The person

Past or present membership of The Scout Association would be an advantage but is not an essential requirement.

What is essential is a commitment to the vision and values of Scouting and the ability to challenge the Association’s policies and practices positively.

We welcome applications from individuals with experience in a wide range of sectors, not just those from traditionally high-hazard industries. We are committed to diversity and actively seeking applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, in particular, Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities.

Skills

Primary Technical Skills (Core)

1. Competence: Experience of application of safety principles, regulations, and best practices within hazardous environments.

2. Legal Compliance: Clear understanding of legal obligations related to health and safety in the workplace and how this translates across to Scouting to assure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

3. Application of Health and Safety Regulations: Experience of applying health and safety regulations and standards to ensure compliance. This should be combined with an understanding and ability to identify relevant health and safety regulations and standards applicable to the volunteering sector.

4. Risk Assessment and Audit and Assurance: Experience of identifying potential hazards, assessment, developing strategies to mitigate risk and audit and assurance in a work environment, including risk assessment methodologies and strategies.

Analytical Skills (Essential)

5. Analytical Skills: Capacity to analyse data related to safety performance, incident reports, and trends to identify areas for improvement.

6. Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to identify safety issues, evaluate alternative solutions, and implement effective corrective actions.

7. Continuous Learning and Professional Development: Commitment to staying updated on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in safety management.

Enabling Skills (Desirable)

8. Management Skills: Experience of leading safety initiatives and managing safety teams to influence organisational safety culture to prioritise safety – demonstrating an understanding of business operations and aligning safety practices with organisational goals.

9. Communication and Influencing Skills: Experience of effectively conveying safety protocols, policies, and procedures to employees to influence behaviour, management, and regulatory authorities, showing the ability to lead by example and inspire others to prioritise safety.

10.  Interpersonal Skills: Understands the need for building positive relationships with stakeholders, including volunteers and employees, management, regulatory agencies, and community members to improve safety culture.

Secondary Technical Skills (Desirable)

11.  Safety Training and Education: Experience of developing and or delivering effective safety training programmes to employees at all levels within an organization.

12.  Accident Investigation: Skill in investigating workplace accidents and incidents to determine root causes and prevent future occurrences.

13.  Emergency Preparedness and Response: Knowledge of emergency procedures and the ability to develop and implement emergency response plans.

Experience

• Experience of hazardous environments
• Experience of working in safety as a safety practitioner/holds a safety qualification
• Experience of leadership to achieve safety culture change within a complex organisation
• Expertise welcomed in mental health/wellbeing, human factors or occupational health
• Expertise welcomed in the application of strategic health protection principles (e.g. public health, food safety, and other health related safety issues)
• Experience from an activity-based sector (e.g. outdoor and adventurous activities) welcomed
• Experience of working or volunteering with charitable or youth organisations welcomed
• An understanding of governance structures and the role of boards and their sub-committees would be an advantage with experience of providing strategic advice and guidance at this level