Community volunteer support worker jobs

About the role

The Side-by-Side project supports children in care and care leavers to have the same opportunities as those who have not experienced care.

For many young people, navigating the care system and especially the transition to leaving care can be complex, isolating, and overwhelming. Too often, care-experienced young people are expected to face adulthood before they are ready, without the safety nets of family, friends, and community networks that many of us take for granted.

The project provides a mentoring and befriending service, offering consistent, trusted relationships that help young people feel less alone, build confidence and life skills, and navigate key life changes as they move towards independence.

Side-by-Side supports young people with a range of needs, including those who may be at risk of exploitation, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, and young people living with identified mental health challenges. The project is guided by strong safeguarding practice, built on trust, and delivered through trauma-informed, person-centred approaches.

Working 18 hours per week, you will work directly with young people through engagement sessions, group activities and co-designed initiatives. You will also work alongside volunteers, supporting them to safely and effectively engage with young people. This role does not involve acting as a young person’s key worker or holding a caseload. Instead your focus is on enabling connections, strengthening community networks and creating opportunities for young people to thrive across Solihull.

Please note this is a fixed term contract position for 12 months.

About you

We are looking for a compassionate and motivated individual with strong local knowledge and a commitment to community-based support. You will be confident working directly with care-experienced young people, including those who may be at risk of exploitation, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, and young people living with identified mental health challenges.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Build community links: develop relationships with local venues, services, and partners to support young people and Side-by-Side activities.
• Support volunteers: recruit, train, and guide volunteers, helping them signpost young people to relevant services.
• Engage young people: deliver activities, gather feedback, and support co-designed initiatives to ensure young people shape the services they receive.
• Live our values: all work is guided by trust, reducing loneliness, providing practical and emotional support, and delivering person-centred approaches.

Employee benefits

We offer the following employee benefits:

• 26 days, increasing to 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
• Occupational sick pay (subject to completion of qualifying period)
• Enhanced pay for family friendly leave
• Free parking at some of our offices
• Employee assistance programme
• Group stakeholder pension scheme
• Access to BHSF health cash plan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Support and supervision from your line manager
• Learning and Development opportunities

How to apply

Please visit our website for the job description and to apply.

In your application, you will need to evidence, using specific examples, how your skills and experience meet the criteria laid out in the person specification, within the job description attached.

The interview date will be confirmed and are expected to take place in person in Solihull

Safeguarding and Compliance

NYAS operates robust safe procedures to ensure the protection of the children, young people and adults at risk we work with. To comply with NYAS’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, references and a Digital Risk Assessment.

In accordance with UK immigration law, NYAS is required to ensure that all prospective candidates have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Therefore, proof of eligibility to work in the UK will be required as part of the recruitment process.

We reserve the right to close the advert early should the right candidate be found before the closing date.

About NYAS

As an established leading rights-based charity, NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) is well positioned to ensure that children, young people, and adults across England and Wales are fully respected, represented, and supported in expressing their views and having their rights upheld.

We work with care-experienced children, young people, and adults who are often reliant on statutory services suffering the negative impact of the cuts in public expenditure. Our combination of social care and legal services places us in a unique position to ensure that they receive the services they need and that their voices are heard.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment which means NYAS welcomes applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic.

NYAS is proud to share that we are a Disability Confident Employer and we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.

Work with us to help change young lives.

Context

At Gaddum, we treat everyone as individuals. We really get to know those we help, understanding their world to offer a range of support that’s right for them. Our promise of tailored support is made possible by our breadth and depth of knowledge, through our unwavering commitment to the local people of Greater Manchester.

Our experience listening to generation after generation, for nearly 200 years, has taught us the importance of considering not just the individual but also the relationships around them. Our innovative approach means we can, not only build resilience, but identify further risks and offer preventive support now and in the future. At Gaddum, we believe that by supporting individuals, we ultimately help support entire communities.

Our aim is to empower and enhance the lives of people in Greater Manchester.

We currently work in four Greater Manchester authorities, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford and Stockport.

Job Summary

The role of the Outreach & Development Worker is to ensure carers of all ages and backgrounds are aware of their rights and know how to receive support from Gaddum and other services they need at the right time for them.

The job holder will provide outreach & support sessions, deliver groups and events for carers and other relevant partners across Salford. Creating exciting new opportunities for carers through networking and building partnerships.

Please note that while this vacancy is for a 28 hours per week position, we would welcome applications from candidates seeking fewer than 28 hours per week where this can be accommodated within service needs. The minimum hours we would consider are 17.5 hours (2.5 days) per week. 

Job Purpose

The role will focus on the outreach provision, being based in different locations across Salford including hospitals, community venues, mental health settings and others accessed by people with caring responsibilities. The role will include supporting the continued development of the service, assisting with the creation of resources and training. The role will also support our involvement offer; ensuring carers are at the forefront of service change and service delivery.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Day to day duties:

· Facilitate carers drop-ins in venues across Salford, including but not limited to hospital sites (both on wards and public areas), community venues (such as Gateways) and high footfall locations.

· Provide one-off, solution-focussed appointments to address the immediate needs of carers identified in the community or at the point of referral.

· Create networking opportunities throughout all wards of Salford to publicise the service and build/ maintain relevant partnerships.

· Complete Statutory Carers Assessments.

· To be able to travel to various locations in Salford, at times multiple locations per day – often carrying service promotional materials. Salford is a large city covering 37 sq. miles.

Weekly/ monthly duties:

· To work alongside student social workers on placement, providing mentoring, guidance, and shadowing opportunities as appropriate.

· Create and run exciting events and support groups for carers, organisations and stakeholders to attend.

· Create and deliver service presentations aimed at carers, to communicate the support and opportunities available from the service.

· Create and deliver service presentations aimed at community groups, educational bodies and organisations to raise awareness of how to identify and support carers, and to increase the visibility of the service.

· Develop ways to identify carers across Salford and let them know about support available to them and their needs.

· Invite Carers to be involved with the service and help us to coproduce/ codesign our service offer.

· Get to know Salford’s diverse communities and organisations, providing culturally appropriate information and support.

· Promote Carers Rights to carers, Salford’s communities and relevant organisations.

· Maintain a clear record of work completed by note taking and recording on our recording system.

· To meet regularly with line manager for supervision.

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check. 

The post-holder will be required to undertake other tasks as reasonably directed by Management and Senior Management Team, which will usually be commensurate with the skills and experience of the post-holder.

All staff are expected to work within all Gaddum policies and procedures.

The Baobab Centre is a non-residential therapeutic community supporting unaccompanied minors who have experienced human rights abuses and are seeking asylum, refugee status and settlement in the United Kingdom.

The role of a Therapeutic Community Caseworker at the Baobab Centre is to support unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee adolescents and young adults to access care, basic rights and entitlements and to support their social development and rehabilitation.This role involves working closely with the clinical key worker of each young person and with our wider multidisciplinary team. As a Caseworker you will aim to empower individuals to build stable, independent lives in the UK, including by supporting them to communicate their views, needs and experiences in decision-making processes, and supporting them to make challenges when necessary. Caseworkers assist young people to make effective choices about what happens in their lives and encourage them to speak up and build agency.

Baobab aims to be a non-residential therapeutic community with a holistic and integrated perspective.As a Caseworker, you will play a key role within our multidisciplinary team. We aim to be a thinking organisation and place a high value on shared thinking time and shared responsibilities. Our team work together with each other and with agencies and key individuals in young people’s lives, both within and outside of Baobab. A key aspect of the role is communicating with members of the clinical and admin staff team within the Baobab Centre and with other workers in the network around each young person including social workers, teachers, foster carers, lawyers, hospital consultants, housing and benefits workers. etc. You will strive to develop relationships across networks and advocate access to rights and entitlements for our community members. 

It is critical that as a Caseworker: 

• you have an insight to the backgrounds and experiences of both the internal and external factors impacting on the lives of unaccompanied young people attending our centre and an understanding of the broader context in our society as it impacts on young asylum seekers (including invisibility, marginalisation, discrimination and the fact of waiting in uncertainty for a long time.

• You have an insight in how trauma and the many human rights violations and persecution that most members of our community have experienced impact on all aspects of a young person’s internal and external world. 

• You have an insight in how current immigration rules and social care system procedures act as barriers to rehabilitation, including by restricting access to education, adequate benefits, housing and healthcare provision.

The Counselling Outreach Worker is key to SEL Mind's exciting new counselling service for Black residents of Southwark, delivered as part of the wider Southwark Wellbeing Hub. This part-time role will shape the Wellbeing Hub's provision to Black communities, expanding equitable access to culturally-appropriate support.

As Outreach Worker, you will work closely in partnership with community organisations to ensure relevant, de-colonial approaches, including maintaining a delivery partnership with Black Psychotherapy. The main working site is a community centre in SE5, and the community outreach work involves regular travel across the borough. You will play a vital role in building community trust, ensuring that we are creating routes into the service and continually seeking and implementing feedback.

We are seeking a community-based worker who is passionate about improving Black people's access to early mental health support. Relationships and partnership working is vital, so you should be able to work independently but collaboratively, to be proactive and show initiative.

The role will involve:

• Maintaining a live engagement strategy and actively reaching out with physical presence to grassroots organisations, faith groups, community centres, cultural associations, and spaces for people experiencing difficult situations including e.g. food banks and advice/advocacy organisations
• Contributing to the development and continuous improvement of the service, bringing recommendations to support the SWH's inclusivity and best practice

This role involves providing culturally specific support to Black clients. Applicants must be able to demonstrate lived experience of, and deep cultural understanding within, Black communities, and the ability to build trust with Black service users.

Successful applicants will be expected to undergo an Enhanced Level Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Closing date: Sunday 13th September (11:59pm)

Likely interview date: Week beginning 28th September 

We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications.

About Us

SEL Mind supports people with mental health problems and dementia in the boroughs of Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. We are proud of our diverse workforce and know that our organisation is made stronger by the variety of backgrounds, experience, and ideas within it. We promote a culture of inclusion and representation, and are working hard to build a workforce that even better reflects the communities we support.

SEL Mind is somewhere that you can be your authentic self without fear of discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, neurodivergence, gender, age, lived experience of mental health problems or anything else that’s part of who you are.

Read more about staff benefits and why staff love working here on our website.

We're looking for 2 hardworking and resilient Support Worker's to join our Learning Disabilities service located in Hertfordshire. No experience or personal care required, just the right values.

£28,808.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x Pensionable Salary (T&Cs apply)

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Oakview is a supported living project for 10 customers with mild to moderate learning disabilities. It provides a 24/7 support service, with an emphasis on choice and control for customers, enabling them to achieve greater independence, improved quality of life and integration into the wider community.

What you'll do:

The service offers specialist support to homeless men across a range of areas including re-offending behaviour, mental health issues, physical health needs and substance misuse. Edward Alsop Court implements and promotes the Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) model.

We also have external support from Turning Point and CGL to support our customers with their substance misuse.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.

• If a need arises, deliver all aspects of support to enable a customer to develop independent
• living skills as appropriate to the individual needs of the customer. In some services, this
• will include delivering personal and physical care as appropriate
• Support customers to undertake all domestic tasks wherever possible, including practical
• assistance where they have not yet developed the skills, to ensure customers enjoy a high
• quality of accommodation
• Participate in the support planning and risk management, as facilitated by the lead Support
• Worker
• Carry out security duties to ensure the safety of the customers and premises

About you:

• Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
• Prefers working as part of a group or team
• Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure
• their judgement

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent or experience within charity/social care sector

Desirable:

• Experience in working with people with Learning Disabilities and Autism

About us:

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

• We focus on Excellence and innovation.
• We are Caring and Compassionate.
• We are Inclusive and Trusted.
• We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Job description

This is an exciting time to join Spires and play an integral part in delivering our new Croydon Day Centre, which we are delivering in partnership with Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA) and CAYSH, with the support of MHCLG’s Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund.

About us: Spires is a grassroots South London charity working with people impacted by homelessness to lead lives of greater stability. Our support workers provide non-judgemental and tailored advice and guidance to adults who are currently facing homelessness or are at risk. We support people to secure housing that is sustainable, suitable for their needs, so they leave homelessness behind for good.

Part 1:  The Role

This role sits within our Housing and Homelessness (H&H) team. The post holder’s work will centre around three days a week at the Croydon Day Centre, with two days working in the community, which will include working from our refugee drop-in delivery in partnership with Croydon Refugee Day Centre (CRDC). The post holder will also work at our H&H services in Lambeth and Wandsworth on occasion, and colleagues from those services will also support the running of the Croydon Day Centre. The post holder will work from our Stockwell Office on Wednesdays. 

Part 2: Key duties and responsibilities

Service Delivery & Support

· Welcome and engage service users in a non-judgemental, compassionate manner.

· Provide basic needs support such clothing, and access to a safe space.

· Offer advice, advocacy and signposting on housing, health services and other support agencies.

· Conduct assessments of need and develop personalised support plans.

Case Management

· Maintain accurate, confidential records of interactions and support plans.

· Liaise with housing teams, healthcare providers, social services, and other partners to coordinate support.

· Monitor individuals’ progress and update plans as required.

Centre Operations

· Assist with daily tasks such as setting up service areas, distributing supplies, and managing donations.

· Ensure safeguarding procedures and organisational policies are always followed.

Crisis Support

· Identify signs of crisis, risk, or safeguarding concerns and respond appropriately.

· Support individuals experiencing emotional distress, mental health issues or substance misuse challenges.

General                                                                               

· Be proactive in reviewing and evaluating own performance, and in identifying and acting upon areas for improvement and development.

· Undertaking other duties compatible with the level and nature of the post and/or reasonably required by more senior members of staff, including session cover

· Attend and participate in staff and team meetings and other meetings as required

This job description covers the current range of duties and will be reviewed from time to time. It is Spires’ aim to reach agreement on changes, but if agreement is not possible, Spires reserves the right to change this job description.

Part 3: Person specification

Essential experience

· Working with vulnerable and socially excluded people, particularly people experiencing homelessness or insecure accommodation and associated culture – drugs, alcohol, violence, mental and physical ill-health.

· Managing a caseload, needs assessment, planned support, key working, goal setting and advocacy.

· Experience of challenging appropriately and maintaining clear and appropriate boundaries

· Networking and effectively liaising with specialist service providers or agencies to establish and/or improve access to services for clients   

Desirable experience

· Working with volunteers

· Working in the charity sector and/or a day centre environment

Essential knowledge

· Sound understanding of the issues faced by homeless or vulnerably housed people and the difficulties they experience in accessing services that are fully responsive to their needs

· Good understanding of safeguarding practices in a social care and/or day centre environment

· Good understanding of confidentiality and working with sensitive information

· Working knowledge of health and social care services

Desirable knowledge

· A relevant NVQ2/3 or equivalent qualification in a relevant field.

Essential skills and personal qualities

· Excellent written and spoken communication skills

· Information and relationship management skills

· Ability to effectively manage time, work under pressure and balance competing priorities to meet deadlines

· IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and databases

· Non-judgemental with the ability to empathise

Part 4: Summary of terms and conditions of service

Location: The postholder will be an employee of The Spires Centre. This post is based at

Elmfield House 5 Stockwell Mews SW9 9GX. However, the post holder will be working across Spires’ drop-ins in Lambeth, Wandsworth and Croydon.

Probation: This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period.

Notice: This post is subject to a four-week notice period.

Annual leave: The annual leave entitlement is 35 days per year pro rata, made up of eight bank and public holidays and 27 days annual leave. The 27 days annual leave is normally split between 24 ‘bookable’ days and three closure days that fall between Christmas and the New Year.

Pension: The Spires Centre will contribute 5% of annual salary for those who qualify for our group pension plan.

Other benefits: The Spires Centre will provide life and income protection insurance for those who qualify for our group plans.

Expenses: The role may require travel. Out-of-pocket expenses will be paid when incurred in accordance with our expenses policy.

Safeguarding: The postholder will adhere to The Spires Centre’s safeguarding policy for vulnerable adults. This post is also subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Join our dedicated Step Provision team and make a real difference to people rebuilding their lives after hospital discharge or preventing unnecessary admissions. You will provide compassionate, person-centred support to individuals with complex needs, creating tailored support and move-on plans while working closely with healthcare, housing and community partners. In this varied role, you'll manage risk, safeguard clients, maintain accurate records, support housing benefit claims and help deliver a safe, welcoming environment. If you're proactive, resilient, collaborative and passionate about empowering people to achieve independence, we'd love to hear from you.

Main Purpose Of The Job:

Our Step provision service provides two differing support models that offer accommodation-based support and assessment This is for people who are being discharged from the hospital using the discharge to assess model. The Step-Down provision in Oxfordshire is run in partnership between Homeless Oxfordshire and Connection Support. The Step-Up service provides accommodation-based support which acts on a model to prevent people having the need to go into hospital. Working as part of a small dynamic and enthusiastic team to deliver a safe and supportive service to all residents, identifying need and delivering the case management of clients with complex needs working in partnership with other agencies to create holistic, individualized support and move on plans for clients who are temporarily housed due to their health needs.

Main Areas of Responsibility:

• To be part of a team running a new and dynamic service assessing and managing risk for individuals and in the service.
• Ensure the effective delivery of high-quality care, support and housing management according to Homeless Oxfordshire policies and procedures.
• To work in partnership with other agencies to ensure the delivery of holistic wrap around support.
• To work in partnership with Connection Support Step provision and Out of Hospital Team.
• To work with other agencies to provide client centered support & risk management plans for clients with complex needs to identify work towards a suitable move on option within 6 weeks.
• To be a supportive and effective part of the team working as part of a rota including evenings and weekends.
• Report any safeguarding concerns without delay in line with procedures.
• To make and maintain Housing Benefit claims.
• Manage challenging situations in line with procedures and ensure the safety of yourself and others.
• Ensure that IT systems are updated as required and concise record keeping is completed promptly.
• Maintain positive relationships with clients, relatives, carers, professionals, commissioners, contractors and the local community.
• To undertake any other duties that can be reasonably required to meet the operational needs of Homeless Oxfordshire.
• Comply with Homeless Oxfordshire’s policies and procedures.
• Contribute to a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are valued and staff are enabled to do their best.
• Contribute to the work of the broader team.

Safeguarding Statement:

Homeless Oxfordshire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all adults, children and young people who are at risk of harm and that come into contact with our services. We believe that all adults, children and young people have an equal right to protection from abuse, regardless of their age, race, religion, ability, gender, language, background or sexual identity and consider the wellbeing of the vulnerable adult, child or young person is paramount. As a result, we have a robust safeguarding policy to ensure everyone is treated fairly and a whistleblowing policy to enable people raise any concerns confidentially. We expect everyone (staff, trustees, associates, volunteers and anyone working on behalf of the Company) to share this commitment and read, understand and adhere to this policy and related procedures.

Equal Opportunities:

We employ people on the basis of their abilities. We strive to attract and develop talent that is representative of our residents and all sections of the society, and do not discriminate based on of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional or cultural background. If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend for interview, please let us know.

About Us:

We are an open door for people experiencing homelessness whose lives have been shaped by trauma and disadvantage; providing safety, stability and support when it is needed most. We deliver this support across Oxfordshire by providing a range of accommodation with access to high quality support, offering a safe and welcoming space for people to take control of their own lives. We are an accredited Oxford Living Wage employer, and benefits to the role include: annual leave starting at 26 days (excluding bank holidays), flexible working, enhanced benefits with qualifying service, retail discounts with our Homeless Oxfordshire Benefits Hub, and life assurance up to four times your salary and a £250 bonus if you successfully refer a someone as a new colleague through our Employee Referral Scheme as a thanks from us!

What’s Next: Have a look at the job description to find out more about the role and apply on our website. Please be aware that this role is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure check and will be undertaken for the successful candidate .

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we identify a suitable candidate before the advertised closing date.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Night Support Worker to join our Learning Disabilities Service located in Tower Hamlets. No personal care or experience required, just the right values.

£15,392.00 per annum, working 20 hours per week.

Want to feel in control of your career? You'll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:

Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
Free DBS
A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x Pensionable Salary (T&Cs apply)
Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
Fully paid induction programme and further training
ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
Online wellbeing resources
Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Night Support Workers enable people with particular needs to manage their tenancies and live independent lives of their choosing in the community. Night Support Workers are responsible for ensuring continuity of a support service at night and for keeping customers and the building safe.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.

Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere

Working proactively with other members of the team to handle the service caseload and administrative responsibilities
Conducting key work sessions as required, that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking'
Providing support with daily living activities, including practical assistance to support customers to independent living e.g. budgeting, cooking, establishing a night time routine
Supporting customers to maintain a healthy environment and where appropriate assisting them to clean their accommodation and maintain good personal hygiene
Assisting in the recording and reporting of customer incidents
Managing customer referrals, completing assessments and obtaining and maintaining all relevant paperwork
Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service outcomes

About you:

Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
Prefers working as part of a group or team
Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organized
Able to apply the right balance of care and support dependant on the needs of the customer
Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour

What you'll bring:

Essential:

NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent with some previous relevant sector work experience

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Please see the full job description on our website

Job Title: Recovery in Community Peer Support Worker
Accountable to: Head of Community
Reporting to: Recovery in Community Team Coordinator
Location: Hybrid including Inpatient psychiatric settings across Greater Manchester, community settings, home or office working (central Manchester), occasional travel outside of Greater Manchester
Salary: £14,945.40 pro rata (FTE £24,909)
Hours: 21 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

Role Context

Recovery in Community is a collaborative initiative delivered in partnership between Gaddum and Manchester Mind. The service supports people to leave inpatient mental health settings and return to their community with the support they need to recover and remain well.

As a team, we deliver psycho-social interventions, advocacy, housing and welfare rights advice, peer support to adults as well as tailored support to young people (those under the age of 25).All we do is underpinned by listening and ensuring people feel heard – because we know that when people are listened to, they recover. The team works with colleagues within the mental health, primary care, inpatient and community sectors.

Role Purpose

As a Peer Support Worker, you will have lived or living experience of receiving mental health care or treatment in hospital. Using your expertise gained through this experience, you will support peers in their mental health recovery who are ready to leave hospital or are already in the community. Receiving support from your colleagues, you’ll develop and manage your casework practice and hold a small case load. 

You will walk alongside people to set achievable goals to ensure they get the support that they need, ultimately feeling connected to their communities – the right services and support network.

This role will work with a small but intensive caseload (max 12 cases for a full-time peer support worker) to focus on: 

• Repatriate: when people are sent to an out of area placement (OAPs) advocate to get them back to Greater Manchester so they can recover in their community. 

• Discharge: Supporting people when they’re ready to be discharged from inpatient mental health services to get back to the community and recover. 

• Prevent re-admissions: Work with people, post-discharge, to ensure they continue to get the support they need to make informed choices, stay well and ultimately thrive.

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

• To provide bespoke support to people that are ready to be discharged from inpatient psychiatric care to return to the community, building (with support) packages of care so they have a positive and sustained recovery. 

• To work alongside people post-discharge, in their community setting (e.g. home or supported accommodation) to ensure they get what they need to stay well. 

• To effectively manage a small caseload (about 7 people), being flexible to people’s needs and short-term changes in schedule. 

• To work in a person-centred, trauma informed, empowering and culturally appropriate way that enables people to feel listened to and heard.

• To help people engage with services and make sustainable links with their communities. 

• To use and develop your knowledge of community care, policies, legislation and services to get people the support they need to recover and stay well. 

• Identify when cases need escalation or onward referral and keep your line manager aware of case developments. 

• Independently visit people in inpatient and community settings in Manchester and across Greater Manchester, adhering to lone working and risk management procedures. 

• Occasionally visit people out of the Greater Manchester area who need to return to their community in Manchester (all travel expenses will be paid and non-commute travel time will be part of your working day). 

• Build relationships with colleagues within services (e.g. inpatient staff, social care, CMHTs etc) to enable improved collaborative working 

• Take part in multi-disciplinary meetings, representing the views of people, and their aspirations on returning to community settings. 

• Support the ongoing service development, drawing on your role as an ‘Expert by Experience’ and using what you hear from the people you support to contribute to the development of the services by reviewing and contributing to improvements. 

All staff are expected to work within all Gaddum policies and procedures. This role is subject to a enhanced DBS check.

Role: You will work with local residents to bring about positive change for North Leatherhead, by supporting community-led activities, growing local leaders, and facilitating residents’ engagement in decisions affecting this community.

Pay: £32,136 a year (pro rata).

Contract: permanent contract, subject to a 4-month probationary period.  

Hours: 4 or 5 days a week, including occasional evening and weekend working, to be agreed with the successful applicant.

Location: LCH, Kingston Road, Leatherhead. KT22 7PX. Not suitable for remote working.

Background

Leatherhead Community Hub (LCH) has employed a Community Development/Engagement Worker since 2022, building relationships with local residents and listening to people’s concerns and hopes for North Leatherhead. This has led to the development of a number of successful community-led activities, including our weekly non-contact boxing and football training sessions for children and young people. More recently, we set up a Residents’ Panel and carried out a large-scale Community Survey, to help ensure that LCH is always listening to local residents and guided by local priorities.

This role is a vital element of LCH’s strategic vision for the next three years and beyond:

· cultivating community – offering a safe space for community activities that strengthen mutual support networks.

· growing capability - equipping local residents with the skills and confidence to bring about positive change in their community.

· fostering connections - acting as a focal point for collaborative working between local charities, agencies and businesses.

Our community development work is particularly focused on “growing capability”, recognising the importance of focusing time and energy into listening, encouraging and empowering others, and offering opportunities for local residents to get involved through volunteering, training, and working with us.

LCH is always seeking to be shaped by the desires and needs that arise within the community, by bringing people’s ideas into action and giving residents a voice in decisions affecting the local area. As a charity, we are also working towards residents being involved in every aspect of the governance of LCH, whether as trustees or on the management and operations teams.

Context

North Leatherhead is in the top 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in Surrey, with relatively high rates of poverty, economic inactivity, poor physical and mental health, and social isolation; all these issues have been exacerbated by the lack of community provision and damaging impact of the closure of the children’s centre and other community buildings in recent years.

Leatherhead Community Hub (LCH) was set up in July 2020 as a dedicated community centre in North Leatherhead. LCH provides opportunities for people to come together socially and build community, as well as giving our partner organisations a permanent base from which to offer critical support to local residents. Our mission is to create a safe, welcoming space at the heart of the community, where people of all ages can connect, learn, have fun, and find the support they need to thrive. The Hub attracts around 3,500 visitors a month to our affordable café and the many other community activities run by LCH and other community groups.

Description of role:

We are looking for someone who is capable of running community projects, but who is keen to involve others and gains most joy and satisfaction from developing leaders and volunteers from within the local community and seeing them grow and succeed in their roles.

In this role, you will be responsible for engaging and empowering the residents of North Leatherhead to facilitate positive change for the local community, by:

1)   overseeing existing community projects, and encouraging the involvement of local residents in supporting, running, and leading these projects;

2)   equipping local residents with the skills and confidence to initiate and run new community-led events and activities;

3)   facilitating and growing our Residents’ Panel to play a key role in the governance and running of LCH, with a view to appointing several trustees from the local community.

4)   promoting dialogue and collaboration between local residents and service providers, enabling people to have a greater say in decisions affecting the community;

5)   supporting the management team and trustees in prioritising LCH’s resources to best serving the desires and needs of the local community.

6)   subject to experience, we would also like the postholder to help with, or lead on, our social media alongside volunteers from the local community - although this is not an essential requirement for this role.

You will be employed by Leatherhead Community Hub, using the Hub as a base for networking, capacity-building, and community-led activities, whilst also reaching out and making connections with other sections of the local community. This role will require you to have a regular presence at LCH and in the wider community.

You will work closely with local service providers and other community organisations, including the council, housing association, and GP practices, as well as LCH’s core partners: Citizens Advice Mole Valley, EDGE Disability, Good Company Surrey (Foodbank), Link 2030, Mid-Surrey Community Fridges, The Gathering Church, and The Hive (a creative arts project). You will help promote a collaborative and participatory approach to supporting the community, seeking to ensure that local residents are directly engaged in initiatives aimed at meeting the needs of the North Leatherhead community.

You will be member of LCH’s Management Team, and line managed by the Managing Director, Tom Sefton, with advice & support from one of our Trustees and Co-Founders, Jenny Moore, who has worked in this community for over 20 years.

This role is partly funded by a multi-year grant from the National Lottery’s Reaching Communities Fund, which includes a number of specific objectives which you will be responsible for delivering, including: growing our youth sports projects, supporting more community-led activities, establishing our Residents’ Panel; and increasing local representation on our Board of Trustees. 

 Requirements of the postholder: 

Essential:

· Excellent listening skills – friendly and approachable, with the ability to connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds and make them feel supported and valued.

· A proven ability and desire to motivate and support people to use and develop their strengths and skills for the benefit of the wider community.

· Good networking skills and experience of working well with other organisations to achieve positive change for the community.

· Experience of volunteering and/or working in a range of community settings.

· Strong organisational and time management skills, and good IT skills.

· A positive and creative approach to work – able to handle new or competing demands and work on own initiative without close supervision.

· A willingness to work flexibly, including occasional evening and weekend meetings and events.

· A firm commitment to the vision, mission and values of LCH.

Desirable:

· Previous experience of working as a community development worker or similar role. 

· An understanding of the principles of asset-based community development and/or other participatory approaches to community development.

· Experience of training and supporting volunteers.

· Demonstrable experience in developing and running community-led events and activities, in a voluntary or paid capacity.

· Experience using social media to raise awareness, engage local communities, and promote activities or events.

· Experience of living, working and/or volunteering in the local area.

How to apply:  Please send your CV and a cover letter (no more than 400 words), explaining why you would like this role and how you meet the job requirements.

 Posted on: 24th August 2026

Closing date: 23rd September 2026

Interview date: 30th September 2026

We're looking for a compassionate, highly motivated individual with experience in addiction recovery, behaviour change, wellness, and/or mental health to join our small, passionate team.

Role details: Full-time (30–37.5 hrs available) | £24,784–£28,734pa | Home-based, equipment supplied | 27 days leave + Christmas Eve, rising to 31 max | Now Pensions | EAP with Health Assured | Permanent, subject to probation.

You'll support volunteer facilitators and partners to grow SMART Recovery meetings across the South of England (excluding London), making our 4-Point Programme(s) more accessible to people managing addictive behaviour(s):

• South East: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Sussex
• South West: Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Swindon, Wiltshire

Applicants must reside in the South of England, excluding London.

Job share considered: One employee can cover both regions, but we're open to a job share, i.e. one person for the South East 3 days per week, another for the South West. If full-time or dual-region work isn't feasible, please still apply.

What you'll need:

• Hands-on experience facilitating groups/meetings and an understanding of great facilitation.
• General awareness of addiction recovery and/or our 4-Point Programme(s); being a qualified SMART Recovery or SMART Family & Friends Facilitator, or former participant, is an advantage.
• Ability to bring people together, champion our mission, and create a safe, empowering space for growth and recovery.
• Strong presentation skills that engage, inspire, and inform, with volunteers, via Zoom training, or partners.
• Willingness to grow our footprint, diversify partnerships, and encourage uptake, including representing UKSR at events and conferences.
• Ability to work autonomously to a high standard.
• Stable internet connection and dedicated work space.
• Valid UK driving licence and a car for regular regional travel.

We welcome applicants with lived experience of addiction, your own journey or closeness to someone else's, bringing empathy, authenticity, and deep respect for others' experiences.

You'll be self-motivated, highly organised, able to manage time, workload, and travel independently, and skilled at uplifting and empowering others. Also with the emotional intelligence to support people who've faced adversity within clear professional boundaries.

Essential experience:

• Working with individuals/professionals in a relevant sector (addiction services, behaviour change, wellness, mental health).
• Supporting and developing volunteers.
• Delivering training, ideally in peer-support or recovery settings.
• Building strong working relationships with relevant organisations.
• Giving/receiving feedback and reflective practice.

You'll also contribute to key projects shaping SMART Recovery's future, so project management skills are required Particular interest in training and programme quality, volunteer management, social media/marketing, or business development can be developed as part of your role.

As a home-based role, you'll build meaningful relationships remotely, via email, phone, and video calls, bringing energy and adaptability to make remote working feel personal and productive. Regular travel across your region(s) is essential, visiting meetings and partners and supporting facilitators.

It is essential that you live in the South of England (excluding London).

We are looking for an experienced Regional Opperations Lead, to coordination all aspects of the StreetDoctors operations within the London Region and to ensure our programmes are fit for the future.

We are an award-winning national charity  which trains over 20,000 young people affected by street violence each year in emergency first-aid, through a team of 250 healthcare volunteers and youth workers. We empower young people with the skills to become part of the solution to violence by developing their skills and confidence to save lives and increasing their understanding of the medical and psychological consequences of violence.

As the StreetDoctors lead for the region, you will provide leadership in partnership development, volunteer management, the delivery of training and maintaining quality standards.
The key areas of focus include:

• To create, develop and maintain partnerships with a range of organisations including, funders, commissioners, community organisations, criminal justice organisations, education providers and youth organisations.
• To develop and manage engaged volunteers and youth workers and ensure their expectations are aligned to the organisation's objectives and provide the best volunteering experience possible.
• To deliver training and ensure the quantity and quality of projects meet the required targets and new opportunities are maximised.

At StreetDoctors we believe diversity supports innovation and creativity. We are committed to equality of opportunity, being inclusive, and being representative of the people we are here to support. We would therefore encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is seeking a compassionate and organised Volunteer and Community Development Worker to join our specialist team supporting women affected by rape, sexual violence, child sexual abuse and exploitation.

This is an exciting opportunity to coordinate and develop our volunteer programme, facilitate survivor-focused groups and activities, build community partnerships, and support women on their journey towards recovery, connection and empowerment. You will play a key role within our Women's Sexual Violence Recovery Hub, helping to create safe, inclusive and trauma-informed spaces for women across Greater Manchester.

Why Join Us?

✔ Make a meaningful difference to the lives of women and survivors.
✔ Coordinate and develop a valued volunteer workforce.
✔ Facilitate groups and community activities that promote recovery and wellbeing.
✔ Build partnerships and strengthen community engagement across Greater Manchester.
✔ Be part of a specialist feminist organisation committed to ending violence against women and girls.

About You

You will be:

• Experienced in volunteer coordination, community engagement, group facilitation or a related support role.
• Skilled in building positive relationships and creating inclusive environments.
• Confident working within a trauma-informed and survivor-centred framework.
• Knowledgeable about safeguarding and supporting women with complex needs.
• Passionate about women's rights, equality and ending violence against women and girls.

Benefits

• Flexible working
• Generous annual leave (30 days plus Bank Holidays)
• Pension contributions
• Reasonable travel expenses
• Free on-site parking
• EAP

#volunteercoordinator #communitydevelopment

Join Homeless Oxfordshire and make a real difference to people experiencing homelessness. As a Support Worker at O’Hanlon House, you will provide compassionate, person-centred support while helping residents build confidence, independence and essential life skills. You will work closely with colleagues and external agencies to provide safe, high-quality housing and support, manage risk, respond to challenging situations and promote wellbeing. No two shifts are the same, and your work will play a vital role in creating a safe, welcoming environment where residents can move forward and thrive. If you are compassionate, resilient and ready to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, we’d love you to join our team!

Main Purpose Of Job:

This role is responsible for delivering a safe and supportive service to all residents living at O’Hanlon House in Oxford. The role holder needs to work alongside the team and external agencies to ensure the effective delivery of high quality care, support and housing management according to Homeless Oxfordshire Policies and Procedures.

Main Areas Of Responsibility:

Ensure the effective delivery of high quality care, support and housing management according to Homeless Oxfordshire policies and procedures.

To be a supportive and effective part of the team working as part of a rota including evenings and weekends.

Maintain a safe, clean and welcoming environment.

To support and encourage clients to care for themselves and develop independent living skills.

To assess and manage risk for individuals and in the service, making use of emergency services as required.

Report any safeguarding concerns without delay in line with procedures.

To make and maintain Housing Benefit claims and support clients to pay their service charges regularly.

To work in partnership with other agencies to ensure the delivery of holistic wrap around support.

To support the running of the service and perform shift responsibilities and duties that maintain good health and safety and ensures the safeguarding of clients and others.

Manage challenging situations in line with procedures and to ensure the safety of yourself and others.

To participate in handovers at the beginning and end of shifts, ensuring that information is properly recorded and passed on where appropriate and relevant and in a timely fashion.

Ensure that IT systems are updated as required and concise record keeping is completed promptly.

Maintain positive relationships with clients, relatives, carers, professionals, commissioners, contractors and the local community.

Ensure clients are aware of and support them to maximise their opportunity to be involved in Client Participation.

To undertake any other duties that can be reasonably required to meet the operational needs of Homeless Oxfordshire.

Comply with Homeless Oxfordshire’s policies and procedures Contribute to a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are valued and staff are enabled to do their best.

Contribute to the work of the broader team.

Safeguarding Statement:

Homeless Oxfordshire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all adults, children and young people who are at risk of harm and that come into contact with our services. We believe that all adults, children and young people have an equal right to protection from abuse, regardless of their age, race, religion, ability, gender, language, background or sexual identity and consider the wellbeing of the vulnerable adult, child or young person is paramount. As a result, we have a robust safeguarding policy to ensure everyone is treated fairly and a whistleblowing policy to enable people raise any concerns confidentially. We expect everyone (staff, trustees, associates, volunteers and anyone working on behalf of the Company) to share this commitment and read, understand and adhere to this policy and related procedures.

Equal Opportunities:

We employ people on the basis of their abilities. We strive to attract and develop talent that is representative of our residents and all sections of the society, and do not discriminate based on of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional or cultural background. If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend for interview, please let us know.

About Us:

We are an open door for people experiencing homelessness whose lives have been shaped by trauma and disadvantage; providing safety, stability and support when it is needed most. We deliver this support across Oxfordshire by providing a range of accommodation with access to high quality support, offering a safe and welcoming space for people to take control of their own lives. We are an accredited Oxford Living Wage employer, and benefits to the role include: annual leave starting at 26 days (excluding bank holidays), flexible working, enhanced benefits with qualifying service, retail discounts with our Homeless Oxfordshire Benefits Hub, and life assurance up to four times your salary and a £250 bonus if you successfully refer a someone as a new colleague through our Employee Referral Scheme as a thanks from us!

What’s Next: Have a look at the job description to find out more about the role and apply on our website. Please be aware that this role is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure check and will be undertaken for the successful candidate .

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we identify a suitable candidate before the advertised closing date.