Community Wellbeing Volunteer Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Help us ensure that we enable every community across Solihull to feedback on their experiences of using Health and Social Care services. Support Healthwatch Solihull to reach out into communities in our city, listen to diverse and vulnerable groups, and help make their voice known.
Community engagement takes place across all areas of Solihull borough (support with travel arrangements and out of pocket costs will be provided) and will involve working as part of a small team. Work will be carried out at different venues and locations including:
• Service user support groups, steering groups, meetings etc. accessed via our Third Sector partner organisations.
• Events: freshers fairs, open days etc.
• Public Venues: Hospitals, GP surgeries, Libraries, Community Centres etc
Tasks include:
• Collecting people’s experiences of health and social care services, at focus group meetings and events.
• Helping to ensure those who are at risk of health inequalities are listened to, involved, and empowered to help influence better services
• Supporting investigations guided by our research team.
• Promoting Healthwatch Solihull within the community and raising awareness of our services.
WHAT ARE HEALTHWATCH SOLIHULL LOOKING FOR?
• Are passionate about working with the public in community settings and have a desire to improve health and social care services.
• Are enthusiastic about the work of Healthwatch Solihull
• Are interested in developing a career in health and social care and/or community work.
• Are able to communicate and work with a wide range of individuals.
• Can proactively approach individuals, building rapport and conversation.
• Are interested in ensuring that everyone’s stories are listened to and shared.
• Are keen to learn more about their local community and broaden their knowledge of health and social care systems.
• Understand diversity and are flexible in their approach to meeting the needs of a wide range of individuals.
• Want to promote equality and improve the health and wellbeing of their local community.
NB. Community Engagement Volunteer roles are subject to a DBS check.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
CARAS is a leading refugee charity in Southwest London, providing firm foundations for new-arrival asylum seekers to build happy and successful lives. Arriving as an asylum seeker in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. We exist to help people seeking asylum overcome those challenges, and to help them rebuild their lives.
We provide person-centred educational, social and casework support to over 600 young people and adults across South London each year, recognising the moment of arrival as one of opportunity. Our work provides individuals with essential support to build language and employability skills, develop social networks and friendships, and access essential services such as legal and mental health services. Our work has multi-generational impact, providing forced migrants with early interventions to support language and skill acquisition, tackling the root causes of socio-economic marginalisation by supporting social inclusion and future labour market access.
Volunteering with CARAS – our Community of Welcome:
CARAS has a proud history of volunteers helping us deliver our charitable aims. Volunteers are an essential part of the CARAS community, bringing skills, insights, experience, different languages, and enthusiasm to the roles. Community members tell us the welcome by volunteers is so important in an often hostile world. It helps them feel safe and wanted. Community is at the heart of all we do, and we could not deliver the projects we do without the enormous contribution that volunteers bring.
About CARAS Adult Programme:
Alongside educational and casework support, CARAS has a thriving social program of weekly activities, from women’s yoga, to creative coffee afternoons, sports sessions and workshops, designed and built in collaboration with our community, volunteers and local partners. Most people we work with in the adult team are waiting for a decision on their asylum claim, are accommodated in cramped and inadequate hotels contracted by the Home Office for up to – and sometimes more than – 2 years whilst they wait for a decision on their asylum claim. During this time, they are eligible for only £8.86 per week and are prohibited from working. This is an incredibly stressful and disempowering period for those seeking asylum. Against this backdrop, our social activities exist as spaces of welcome, for people to come and make meaningful connections, build confidence and importantly – have fun!
About the Trips and Holiday Activities Project:
Alongside our weekly timetable of term time activities, we run trips across London during the school holidays. These are always chosen and planned together with our community members, and so far have included trips to famous parks, museums, galleries, and the theatre. We know from our community members how important these trips are; they are a chance to explore parts of the city that would otherwise be inaccessible, and to feel more at home in the city. As one community member told us, ‘to discover new places…this makes us feel included’. They are an opportunity to learn something new with others, to meet new people, relax and have fun.
About the Role:
To support us with these trips and holiday activities, we are looking for friendly, welcoming, enthusiastic and proactive volunteers. You will support us practically to ensure the trips run smoothly and on time, but also will be an essential part of our community of welcome – to chat and get to know our community members, and make sure everyone feels included and is having a good time.
We intend to hold 2 trips in the Easter holidays, and up to 5 trips in the summer holidays. These will all be in locations across London, most likely during daytime hours. We will also run a combination of adult-only and child-friendly trips across the year – this is what our community have told us they want! We usually have a group of 10-20 community members and will always have at least one CARAS staff member present too.
Ideally, we are looking for volunteers who are flexible during school holidays and can attend at least 3 trips throughout the year, though we may consider those who might only be able to volunteer on a one-off basis.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
To attend CARAS trips as and when you are available to do so.
To support with the logistics of travelling to and from the trip location.
To keep an eye on the general health and wellbeing of our Community Members and report any concerns to the CARAS staff member present.
To encourage positive connections between people and the places we are visiting, opening up conversations to learn about each other.
On family-friendly trips, to assist where needed with the supervision of children present (alongside parents)
Requirements – Essential:
To be 18 years or older;
To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
To be reliable and punctual;
To be welcoming, friendly part of the group, and to make sure our community members have the best and most fruitful time possible at the locations we visit.
Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
Current resident of the UK;
Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
Able to complete compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding via 2 self-paced induction training webinars prior to the start of role;
Requirements – Desirable:
Knowledge of community languages, such as Farsi, Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Somali and Spanish.
Through volunteering with us you will gain:
An opportunity to connect with and learn from a vibrant and diverse community of people who are new to the city;
A chance to share your knowledge of the city and places of interest with our community;
A deeper understanding of the experiences, challenges, and strengths of those seeking asylum here;
A deeper understanding of language-inclusive practices in multi-lingual groups;
Develop your skills and competencies;
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Best Foot Forward provides a series of free, accessible, guided health walks around open spaces in Nottingham. Walks are designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle through exercise and social interaction. The walks offer the opportunity to improve health, make new friends, have fun and get to know your local environment. This volunteer role offers you the chance to make a difference to an older person's life, and ensure your volunteering experience is a fulfilling and positive one.
Tasks you may be involved with include the following:
- Giving a brief talk before the walk to make sure everyone is prepared, and welcoming new walkers
- Leading and managing walks, usually jointly with other walk leaders (including ‘back marking or middle marking’ as well as leading at the front.
- Making sure walks are welcoming, friendly, enjoyable and safe
- Trouble shooting and dealing with problems on walks, with the support of your scheme coordinator
- Providing information about other Age UK Notts services and other walks offered by the scheme, and basic information about how to keep active
- Making sure paperwork such as registration forms and registers are completed
Skills and interests required are:
- Friendly, welcoming and empowering with good communication skills
- Knowlegdeable about the basics of the benefits of walking and physical activity
- Reliable, punctual and well-organised
- Ability to volunteer independently but with guidance and support
- Confident at speaking in front of small groups and able to take control and be assertive when needed
- Able to provide basic paperwork punctually and accuate
We are looking for volunteers who have availability to support our walks across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire which are held every day except for a Thursday
We are looking for volunteers who can support a minimum of one walk per week, every week (time and days tbc)
***Please note that we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***
Application Form
Interview
References will be taken
DBS check
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role: Referral volunteer (laptops)
Team: Casework
Supervised by: Adult caseworker
Location: Tooting office on a Thursday afternoon (2-5pm) for period of training/induction. Remote or in person once induction is complete.
Time commitment: 3 hours a week, we ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 6 months
About CARAS :
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.
Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.
We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.
Our values are at the centre of all our work:
• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests
• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society
• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes
• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do
About the Role:
CARAS offers advocacy casework integrated into all of its projects, ensuring that people who attend our groups can access support to address issues in a friendly and timely manner. A key part of the casework service is to help connect people to resources and activities that they need.
A key areas of need is digital access, either by smart phone or laptop.
People living in asylum accommodation receive £9/week making saving for items impossible.
Whilst many activities have returned to face-to-face delivery many have stayed online, not having a laptop impedes people’s ability to join English classes and social activities. People attending college face difficulties in completing college work without access to computers in the evenings, access to a laptop means people are able to take greater control over their independent learning. Smart phones make a huge difference in people’s ability to have contact with family and community across the world.
To meet this need we have built a partnership with a grant giving organisation, Acts435, to support people to get personal laptops.
We are able to refer 5 people at a time for grants to buy new laptops/phones. Once the grant money is received we purchase the devices for community members to collect.
We are looking for a volunteer to do these referrals each month and support people to purchase and receive their laptops and phones. This is an extremely rewarding role, interacting with lots of the CARAS community members and making a very tangible positive impact on people’s lives.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- contacting community members who are on our waiting lists by phone to explain the scheme to them
- complete grant applications with community members
- monitoring the grant platform to see when grants have been made
- purchasing laptops online and liaising with community members to arrange collection
- completing monitoring forms with community members once grants are recieved and uploading to grant platform
- recording all referrals and work done on our case management system (lamplight)
Person specification:
Essential
· Confidence in using IT (online forms, online shopping, google maps, email, DocuSign)
· To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;
· A commitment to confidentiality and data protection
· Thorough with good attention to detail
· Reliable
· A high level of spoken and written English
· Excellent communication skills, especially with people who are new to English;
· Ability to gather information from people in a sensitive way
· A calm, friendly, kind and patient approach
· Enjoyment in speaking to new people
· A commitment to working in an empowering way
· Able to maintain boundaries
· Able to work autonomously
· Currently resident in the UK
Desirable
· Experience working with refugees and asylum seekers
· Fluent in one or more of: Pashtu, Farsi, Tigrinya, Somali, Arabic or Dari, Russian, Ukrainian, Albanian, Amharic, Kurdish Sorani, Spanish, French
· Experience of working with interpreters
Benefits to Volunteering:
Through volunteering with us you will:
· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
· Develop your skills and competencies;
· Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.
All volunteers must complete a DBS check and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.
To Apply:
To Apply To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form, using this volunteer role description to inform your answers.
Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with the Adult caseworker, and one with community members, to assess compatibility to the role. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for young people currently include: ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), study group, youth club, swimming lessons and football.
About Youth Club:
Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14-19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games.
Youth club takes place at Tooting Hub- Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7BU.
About Sports Programme:
We work in partnership with Fulham Kicks to run a football session every Monday. We provide 1:1 sports advice to help build confidence and remove barriers by supporting young people to plan their journeys and accompanying them to join their first sessions. We find new sessions for young people at youth clubs, gyms and other sports providers. We arrange frequent trips to offer new sports to our young people including: boxing, yoga, trampolining and hopefully to go-karting.
We will also deliver a research project to sports providers, local authorities, support networks and other young people. The project will detail: (1) the accessibility barriers to sports faced by young people, (2) methods of best practice on including young refugees and asylum seekers, (3) funding and support options available from local authorities, and (4) what participatory 1:1 support looks like for young people.
About the role:
As a sports program volunteer, you would be helping young people to travel safely around London, to feel welcome in the city, to join in with sports activities where possible and to inspire young people to take part in sports. You will need to go on group trips to external sports providers and to attend our youth club occasionally. We welcome volunteers with any level of sporting ability, the only thing necessary is to be willing to give some sports a go when it is possible. Please note, some sessions you attend will be only for under 18’s, and so you will not always be allowed to take part, and then your role will only be to accompany. We are very happy to be flexible regarding which sessions you attend according to your interests.
We ask for a commitment of at least 1-2 sports sessions or youth club evenings every month. Our youth club runs every Wednesday from 6.00-8.00pm, the external sports trips will usually be weekday evenings. We are able to be flexible according to your schedule.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- To attend and contribute to volunteer de-briefs which occur after each session/trip.
- Providing feedback of your experience to contribute to the research project.
- To act as a positive role model and set standards of behaviour when volunteering with young people.
- To encourage and inspire young people to reach their full potential.
- To assist young people to both recognise and celebrate their achievements.
- To challenge young peoples’ negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manner.
- To adhere to CARAS Child Protection procedures, Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
- To occasionally research local sports providers to find sessions for our young people.
Requirements:
Essential:
To be 18 years or older;
- To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
- To be reliable and punctual;
- Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
- To be passionate about sports and helping young people to access sports.
- Current resident of the UK;
- Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
- Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to the start of role
Volunteer induction training currently takes place online once a month on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 6pm – 8pm. we offer the same trainings on Tuesday and Wednesday daytimes online between 12noon – 2pm once every 3 months.
Your availability to attend 1 general and 1 safeguarding online training session at these times within 3 months of your application would be a prerequisite of being accepted as a volunteer at CARAS.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish.
Through volunteering with us you will:
- Meet new members of your local community;
- Learn about different cultures;
- Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum and their ability to access sports in London;
- Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
- Develop your skills and competencies;
- Be able to access relevant training;
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our Enfield team is looking for reliable and enthusiastic volunteers to help support children in our refuges.
About the role
Solace’s refuges provide safe accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. Volunteer CYP Playworkers will lead and assist a variety of activities such as arts and crafts, games, etc. to engage and support the children’s emotional wellbeing and enhance their confidence and resilience. Activity sessions will be carried out in the refuges, supported by the Sessional Play worker.
Who are we looking for?
The ideal volunteer will:
- Have direct experience of working with children and young people is desirable.
- Be reliable and committed to promoting the enjoyment and wellbeing of children and young people.
- Be understanding of domestic violence issues and a discretion in handling confidential and/or sensitive information.
- Be approachable and empathetic
- Be non-judgemental.
- Have the ability to maintain confidentiality.
What can you gain from this opportunity?
As part of this role you will have the opportunity to:
- Gain experience and understanding of working with children using a trauma-informed approach.
- Contribute and support a busy and diverse team.
- Gain hands on experience in a dynamic charity working in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Sector.
- Work as part of a feminist organisation.
We offer great volunteer induction training, where you will be fully supported to understand, and carry put every aspect of the role. Training includes CPD accredited courses, and the opportunity to apply to complete the level 3 Understanding Domestic Abuse Award (DAPA), which is recognized by the Home Office.
Solace Women’s Aid values diversity promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applicants from black minority and ethnic communities.
This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.
As part of safer recruitment, we require all successful candidates will be required to complete a satisfactory DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) disclosure.
Solace exists to end the harm done through gender-based violence. Our aim is to work to prevent violence and abuse.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Help us SHINE and bring SUNSHINE into peoples lives!
We are SUNSHINE, a brand new grassroots community charity that is being set up. We are a small charity trying to make a BIG impact. SUNSHINE is dedicated to bringing people together, spreading joy and community spirit through a range of community-based initiatives that foster connections, enhance wellbeing and transform lives. We especially aim to target those that are at risk and hard to reach living with social isolation who will need access to our charity the most.
At SUNSHINE, we’re not just a charity; we’re a movement fuelled by compassion, dedication, and a shared vision. Our mission? To change the world - one smile at a time with passionate, dedicated and driven positive role models.
We can’t do it alone!!! We need your help!!!
We're looking for a volunteer to fill the role of Volunteering Coordinator, who can support our brand new small charity make a big difference by leading on setting up of our volunteering programme, including the recruitment, selection, induction and training of volunteers at SUNSHINE, ensuring we are an amazing charity to volunteer for that really values our volunteers and creates an amazing organisational culture and team spirit, creating a close knit team of dedicated, passionate and committed positive role models.
You will be responsible for;
- The first point of contact with potential volunteers, including sending out volunteer application packs and responding to application enquiries.
- Evaluate applications, conduct interviews, and analyse candidates’ skills and match them with suitable volunteer positions within SUNSHINE and also perform background checks and review references.
- To collaborate with managers and wider team to identify which departments need volunteers.
- To establish the necessary volunteer numbers and skills, ensuring a smooth coordination between volunteer activities and other roles within SUNSHINE.
- To maintain accurate records of volunteers’ activities and contributions.
- To retain volunteers, creating a positive experience, recognising their efforts, and addressing any concerns they may have.
- To handle administrative tasks related to volunteer scheduling, training, and reporting.
- To ensure that volunteers receive proper orientation, induction and training and that volunteers understand their responsibilities.
- To coordinate volunteer activities, monitor progress, and address any logistical issues.
If you are interested in joining SUNSHINE, please send your CV for an Application Form.
We look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your interest in SUNSHINE!
SUNSHINE
- Fostering Connections
- Enhancing Wellbeing
- Transforming Lives
SUNSHINE is London based dedicated to bringing people together, fostering connections, enhancing wellbeing and transforming lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
People with a learning disability or additional needs are often isolated and excluded from mainstream leisure and social activities. We believe that EVERYONE has the right to have fun and feel safe.
Our organised activity groups give people with additional needs the chance to make friends, enjoy social time together and try out a variety of activities. These fun and friendly groups also help to improve physical health and mental wellbeing.
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers for our amazing music, drama and dance groups in Weoley Castle. You will be encouraging our citizens to take part and ensure everyone has a great time.
What would I be doing?
Helping people to take part in various activities, including singing, dancing, creative music sessions and drama.
Encouraging people to feel part of the group and take part in the activities.
Helping to set up equipment and tidy away at the end of the session.
Helping to maintain a safe and welcoming environment.
What do I need?
· An interest in helping people, being approachable and friendly
· Any performance skills or interests would be amazing, but not essential.
· Good communication skills
· Accepting of others who might be different to you
· The ability to work as part of a diverse team
· A willingness to learn and work within guidelines set out by Midland Mencap
· Honesty, integrity and trustworthy
· Good time management skills, reliability
· An enhanced DBS check will be required by all successful applicants.
Where and when do you need me?
· We produce a weekly timetable with activities each day
· Weoley Castle Community Hub, Bottetourt Rd, Birmingham B29 5TE
What’s in it for me?
As one of our valued volunteers, Midland Mencap will offer you:
· The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities and their family carers
· Improved health and wellbeing from doing positive activities
· A volunteering preparation session
· An induction and settling in period and any training and development that is needed
· The chance to develop your skills and gain experience
· The opportunity to meet new people and be part of a diverse team
· Any out-of-pocket travel expenses
· Lots of appreciation for your amazing contribution
To campaign for and deliver accessible and inclusive community health and wellbeing support services for individuals, families, and carers.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Adult Casework Volunteer - Role description
Role: Adult Casework Volunteer
Team: Casework
Supervised by: Adult caseworker
Location: Tooting office on a Thursday afternoon (2-5.30pm)
Time commitment: 3.5 hours a week, we ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 6 months
About CARAS :
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.
Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.
We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.
Our values are at the centre of all our work
• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests
• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society
• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes
• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do
About CARAS casework:
CARAS works with adults and young people of a refugee and asylum seeker background to find solutions to their problems. There are two separate sub-teams within the Casework team; young people and adults. We support adults to navigate the asylum system, understand their options, access benefits, connect with services and realise their goals. We are a non-specialist casework and advocacy service, so we work in close partnership with other local organisations to whom we refer people with more complex issues.
Using the empowerment model, our casework service embodies CARAS’ values of ‘with not for’, always striving to ensure people are armed with the information and resources they need to make decisions and take action for themselves.
About the Role:
We are currently recruiting for 2 volunteers to join our Adult Casework team.
The purpose of the Adult Casework volunteer role is to support adults with a refugee or asylum seeking background to understand their rights, access information and services, and ultimately, take control of their own lives. You will work with individuals to address problems they may face relating to, among other issues, asylum support, accessing healthcare and education, access to legal advice and finding activities and opportunities.
You will start from an understanding that individuals are always best placed to solve their own problems, and often need nothing more than to talk out a problem and find the solution themselves. When helpful, you will provide information to clarify and support to take action.
The Adult Casework team hold a support session at our office in Tooting on Thursday afternoons from 2-5.30pm. Volunteer caseworkers have 1:1 appointments, either in person or by phone, with CARAS members. These can be related to a range of topics. Currently our biggest areas of work are around housing for people seeking asylum, access to college, nursery/school places for children, referrals to mental health providers, searches and signposting to activities, finding solicitors and supporting people to apply for bus passes and ID cards. Volunteers also support with administrative tasks such as updating our databases, collating resources and creating information guides.
Adult Casework Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities:
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Working in an empowering way with individuals and promoting their independence through goal-setting.
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Supporting people to develop their knowledge of rights and entitlements.
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Assisting with filling out forms
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Signposting and referring onto other services and organisations.
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Gathering information from experts and disseminating information to people in an accessible manner.
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Engaging in collaborative internet and phone research on services, organisations and grants.
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Flagging safeguarding concerns and other issues where further support is required.
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Keeping accurate casenotes
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Supporting to maintain our signposting database
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Researching and collating resources
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Working collaboratively as a team and assisting to shape the Adult Casework project.
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Adhering to CARAS Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential
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Experience of doing 1:1 advice work/casework.
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Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English.
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Confidence in using IT (Microsft office, outlook, zoom, Google search, online forms)
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To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;
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A commitment to confidentiality and data protection
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Thorough with good attention to detail
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Reliable
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A high level of spoken and written English
-
Ability to gather information from people in a sensitive way
-
A calm, friendly, kind and patient approach
-
Enjoyment in speaking to new people
-
A commitment to working in an empowering way
-
Able to maintain boundaries
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Able to work autonomously
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Currently resident in the UK
Desirable
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Working knowledge or experience of relevant law and policy around asylum support, the asylum process, rights and entitlements for people seeking asylum
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Experience of working with interpreters
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Direct experience of the UK immigration system.
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Past experience of working with people seeking asylum
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Proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu or Vietnamese.
We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process
Benefits to Volunteering:
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Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
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Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
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Develop your skills and competencies;
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Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.
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Obtain a reference from us relating to your volunteering
All volunteers must complete a basic DBS check for volunteers working with adults and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.
To Apply:
To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form, using this volunteer role description to inform your answers.
Applicants will have an informal meeting with the Adult caseworker, and one with community members, to assess compatibility to the role. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP.
Successful applicants will undergo training and induction with our team.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that Upbeat Communities achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity, and they also ensure we have a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the leadership team to enable Upbeat Communities to grow and thrive, and through this, empower refugees to thrive.
Through regular meetings, strategy days and written reports provided to the board, trustees are able to set the direction of the organisation, develop its strategic objectives and support and keep the staff team accountable in delivering on these
strategic goals.
Trustee meetings are currently held every 2 months either in person in Derby or online (hybrid). We have an annual strategy away day and trustees are also invited to be part of our sub-committees. Trustees are requested to be available to attend occasional ‘unscheduled’ meetings or engage in email communications which address urgent business as it arises, join working groups when needed and spend time preparing for meetings by reading and considering the papers circulated before meetings.
Benefits of Being a Trustee
We believe being a trustee of Upbeat Communities offers a number of fantastic
benefits:
- Strategic decision-making that positively impacts the lives of over a thousand
- asylum seekers and refugees every year
- Supporting an innovative, talented and passionate staff team as they develop
- our work and explore new services and ways of working
- Being part of a committed and focused trustee team working to see the charity
- grow
- Using your skills, experience and passion to contribute to an effective and wellfunctioning
- board
- Opportunities to learn new skills and experiences to contribute to your own
- personal development
Duties
Any individual acting as a trustee for Upbeat Communities would be required to
carry out the following:
- Promote the vision, mission and values of the charity
- Ensure Upbeat Communities and its representatives function within all legal and
- regulatory requirements applicable, and in line with its constitution, continually
- striving for best practice in governance
- Determine the overall direction and development of Upbeat Communities
- through good governance and clear strategic planning
- Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their
- implementation
- Oversee Upbeat Communities’ financial plans and budgets and monitor and
- evaluate progress
- Review and approve the charity’s financial statements
- Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively
- Provide support and challenge to Upbeat Communities’ Chief Executive in the
- exercise of their delegated authority and affairs
- Contribute to regular reviews of Upbeat Communities’ own governance.
- Attend Board meetings, and be adequately prepared to contribute to
- discussions.
- Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and
- protect the charity’s interests, avoiding any personal conflict of interests
- Take appropriate professional advice in all matters where there may be a
- material risk to the charity
- Maintain confidentiality about all aspects of the trustee’s business
Finance Specific Duties
- Lead on the strategic financial management of the charity at board level
- Liaise with our outsourced finance team (including our Finance Director)
- Chair the finance sub-committee (which meets 6 times per year ahead of every
- board meeting)
- Maintain a clear grasp of the charity’s financial position and ensure full and
- timely financial transparency and information disclosure to the board
- Support the board of trustees in financial decision making processes
- Review and approve annual budgets
- Advise on banking and investments
- Take an active role in the financial audit process
- Contribute to the financial management of our trading subsidiary (Upbeat
- Enterprises Limited)
Empowering individuals and families to thrive as they rebuild their lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Midland Mencap seeks a passionate volunteer photographer/videographer to capture the energy and joy of our sports, health, and wellbeing community sessions in Birmingham or Walsall.
Help us showcase the positive impact of our services by documenting participants' stories and achievements.
Share their smiles, successes, and inspire others to get involved with Midland Mencap!
What would I be doing?
Attend sports, health, and wellbeing sessions: Be present at designated sessions to capture content.
Capture photos and videos: Document activities, participant interactions, and highlight positive moments.
Tell visual stories: Use photo and video to convey the spirit of the sessions and the impact they have on participants.
Potential for interviews: Conduct short interviews with participants to gather testimonials.
Collaborate with the marketing team: Share content for use in promotional materials, social media, and the website.
What do I need?
For this role you will need
· Access to own digital camera equipment or modern smartphone
· Able to travel independently in the Birmingham / West Midlands area
· Friendly, calm, and patient
· Accepting of people who may be different to you
· Happy to chat and a good listener
· Willing to learn and act within guidelines set out by Midland Mencap
· An enhanced DBS check and references will be required
When and where do you need me?
· 2 - 4 times a month at sessions across Birmingham or Walsall
What’s in it for me?
As one of our valued volunteers, Midland Mencap will offer you:
· Gain valuable digital media experience.
· The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities
and their family carers
· Any training and development that is needed
· The opportunity to meet new people and be part of a diverse team
· Support within your role
· Agreed out-of-pocket expenses
· Lots of appreciation for your amazing contribution
· Positive wellbeing from doing something great
· Improve career opportunities by adding your volunteer role to a CV
To campaign for and deliver accessible and inclusive community health and wellbeing support services for individuals, families, and carers.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you have a passion for supporting the reading or writing of young people in your local community? The Literacy Hubs’ aim is to develop a city of confident and ambitious young people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. To make this possible, we need our volunteer Crewmates!
Through published writing projects, such as becoming published authors, movie stars and radio personalities, as well as 1:1 and small group reading, we hope to bolster our young pirates and sailors with their reading and writing skills.
Previous experience of teaching is not necessary; an enthusiasm to support is a must.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Bipolar UK was originally formed in the 1980s as a local support system for the community by the community. Our first meeting was held in 1983 and since that day Bipolar UK has supported people living with the condition and their loved ones. Our aim is to enable everyone affected by bipolar to live well.
Each year we support thousands of individuals through our range of peer support services, which include:
- Peer Support Groups (in-person and online)
- A call-back Peer Support Line
- Our eCommunity
In the years ahead, providing peer support services will remain central to everything we do. This vital work is only possible because of volunteers such as yourself.
How volunteers support us
We couldn’t exist without the amazing support of our dedicated team of volunteers. They help us by giving us key insights from our community. They also provide hands-on support so we can run a significant network of peer support groups and a one-to-one peer support line via telephone and email.
Thanks to the incredible collaboration between our staff team and our volunteers we currently empower approximately 1,000 people a month to stay well, and we have the ambition to reach thousands more.
Our commitment to volunteers:
We want you to get the most out of volunteering with us and we take our responsibility towards you very seriously.
To support you, we will:
- Provide clear descriptions for our volunteering roles
- Treat volunteers fairly and in accordance with the Bipolar UK Equal Opportunities policy
- Ensure volunteers’ information is kept securely and in accordance with Bipolar UK Privacy policy, the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR
- Keep volunteers informed of relevant changes, including to policies and staff
- Provide appropriate training and support to encourage and develop volunteers in every role
- Work collaboratively with all our volunteers to improve the services we deliver, identifying training needs and providing additional learning
- Ensure our volunteering practices are compliant with current and relevant legislation
- Reimburse agreed out of pocket expenses in line with Bipolar UK’s policy and guidance
- Celebrate and recognise all our volunteers’ successes and ongoing contributions to the charity
- Support aspirations to upskill with relevant training and development
Training and development
All volunteers are given an induction and training relevant to their role before they begin volunteering so they can feel confident to carry out their tasks. Training is an ongoing commitment for both Bipolar UK staff and volunteers. Training sessions are usually held by the Bipolar UK team, although external training will be given whenever relevant and appropriate.
Who can volunteer?
As part of the volunteer recruitment process, we ask you to complete an application form. We will then invite you for an informal phone interview and ask you to provide two referees.
Roles within Bipolar UK are subject to an enhanced DBS check. The information gathered throughout this process helps us to make an informed decision about whether the volunteering role is right for you, as well as following our safeguarding procedures.
Skills and experience
We look for people who:
- Communicate well
- Enjoy teamwork
- Are able to adapt and willing to learn
- Are reliable, punctual and good at time management
- See situations with objectivity and compassion
- All our volunteers must be 18 or older.
Bipolar UK will make sure that people are judged on their ability and potential, not on their background and situation. We will seek to treat people fairly, regardless of visible and non-visible differences such as mental health, health, gender, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religious beliefs or practices, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, age, family/marital status, social background, pregnancy or potential pregnancy, caring responsibilities, spent criminal convictions or trade union affiliation.
We appreciate that these differences will contribute to diverse experiences of life, attitudes, values, and ways of thinking and communicating - and that these different perspectives can make a valuable contribution to our work.
What we ask of volunteers:
We ask that all volunteers commit to a minimum of two to four hours a week for our phone/email service or up to 4 hours per month for our support groups, for at least six months wherever possible.
We expect all volunteers to attend regular training as part of role development and progression, and to abide by our policies and guidelines. A commitment to our mission and values is imperative, along with a desire to make a difference to those affected by bipolar. All volunteers represent the charity and must always remain professional when interacting with the public and external services.
Volunteers should:
- Have personal experience of bipolar if the role requires it
- Display empathy and understanding of the needs of others
- Understand and remain conscious of their own needs, including managing their own wellbeing
- Communicate effectively with the team
- Be always respectful of others, in line with Bipolar UK policies
- Have basic IT skills and computer literacy
Our volunteering roles:
- Support Group Co-facilitator (online)
- Support Group Co-facilitator (in-person)
- Support Group Administrator
- Peer Support Line Volunteer
- Media Ambassador
- Fundraising Assistant
- Events Assistant
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Midland Mencap seeks a passionate volunteer with good digital and IT skills to help our citizens and family carers access information and connect with their local communities by helping them understand the basics of social and digital platforms and applications.
If you are wizz on social media, a genius with Microsoft office and have a great understanding of digital platforms, you could help to make the world a bit easier to navigate.
Help us showcase the positive impact of the digital world to people who may not currently be accessing it and expand their horizons. Provide tips on safe and secure access so that everyone feels confident to use the internet.
What would I be doing?
Provide a “drop in” opportunity at our busy community hub in Weoley Castle. Meet and help citizens and their carers to understand and access the digital world via a laptop, smartphone, or MAC book. This will include helping people get online safely, send emails, and use Microsoft applications such as Word and PowerPoint
Support our weekly Digital Creative Workshop. Join in with our staff team as we support citizens to unleash creative talents and learn how to make amazing online content for the digital world.
Collaborate with the marketing team: Share content for use in promotional materials, social media, and the website.
What do I need?
For this volunteer role you need:
· A good understanding of digital platforms, internet use and Microsoft applications
· A friendly, calm, and patient attitude
· Be accepting of people who may be different to you
· Be happy to chat and a good listener
· Be willing to learn and act within guidelines set out by Midland Mencap
· An enhanced DBS check and references will be required
When and where do you need me?
· Monday afternoons 13.00 – 14.30
· Weoley Castle Community Centre. Bottetourt Road, Weoley Castle. B29 5TE
What’s in it for me?
As one of our valued volunteers, Midland Mencap will offer you:
· The chance to gain valuable digital media experience.
· The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities and their family carers.
· Any training and development that is needed
· The opportunity to meet new people and be part of a diverse team
· Support within your role
· Agreed out-of-pocket expenses
· Lots of appreciation for your amazing contribution
· Positive wellbeing from doing something great
· Improve career opportunities by adding your volunteer role to a CV
To campaign for and deliver accessible and inclusive community health and wellbeing support services for individuals, families, and carers.
Aylesbury Wheels For All - Active In The Community
Role Title: Disability Cycling Volunteer
About Active In The Community
AITC aims to ensure everyone has the opportunity to be more physically active in an accessible and affordable way across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Berkshire.
Information of our Wheels For All session
Wheels For All is an inclusive cycling project, with adapted cycles that cater for individuals with disabilities for all ages. We offer an accessible and creative way for people and their families to be active together. Run by volunteers, these sessions are open to all individuals, as we aim to make cycling inclusive and accessible to everyone.
We have a range of volunteering roles to meet what you can offer, examples of role responsibility can be seen below:
- Completing session registration
- Meeting and greeting individuals
- Helping participants pick a bike to ride
- Supporting and encouraging participants throughout the session
- Making tea and coffee for participants and guests
Benefits of volunteering at our sessions
- Build social connections that can lead to new friendships or even mentorship or job opportunities
- Contribute to the well-being of others in your community
- See the positive impact your help will have on participants and their families attending the sessions
- Skill development, for example: communication, leadership skills, project management experience
- Can be provided with a CV reference
Location
The Kingsbrook School, Armstrongs Flds, Bierton, Aylesbury, HP22 7BR
Hours
Sundays 11am - 1pm (running weekly starting from the 19th May into October
Flexible - If you are available every week or even just a couple of times per month, we would love to see you there!
Support/Training
Before our sessions begin, we will be hosting a training session for all the volunteers, enabling the opportunity to meet others, find out more information of what the role consists of and have a look at all the bikes we have. We will also cover costs of regular volunteers for a safeguarding course, a DBS check and uniform.
For more information or for any further questions please email us or visit our website.
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.