Counselling volunteer roles in canary wharf, greater london

Our core Befriending Project supports people who are socially isolated in Ealing and Hounslow. They may have a physical or sensory disability, or they may have mild dementia, and are sometimes housebound.

This is an opportunity to become a Befriender.

On successful completion of the training, Befrienders are matched with someone who lives close to them.

They make a weekly 1-2 hour visit to the client's home, where they might stay in and chat over a cup of tea or, where possible, go out for a walk together, visit a cafe or undertake a local activity.

These visits make such a difference for the client, but volunteering with BEfriend not only enriches the lives of those who are isolated, it also offers immense personal rewards.

As a Befriender, you’ll get to know inspirational people with fascinating stories, develop new skills and be part of a supportive team that values compassion and connection.

Are you looking for a fresh challenge that makes a positive difference to the lives of Young People throughout the UK?

At Childline we are actively recruiting new Volunteers. 

What will I be doing?

• Your shift will consist of 3hrs30mns counselling, sandwiched between a 15mns brief before your shift and a 30mns debrief post shift. This is to ensure that you can start and finish your shift with any support you require from your Practitioners.
• On shift you will take contacts from Young People who rely on the service that Childline offers. Childline is not there to solve problems, we are a listening service for Young People and in each contact your role is to engage the Young Person, explore their situation and to support them in deciding their next steps.
• The contacts you would take from Young People can come in 3 ways. Traditional phone call contacts, live chats via instant response typed messaging or less commonly via 'PIBS' which are essentially emails sent by Young People in the knowledge the response will not be 'live' and instant.

What impact will this have?

• Childline is a unique service, valued greatly by the Young People who contact us.
• It provides a safe place for Young People to talk confidentially to our Volunteer Counsellors, an option that many of them do not have elsewhere.
• Young People rely on us being there for them 24/7. In an average month, Childline London takes approx. 1,500 live chats, 900 voice calls and 300 PIBs.
• However, the demand for the service often outstrips the supply as Young People who desperately need our service cannot always get through.
• That is why we are actively recruiting new Volunteers to be able to meet the need of all Young People who are in distress and need the support that Childline provides.

Training

• Childline offers a full 12 week online training programme to new Volunteers. This consists of one 4 hour session per week.
• During the training, you will meet other Volunteers in your cohort and have access to your 2 dedicated Childline Trainers.
• As part of the training, you will also go in person to the London Base for observation and mentored shifts which give you a face to face insight into how the Counselling Room works.
• You will also have access to a dedicated Volunteer Engagement Lead to give you a London Base tour (optional) and generally be on hand to answer any questions or queries you may have - big or small, if they matter to you they matter because you are giving your time to volunteer and Childline wants to offer you every level of support.
• Once you pass through training and become a qualified Childline Volunteer Counsellor, the development opportunities do not stop there. You will have access to a multitude of mandatory and optional training courses that are accredited and 100% free to all Volunteers.

We're looking for someone who has a broad knowledge of Talking Therapies, community mental health priorities and emerging trends and who can contribute effectively as a Committee Chair and as a Board member.

What will you be doing?

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

About Wimbledon Guild

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

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

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

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

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

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong professional background in adult social care, counselling or mental health services to join a well-established and effective Board, and to contribute their experience to ensure that Wimbledon Guild achieves its goals. The Committee Chair will be responsible for representing the Talking Therapies Committee at Board meetings, as well as fulfilling all of the general duties of an active trustee. These include helping to develop strategy, providing oversight, and promoting the highest standards of corporate governance.

What are we looking for?

The Talking Therapies Committee Chair should demonstrate the following qualities:

• A clear and confident communicator who has experience working at a senior level.
• An ability to take over existing projects and ensure that these are on track for successful delivery.
• A strong professional background in adult social care, mental health services, counselling or related professions
• A willingness to be a committed Board member, and to contribute actively to a skilled and experienced Board.
• A commitment to Wimbledon Guild’s objectives and to the Merton community.
• An understanding of and commitment to our  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies

What difference will you make?

This is a vital role, helping ensure we can continue our support for people in Merton. As Committee Chair, you will have a real opportunity to offer your unique skill set to help the strategic progression of the charity.

Before you apply

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter answering the questions 

1. What particularly interests you about Wimbledon Guild and its work in the Merton community? (500 words) 

2. Which of your professional skills and experience do you feel are most relevant to this trusteeship and why? (500 words

Our Linked Minds Befriending Project supports people who are socially isolated in Ealing and Hounslow due to a diagnosed mental health problem.

This is an opportunity to become a Befriender.

On successful completion of specialist mental health training, the Befriender is matched with someone suitable, by a Co-ordinator who then acts as a (non-clinical) supervisor for the befriending period, which is limited to a year. (Where applicable, this can count towards continuous professional development).

Befriender, client and supervisor make a plan together with a goal to work towards, and the Befriender makes a weekly 1-2 hour visit to the client's home, where they might stay in and chat over a cup of tea, go out for a walk together, visit a cafe or undertake a local activity. 

These visits make such a difference for the client, increasing their confidence and helping them explore and work towards getting a job, joining a club, meeting other people or whatever their goal may be.

The aim is that, by the end of the year, clients feel better about themselves, more valued, resilient, empowered, more linked to their community and better equipped for their journeys in recovery.

But volunteering with BEfriend not only enriches the lives of those who are isolated, it also offers immense personal rewards.

As a Befriender, you’ll get to know inspirational people with fascinating stories, develop new skills and be part of a supportive team that values compassion and connection.

Womankind is recruiting reliable and resilient women, who are able to commit to 1-2 daytime hours each week for six months, to join our Volunteer Befriending Service. Befrienders encourage and support vulnerable women who have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse, empowering them to make their own decisions and improve their mental health and wellbeing so that they can lead more fulfilling lives. 

Training: 

Befrienders attend an initial online meet & greet session and then receive 4 taught sessions of comprehensive training over Zoom. These sessions will take place over 4 weeks, starting in Autumn 2025 (DATES AND TIMES TBC). Befrienders will be expected to complete homestudy in between sessions. You will be part of a team of trainees and benefit from peer support as well as help and guidance from the Volunteer Coordinator. Our training comes with over 30 years of experience working in women’s mental health, giving volunteers the very best preparation for the role, and a support network of like-minded women. 

The Role: 

Upon the completion of training, each volunteer is matched with one woman who has experienced childhood abuse, trauma, sexual violence and/or domestic abuse, and will be experiencing mental ill health and social isolation. 

As a befriender you would be expected to commit 1-2 hours on a weekly basis for 6 months and attend monthly group and individual supervision. Many of our volunteers decide they would like to be matched with another woman after the completion of their first match and continue volunteering with us for another 6 months. 

You and your befriendee would start by getting to know each other gradually. Once you have built up your relationship, you would support her emotionally, using active listening skills and providing her with a space to express her feelings and feel heard. You would help her to believe that she can achieve her goals and have safer relationships. Part of your role would be demonstrating what a healthy and boundaried relationship looks like. 

You: 

You will be enthusiastic and interested in helping another woman improve her mental health and wellbeing so that she can lead a more fulfilling life. You will be friendly and non-judgemental, have good communication skills and be a reliable and patient listener. 

The befriending role can be challenging and emotionally overwhelming at times. Therefore, we need befrienders who have adequate life experience and feel emotionally robust and resilient enough to take on the role. We welcome volunteers with personal experience of mental health and other relevant issues but will require you to have at least a one-year period of stability and ideally to have received professional help like counselling in your recovery. 

As this is a remote service, we welcome applications from women who are based across the UK. 

Please note, there is very limited availability for women who can only volunteer during the evenings and weekends. 

Because of the nature of this role, it is only open to women applicants and is exempt under Schedule 9 Part 1 Equalities Act 2010. 

At Womankind we recognise that while women share many characteristics and experiences as a result of living within a patriarchal society, women belonging to marginalised groups experience discrimination on multiple fronts. It is really important to us that the women who use our services feel represented amongst our volunteers. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life, especially from groups which are marginalised and underrepresented in our organisation, such as working-class women and Black and Minoritised women. 

 What Past Befrienders Say: 

“I loved the training, that was possibly one of my favourite things about this whole experience...it was really thorough. I loved being in a space with like-minded women – and it was also challenging, which I liked.” 

“In terms of supervision and knowledge, how to prepare the role – it was much more prepared, much more in depth than other places I’ve volunteered.” 

“It’s been a pleasure, I love volunteering with you guys. It’s special being part of this – in a world where are so few spaces where you can have a direct impact on someone’s life, doing this role is really special.” 

Closing Date: 31/08/2025 

Job Type: Volunteer 

Work Location: Remote, must be UK-based 

We are recruiting for a volunteer who would like to play a role in helping others to express themselves through writing. Would you like to support others to use their imagination to portray a message?

Creative writing is a great way to express yourself using your own creativity and imagination through story telling or poetry. It is an opportunity to reflect on your own experiences and put it down on paper. Creative writing has been shown to improve emotional and mental well-being. Through creative writing, we can gain insight into our emotions, develop self-expression and communication skills, cultivate empathy and understanding of others, boost our imagination and creativity.

What you will be doing

• Lead and facilitate a weekly Creative Writing Group, encouraging participants to explore their thoughts and feelings through writing exercises, prompts, and storytelling.
• Guide a subsequent Feelings Forum where participants can share and discuss emotions sparked by the writing session or current experiences in a respectful and supportive atmosphere
• Foster an inclusive, non-judgmental environment where all voices are heard and valued
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to the organisation’s safeguarding and mental health protocols
• Prepare session materials and adapt activities to meet the needs of diverse participants

The skills you need

• Prepare session materials and adapt activities to meet the needs of diverse participants
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with sensitivity to mental health challenges
• Ability to facilitate group discussions and manage diverse emotional responses constructively
• Patience, empathy, and a non-judgmental approach.
• Training or experience in mental health, counselling, social work, or a related field is advantageous but not essential

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Volunteer Social Media Content Producer

Location: Haggerston and other SCT sites in East London

Time Commitment: Flexible

Reports to: Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications/Digital Marketing and Communications Manager.

About Us

Based in East London, we have supported people affected by homelessness and addiction for sixty years. We provide a residential addictions treatment programme and counselling, a training and development service, supported housing, and a Housing First service.

Our approach is trauma-informed, holistic and compassionate. We enable people to build strong foundations for the future and discover new skills, improve confidence and self-esteem, and improve physical health and mental well-being. All are vital to establishing a lasting recovery from homelessness and addiction and creating a more fulfilling life.

Our nine charity shops and two social enterprises, put us in the heart of communities across East London.

Role Overview

We are seeking a creative and enthusiastic Volunteer Social Media Content Producer to help us craft engaging, mission-driven content for our social media platforms. This is a great opportunity for someone who loves storytelling, creating digital content and wants to use their skills to support a meaningful cause.

Key Responsibilities

As part of the Fundraising, Marketing and Communications team, key responsibilities include:

· Developing original content for platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

· Creating graphics, short videos, reels, stories, and written posts that align with our brand and messaging.

· Collaborating with teams across SCT, including SCT retail, to plan and execute content calendars and campaigns.

· Repurposing existing materials into social media-friendly formats.

· Staying informed about social media trends and suggesting creative ways to increase engagement.

Skills & Experience

· Experience in content creation for social media (personal, academic, or professional).

· Proficiency with tools like Canva, Meta, CapCut, or similar.

· Strong visual storytelling and writing skills.

· Ability to work independently and meet deadlines

· Passion for social impact and a good understanding of social media platforms.

What We Offer

· A chance to make a real difference through your creative work.

· Opportunities to build your portfolio and gain experience in nonprofit communications.

· A reference or recommendation upon successful completion of the role.

· Flexible hours and a supportive, collaborative team environment.

KIPAWA DREAMS INITIATIVES

Kipawa Dreams Initiatives (K-DI) is a women-led Organization. Our mission is to empower youth, especially girls and women, by equipping them with the knowledge and opportunities to foster sustainable communities through extensive education, health, and technology-related initiatives. At K-DI, we prioritize tackling significant challenges in education and health, particularly for marginalized youth. We focus specifically on women and children aged 10 - 25. Our strategy is built on collaborating with local stakeholders, governments, and development partners, which allows us to create community-driven solutions and enhance capacity within our communities.

KIPAWA Dreams addresses the intertwined social and environmental challenges facing youth in rural Tanzania, including poor mental health awareness, cultural stigma, gender inequality, and lack of supportive spaces. Many young people struggle in silence with trauma, anxiety, or abuse, worsened by poverty and harmful norms. Girls are especially vulnerable due to early marriage, menstrual stigma, and limited educational access. Through peer-led clubs, community dialogues, and youth mental health training, KIPAWA Dreams fosters safe and inclusive environments that promote resilience, emotional expression, and support. The organization empowers young people to heal, lead, and drive change within their schools, families, and communities.

KIPAWA Dreams tackles mental health stigma, gender inequality, and youth marginalization through culturally rooted, community-driven solutions. It trains teachers, health workers, and youth leaders in Mental Health issues, builds school-based peer support clubs, and facilitates intergenerational dialogues to break harmful silences. By integrating arts, sports, and storytelling, the startup creates safe spaces for youth expression and healing. Girls are empowered through leadership roles and reproductive health education, while all youth gain tools to navigate trauma and stress. KIPAWA Dreams fosters resilience, inclusion, and early intervention transforming communities from within and ensuring that no young person is left behind.

Join Us in Making Mental Health Matter in Rural Tanzania.

Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Advisor (Volunteer).

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

KDI is seeking a mental health professional to enhance the technical quality of our Mental Health Awareness and Education Campaigns, as well as our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training and youth-led support clubs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review and guide MHFA training materials.
• Support the establishment of referral pathways and trauma-informed practices.
• Assist in the development of school-based psychosocial activities.
• Contribute to parent engagement and facilitate community dialogues.

Ideal Candidate:

• A background in mental health, such as psychology, counseling, or social work.
• A passion for community-based and youth-focused interventions.
• Familiarity with delivering mental health services in low-resource or rural settings.

Weekly Time Commitment

2-3 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

6+ months

KIPAWA DREAMS INITIATIVES

Kipawa Dreams Initiatives (K-DI) is a women-led Organization. Our mission is to empower youth, especially girls and women, by equipping them with the knowledge and opportunities to foster sustainable communities through extensive education, health, and technology-related initiatives. At K-DI, we prioritize tackling significant challenges in education and health, particularly for marginalized youth. We focus specifically on women and children aged 10 - 25. Our strategy is built on collaborating with local stakeholders, governments, and development partners, which allows us to create community-driven solutions and enhance capacity within our communities.

KIPAWA Dreams addresses the intertwined social and environmental challenges facing youth in rural Tanzania, including poor mental health awareness, cultural stigma, gender inequality, and lack of supportive spaces. Many young people struggle in silence with trauma, anxiety, or abuse, worsened by poverty and harmful norms. Girls are especially vulnerable due to early marriage, menstrual stigma, and limited educational access. Through peer-led clubs, community dialogues, and youth mental health training, KIPAWA Dreams fosters safe and inclusive environments that promote resilience, emotional expression, and support. The organization empowers young people to heal, lead, and drive change within their schools, families, and communities.

KIPAWA Dreams tackles mental health stigma, gender inequality, and youth marginalization through culturally rooted, community-driven solutions. It trains teachers, health workers, and youth leaders in Mental Health issues, builds school-based peer support clubs, and facilitates intergenerational dialogues to break harmful silences. By integrating arts, sports, and storytelling, the startup creates safe spaces for youth expression and healing. Girls are empowered through leadership roles and reproductive health education, while all youth gain tools to navigate trauma and stress. KIPAWA Dreams fosters resilience, inclusion, and early intervention transforming communities from within and ensuring that no young person is left behind.

Join Us in Making Mental Health Matter in Rural Tanzania.

Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Advisor (Volunteer).

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

KDI is seeking a mental health professional to enhance the technical quality of our Mental Health Awareness and Education Campaigns, as well as our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training and youth-led support clubs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review and guide MHFA training materials.
• Support the establishment of referral pathways and trauma-informed practices.
• Assist in the development of school-based psychosocial activities.
• Contribute to parent engagement and facilitate community dialogues.

Ideal Candidate:

• A background in mental health, such as psychology, counseling, or social work.
• A passion for community-based and youth-focused interventions.
• Familiarity with delivering mental health services in low-resource or rural settings.

Weekly Time Commitment

2-3 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

6+ months

KIPAWA DREAMS INITIATIVES

Kipawa Dreams Initiatives (K-DI) is a women-led Organization. Our mission is to empower youth, especially girls and women, by equipping them with the knowledge and opportunities to foster sustainable communities through extensive education, health, and technology-related initiatives. At K-DI, we prioritize tackling significant challenges in education and health, particularly for marginalized youth. We focus specifically on women and children aged 10 - 25. Our strategy is built on collaborating with local stakeholders, governments, and development partners, which allows us to create community-driven solutions and enhance capacity within our communities.

KIPAWA Dreams addresses the intertwined social and environmental challenges facing youth in rural Tanzania, including poor mental health awareness, cultural stigma, gender inequality, and lack of supportive spaces. Many young people struggle in silence with trauma, anxiety, or abuse, worsened by poverty and harmful norms. Girls are especially vulnerable due to early marriage, menstrual stigma, and limited educational access. Through peer-led clubs, community dialogues, and youth mental health training, KIPAWA Dreams fosters safe and inclusive environments that promote resilience, emotional expression, and support. The organization empowers young people to heal, lead, and drive change within their schools, families, and communities.

KIPAWA Dreams tackles mental health stigma, gender inequality, and youth marginalization through culturally rooted, community-driven solutions. It trains teachers, health workers, and youth leaders in Mental Health issues, builds school-based peer support clubs, and facilitates intergenerational dialogues to break harmful silences. By integrating arts, sports, and storytelling, the startup creates safe spaces for youth expression and healing. Girls are empowered through leadership roles and reproductive health education, while all youth gain tools to navigate trauma and stress. KIPAWA Dreams fosters resilience, inclusion, and early intervention transforming communities from within and ensuring that no young person is left behind.

Join Us in Making Mental Health Matter in Rural Tanzania.

Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Advisor (Volunteer).

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

KDI is seeking a mental health professional to enhance the technical quality of our Mental Health Awareness and Education Campaigns, as well as our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training and youth-led support clubs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review and guide MHFA training materials.
• Support the establishment of referral pathways and trauma-informed practices.
• Assist in the development of school-based psychosocial activities.
• Contribute to parent engagement and facilitate community dialogues.

Ideal Candidate:

• A background in mental health, such as psychology, counseling, or social work.
• A passion for community-based and youth-focused interventions.
• Familiarity with delivering mental health services in low-resource or rural settings.

Weekly Time Commitment

2-3 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

6+ months

Family Lives was formed over forty years ago by volunteers with the aim of ensuring that all parents had somewhere to turn before they reach crisis point.

We know that the right support at the right time makes all the difference.

Family Lives provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families who are struggling.

Purpose of the role:

To be part of a flexible team providing empathic, caring and informed support to families, carers and others who use our services.

Our volunteers take calls from parents and carers on a wide range of subjects, whether that might be issues around separation and divorce, isolation, depression, bullying and abuse, dealing with behavioural problems, etc. You can find out more about our services on our website. We are a national service with home-based call takers county wide and a call centre in Old Hatfield Hertfordshire.

Once trained volunteers sign up for a weekly 4-hour shift comprising 3 hours ‘online’ followed by a debrief session with your supervisor which can last around half to one hour.

We recruit volunteers with a range of backgrounds and experiences though we ask that volunteers have experience of parenting or working with children and young people, are good listeners and have a willingness to learn. Being remote it will be very important that you have a PC/laptop, plug in headset with microphone, good Wi-Fi and a private place to work from home. You need to be a UK resident.

Our volunteers often tell us how rewarding their time with us is.

You'll be part of a compassionate community and feel a real sense of pride for what you do. You'll meet new people, gain valuable experience, and develop your skillset. We're passionate about helping people to reach their full potential, so we'll offer you full training suitable for the role, supervision from a named member of staff, including help setting personal development goals, and opportunities to increase skills and input into practice via regular Practice Development Groups.

Our training programme is excellent and will give you the opportunity to develop the skills needed to offer empathic support and guidance to callers whatever their circumstances; all shifts are overseen by a regular shift supervisor who provides ongoing remote support.

We ask our volunteers to make a commitment of 1 year (with time off for holidays), obviously we understand that circumstances sometimes make that an impossibility but can be helpful to know at the outset that is the general expectation.

We have remote call taker training sessions that run over five sessions and is done remotely connecting you via a Microsoft Teams link. Our next training is starting in September 2025.

Module One = Tues 16th Sept

Module Two = Wed 24th Sept

Module Three = Weds 1st Oct

Module Four = Weds 8th Oct

Module Five = Wed 15th Oct

10am to 2pm

You would need to be able to attend all five sessions and be available on four occasions to listen into calls, this can be organised remotely. If you are unable to attend the training however are interested, please do apply as we run training throughout the year.

£Volunteer - allowance of travel and luncheon voucher
Minimum 7 hours pw, up to 21 hrs depending on availability

Ref: VPR-251

Are you a proactive, collaborative and approachable individual with the desire to support others to develop improved employability skills and progress towards employment?  Do you have the patience and willingness to work with sometimes vulnerable, talkative and demanding clients?

If so, St Giles is looking for a Volunteer Peer Advisor to work collaboratively with staff across St Giles Trust and externally to develop a flexible, holistic and personalised pathway towards employment for clients.

About St Giles Trust
An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need.  Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

About this key role
As directed by the Caseworker or Team Leader, you will carry out promotional and engagement activities to recruit participants, as well as individual needs assessments with participants, obtaining information from referral agencies where possible.  You will support participants in carrying out individual and group activities to implement their plans and make progress towards employment, plus act as a Peer Advisor to participants, providing ‘support from someone who has been there’.

We will also count on you to act as a positive role model for what participants can achieve, help develop their confidence and make referrals for specialist help, including what is available within the project, plus, as skills develop, take on a small caseload of participants.

What we are looking for

• Knowledge of support needs and the issues facing individuals with barriers to work
• Ability to work in line with relevant legislation, policies and procedures
• Level 3 Advice and Guidance or equivalent or willingness to work towards
• Commitment to promoting equality and celebrating diversity
• Commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal.

Please note: this role requires that successful candidates must undergo an Enhanced Adult DBS check, on the basis that the post involves contact with vulnerable participants and colleagues.

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, clinical therapist sessions, life insurance (4 x annual salary), duvet days, season ticket loan, employee perks programme, eye care voucher and much more.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

Closing date: 10 August 11PM

Title: Economics Advisor – Missing People 

Summary 

Missing People is recruiting volunteers with expertise in economics to support the early planning of a project exploring the economic impact of missing episodes and the harms experienced by individuals while missing. This work will inform the development of a robust, evidence-based estimate of the cost of a missing episode and the socio-economic return on investment (ROI) of prevention efforts. 

As an Advisory Volunteer, you will provide expert guidance to help shape the scope and direction of this project. Your insights will help the charity identify key considerations, methodologies, and data needs - an area where we have limited in-house expertise. 

Description

Someone is reported missing every 90 seconds in the UK. Missing People is the only UK charity dedicated to reconnecting missing people and their loved ones. Our services include: 

• A free and confidential helpline, available 7 days a week, for missing people and their loved ones, 

• A specialist family support and counselling service, 

• Case publicity to support loved ones with sharing appeals,

• Specialist services for children and young people, and their loved ones, experiencing exploitation,

• Commissioned intensive support services for young people at particular risk, 

• Research, consultancy and training for professionals working around the issue of missing.

Our vision is that every missing person is found safe.

By supporting us to develop a compelling economic case for prevention, you’ll play a vital role in shaping how missing incidents are understood and addressed across the UK. We will use the information to influence nationally: sharing the figures with key decision-makers in government, policing, health and social care. This work will strengthen our case for funding essential services that prevent repeat missing episodes and support the development of more effective early intervention strategies.

We’ve already begun exploring this work but need additional external expertise to guide our planning and approach. As such we are recruiting new volunteer Economics Advisors. Advisors will be asked to:

• Attend and participate in monthly project planning meeting (1-2 hours via video call, scheduled flexibly on weekdays or evenings) for a period of 6 months.

• Review relevant documents and provide ad hoc advice between meetings (no more than 1-2 hours)

• Get further involved in the project with a weekly commitment, if desired – this is entirely optional.

What impact will you have? 

Your input will support Missing People to build a stronger case for prevention and change for missing people and their loved ones.

About the volunteer 

We are looking for volunteers with: 

• A strong understanding of data and working with complex statistics 

• Experience in economic analysis of social issues and public policy, cost-benefit analysis, or social return on investment (SROI) 

• Willingness to support and advise Missing People’s Head of Policy and Head of Research in understanding an area outside of our usual expertise 

• The ability to ask key questions, offer constructive challenge, and act as a critical friend to staff 

• Commitment to attend monthly meetings for a 6-month project period 

We are recruiting for a volunteer who would like to play a role in helping others to express themselves through writing. Would you like to support others to use their imagination to portray a message?

Creative writing is a great way to express yourself using your own creativity and imagination through story telling or poetry. It is an opportunity to reflect on your own experiences and put it down on paper. Creative writing has been shown to improve emotional and mental well-being. Through creative writing, we can gain insight into our emotions, develop self-expression and communication skills, cultivate empathy and understanding of others, boost our imagination and creativity.

About the service..

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

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

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

What you will be doing

• Lead and facilitate a weekly Creative Writing Group, encouraging participants to explore their thoughts and feelings through writing exercises, prompts, and storytelling.
• Guide a subsequent Feelings Forum where participants can share and discuss emotions sparked by the writing session or current experiences in a respectful and supportive atmosphere
• Foster an inclusive, non-judgmental environment where all voices are heard and valued
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to the organisation’s safeguarding and mental health protocols
• Prepare session materials and adapt activities to meet the needs of diverse participants

The skills you need

• Prepare session materials and adapt activities to meet the needs of diverse participants
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with sensitivity to mental health challenges
• Ability to facilitate group discussions and manage diverse emotional responses constructively
• Patience, empathy, and a non-judgmental approach.
• Training or experience in mental health, counselling, social work, or a related field is advantageous but not essential

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.