Criminal justice peer mentor volunteer roles
Ref: CYP-251
Are you a personable, resilient and reliable individual with the commitment – and, above all, the understanding – to build trusted professional relationships with vulnerable children and young people?
If so, St Giles has opportunities to join us in the volunteer role of SOS North Yorkshire Peer Advisor – working on an award-winning project that educates children and young people around the risks and signs of exploitation, serious violence, and gangs, through group facilitated sessions and tailored one-to-one intervention sessions in schools and other community settings.
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
You’ll join us in mentoring children and young people who are victims of, or have been affected by, sexual or criminal exploitation, or who are frequently missing from home. Receiving full training, including a Level 3 Information Advice and Guidance qualification, you’ll provide support to SOS caseworkers developing and delivering educational sessions to children and young people between the ages of 10-25 years, on topics such as: weapons awareness; the reality of prison; gangs; county lines; and child sexual exploitation.
We positively encourage applications if you’ve previously worked on a client-led support project, and/or have had personal adverse experiences such as homelessness, substance misuse, debt, involvement with gangs, etc. This includes having had experience of the criminal justice system and serving a prison sentence. (You will need to demonstrate how your lived experience supports your ability to benefit our clients).
What we are looking for
- Relevant knowledge/understanding, preferably with lived/personal experience of the Criminal Justice System, and/or having been affected by criminal or sexual exploitation.
- Experience with socially excluded children, young people and/or adults.
- Experience of providing advice and guidance and/or mentoring (not essential).
- Award in Education & Training and/or Mentoring Level 3 qualification (or willingness to work towards).
- Ability to communicate and understand different experiences and perspectives without judgement.
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: 11pm on 20th July 2025
Interviews: 28th July 2025 in York
Registered Charity
501 - 1000
We help people held back by poverty, unemployment, the criminal justice system, homelessness, exploitation and abuse to build a positive future.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Last year 786,574 people were offered information and support from Victim Support. As a Volunteer Case Worker (DA) you will provide specialist support services for young people affected by domestic abuse.
Why volunteer with us?
- Make a difference - you will volunteer directly with victims and/or alongside staff.
- Gain skills and experience - you will receive training on how to provide practical and emotional support.
- This is an ideal role for anyone looking to gain experience working for a charity or who has an interest in a career working with young people and people affected by domestic abuse.
- Join our community - you will be part of a large community of over 1,500 volunteers and staff.
- Access to reflective practice, peer support and mentoring.
- One to one support provided by a designated line manager, who will offer coaching and case supervision.
- Beyond your role – attend one or our many events/webinars and join one of our six Equality, Diversity & Inclusion networks.
Volunteering with Victim Support and our STREET programme in Gloucestershire
As a Volunteer in Gloucestershire your role will include:
- Supporting young people who have experienced domestic abuse
- You will receive specific specialist training around domestic abuse and supporting young people
- Work closely with our partner agencies such as GDASS and SARC
- Opportunity to attend events to represent Victim Support and our STREET service
- Being able to work from our office in Gloucester or from home depending on the need
- Training around our case management system
- Access to a Victim Support laptop and phone to enable you to update our systems and use a victim support email account to communicate with clients and referral partners
What do we ask of you?
In order to join us as a Service Delivery Volunteer, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or over.
- Be able to volunteer for at least 7 to 14 hours per week, for at least 12 months. Ideally, we are looking for someone who can commit to two fixed days a week.
- Undertake training over a 10-week period – this includes eleven virtual training days (including our core, safeguarding, children’s and domestic abuse training) as well as completing a workbook and online learning modules.
- Undertake an enhanced DBS check & be part of the DBS update service.
- Be able to provide two satisfactory references.
- Have an active email address that you are comfortable using in order to engage with VS communications.
Expenses
- All Victim Support volunteers are entitled to out-of-pocket expenses incurred whilst volunteering, including travel and lunch.
Diversity Matters
- VS strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.
- VS is also a Disability Confident Employer, and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.
- We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to support you through the application process.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Shannon Trust fulfils an unmet need around adult learning, supporting people who’ve fallen through the cracks in formal education.
We know a lot of people have had negative learning experiences in the past, so our programme is designed to be different, with no exams and no classrooms. Our unique, evidence-based Turning Pages reading manuals and Count Me In numeracy manuals are used by thousands of learners in prisons and the community to improve reading and numeracy skills.
Prison volunteers live near to their local prison so that they can visit about once a month during the working week to nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance, training and support to prison staff and prisoner mentors who help other prisoners to improve their skills 1 to 1.
We are looking for volunteers who are able to give a regular, reliable commitment for ideally two years and able to deliver engaging training to groups of people in prisons. Volunteers do not need to be teachers or qualified traininers, full training will be given. Due to the nature of the role, prison security vetting will be required.
We provide training for the role via e-learning and 4 training sessions which are a mix of live, online and group training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Shannon Trust fulfils an unmet need around adult learning, supporting people who’ve fallen through the cracks in formal education.
We know a lot of people have had negative learning experiences in the past, so our programme is designed to be different, with no exams and no classrooms. Our unique, evidence-based Turning Pages reading manuals are used by thousands of learners in prisons and the community to improve reading skills.
Prison volunteers live near to their local prison so that they can visit about once a month during the working week to nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance, training and support to prison staff and prisoner mentors who help other prisoners to improve their skills 1 to 1.
We are looking for volunteers who are able to work alone, able to give a regular, reliable commitment for ideally two years and able to deliver engaging training to groups of people in prisons. Due to the nature of the role, prison security vetting will be required.
We provide training for the role via e-learning and 4 training sessions which are a mix of live, online and group training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Shannon Trust fulfils an unmet need around adult learning, supporting people who’ve fallen through the cracks in formal education.
We know a lot of people have had negative learning experiences in the past, so our programme is designed to be different, with no exams and no classrooms. Our unique, evidence-based Turning Pages reading manuals and Count Me In numeracy manuals are used by thousands of learners in prisons and the community to improve reading and numeracy skills.
Prison volunteers live near to their local prison so that they can visit about once a month during the working week to nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance, training and support to prison staff and prisoner mentors who help other prisoners to improve their skills 1 to 1.
We are looking for volunteers who are able to give a regular, reliable commitment for ideally two years and able to deliver engaging training to groups of people in prisons. Volunteers do not need to be teachers or qualified traininers, full training will be given. Due to the nature of the role, prison security vetting will be required.
We provide training for the role via e-learning and 4 training sessions which are a mix of live, online and group training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Shannon Trust fulfils an unmet need around adult learning, supporting people who’ve fallen through the cracks in formal education.
We know a lot of people have had negative learning experiences in the past, so our programme is designed to be different, with no exams and no classrooms. Our unique, evidence-based Turning Pages reading manuals and Count Me In numeracy manuals are used by thousands of learners in prisons and the community to improve reading and numeracy skills.
Prison volunteers live near to their local prison so that they can visit about once a month during the working week to nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance, training and support to prison staff and prisoner mentors who help other prisoners to improve their skills 1 to 1.
We are looking for volunteers who are able to give a regular, reliable commitment for ideally two years and able to deliver engaging training to groups of people in prisons. Volunteers do not need to be teachers or qualified traininers, full training will be given. Due to the nature of the role, prison security vetting will be required.
We provide training for the role via e-learning and 4 training sessions which are a mix of live, online and group training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Shannon Trust fulfils an unmet need around adult learning, supporting people who’ve fallen through the cracks in formal education.
We know a lot of people have had negative learning experiences in the past, so our programme is designed to be different, with no exams and no classrooms. Our unique, evidence-based Turning Pages reading manuals are used by thousands of learners in prisons and the community to improve reading skills.
Prison volunteers live near to their local prison so that they can visit about once a month during the working week to nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance, training and support to prison staff and prisoner mentors who help other prisoners to improve their skills 1 to 1.
We are looking for volunteers who are able to work alone, able to give a regular, reliable commitment for ideally two years and able to deliver engaging training to groups of people in prisons. Due to the nature of the role, prison security vetting will be required.
We provide training for the role via e-learning and 4 training sessions which are a mix of live, online and group training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Fine Cell Work (FCW) is a UK-based rehabilitation charity and social enterprise. We are supported by an incredible team of prison volunteers who are the link between the charity and the stitchers we work with in prison. Our volunteers run fortnightly stitching groups in the prisons we work with to facilitate our stitchers’ production of high-quality needlework.
Our prison volunteers work in small teams to teach our stitchers’ embroidery and needlepoint, organise their group sessions, and liaise with the prison and FCW office.
What you will do as a prison volunteer:
- Teach people in prison how to stitch and support the completion of our premade kits in our cell groups, which consist of around 10-15 stitchers.
- Communicate with staff at our hub in Battersea to receive kits and supplies for your group and send back completed work for your stitchers to be paid.
- Encourage and help stitchers to complete our Open College Network certifications in creative needlework.
- Develop stitchers’ skills and confidence by encouraging them to take responsibility as peer mentors.
- Act as an ambassador for the charity and sharing our vision and values throughout your volunteering.
Who we are looking for:
- Skills in embroidery and/or needlepoint or a willingness to learn to stitch is essential for this role.
- Ideally some teaching experience or experience working with socially-excluded groups.
- Someone with a non-judgemental attitude and commitment to rehabilitation.
- Someone who is an excellent team worker.
- Someone who is good at observing personal boundaries.
Commitment: our stitching groups run for 2 hours every fortnight, so with travel time and some admin work after groups we ask prison volunteers to set aside a morning or afternoon every 2 weeks.
You must be over 18 for this role with the ability to travel to the prison. Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the charity.
Please take some time to read the role description to find out more details about the role and what we offer to our prison volunteers.
At Fine Cell Work, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented amongst FCW’s prison volunteers. This includes applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, and male identifying applicants.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.