Environment volunteer roles

We are seeking a remote, creative & proactive Content Creator to join our Communications team on an unpaid, volunteer basis, providing 8 or more hours per week support on average to our International WASH programmes. . 

EQUAL AQUA is an award-winning NGO providing equal access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in Uganda. Equal Aqua is managed by an international team of 30+ volunteers, based mainly in the UK and Uganda, but spanning over 10 countries.We are looking to expand and diversify our team of volunteers – seeking candidates with knowledge and skills in various fields, and a deep passion for our cause. 

JOB SUMMARY: 

Join us as part of our Communications team to help deliver powerful content for our internal & external communications strategy. You will be working alongside the Communications Manager & Communications Officer to develop our digital content & increase our presence on social media platforms.  Provide creative support for enhancing donor prospects, generating demand & increasing engagement through compelling narratives to support EAU projects & fundraising initiatives. 

ROLE & RESPONSBILITIES 

• Write engaging, accessible copy for social media posts, blogs, and newsletter updates. 

• Develop storytelling materials, such as case studies and fundraising spotlights, aligned with EAU’s brand voice. 

• Ensure alignment with the EA communications calendar and major WASH/sector events. 

• Design on-brand visuals for social media posts, including carousels, infographics, and WASH project graphics. 

• Assist with basic video editing and formatting of short clips for social media and the website. 

• Work within established brand and content guidelines to ensure consistency. 

• Work to project briefs and meet agreed timelines; maintain clear communication with other volunteers. 

• Understand how data and analytics informs content performance. 

KEY REQUIREMENTS  

ESSENTIAL: 

Experience: 

• Proven ability in creation of high-quality social media content and graphics. 

• Skilled at video editing (e.g. Canva, or Adobe Premiere Pro). 

• Strong copywriting, research and storytelling skills (long-from and short-form). 

• General understanding of social media best practices. 

• An eye for visual consistency and experience working with brand guidelines/briefs. 

• A proactive, collaborative, flexible, and self-directed approach to volunteering 

Skills: 

• Familiarity with tools such as Monday, Google Analytics, Notion, or Mailchimp. 

• Knowledge of tools like Monday/Buffer to track tasks and maintain project visibility. 

DESIRABLE: 

• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, and to travel as needed. 

• Previous experience within the voluntary or charity sector is advantageous. 

• Experience working with virtual teams. 

COMPETENCIES  

• Strong written and verbal communication abilities. 

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects. 

• Excellent time management and organizational skills. 

• Creative thinker who can develop innovative solutions.

• Detail-oriented with commitment to accuracy and quality. 

• Strong technical and data awareness. 

BENEFITS 

• At EAU all volunteers work remotely & flexibly, enabling you to balance work, holiday & personal commitments anywhere in the world.

• Join a diverse international community & gain a sense of fulfilment by contributing directly to impactful programmes that EAU delivers.

• Increase your opportunities for personal growth through exposure to new skills, experiences & perspectives that working for an NGO can bring.

• We also offer opportunities for networking, internships, mentoring & training to support you in your role.

Our Vision: To become a leading organisation in Uganda in addressing inequalities in WASH, and interrelated issues of gender and sustainability 

Our Mission: We will achieve this by working with partners and local communities to develop the required WASH skills, knowledge and practical interventions

Objectives: 

• To improve access to safe and sustainable WASH for those facing the greatest inequalities in Uganda 

• To strengthen the participation of local communities in WASH, in particular women and girls, and displaced peoples 

• To take action to protect the natural environment, reduce pollution and tackle climate change 

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: 

• 32,866 people with improved access to safe water 

• 11,044 people with improved sanitation 

• 11,755 people with improved WASH knowledge and skills 

• 3,877 people with improved menstrual hygiene knowledge 

• British High Commission award winner 

VALUES:

At Equal Aqua we champion bottom-up grassroots development. To make this possible, we have created a proactive and friendly environment, which strives to create practical and lasting solutions to WASH-related issues. Each member of Equal Aqua is passionate about WASH inequalities, and our values are a central basis for inspiration and the culture of the organisation. 

Why volunteer for EAU? 

By volunteering for EAU you will directly contribute to making tangible and positive changes to people’s lives in Uganda. Your efforts will help us to grow and empower our team of international volunteers, enabling us to reach more communities and transform more lives. You will also get to meet & collaborate with a great team of volunteers from all over the world.  If you like the sound of this role, we encourage you to apply even if you aren’t confident that you meet all of the requirements – you may be just who we’re looking for.

Please note that all members of Equal Aqua work remotely and on a voluntary basis. We ask that volunteers contribute on average 1 day per week and commit to the role for 12 months as a minimum. 

Interviews will take place via MS Teams where you will meet an informal panel of volunteers.  

Data Protection and Privacy: 

As a non-profit organization, we are committed to safeguarding the privacy and security of all applicants' personal information. We process your personal data in line with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where relevant. 

Any information you share with us during the recruitment process will be used solely for assessing your suitability for the position and will be handled confidentially. Your data will be stored securely, accessed only by authorized staff, and retained only for as long as necessary for recruitment purposes. 

You have the right to access, correct, or request the deletion of your personal data at any time. By applying, you consent to the processing of your information in accordance with these principles. 

DEI statement: 

EAU is committed to offering equal opportunities and treatment to all its volunteers. We see diversity as a strength and anyone seeking volunteering at Equal Aqua is considered based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We don’t regard colour, religion, ethnicity, race, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, citizenship, sex, marital or family status, disability, gender, or any other legally protected status.

We are extremely proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. To make your recruitment experience with us accessible to you, we encourage you to let us know if you have any individual requirements.

Equal Aqua is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in the UK; it operates equally and in unison with Equal Aqua Uganda, a registered Community Based Organisation (CBO) in Uganda (EAU refers to both). 

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

Support inclusive spirituality, education, and compassionate leadership

OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation is a registered educational charity, founded in 1996, that promotes inclusive spirituality and serves people of all faiths, and none. We train open-hearted adults to serve their communities as interfaith ministers, celebrants, and spiritual companions, supporting life’s important moments through ceremony, ritual, and compassionate care.

Organisational purpose

To benefit the public by the education of mature adults in:

• the core principles of the world’s religions, faiths, and spiritual traditions;

• principles and methods of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace-making;

• and the practice of non-denominational spiritual and pastoral service in the community.

Our Vision

is a world in which humanity awakens into an inclusive global spirituality that encompasses us all in the field of love and life.

Our Mission

is to work towards evolving consciousness in the world, by facilitating open-hearted people to awaken to inner leadership and their capacity for forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace-making.

We are currently seeking new Trustees to join our Board and help shape the future of our organisation. We're especially interested in individuals with experience in marketing, legal affairs, HR, adult education, fundraising, finance, or IT.

This is a meaningful opportunity to:

• Help guide an organisation where spiritual exploration meets learning, where inclusive communities flourish, and where people are supported to offer spiritual care with courage, compassion, and understanding.

• Contribute your professional skills in a nonprofit trustee role aligned with your values

• Help grow an organisation at the intersection of education, spirituality, and social transformation

What We’re Looking For:

We welcome applications from individuals with experience in any of the following areas:

• Marketing, communications, or branding

• Charity law or legal compliance

• Fundraising, development, or grant-writing

• Finance, accounting, or business planning

• Human Resources or organisational development

• Education or curriculum development

• Interfaith ministry, chaplaincy, or spiritual direction

That said, please don’t be discouraged if you don’t tick every box. If you feel inspired by our values and can uphold our Code of Ethics, we warmly encourage you to apply or get in touch for a conversation! 

You do not need to be a OneSpirit minister or graduate, we welcome interest from both alumni and the wider community.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a values-led, inclusive team committed to compassion and transformation

• Support a charity making a meaningful impact in spiritual education and interfaith work

• Develop new skills in nonprofit governance and strategic leadership

• Connect with a thoughtful, heart-centred network of trustees, staff, and ministers

Commitment to Inclusion:

We believe our strength lies in the richness of our differences. We are wholeheartedly committed to building a Board that reflects the diverse communities we serve, across race, gender, age, sexuality, ability, culture, faith, identity, background, and lived experience.

Whether your path has been traditional or unconventional, whether you’re seasoned in governance or bringing your voice to a boardroom for the first time, you are welcome here.

If you feel called to contribute, we would be honoured to hear from you.

Interested in Joining Us? 

At OneSpirit, there are many ways to contribute to a more compassionate and connected world. Whether through leadership, service, or spiritual growth, your presence makes a difference.

If you feel drawn to our mission and want to offer your time, wisdom, and heart to OneSpirit’s future, we’d love to hear from you. 

You can learn more about our team, our work, and our organisation on our website.

Curious about the training we offer? Come and train with an organisation committed to spiritual exploration, nurturing inclusive communities of care, and creating spaces where understanding and belonging can flourish. Explore the Cherry Tree Pathway, our two-year ministry and spiritual development training, and begin your journey today. Learn more about our training from our website.

Experienced contributing writers (remote) are invited to join our global team to make a difference by creating impactful articles and that reach millions in over 120 countries.

Big-time sustainability is a global media platform of a United Nations CSO.  Join our global team of experienced contributors and change perspectives.

Join us as a volunteer writer (not limited to) UG-PhD and postdoctoral researchers in any field of sustainability, industry experts and leaders (sustainability execs and C-suite), scientists, marketeers DEI contributors, innovators and trailblazers, Professors and academics, thought-leaders, influencers and global voices. 

Themes (not limited to): Policy & Economics, Finance, Pollution, Climate Change, Oceans, Biodiversity, Energy, and Solutions, Innovations, DEI, ESG, SDGs, Water, Food, Material sciences, Fashion, Consumerism, Marketing, Ethics, AI, Art and all topics in sustainability. 

A Rewarding Opportunity: Why Write With Us

• Make a tangible impact by volunteering your skills for a purpose-driven global media platform
• Work flexibly, remotely, and around your schedule
• Write  about sustainability topics that you are an expert of or issues you care about the most
• Boost your portfolio and visibility through global distribution across our site, newsletters, and social media.

What You'll Do

• Research and craft well-informed, compelling articles aligned with our editorial themes
• Translate complex topics into digestible insights for broad audiences
• Meet deadlines and contribute reliably.

What are we looking for?

• Proven experience (3 or more years) of contributing to written pieces at work and in other media outlets 
• Fluent, engaging command of English
• Expertise in the area of contribution
• Skilled in selecting credible sources to support writing
• Academic background (any discipline) or professional experience in sustainability fields
• A genuine passion to make a difference through impactful storytelling.

What difference will you make?

Be part of the global sustainability media platform reaching millions in over 120 countries.

Over 85% of people in the UK and even more, globally, are unaware of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) let alone take any steps to create a more sustainable world for themselves and in the process for others in this complexly interconnected world.

This highlights the need for such initiatives to educate the British as well as global societies about the UN SDGs. Your contributions can educate and inspire millions to act on the SDGs and bring positive changes that will impact all of us in this complexly interconnected world.

Your contributions will play a vital role in sparking thoughtful conversations, spreading meaningful insights, and motivating others to take action for a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

Most importantly your efforts will ensure that both individuals and organisations we reach via the global platform can come together and join forces to work in synergy, thus, benefitting more lives than acting alone.

Before you apply

Please provide a cover letter detailing why you are interested in this role and your relevant experience.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum of 2 court days per month attendance requiured. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

We are looking for new Treasurer and Trustee to join our Board in October when our current Treasurer steps down. In particular, we are seeking a qualified management accountant who can provide insights and leadership to support the financial management and governance of the Trust. The Treasurer works in close co-operation with, and provides support and advice to, the Finance Director and the Chief Executive. Our Trustees have a key leadership role at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, setting the direction of the organisation and help us to achieve our goals of creating wildlife-rich places and wildlife-rich lives.

Becoming a Trustee means taking on a voluntary role to support and guide a charitable organisation to achieve agreed vision and goals. Trustees are responsible for the overall governance of a charity. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Trustees set our strategic direction and provide guidance, support and challenge to the Senior Leadership Team. They are passionate ambassadors for the charity’s work, influencing key partners and helping to secure funding.

Trustees also contribute through their own professional expertise and background as collegiate members of the team, to ensure the charity is positioned to deliver its strategic priorities. Our Trustees bring strategic vision, independent judgement and a willingness to commit to leading the Trust through challenges and opportunities.

About 1st Place
1st Place was established in 2005 as part of the Aylesbury Sure Start Programme, shaped by the vision of local children and parents. It was created to be a welcoming and supportive space where families come first—where parents could access the support they need, professionals could collaborate, and services could evolve to better serve the local community.

Families remain at the core of everything 1st Place does today.

The Opportunity
1st Place Children and Parents’ Centre is a respected Family Hub and provider of early years education. Through outreach, nursery provision, and a range of family-focused projects—particularly for children under five—the organisation delivers high-quality, consistent services to the local community.

The Board of Trustees is seeking a new Honorary Treasurer to succeed the outgoing postholder. The Treasurer chairs the Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee and holds responsibility, on behalf of the Board, for overseeing budgets, internal management accounts, and annual financial statements. The role also ensures that appropriate financial controls and procedures are in place.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of the voluntary sector, charity governance, finance, and risk management. Strategic thinking, effective communication with trustees and senior managers, and leadership experience are essential. A commitment to dedicating time and energy to the organisation’s mission is vital.

What will I need to do?

Our shops wouldn't exist without the amazing support of our volunteers! You play a vital role in our high street presence, helping us raise awareness for Rainbows, sell our fantastic products, and generate crucial funds to support our hospice's incredible work. As a Retail Shop Volunteer, you'll be part of a dynamic team that serves as the friendly, professional and welcoming face of Rainbows for every visitor who walks through our doors.

Typical tasks the role could involve:

• Create a warm, welcoming atmosphere: Deliver top-notch customer service that makes every visitor feel special. Enjoy the thrill of serving customers on our tills, handling payments, and issuing receipts.
• Be a gift aid guru: Advise customers of our gift aid scheme and help boost our fundraising efforts.
• Showcase our treasures: Keep shelves, rails, and shop windows looking fantastic with regularly refreshed stock, following Rainbows' guidelines. 
• Get creative with displays: Help design eye-catching arrangements throughout the shop, including stunning window displays.
• Transform donated items into treasures: Sort, steam, hang, ticket, and display donations to turn them into irresistible finds.

Will it suit me?

Imagine showcasing and selling unique Rainbows products and delightful donated items, whilst speaking to a wide variety of people. If you like the sound of this then this volunteer role is perfect for you! You don’t need retail experience - just the ability of good communication, a willingness to dive into tasks and passion for being part of a fun-loving team.

Bring your skills. Change lives. Become a SMART CJS Trustee.

SMART CJS is a dynamic charity supporting people experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their home. We’re looking for new trustees to join our friendly and committed Board, guiding our strategic direction and ensuring we remain a strong, effective organisation.

About the role
Trustees play a vital role in the governance of SMART CJS. Working closely with our senior leadership team, you will:

• Help set the charity’s overall direction and priorities.

• Ensure we meet our legal and financial responsibilities.

• Provide insight and expertise to strengthen our services.

• Support our mission to prevent homelessness and help people rebuild their lives.

Who we’re looking for
No previous board experience is necessary, full induction and training are provided. We’re particularly keen to hear from people with skills in:

• Fundraising and income generation

• Law

• Human resources

But above all, we want trustees who:

• Are committed to our mission and values.

• Can think strategically and work well as part of a team.

• Are willing to use their skills and experience to help us grow and adapt.

Time commitment

• Four Board meetings per year (held in the evenings, usually in Bedford).

• Some email contact between meetings.

• Optional involvement in sub-committees, events, or projects if you have time.

What you’ll gain

• The chance to make a real, lasting difference for people experiencing homelessness.

• Experience in governance and strategic decision-making.

• The satisfaction of using your skills for social good.

• Being part of a passionate, welcoming team of trustees and staff.

Location
Meetings are held in Bedford, but applications from across the region are welcome.

Join us at the Bikeability Trust and help shape fundraising appeals and events, as part of a Fundraising and Events Board, to support greater access to cycles for children.

The Bikeability Trust – Fundraising & Events Board Member (Multiple Roles) 
Location: Remote (occasional in-person meetings) 
Time Commitment: Up to 5 days per year (including preparation and meetings) 
Remuneration: Voluntary (reasonable expenses reimbursed) 
Term: 3 years

Overview 

The Bikeability Trust is establishing a new Fundraising & Events Board to strengthen governance around appeals, and to support the Trust in developing a sustainable income stream through our strategic objective of providing increased access to cycles for young people.

Currently a quarter of all 5-to-10-year olds do not have access to a cycle. Through appeals and individual giving fundraising, the Trust aims to raise £25,000 to support families through a bursary-style investment to allow parents to purchase cycles for their children. Not only will this allow children to support their Bikeability cycle training, but it will also give children the freedom to benefit from the impact cycling has on their health and wellbeing.

This is a unique opportunity to join at the inception of a high-impact Board that will provide expert oversight of appeals related to Bikeability delivery, while also advising and supporting the Trust’s leadership team as we grow and diversify our funding model. 

We are seeking up to five Board Members, each bringing a distinctive area of expertise, who are committed to the Bikeability Trust’s mission: to help more people – especially children – gain the confidence and skills to cycle safely. 

Core Role Description (applies to all Board Members) 

All members of the Fundraising & Events Board will: 

• Provide fair, impartial, and timely oversight of fundraising appeals organised and developed at the Bikeability Trust relating to planning, delivery, quality assurance and monitoring and evaluation. 

• Ensure decisions are consistent, well-evidenced, and uphold the integrity of the Trust’s values and mission. 

• Offer strategic guidance to the Trust’s internal working group on income generation, particularly through the fundraising and events income generation channels 

• Contribute to, through support and network-sharing. and attend high-value donor or partnership events, helping to inspire support, generate funds and promote the impact of the Trust’s work. 

• Support the Trust in developing new partnerships, making connections, and identifying potential funding opportunities. 

• Champion the values of the Bikeability Trust and uphold the highest standards of integrity and governance. 

Individual Specialisms 

Each Board Member will also bring expertise in at least one of the following strategic areas. Please indicate your area(s) of specialism in your application: 

• Cycling Sector 
  Deep understanding of the UK cycling landscape, from active travel policy to delivery and innovation in cycle training. You will provide insight into emerging trends, help shape influence of the Trust’s appeals and fundraising in the sector, ensuring we are achieving our strategic outcomes. 

• Health & Wellbeing 
  Experience in public or community health, mental wellbeing, or physical activity promotion. You will advise on impact measurement, support our case for wider health-related sources of income generation through appeals, and help position Bikeability within wider wellbeing agendas. 

• Charity Leadership (Director/CEO level) 
  Strategic leadership experience in the third sector, particularly fundraising. You will offer guidance on governance, income generation through appeals and individual giving, and sustainability, drawing on your experience in navigating funding environments and board dynamics. 

• Active Travel & Transport Policy 
  You will help align the Trust’s appeals and fundraising offer withing the wider active travel and transport sphere, advising on strategies and collaborative funding bids and positioning. 

• Corporate Partners & Commercial Growth 
  As an existing corporate partner of the Trust. you will support support in raising awareness and encouraging participation and involvement in the Trust’s fundraising and appeals function, building even stronger B2B and B2C relationships. 

To Apply 

Please submit a CV and short cover letter outlining your interest in the Fundraising & Events Board Member role and which specialism(s), skills and experience you can offer. Please submit your application by Monday 15th September. 

We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds, especially those underrepresented in cycling and governance. 

The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT) is about making everyday things in life more affordable for people in low income households. We do this through a membership scheme that offers regular provisions such as food and toiletries.

People apply for membership through our community hubs. Hubs are projects that are already doing great work in the community throughout Stoke and the midlands. TBBT requires volunteers at our warehouse in Stoke to collect food from our suppliers.

We get food from industry surpluses that might otherwise become waste and we use it to put food in the homes of people in need. Every day we collect food or have it delivered into our warehouse at Stoke.

What we do really makes a difference to thousands of families, but we couldn’t do it without our amazing volunteers. 

If you are keen to work with great people whose common goal is to help support local communities, then we would love to welcome you into our team of volunteers.

You’d need to be over 25 with a full, clean UK driving licence, with various shifts Monday to Friday starting from 7am.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Stoke, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

This position is open to anyone with a keen interest in Friends of the Earth and our local campaigns in the borough of Camden. We are looking for people interested in environmental and sustainability issues and environmental justice in the Camden community who enjoy writing.

Duties:

The content writer will help with:

• Researching potential article ideas

• Writing and proofreading blog posts

• Collaborating with social media managers to plan and write social media posts

• Attending events and part of our community

Desired attributes: 

• Great writing skills

• Experience in a similar role preferred but not necessary

• Passion for the campaigning group’s mission and a commitment to communicating the impact of the charity's work 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Please send us a message stating clearly why you are interested in volunteering in our group.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.