Family befriending volunteer volunteer volunteer roles

About Us

The Beacon Project is a community-focused programme providing confidential advice, connection, and learning opportunities for residents in the World’s End area. Through weekly coffee mornings, group sessions, and a befriending service that matches individuals with friendly Connectors for regular meet-ups, Beacon helps reduce isolation and build meaningful local relationships. We also offer free, practical support on issues such as benefits and housing, helping people understand their options and access the advice they need. The programme is delivered as a partnership between Family Friends and Nucleus Legal Advice Centre.

About the Role

As a Legal Advice Volunteer, you will be the first point of contact for many of our clients, providing a welcoming and professional service while supporting our advice team. You will play an important role in helping people access the advice and support they need, while gaining valuable experience in legal advice and community engagement.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in legal advice, social justice, policy, or community development who wants to gain practical experience while making a meaningful difference.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out initial triage to assess advice needs and, where appropriate, signpost clients to relevant services.

• Analyse information from advice cases to identify recurring issues and patterns affecting residents.

• Assist clients in completing income and expenditure forms and budgeting plans.

• Help gather evidence from client experiences to support service improvement and advocacy.

• Support projects and campaigns focused on digital inclusion, accessibility, and reducing barriers to online services

• Support the delivery of drop-in advice sessions.

• Complete benefit checks and applications.

• Work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and community partners to achieve shared objectives.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Beacon Project is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and fairness. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during volunteering to ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive.

We believe that a diverse team helps us better serve the residents of World's End Estate and strengthens our work within the community.

Expenses

We want volunteering with us to be accessible to everyone. Reasonable travel and food expenses will be reimbursed. Further information on claiming expenses will be provided during the interview stage.

Family Friends carefully recruits, trains, and matches volunteers with families in Central-West London. Our befriending volunteers offer long-term practical and emotional support based on each family's unique needs and potential. We offer two befriending volunteer opportunities with us-, Big Buddies and Parent Buddies.

Our Big Buddies support young people, aged 10-18, for a few hours each week over a period of up to 12 months. With encouragement and support, volunteers will aim to help young people to discover their strengths and build confidence.

Support may look like:

• Helping to strengthen family relationships.
• Providing a listening ear 
• Taking young person to the cinema, museums, libraries - broadening their horizons!

Essential Criteria:

• Can commit to the Big Buddies programme for a minimum of 6 months
• 18+
• Must have lived in the UK for the last 2 years

What we provide in return:

• Full induction training and ongoing training
• Full DBS check
• Support and supervision
• The chance to learn new skills
• References provided after 6 months' commitment
• Reimbursement of travel and session expenses

We are an equal opportunities charity and we value the principles of diversity and inclusion, which is central in providing successful support to our families. We welcome and would like to encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQI+ and individuals from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds.

In the first instance, please register your interest in becoming a volunteer with us by contacting us here for an online application form.

Once we've reviewed your application, a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.

The Beacon Project is a community-focused programme providing confidential advice, connection, and learning opportunities for residents in the World’s End area. Through weekly coffee mornings, group sessions, and a befriending service that matches individuals with friendly Connectors for regular meet-ups, Beacon helps reduce isolation and build meaningful local relationships. We also offer free, practical support on issues such as benefits and housing, helping people understand their options and access the advice they need. The programme is delivered as a partnership between Family Friends and Nucleus Legal Advice Centre.

About the Role 

As our Community Engagement and Support Volunteer, you will be the first friendly face people meet. This role is perfect for someone approachable, confident, community-minded, and who enjoys connecting with others. You will help create a welcoming, inclusive environment where residents feel comfortable accessing support and getting involved in community activities. 

What You Will Be Doing

As a volunteer, you will welcome residents and help them feel comfortable accessing the project and its services. You will spend time speaking with local people to raise awareness of the Beacon Project, encourage participation, and build positive relationships within the community. The role will involve supporting community events, coffee mornings, and other outreach activities. Using active listening skills, you'll build trust with residents, take the time to understand their needs, and help connect them with the right support where appropriate. Volunteers will also be encouraged to share their ideas and creativity, helping us develop new ways to engage residents and make the project as welcoming and accessible as possible. You will assist with promoting the service through community events, coffee mornings, leaflets, and our social media channels. 

What you will gain from the project 

We are a dynamic and innovative project, passionate about providing wraparound support to the residents of World's End. As a volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference by supporting people in your local community and helping them access the advice, connections, and opportunities they need. You'll be part of a friendly and diverse team of staff and volunteers. You will also have the opportunity to be part of a project that values the ideas and contributions of our volunteers. We value the skills and experiences that volunteers bring, and you'll be encouraged to share your insights into how we can develop the project. This is an opportunity to gain valuable experience, build confidence, develop new skills in community engagement and communication, and be part of a project that is making a difference locally. 

This experience will enhance your CV and support future career development in law, community work, advice services, or other people-focused roles. 

What we are looking for 

You will bring a friendly and approachable manner and the ability to figure out how best to support people. That means helping clients to become independent. Some interactions may involve people with complex needs or stress, so patience and empathy are two of the most important qualities that we are looking for. You will have excellent communication skills and the ability to advocate for and promote the project to the local community. We are looking for someone who can be a community ambassador for our project and a friendly face for residents. 

Our volunteers support residents from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. While most residents speak English, many community members speak other languages, including Arabic, Spanish and French. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, and additional language skills are an advantage, but are not essential. 

Expenses

We want volunteering with us to be accessible to everyone. Reasonable travel and food expenses will be reimbursed. Further information on claiming expenses will be provided during the interview stage.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Beacon Project is committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during volunteering to ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive.

We believe that a diverse team helps us better serve the residents of World's End Estate and strengthens our work within the community.

The RAF Fund’s mission is to provide support to all members of the RAF Family during their hour of need. A volunteer in this role will have a direct impact on the lives of members of the RAF Family who are socially isolated by befriending them at their home.

Volunteers in this role will provide face to face befriending support to beneficaries in their homes. These beneficiaries will be those who our Community Engagement Team have identified as unable to attend organised group activities, and where telephone befriending would not be appropriate. The one-to-one social interactions with volunteer befrienders can have a tremendous impact on our beneficairies mood, boosting their wellbeing, reducing loneliness and overall making a huge difference to their quality of life.

Our Community Engagement Team will identify individuals that they know well from their caseload who may be appropriate for one-to-one befriending. Volunteers will initially meet these beneficiaries with their local Community Engagement Worker and a decision will be made by both the volunteer and the beneficiary whether to begin regular befriending visits. 

Once paired, volunteers can organise to meet with beneficiaries at the beneficiary’s home.

Befriending visits are expected to be approximately an hour long but will differ depending on the situation. They should not last longer than 3 hours. They must always take place Monday-Friday between the hours of 9am and 5pm so that volunteers can get staff support should they need it.

During befriending visits, volunteers are expected to engage beneficiaries in conversation and listen empathetically to any concerns the beneficiary may raise and signpost further support where needed.

The Dementia Services supports people to live independently and safely at home for as long as possible, stay socially engaged and carry on doing what they love. The service supports Camden residents over the age of 55 in the early or moderate stages of dementia.

We offer clients from the Dementia Services (befriending and wellbeing) a short performance or creative activity delivered by a volunteer visual artist, musician, dancer, actor, performer, and other creative artforms. You may choose to share a creative hobby or an art form you practice professionally.

What does the role involve? 

·Share your creative talent or hobby with older people living with dementia by delivering a short performance to an older person at home or providing an opportunity for them to participate in a creative activity.

·Visit a minimum of 4 times per year for up to 1.5 hours each time, including 20/30 minutes for the performance/activity.

·Provide opportunities for connection with older people during your visit through conversation and engagement.

• Liaise with service coordinators to link with clients who have asked to receive these visits/calls.
• Provide feedback after every performance, including positive impact, improvements to the delivery of visits or concerns regarding the client. 

What will you get out of it?

·An opportunity to create meaningful experiences for all

·Be part of something rewarding and fulfilling

·Training in dementia awareness, safeguarding and more

·Supervision and support

·Reimbursement of expenses

·Opportunities to meet other volunteers

What are the benefits for people living with dementia?

 Many of the clients we support in this service are housebound or do not have the confidence or opportunity to attend events. Some clients may be artists, performers and creatives in their own right who do not get an opportunity to engage with or experience this aspect of their lives anymore.

Giving people who are living with memory loss an opportunity to be part of creative activities is a stimulating, fun way of putting them in touch with memories, other people and the wider community.

Bringing your artform into peoples’ homes can have a huge impact on reducing isolation, encouraging connection and bring a sprinkle of joy to those living with dementia.

We are looking for people who have:

• An interest in sharing or performing their creative, artistic skill whether you are a hobbyist or a professional: 
• Singing

·Playing a musical instrument

·Visual art activity

·Poetry/acting

·Dancing

·Culture-specific art/music/dance/poetry

These are just a handful of examples, but we will consider applications from a variety of artists/musicians/ performers and are open to suggestions.

What other attributes do you need?

• Good verbal and written skills in English 

• Enjoy conversation.
• A desire to learn more about an individual and their interests and their past, and life history
• Consistency and reliability 
• An ability to empathise and understand the needs and experiences of an individual with dementia and memory loss.
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Patience and sensitivity
• Confidence to deal with emergencies
• Requirement to undertake induction training and follow guidelines and policies of Age UK Camden

Volunteering Hours 

Performances/activities:Usually approx. 20 -30 minutes but 1-1.5hrs are assigned to the visit

 Minimum of 4 - 6 visits a year (you can opt to do more). 

Visits will be a time agreed between you and the older person you are matched with.

Please note, early morning and late evenings are generally not suitable times for visits. 

Training and induction are provided for the role and includes: 

• Online Dementia Awareness course 
• Age UK Camden organisational induction 
• Induction to Dementia Befriending and Dementia Wellbeing Services and relationships, how to deliver a performer visit
• Safeguarding Adults online course
• Data Awareness online course

We will give you:

• Ongoing support including regular supervision by the coordinator of the service.
• Reimbursement of agreed expenses 
• Access to Volunteer Forum events

 If you are interested, we will ask you to: 

• Complete an application form

• Meet with Dementia Services staff member
• Provide details of two Referees
• Complete an Enhanced DBS check (we arrange this with you)
• Induction and training (as laid out above)

We understand that completing the various steps takes time, and we support and keep in touch with you through the process. 

As this role brings our volunteers into regular contact with vulnerable older people, we make sure that all volunteers understand their role and have completed our recruitment procedures to both our and their satisfaction. 

I am working on behalf of my Client BeFriend Cows, who are a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that promotes compassion toward animals. They are seeking a financially-minded leader to join their board and guide their organization's financial health as they grow. This role combines financial stewardship with strategic thinking, helping ensure they have the resources and stability to expand their impact for animals, families, and communities worldwide.

Current status: This is a volunteer role. As they scale, they envision transitioning board leadership into compensated positions.

Your Core Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Present clear, accurate financial updates to the full board

• Guide the annual budget process and monitor organizational spending

• Lead audit preparations and ensure strong financial controls

• Oversee how we manage reserves and any investment activities

• Offer strategic input on major financial decisions

Board Governance

• Participate in evaluating and supporting our Executive Director

• Help navigate complex legal or ethical questions facing the organization

• Ensure we remain aligned with our charitable mission and legal obligations

• Act as an ambassador, opening doors to partnerships and visibility

• Contribute to fundraising conversations and donor relationship building

• Provide perspective on organizational strategy and long-term direction

Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.

What experience do I need?

• You do not need any previous experience with disabled children or young people
• We ask that you are friendly, caring, reliable and able to make a commitment to visit a young person regularly.

What will I be doing?

You will volunteer within WECIL’s befriending service for disabled children/young people and their families. This involves:

• Spending time regularly with a disabled child or young person in their home or their local community.
• You will not be asked to administer medication or deliver personal care in this role.

Who am I responsible for?

• You are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the child or young person you are linked with.
• All links are risk-assessed and carefully monitored by your Co-ordinator.

Who am I responsible to?

The parent/carer.

• You must ensure that the parent / carer’s reasonable instructions and guidance regarding the welfare of their child are adhered to and that clear communication is maintained.
• Feedback must be given to the parent/carer following a visit.

Your co-ordinator and Time2Share@WECIL.

• You must respond promptly to any contact from your co-ordinator.
• You are required to report monthly on any time spent with the child you are linked with, any activities undertaken, and to take part in the annual review.

How often will I be needed?

• We typically ask for volunteers to commit to 2-4 hours a week
• The days / times are agreed between the volunteer and the family.
• We ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months to ensure the child and their family are able to benefit fully from the relationship.

What about expenses?

• Volunteer travel expenses can be reimbursed on receipt of a claim form. You won’t be left out of pocket.

Time2Share@WECIL is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects its staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our first priority is to ensure the safety of the children we support. Time2Share@WECIL reserves the right to end a link without notice or giving reason

Make a meaningful difference by becoming a friendly visitor for a gentleman in his early 70s who, while non-verbal, is active, engaged, and enjoys simple pleasures. He loves doing jigsaws, reading gardening magazines, and watching television. This is a “stop and stay” role where you’ll spend relaxed, quality time together helping with a jigsaw, sharing quiet moments, and offering companionship.

This is a Stop and Stay visit role, meaning that the person you’ll be visiting might have some verbal communication skills or they use sounds and/or facial/body expressions to communicate with you.fr

We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing. In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.

Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tend to be around half an hour to an hour long.

In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like:

• Sitting and having a chat
• Checking in on their well- being
• A craft activity at home
• Reading a book/magazine together

As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:

• Friendly and approachable
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
• Reliable and patient
• Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.

As a Mencap visitor you will:

• Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit
• Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training
• Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed
• Meet new people
• Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

**About Mencap ** Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us

Bright Futures UK is looking for passionate and knowledgeable Key Stage 3 English tutors to provide educational support and a fun, safe learning environment for young people living with serious illnesses. 

"The phrase "time flies when you are having fun" comes to mind. It's been a really joy teaching my student." - Volunteer Tutor

What will you be doing? 

Run tutoring sessions online to support a young person for one hour per week

Offer subject area knowledge and expertise related to KS3 English

Help to combat social isolation through fun and engaging tutoring sessions. 

Adhere to safeguarding policies and report concerns to the BFUK Team

What are we looking for? 

1. Subject Knowledge: Strong understanding of KS3 English concepts and specifications.
2. Teaching Skills: Ability to explain complex ideas in a clear and engaging way.
3. Empathy and Patience: Kind and understanding nature, especially towards those facing health challenges.
4. Reliability: Consistent availability for the agreed-upon time commitment.
5. Adherence to safeguarding policies and report concerns to the BFUK Team

What difference will you make?

1. Academic Progress: Help young people stay on track with their studies despite their health challenges, ensuring they do not fall behind.
2. Confidence Builder: Provide a stable and encouraging presence that helps build the students' confidence and resilience.
3. Future Opportunities: Equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

What will you gain?

1. Enhanced DBS will be provided
2. Safeguarding Level One Training
3. Skill Development opportunities
4. Direct experience working with children and young people

You must be a UK resident and be at least 18 years old.

Location 

Remote/Online

Time 

1 Hour per Week 

 Duration: 14 Weeks minimum

As a charity that supports children and young people, we make safeguarding individuals our top priority. For this reason, all volunteers are subject to an enhanced criminal record and disclosures check. We also ask all volunteers to adhere to our Safeguarding, Equality and Confidentiality policies. These are nothing to worry about and if you have any questions, our team are happy to support you.ed