Family support volunteer volunteer roles in orpington, greater london

INDEPENDENT READING GROUP VOLUNTEER (FACE-TO-FACE) 

CARAS Youth ESOL Programme – Monday, Wednesday mornings  

About CARAS: 

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community. 

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives. 

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support. 

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests. 

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society. 

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes. 

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do. 

About Youth ESOL: 

Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.

About the Role: 

CARAS is looking for Reading Group Volunteer to support our face-to-face study programme for young people.

The reading group is in Streatham and is an important element of a study programme for young people aged 14 to 18 who are out of formal education. The timings of the reading group sessions are as follows: 

• Monday afternoons 2pm to 3pm 

• Wednesday mornings 11am to 1pm. 

Volunteers are required to attend either one of both sessions. Volunteers are also welcome to stay and support the more traditional English language classes either before the reading session on Mondays or after the reading session on Wednesdays. 

Students will be supported to read at length and complete challenges that are adapted to their ability level.

The reading group aims to foster independence and a joy of reading among the young people and requires volunteers to learn about the young peoples' interests in order to help them select an appropriate text.

The ESOL teacher will provide volunteers with tips to support reading and understanding for emerging learners of English, such as phonics and elicitation strategies.

Volunteers will work with 1-5 students, mostly reading out loud with them or helping them to decode unfamiliar language.

Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities: 

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within the Reading Group sessions; 

• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources; 

• Contributing to debriefs to inform the ESOL teacher how each student found the lesson/task and the students’ areas of greatest challenge and success;  

• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session; 

• Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class; 

• Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project; 

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential; 

• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements; 

• Listening and supporting students to select, read and understand a text; Showing flexibility to the wide range of ability levels in the classroom; 

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements: 

Essential

• To be 18 years or older; 

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum-seeker or refugee status 

• * Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; *DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK.  

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role 

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (food and travel expenses can be reimbursed); 

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds; 

• To be reliable and punctual; 

• Good communication skills, especially with people who are new to English; 

• An interest in books and stories, writing and poetry 

• The ability to volunteer on Wednesday during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months; 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish; 

• Experience of reading with young people or learners of English, or teaching ESOL or phonics. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• Meet new members of your local community; 

• Learn about different cultures; 

• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum; 

• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 

• Develop your skills and competencies such as literacy and phonics strategies for emerging learners of English; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering. 

A cancer diagnosis brings extra expense from day one. Every child or young person with a cancer diagnosis has a short-term disability and needs to apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP). The forms are long and complex and sometimes families need advice or support to ensure they include enough information to receive the correct level of financial support.

Your empathy, understanding and ability to identify the key information to enable families and young people to claim financial assistance will have a tremendous impact easing stress and allowing them to concentrate on supporting themselves physically and emotionally.

You will be an important part of the team and provide practical support to young people and families completing DLA and PIP forms which can seem lengthy and daunting to young people, and families. Each family’s needs are different, however support via benefits such as DLA and PIP are usually one of the first recommendations made to families seeking financial advice.

What you’ll be doing:

• Providing face to face to support to families of children and young people with a diagnosis of cancer
• Actively listening to families and asking relevant questions to enable them to identify specific support needs
• Supporting families to complete complex forms to enable them to claim DLA or PIP
• As a key part of the team recognise when to ask for other team members for advice or support

This will include:

• Looking at the DLA/PIP form with the family or young person
• Explaining the information Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) needs
• Coaching the family to include as much detail in their answers as necessary

The practical support required for this role will vary from taking the time to read through an application with a young person or family, who require a second opinion.  Others may require questions to be re-phrased to simplify them and make them more applicable to their lived experience.

You will be providing guidance on how to answer the questions on the forms and useful information to include. It may occasionally include filling in the form with the family/young person when they are not able to complete it themselves

Booking slots will be flexible to meet the individual need (30 minutes up to 2 hours)

There is scope and opportunity in this role for development into supporting families or young people with appeals.

What we’ll give you:

• The satisfaction of using your skills and talents to make a tangible difference in the lives of young cancer patients
• A solid introduction and first-hand experience of working in the charity sector with the opportunity to meet other Teams across the organisation and gain a clear insight into the day-to-day work of Young Lives vs Cancer
• Full induction and training with support from a dedicated volunteer manager
• The support of a friendly and knowledgeable team
• Experience of working with a social care team and opportunity to develop communication and planning skills and advocating for families
• Experience of working with and directly supporting children and young people with cancer and their families
• And of course, we’ll cover any out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Volunteering Policy!

You should be able to volunteer for 2 hours per week during Monday to Friday between 10am and 3pm at our Home from Home in London WC1.  We are flexible as to days or times to fit in with your other commitments.

We may close applications for this role early depending on applications

Support our mission to bring light and joy to seriously ill children.

Volunteer: Trusts & Foundations Research & Applications

We are looking for a motivated volunteer to support our Trusts & Foundations team with research and grant writing. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience in the charitable sector, contribute to meaningful projects, and develop fundraising skills.

Key responsibilities:

• Research potential funders and funding opportunities

• Assist with writing and preparing grant applications

• Support reporting and administration for submitted applications

Time commitment:

• Ideally one day per week (flexible to suit your schedule)

Who we’re looking for:

• Strong research and writing skills, good attention to detail

• Organised, proactive, and able to work independently

• Discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive information

• Ideally some understanding or interest in T&F, fundraising, or the charity sector

• Previous research experience (academic or professional) is helpful but not essential

What You’ll Gain:

• Experience working in a high-impact fundraising team

• Training and support from a passionate, collaborative team

• A chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of seriously ill children and their families

• A reference upon successful completion of your volunteering

Join us and help make a real difference!

Become a GamCare Online Peer Supporter

Make a difference by using your own experiences

For over 25 years, GamCare has been there for people experiencing gambling harms, whether that be people who gamble themselves or someone impacted by someone else’s gambling. We offer support over the phone, face-to-face or online and our treatment is free, flexible and confidential.

We are currently recruiting for Online Peer Supporters, to provide one-to-one and group support to both individuals who gamble and those affected by someone else’s gambling. Using their own experiences of gambling-related harms, volunteers will support others digitally as part of our Online Support Services and will include email support as well as facilitating our Forum and Chatrooms.

Full training and ongoing support will be provided to enable you to use your lived experience to work with our team as an Online Peer Supporter, providing support to all of those affected by gambling.

We believe that peer support is essential in the recovery journey. It provides:

• Shared understanding
• Reduces stigma
• A non-judgemental environment
• Practical insights and tools
• Continued motivation and hope

Our online platforms are designed to provide social connection to those who could be isolated or feel they have no one else to talk to. People accessing our services have identified that receiving support from someone who has had similar experiences can really benefit them when overcoming the challenges they may face on their recovery journey. It also provides a sense of community and belonging and contributes to the long-term support of those accessing these services.

Training

A comprehensive training programme will be delivered by our Volunteer Coordinators to provide you with the skills and confidence to use your experiences to support others while protecting your own recovery. Training includes:

• Safeguarding
• Motivational interviewing
• Facilitation skills

Role Responsibilities

Online Peer Supporters will:

• Navigate and guide contacts through existing services at GamCare and the National Gambling Support Network.
• Use motivational interviewing skills while drawing from their own lived experience to provide a supportive, non-judgemental space for those affected by gambling harms.
• Facilitate discussions via our online support services, including:

Email – you will be paired with an individual for regular email correspondence (on average 1-2 emails per week for approximaely 6 months)
Chatrooms – you will facilitate group discussions and supporting conversation between people at various stages of recovery
Forum – you will initiate discussions, respond to posts, and provide encouragement, signposting and support to forum users

• Help individuals set aims and goals to move to a more positive, sustained recovery whilst also providing resources to support people with these plans.
• Recognise the purpose and remit of our service and signposting to other internal and external support where appropriate.

What can I expect from GamCare?

In return, GamCare will:

• Provide a full, comprehensive induction and training programme
• Give you access to a dedicated Volunteer Coordinator
• Offer and arrange 1:1 and group supervision
• Fully support your own wellbeing and recovery journey
• Give ongoing training and development opportunities
• Provide access to some internal job opportunities within our services team
• Provide a reference after 3 months of regular volunteering

Role Requirements

For any of our volunteering roles we ask that you have lived experience of gambling-related harms. This includes being affected by someone else’s gambling (friend or family member).

We ask that you’ve been in positive, sustained recovery for at least one year before volunteering with us.

This role is completely remote, so you’ll need access to a reliable internet connection, a computer and a confidential space.

For full role requirements, please see the Role Profile on our website.

Please note that this role is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Please do not let that deter you from applying as all applications will be considered.

Availability & Commitment

We ask that you have availability at a regular time for around 1-2 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months.

Before volunteering with us, you will need to complete a mixture of self-directed online training and live online group training sessions delivered by our Volunteer Coordinators over a period of approximately 4 weeks.

Full details of the induction, including the next available dates will be sent to you by a member of the team within one week of receiving your application.

We are Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity (Alex TLC).

Alex TLC is a trusted and experienced organisation offering support and information for all those affected by a genetic leukodystrophy. Formerly ALD Life, an internationally recognised centre of excellence for people affected by adrenoleukodystrophy and adrenomyeloneuropathy, the charity was established in 2004.

Due to popular demand, we extended our services to support all leukodystrophies in 2019 and became Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity.

Like many other small charities, we have grown organically from an informal support group to the recognised voice for adrenoleukodystrophy patients and their families. Our charitable work is supported by our chain of five charity shops across south east London.

With scant resources we are always in need of trustworthy and reliable volunteers to assist retail staff.

Could you spare a few hours a week? 

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people.

We need help to give hope and support to people affected by leukodystrophy – could you be that help?

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for volunteers who can:

• sort and clean stock
• serve customers
• create eye catching displays
• identify potentially valuable stock

ABOUT YOU

Candidates should be able to demonstrate the following:

• an interest in Alex TLC and the work that we do
• honesty and trustworthiness
• reliability
• enthusiasm

The role is located in any of our five shops in Forest Hill, Greenwich, Peckham, Penge or Walworth Road.

Alex TLC is committed to promoting diversity. 

We are only able to accept applications from UK residents. 

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Unfortunately cats can occasionally stray or get lost, which can be extremely distressing for their owners. Our lost and found volunteers are passionate about reuniting lost cats and bringing families back together. They help cats and their owners by advertising lost cats and providing support, advice and guidance to people searching for their cats.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

Purpose of role 

You will play a crucial role in supporting our Senior Hospital Services Partnerships & Outreach Executive with the administration and delivery of our Sunshine in Hospitals programme. From carrying out general administrative duties, liaising with medical professionals across our core hospitals, to supporting with the delivery of our diverse hospital programme, you will help create a positive and uplifting environment for young patients and their families currently undergoing medical treatment.  

Key Responsibilities: 

· General administrative duties, including sending out of promotional materials to hospitals, monitoring and responding to email enquiries from the hospital services inbox, and taking telephones calls.

• Supporting with the planning and delivery of activities at our Hospital Activity Days, such as arts and crafts, games, and storytelling sessions, tailored to the interests and abilities of the children. 

• Collaborate with hospital staff to ensure activities are safe and appropriate for the medical setting. 

• Assist in setting up and cleaning up activity areas before and after sessions. 

• Support with the delivery of our special projects (i.e. sensory bags, teddybear day, world book day, liquid to tablets initiative). Including and not limited to researching and sourcing products, dealing with suppliers and associated administrative duties.

• Support with the distribution and collection of feedback from medical teams and families taking part in any of our programmes.

What skills do I need to have? 

• Friendly, you'll be an ambassador of Rays of Sunshine whilst volunteering with us 

• Experience of working with children and young people (not essential but preferred) 

• Be comfortable interacting with others (especially children and young people) to create a relaxed and positive experience for them and their families 

• Creative and organised, with knowledge of using Microsoft programmes (such as powerpoint and excel)

• Ability to solve problems and manage unexpected situations/last minute requests with a calm and professional manner 

• Caring and empathic

• Ability to work collaboratively with hospital staff and other volunteers. 

Join Us as Treasurer – Make a Lasting Impact

The Maypole Project provides vital emotional and practical support to children and young people with complex medical needs, and their families. We are seeking an experienced Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees and help steer the charity’s financial future.

Why This Role Matters

Your expertise will ensure our finances remain strong and sustainable, enabling us to continue delivering life-changing support to families when they need it most.

What You’ll Do

• Oversee financial governance and compliance.
• Present budgets, accounts, and financial reports to the Board.
• Advise on financial strategy and sustainability.
• Support fundraising and investment decisions.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong financial background (accountancy or financial management).
• A recognised accountancy qualification (desirable)
• Understanding of charity finance and governance.
• Ability to explain financial matters clearly to non-financial trustees.
• Strategic thinker with sound judgment.

Commitment

• Attend quarterly board meetings in person at our offices in Orpington and/or online, reviewing monthly management accounts, preparation for and actions arising from board meetings plus ad hoc support working from home.
• Average one day per month.
• Induction and ongoing training provided.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a passionate team making a real difference to families across South East London and beyond. Your contribution will help shape the future of a charity that truly changes lives.

Interested? 

Please visit our website and download the role description and application form.

This role will be supporting two lovely gentlemen living in Twickenham who would love a visitor to spend some time with them. They both enjoy exploring their local high street charity shops and going for a drink and a sausage roll in Greggs. When at home, one man enjoys relaxing in front of the telly and the other enjoys listening to his record and cassette collection.

Living in the same home, we’d ideally like one volunteer to visit both gentlemen. For one of the men, their speech might take some patience to understand, and the other prefers to communicate with gestures and pictures, so a friendly and understanding approach is key. It would be up to you whether you do both visits on the same day or on alternate months.

Access to a car would be a great addition but is not essential for this role as the house is very near to both bus and train routes.

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.

Watch a video about this role here

This is an Out and about visit role which means your visits are likely to be longer, very active and the person you visit will often take an active part in planning your outings and activities in the community. Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tends to be around a couple of hours, sometimes shorter or longer, depending on what you plan to do.

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
• Going out to a local café/pub for a meal/drink
• Take part on community activities like visiting a place of interest, go shopping etc.
• Enjoying a walk
• A craft activity at home

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.

Join our team of befrienders! You will support us to reach some of the most isolated adults in your community to reduce their feelings of loneliness, build friendships and provide support for mental wellbeing. You will support people to relight a spark to continue a hobby, interest or encourage them to explore and participate in new social activities.

You will support individuals to rebuild their lives beyond crisis.

Loneliness and isolation can affect anyone in life, whatever their age or family situation. Official data from the Office for National Statistics shows that rates of depression doubled during the COVID pandemic, and one of the major causes of depression is isolation.

Hestia has a variety of different services that support people across London and the South East. These services support people that are struggling with their mental health, are victims of Domestic Abuse or Modern Slavery, and more. Join our team of volunteers who play a vital role in what we do!

Face-to-face locations include Islington, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Berkshire, Lambeth, Kingston, Merton, Barbican, Slough, Reading and Croydon

What you will be doing

• Agree a mutual time and frequency to meet in the local community
• To develop and promote a positive relationship with your befriendee
• To encourage your befriendee to engage in social activities and support them in doing so whilst building their confidence
• To support your befriendee in developing their goals and social skills
• Encourage your befriendee to make links with community services, based on their identified goals

The skills you need

• Good listening and communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere which motivates and inspires others
• Willingness to engage in activities in the community
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow professional boundaries

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 - 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.

Are you passionate about the world of gaming? STAMMA’s Minecraft club is a project which aims to bring young people aged 7-14 who stammer together through the exciting world of Minecraft! Our club plays in a private virtual realm where we can build exciting creations and collaborate on imaginative group projects. And you can be part of it too!

We know that the world can feel like a lonely place for young people who stammer. We want to help people connect and show them how great being part of the stammering community can be.

We’re looking for people to join us to be Minecraft session leaders. We’ll support you to lead short 1-hour ‘play together’ sessions in our virtual world 2x a month on a Tuesday or Thursday evening 6-7pm.

Please note that this volunteer role is only open to people who are resident in the UK.

Basic information

Hours: 3 hours a month plus one quarterly catch-up session on Zoom (amounts to 2 sessions a month of 1.5 hours)

Day and time: A regular slot on either Monday/Thursdays 5.45-7.15pm (session runs 6-7pm)

Commitment: We hope that you will enjoy this role and commit at least 12 months to the position

Location: Home-based

Supported by: Catherine Woolley (Children and Families Lead)

What does the role involve?

As a Minecraft Session leader, we’re hoping you’ll feel comfortable to:

•  Run a ‘play together’ session for young people who stammer either on your own or with another session leader. Sessions are usually run by two volunteers working in partnership.
• Help to keep our Minecraft realm a friendly space for everyone.
•  Support new players, such as showing them around the world, introducing them to other players and answering any questions they have.
• Helping families to set up Minecraft on their device and access the session for the first time.

What support would you get?

We'll help you through a training programme, which will include online training modules and some shadowing. This training is likely to take around 5-6 hours in total and can be completed in bite-sized amounts to suit your schedule. We will also provide ongoing support through our quarterly catch up sessions for Minecraft session volunteers to share experiences and explore any concerns or challenges.

What would you need?

• A quiet place where you can work in privacy and not be overheard during calls
• A console/computer with Minecraft installed
• A second device where you can take part in a Zoom call
• Stable internet connection which supports gaming

Who might enjoy this volunteer role?

You’re likely to enjoy volunteering with our Minecraft groups if you:

• Are experienced at playing Minecraft.
• Enjoy listening and talking to young people.
• Have a genuine curiosity about people and their experiences.
• Are passionate about making the world a better place for people who stammer.

It’s not essential to stammer if you are interested in volunteering with us, but you may particularly enjoy this role if you do. Your personal experience of stammering can be very useful!

Other Information

As a volunteer you can, of course, step back from the role at any time. However, both you and the Minecraft club are likely to get most out of the opportunity if you’re able to volunteer with us for at least 12 months. By gradually learning and developing your confidence in the role, you can have the biggest impact.

This is a volunteer role and is unpaid. As this is a role where you will be working with children and young people, we will need you to complete a DBS check with us before you can lead any sessions on your own.

Contact & apply

To express an interest in volunteering on the STAMMA's Minecraft Club, or if you have any questions, please complete the volunteer form on our website.

-Please note that the vacancy will close automatically if we reach out the maximum number of applications for this round of recruitment. 

Childline is a vital service, available 365 days a year to support children and young people, whatever their worry or concern.

In 2020 we set up our virtual Childline base to support children and young people by answering their e mail contacts. Home-based Childline email counsellors respond to emails from young people who have got in touch with something that's worrying them, whether it's bullying, abuse, self-harm or family relationships. 

Please Note - Please note this advert will close when we have sufficient applications to fill our training groups. 

You'll need a laptop or PC with a Microsoft Windows 10/11 or Apple MacOS (version 12 or above) operating system, with speakers, a USB port for a headset and a webcam along with a mobile phone. Note: a tablet, smart phone/tv and Chromebooks are not suitable. You will need a minimum broadband upload speed of 5MB and minimum download speed of 10MB. Internet connection via a dongle is not suitable for home working on Childline shifts. You'll also need a private, confidential space for shifts.

If you are interested in volunteering for the virtual Childline base and want to find out more about home-based e mail counsellor role, the next step is to attend a Volunteer Information Meeting, which is a fantastic opportunity to:

Meet with staff as well as volunteers to ask any questions you may have
Learn more about the application process and your volunteer journey

Our meetings are designed to help you decide whether you want to apply – there's no obligation or expectation that you'll apply if you attend one. At the meeting, you'll also receive information on other ways you can become a supporter of the NSPCC.

To book a place at one of our online Volunteer Information Meetings, please click 'Join Us' to register your interest.

Please Note: You must be over the age of 16 to apply for this role.

Volunteer your time at Hestia to make our gardens a beautiful place for our service users to enjoy all year through! Are you green fingered and have a passion for gardens and outdoor spaces?

At Hestia we have gardens and outdoor spaces which require your support to bring these back to life by keeping them maintained. We are recruiting for volunteers to motivate and inspire staff and people living in our services to get involved in gardening.

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

• Inspire and motivate staff and people in the services to get involved in maintaining and growing the garden
• To provide tips on how to maintain and grow the garden - sowing seeds, planting bulbs, taking cuttings
• Provide basic maintenance such as cutting the grass, emptying bins, managing weed control and leaf raking
• Lead in planting and nurturing new trees, flowers, and various plants
• Provide best practice on how to use the correct gardening tools
• Inspire people in our services and staff to maintain a clean garden
• Advise staff on the costs of plants and garden necessities

The skills you need

• A basic knowledge/ experience of plant care and use of gardening tools7
• Calm and patient approach
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation

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 - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

We’re looking for creative and organised people who enjoy visual design and want to use their skills to support meaningful community projects.

As a Creative Design Volunteer, you’ll help create eye-catching digital and print materials that promote our programmes, campaigns and events. From social media graphics to posters and newsletters, your designs will help us communicate clearly and consistently with our audiences.

This is a flexible opportunity for anyone who enjoys bringing ideas to life through design and wants to use their creativity for social good.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Designing digital and print materials such as posters, flyers and social media graphics
• Creating templates and layouts for newsletters, presentations or reports
• Adapting designs to meet accessibility and brand guidelines
• Supporting the visual design of campaigns and community events
• Helping organise and manage design files and templates
• Contributing creative ideas for visual storytelling and community engagement

Skills and Qualities We’re Looking For

• Creative eye for layout and design
• Confidence using design tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud or similar
• Attention to detail and ability to follow brand guidelines
• Good communication and collaboration skills
• Reliable, organised and able to manage time effectively
• Interest in community, social impact or charity communications

What You’ll Gain

• Experience designing materials for community campaigns and events
• Opportunities to develop and showcase creative skills
• A chance to build a portfolio of design work for a good cause
• The satisfaction of helping a charity communicate its impact

About Us

We are a community-led charity tackling poverty at its root by empowering people and communities to overcome barriers and build sustainable futures.

Our programmes support children, young people, adults and families through education, employability, wellbeing and social inclusion activities that promote confidence, connection and opportunity.

Safeguarding and Inclusion

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults involved in our work.

Safeguarding training will be provided for all volunteers and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check may be required for this role.

We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments to support participation wherever possible.