Family Support Volunteer Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Pain Concern: Pain Concern is a charity providing information and support to people with pain and those who care for them, whether family, friends or healthcare professionals. Visit our website to find out more about what we do, including our Airing Pain radio programme, podcasts, Pain Matters magazine, information helpline, and our research and campaigning work. All pain is unpleasant, but for the 7.8 million people in the UK living with long term pain it is a part of everyday life. It diminishes quality of life more than any other condition, leading often to loss of work, depression and disability. Anyone at any age can develop persistent pain and you will very probably know somebody affected. Although there is usually no cure, people who receive the appropriate treatment, information and support can manage their condition effectively with life-changing results
Role Purpose: Pain Concern are seeking an individual who can support the Information Officer volunteer and operational team to devise a classification/indexing scheme for Pain Concern's online resources.
What you would be doing:
▪ Working with (including audio and video resources)
▪ Drawing insights from data and other sources to help shape a scheme that is useful and understandable to a range of stakeholders (patients, friends/family, medical professionals, helpline volunteers)
▪ Support with indexing/classifying website resources
▪ Assisting with user testing of the scheme
▪ Documenting the process for knowledge capture
▪ There is potential for delivering training to other Pain Concern volunteers and staff on using the classification scheme
Is this role right for me? We are looking for:
• Strong attention to detail
• Knowledge of classification and/or cataloguing/indexing basics, or of using a controlled vocabulary to label resources (this could be from study or through practical experience)
• Strong communication skills
• Good organisational skills
• Fluency with using Microsoft Office
• Knowledge/Interest of chronic pain and long-term conditions (advantageous)
• Knowledge of/interest in health literacy
Availability and location:
• Minimum commitment of 3 months
• Volunteer flexibly for a minimum 2-3 hours per week
• Volunteer from your own location or from our office at Newcraighall Road, Edinburgh EH15 3HS
Benefits to you:
• Experience volunteering as part of a friendly team
• Supported by a professional editor and a dedicated volunteer line manager looking after you
• Meet new people
• Build on your employability skills
• A job reference after 3 months of volunteering
• Satisfaction of giving a valuable service to the community
• On-site car parking
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Volunteer Policy
How do I apply: Download and complete an application form our website
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Prison-based volunteers are the backbone of Fine Cell Work (FCW). Supported by the Fine Cell Work programmes team and by other staff at the FCW office, they teach and administer FCW stitching groups in prisons.
Prison volunteers work in teams to organise classes and teach our stitchers, as well as providing groups information to the prison and to the FCW office. The precise mix of skills will vary from prison to prison.
Volunteering in prison for Fine Cell Work requires ideally a good level of needlework skill (or a willingness to learn), some teaching experience and/or experience of working with socially-excluded groups. Volunteers must be patient and non-judgemental in order to work effectively.
This document describes the role of prison volunteering teams as a whole. Individuals who do not have all the skills described below may find a role alongside other volunteers who do.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
This is an exciting time for the Fundraising Team as we aim to grow income and continue to provide our services to families. We work hard to deliver many income streams. These include community fundraising, corporate fundraising and individual giving. As a Supporter Care Volunteer, you will play an important role in giving those who have supported the charity the recognition they deserve.
Key Activities
- Writing thank you letters, emails, and sending certificates.
- Responding to supporter enquiries.
- Providing administrative support & helping prepare resources, merchandise & equipment for events.
- Answering the phone, transferring calls and taking messages.
- Updating supporter database.
- Processing mailings (including mail merge) and dealing with returns.
- Franking letters/parcels & arranging courier companies for large deliveries.
- Assisting the Fundraising and Finance Teams with other activities as required.
- Adhering to Candlelighters’ policies and procedures
At Candlelighters we feel it’s vital our volunteers feel rewarded for their amazing efforts. That’s why we work hard to match your aims, goals, aspirations, personality, availablity and everything else with an opportunity that's right for you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Midland Mencap seeks a passionate volunteer with good digital and IT skills to help our citizens and family carers access information and connect with their local communities by helping them understand the basics of social and digital platforms and applications.
If you are wizz on social media, a genius with Microsoft office and have a great understanding of digital platforms, you could help to make the world a bit easier to navigate.
Help us showcase the positive impact of the digital world to people who may not currently be accessing it and expand their horizons. Provide tips on safe and secure access so that everyone feels confident to use the internet.
What would I be doing?
Provide a “drop in” opportunity at our busy community hub in Weoley Castle. Meet and help citizens and their carers to understand and access the digital world via a laptop, smartphone, or MAC book. This will include helping people get online safely, send emails, and use Microsoft applications such as Word and PowerPoint
Support our weekly Digital Creative Workshop. Join in with our staff team as we support citizens to unleash creative talents and learn how to make amazing online content for the digital world.
Collaborate with the marketing team: Share content for use in promotional materials, social media, and the website.
What do I need?
For this volunteer role you need:
· A good understanding of digital platforms, internet use and Microsoft applications
· A friendly, calm, and patient attitude
· Be accepting of people who may be different to you
· Be happy to chat and a good listener
· Be willing to learn and act within guidelines set out by Midland Mencap
· An enhanced DBS check and references will be required
When and where do you need me?
· Monday afternoons 13.00 – 14.30
· Weoley Castle Community Centre. Bottetourt Road, Weoley Castle. B29 5TE
What’s in it for me?
As one of our valued volunteers, Midland Mencap will offer you:
· The chance to gain valuable digital media experience.
· The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities and their family carers.
· Any training and development that is needed
· The opportunity to meet new people and be part of a diverse team
· Support within your role
· Agreed out-of-pocket expenses
· Lots of appreciation for your amazing contribution
· Positive wellbeing from doing something great
· Improve career opportunities by adding your volunteer role to a CV
To campaign for and deliver accessible and inclusive community health and wellbeing support services for individuals, families, and carers.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are a volunteer-run organisation whose aim is to ensure that everybody impacted by borderline personality disorder is supported in their recovery.
Peer support is about sharing your lived experience of mental health struggles with other people with the hope of providing, support, encouragement, and validation that you understand what they are going through, that they are not alone in their feelings and circumstance. We believe that peer support is an important part of the recovery journey, as it provides a space for support, shared understanding, helps reduce stigma and fosters motivation and hope.
We run several online peer support groups each month for people living with borderline personality disorder and are seeking compassionate and empathetic people to co-facilitate the groups. All groups are facilitated by two peer support workers, and follow a semi-structured pattern. Our groups include:
- Women-only
- Men-only
- 18 to 25s
- LGBTQIA+
- Mixed
- Family
As a volunteer, you will receive comprehensive training, accessible online. We also provide ongoing supervision, support to ensure that you can effectively support others while prioritizing your own recovery. The training covers various areas such as peer support, communication, safeguarding, and facilitation skills.
Role description
- to co-facilitate a support group of 10-15 people on a fortnightly/monthly basis
- to provide support in a group peer support setting
- to share own experiences without taking away from the others persons current feelings and situation
- to use active listening and personal experiences to reassure and validate group members
- to enable and encourage service users to find out resources and local services
- to encourage wellbeing and recovery
Person specification
- Lived experience of mental health
- Able to use own experiences openly while maintaining strong boundaries
- Access to a reliable internet connection, a computer with webcam, and a confidential space.
- Commitment to our aims and mission
Availability and Committment
We ask that you have availability 2-3 hours per month for a minimum of 6 months. Our groups are held on mid-week evenings and Sunday evenings.
How to apply
Please submit a cover letter with your application, detailing your relevant experience. Please also indicate which specific group you are interested in co-facilitating if you have a preference.
Diversity Statement
We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills and views. The more inclusive we are, the more people we can support. We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Please note that you must be a UK resident with the right to live and work in the UK. This role is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Many people struggle to enjoy cycling, and some families often find the cost of adapted bikes mean that they cannot share fun times together.
Parkride is a fun and flexible inclusive cycling project using a range of adapted and standard bikes that provides anyone, regardless of age, ability or need, with the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors through cycling.
We require a volunteer van driver to help us deliver our custom-made bikes and trikes to locations such as parks and community centers around the West Midlands.
We’ve got the van; we just need you!
What would I be doing?
· You will be a vital link between us and the families we support, helping us to get the team and bikes to where they’re needed for arranged sessions.
· You’ll be the friendly face of Parkride, interacting with the families and ensuring the bikes are kept safe and secure whilst the team are out riding.
· Working with staff to load/unload the van before and after sessions.
What do I need?
· Minimum age 25
· Experience of driving a large van with a suitable driving licence
· A full and clean driving licence (held for a minimum of 5 years)
· Some lifting will be required and so a basic level of fitness is needed.
· Being approachable and friendly with good communication skills
· Accepting of others who might be different to you and the ability to work as part of a diverse team
· A willingness to learn and work within guidelines set out by Midland Mencap
· Honesty, integrity and trustworthy
· Good time management skills, reliability
· An enhanced DBS check will be required by all successful applicants.
When and where do you need me?
· The van is based at our head office in Woodgate Valley – B32 3BZ.
· We have several parkride sessions running throughout the week including evenings and weekends. Sessions vary from 2-4 hours (plus travel).
· We run sessions throughout the Midlands, including Birmingham (all areas), Dudley, Sandwell, Coventry, and Sutton Coldfield. You can choose which sessions you wish to attend.
· All sessions are weather dependent; however, we only cancel sessions in extreme weather. We would advise having a warm waterproof coat and suitable shoes.
What’s in it for me?
As one of our valued volunteers, Midland Mencap will offer you:
· The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities and their family carers
· Improved physical and mental wellbeing from keeping active
· An induction and settling in period
· Any training and development that is needed
· The chance to develop your skills and gain experience
· The opportunity to meet new people and be part of a diverse team
· Support within your role
· Agreed out-of-pocket travel expenses
· Lots of appreciation for your amazing contribution
To campaign for and deliver accessible and inclusive community health and wellbeing support services for individuals, families, and carers.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
All our Benefits Advocates play an integral role within our Information and Advice team and last year helped us to identify over £2.5 million in unclaimed welfare benefits entitlement for older people in the county. This money is life changing for our clients; improving quality of life and wellbeing, and supporting local services
We are looking for volunteers who are patient, sensitive and reliable, to assist older people to complete benefit forms such as Attendance Allowance. Appointments are usually in the older person's own home but can sometimes take place over the telephone. Full training and ongoing support are provided by our friendly and knowledgeable team.
Our volunteers will also raise awareness of and promote Age UK Devon services to clients, and record details of any other queries or concerns so that our Advisors can follow up with clients.
Skills required for this role are:
· Ability to empathise with others.
· Good verbal and written communication skills.
· Understanding of confidentiality.
· Patience, sensitivity, and reliability.
· Ability to respond appropriately to different and sometimes difficult situations.
· Working as a team member, referring to other team members when appropriate.
· Ability to work unsupervised and manage appointments.
· Good computer skills.
· Knowledge of the Benefits System (training will be provided).
Age UK Devon’s aim is to improve the lives of older people in Devon through delivering services and activities, promoting wellbeing and health, increase independence and access to local services as well as supporting families and carers - enabling people to get the most out of life.
Our volunteers donate their time to enable us to provide fantastic added value to our services and activities and bring a wealth of skills and knowledge to our organisation.
Our aim is to help you enjoy your role and to gain personal satisfaction on your volunteer journey with us – can you be the person we need to help us in supporting and making a positive difference to people in later life in the county?
If you would like an informal discussion about this role or have any queries, please contact Sarah Gunn – Advice and Wellbeing Manager (see our website for details)
Or if you would like to apply please visit Age UK Devon for more information on the role and how to apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are looking for volunteers to join our street outreach team. We go out in Central London 3 evenings a week and give out hot drinks and food to people who are sleeping out. We see regular guests and have a chat, check they're ok and see if there's anything that we can bring them.
If you would like to join our experienced and friendly volunteer team, meet some lovely characters and help make someone's day a little better please get in touch, even if you can only come out once or twice a month.
If you don't have a CV or any experience that's ok, please just get in touch via email and I will send you an application form
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you use technology on a regular basis for work, study, or daily life? If so, it is likely that you have the needed skills for this role! Help people to stay connected, improve their financial health, employability, and learn how to access much needed services and resources online! You will make a positive difference to bridging the digital divide, empowering others to gain knowledge and confidence in using technology!
What you will be doing
- Supporting older people to gain digital skills and knowledge on a computer, tablet and smart phone via one to one or in small group sessions
- Supporting older people to use digital apps, emails, search the internet, online shopping and set up online accounts
- Supporting older people to learn the skills to keep in touch with family and friends, such a video call and messaging
- Support individuals to agree and aspire on the steps/ goals they would like to achieve in the sessions
- Lead on the logistics and organisation of the sessions alongside the staff team
- Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team
The skills you need
- Confident using digital skills
- Willingness and interest in facilitating one to one and group session on basic digital skills
- Good communication skills
- Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
- Calm and patient approach
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 deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Creative Support are looking for a Gardening Volunteer to develop and run sessions for service users with learning disabilities and complex needs in Leicester. Our service users are really keen to make use of our fantastic garden space. We have a very large back garden with several planters for growing.
We are looking for people who have a good knowledge of gardening, in particular growing and looking after plants and would like to pass on that knowledge.
The gardening sessions will run weekly and will also involve our service user families. The volunteer role will also involve an element of fundraising for our gardening project and we would welcome your ideas and support with this.
If you love gardening and have experience of allotments, or planting and growing vegetables in your back garden then this is the volunteering opportunity for you!
We support our volunteers with an Induction, training for the role, a named volunteer supervisor, a monthly newsletter and a monthly online peer support group.
Suggested Time Commitment: 3 hours per week on a Thursday
Volunteer Duties
· Coming up with ideas for gardening sessions
· Sharing knowledge of how to grow plants and look after the garden space
· Helping to fundraise for our garden project
· Clearing away at the end of the session
· Helping to promote the sessions to service users
Creative Support is a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Silver award. We actively encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and cultures.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Pain Concern
Pain Concern is a charity providing information and support to people with pain and those who care for them, whether family, friends or healthcare professionals. Visit our website to find out more about what we do, including our Airing Pain radio programme, Pain Matters magazine, information helpline, community pain education sessions and our research and campaigning work. All pain is unpleasant, but for the 7.8 million people in the UK living with long-term pain it is a part of everyday life. It diminishes quality of life more than any other condition, leading often to loss of work, depression and disability. Anyone at any age can develop persistent pain and you will very probably know somebody affected. Although there is usually no cure, people who receive the appropriate treatment, information and support can manage their condition effectively with life-changing results
Purpose of Volunteer Role
This role supports our aim in delivering pain education in our communities and providing access to high quality resources to those who may not have digital access. As an ambassador you will provide tailored information on pain management services available in the local health board area and Signpost to any other support services in the community. Promote the concept of supported self-management as a recommended, effective intervention for chronic pain. Help make a difference to people living with pain by providing a powerful platform to hear the views and experiences for the all too often, voiceless patients. Due to the nature of the role, successful applicants will be required to undertake a PVG check.
What would you be doing
• Have personal experience of chronic pain (e.g., a diagnosis or experience of supporting a family member or friend).
• Representing Pain Concern in a professional manner
• Build a network with local GP surgeries, NHS health board.
• Attend Pain Management groups (virtually or in person), to highlight long term support options.
• Making conversation with members of the public as appropriate, and answering questions about the charity’s work.
• Signpost to helpline, Pain Concern information leaflets, Airing Pain etc
• Carry out research into community groups, local events and businesses in your area, so that you can contact them to attend fayres, exhibitions etc
• Attend cheque presentations and local events officially thanking donors and hosts for their support
• Adhere to Pain Concern’s policies and procedures at all times, including Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality;
• Attend training and volunteer meetings
• Keep your Volunteer Manager up to date on your activities, including the contacts you’ve made and talks that you’ve arranged.
Is this role right for me
We are looking for an individual who possesses some or all of the below experiences, skills and qualities.
• Friendly, positive and outgoing personality
• Tenacity and enthusiasm for sourcing opportunities in your community
• Enthusiasm and interest in chronic pain and the work we do
• Good communication skills, including public speaking
• Strong organisational skills, and an ability to work on own initiative and be proactive
• Access to the Internet and confidence in using it
• A good local knowledge
• Flexibility
Availability and location
Minimum commitment of 6 months. Minimum 2-3 hours per week. By becoming one of our Community Ambassadors, you will travel in and around your geographical area to meet support groups and attend events and from our office at Newcraighall Road, Edinburgh EH15 3HS
Benefits to you
• Experience volunteering as part of a friendly team
• Meet new people
• Build on your employability skills
• Training and a dedicated volunteer line manager looking after you
• A job reference after 6 months of volunteering.
• Satisfaction of giving a valuable service to the community
• On-site car parking
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Volunteer Policy
How do I apply
Download and complete an application form via the volunteering page on our website. For more information about this role please contact us via our website.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Midland Mencap seeks a passionate volunteer photographer/videographer to capture the energy and joy of our sports, health, and wellbeing community sessions in Birmingham or Walsall.
Help us showcase the positive impact of our services by documenting participants' stories and achievements.
Share their smiles, successes, and inspire others to get involved with Midland Mencap!
What would I be doing?
Attend sports, health, and wellbeing sessions: Be present at designated sessions to capture content.
Capture photos and videos: Document activities, participant interactions, and highlight positive moments.
Tell visual stories: Use photo and video to convey the spirit of the sessions and the impact they have on participants.
Potential for interviews: Conduct short interviews with participants to gather testimonials.
Collaborate with the marketing team: Share content for use in promotional materials, social media, and the website.
What do I need?
For this role you will need
· Access to own digital camera equipment or modern smartphone
· Able to travel independently in the Birmingham / West Midlands area
· Friendly, calm, and patient
· Accepting of people who may be different to you
· Happy to chat and a good listener
· Willing to learn and act within guidelines set out by Midland Mencap
· An enhanced DBS check and references will be required
When and where do you need me?
· 2 - 4 times a month at sessions across Birmingham or Walsall
What’s in it for me?
As one of our valued volunteers, Midland Mencap will offer you:
· Gain valuable digital media experience.
· The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities
and their family carers
· Any training and development that is needed
· The opportunity to meet new people and be part of a diverse team
· Support within your role
· Agreed out-of-pocket expenses
· Lots of appreciation for your amazing contribution
· Positive wellbeing from doing something great
· Improve career opportunities by adding your volunteer role to a CV
To campaign for and deliver accessible and inclusive community health and wellbeing support services for individuals, families, and carers.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you a parent, grandparent or have experience of caring for children?
Do you have 2-3 hours per week to spare? Use your experience to support a family facing challenging times.
Our Home-Visiting Service supports families who are experiencing difficulties or suffering stress and who have at least one child under the age of five years.
Our aims are:
To increase the confidence and independence of the family by:
Offering support, friendship and practical assistance
Visiting families in their own homes and in their community, where the dignity and identity of each adult and child can be respected and protected
Reassuring parents that difficulties in bringing up children is not unusual and encouraging them to enjoy family life.
Developing a relationship with the family in which time can be shared and understanding can be developed. This approach is flexible to take account of different needs.
Encouraging parents’ strengths and emotional wellbeing – for the ultimate benefit of their children.
Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships, and to effectively use the support and services available within the community.
Please note that the application process involves completing an application form, interview, DBS check, two references and the completion of training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
JOB DESCRIPTION
Coping with a diagnosis of a terminal or life-limiting illness involves painful feelings, coming to terms with loss and making adjustments in life.
We are looking for volunteers to offer emotional and/or bereavement support either in a group setting through facilitation of support groups, or on one to one individual basis. You will be helping people to explore their feelings and adapt to their new life after a diagnosis or the death of a loved one.
This role is supporting patients and families who are over 18 only.
Your role will include some of, but is not restricted to, the following tasks:
- Provide emotional and/or bereavement support either in the hospice, in a small group setting, over the phone or at the person’s home, according to local resources.
- Actively listen to clients and explore their feelings around the diagnosis/loss with empathy
- Pass on appropriate information to your line manager.
- Complete appropriate documentation as required in line with our confidentiality (service user) policy.
- Assist staff in the Patient and Family Support team when necessary
- Adhere to hospice record keeping procedures
- Assist with other related tasks when necessary
ABOUT US
Every day of your life matters – from the first to the last. When you volunteer for Marie Curie, you understand that better than ever. We’re a passionate, committed and diverse team of more than 4,400 staff and 6,500 volunteers, here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support, to help them get the most from the time they have left.
Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work. We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.
Marie Curie is committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Bipolar UK was originally formed in the 1980s as a local support system for the community by the community. Our first meeting was held in 1983 and since that day Bipolar UK has supported people living with the condition and their loved ones. Our aim is to enable everyone affected by bipolar to live well.
Each year we support thousands of individuals through our range of peer support services, which include:
- Peer Support Groups (in-person and online)
- A call-back Peer Support Line
- Our eCommunity
In the years ahead, providing peer support services will remain central to everything we do. This vital work is only possible because of volunteers such as yourself.
How volunteers support us
We couldn’t exist without the amazing support of our dedicated team of volunteers. They help us by giving us key insights from our community. They also provide hands-on support so we can run a significant network of peer support groups and a one-to-one peer support line via telephone and email.
Thanks to the incredible collaboration between our staff team and our volunteers we currently empower approximately 1,000 people a month to stay well, and we have the ambition to reach thousands more.
Our commitment to volunteers:
We want you to get the most out of volunteering with us and we take our responsibility towards you very seriously.
To support you, we will:
- Provide clear descriptions for our volunteering roles
- Treat volunteers fairly and in accordance with the Bipolar UK Equal Opportunities policy
- Ensure volunteers’ information is kept securely and in accordance with Bipolar UK Privacy policy, the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR
- Keep volunteers informed of relevant changes, including to policies and staff
- Provide appropriate training and support to encourage and develop volunteers in every role
- Work collaboratively with all our volunteers to improve the services we deliver, identifying training needs and providing additional learning
- Ensure our volunteering practices are compliant with current and relevant legislation
- Reimburse agreed out of pocket expenses in line with Bipolar UK’s policy and guidance
- Celebrate and recognise all our volunteers’ successes and ongoing contributions to the charity
- Support aspirations to upskill with relevant training and development
Training and development
All volunteers are given an induction and training relevant to their role before they begin volunteering so they can feel confident to carry out their tasks. Training is an ongoing commitment for both Bipolar UK staff and volunteers. Training sessions are usually held by the Bipolar UK team, although external training will be given whenever relevant and appropriate.
Who can volunteer?
As part of the volunteer recruitment process, we ask you to complete an application form. We will then invite you for an informal phone interview and ask you to provide two referees.
Roles within Bipolar UK are subject to an enhanced DBS check. The information gathered throughout this process helps us to make an informed decision about whether the volunteering role is right for you, as well as following our safeguarding procedures.
Skills and experience
We look for people who:
- Communicate well
- Enjoy teamwork
- Are able to adapt and willing to learn
- Are reliable, punctual and good at time management
- See situations with objectivity and compassion
- All our volunteers must be 18 or older.
Bipolar UK will make sure that people are judged on their ability and potential, not on their background and situation. We will seek to treat people fairly, regardless of visible and non-visible differences such as mental health, health, gender, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religious beliefs or practices, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability, age, family/marital status, social background, pregnancy or potential pregnancy, caring responsibilities, spent criminal convictions or trade union affiliation.
We appreciate that these differences will contribute to diverse experiences of life, attitudes, values, and ways of thinking and communicating - and that these different perspectives can make a valuable contribution to our work.
What we ask of volunteers:
We ask that all volunteers commit to a minimum of two to four hours a week for our phone/email service or up to 4 hours per month for our support groups, for at least six months wherever possible.
We expect all volunteers to attend regular training as part of role development and progression, and to abide by our policies and guidelines. A commitment to our mission and values is imperative, along with a desire to make a difference to those affected by bipolar. All volunteers represent the charity and must always remain professional when interacting with the public and external services.
Volunteers should:
- Have personal experience of bipolar if the role requires it
- Display empathy and understanding of the needs of others
- Understand and remain conscious of their own needs, including managing their own wellbeing
- Communicate effectively with the team
- Be always respectful of others, in line with Bipolar UK policies
- Have basic IT skills and computer literacy
Our volunteering roles:
- Support Group Co-facilitator (online)
- Support Group Co-facilitator (in-person)
- Support Group Administrator
- Peer Support Line Volunteer
- Media Ambassador
- Fundraising Assistant
- Events Assistant
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.