Foster support volunteer volunteer roles in primrose hill, greater london

Volunteer Opportunities with Unique Support Hub: Asylum Support Team – Croydon & Crystal Palace Areas

Are you passionate about social justice, community engagement, and making a lasting difference in the lives of migrants and those seeking sanctuary?
We are seeking dedicated, compassionate, and experienced volunteers to join our Asylum Support Team in Croydon and Crystal Palace.

As part of this vital team, you will contribute directly to enhancing the wellbeing and experience of asylum seekers living in the community and those in Home Office accommodations. Your support will play a critical role in helping individuals navigate the complexities of the asylum process and build connections within their new communities.

Volunteer Roles Available

We are looking for individuals to take on a variety of essential roles, including:

• Community Activities Coordinator
  Organise and facilitate inclusive, engaging activities both within the reception centres and in the wider community to foster wellbeing, integration, and resilience.
• Advice & Advocacy Support Volunteer
  Provide one-to-one guidance on asylum procedures, support clients in understanding their rights and entitlements, and escalate cases where needed in collaboration with Migrant Help and AASC providers.
• Wraparound Services & Signposting Volunteer
  Assist asylum seekers in accessing crucial wraparound services including housing support, digital inclusion, mental health, education, and employment advice. 
  Provide effective referrals to legal aid solicitors and community organisations.

What We Offer Our Volunteers

• A volunteer allowance per visit
• Paid training sessions to equip you with the necessary skills
• DBS checks fully funded
• Continuous support and professional development
• The opportunity to work within a passionate team making meaningful impact in people’s lives

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from individuals with:

• Lived or professional experience in migration, advocacy, or community work
• Strong organisational and interpersonal skills
• A deep sense of empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to social equity
• Availability for regular visits and engagements in Croydon and/or Crystal Palace

How to Apply

Please apply by submitting your CV and a brief personal statement by EMAIL  outlining your motivation and any relevant experience. Indicate clearly which role(s) you are most interested in.

Application Deadline: Rolling recruitment until positions are filled. Early application is encouraged.

This role supports Aspire’s commitment to healing, dignity and community resilience. Volunteers help facilitate or support creative and wellbeing activities that foster connection, confidence and recovery

Purpose of the Role

This volunteer role is a key part of the HFEH Mind team delivering a range of services across Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow. We support clients with mental health with both clinical and non-clinical interventions.

To enhance the Safe Space service provision as experts by experience, supporting service users and their peers on their recovery journey.

Main Responsibilities

To work closely with the HFEH Mind Safe Space team in supporting, encouraging and motivating the people that attend our services in their mental health recovery journey. Utilising their knowledge gained through lived experience and promoting recovery through visual recovery

Tasks

· Signpost Safe Space attendees to appropriate support services

· Supporting with Self Referrals to community support services

· Promote recovery by means of visible recovery

· Promote mental health and applicable community services

· Utilise listening and communication skills to support individuals attending the Safe Space Service

· Conduct follow-up calls and face-to-face appointments supporting the recovery journey

· Assist with the completion of recovery plans

· Motivate and encourage community engagement

· Support with the development and updating of borough resources and asset mapping

· Co-facilitate with psycho-educational or informational groups

· Support service users with paperwork

General Responsibilities

• Attend and conduct required training in line with company guidelines

• Attend monthly supervisions as agreed with supervisor

• Contribute ideas and feedback to improve service provision

• Abide by company policies and procedures

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the role.

• Embrace diversity and share in our commitment to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination.

• Share our commitment to safeguarding adults and children at risk of harm.

• Use the charity’s resources efficiently and effectively to ensure that our financial resources are demonstrably used for the benefit of our service users.

• Ensure that information is obtained, used and stored in accordance with our Data Protection and Confidentiality policy.

Type of person we are looking for:

Essential

· Knowledge and understanding of issues facing someone with a Mental Health illness/disability

· Knowledge and understanding of utilising mental health services

· Excellent communication skills

· Excellent listening skills

· Willingness to embrace empathy and compassion

· Ability to work with Safe Space service Users demonstrating a non-judgmental attitude and withholding bias

· Clear understanding of professional boundaries

· IT literate

· Able to support service users with form filing and making phone calls

· An understanding of the importance of professional integrity in relationships with service users, peers and other relevant professionals.

Desirable

· Knowledge and understanding of issues facing someone with a other support needs/services e.g. substance misuse, domestic abuse, debt, homelessness

· Knowledge of the borough and support available

· MS office proficient

· Experience/ knowledge of the Health and Social Care Sector

Time commitment and expenses:

· Minimum of 8 hours per week during (our core hours of 2PM – 10PM. )

· We request a minimum commitment of 6 months of volunteering after the completion of your induction.   

Hours: Variable – depending on individual circumstances and what people can do

Location: Variable – we are looking to extend our reach of peer support walks throughout Yorkshire

Main Tasks:

We appreciate any volunteering help that you can offer YBTC and want to make sure that our

volunteers have a positive experience with us. We pledge to support you as much as we can.

We want to ensure that volunteering with us does not feel too daunting, so the exact tasks might

vary depending on your circumstances. However, some typical tasks may include:

· Support our regular wellbeing/peer support walks

· Welcome participants and help them feel comfortable, fostering a friendly and inclusive atmosphere

· Encourage conversations among participants, offering a listening ear

· Be attentive to the well-being of all participants during the walk

· Offer information on YBTC services

· Attending occasional training sessions or volunteer meetings organised by YBTC

We are looking for people who are:

· Are warm and non-judgemental

· Reliability – are punctual and committed to scheduled walks

· Collaborative mindset to work effectively with staff and volunteers

· Basic physical fitness to complete the walks, awareness of the needs of participants with

different mobility/health conditions

We can offer you the following:

· Full induction and ongoing training

· Ongoing support and supervision in your role

· Opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people

· The satisfaction of making a positive impact on those affected by brain tumours

Background

Founded in 2003 and originally named Andrea’s Gift and later Brain Tumour Research and Support

Across Yorkshire, Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity (YBTC) is Yorkshire and Humber’s leading

brain tumour charity. Offering practical, financial and emotional support to both adult and child

brain tumour patients, together with their families.

We fund brain tumour research in Yorkshire; we hope this research, dedicated to identifying new

approaches to the discovery and treatment of brain tumours will improve outcomes for patients.

At YBTC we are a small team who are growing to meet the needs of those affected by a brain

tumour in Yorkshire. Around 15 new cases of primary brain tumours are diagnosed in the region

every week.

Our charity values are: Integrity, Compassion, Community & Ambition.

Our Vision/Mission

To improve the lives of people impacted by a brain tumour in Yorkshire through local support and research.

About Long Covid Support

Long Covid Support is a UK-based charity providing peer support, information, and advocacy for people living with Long Covid. We also campaign for better recognition, research, and care.

What will you be doing (role overview)?:

We’re looking for an experienced Volunteer Website Manager to maintain and develop our online presence. You’ll ensure our website is accurate, accessible, user-friendly, and aligned with our brand. The role involves regular updates to content, troubleshooting basic technical issues, and working with the team to improve user experience.

What are we looking for (about you)?

• Experience: Minimum 3–5 years’ professional experience managing websites, ideally with WordPress or a similar CMS.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of accessibility best practices and SEO principles.
• Technical Skills: Experience with basic image editing and formatting for web.
• Personal Qualities: Ability to work independently, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Approach: Comfortable managing updates and improvements with minimal supervision.
• Application requirement: Please include links to 2–3 websites you have managed or worked on, along with a brief description of your role in each.

What difference will you make:

• The opportunity to take ownership of the digital front door for a national health charity.
• Experience delivering high-quality online content that directly benefits our community.
• Flexible, remote volunteering alongside a collaborative and supportive team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Update and maintain website content, structure, and functionality.
• Upload new resources, blog posts, and campaign materials.
• Optimise pages for accessibility, SEO, and usability.
• Troubleshoot basic technical issues, liaising with developers when needed.
• Implement design and content improvements in collaboration with the team.

Equal ops statement:

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We provide equal opportunities for all, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We actively encourage applications from all individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience of Long Covid.

At Merstham Community Facility Trust our vision is thriving community where every resident has the opportunity to belong. We aim to support, empower and connect the people of Merstham.

The purpose of the charity is to support the Merstham community by delivering services that reflect the needs and ideas of local residents. We are committed to championing community led projects, events and volunteering opportunities, and we strive to foster a sense of belonging, enhance personal development and promote wellbeing.

If you are a committed and enthusiastic person who wants to make a difference to the lives of the people of Merstham then this could be the volunteering position for you!

Our key initiatives are:

Addressing financial hardship by running a food club, hosting a food bank and providing a Community Fridge, using surplus food collected from local supermarkets and making it accesible to local residents, also saving tonnes of food ending up as waste. During the winter we provide a 'warm hub'

Improving Wellbeing including activities to address social isolation for example a community allotment, bee keeping, chatty tables, Craft tables, games evenings and a Cinema Club -aimed at reducing social isolation in the elderly. We have a number of mental health initiatives and have trained 20 Community Champions - who can give basic advice on mental and physical health issues. We organise various community events for example an Easter Egg Hunt, Christmas Fayre and Coach outing to the coast.

Community Enablement Signposting to support, including access to Citizens advice, food bank and support groups. Employment support - provided by partners at the Hub to assist path to employment and increase employability. Up-skilling and training of volunteers and Lead volunteers to put skills back into our community, IT support

The Board is currently composed of six trustees and two associate trustees. We employ a manager, four part time office staff and three caretakers who conduct the work of the charity. There are about 60 volunteers and 20 Wellbeing Champions involved in the Hub, carrying out activities such as IT support, reception duties, Repair cafe etc. During the winter months we run a 'Warm Hub' where people of reduced means can receive a cup of tea, biscuits and a friendly welcome.

 As Chairman of the Board of Trustees you will play a vital role in shaping the future direction of the charity, and securing it's success in challenging the social inequalities faced by the community of Merstham.

Core Skills

1. Leadership & Facilitation

   • Ability to lead and inspire trustees and volunteers.

   • Encourages participation and manages diverse opinions.

2. Communication

   • Clear, respectful, and persuasive speaking and writing.

   • Able to represent the charity in public and with stakeholders.

3. Governance & Strategic Thinking

   • Understanding of charity governance and trustee responsibilities.

   • Can help develop and oversee long-term plans.

4. Meeting Management

   • Skilled in chairing meetings effectively, ensuring they are focused, inclusive, and productive.

5. Financial Awareness

   • Basic understanding of budgets, funding, and financial accountability (doesn’t need to be a finance expert).

6. Conflict Resolution

   • Ability to manage disagreements constructively and maintain harmony on the board.

Key Attributes

1. Integrity

   • High ethical standards and commitment to the charity’s mission.

2. Commitment

   • Willing to dedicate sufficient time and energy.

3. Impartiality

   • Treats all opinions fairly and avoids favouritism or personal agendas.

4. Empathy & Community Focus

   • Understands and connects with the community the charity serves.

5. Confidence Without Ego

   • Willing to make decisions and stand by them, but open to being challenged.

6. Reliability

   • Can be counted on to follow through with responsibilities and support the board and staff.

Optional but Valuable

• Fundraising experience

• Policy or nonprofit background

• Local community ties

• Experience managing volunteers

Fine Cell Work (FCW) is a UK-based rehabilitation charity and social enterprise. We are supported by an incredible team of prison volunteers who are the link between the charity and the stitchers we work with in prison. Our volunteers run fortnightly stitching groups in the prisons we work with to facilitate our stitchers’ production of high-quality needlework.

Our prison volunteers work in small teams to teach our stitchers’ embroidery and needlepoint, organise their group sessions, and liaise with the prison and FCW office.

What you will do as a prison volunteer:

• Teach people in prison how to stitch and support the completion of our premade kits in our cell groups, which consist of around 10-15 stitchers.
• Communicate with staff at our hub in Battersea to receive kits and supplies for your group and send back completed work for your stitchers to be paid.
• Encourage and help stitchers to complete our Open College Network certifications in creative needlework.
• Develop stitchers’ skills and confidence by encouraging them to take responsibility as peer mentors.
• Act as an ambassador for the charity and sharing our vision and values throughout your volunteering.

Who we are looking for:

• Skills in embroidery and/or needlepoint or a willingness to learn to stitch is essential for this role.
• Ideally some teaching experience or experience working with socially-excluded groups.
• Someone with a non-judgemental attitude and commitment to rehabilitation.
• Someone who is an excellent team worker.
• Someone who is good at observing personal boundaries.

Commitment: our stitching groups run for 2 hours every fortnight, so with travel time and some admin work after groups we ask prison volunteers to set aside a morning or afternoon every 2 weeks.

You must be over 18 for this role with the ability to travel to the prison. Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the charity.

Please take some time to read the role description to find out more details about the role and what we offer to our prison volunteers. 

At Fine Cell Work, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented amongst FCW’s prison volunteers. This includes applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, and male identifying applicants.

Volunteer Lead for Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership.

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact?

We are seeking an enthusiastic Volunteer Lead to support our charity, managing and supporting part-time staff that are involved in the recruitment,  retention and development of volunteers, and being part of a team that develops our strategy and volunteer roles as we evolve as a charity.

Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership (WTRRP) provides practical and emotional support, advice and befriending to refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum living in the Watford and Three Rivers area. We are a growing charity serving an increasing number of clients. We have been able to secure some funding which has enabled us to employ three members of staff, one full time Caseworker and a part time Office Manager and a part time Volunteer Coordinator.  We are based in St. Mary’s Church, Watford in the heart of the City Centre. For over 20 years we have had a strong volunteer base and as we grow,  we are navigating the change of continuing to work with a strong volunteer base as well as staff. We have over 70 volunteers currently, that engage in a number of roles ranging from Caseworkers, ESOL teachers, Social Hub volunteers and Fundraisers.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with some experience of managing staff and working with volunteers, to provide supervision to our Office Manager and our Volunteer Co-ordinator.  You will also help us develop our volunteers.

You will work closely with our HR Lead reviewing and updating our policies and guidance for volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

· Line manage and support two members of staff who are part time and are involved in the recruitment and support of volunteers.

· Have a strategic focus on Volunteer development

· Develop our training, support and retention of volunteers

· Identify gaps in roles in our organisation and develop new roles

· Foster a positive and productive culture within our charity

· Be part of a team to resolve issues with staff and volunteers using clear processes

· Become a Trustee of the Charity and attend meetings which are held in the evenings in Watford

Do you have these?

· Some experience of managing staff

· Understanding of working in a organisation with volunteers

· Some experience of managing volunteers (desirable)

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team

· Desire to support the Charity grow and develop

· Experience of providing training and support  (desirable)

· Some occasional availability on Tuesdays for part of the period 11.00-14.00, when most of our volunteers are present (highly desirable).

Time Commitment

The hours would vary but at least 3-5 hours a week.

Committee meetings are on varying weekday evenings, currently 6 per year.

What you will gain:

· Satisfaction from being part of bringing positive change to migrants and asylum seekers in the local community

· Valuable experience in a charitable organisation – both strategic and practical

· Access to training with NCVO

· Being part of a team of trustees

Interested in the role?

If you would like to have an informal chat initially, please contact us, or you can apply via Charity Jobs.

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

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

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
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

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

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

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
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

A bit more information about this role and the team

The branch are looking for indoor fosterers so applicants would need to have a suitable spare room.

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

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

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

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
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for! 

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

CAT FOSTERER

Cat Fosterer (Guildford & Epsom)

We’re looking for cat-loving volunteers to play a vital role in helping us improve the wellbeing of the cats in our care whilst they wait to be rehomed. Can you help them by providing a calm and caring home whilst we find their purrfect forever home?

Overview of the opportunity

As a cat fosterer, you would be supporting the RSPCA in providing our cats with the safety of your home whilst tending to their welfare needs such as feeding and grooming. In addition to this, by providing a temporary loving environment, you will play a crucial role in a cat’s wellbeing and socialisation, which will significantly improve their chances of successful rehoming.

Once everything is in place, the Guildford & Epsom Branch will guide you through the fostering process and ensure that you have all the necessary equipment, food, and veterinary care for your fostered cat. The RSPCA is also happy to reimburse any other pre-agreed expenses that you may incur through volunteering for us.

Whilst our cats are in your foster care, you will: 

• Provide them with care, suitable housing, and a safe environment as per our policies and guidelines.
•  Feed, water, and groom them in line with our advice.
•  Transport them to any veterinary appointments if required.
•  Provide them with your time and patience.
• Help us spread the word about the cats in your care so they might find their forever home quicker.
•  Playing and cuddles are also a must!

What we are looking for in a volunteer Cat Fosterer

•  Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had plenty of experience caring for cats.
•  Fostering experience is beneficial but not essential as training is provided.
•  For their wellbeing, our cats need to be kept in a separate room, so the whole family should be on board.
•  Any existing pets or animals need to have been spayed/neutered (some medical reasons may mean they cannot be so, please let us know if this is the case).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

What we can offer you as a volunteer Cat Fosterer

•  You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the cats in your care.
• Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
•  Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and fostering training programme.
•  Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

It is worth mentioning that our cats do have different needs as whilst some are ready for rehoming others may require rehabilitation or ongoing medication. Therefore, we also aim to understand your situation and circumstances to ensure that we match you with your perfect foster cat.

PLEASE ONLY APPLY FOR THE ABOVE VACANCY IF YOU LIVE IN THE UK

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependant on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

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

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

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
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for! 

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Are you looking for a joyful way to give back to the community? We are looking for a volunteer to promote mental wellness through laughter yoga, a blend of playful exercises and yoga breathing techniques. You will design uplifting sessions which build connections and reduce stress. If you’re interested, apply now!

At Hestia, we support adults and children who have experienced crisis and trauma, to find safety, hope and purpose. We specialise in trauma and resilience informed support for people in crisis or who have experienced trauma – including survivors of modern slavery, adults and children escaping domestic abuse, people needing support with their mental health, and people leaving prison. We foster trusting relationships at crucial moments in their recovery, that empower individuals to

build a life beyond crisis.