Health And Wellbeing Volunteer Roles in Epsom, Surrey

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

Join our ever expanding team of therapists to deliver face to face and remote counselling, to adults in South West London.

You will become part of an organisation that is passionate about providing support for the local community, along with therapists from a diverse range of backgrounds.

We offer

• Free fortnightly supervision
• Appraisals and feedback for institutions
• Support from counselling and admin team
• Free training and CPD

We ask for therapists to:

• Have completed at least 80 hours one-to-one supervised adult counselling. 
• Be qualified to Level 5 diploma level or be enrolled on the 2nd year of a BACP or UKCP accredited course.
• Be able to commit to three clients a week, for a minimum of one year.
• Attend personal therapy throughout their placement while a trainee.
• Attend Richmond AID supervision.
• Hold membership of their relevant awarding body

Role: Youth ‘GRS’ casework volunteer 

Team: Casework 

Supervised by: Youth caseworker 

Location: Tooting Hub on a Wednesday afternoon (between 12:30-18:00pm) 

Time commitment: 2.5 hours a week, we ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 6 months 

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 CARAS Casework: 

CARAS works with adults and young people of a refugee and asylum seeker background to find solutions to their problems. There are two separate sub-teams within the Casework team; young people and adults. We support young people to navigate the asylum system, understand their rights and entitlements, access education, connect with services and realise their goals. We are a non-specialist casework and advocacy service, so we work in close partnership with other local organisations to whom we refer people with more complex issues. 

Using the empowerment model, our casework service embodies CARAS’ values of ‘with not for’, always striving to ensure people are armed with the information and resources they need to make decisions and take action for themselves. 

About CARAS GRS: 

CARAS runs a “Get Ready for School” (GRS) programme for newly arrived Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children who are eligible for statutory education but do not yet have a place in school or college. The programme helps young people prepare for mainstream education by offering six hours a week of classroom-based ESOL learning alongside numeracy, digital literacy, and study skills. These sessions take place on a Monday and a Wednesday.  

Under statutory guidelines, a looked-after child in year 11 or below must be placed in full-time education within 20 school days.1 If the young person is out of education for longer than four weeks, they can continue attending Get Ready for School for up to 12 weeks, with CARAS additionally offering the young person and their support network help from our Casework team to ensure that they are accessing full-time education as soon as possible.

About the Role: 

We are currently recruiting for 3 volunteers to join our Youth Casework team as a GRS needs assessment caseworker. 

The purpose of the Youth ‘GRS’ Casework volunteer role is to support young people with a refugee or asylum-seeking background to understand their rights, access information and services, and ultimately, take control of their own lives. You will work with individuals to complete a needs assessment to establish what support they may need alongside GRS. You will work with individuals to address problems they may face relating to, among other issues, asylum information, accessing healthcare and education, accessing support from their local authority, and finding activities and opportunities. There are often supplementary referrals that come out of the GRS needs assessments that will need equal care and attention from volunteers. 

On occasion, you will offer support to the GRS team to support young peoples’ learning journey and develop a wider understanding of the GRS programme. 

You will start from an understanding that individuals are always best placed to solve their own problems, and often need nothing more than to talk out a problem and find the solution themselves. When helpful, you will provide information to clarify and support to take action. 

The GRS volunteer will attend our community space in Tooting Hub on Wednesday afternoons for 2.5 hours between 12:30-18:00pm. Volunteer caseworkers have 1:1 appointments, either in person or by phone, with CARAS members. Volunteers also support administrative tasks such as updating our databases, collating resources, and creating information guides. 

Youth Casework Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities:  

Working in an empowering way with individuals and promoting their independence through goal-setting. 

Supporting people to develop their knowledge of rights and entitlements. 

Assisting with filling out forms. 

Signposting and referring to other services and organisations. 

Gathering information from experts and disseminating information to people in an accessible manner. 

Engaging in collaborative internet and phone research on services, organisations, and grants. 

Flagging safeguarding concerns and other issues where further support is required. 

Keeping accurate case notes. 

Supporting to maintain our signposting database. 

Researching and collating resources. 

Working collaboratively as a team and assisting in shaping the Youth Casework project. 

Adhering to CARAS Confidentiality Policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant. 

Requirements (all experience can be from paid or voluntary roles):  

Essential:  

Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English. 

Confidence in using IT (Microsoft Office, Outlook, Zoom, Google Search, online forms) 

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

A commitment to confidentiality and data protection 

Thorough with good attention to detail 

Reliable 

A high level of spoken and written English 

Ability to gather information from people in a sensitive way 

A calm, friendly, kind, and patient approach 

Enjoyment in speaking to new people 

A commitment to working in an empowering way 

Able to maintain boundaries 

Able to work autonomously 

Currently resident in the UK 

Desirable: 

Experience in doing 1:1 advice work/casework 

Working knowledge or experience of relevant law and policy around asylum support, the asylum process, rights, and entitlements for people seeking asylum. 

Direct experience of the UK immigration system. 

Past experience of working with people seeking asylum. 

Proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu, or Vietnamese. 

We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process. 

Benefits of Volunteering: 

· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum. 

· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team. 

· Develop your skills and competencies. 

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

Obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months regular volunteering. 

All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role. 

To Apply: 

Applicants will have an informal meeting with the Youth caseworker, and one with community members, to assess compatibility to the role. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP. 

Successful applicants will be required to complete 2 hours of online general CARAS induction and 2 hours of online safeguarding training and specialist Casework volunteer training before commencing their placement. 

Age UK Richmond upon Thames is a local independent charity supporting older people, carers and family members in Richmond upon Thames. We are committed to our mission to provide support to help local older people to live healthier happier and more independent lives.

Age UK Richmond upon Thames are a local partner of the national charity Age UK. This means we operate as an independent charity – responsible for raising our own funds and providing services to meet local need in Richmond upon Thames.

We currently have an excellent opportunity for a new Chair of Trustees to join our charity. Our current Chair is due to leave later this year.

Our wide range of highly valued and well utilised services currently include:

· Information & Advice, including support to claim welfare benefits and other financial support.

· Social & wellbeing groups, activities and centres.

· Leadership of the Community Independent Living Service (CILS) Partnership – working with 19 other voluntary sector groups.

· ‘Connect To Tech’ digital skills support.

· Leadership of Dementia Friendly Richmond, working in partnership to make the borough more dementia inclusive.

· Mental Health Peer Support.

· ‘Nightingale’ hospital discharge service.

· Handyperson & gardening.

· Housekeeping.

Our Chief Executive leads a team of around 50 committed staff, supported by around 100 volunteers. We support around 4,000 local older people every year.

Our income is currently around £2.3m a year. However, this includes a local authority contract we manage under which  a significant portion is passed  to other local charities we work in partnership with. Funding comes from a range of sources including local authority & NHS contracts; grant funders; chargeable services; donations and legacies.  

Our board is currently made up of nine trustees, led by the Chair – all bringing different skills and views.

It is an interesting time to be joining us. We are working on developing our ambitious new Strategic Plan for April 2025 onwards – and we are keen to ensure we are responsive to the changing needs of existing and new generations of older people. Rising costs and a more challenging income generation environment is starting to put more pressure on our finances although our current position is relatively stable – and we will need to think about how we adapt. We are also keen to strengthen our local partnerships and further the support for those with dementia and carers.

Our website gives further information about the charity.

We are looking for a dynamic Chair who is committed to improving the lives of vulnerable and isolated older people across Richmond upon Thames. Running a healthy and successful charity requires a strong Board that offers leadership and challenge in a collegiate and positive way and has our beneficiaries at the core of everything they do.

The role of the Chair

The Chair of Trustees leads the board, ensuring that it governs Age UK Richmond effectively, in service of the charity’s vision and mission. The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive. The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity.

This is a voluntary unpaid role. Expenses can be reimbursed.

In addition to all the duties of a trustee, the Chair’s role includes:

· Providing leadership to the board and  ensuring that trustees fulfil their responsibilities for the proper governance of the charity.

· Ensuring the board sets a mission, vision, strategy and has the right policies to act in line with its Articles of Association and relevant legislation and that the Board monitors performance, spend and risk.

· Ensuring that the board as a whole works in partnership with executive staff.

· Ensuring good governance, with a systematic, open and fair procedure for the recruitment of trustees, with appropriate induction information and training.

· Ensuring the proper and efficient conduct of board meetings by; chairing trustee meetings effectively, seeking consensus, encouraging participation, taking an active role in ensuring that board agendas are meaningful and reflect the key responsibilities of trustees and that trustees receive timely and accurate information in order to allow the board to discharge its responsibilities.

· Regular meetings with the Chief Executive, to provide support and  review performance.

· Ensuring the Chief Executive provides an effective link between the board and staff.

· Attending events and forums when needed to help raise awareness of the charity and its work and support fundraising initiatives.

· Stakeholder engagement locally, and more occasionally regionally / nationally.

 

The Commitment

The Board of Trustees meet quarterly in person. Board members are asked to commit time to read papers, and to share expertise when needed. Board members are also expected to sit on at least one of two committees that also meet quarterly – Finance & General Purposes and Fundraising & Service Development. The Chair is an ex officio member of  both committees.

The Chair will also hold regular meetings with the Chief Executive. The role will also involve representing the organisation at events and attending occasional regional or national Age UK meetings.

Terms of Office

Trustees are appointed for an initial term of two years. Two further terms of three years can follow, up to a maximum of 8 years.

What we are looking for

● Experience of being on a board. You do not need to have been a Chair before however.

● Good understanding of governance and the duties of trusteeship.

● Senior level Health & Social Care and / or voluntary sector background.

● Experience of working with older people desirable.

● A keen sense of strategic purpose.

● An inclusive leadership style - able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing.

● The ability to listen and engage effectively. You are comfortable with challenge and debate and are able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment.

● Excellent communication skills.

Please click to apply to be taken to our website for f=ull information and how to apply. 

Our growing network of community collection volunteers organise and host bucket collections to raise funds for Blood Cancer UK and awareness of blood cancer. You’ll play a vital role in strengthening our reach and engagement in local communities. Please note that due to the nature of this role, the minimum age for volunteers is 18 years old. This is an all-year round role, with flexible opportunities to fundraise and raise awareness to suit your availability. We ask that you support a minimum of 3 – 4 collections per year. Collections can take approximately 2 – 4 hours per collection.

This role is for you if:

• • you want to make a difference to the lives of people affected by blood cancer.
  • you want to raise money to help fund lifesaving research.
  • you enjoy organising events and activities.
  • you are comfortable engaging with others in your local community.

Sport and Advice Hub Volunteer

Young Roots aims to improve the wellbeing and life chances of young refugees and asylum seekers. We work directly with young refugees and asylum seekers in the UK and operate through trusted community-based partners in Lebanon.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

We are looking for volunteers to join our weekly Sport and Advice Hub in Brent. The Sport and Advice Hub is a space where 11-25 year old refugees and asylum seekers come to play football, cricket and other sports and also seek support with issues in their lives. It runs in Willesden every Wednesday from 4.45pm to 8pm.

The role would be a floating role between sports, board games and English class or on reception. So it is a chance to get involved in different activities!

You will be available to start w/c 20th May 2024.

In this role you will:

1. Provide a safe and welcoming environment for young asylum seekers and refugees

2. Help at the reception table with registration and finding out what kind of support the young people need (casework, mental health, immigration, social activities).

3. Help the Youth Development Worker and Coordinator to set up and run games and other activities at the youth club such as table tennis, cooking, board games, group discussions, feedback sessions.

4. Run a table where young people can practice English informally, contribute to sports activity, or support young people applying for jobs/volunteering

5. Assist the project staff to effectively deliver, monitor and evaluate the project.

6. Respect confidentiality and contribute to debriefs after the session.

7. If interested, to help on occasional trips locally and in central London (weekdays and/ or Saturdays).

PERSON SPECIFICATION

You will need to be able to demonstrate the following:

Essential • Enthusiasm and commitment to supporting young refugees and asylum seekers and to take part in activities

• Willingness to take part in safeguarding training (online)

• Experience of working or volunteering with young people

• Understanding and commitment to youth participation principles, as outlined in the attached document • Good communication skills

• Good team working and interpersonal skills

• A flexible approach

• Some understanding of the challenges faced by refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in the UK

• Be able to commit for at least 8 weeks.

• Be interested in youthwork and young people’s participation in decision making.

• Be interested in either doing sports, English or job applications with young people Desirable

• Ability to speak the following language(s): Pashto, Dari, Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Vietnamese

• Experience of working or volunteering with refugees and asylum seekers or direct experience of the asylum system in the UK.

TO APPLY If you would like to apply for this position, please email your CV and a cover letter to us.

Interviews will take place online. Young Roots is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Successful applicants will be required to undertake a criminal record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service. A criminal record will not automatically prevent you from being considered for this role. Young Roots recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equity and challenges discrimination.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. As an organisation that supports refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, we particularly welcome applications from those within these communities

Job description

Quilombo UK is looking for Legal Assistant, who would love to join a growing organization. Quilombo UK works with the objective to promote different arts, sports and cultures to encourage an intercultural understanding between different communities and societies; To promote cultural awareness in the community and educate, regardless of nationality or origin, about race diversity and mutual respect; To promote good health and wellbeing; and run a community organisation with a strong focus on individuals, the community and society as a whole.

Quilombo UK is looking to recruit a Legal Assistant who helps organization in various legal matters.

This role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to; gain experience in the Third Sector; develop their skills and management experience; or just simply 'give something back to their community'. The role provides you flexibility and autonomy at work. This will further help you to develop your professional development programme (PDP). Where necessary specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

Main Responsibilities

• We are looking for an experienced lawyer to assist the organisation in overlooking projects, ensuring they are compliant with relevant and up to date legislation and regulations.
• The legal assistant will be responsible for making sure all contracts, legislations and documents are treated within correct legal standards. They are to make sure that all activities are being performed in line with contracts and the law.
• The Legal Assistant will work closely with the HR department in overlooking the volunteer forms, legislations and documents. They should also assist the different departments within the organisation(Marketing, Funding, HR, Finance) in upholding the legal requirements needed to run the tasks that they do.
• Provide written reports as and when required. To undertake additional duties as required for the role.

General tasks

• Contribute to staff meetings and other internal meetings with views and suggestions etc.

Essential

• Well-organized, proactive and able to deliver tasks efficiently.
• Excellent researching skills
• Reading and report writing skills
• You will need to be an experienced lawyer or have a good legal understanding.
• You will be respectful of the confidentiality of the organisation.
• You will need to help deliver work that adheres to the key objectives of the organisation.
• Able to speak confidently with a variety of stakeholders.
• Good time-management & communication skills.
• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments
• Strong team player
• Ability to work independently and ask for clarification when needed.

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.
• Can work without much supervision

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK runs over a period of 16 weeks, is UNPAID and requires a minimum of 12 hours commitment per week across Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday.

Upon successful application, our HR team will contact you to arrange an interview. Following a successful interview, we'll initiate the onboarding process by sending you the necessary documents. Once your onboarding and identification documents are received and verified, you'll be invited to a 6-hour HR and System Induction. Subsequently, you'll meet with your Head of Department or Assistant Manager for your First Day.

Job Type: Volunteer

Benefits:

• Work from home

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Legal Secretary: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: Remote

Trustee – Join our Board!  

Are you looking for a new challenge? Are you passionate about work that directly impacts families? If so, join this friendly and ambitious board and make a difference to those affected by chronic granulomatous disorder. 

About the Role 

Being a Trustee for the CGD Society means you will use your skills and experience to support our charity, ensure we are achieving our aims and we are working towards our goals and mission. All Trustees are jointly responsible for any decisions made as well as defining and overseeing our strategy.

You will work closely with our dedicated staff to ensure the organisation operates effectively, efficiently and economically, with a culture that is positive, and focused on the needs of those it serves. 

As well as attending Board meetings, Trustees are encouraged to join a subcommittee and use their skills to assist our staff and maximise effort in a specific area. Our current subcommittees cover Governance, Finance, Fundraising, Community and Medical. 

About You 

We are seeking individuals who are collaborative, self-motivated and passionate about work that makes a difference. Those seeking a new challenge and enjoy innovative problem-solving will flourish in this role.

Our Trustees bring a range of skills and expertise to the charity. Right now, we are ideally seeking individuals with the following backgrounds: 

• Lived experience with CGD. 

• Legal expertise, preferably within a charitable context, to provide essential guidance. 

• Fundraising proficiency, including successful grant application and grant writing abilities, to enhance income diversification. 

• Proficiency in Information Technology, digital platforms, and digital marketing 

• Representation from the healthcare sector to enrich our understanding of healthcare delivery in the UK. 

• Brand development skills to maximize the utilization of our assets. 

Whilst these skills are desirable, we would like to hear from anyone who is interested in this role. A successful Trustee will be able to draw on a diverse range of technical and soft skills as well as their knowledge and passion.

Benefits

As well as supporting the charity and members of the CGD community, we will provide you with opportunities to grow and develop. For example:

• Develop new professional and personal skills: Our current Board of Trustees have learnt skills such as strategic thinking, using data, problem solving and charity governance. Many of our Trustees remarked that it was valuable to be pushed out of their comfort zone and how this has built their confidence.

• A rare opportunity to work alongside, and learn from, a variety of individuals from a range of backgrounds: This includes those working in healthcare, finance, technology, as well as those from different walks of life and individuals who have been personally affected by CGD. 

• Take on a new challenge: There are a number of challenges facing small charities as well as the wider rare diseases community, for example fundraising during a cost-of-living crisis and connecting with our members after the pandemic. Considering new and innovative approaches to these issues is crucial. 

• A selfless and rewarding role: Given the under-represented nature of rare diseases, as well as the challenges surrounding research, diagnosis and treatment, the work of charities like the CGD Society is crucial. We can sometimes be a family’s only support network during these difficult times, giving a sense of purpose and value to all that we do. You will feel the warmth and gratitude from our community for your work with us.

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

Our Community Fundraising Volunteers are part of a growing network of volunteers who proudly represent Blood Cancer UK by creating fundraising opportunities where they live or within their local communities. One month you could be hosting a quiz night, the next speaking to local businesses who may be potential partners or holding your own event. The options are limitless, and the time commitment is completely flexible. Please note that due to the nature of this role, the minimum age for volunteers is 18-years old. This is an all-year round role, with flexible opportunities to fundraise and raise awareness. We ask that you commit to organising at least one event per year.

This role is for you if:

• • you want to make a difference to the lives of people affected by blood cancer.
  • you want to raise money to help fund lifesaving research.
  • you enjoy organising events and activities.
  • you are comfortable engaging with others in your local community.

Why we need your help:

Understanding our local Devon Communities and hearing from the residents who live here, especially those with lived experiences, is vitally important to ensure that Marie Curie creates, develops and improves services based on what people need and ensure more people have the best experience for in death, dying and bereavement. 

We are looking for community engagement volunteers to work alongside our local team in Devon to:

Engage with and bring together people in communities (especially those who are poorly served by end of life care), to understand their experiences.
Support Marie Curie in co -designing and developing new and existing services to support people at the end of life or in their bereavement.
Feel confident in sharing their story and listening to others in an open and sensitive way. 
Engage with local community groups/services to raise awareness of the range of Marie Curie support services (including our national services)
Help us to promote and support initiatives around awareness days including National Day of Reflection and other awareness weeks in your local area.
Identify and connect with local community groups to understand more about what they offer and how we can work together
 

What does the role involve?

Below is an idea of some of the activities that may be involved with this role:

Engage with local citizens to listen to and learn from their experiences of end-of-life care and bereavement support and share what you learn with the local Marie Curie team.
Engage with local organisations to understand their support offer, and to represent the perspectives of people living with, or caring for someone, with a terminal illness, or who have been bereaved.
Attend local community events, to speak with the public about their views and promote Marie Curie services, for example Pride.
Distribute and restock posters, leaflets, and literature. 
Act as the eyes and ears on the ground and feedback to MC 
Support the local team during specific engagement initiatives e.g., completing questionnaires with members of the public and co-facilitating community forums.
Provide a good geographical spread across the relevant local area, spending time in your local community to truly understand the culture and support available.
Available to meet regularly with the Community Engagement Team both online and face to face.
 

What skills and experience are we looking for?

Passionate about improving care and support for terminally ill people and the people around them.
Commitment and reliability
Inclusive and respectful values with the ability to be active within a variety of communities and populations, including those with different beliefs and experiences to your own. 
Able to work as part of the Marie Curie Team, at a local and national level.
Ability to be autonomous within your role, whilst being guided and supported by your Volunteer Manager
Willingness to learn and operate within Marie Curie processes and boundaries.
Patience, empathy, and emotional awareness
Excellent active listening skills and an ability to build a rapport with others.
 

What’s in it for you:

Opportunity to be involved with a national leader in end-of-life care.
Comprehensive training and induction
A supportive and empowering team environment
1:1 Wellbeing Support Sessions
Resilience Based Group Supervision
Access to other volunteering opportunities within Marie Curie
Continuous personal development
Buddying and shadow, sessions where required.
 

We are seeking experienced complemnetary therapists, preferably trained massage therapists, to join our team of volunteers offering therapies to our clients affected by cancer here at our Centre in Isleworth, at other agreed local community venues in Richmond or Hounslow, or ad-hoc at local community events. We are particularly keen to recruit massage therapists but we will also consider applications from therapists for reflexology, EFT, acupuncture, shiatsu and reiki.

Applicants need to have spare time of a weekday and be able to travel easily to our area.

All our therapists need to be CNHC registered, have insurance and have or be prpeared to have an enhanced DBS check.

Why we need your help:

Understanding our local Cornish Communities and hearing from the residents who live here, especially those with lived experiences, is vitally important to ensure that Marie Curie creates, develops and improves services based on what people need and ensure more people have the best experience for in death, dying and bereavement. 

We are looking for community engagement volunteers to work alongside our local team in Cornwall to:

Engage with and bring together people in communities (especially those who are poorly served by end of life care), to understand their experiences.
Support Marie Curie in co -designing and developing new and existing services to support people at the end of life or in their bereavement.
Feel confident in sharing their story and listening to others in an open and sensitive way. 
Engage with local community groups/services to raise awareness of the range of Marie Curie support services (including our national services)
Help us to promote and support initiatives around awareness days including National Day of Reflection and other awareness weeks in your local area.
Identify and connect with local community groups to understand more about what they offer and how we can work together
 

What does the role involve?

Below is an idea of some of the activities that may be involved with this role:

Engage with local citizens to listen to and learn from their experiences of end-of-life care and bereavement support and share what you learn with the local Marie Curie team.
Engage with local organisations to understand their support offer, and to represent the perspectives of people living with, or caring for someone, with a terminal illness, or who have been bereaved.
Attend local community events, to speak with the public about their views and promote Marie Curie services, for example Pride.
Distribute and restock posters, leaflets, and literature. 
Act as the eyes and ears on the ground and feedback to MC 
Support the local team during specific engagement initiatives e.g., completing questionnaires with members of the public and co-facilitating community forums.
Provide a good geographical spread across the relevant local area, spending time in your local community to truly understand the culture and support available.
Available to meet regularly with the Community Engagement Team both online and face to face.
 

What skills and experience are we looking for?

Passionate about improving care and support for terminally ill people and the people around them.
Commitment and reliability
Inclusive and respectful values with the ability to be active within a variety of communities and populations, including those with different beliefs and experiences to your own. 
Able to work as part of the Marie Curie Team, at a local and national level.
Ability to be autonomous within your role, whilst being guided and supported by your Volunteer Manager
Willingness to learn and operate within Marie Curie processes and boundaries.
Patience, empathy, and emotional awareness
Excellent active listening skills and an ability to build a rapport with others.
 

What’s in it for you:

Opportunity to be involved with a national leader in end-of-life care.
Comprehensive training and induction
A supportive and empowering team environment
1:1 Wellbeing Support Sessions
Resilience Based Group Supervision
Access to other volunteering opportunities within Marie Curie
Continuous personal development
Buddying and shadow, sessions where required.
 

As a Fundraising Volunteer – Campaigns & Events at The Mulberry Centre, you will play a vital role in supporting our fundraising campaigns, events and initiatives aimed at providing essential services to individuals affected by cancer. You will work closely with our Supporter Engagement Lead and our Fundraising & Engagement Team to assist with our in-house fundraising efforts and provide support to individuals undertaking challenges and events on behalf of The Mulberry Centre, seeing defined projects through from start to finish.

 

Time Commitment – A regular commitment of 2 days a week (Majority of which would be office based) for a minimum of 6 months or longer term.

 

Main Duties

To work within an agreed brief with the support of the Supporter Engagement Lead on the following:

· Fundraising Campaign Support: Assisting with the planning, execution and evaluation of fundraising campaigns, including online and offline initiatives.

· Event Support: Helping to organise and facilitate fundraising events, ensuring smooth execution and maximum engagement from participants and supporters.

· Individual Support: Helping the Supporter Engagement Lead provide guidance and encouragement to individuals undertaking challenges and events in support of The Mulberry Centre, offering assistance in fundraising strategies and goal setting using the fundraising pack.

· Marketing and Advertising: Utilising transferable skills in marketing and advertising to promote fundraising campaigns and events, both online and offline, to maximize reach and participation.

· Community Engagement: Researching and engaging with the local community, small businesses, and organisations to foster partnerships and support for fundraising efforts.

· Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate records of fundraising activities, donations, and participant information, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.

· Correspondence: Drafting accurate, well-structured emails, letters and reports with agreed key messages and information.

· Any other duties appropriate for the role and adhering to The Mulberry Centre’s policies.

 

Volunteer Skills Specification:

· Ability to gain and share knowledge of what The Mulberry Centre offers to people affected by cancer and inspire others to support us.

· Passion for supporting individuals affected by cancer and commitment to The Mulberry Centre's mission.

· Excellent communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

· Previous experience of running fundraising campaigns/events or experience of marketing, advertising, or charity work, with the ability to apply transferable skills to fundraising initiatives, is desirable.

· Strong admin, IT, organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.

· Confident and able to work on one’s own initiative but within an agreed brief as part of a team.

· Reliable and dependable, with a willingness to commit to a minimum of 6 months volunteering 2 days per week with The Mulberry Centre.