Health And Wellbeing Volunteer Roles in Leeds, West Yorkshire

Do you have a passion to make a difference to the lives of children and families? Spurgeons Family Charity is seeking three or four new trustees to join our current Board in bringing prayerful wisdom and strategic guidance over the coming years.

Spurgeons is one of the UK’s leading children’s charities, supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families for 150 years. Inspired by Christian faith and our founder Charles Spurgeon, we’re here for all families. Together, we create Family Hubs in communities where we’re needed most, with counselling, early years and family support. We partner with local councils and churches to care for every family, putting children and young people first in everything we do. Our services also include helping young carers, providing parenting advice and working with families affected by domestic abuse, and imprisonment.

These services are needed more than ever, particularly as local authorities with tight budgets make difficult choices on where to spend their limited resources. As we prepare for the launch of our new five-year plan in 2025, we are ambitious and hopeful about how we can use our strong financial position and robust level of assets to make a significant impact on many more children’s lives in the future.

To support Board succession planning, we are seeking to appoint new trustees with experience and skills such as:

· Lived experience: we are particularly looking to hear the voice of young people on our Board and especially those with lived experience of children and young people’s support services. We will provide the necessary training, mentoring and support to fulfil the role.

· Fundraising/marketing: this trustee will bring a clear understanding of best practice in fundraising and/or marketing.

· Children’s services: we are looking for someone with senior management or leadership experience in the children’s services sector e.g. within social services/ the care sector, health, education, local authorities or charitable contexts.

· Counselling: this trustee will have understanding and/or experience in counselling, bringing wisdom and insight at a governance level.

· Digital: we seek a leader with experience of digital transformations and entrepreneurship, to provide a strategic view of how Spurgeons can thrive in a digital, audience-focused context.

Given an occupational requirement for these roles to be filled by Christians, we are seeking candidates with a personal and active Christian faith who are comfortable and aligned with the statement of faith outlined on our website.

Spurgeons values diversity, promotes inclusion, and encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates, including those with lived experience of children’s support services. We recognise the need to increase the diversity of the Board, for example in terms of age, ethnicity, disability, gender and LGBTQ+ representation. Our goal, and a key priority in this recruitment process, is for the Board to become more closely representative of our service user community.

The time commitment required of a trustee is likely to equate to approximately 12 days per year.

This is a hybrid role: at present, Board meetings take place in London and committee meetings take place virtually via Teams.

For further information, including full details of how to apply, please see our Appointment Details Pack which can be downloaded in the Application Resources section of this advert.

Application is by submission of CV and cover letter to Laura Bagley at Macaulay Search by the closing date of Friday 24th May 2024. Please contact Laura if you have any questions about this opportunity (please see appointment details pack for contact details).

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

We are seeking a finance professional or someone with experience of financial management to join our Board and Chair our Finance Committee. You do not need to be a qualified accountant or have specific knowledge of charity finance although this would be an advantage.

Groundwork delivers practical action to create a fair and green future in which people, places and nature thrive.  We work with local communities and businesses to build capacity to tackle hardship, achieve a just transition to net zero and help nature recover in a way that reduces inequality and leads to better work and healthier, happier lives by:

• Connecting people with each other, with opportunity and with nature;
• Building knowledge and confidence to that people feel more in control of their future;
• Delivering social, economic and environmental outcomes in an integrated way.

We are recruiting for a new Finance Committee Chair to join our Trustee Board.  As a Trustee of Groundwork Yorkshire, you will play a crucial role in setting the strategic direction of the charity and ensuring good governance.  As Chair of the Finance Committee, you will maintain an overview of the charity’s financial affairs and ensure the wider Board is well briefed on financial matters.

We want to expand the diversity of our board. We welcome applications from women, people of colour, people with disabilities and those aged 45 and under, and applications from other underrepresented or marginalised groups.

We are a friendly and welcoming board in need of some new perspectives and diverse voices around the table to help us continue to Change Lives and Change Places with those who need it most.

To find out more about the role and our organisation, take a look at our candidate pack.

Want to apply?

Please visit our website.

Closing Date:  5pm on Friday 7 June 2024

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.
 

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.

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.
 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives have been shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, we first helped people fleeing violence and persecution in Europe find safety in the United States.

Today, we work in over 50 crisis-affected countries, bringing ingenuity, fortitude and optimism to making a lasting impact for the people we serve. We arrive at the onset of crisis and aim to stay as long as we are needed. We also help refugees and other vulnerable people integrate into their new communities across dozens of cities in Europe and the Americas.

The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable. 

IRC UK
 

IRC UK is a registered charity in the UK and forms part of the IRC’s global network. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England.

IRC UK Board of Trustees 

Members of our Board of Trustees are the charity’s Trustees and act as company directors. They are responsible for overall good governance of IRC UK in accordance with the provisions of relevant legislation and guidance, including the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011. 

The primary focus of the Board is on furthering IRC UK’s charitable purposes as set out in the Articles of Association, and in turn growing and improving the support that IRC clients receive. To this end, Board members work closely with IRC UK’s leaders in setting strategic direction in areas such as fundraising, advocacy, communication, people and culture, and also technical oversight of UK programmes. They also work with leaders across the IRC global network who are responsible for delivery of our international programmes. Staff may seek advice and support from Trustees on subjects where they have expertise. 

Being a Trustee of IRC UK requires you to: 

• • Fulfil the legal responsibilities of being a Trustee and act in accordance with these to ensure good governance of the organisation.
  •  Use your specific experience and skills to provide the Board with strategic advice and guidance and lead discussions on areas relating to your expertise.
  • Support the IRC UK Senior Management team and Executive Director.
  •  Work with fellow Trustees to oversee implementation of the organisation’s strategy.
  •  Support IRC UK with regard to its Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Strategy, including by holding management and staff to account in delivering on its ambitions and by committing to the Board’s own GEDI action plan. 
  •  Engage meaningfully with the IRC clients through, for example, attending events with our clients in the UK or travel to international programmes. 
  • Promote the organisation externally – attend/contribute to social events, meetings with donors, and supporters.

In terms of time commitment, Trustees are required to: 

• • Prepare for, attend, and participate fully in at least three Board meetings per year, plus one development meeting.
  • Participate in at least one Board Committee, and as such prepare for, attend, and participate fully in at least three Committee meetings per year.

Board members may serve up to two three-year terms. At the recommendation of the People & Culture Committee, the Board may vote to keep a Board Member (who wishes to stay) for a third term of one or maximum two years. All board members must rotate off the board after eight years.

Skills, experience and knowledge we are looking for 

The Board places an emphasis on ensuring that our Trustees provide a mix of skills, knowledge and experience (including lived experience) that are important to the charity’s objectives and activities. All new Trustees receive a full induction programme and training to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities, including with respect to safeguarding and Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

We are seeking up to three Trustees to join the Board as several current trustees come to the end of their terms. The roles are unpaid, however reasonable expenses are reimbursed in line with IRC UK’s Expenses Policy. 

We are seeking Trustees with strong general governance and management experience, through, for example, membership of other Boards or in senior positions in other organisations (non-profit, public or private). The successful candidate(s) will have: 

• • The objectivity and ability to decision-make independently and influence accordingly;
  •  Ability to communicate complex information to members of the board and other stakeholders;
  •  Ability to work collaboratively with others; and
  •  An interest and willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to successfully deliver this role.

QMC Capoeira is a martial arts school based in London that has been running since 2007 and is the most awarded Capoeira School in the UK.

The school has classes in London, Canada and the Dominican Republic and runs classes 6 days a week for children and adults. The school focuses on self-development and personal improvement and works to make Capoeira accessible to those of all ages, backgrounds and situations, thanks to the support of London Youth and Sport England. QMC is internationally recognised with a significant presence online and on social media, and it is a partner of Quilombo UK.

QMC Capoeira works with the objective to;

• promote different arts, sports and cultures to encourage an intercultural understanding between different communities and societies
• promote cultural awareness in the community and educate, regardless of nationality or origin, about race diversity and mutual respect
• promote good health and well-being; and run a community organisation with a strong focus on individuals, the community and society as a whole

Roles and Responsibilities

The role is responsible for planning/implementing content marketing strategies which increase brand awareness with our core target markets through the effective use of social media channels. This will include developing and implementing content marketing campaigns appropriate to the channel being used, monitoring social media channels to respond appropriately to posts/comments, and identifying issues that require escalation.

Digital and Social Media Assistant Job Duties:

• Research and create marketing and social media campaigns and strategies, including content ideation, and implementation schedules in order to raise brand awareness, secure media coverage, and increase visitor numbers.
• Manage and oversee social media content.
•  Ensures brand consistency in marketing and social media messages by working with various company department members, including advertising, PR and brand management.
•  Provides training and guidance to social media and marketing team members on social media implementation best practices and strategies if necessary.
• Analyses interactions and visits, plus uses this information to create comprehensive reports and improve future marketing strategies and campaigns.
•  Write, schedule and post content on all social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube), own the social media calendar and be a brand guardian for the creative aesthetic of all social channels.
•  Measure the success of every social media campaign
• Reports progress to senior marketing management on marketing communications across all channels.
• Creates and distributes engaging written or graphic content in the form of e-newsletters, web page and blog content, or social media messages
• Stay up to date with the latest social media best practices and technologies
• Communicate with industry professionals and influencers via social media to create a strong network
• Adhere to rules and regulations
•  Undertake any other duties relevant to the role that may be allocated by the Head of Department or member of the Senior Management Team.

Essential

• In-depth knowledge of social media platforms and how best to use and develop them.
• Experience in developing social media strategies to support organisational influencing and communications objectives.
• Experience in developing creative user-focused digital content using knowledge of the latest trends and developments.
• In-depth knowledge of developing effective, engaging digital content. Knowledge of key analytics tools
• Excellent knowledge of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and other social media best practices
• Knowledge of Google Suite (Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets etc) and MS Office
• Excellent multi-tasking skills
• Ability to efficiently manage a large workload
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Team player
• Good time-management skills
• Great interpersonal, presentation and communication skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of graphic design software such as Canva
• Knowledge and understanding of social media scheduling tools such as Buffer

The volunteering program with QMC requires a minimum of 21 weeks of commitment. We are looking for someone who can offer 12 hours a week, Monday - 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.

About We Are Family 

We Are Family is an extraordinary peer support community for adopters and prospective adopters. We’re there for parents throughout their adoption journey. Online and in person, our parents’ groups, events, resources, podcasts and talks offer mutual support, information and inspiration to adopters and those considering adoption. We currently operate across Greater London and the Home Counties, with ambitions to scale nationally over the coming years. 

You can find out more about us here. 

The Role

We are looking for new trustees to strengthen and enhance our board. The key responsibilities of the role include, governance, overseeing policy and direction, financial oversight and assisting with the leadership and general promotion of We Are Family to support the organisation’s Vision, Mission, Values and needs.

This is a voluntary opportunity with associated Trustee expenses -  such as travel / childcare -  covered by We Are Family.  Trustees can be based anywhere in the UK. 

Commitment

Trustee capacity to devote the time needed for the following is essential:

• 4 Board meetings per year

• 2 Board away days per year (on a Saturday)

• Membership of at least one sub-committee (which also meet 4 times a year)

We estimate 8-10 hours for the charity per month. The duration of membership for a new Board member is for three years in the first instance, with the possibility of appointment for a further three year term.

Skills and Experience 

All applicants should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Be able to show high levels of professionalism and an ability to work collaboratively with others, including Trustees, our core team and the wider Volunteer network at We Are Family

• Be well-organised, with good written and verbal communication skills.

• Previous board/trustee experience is not necessary and we welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds. A thorough induction, and further trustee training as appropriate, can be provided. 

We are particularly interested candidates with the following experience:

• Working as a professional with or in the adoption sector,

• Advocacy and/or research work;

• Finance/charity finance

• Leadership within a charity

• Education 

• Legal.

Although many of our current trustees are adopters themselves, we are also keen to recruit suitably qualified people who are not, but who can demonstrate a commitment to the values and mission of We Are Family.

One of the great strengths of We Are Family is that we are volunteer and member driven, and we represent a diverse community of adoptive parents. We particularly welcome trustees from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds to ensure that the board can benefit from this diversity of experience. We would also welcome single adopters to the board. 

To Apply 

If the opportunity to join an exciting, rapidly growing charity appeals to you as someone able to make a valuable contribution, please get in touch!

Refer to our job ad for the Applications email address and email our team. If you would like an informal conversation about the opportunity, please let us know.

Please note that applications are received and reviewed on an ongoing basis, therefore an early application is advised.

Become a GamCare Online Peer Supporter

Make a difference by using your own experiences

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

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

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

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

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

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

Training

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

• Safeguarding
• Motivational interviewing
• Facilitation skills

Role Responsibilities

Online Peer Supporters will:

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

Email – you will be paired with an individual for regular email correspondence (up to 3 emails per week for 6 months)
Chatrooms – you will facilitate group discussions and supporting conversation between people at various stages of recovery
Forum – you will initiate discussions, respond to posts, and provide encouragement, signposting and support to forum users

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

What can I expect from GamCare?

In return, GamCare will:

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

Role Requirements

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

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

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

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

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

Availability & Commitment

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

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

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