Health And Wellbeing Volunteer Roles in Watford, Hertfordshire

Who are Midland Mencap?

Midland Mencap is a charity which works and campaigns for accessible and inclusive services and a better quality of life for everyone with experience of learning disabilities and additional needs.

Purpose of the role.

To connect people wanting to cycle more with volunteer Bike Buddies who want to help them. We have people from many different backgrounds wanting support with their cycling for many reasons.  

For example:

· Coming back to cycling after time off

· Disability or ill health

· Finding quiet roads and cycle paths around the neighbourhood

· Building up confidence on busy roads

· Sharing experiences of things like cycling at night or what clothes to wear

· Checking bikes together before a ride

Bike Buddies provide crucial support and motivation to help people to participate in inclusive and adapted outdoor cycling. Volunteers support cyclists to achieve their fitness goals and enjoy cycling in our community.

Our Bike Buddies are great ambassadors for cycling, sharing their expertise of local routes and giving others the confidence to get around by bike.

If you feel confident cycling on the road or in a park with someone else, and are wanting to give back to others, this is the role for you.

What would I be doing?

You’ll need to find out what they want to do and where they want to go. Some people want to explore quiet streets locally or plan a longer journey. You may ride to the park or show them local routes – quiet ways, new cycle lanes and off-road paths are popular.

They may want to try out junctions or crossing busy roads – think about how to ride those safely. You may support a person at one of our pre-arranged Parkride cycle meetings and help them to develop the skills and confidence to cycle safely and independently.

What do I need?

This role will require:

· A roadworthy bike and riding equipment.

· Experience of regular cycling

· Some experience of cycle maintenance

·       A cycling competence session with parkride staff

· Friendly, calm, and patient

· A good listener & happy to chat

· Accepting of people who may be different to you

· Willing to learn and act within guidelines set out by Midland Mencap

· Good time management skills, reliability

· An enhanced DBS check will be required by all successful applicants.

When and where do you need me?

Either at organised events or 1-2-1 within your local area.

Ideally you can meet once or twice a month for approx. 2 hours.

We have parkride sessions running throughout the week including evenings and weekends.

What’s in it for me?

As one of our valued volunteers, Midland Mencap will offer you:

• The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of people with disabilities and their family carers

• An induction and settling in period

• Any training and development that is needed

• The chance to develop your skills and gain experience

• The opportunity to meet new people and be part of a diverse team

• Support within your role

• Any out-of-pocket travel expenses

• Lots of appreciation for your amazing contribution

• Positive wellbeing from doing something great

• Improve career opportunities by adding your volunteer role to a CV

Job title: Grief in Pieces – (Lived Experience) Volunteer  

Responsible to: Grief in Pieces Volunteer and Peer Coordinator 

Hours: Available Monday – Friday  

Location: Remote  

We are seeking a Lived Experience Volunteer to become part of our Grief in Pieces service. By joining Grief in Pieces, you’ll be helping to support others bereaved by suicide. You will play a role in creating positive change by sharing your experience and will make new connections with people with shared experiences.   

About Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest:  

We are a multi-disciplinary provider of specialist mental health services and a part of the Mind Federation.   

We promote both recovery from ill health for people with recurrent and enduring mental health difficulties and early intervention for those at risk of developing mental health issues, or who struggle with common mental health conditions.   

We currently support around 5,000 people a year through a variety of services focusing on psychological, social, economic and workplace wellbeing, and support minoritised communities.   

 Our values are:  

Connected: Creating a compassionate and supportive community.     

Fair:  We strive for equity- no-one's needs should go unmet.  

Brave: We walk with people, offering help by doing what works - proven or new  

Working with Mind CHWF means you’ll be part of a dedicated, passionate, and professional workforce who cares about the work they do and make a real difference to the lives of the people in the City of London, Hackney, and Waltham Forest.  

We are committed to actively becoming anti-racist in everything we do. This is a critical priority for Mind CHWF. We embrace diversity and understand that being an inclusive organisation that recognises different perspectives, will enable us to provide excellent services.   

We are committed to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work and promoting equity in physical and mental health for all.   

Those with lived experience of Mental Health are encouraged to apply.  

Value-based Recruitment:   

We know that for various reasons, not everybody who can successfully perform in a role, performs their best under traditional interview/selection procedures. We are therefore seeking ways to breakdown further barriers in our recruitment & selection process.   

Shorted-listed candidates will be provided with some questions to help them prepare for the interview.   

How to apply:   

For more information on the vacancy and how to apply, click the ‘Apply’ button - Please note that we are unable to consider incomplete applications.   

The closing date is by 3rd May 2024, however, please do not delay applying as this advert may close before the stated deadline if we find a suitable applicant for the role.  

We are a disability confident employer. All applicants with a disability, who meet the minimum essential short-listing criteria are guaranteed an interview. If this applies to you, please let us know in your application.  

Your privacy and the security of your data is our top priority. Please take a moment to read through our applicant’s privacy notice.  

The Safe Space is a local hub for anyone who feels they are nearing crisis point. We are here to listen to what you need and work with you to help. This might be strategies to help you cope in the moment, a range of activities we provide free of charge, resources to take away or connecting you with practical local services. We offer face to face, telephone and video-conference support. As a part of this, we are looking for volunteers to offer peer led support to individuals who may access our service. This includes a variety of tasks, such as devising and facilitating peer led workshops with clients, supporting with 1:1 sessions, and completing administrative tasks.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has lived experience of mental health/social crisis
• Preferably have had experience working with people who experience poor mental health
• Are comfortable with co-producing and facilitating peer led workshops
• Might be willing to take over running the workshops by themselves over time
• Are willing to actively participate with clients 1:1 and in group settings
• Are able to take on any ad hoc admin/support responsibilities within the Safe Space Team

Time commitment and expenses:

• 5 hours per week, during our opening hours of 12–5pm.  Please indicate your preferred volunteering day(s) on your application.
• We will provide volunteers with an induction, training, and ongoing mentoring to support them in the role 
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering at Mind is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with a nationally recognised charity, and volunteering in Safe Space is an opportunity to experience and get involved in crisis support. We provide initial and ongoing training, as well as plenty of opportunities for progression within the organisation. You will also be a part of a supportive team with great awareness of wellbeing and the mental health sector.

Gentle Exercises Volunteer in our Live Smart Scheme for over 55s. 

Facilitating a regular Gentle Exercise group to promote the health and wellbeing of residents.  Activities could include armchair aerobics, yoga or walking

LiveSmart schemes provide affordable, comfortable and secure housing for the over-55s.  Our purpose is to enhance the lives of the people we work with.  Volunteers run activities that promote happiness, health, inclusion and independence.

Activites:

Getting to know an interesting and diverse group of older residents in one or more LiveSmart schemes

Listening to residents and planning with them the type of gentle exercise activity they would prefer

Practical considerations:

Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training.

- Volunteers have a named supervisor providing day-to-day support and encouragement.

-Reasonable travel and lunch expenses with be reimbursed

- A DBS check will be required for this role.

Adapting exercises to the different abilities and needs of the group

Promoting the activity to increase the numbers of people participating

Commitment:

Commitment can be flexible to suit your availability, from about 1-2 hours per week. The commitment may increase as more residents become interested in activities, but a maximum should be 4 hours per week. Ideally this volunteer will commit to a minimum of

We are looking for trained Clinical Supervisors who have been practising for over 3 years to lead supervision sessions with our volunteer Mentors. We hold these bi-weekly in groups of 3-4 over lunchtime or evenings online.

What will you be doing?

All Been There Mentors who work with our Mentees have monthly group supervision. Usually there are four volunteers in a group. Supervision can take place in person or on zoom.

Commit to supervising a minimum of two groups per month (approx 5 hours in total).

Key Responsibilities:

• To safeguard the wellbeing of the Mentors and ensure that their needs are being addressed.
• To ensure the quality of Mentor support work with Mentees
• To ensure that Mentors are supported and developed, are participating in continued training and are not left to carry difficulties and problems alone.
• To provide regular opportunities for Mentors working with clients to reflect upon both the content and process of their work.
• To develop personal awareness, skills and knowledge relevant to the Mentor’s role within Been There
• To provide a source of general communication, updates and concerns.
• To enable the Mentor to receive information and another’s perspective concerning their work.
• To identify development needs and opportunities.

Insurance costs are covered and the role is fully remote so will not incur any expenses.

What are we looking for?

We’d love to hear from you if you’re passionate about improving the mental health of our Mentees and your qualifications and experience fit the criteria below.

Qualifications and experience:

Essential:

• Qualified Psychologist or therapist
• Qualification in supervision at level 6
• Current or recent experience (within 2 years) as a supervisor 
• Have your own experience of being supervised

Desirable:

• Have experience of supporting clients who have been through body image, eating distress or Body Dysmorphia

BeenThere is committed to equal opportunities and anti-discrimination practices and we positively encourage applications from all sections of the community. We are particularly interested in attracting applications from applicants from diverse groups.

What difference will you make?

The impact you can have is huge, as we are such a small charity we rely on the good will of volunteers to support our work. Our Mentors are unicorns! Rare and very special and we want to look after them as much as we can. 

Having a confidential setting where they feel safe, supported and heard is integral. This gives the Mentor an opportunity to be open and honest about their own wellbeing and anything that is going on with their Mentees. 

Do you have a passion for using your beautician skills and expertise to support those who have experienced crisis? People in our services would benefit from social engagement, relaxation, and joy from learning about simple treatments they could use for themselves such as hand, foot massaging, manicures, pedicures, hair styling, cutting, overall hygiene tips and routines. 

We have an exciting opportunity for a volunteer to coordinate workshops on beauty/pampering to enhance good hygiene practice, promote confidence within oneself and positive wellbeing. 

What you will be doing: 

• Encourage group discussions and pampering sessions around wellbeing, self-esteem and looking after themselves 

• Inspire and motivate the group to be involved in future planning/designing of the session

• Share basic beauty tips and routines with group members

• Offer relaxation techniques that can be used to de-stress and promote positive mental wellbeing

• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need: 

• A skilled and qualified beautician 

• Calm and patient approach 

• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation 

What's in it for you:

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun 

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? We are seeking a new chair to lead our board of trustees, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of volunteering and community projects in Kensington and Chelsea, one of London’s most diverse boroughs.

Established in 1969, we are the oldest Volunteer Centre in the country and are deeply rooted in the local community, empowering individuals to contribute positively through volunteering. Our programmes support diverse groups, including those living with disabilities and mental health challenges, ex-offenders, as well as marginalised residents seeking employment opportunities.

As chair, you will play a pivotal role in steering the Volunteer Centre towards its mission of fostering positive change in Kensington & Chelsea. Responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic leadership in partnership with the chief executive.
• Facilitating constructive decision-making within the board.
• Maintaining relationships with stakeholders and representing VCKC at various events.
• Supporting the development and cohesion of the board team.

By becoming chair of our board of trustees, you will have the opportunity to drive positive change and contribute to a vibrant community. If you are ready to make a difference, apply now and be part of something meaningful.

Meditation can give us a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit both our emotional wellbeing and overall health. Do you have experience in delivering meditation sessions and would like to give back your time to support people in crisis?

We are recruiting for a volunteer to run weekly online meditation sessions.

What you will be doing

• Facilitate a weekly meditation session, one to one or in a small group over video call
• Plan each session and identify any items needed for the Meditation sessions
• Lead on the logistics and set up of the session alongside the staff team
• Inspire and motivate people using the services to attend
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• Experience delivering Meditation group sessions
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Finance Director

Road Farm Countryways CIC is looking for a Director/Trustee to join the existing leadership team of 5. This important role will ensure the efficient delivery of wellbeing and skills to a wide community of ages, including those with learning, physical and mental health challenges. We are keen to encompass diversity and we would find it especially beneficial to have someone experienced in health and disability or social care. We’re entering our 10th Year and have a new Business Plan to deliver. 

What will you be doing?

Road Farm Countryways CIC is looking for another Director /Trustee to join the existing leadership team. We normally have 4-5 voluntary Directors and have an additional group of volunteers more involved with our regular farm helpers on a daily basis.

This vital role includes:

• Improving the quality and sustainability of Countryway’s Care Farming service to people with disabilities.
• Developing and promoting new initiatives, especially considering online options and social media.
• Promoting Care Farming and education opportunities here, incorporating life skills, especially for those transitioning to adulthood.
• Networking with other organisations and sectors in society (e.g. local authorities, health and social care agencies, educational institutions, businesses, other voluntary organisations)
• Developing opportunities to address mental health problems and anxiety amongst families and individuals, especially following the impact of Covid-19

Where and how?

• Flexible hours, but we tend to have a monthly meeting of up to 2 hours (which can be held remotely) with additional communication by phone or email as necessary.
• Own Transport is preferable as there is no direct public transport to the farm. Reasonable out of pocket expenses can be met and some training provided.
• A DBS check may be required.

What may also be helpful?

• Enthusiasm for farming and wildlife and its links to human well-being.
• Experience of working in the charitable sector.
• Experience of health and social care
• Interest in Social Prescribing
• Interest in traditional country craft skills.
• Ability to follow social media

What are we looking for?

Vital qualities of our preferred candidate:

• Patient and determined individual with time available.
• Can work in a team but able to take initiative and get a job done
• Experience in the health and/or education sector
• passion for enabling those with disabilities to be active
• compassion for families and carers
• Computer and IT literate
• Confident at networking
• Interest in the countryside and farming

Additional experience or skills in the following would be helpful:

• teaching /education
• interest or experience in occupational therapist
• interested in recovery/rehabilitation following injury to make links with the Spinal Injuries Unit etc. 
• crafts, whether woodwork, sewing, basket making, painting etc
• interest in fundraising
• willingness to help with occasional events
• skill in social networking

What difference will you make?

Having worked with young adults with learning difficulties for the past 10 years, we have now improved our facilities and can include physically disabled people, those retired for health reasons, as well as provide space for addressing the mental health needs of many people impacted by anxiety or bereavement, especially through Covid-19. We can also provide more specific skills training to a range of ages, including school age, as well as environmental benefits and engagement with nature through wildlife and active conservation on the farm. 

These are critical growth points and your involvement will have direct impact on many, helping us have a clear focus and giving us the energy and man-power to deliver.  It will help people of all ages, with a range of needs, to learn new things and be able to interact more easily in an everyday environment, having a huge positive impact on their families and beyond.  Your help in guiding the organisation will enable people to learn new skills, feel included and better prepared to face the day ahead.  Bonus...we're excited and hope you will be too.

What's in it for the volunteer?

The setting of Road Farm in the midst of the Chiltern Hills is fantastic and inspiring, especially if you love animals and wildlife.  Enjoy being part of a team and making a massive difference to many different ages - we have school groups, Scouts, Guides, Cubs, WI, Rotary, Colleges, U3A. You will meet many different kinds of people both within our organisation and around the Networks we have with other local and national organisations. We encourage training and have a brief induction programme to follow.  If you feel stressed, just sit and talk with the turkeys, hug Joey the donkey or bask under blue sky!

A few more details

Whilst we are looking for a further Director, we also have roles for Fundraising, Online Engagement (e.g. social media, editing/film You Tube), Ambassador, General Helpers. Do contact us if you can help us deliver better.

Objectives

Road Farm Countryways CIC is committed to enabling farm and countryside interaction to improve well-being, self-worth and promote learning, especially for those rarely able to access it. We work with people with many different life challenges and educational interests including those with learning difficulties, complex needs, physical and mental health problems, providing active Care Farming involvement with animals and learning life skills to help maintain our countryside.  Many of our farm helpers cannot cope in large social settings or corporate establishments, but here feel part of a real working environment and become more confident, capable of interaction, self-control and independence, amongst many other positive things. They know that here, they matter.  They develop greater independence and improved work and social skills as well as better physical health which impacts their whole wellbeing and indirectly influences their home and family setting for the better.

We also provide educational and special interest group visits, enabling people of all ages to actively learn more about farming and biodiversity interactions, helping develop a love of the outdoors and sustainability. There are opportunities to cook farm field to fork and get involved with crafts too, with an excellent wood-work shop to include all levels of skill.  Everyone can do something well and need to know they can, so we try to help this happen!

Activities

By interaction and care with animals (donkeys, goats, hens, turkeys, sheep, cattle etc) and maintaining the countryside (eg coppicing; woodland maintenance, work on bee-hives & bird boxes) in a beautiful, non-threatening place, our service users get involved, learn skills and feel a sense of purpose and inclusion. These can be one-off visits or structured programmes over many months or years with supported learning and reflection built in. All visits are strictly pre-arranged and vary according to individual needs.

Other information

Where 

Great Missenden, HP16 9LS
Mainly at home

Travel limit 

Volunteers should preferably be within 15 miles. 
Meetings can be online.

Time

Mostly outside office hours. 
Estimate of time needed: 1-3 hours / week. Meeting monthly or every 6 weeks for approx 2 hours. We would hope for an involved Director to give a few hours per week, albeit often homebased.

Deadline

9th May 2024

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

Role Description:

Nova Roots is a new out of hours community space for women 18+ leaving forensic mental health services, open 3 days a week; every Weds, Sat & Sun. We offer a safe, warm, non-judgemental social environment for women to build meaningful connections and have access to free activities and resources.

As a peer volunteer, your role will be to support individuals using a peer approach by co-facilitating peer-led workshops, offering emotional and social support. By doing this, it provides an opportunity for service users to develop and manage meaningful and purposeful choices in an independent and empowered way.

Please be aware that if you are invited to interview you will be asked to complete a self-declaration form covering your criminal record or any information that would make you unsuitable to work with the vulnerable parties associated with this role, i.e. vulnerable adults and/or children and young people.

It is not necessary to disclose anything at this time. Please do not include any such information when applying at this stage.

The amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 & 2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected' and are not subject to disclosure to employers, and cannot be taken into account.

Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.

We are looking for someone who

• Has lived experience of being in prison / mental health wards / rehab and recovery communities
• Are a non-judgemental and friendly individual
• To be able to provide a welcoming, authentic, and positive experience for all, being inclusive and embracing diversity
• To feel comfortable engaging with women with mental health challenges / difficult life experiences, by validating strengths and experiences and using empowering language to overcome negative self-talk
• Are empathic and understands the stigma / social bias's surrounding forensic leavers and their experiences
• Are willing to tap into their lived experiences and use their stories to inspire hope in others when appropriate
• Are comfortable with co-producing and co-facilitating peer led workshops
• To assist the Forensic Project Coordinator in the daily running of the Forensic Women’s hub
• Are able to take on any ad hoc admin/support responsibilities within the Forensic Women’s Hub

Time commitment and expenses:

• Flexible hours (shifts to be confirmed). Evening and Weekend availability is required. We are looking for someone to commit to a minimum of at least 1 day a week: Wed, Sat or Sun.
• We will provide volunteers with an induction, training, and ongoing mentoring to support them in the role
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering at Mind is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with a nationally recognised charity, and volunteering in Safe Space is an opportunity to experience and get involved in crisis support. We provide initial and ongoing training, as well as plenty of opportunities for progression within the organisation. You will also be a part of a supportive team with great awareness of wellbeing and the mental health sector.

About CARAS:

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London, helping them to play their full part in the community. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for adults currently include: ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), a creative writing workshop, drama group, yoga and gardening project.

About the CARAS ESOL Team:

COVID has posed unprecedented challenges to refugees and people seeking asylum in London. Many of those we meet have arrived alone in the UK and have been living in contingency accommodation for many months. Our ESOL team offer English language classes to adults at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling people to attend college and access other services in the future.

About the Role:

CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our online Zoom classes on Tuesday mornings:

Entry 1 class: 10 to 11.30am

Entry 2 class: 11.30am to 1pm (plus a 15-minute debrief)

You are welcome to apply to volunteer in one or both classes. Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

As a volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistant your role is flexible and varied. It will involve supporting the Adult ESOL Teacher in the delivery of online Zoom classes, as well as providing learners with one-to-one or small-group support.

Volunteer  tasks and responsibilities:

Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes;

Helping learners build confidence in digital literacy;

Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;

Helping create “learner portraits” to understand their strengths and areas of interest;

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

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

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

Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;

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

Requirements: 

Essential:

To be 18 years or older;

An interest in education and English language teaching;

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

To be reliable and punctual;

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

The ability to volunteer on Tuesday mornings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of three months;

Currently resident in the UK;

Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;

Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to start of role

Desirable:

Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).

Through volunteering with us you will:

Meet new members of your local community;

Learn about different cultures;

Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;

Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;

Develop your skills and competencies;

Be able to access relevant training, including ESOL safeguarding training;

Gain experience in teaching and interpreting.

Could you make a significant contribution to help people live later life well?

Are you a member of the Methodist Church in Britain seeking to use your skills, expertise and gifts in a new way?

We are seeking a Methodist Church nominee to join the board of Methodist Homes (MHA).

You will be working collaboratively with other MHA trustees to help shape MHA’s future strategy and ensure good governance across the charity.

As a Board Member you will have passion for the wellbeing of older people and will bring a wide-ranging skills and experience.

Expressions of interest are invited from both lay and ordained members of the Methodist Church in Britain.  You're encouraged to apply if you feel that overall, your skills and experience meet the role requirements.

Reflecting the diverse communities that MHA are proud to serve, MHA is committed to widening the diversity of its leadership and board. Therefore, we actively and warmly encourage applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.

If you would find it helpful to discuss the role before applying, please contac us to arrange a phone conversation with a member of the Nominations Committee.

Closing date: 28 May 2024

Short listing 30 May

Interviews /exploratory conversations – Date to be confirmed

About CARAS:

CARAS is a leading refugee charity in Southwest London, providing firm foundations for new-arrival asylum seekers to build happy and successful lives. Arriving as an asylum seeker in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. We exist to help people seeking asylum overcome those challenges, and to help them rebuild their lives.

We provide person-centred educational, social and casework support to over 600 young people and adults across South London each year, recognising the moment of arrival as one of opportunity. Our work provides individuals with essential support to build language and employability skills, develop social networks and friendships, and access essential services such as legal and mental health services. Our work has multi-generational impact, providing forced migrants with early interventions to support language and skill acquisition, tackling the root causes of socio-economic marginalisation by supporting social inclusion and future labour market access.

Volunteering with CARAS – our Community of Welcome:

CARAS has a proud history of volunteers helping us deliver our charitable aims. Volunteers are an essential part of the CARAS community, bringing skills, insights, experience, different languages, and enthusiasm to the roles. Community members tell us the welcome by volunteers is so important in an often hostile world. It helps them feel safe and wanted. Community is at the heart of all we do, and we could not deliver the projects we do without the enormous contribution that volunteers bring.

About CARAS Adult Programme:

Alongside educational and casework support, CARAS has a thriving social program of weekly activities, from women’s yoga, to creative coffee afternoons, sports sessions and workshops, designed and built in collaboration with our community, volunteers and local partners. Most people we work with in the adult team are waiting for a decision on their asylum claim, are accommodated in cramped and inadequate hotels contracted by the Home Office for up to – and sometimes more than – 2 years whilst they wait for a decision on their asylum claim. During this time, they are eligible for only £8.86 per week and are prohibited from working. This is an incredibly stressful and disempowering period for those seeking asylum. Against this backdrop, our social activities exist as spaces of welcome, for people to come and make meaningful connections, build confidence and importantly – have fun!

About the Trips and Holiday Activities Project:

Alongside our weekly timetable of term time activities, we run trips across London during the school holidays. These are always chosen and planned together with our community members, and so far have included trips to famous parks, museums, galleries, and the theatre. We know from our community members how important these trips are; they are a chance to explore parts of the city that would otherwise be inaccessible, and to feel more at home in the city. As one community member told us, ‘to discover new places…this makes us feel included’. They are an opportunity to learn something new with others, to meet new people, relax and have fun.

About the Role:

To support us with these trips and holiday activities, we are looking for friendly, welcoming, enthusiastic and proactive volunteers. You will support us practically to ensure the trips run smoothly and on time, but also will be an essential part of our community of welcome – to chat and get to know our community members, and make sure everyone feels included and is having a good time.

We intend to hold 2 trips in the Easter holidays, and up to 5 trips in the summer holidays. These will all be in locations across London, most likely during daytime hours. We will also run a combination of adult-only and child-friendly trips across the year – this is what our community have told us they want! We usually have a group of 10-20 community members and will always have at least one CARAS staff member present too.

Ideally, we are looking for volunteers who are flexible during school holidays and can attend at least 3 trips throughout the year, though we may consider those who might only be able to volunteer on a one-off basis.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

To attend CARAS trips as and when you are available to do so.

To support with the logistics of travelling to and from the trip location.

To keep an eye on the general health and wellbeing of our Community Members and report any concerns to the CARAS staff member present.

To encourage positive connections between people and the places we are visiting, opening up conversations to learn about each other.

On family-friendly trips, to assist where needed with the supervision of children present (alongside parents)

Requirements – Essential:

To be 18 years or older;

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

To be reliable and punctual;

To be welcoming, friendly part of the group, and to make sure our community members have the best and most fruitful time possible at the locations we visit.

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

Current resident of the UK;

Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;

Able to complete compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding via 2 self-paced induction training webinars prior to the start of role;

Requirements – Desirable:

Knowledge of community languages, such as Farsi, Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Somali and Spanish.

Through volunteering with us you will gain:

An opportunity to connect with and learn from a vibrant and diverse community of people who are new to the city;

A chance to share your knowledge of the city and places of interest with our community;

A deeper understanding of the experiences, challenges, and strengths of those seeking asylum here;

A deeper understanding of language-inclusive practices in multi-lingual groups;

Develop your skills and competencies;

Zestful Blends addresses the challenges of modern urban living where people often struggle to access convenient, health-oriented food options that support both their well-being and environmental sustainability. Our solution is a comprehensive menu of fruit-based foods that are both nutritious and environmentally friendly. By sourcing local, organic produce and using eco-conscious packaging, we offer a range of products from smoothies to fruit salads that meet the demands of health-aware individuals and contribute to a more sustainable community.

Zestful Blends is an innovative health-focused fruit bar that combines a physical storefront with corporate partnerships and an AI-integrated online delivery system to offer fresh, nutritious, and eco-friendly fruit-based products in Vancouver.

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER (CMO)

• Zestful Blends is on the lookout for a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) to lead our marketing efforts, blending digital prowess with local market intuition to elevate our brand presence. As CMO, you will architect and execute comprehensive marketing strategies that drive brand awareness, engage our target audience, and boost sales across both digital and physical landscapes. Your leadership will be instrumental in shaping our narrative, fostering partnerships, and leading our marketing team towards innovative campaigns that resonate with our core values and product offerings. You'll analyze market trends, oversee digital campaigns, and spearhead local marketing initiatives to ensure Zestful Blends becomes a household name in the health-conscious community.
• Volunteer 7-9 hours per week remotely for 6 months