Help at home volunteer volunteer roles in ferryhill, county durham
Are you looking for a meaningful, flexible way to support others? Join the Talking Bubble Project and help tackle loneliness through the power of a simple phone call.
Since the pandemic, many befriending services have wound down—but Talking Bubble remains one of the few projects still offering regular, phone-based companionship to those who need it most. Demand for this kind of support remains high, and we’re actively looking for kind, compassionate English-speaking volunteers to help meet this growing need.
What is the Talking Bubble Project?
☎︎ It’s a phone-based befriending service that connects volunteers with older adults and vulnerable individuals across the UK who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation. By committing just a little time each week, you can offer someone the warmth of conversation and a regular point of connection.
Why Volunteer With Us?
✔ Make a genuine impact on someone's life
✔ Enjoy flexible volunteering hours from the comfort of your home
✔ Receive full training, ongoing support, and a reference upon completion
✔ Boost your sense of purpose and community
What You’ll Need
✅ No experience required—just a kind heart, a listening ear, and a willingness to talk
✅ Volunteers must complete Safeguarding Adults Level 2 training and undergo a DBS check—we cover the cost of both
✅ Must be a UK resident
How to Get Involved
Apply now via the CharityJob website, or contact us directly for more information. Together, we can keep connection alive—one call at a time.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you an Italian speaker looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community?
We invite you to become a volunteer for our Talking Bubble Project!
Many older adults and vulnerable individuals in the UK’s Italian-speaking community experience loneliness and isolation. By giving just a small amount of your time each week, you can make a big difference — offering companionship and a friendly voice in their native language.
What is the Talking Bubble Project?
A phone-based service that connects volunteers with individuals who may feel isolated or lonely. Through regular calls, you’ll help build friendships, brighten someone’s day, and offer emotional support — especially for those more comfortable speaking Italian.
Why volunteer with us?
✔ Support members of the Italian-speaking community in the UK
✔ Make a real difference in someone’s life
✔ Enjoy flexible volunteering hours
✔ Receive training, ongoing support, and a reference upon completion
✔ Boost your own sense of fulfilment and purpose
✅ What’s required?
✔ Completion of online Safeguarding Adults Level 2 training (funded by us)
✔ A DBS check (funded by us)
✔ A kind and compassionate approach, and a willingness to engage in friendly conversations
How to get involved:
Apply through the CharityJob website — no previous experience needed.
This opportunity is open to UK residents only.
Help us bring connection and kindness to the Italian-speaking community across the UK!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with VoiceAbility,
About VoiceAbility
VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.
We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most. For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.
Why Volunteer with VoiceAbility
Volunteering with VoiceAbility gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your community by helping others ensure their voices are heard and valued. The roles we offer are deeply rewarding and may challenge you in new ways. You’ll develop your communication skills, meet new people, and gain a greater understanding of others, while enjoying a sense of personal fulfilment along the way!
We ask for a minimum commitment of just 3 hours per week, but you’re welcome to volunteer for more if you’d like. Whether you're looking to give back to your community, learn something new, or simply enjoy connecting with others, we’d love to have you on board!
Volunteer positions currently available in Sunderland
Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR) Support Volunteer
People in care homes should have a voice to communicate their needs wishes and wants. Some people need support with this, but don’t have friends and family available to assist them. This means they’re entitled to have support from an RPR and volunteer, who are there to make sure they get the care they deserve. Your role as an RPR Support Volunteer is to collaborate with the VoiceAbility RPR to make sure a person’s views are listened to when decisions are made about their care.
- As an RPR Support Volunteer you might:
- Visit people in their care home, to make sure they’re getting the right care and support
- Talk with them about their feelings, thoughts and wishes
- Raise concerns
- Keep detailed notes and records
- Make a real difference to someone’s life
Hospital Visitor Volunteer
Hospital Visitor volunteers visit hospital settings to ensure that people detained under the Mental Health Act are aware that they have a legal right to an IMHA qualified advocate.The volunteers are instrumental in ensuring that clients get access to an advocate and can also support the work that advocates undertake.
As a hospital volunteer, you might:
-
hold drop-in sessions
-
attend events and ward meetings at local facilities
-
share information
-
assist people to request advocacy support by completing a form online or calling our contact centre
All volunteering will take place Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00. You will need to be over 18 years old and be living in the UK. Please note that there is no opportunity to volunteer at weekends or in the evening.
Safeguarding Commitment Statement
VoiceAbility are committed to safeguarding all clients who access our services. All Volunteers will be required to undertake a DBS check at the appropriate level and provide contact details for a minimum of two referees in line with our safer recruitment practice.
ED&I Statement
VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.
VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact the Volunteering team for further options.
To find out more click “Apply Now”.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Help our charity to create new Allotment sites!
Green Allotments is a small, national, charity on a mission to create new allotment sites in England and Wales.
We are currently looking for lovely volunteers for various roles which are all home-based:
Volunteer Desk-based Researchers (Our most popular volunteering role!)
Occasional professional/specialist micro-volunteers
Landscape Architect
Social Media Supporters
Welsh Language Translators / Gwirfoddoli Cyfieithwyr Cymraeg
There are no set hours when volunteering for us and you can turn down anything that you are offered. Obviously, we will treat you with dignity and respect.
We do not anticipate that you will incur expenses in this role. We expect our volunteers to already have an internet connection and be willing to use that as part of their volunteer role with Green Allotments CIO.
(At present we are unable to accept applications from under 18s, although we hope to be able to do so in the future as our charity grows)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you a Romanian speaker looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community?
We invite you to become a volunteer for our Talking Bubble Project!
Many older adults and vulnerable individuals in the UK’s Romanian-speaking community experience loneliness and isolation. By giving just a small amount of your time each week, you can make a big difference — offering companionship and a friendly voice in their native language.
� What is the Talking Bubble Project?
☎️ A phone-based service that connects volunteers with individuals who may feel isolated or lonely. Through regular calls, you’ll help build friendships, brighten someone’s day, and offer emotional support — especially for those more comfortable speaking Romanian.
� Why volunteer with us?
✔ Support members of the Romanian-speaking community in the UK
✔ Make a real difference in someone’s life
✔ Enjoy flexible volunteering hours
✔ Receive training, ongoing support, and a reference upon completion
✔ Boost your own sense of fulfilment and purpose
✅ What’s required?
✔ Completion of online Safeguarding Adults Level 2 training
✔ A DBS check (both fully funded by us)
✔ A kind and compassionate approach, and a willingness to engage in friendly conversations
� How to get involved:
Apply through the CharityJob website — no previous experience needed.
This opportunity is open to UK residents only.
Help us bring connection and kindness to the Romanian-speaking community across the UK!
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role Description
As the helpline volunteer, you will be providing support to those that have experienced sexual violence and provide emotional support and information around our services. You will help empower our callers to make their own decisions and provide them with a space to talk about how they feel .
Benefits
As part of this role, you will have the opportunity to
• 8-week training around the impact of sexual violence on survivors
• Increased confidence and interpersonal skills
• You will be part of a support wider team with North London Rape Crisis
• Play a pivotal role in delivering services.
• Gain hands on experience in a dynamic charity working in the Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Sector.
• Work as part of a feminist organisation.
Skills and Qualifications Required
An understanding of the issues faced by survivors and a desire to build on this.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Approachable and empathetic
• Non-judgemental.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Reliable, flexible with good time management
• An interest in sexual violence and its impact on women and children.
Training Opportunities
Volunteers will be able to access Solace Women’s Aid’s induction and internal volunteer training programme. Full support will be given to help volunteers understand and carry out any aspect of the role as appropriate. You will also receive an 8 week training with North London Rape Crisis.
Solace exists to end the harm done through gender-based violence. Our aim is to work to prevent violence and abuse.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Jumble Sales Organiser Volunteer
Would you like to raise funds, have fun and join a super team of volunteers who together make our Jumble Sales in Thatcham a great success? As Jumble Sales Organiser you would be helping to make everything run smoothly for the team.
Time Expectations: 1 Saturday every other month (plus preparations)
This could be a shared role and tasks may include:
· Booking the hall for future Jumbles
· Contacting the Jumble team before events to check availability
· Set up stalls, running a stall and packing away at the end
· Collecting any items/resources needed from the centre the day before
Without volunteers, Cats Protection Berkshire Cat Centre simply wouldn't exist. Our amazing, friendly volunteers are a diverse group with a shared love of cats who fit volunteering around their home lives and personal commitments.
We're often looking to welcome new volunteers to join our brilliant team. As well as meeting great people and making an incredible difference to the cats of Berkshire.
Please note: Although we do welcome everyone, unfortunately our centre is not set up to accommodate young volunteers under the age of 18, including those on the Duke of Edinburgh programme.
Full training and support will be given for all roles. We look forward to hearing from you!
Applicants will need to complete an application form with two references.
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Fundraising Events Organiser Volunteer
Would you like to be part of a dedicated and friendly team of volunteers and make a real difference to the lives of cats and kittens in our care? Do you enjoy planning and organising for events? Maybe you have a particular skill that you would like to put to use?
Then this could be the role for you!
Our Fundraising Events Team are at the heart of what we do, raising essential funds for the cats.
Our Fundraising Events Organisers share ideas, tasks and inspiration, planning and delivering local events, with the support of the Fundraising events helpers, such as Open Days (usually 2 per year) at the centre and our annual Christmas Bazaar.
Time Expectation: This role can be varied and time commitment can be flexible.
Without volunteers, Cats Protection Berkshire Cat Centre simply wouldn't exist. Our amazing, friendly volunteers are a diverse group with a shared love of cats who fit volunteering around their home lives and personal commitments.
We're often looking to welcome new volunteers to join our brilliant team. As well as meeting great people and making an incredible difference to the cats of Berkshire.
Please note: Although we do welcome everyone, unfortunately our centre is not set up to accommodate young volunteers under the age of 18, including those on the Duke of Edinburgh programme.
Full training and support will be given for all roles. We look forward to hearing from you!
All applicants will need to complete an application form, with two references.
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
No Panic is a national charity at the frontline of accessible help for anxiety sufferers.
The No Panic Helpline is open 365 days a year between 10am and 10pm.
Those who call us can be struggling across a range of anxiety disorders: OCD; Panic Attacks; Phobias or General Anxiety Disorder.
We train our helpline volunteers to provide sufferers with all the information they need to begin the process of self-help recovery.
This is a remote volunteering opportunity where everything is done from home, including training, and there is never a need to attend elsewhere. This makes it the ideal opportunity for those with mobility or fitness issues.
Our volunteers work a 3-hour shift once a week.
Initial training is one evening a week for 8 weeks (for a small charge of £25 to cover costs), with backup support for the first 8 weeks on the helpline. There is continued support via bi-monthly support groups.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just some spare time occasionally, and an ability to get on with people from diverse backgrounds and age groups. If so, this could be the role for you.
What is a Helper?
SSAFA Helpers provide support to local SSAFA branches, so that the service to veterans and their families can run smoothly. Perhaps you could help out at an event, take care of some office admin, or give a talk about SSAFA?
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
We have peak times throughout the year when we need extra volunteers. Whether you enjoy organising behind the scenes or being out meeting the public, we need people who can offer some time on a flexible basis.
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
This role will suit you if you are looking to volunteer on a flexible basis as and when you are available, and we need extra help. You may be based in an office, at home, or out and about at events.
What would you be doing?
· Helping at public events by staffing stalls, stewarding etc
· Helping to distribute Christmas hampers to clients.
· Giving talks about SSAFA to schools and local groups
· Helping with office tasks like stuffing envelopes, ordering marketing materials
The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.
What could you gain from this volunteering role?
· Support people in your community with a military background
· Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
· Experience that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
· Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!
What training and support would you receive?
· Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
· Local induction
· Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
· Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.
What are we looking for?
· Friendly and approachable people with a cheerful attitude
· Good spoken English
· Ability to represent SSAFA and its values to potential clients, their families, other agencies, potential volunteers and potential funders.
· Ability to keep within the boundaries of the role with regards to safeguarding, giving advice etc.
· Reliable attitude, keep appointments, update the branch regarding your availability.
· Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely.
· Access to transport if needed for your role.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities to have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.
Minimum Age: 18
Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.
References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)
Is a criminal record check required? No
Our vision A society in which the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We're building a platform to catch burnout before it happens. Need someone with HR connections who can talk to people and open doors.
The Problem
People are burning out at work. By the time managers notice, it's too late. We're building something to change that.
What We're Building
A platform that spots early warning signs of burnout and helps managers intervene before people break. Think predictive tech + psychology + practical support.
What We Actually Need You To Do
We need someone who can:
- Talk to HR people and managers about their burnout challenges (15-20 interviews over 2-3 weeks)
- Find organizations that might want to test this with their teams
- Help us understand what would actually work vs. what sounds good on paper
That's it. No corporate nonsense. Just real conversations with real people about a real problem.
Your Actual Tasks
Weeks 1-2: Find people to interview
- Use your network to find 15-20 HR folks, managers, and employees
- Schedule 30-60 min chats (we'll give you the questions)
- Could be over coffee, Zoom, phone - whatever works
Weeks 3-4: Do the interviews
- Have real conversations about burnout
- Document what matters (not what sounds nice)
- Work with our psychologists to make sense of it
Weeks 5-6: Connect us with organizations
- Find 5-10 companies that might test this
- Make intros to the right people
- Help us understand who'd actually pay for this
Time commitment: 2-3 hours a day. Work when you want. No meetings about meetings.
Why Bother?
Honestly:
- You'll help build something launching in 8 weeks (not years)
- You get to shape the product from scratch
- You'll work with psychologists and tech people who actually know what they're doing
- Good for your CV if you want to move into product/research/biz dev
- If you're brilliant, we might offer equity or a paid role later
- Work from home, flexible hours, no micromanaging
Also: burnout is real. If you've seen it or felt it, you know why this matters.
Who We're Looking For
Someone who:
- Knows HR people or managers (and they'd actually take your call)
- Can have a proper conversation without reading a script
- Gets why burnout matters (maybe you've been there)
- Doesn't need babysitting - you see what needs doing and do it
- Can move fast - we're launching in 8 weeks
Experience we care about:
- You've worked in HR, management, or people stuff (3+ years)
- You've done interviews or research before (or you're confident you can)
- You have connections we don't (that's the whole point)
Don't have all of this? Apply anyway if you care about the problem and can help.
What You Actually Get
- Real product experience (not busy work)
- Portfolio piece you can show people
- References from our team
- Connections with psychologists and tech people
- Maybe equity if you're exceptional
- The satisfaction of helping prevent burnout (sounds cheesy but it's true)
The Team
- Chief Behavioral Psychologist
- Occupational Psychologist
- AI/ML person
- CTO
- UX Designer
Small team. No corporate BS. Building something that matters.
Timeline
Start: Now (November) Busiest: First 2 weeks (3 hrs/day finding and scheduling people) After that: 2 hrs/day for 4-6 weeks End: Mid-December
Work whenever suits you. We care about results, not when you're online.
Success =
- 15-20 good interviews done
- 5-10 companies interested in testing this
- Insights that help us build the right thing
- Not wasting each other's time
Why Not Paid?
We're pre-revenue. Every penny goes into building this. But if you're good, equity or paid work could come later. And the experience is worth more than a few hundred quid anyway.
What We Promise
We won't:
- Have pointless meetings
- Micromanage you
- Waste your time
- Give you vague objectives
We will:
- Be clear about what needs doing
- Support you when needed, leave you alone when not
- Give you proper credit
- Write you good references
Why This Matters
Burnout is expensive (£322 billion to the economy) and miserable (for the people going through it). Most companies wait until people break, then offer an EAP number.
We're trying to catch it earlier. Your conversations will tell us if this is actually useful or just another wellness gimmick.
To Apply
Just tell us:
- Why you care about this (2-3 sentences)
- Who you could realistically interview (be specific)
- Any organizations you could connect us with
- Can you start now and commit 2-3 hrs/day for 6-8 weeks?
Attach your CV.
Don't overthink it. If this sounds interesting, apply.
Questions? Email us - we respond fast.
P.S. If you're not sure you're "qualified enough" - apply anyway. We need diverse perspectives, not clones.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Our vision for volunteering
Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.
The difference you will make to cats and people
We have a huge breadth of volunteer roles at Cats Protection, including caring for cats, fundraising, in our shops and many more! We also need volunteers to help us be more efficient, effective and to ensure we comply with charity law and governance.
The purpose of the Audit & Risk Committee is to assist the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its obligations in respect of financial and governance reporting, internal control and risk. Our Audit & Risk Committee volunteers contribute to a well-run organisation, and their time and expertise help our Committee work in the best, most effective way possible.
The Board of Trustees delegates authority to the Committee to oversee the Cats Protection financial reporting process. This ensures the balance, transparency and integrity of published financial information to:
- ensure that there is a framework for accountability
- examine systems and methods of control, with particular emphasis on risk management and the effective use of risk-based outsourced internal audit receive reports from external auditors and consider rotation of audit partners
- ensure that Cats Protection is complying with statutory and regulatory requirements and good practice
- ensure implementation of recommendations from internal and external auditors
- ensure ongoing objectivity and independence
Your role will also include:
- attending Committee meetings
- reading papers
- preparing for meetings
- raising appropriate challenge or concerns undertaking any actions required in the agreed timescales
- supporting the Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee
- keeping informed about the activities of the charity and wider issues affecting the charity and the Audit & Risk Committee in particular
If you have strategic vision and an appreciation that there is much more to helping cats than meets the eye, then this is the role for you.
You can expect us to
- Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
- Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
- Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
- Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities
What we need from you
- a commitment to Cats Protection and empathy with our vision, mission and values
- a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
- strategic vision
- sound independent judgement
- relevant financial, assurance or risk management experience
- willingness to be part of a team
- the ability to express views clearly
- willingness to respectfully challenge and bring the best out in others
- an understanding of the role, duties and responsibilities of the Audit & Risk Committee
Time expectation
Our Audit & Risk Committee meets three times a year (twice in person in London and once virtually) and our volunteers normally spend a total of three years in this role.
You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!
More information on the role is available through a candidate pack for applicants.
To apply, please submit a cover letter of no more than 500 words and a CV. Please include your motivation for applying for the role and details of any relevant experience - whether paid or voluntary.
The deadline for applications is Friday 19 December at 23:59.
We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you a dog lover? Do you have the time to help raise a life-changing puppy? Would you like to make a difference to someone's life? If you've answered yes to these questions, then this role could be perfect for you!
As a Puppy Raiser, you'll provide a 6-8 week-old puppy with the vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. You'll be looking after a puppy for 12-16 months and will guide him or her through training, socialisation, the introduction of new environments and experiences while providing a loving home.
There might be the odd chewed slipper along the way, but nothing beats the rewarding feeling of loving and raising a puppy who will go on to make an enormous difference to someone living with sight loss.
What you'll be doing:
- Engaging with our world-class training programme to prepare your puppy for the next stages of becoming a guide dog.
- Providing care and support for your puppy at home e.g., loving, grooming and feeding him or her.
- Socialising your puppy and introducing him or her to a variety of environments to increase confidence – this can be as simple as taking your puppy with you to the shops, office or park as you go about your everyday life.
- Teaching your puppy to be comfortable alone - gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of four hours.
- Taking your puppy to monthly puppy classes, and interacting with other puppy raisers in your community whilst refreshing your training and sharing tips.
- Meeting with your volunteer manager as frequently as needed to discuss any changes or issues with your puppy.
- Completing short questionnaires about your puppy’s development.
You'll ideally have:
- A loving home with enough time to invest in raising a puppy and attending to their needs (e.g. toilet training). If you work from home or have hobbies, you'll need to be available to give the puppy regular attention alongside these.
- Someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg).
- Access to a car, so that you can get your puppy used to travelling.
- The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you rent your home.
- A safe secure area outside for your puppy to go to the toilet.
What you'll get:
- The satisfaction of knowing you're supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
- The rewarding feeling of watching a mischievous puppy learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog.
- The opportunity to participate in our bespoke world-class training programme – this can help you train your own dogs or advance a future career in dog handling.
- The opportunity to have a loveable, canine companion, proven to reduce feelings of stress and improve fitness – you’ll be out walking rain or shine!
- The chance to be part of the inspirational Guide Dogs community, meeting like-minded people and interacting with a community of puppy raisers in your area.
- A dedicated volunteer manager and fellow peers who will help support you throughout your role.
s a volunteer you'll have access to our world-class training programme, to implement with your puppy in training, a great bonus for any dog owner! This is delivered in an interactive and engaging manner, using a mixture of different learning techniques virtually e.g., videos, documents and e-learning modules. Examples of the modules you'll have access to include:
- Food manners
- Greeting new visitors
- Being home alone
- Settling in new environments
You'll receive plenty of support from your volunteer manager who will help you work through these training modules with your puppy. We also offer puppy classes for puppy raisers in the local area to get together, share stories and provide refreshers on training techniques.
Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any pre-agreed expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs for the puppy and other materials needed for the puppy’s training. We will also pay an optional allowance of up to £100 a year to offset additional costs, and we have working agreements with certain bus and train operating companies, letting you take your puppy on short training journeys free of charge.
Minimum age of applicant: 18.
To find out if this role is available in your area, please click 'Redirect to recruiter' at the top of the page, and use the postcode search function on the Guide Dogs website to explore local opportunities.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.
What is a Caseworker?
Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.
What would you be doing?
- Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
- Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
- Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
- Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system
- Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
- Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
- Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
- Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
- Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
- Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
- Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
- Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
- Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!
What training and support would you receive?
- Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
- Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
- Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
- Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
- Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
- Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.
What are we looking for?
- Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
- Good communication skills both written and verbally.
- Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
- Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
- Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
- Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
- Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
- Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.
Minimum Age: 18
Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.
References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)
Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)
*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.
Our vision A society in which the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.
What is a Caseworker?
Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.
What would you be doing?
- Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
- Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
- Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
- Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system
- Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
- Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
- Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
- Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
- Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
- Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
- Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
- Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
- Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!
What training and support would you receive?
- Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
- Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
- Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
- Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
- Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
- Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.
What are we looking for?
- Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
- Good communication skills both written and verbally.
- Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
- Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
- Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
- Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
- Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
- Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.
Minimum Age: 18
Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.
References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)
Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)
*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.
Our vision A society in which the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.