Homelessness volunteer roles

As an Administrative Support Volunteer, you will play an essential role in the team, complimenting the work of the Manchester Hub and allowing Shelter clients to receive the support that they need. The opportunity will allow you to make a difference in your local community as well as gaining hands-on experience in one of the UK's leading housing charities. 

Suggested Involvement: e.g. A suggested minimum commitment of one day per week for six months

Availability: e.g. This volunteering opportunity will take place within our working hours, Monday-Friday, 9:00-17:00 

Location: Manchester Hub, Unit 3, Great North Tower, 5 Watson St, Manchester M3 4EE 

Supervised by: Hub Administrator 

Why get involved with Shelter? 

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We're here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

Shelter volunteers are involved in our head office, services, shops, campaigns, events and our legal teams, and they all contribute their valuable time, skills and experience. We simply couldn’t achieve our goals without them. 

Main tasks 

• General administrative tasks (photocopying, scanning, and minute taking) 

• Covering reception and meeting and greeting people who are dropping into the office on an ad hoc basis 

• Updating local resource documents, such as local authority information sheets

• Inputting information on to our case management system 

• Supporting the team with resources for delivery of training 

Skills and experience required 

• Previous administrative experience or an interest in gaining administrative skills 

• An interest in social welfare e.g. housing, welfare benefits, debt. 

• Ability to manage your own time and task load 

• Confident and professional telephone manner 

• Good communication skills (this may be through experience of working with the public). 

• Confident IT skills including Microsoft Office programmes. 

• The ability to work as part of a team and value others 

• Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies including Volunteering, Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Confidentiality and Data Protection 

Induction, learning and development 

To enable you to take part in this opportunity, Shelter will: 

• Provide you with a Volunteer Handbook and all Policies & Procedures 

• Provide e-learning including Equality & Diversity, Health & Safety, Data Protection, Environmental Awareness and Safeguarding 

• Provide access to other appropriate Shelter training 

• Provide a local induction relevant to your role 

• Pay ‘out of pocket’ expenses in line with Shelter’s Volunteer Expenses Policy 

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter 

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness 

• Gain valuable work experience 

• Be part of a great team 

• Build your confidence and develop transferrable skills 

• Enhances your CV 

Next steps 

Please complete an online application for this role. After you have applied, we will invite successful candidates to an informal interview to discuss the role further. 

Please note, you will be asked to declare any unspent convictions. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us. It may limit the different ways that you can get involved, but please contact us if you require more information. 

This is a voluntary position that supports the work of our services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff. This role profile does not form part of any contract of employment.  

ShowerBox is a registered charity that has been providing free and secure showers as well as toiletries and supplies, warm drinks, snacks and haircuts to individuals facing homelessness since 2018. Our mission is to enhance our guests’ sense of physical well-being and dignity, help combat social isolation, and provide access to other essential resources such as health clinics and mobile libraries. By empowering individuals, we hope to help them make long term improvement in their lives.

Learning of individuals having passed away from preventable illnesses on the streets due to an inability to get clean and the social stigma associated with poor personal hygiene, Sarah Lamptey (our CEO) started offering weekly showers in St. Giles churchyard in Soho, London, from 2019. ShowerBox became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2021 and since then has been expanding nationally. Now, we operate in multiple sites – Central London, Birmingham, and Barking – either independently or in partnership. Central London remains our biggest site, followed by Birmingham and Barking, and we are in initial discussion with others. We receive our funds through philanthropy – currently supported by National Lottery Community Fund, Vitol Foundation, HS2, amongst others. 

As we look to expand to new sites, we are seeking two passionate new trustees to help us grow and thrive. As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in shaping our strategy, expanding our network, and ensuring our charity is impactful. It will be a volunteer role.

What are we looking for?

• Interest in making a difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness/housing security

• Experience serving as a Trustee or Board member (in either for-profit or non-profit organisation)

• An understanding of legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship

• Ability to devote time and effort to support a small and growing charity

• Prepared to attend four board meetings per year (mostly online) plus one or two ad hoc committees and/or events in line with their expertise, specific interest, or as needed

We are keen to hear from individuals with the skills and experience to help direct our organisational development within: 

• Operations, HR & Compliance

• Fundraising & Communications

We are particularly interested to hear from professionals with expertise in the following areas:

• UK charity law and compliance

• Risk management & GDPR

• Safeguarding, staff and volunteer wellbeing

• Fundraising and communications strategy (charity / social enterprises)

• Philanthropy or Corporate Partnerships 

• Individuals with a track record in income diversification, particularly from trusts/foundations, major donors, or Corporate Social Responsibility.

• Experience working in the Homelessness or public health sector, especially in the UK 

Please send your CV and a short cover letter outlining why you are interested in working with ShowerBox. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

About The Connection at St Martin’s

Our vision:

We believe that no one should have to sleep rough on London’s streets, and that everyone should get the support they need to find a place to call home.

Our mission:

We support people sleeping rough to find a way off London’s streets. We get to know every person we work with, understanding what they need to recover.

Trusting relationships are at the heart of everything we do, with our clients and our colleagues. It is vital that the way we work provides the conditions to facilitate these relationships. We have agreed 4 core cultural traits which guide our day to day behaviour at The Connection. These are Curious, Safe, Together and Motivated.

About the Role

Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that The Connection achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that The Connection has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision and mission.

While trustees share collective responsibility, the Treasurer leads the Board’s work on financial matters, provides support and challenge to the finance team, engages our auditors and chairs the Finance, Audit and Risk board subcommittee.

The Board of Trustees at the Connection have adopted the Charity Governance Code for larger charities which sets out the principles and key elements of good governance. Trustees will support the integration of the key principles of the Code which are described under the following areas: organisational purpose; leadership; integrity; decision making, risk and control; board effectiveness; equality, diversity and inclusion; openness and accountability.

The Connection at St Martin in the Fields is a company limited by guarantee, therefore each Trustee is also a company director and must fulfil the legal and financial responsibilities required under the Company Act 2006.

Full role description can be found on our website

Closing Date: Friday 4th July
Interview Date: First round (online) – w/c 14th July. Second round (in person) – w/c 28th July.

DIY Skills Advisers (DIYSA) Volunteer 

If you’re looking for a varied, hands-on volunteering role that makes a difference in people’s lives while supporting clients to learn new skills, then look no further than this exciting role. 

Shelter’s DIY Skills Advisers (DIYSA) help people to gain fundamental DIY skills to build a positive future in their homes after a prolonged period of homelessness, turning a house into a home. They also help people to improve and maintain their homes, often preventing eviction. Referrals to the DIYSA service can be received from both Shelter colleagues and support staff from local partner organisations. 

The DIYSA team works with individuals, sharing their skills to enable them to participate in home improvements, teaching them how to paint, wallpaper, build flat-pack furniture and gardening. As well as support for individuals, the DIY Skills Advisers run workshops across the country to bring communities together and upskill those who attend, providing clients with energy saving advice, educating them around cutting costs and improving energy efficiency in the home. 

This role is an opportunity to make a real difference to the households we assist. You’ll be developing your own knowledge and skills to assist local people and households with a range of housing disrepairs and challenges as well as providing practical DIY guidance You will gain experience of volunteering within a recognised national housing charity, while supporting your local community. 

Suggested Involvement: The role is flexible, however due to the nature of the role, requires you to be available for the day, in accordance with the DIYSA’s diary. 

Availability: This volunteering opportunity will take place within our working hours, Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm 

Location: Shelter Birmingham, 38 The Priory Queensway, Birmingham, B4 7LA, however this is a community-based role, visiting people in their own homes in and around Birmingham so travelling will be required.

Supervised by: Volunteer Coordinator/DIYSA

Why volunteer with Shelter? 

A home is a fundamental human need, as vital as education or healthcare. But in Britain today, that right is denied to millions of people whose lives are blighted by homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. The time for change is now.

As a DIYSA Volunteer, you’ll be supporting the day-to-day work of DIYSA as they provide advice, guidance and skills to households in Birmingham.

Volunteers are essential to Shelter’s mission to end housing injustice. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. The insights and life experience our volunteers bring to Shelter are valued as much as their contribution through volunteering. 

We aim to provide our volunteers with a positive experience. This is by prioritising accessibility and tailoring the advice we provide to the needs of the individual. We make sure our policies and processes are equitable, which means that no-one is unfairly disadvantaged while volunteering because of their background or identity. 

Main Tasks include 

• Working alongside the DIYSA to provide DIY repairs, teach households DIY skills,

• Accompany the DIYSA, visiting people at their homes, and assessing the repair/skill need 

• Painting and decorating 

• Gardening work 

• Flat pack furniture assembly 

• Fitting curtain rails and blinds 

• Hanging pictures and shelves 

• Supporting the DIYSA with the delivery of community-based workshops in skills such as drills workshops, gardening, energy saving practices and help around the management of mould. 

Skills and experience required 

• Your main role is to support the DIYSA and help them complete jobs in a timely and effective manner 

• You don’t need to have a background in DIY for this role. We are looking for a willing learner who has excellent communication and listening skills

• An interest in supporting and motivating people to make positive changes in their lives through acquiring new skills and interests

• A strong team player who can take on instructions to complete jobs to a high standard 

• Enjoys working with others and contribute to delivering an excellent service 

• Ability to connect with clients and contribute to the community 

• Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies, including volunteering, health & safety, equality & diversity, confidentiality & data protection 

To enable you take part in this opportunity Shelter will

• Provide a volunteer pack including a Handbook and all Policies and Procedures. 

• Provide an induction into your role

• Provide access to our learning on data protection, safeguarding and screen wellness as well as other appropriate role specific training. 

• Reimburse “out of pocket” expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy. 

Benefits of Volunteering with Shelter 

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness. 

• Gain valuable work experience and enhance your CV. 

• Meet new people and be part of a great team. 

• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills. 

Next steps 

Please complete an online application for this role by clicking the link to “fill in application” 

Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to a recruitment conversation to discuss the role further. 

Please note, upon offer of role, you will be asked to declare any unspent convictions and undergo a basic DBS check. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us. It may limit the different ways that you can get involved, but please contact us if you require more information. 

This is a voluntary position that supports the work of our services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff. This role profile does not form part of any contract of employment. 

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are passionate about physical activity and community wellbeing.

Project Resilience provides easily accessible opportunities for our hostel residents to take part in a variety of social and sporting activities to boost overall health and wellbeing.

You will play a key role in promoting healthy lifestyles by delivering fun, inclusive, and accessible physical activity sessions for people of all ages and abilities.

We would welcome qualified instructors from a range of activities such as:

·Boxercise

·Yoga

·Pilates

·Dance

·Football

·Basketball

·Circuit Classes

·Supported Gym workouts

However if you have another sport or activity that you would like to offer our residents, please get in touch!

This role offers a dynamic and rewarding opportunity to inspire and mentor vulnerable residents, contributing to their health and personal growth. Your commitment to excellence in coaching and resident engagement will not only enhance your professional skills but also make a significant impact on the community. 

You will :

·Plan and lead, safe, engaging fitness sessions for small groups of residents

·Adapt exercises to suit varying levels of mobility, ability, and health conditions.

·Monitor participants' safety and wellbeing during sessions.

·Encourage participation and build confidence through motivation and support.

·Log attendance and feedback as required.

·Work in line with safeguarding, health and safety, and risk assessment protocols.

Skills required:

·Recognised Fitness Qualification, Exercise Class Qualification or Sports Qualification, recognised in the UK 

What we will provide:

·Access to communal garden area and nearby fields for outdoor activities

·Access to a small internal gym (bench, weights, exercise equipment)

·You will be required to undertake mandatory e-learning and a menu of optional training will be made available

·Ongoing supervision and support from your line manager

·Travel expenses reimbursed (if applicable).

·Access to events, networking, and training and development opportunities.

Please note, you will be required to undergo a DBS check and we will need details of 2 x referees.

As a Welcome volunteer, you will be an invaluable part of the Birmingham team, supporting the hub to deliver vital frontline services. You'll be the first point of contact for clients and visitors, assisting the hub team with duties, and supporting the operation of the Shelter office in their day-to-day business 

You’ll act as the first point of contact for our clients, helping to understand their needs and help them access necessary advice and assistance through the duty or appointment services. Being a positive presence in the hub to ensure visitors feel comfortable and welcomed.

This role is an opportunity to make a real difference to the households we assist. You’ll be developing your own knowledge and skills to assist local people with a range of housing issues as well as providing practical guidance and providing a friendly, listening ear. You will gain experience of volunteering within a recognised national housing charity, while supporting your local community.

Suggested Involvement: Approximately one day per week (can be more & can be flexible around your commitments) 

Availability: This volunteering opportunity will take place within our working hours, Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm 

Location: Shelter Birmingham, 38 The Priory Queensway, Maple House, Birmingham, B4 7LA 

Supervised by: Volunteer Coordinator

Why volunteer with Shelter? 

A home is a fundamental human need, as vital as education or healthcare. But in Britain today, that right is denied to millions of people whose lives are blighted by homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. The time for change is now.

As a Welcome Volunteer, you’ll be supporting the day-to-day work of Shelter’s Advice Team as they provide advice and guidance to the people visiting the Birmingham hub. 

Volunteers are essential to Shelter’s mission to end housing injustice. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. The insights and life experience our volunteers bring to Shelter are valued as much as their contribution through volunteering. 

We aim to provide our volunteers with a positive experience. This is by prioritising accessibility and tailoring the advice we provide to the needs of the individual. We make sure our policies and processes are equitable, which means that no-one is unfairly disadvantaged while volunteering because of their background or identity.

Main Tasks include:

• Greeting people who come to the office and aiding in Reception 

• Communicating with clients via phone and email to share updates on their case and to gather information. 

• To obtain feedback and service user consents 

• Signposting clients to relevant services and providing useful information. 

• General tasks (e.g. photocopying, scanning, and filing).

Skills and experience required:

• Good communication skills and the ability to understand the needs of our clients.

• The ability to speak Somalian or Arabic would be helpful, but certainly not essential 

• Interest in housing issues; welfare benefits; debt; community care 

• The ability to work as part of a team and value and communicate effectively with others

• Confident using Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, Teams and PDF documents to a good standard 

• Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies, including volunteering, health & safety, equality & diversity, confidentiality & data protection 

To enable you take part in this opportunity Shelter will:

• Provide a volunteer pack including a Handbook and all Policies and Procedures. 

• Provide an induction into your role

• Provide access to our learning on data protection, safeguarding and screen wellness as well as other appropriate role specific training. 

• Reimburse “out of pocket” expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy.

Benefits of Volunteering with Shelter

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness. 

• Gain valuable work experience and enhance your CV. 

• Meet new people and be part of a great team. 

• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills. 

As a Community Workshop Assistant volunteer, you will be an invaluable part of the Birmingham team, supporting the hub to deliver frontline services. This role is an exciting and new opportunity to make a real difference within the wider community.

The accessible workshops are delivered primarily out in the community to Shelter clients and professionals however we may also deliver these by Microsoft Teams. The aim is to help empower clients to understand their rights and provide necessary support and signposting in areas such as temporary accommodation and budgeting. You will play a supportive role, helping the Housing Rights Worker deliver these workshops and being part of the development of future workshops. 

In addition, you’ll be developing your own knowledge and skills to support local people with a range of housing issues as well as providing practical support within the workshop. You will gain experience of volunteering within a recognised national housing charity, while supporting your local community. 

Suggested Involvement: Approximately one day per month (can be more & can be flexible around your commitments) 

Availability: This volunteering opportunity will take place within our working hours, Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm. 

Location: Shelter Birmingham 38 Priory Queensway, Maple House, Birmingham, B4 7LA but this role will be within the local community. 

Supervised by: Birmingham Volunteer Coordinator

Why volunteer with Shelter? 

A home is a fundamental human need, as vital as education or healthcare. But in Britain today, that right is denied to millions of people whose lives are blighted by homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. The time for change is now.

Volunteers are essential to Shelter’s mission to end housing injustice. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. The insights and life experience our volunteers bring to Shelter are valued as much as their contribution through volunteering. 

We aim to provide our volunteers with a positive experience. This is by prioritising accessibility and tailoring the support we provide to the needs of the individual. We make sure our policies and processes are equitable, which means that no-one is unfairly disadvantaged while volunteering because of their background or identity. 

Main Tasks include 

• Ensuring equipment is ready such as laptops and projectors 

• General administrative tasks (e.g. photocopying, scanning and filing).

• Help create a welcoming environment and being a welcoming face for clients attending the workshops 

• Handing out feedback forms & uploading feedback forms once the session is over 

• Supporting the Housing Rights Worker to facilitate the workshop

Skills and experience required 

• An interest in social welfare e.g. housing, welfare benefits, debt. 

• Good communication skills (this may be through experience of working with the public) 

• Ability to collaborate with a team. 

• Confident using IT including Microsoft Office programmes 

• Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies, including Volunteering, Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Confidentiality and Data Protection. 

Induction, learning & development 

To enable you take part in this opportunity Shelter will

• Provide a volunteer pack including a Handbook and all Policies and Procedures. 

• Provide an induction into your role

• Provide access to our learning on data protection, safeguarding and screen wellness as well as other appropriate role specific training. 

• Reimburse “out of pocket” expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy. 

Benefits of Volunteering with Shelter 

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness. 

• Gain valuable work experience and enhance your CV. 

• Meet new people and be part of a great team. 

• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills. 

Join Our Board – Make a Lasting Impact!

As part of our ongoing commitment to strong and effective governance, we are actively seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join our Board of Trustees. This is an exciting opportunity to play a vital role in shaping our organisation’s future and making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.

We are particularly looking for individuals who can:
✅ Help address the current challenges in social housing
✅ Provide continuity in financial expertise to support sustainable growth
✅ Strengthen our governance, regulation compliance and safeguarding knowledge and practices to protect those we serve

By joining our welcoming and inclusive Board, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals, influence key decisions, and contribute to a cause that truly matters.

Our Trustee application pack is now available on our website, and we are actively in the process sharing this opportunity across our social media channels, including LinkedIn.

Together, we can create positive change. Thank you for your support!

As a Volunteer Health Walk Leader, you will play a key role in supporting our residents to become more active and improve their wellbeing through social walks!

Project Resilience provides easily accessible opportunities for our hostel residents to take part in a variety of social and sporting activities to boost overall health and wellbeing.

You’ll help lead short, safe, and friendly group walk, especially for those who may be inactive, recovering from illness, or looking to improve their physical and mental health.

You will:

·Plan and lead regular health walks in your local area

·Welcome and support all participants, ensuring a positive and inclusive atmosphere

·Carry out basic safety checks and risk assessments for walk routes

·Encourage conversation and connection among walkers

Monitor attendance and report back to the coordinator as required

Skills required:

·First Aid Qualification

·Friendly, approachable, and reliable

·Good communication and people skills

·An interest in walking and promoting healthy lifestyles

·Able to walk at a steady pace for 30–60 minutes

What we offer:

·A full induction to the role and site will be provided

·Access to communal garden area and nearby fields for outdoor activities

·You will be required to undertake mandatory e-learning and a menu of optional training will be made available

·Ongoing supervision and support from your line manager

·Travel expenses reimbursed (if applicable).

·Access to events, networking, and training and development opportunities.

Please note, that you will be required to undergo a DBS check and we will require details of 2 x referees.

Shop Volunteering Opportunities Glasgow Union Street

Our shops are at the heart of local communities raising vital funds for our fight against homelessness and bad housing - and they’re powered by our volunteers!

Suggested Involvement: It’s up to you! We have volunteers who support for one hour a week and others who volunteer more. Many people volunteer for a morning or an afternoon each week, but we’ll have a chat about your availability after you’ve applied.

Availability: The shop is open Monday - Saturday 09:00-17:00 and Sunday 12:00-16:00. 

Location: Shop on Union Street, Glasgow, G1 3TA

Supervised by: Community Shop Manager/Assistant Manager

Why volunteer with Shelter Scotland? 

Home is a human right. It's our foundation and it's where we thrive. Yet, every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams ensure fighting the housing emergency never felt so fun. 

What can I do?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal chat to find the right role for you. Some roles involve a basic criminal record check being completed during recruitment. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us, but it may impact the ways you can get involved.

• Volunteering in the shop

Our retail volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

- You will not undergo a criminal record check for this role  

• Volunteering in a leadership role

Our volunteer supervisors help with overseeing the running of our shop and creating a fantastic environment for our customers. You may be involved with coordinating and supporting other volunteers, operating computer systems, and being a key point of contact for the shop.

Skills and Experiences Required:

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need to have volunteered or worked in a shop before as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and willing to follow Shelter Scotland’s policies and can be an excellent ambassador for Shelter Scotland. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of bad housing or homelessness.

Induction, Learning and Development:

To enable you to take part in this opportunity Shelter Scotland will:

• Welcome you with a Volunteer Handbook
• Provide training, induction, and ongoing support from your Shop Manager to help you feel confident in your role
• Refund any out-of-pocket expenses in line with Shelter Scotland’s volunteer expenses policy

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter Scotland…

• Supporting Shelter Scotland in our fight against bad housing and homelessness
• Gain valuable experience in a retail environment
• Getting involved in your local community and being part of a great team
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills

We aim to respond to all applications within 14 days

If you would like to find out more about the volunteering opportunity before applying, why not pop into the shop.

About Refugees at Home

We are a leading provider of hosting with an annual income of £1 million, dedicated to the prevention of homelessness for those claiming asylum or with Refugee status by offering temporary placements within our volunteer hosts homes. We recruit and support volunteer hosts who are willing to offer a temporary home and a helping hand.  Our role is to carefully match each guest and host, to assess and prepare them ready for hosting, to advise on hosting arrangements and accommodation, and to provide ongoing support to hosts throughout each stay. We provide support to our guests across all four nations of the UK.

We spread awareness of hosting and the issues facing our guests through thoughtful and considered communications, both within our sector and externally. 

We are looking for a passionate and experienced Communications professional to join our Board of Trustees. We are open to the type of experience candidates may posses and recognise the importance of transferrable skills. 

We particularly encourage applications from those with lived experience. 

This is an exciting new role, the purpose of which is to gather feedback from both clients and stakeholder to assess the broader impact of our work.

We are looking for a volunteer to undertake follow up phone calls to clients, this might be after an intervention with them or at intervals after closure. To ensure we a complaint with GDPR, we record consent, and this is stored on our inhouse Client database CRM. 

The volunteer will be provided with a list of questions to ask to gather feedback and would be expected to detail the responses. 

Suggested Involvement: Approximately one day per week (can be more & can be flexible around your commitments) 

Availability: This volunteering opportunity will take place within our working hours, Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm 

Location: Shelter Birmingham, 38 The Priory Queensway, Maple House, Birmingham, B4 7LA 

Supervised by: Birmingham Volunteer Coordinator

Why volunteer with Shelter? 

A home is a fundamental human need, as vital as education or healthcare. But in Britain today, that right is denied to millions of people whose lives are blighted by homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. The time for change is now.

As a Client and Stakeholder Feedback Volunteer, you’ll be supporting the day-to-day work of Shelter’s and providing updates on client's experiences. Volunteers are essential to Shelter’s mission to end housing injustice. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. The insights and life experience our volunteers bring to Shelter are valued as much as their contribution through volunteering. 

We aim to provide our volunteers with a positive experience. This is by prioritising accessibility and tailoring the support we provide to the needs of the individual. We make sure our policies and processes are equitable, which means that no-one is unfairly disadvantaged while volunteering because of their background or identity. 

Main Tasks include 

• Make follow-up phone calls to stakeholder and clients after they have accessed our services to gather feedback from them. 

• Ask set questions when speaking with stakeholders and clients to see if and how advice has made a difference to them and record their responses. 

• Assessing and adding in quantitative and qualitative data to our client database (CRM). 

• Present the responses in an accessible format e.g. using Word or Excel. 

• Identify key findings and/or trends and discuss with relevant team member(s) 

• Provide insight into improvements for the activities involved 

Skills and experience required 

The aim of the post is to gather information and feedback regarding the service we offer and the impact this has made. Therefore, we are looking for somebody who is:

• Comfortable interacting with stakeholders in person and over the telephone 

• Is considerate of tone and language during interactions. 

• Has good listening skills. 

• Has strong written skills and the ability to take detailed and accurate notes of the discussion whilst on the telephone or in person. 

• Has good IT skills, including experience using MS Office software such as Excel and Forms. 

• Is resilient to potentially challenging conversations, while understanding the boundaries of the role. 

To enable you take part in this opportunity Shelter will

• Provide a volunteer pack including a Handbook and all Policies and Procedures. 

• Provide an induction into your role

• Provide access to our learning on data protection, safeguarding and screen wellness as well as other appropriate role specific training. 

• Reimburse “out of pocket” expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy. 

Benefits of Volunteering with Shelter 

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness. 

• Gain valuable work experience and enhance your CV. 

• Meet new people and be part of a great team. 

• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills

This role will allow us to see the effects of the housing advice and workshop delivery received by clients and professionals and if there are any additional impacts such as increased sense of stability or more confidence in their rights. 

This role is an opportunity to make a real difference to the households we assist. You’ll be developing your own knowledge and skills to support local people with a range of housing issues. You will gain experience of volunteering within a recognised national housing charity, while supporting your local community. 

The Together Project

Established in 2018, the Together Project is a community outreach project delivered by a team of volunteer vets and non-clinical volunteers to provide non-judgmental veterinary advice, treatment and care to the pets of vulnerably housed and homeless people in Bath. Working in partnership with local homeless charities Julian House and Genesis Trust, the team understands the strong bond between an owner and a pet, and that for many, a pet can be a lifeline, so they aim to do whatever they can to keep these beloved pets together with their owners.

We are seeking kind, empathetic and understanding volunteers to join our award-winning Together Project team and would love to hear from vets and vet nurses (RVN) interested in joining the project. 

About the Role

Currently the Together Project team run two clinics per month, one at Genesis on the Canal in Widcombe on a Friday morning, and the second on a Saturday afternoon, where they take to the streets to seek out service users who may not have made it to the Friday clinic, as well as raise awareness of the project. During a clinic, the volunteers will:

• Earn trust from people in marginalised communities by demonstrating true care for their pets
• Register new service users and encourage their attendance at monthly clinics, promoting responsible pet ownership regardless of living situation
• Catch up with service users and their pets, building relationships and ensuring consistency of treatment where possible
• Provide preventative treatment such as vaccinations and parasite treatment
• Provide treatment for illness and injury, as well as emergency intervention when necessary
• Act as ambassadors for the project and Bath Cats & Dogs Home

About You

We would love to hear from vets and vet nurses who can give 2 hours per month to support the Together Project. You will need to be outgoing, approachable and have an understanding nature as trust from Together Project service users is hard-won and not guaranteed.

This is an exciting opportunity for vets and vet nurses interested in applying their knowledge and experience to an outreach programme aiming to improve the lives of marginalised people and empowering them to best care for their beloved pets. Taking your clinical knowledge out of the practice and into the community, you will be reaching out to people who love their pets wholeheartedly but may not feel able to ask for help.

ShowerBox is a registered charity that has been providing free and secure showers as well as toiletries and supplies, warm drinks, snacks and haircuts to individuals facing homelessness since 2018. Our mission is to enhance our guests’ sense of physical well-being and dignity, help combat social isolation, and provide access to other essential resources such as health clinics and mobile libraries. By empowering individuals, we hope to help them make long term improvement in their lives.

Learning of individuals having passed away from preventable illnesses on the streets due to an inability to get clean and the social stigma associated with poor personal hygiene, Sarah Lamptey (our CEO) started offering weekly showers in St. Giles churchyard in Soho, London, from 2019. ShowerBox became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2021 and since then has been expanding nationally. Now, we operate in multiple sites – Central London, Birmingham, and Barking – either independently or in partnership. Central London remains our biggest site, followed by Birmingham and Barking, and we are in initial discussion with others. We receive our funds through philanthropy – currently supported by National Lottery Community Fund, Vitol Foundation, HS2, amongst others. 

The Board of Trustees is the ultimate governance body for the organisation, serving as stewards of the organisation’s resources, and is ultimately responsible for ShowerBox’s strategy, operations, adherence to law and regulation and financial management. The Trustees serve on a voluntary basis, and meet four or five times a year (online or in person in London).

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a Chairperson to take ShowerBox forward into an important and influential role following and building on the success it has had since becoming a CIO and expanding into 3 locations.

The Chair leads the Board of Trustees and works closely with ShowerBox’s CEO to achieve its goals. The Chair is responsible for key areas, including:

• Providing effective strategic leadership and management to the Board of Trustees enabling them to fulfill their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of ShowerBox

• Providing support to the CEO and ensuring s/he is held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives

• Ensuring the Board meets regularly to review activities, major risks and opportunities

• Ensuring Trustees fulfill their duties and responsibilities for effective governance of ShowerBox

• Ensuring the Board is regularly refreshed and incorporates the right balance of skill, knowledge and experience needed to govern and lead the charity effectively

• Conducts an annual appraisal and remuneration review of the CEO in consultation with other Trustees

• Acts as an ambassador for ShowerBox, representing it at external functions, meetings and events as appropriate and as spokesperson for the organisation when appropriate

• Ensuring financial stability and effective and efficient administration of ShowerBox

• Safeguard the good name and values of ShowerBox

Person Specification

• Interest in making a difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness/housing insecurity

• Experience serving as a Trustee or Board member (in either for-profit or non-profit organisation). Previous experience as Chair of a voluntary organisation is an advantage.

• An understanding of legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship, together with an understanding of the financial aspects of running a charity.

• An ability to work effectively as part of a team contributing an independent perspective.

• Strong leadership, people management skills and the ability to chair meetings effectively.

• Ability to devote time and effort to support a small and growing charity and fulfill the duties outlined above.

• Prepared to attend four board meetings per year (mostly online) plus one or two ad hoc committees and/or events in line with their expertise, specific interest, or as needed

Terms of Appointment

Chair of Trustees is appointed for a 2 year, renewable term. It is anticipated that the time commitment should be no more than 2 days a month but there could be occasions when extra time will be required (for instance, during planning of new projects or when dealing with unexpected situations). The role of Chair is unpaid.

Please send your CV and a short cover letter outlining why you are interested in working with ShowerBox. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.