Housing Advice Volunteers Volunteer Roles
Would you like the opportunity to join the Board of a housing association whose purpose is to work with a co-operative ethos to help people & their communities to flourish?
Co-op Homes (CHS) is a housing association which owns some 300 properties across London and the South East. We're also a managing agent for 30 other community housing organisations and housing co-ops, providing services to over 2,000 residents. Our unique proposition lies in our ability to provide expert housing management services to housing co-operatives and other small, resident-led housing organisations, enabling them to maintain their autonomy.
Board member opportunities
CHS is governed by a Board of Management made up of paid members who meet regularly throughout the year to direct policy and make major decisions on housing matters. The Board is also responsible for ensuring that we are managed efficiently, effectively and in line with the requirements of the law, regulatory bodies, best practice and value for money.
We have an active Board, currently made up of five members, bringing a variety of skills and backgrounds. Our Chair has been in the role since 2021 and we appointed a new Managing Director within the last year.
We are now looking to recruit two new board members. One who can bring strategic finance expertise and another with building asset management experience.
- Strategic finance: As a provider, we offer a unique set of services that have particular challenges. We are looking for an experienced senior finance professional to help us balance the risks and benefits involved in relation to our portfolio and scrutinise our finances strategically for the longer term.
- Building asset management: We are looking for expertise in property management. This will include repairs and maintenance, health and safety legislation and regulations, strategic asset management and decarbonisation.
We would very much welcome applications from people who combine relevant expertise with lived experience of social housing or experience of living in a housing co-operative, as we know you would bring a unique insight to the role. For the same reason we would also welcome applications from minority groups.
As a board member at CHS, you’ll have the satisfaction of joining a dynamic organisation passionate about making a lasting difference to lives and communities. We are looking for people who share our vision and values. Previous board experience is not required.
How to apply
Eastside People is supporting Co-op Homes in the recruitment for this role. Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter, which should indicate why you are interested in applying for a Board member role and how you meet the role requirements.
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. Please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can make the application process work for you.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 24 May. Online shortlisting interviews will take place the next couple of weeks. Face-to-face interviews with the recruitment panel at CHS will take place on Thursday, 13 June 2024.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
At Watford & Three Rivers Refugee Partnership, our objective is to provide practical and emotional support, ultimately helping our clients achieve a sustainable position as full members of our society. Many of our clients are destitute, homeless and have no access to assistance from the government. Our mission is to provide access to advice and essential services until statutory services are in place.
Volunteering at the Drop-In centre provides an opportunity for you to help our refugee clients with any issues they might have. We have sessions running every Tuesday between 11am and 1pm at St Mary’s Church, High Street, Watford. The Drop-In provides an opportunity for refugee clients to come and discuss any issues they have and to be listened to by one of our volunteers. Many of our clients are likely to have lived here for a while but an issue or crisis in their lives means that they need to discuss it and seek some help. They may also be in the process of seeking asylum. We can provide advice and sometimes resolve their issue there and then and at other times we refer them to another agency or invite them to come back once their issue has been looked into.
The Drop-In Centre could not function without our team of committed volunteers, and we are always looking for additional help.
Full training given on starting the role as well as regular training sessions and continual support from more experienced volunteers.
Responsibilities:
· Help with filling in forms and interpreting official documents.
· Liaising with statutory and voluntary agencies.
· Referring clients for follow up action by our Case Review Team and linking them with a befriender.
· Referring clients to our partner solicitor who specialises in immigration law and comes to the Drop-In 4th Tuesday of the month.
· Advice on how to access appropriate housing and free food in the area.
· Access to the charity’s other services, such as free English classes.
Requirements:
· Able to attend at least one Tuesday Drop-In a month.
· Complete training as required and attend bi-monthly volunteer support meetings.
Skills:
· An ability to communicate and empathise with people from a variety of backgrounds and needs.
· Basic IT skills.
· Assist clients in accessing essential services such as legal, housing, financial and food.
· Can work well as part of a team.
· Enthusiasm to help refugee clients.
Desirable experience:
· Previous volunteering experience.
· Previous experience working in a people-facing role.
If you are interested in becoming a Drop-In volunteer please apply via Charity Jobs or contact us and a volunteer coordinator will contact you to discuss this further.
Please send CV to apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
If you are a history buff, a lover of London or are passionate about museums then we want to hear from you!
London Canal Museum is dedicated to educating and inspiring our visitors with the history of London’s canals – how they’ve shaped London’s development, the ordinary people that lived and worked on them, as well as the entrepreneurs who profited from them. We want to pass on the heritage of the canals so that future generations can learn about London’s industrial and social past.
Role Location:
London Canal Museum, 12-13 New Wharf Road, London, N1 9RT. We are a 5-10 minute walk from Kings Cross St Pancras tube and rail stations.
Role hours:
- One shift a fortnight, from 9.45am until 4.45pm
- The Museum is open Tuesday - Sundays
Role purpose:
The role of the Front of House volunteer is vital to the life of London Canal Museum – in small teams, volunteers in this role ensure the building is open and ready to welcome visitors each day, greet visitors and educate them about the museum’s exhibits and history, keep visitors safe and answer enquiries to keep the museum running smoothly across the day.
Key Tasks:
- Open and close the museum and ensure it is presentable and ready to receive visitors
- Greet visitors, welcome them into the museum and engage with them about the exhibits and history of the building
- Sell admissions, gifts and books, and ensure the till procedures are followed correctly
- Answer telephone and in-person enquiries
- Provide refreshments and assistance during group visits
- Maintain the various museum areas and ensure they are presentable
- Follow museum policies and procedures to ensure the building, volunteers, staff and visitors are safe and well at all times
- Training and support
All volunteers are line managed by the Volunteering and Training Manager, who provides comprehensive inductions and training to all Front of House volunteers in core areas including:
- Visitor Engagement
- Customer Service
- Health & Safety
- Accessibility in Museums
- Child Protection
- Retail Skills (including using the till)
Benefits to you:
- Learn about the history of London’s canals, the people who lived and worked on them, and their place in the industrial revolution, as well as the ice trade and history of the building
- Meeting new people and having opportunities to socialise with fellow volunteers at events – you will be a part of a community of over 70 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds
- Build your experience of working in museums, heritage and visitor engagement
- Develop your skills in customer service, team work, communication and other key workplace skills
- Opportunities for further involvement with the museum – including archiving and collections care, events, administration, education and guiding walks and boat trips.
- Free entry to the museum and museum events, 10% off in our shop, discounted venue hire and 50% off museum entry for up to 4 friends and family at a time.
- We also have volunteer events, parties and trips that you can enjoy!
- References can be given for all volunteers who volunteer regularly for 6 months or more
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our House Experience Volunteers add the sparkle to any visit – giving everyone a warm welcome, bringing stories from Ickworth to life and helping people get the best out of their day.
This role will suit you if you are:
- Warm and friendly.
- Someone with a curious and inquisitive nature, with an ability to engage our visitors, ask questions and facilitate conversations.
- Able to listen thoughtfully and actively.
- Someone with exceptional customer service standards- a desire to put visitors before everything else.
- A good storyteller, with a talent for reading body language and thinking on your feet
- Sensitive to visitor and volunteer needs – working as an effective team member.
- Willing to develop your knowledge of Ickworth, its history and vast collections.
Tasks and responsibilities
- Responding to the diverse needs of visitors, including people with additional access needs.
- Sharing inspirational stories, curious facts and practical information or simply the space for visitors to wander at their own pace.
- Helping visitors to discover more, answering questions and making suggestions so they can enjoy their day, their way.
- Being an ambassador for the whole property and the National Trust. Helping visitors understand the full scope of the offer at Ickworth beyond the house.
- Learning more about Ickworth, so you can share your knowledge and stories of the family and their collections with visitors.
- Responding to the changing needs of Ickworth – supporting ongoing interpretation strategies in the House.
- Supporting with health and safety and evacuation procedures if required.
- Being part of a team that may need to adapt and change in response to local needs, National Trust priorities or changes to government guidelines
By getting involved you could·
- Become part of a friendly and dedicated team.
Spend time with us at Ickworth, learn about its history, stories and enjoy its beauty. - Meet people from all walks of life
- Find an opportunity to use your existing skills and develop new ones.
Improve your communication skills.
Get a warm glow by knowing you have made a difference to someone’s day out with us.
You’d also be joining Europe’s largest conservation charity and the wider National Trust team proudly looking after 780 miles of coastline, over 250,000 hectares of land, over 500 historic houses, castles, ancient monuments, gardens, parks and nature reserves (including lighthouses, villages, pubs and a gold mine!). We are a unique charity welcoming millions of people each year and with a vision to open up places for the benefit of everyone, for ever.
All National Trust volunteers will be asked to
- Respect and uphold the National Trust values whilst volunteering with us.
- Complete training required of all NT volunteers and any role specific training
- Adhere to relevant policies and processes including safeguarding, health and safety, and equality and diversity.
We want all our volunteers to feel welcome and to have an equally positive experience when volunteering with us. So, volunteers will:
- Be provided with the necessary induction, training, equipment and reasonable adjustments to do this role well and safely
- Be offered expenses to cover agreed travel costs between home and place of volunteering.
- Have remote access to support, news and rotas via our volunteer website
Skills acquired: Adaptability, Communication Skills, Community Development, Customer Service, Event Support, Exhibition Arts, Fundraising, Interpersonal Skills, Public Relations, Public Speaking, Teamwork, Visual Arts
Are you great on the phone? Good at taking down details and helping people when they're struggling? Our advice line is a vital service to people experiencing domestic abuse and is available 24 hours. Due to an increase in calls to our service, we're looking for volunteers to help expand our coverage to ensure no call goes unanswered.
Working closely with our trained team of experts, advice line volunteers will offer callers reliable information, friendly support, and useful signposting. Volunteers would need to be available for approximately 2 hours on a regular basis each week, during either our daytime (9am to 4pm) sessions or evening (4pm – 10pm) sessions. After a period of training, this role can be carried out from home or from our Northampton refuge.
Full training for the role will be give and you will always be supported by our team of experts when dealing with cases. Regular mentoring sessions are provided along with access to a volunteer coordinator and all in-house training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
OxTrail, where a herd of life-sized and mini oxen will be grazing across the county waiting for visitors. Each ox sculpture will be individually designed by artists and local schools, making the herd truly unique.
Are you ready to join the Moo-Crew?
The main purpose of the OxTrail Hub Volunteer is to support the team to sell OxTrail merchandise in the OxTrail Westgate hub store, promote OxTrail and the charity and enhance the fundraising income.
How can you help?
- Commit for minimum of 4 hours per week during OxTrail
- Engage with trail goers and act as trail ambassadors
- Answer questions and generally promote the trail, the charity and the city
- Circulate trail maps and fundraising information
- Facilitate fundraising activity and collections at certain sculptures on the trail at key times
- Support the pop-up shop selling trail merchandise including visual merchandising, till support, stock preparation and counting
- Supporting the team with administration and maintaining good housekeeping standards
- Carry out any other duties deemed appropriate by the Manager
- Opportunity to support farewell and auction events, or help with the OxTrail survey
What’s in it for you?
- Making a difference to others lives
- Learning new skills or updating your current ones
- Giving something back to your local community
- Being part of a friendly team and a caring organisation
- Gaining confidence
- Enhancing your CV
- Experience working in a high profile retail location
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Client Support volunteer - Blackburn
Role summary
You will be an invaluable part of the team supporting the Shelter Lancashire hub to deliver frontline services at the Shelter Lancashire Hub in Blackburn Central Library and in local community settings. This volunteer role is about developing your knowledge and skills to support local people with a range of benefit, debt and housing issues, providing practical support for clients and helping people to help themselves. You will gain experience of volunteering within a recognised national housing charity, while supporting your local community.
Suggested Involvement: minimum of 4 hours 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 Lancashire Hub based at Blackburn Central Library. Volunteering activity could be in the Hub or in our community settings.
Supervised by: Volunteer Support Officer
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.
As a client support volunteer your activity could involve phone, online, email and face to face contact (as appropriate) to clients needing help and guidance around a range of housing, benefit and debt issues. This role supports our specialist advice and community work and enables us to offer and deliver a broader range of help to the local community. There is also the opportunity to support involvement with people with lived experience and engage in our local and national campaigning activities.
Range of activities
- Meeting and greeting clients contacting the service;
- Assisting clients with form filling, paperwork and applications around housing, benefit and debt processes;
- Showing clients how to log in and navigate online forms
- Digital skills, supporting people with language barriers to access information.
- Helping people become confident in navigating online systems so people can find help;
- Giving out information and leaflets and supporting clients to use our website;
- ‘Signposting’ people to other services and making referrals to other agencies we work with;
- Contacting clients for appointments, feedback on their case, opinions on the services accessed;
- Updating and maintaining our agencies database;
- Shadowing Advice/Case Workers in the hub and in community settings and providing support where needed;
Skills and experiences required
- Effective communication skills and the willingness to understand the needs of our customers.
- Interest in social welfare law e.g. housing; welfare benefits; debt; community care
- Ability or a willingness to work towards organising and managing your own activity.
- Ability to use computers and programs such as Word and Excel and experience of accessing the Internet
- Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies, including volunteering, health & safety, GDPR, equality & diversity & confidentiality.
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 personalised volunteering plan, covering support, learning and development;
- Provide e-learning: Equality & Diversity, Health and Safety, Data Protection, Case Management Systems, Safeguarding, Environmental Awareness;
- Provide relevant training, coaching and shadowing to enable you to fulfil your role;
- 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
- Be part of a great team
- Build your confidence and develop transferable skills
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Client Support volunteer - Blackpool
Role summary
You will be an invaluable part of the team supporting the Shelter Lancashire hub to deliver frontline services in local community settings in Blackpool. This volunteer role is about developing your knowledge and skills to support local people with a range of benefit, debt and housing issues, providing practical support for clients and helping people to help themselves. You will gain experience of volunteering within a recognised national housing charity, while supporting your local community.
Suggested Involvement: minimum of 4 hours 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: Volunteering activity is in Blackpool & Poulton-le-Fylde, Thornton-Cleveleys & Lytham St Annes, Kirkham & Wesham.
Supervised by: Volunteer Support Officer
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.
As a client support volunteer your activity could involve phone, online, email and face to face contact (as appropriate) to clients needing help and guidance around a range of housing, benefit and debt issues. This role supports our specialist advice and community work and enables us to offer and deliver a broader range of help to the local community. There is also the opportunity to support involvement with people with lived experience and engage in our local and national campaigning activities.
Range of activities
- Meeting and greeting clients contacting the service.
- Assisting clients with form filling, paperwork and applications around housing, benefit and debt processes.
- Showing clients how to log in and navigate online forms.
- Digital skills, supporting people with language barriers to access information.
- Helping people become confident in navigating online systems so people can find help.
- Giving out information and leaflets and supporting clients to use our website.
- ‘Signposting’ people to other services and making referrals to other agencies we work with.
- Contacting clients for appointments, feedback on their case, opinions on the services accessed.
- Updating and maintaining our agencies database.
- Shadowing Advice/Case Workers in the hub and in community settings and providing support where needed.
Skills and experiences required
- Effective communication skills and the willingness to understand the needs of our customers.
- Interest in social welfare law e.g. housing; welfare benefits; debt; community care
- Ability or a willingness to work towards organising and managing your own activity.
- Ability to use computers and programs such as Word and Excel and experience of accessing the Internet
- Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies, including volunteering, health & safety, GDPR, equality & diversity & confidentiality.
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 personalised volunteering plan, covering support, learning and development;
- Provide e-learning: Equality & Diversity, Health and Safety, Data Protection, Case Management Systems, Safeguarding, Environmental Awareness;
- Provide relevant training, coaching and shadowing to enable you to fulfil your role;
- 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
- Be part of a great team
- Build your confidence and develop transferable skills
Next steps
Please complete an online application for this role. After you have applied, we will hold an informal recruitment conversation to discuss the role further.
Please note, you will be asked to declare any unspent convictions and complete a Basic Criminal Record 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.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About the Role
The Bridge Project is a well-established Bradford based charity with over 35 years’ experience delivering services and projects addressing a range of issues such as substance misuse, risk taking behaviours, relationships, housing, physical/mental health, and employment. We work with individuals, families, partners, and communities to improve people’s lives in a sustainable way, empowering people experiencing multiple barriers to achieve positive change.
We currently employ over 120 staff, 40% of whom are ‘experts by experience’ and have joined us through our volunteering programme. We are recognised as being innovative and recovery focused, and our services have been highlighted nationally as examples of best practice in the sector. Our portfolio of services and projects are constantly evolving in response to the changing needs of our service users and our local communities. Currently this includes recovery focussed drug treatment services, housing and resettlement support, access to education, training, and employment (ETE), volunteering programmes, support for people engaged with criminal justice services and befriending/mentoring services for people with significant barriers to recovery and community reengagement.
What will you be doing?
Our Trustees play a pivotal role in governing the Bridge Project. They are responsible for setting our strategic vision and priorities, ensuring our financial sustainability, and providing guidance and oversight to our operations. Our Board is committed to excellence, and we are looking for new individuals to bring fresh knowledge and experience to join us in this important work. We’re committed to creating a Board which is representative of the communities we support, bringing together those with a variety of skills and experiences, to help shape what we do and how we work. We’re particularly keen to hear from candidates from ethnically diverse backgrounds and from woman, however, we would be pleased to hear from you if you feel you can add value to our Board and would like to help us to make a positive contribution. This is a rewarding role and you do not need to have experience of been a Trustee before, as there will be a comprehensive induction.
As a Trustee, you will have the opportunity to bring commitment, energy and enthusiasm to the role with a passion for doing your best. You will work alongside other talented Trustees, engage with our staff and stakeholders, and contribute to our collective mission of empowering people experiencing multiple barriers to achieve positive change.
Our Trustees play a vital role in making sure that the Bridge Project achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that the charity has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the senior leadership team to enable The Bridge Project to grow and thrive, and through this, achieve our mission.
Time Commitment
We ask that you are able to devote time to attend 4 Trustee Board meetings per year, 4 Sub-Committee meetings per year and 1 Planning meeting. These are a mixture of in-person meetings in Bradford and zoom meetings. Meetings are currently held in the evening. Trustees are also encouraged to visit our premises to meet with the staff team and meet the people we support.
What Difference will you make?
You will be joining a friendly, highly engaged, and passionate group of likeminded Trustees who are keen to deepen the impact of the Bridge Project in local communities. As a Trustee, you will have a real opportunity to offer your unique skill set to help the strategic direction of the charity and directly contribute to these objectives.
You will collectively be responsible for ensuring that the Chief Officer and his team not only grow our services to meet everyone that needs them, but that the service we provide is of the highest quality. Last year we provided treatment and support to 4,900 individuals.
You will also have an opportunity to expand your knowledge of the voluntary and community sector and give something back to the local community as well as developing new skills.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking forward to welcoming up to three new trustees to our board. The Trustees are jointly responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, its financial health and developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals. This is an opportunity to be part of a regenerating charity with a key role in the town focused on alleviating poverty locally.
We have identified that our organisation will particularly benefit from skills in fundraising, marketing, finance and an understanding of the challenges around the running of a small charity that is growing. We are also fully committed to increasing the diversity of our board.
The duties and responsibilities of our trustees are as follows:
· Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy
· Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document (i.e. the trust deed, constitution or memorandum and articles of association), charity law, company law, employment law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
· Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public
· Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
· Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation
· Ensuring the effective and efficient administration and governance of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
· Understanding the responsibilities and liabilities of being a trustee
· Undertaking induction and relevant training as identified for the role
· Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation
· Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds
· Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the Chief Executive
· In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, supporting working groups, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.
Person Specification:
• A commitment to the organisation
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• A willingness to listen to others and share your views and opinions
• Strategic vision
• Good, independent judgement
• An ability to think creatively
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
We are here to prevent and relieve poverty, hardship and distress.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Islington SASS (Solace Advocacy and Support Service) offers vital on-going support to survivors, helping them to rebuild their lives through advice, advocacy & support. We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our team.
Our teams offer support to those affected by domestic and sexual violence in their community. Our teams supply information, advocacy and specialist services to increase service users’ safety and meet a range of needs – these can include ongoing safety concerns, emotional or housing support, reporting to the police, legal options and support through court, help around child contact, benefits and financial advice. As well as providing direct assistance, we also work to build capacity and develop expertise amongst professionals and agencies.
About the role
Islington SASS is a busy service, which receives many referrals every day. You will be supporting our duty team to process referrals and key admin work. If you are interested, you can also be trained to contact clients, making initial welcome or check in calls. You will be in the office in Camden one day a week on a Tuesday or Friday to support with this.
Who are we looking for?
No qualifications are needed for this role. We are looking for passionate volunteers who have:
- Excellent written and communication skills.
- Excellent computer literacy
- Good time management
- A non-judgmental and open approach.
What can you gain from this opportunity?
- Volunteers will receive excellent training from a dedicated team, and gain experience using a case management system, safeguarding, talking to survivors and processing referrals.
- You will be part of an inclusive and dynamic team and have opportunities to shadow different roles to develop knowledge and skills.
- This is a great role if you are interested in joining the sector or working with survivors of domestic abuse.
We offer great volunteer induction training, where you will be fully supported to understand, and carry put every aspect of the role. Training includes CPD accredited courses, and the opportunity to apply to complete the level 3 Understanding Domestic Abuse Award (DAPA), which is recognized by the Home Office.
Interviews will take place week of 27th May 2024
Solace exists to end the harm done through gender-based violence. Our aim is to work to prevent violence and abuse.
Volunteer with Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke on Trent
What will you do?
- complete an introduction to Citizens Advice and training for your role.
- talk to clients over the phone to explore what problems they’ve come for help with. If you are able to speak or hear over the phone you can train to give advice by email or webchat.
- find information about the clients’ problems and help them to understand their options.
- support clients to take action to resolve their problems. This might include drafting or writing letters, making phone calls, or referring the client to another organisation.
- write a summary of the clients’ problems and what action you’ve taken.
- look out for problems’ that are common, or are unfair, and write a short report about the problem or a letter to an elected official like an MP, AM or local councillor.
Some examples of what you could do:
- explore what benefits a client is entitled to and help them to complete a benefit application form.
- help a client who has problems with their landlord to understand their housing rights.
What’s in it for you?
- make a real difference to people’s lives.
- learn about a range of issues such as benefits, debt, employment, and housing.
- build on valuable skills such as communication, listening and problem solving, and increase your employability.
- work with a range of different people, independently and in a team.
- have a positive impact in your community.
And we’ll reimburse expenses too.
No prior experience is necessary in these areas as you’ll receive full training.
For individuals who are doing advice giving roles, and who are also training to be a solicitor, if you started training to be a solicitor before 1st September 2021, you may be able to get up to six months reduction in your training contract.
If you started training to be a solicitor after 1st September 2021, you may be able to include time spent volunteering (or working) in advice giving roles as part of (or all of) your qualifying work experience. See Solicitors Regulation Authority for more information.
What do you need to have?
You don’t need specific qualifications or skills, but you’ll need to:
- be friendly and approachable.
- be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own.
- have good listening skills.
- have good verbal and written communication skills.
- have good maths and IT skills.
- be able to understand information and explain it to others.
- be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection.
- be willing to undertake training in your role.
How much time do you need to give?
We ask for a minimum of 3 hours per week, for at least 12 months.
Many of our volunteers give one full day or two half days per week.
Valuing inclusion
Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, and we particularly welcome applications from racially minoritised people/people of colour, disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people.
If you are interested in becoming an adviser and would like to discuss flexibility around location, time, ‘what you will do’ and how we can support you please contact us.
Contact details
Contact Margaret Collin for more information or to request an application pack.
Location
You can volunteer at any of our offices in North Staffordshire: Hanley, Newcastle under Lyme, Biddulph, or Leek.
You can complete e-learning at the office of your choice, but you will need to be available to attend two training days at the Hanley office.
Head Office
Advice House
13-15 Cheapside
Hanley
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 1HL
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
English Conversation Club Volunteer
Role Summary:
We are looking for volunteers to facilitate our new English Conversation Club working in partnership with SAVTE (Sheffield Association for the Voluntary Teaching of English). The Conversation Club will support clients to enhance their English language skills and to understand how to respond to real life situations. Clients who are learning English as a second language will access the Conversation Club to learn and practice words and phrases that will benefit them in their daily lives. Each week you will prepare a relevant topic to discuss with clients. The topics will range from typical daily conversations to more specific housing related interactions.
Our expert partners SAVTE run various Conversation Clubs across the city. SAVTE will provide ongoing training for the role with access to a conversation group volunteers network and insightful events to meet with other peers. Shelter will facilitate the Conversation Club and manage the volunteer roles. This is a great opportunity to work alongside two forward-thinking Charities who are looking at innovative ways to improve people’s lives.
Volunteers must be passionate about helping others to make positive and meaningful changes in their lives. This role is perfect for individuals who have a passion for upskilling others, enjoy facilitating learning in an interactive and enriching environment, and can organise resources that offer purposeful conversation topics for clients.
Suggested Involvement: 2 hrs per week (30 mins preps, 1hr 30 mins session)
Availability: This volunteering opportunity will take place within our working hours, Monday-Friday, 9-5.
Location: Shelter Hub
Supervised by: Volunteer Coordinator
Why volunteer 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.
The Conversation Club is a new offer Shelter is delivering in partnership with SATVE. Shelter is aware that people with English as a second language have greater barriers to accessing help, support and acting on their rights. The Conversation Club aims to empower individuals to break down barriers they are facing and tackle discrimination within the housing system. The opportunity will also offer clients the chance to expand their understanding of the English Language and help them integrate into their communities, increase their employment prospects, and have other beneficial factors such as parents supporting children with their homework. This is a fantastic opportunity to offer individuals support to make transformative steps in their lives and join an exciting new initiative.
Main Tasks
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Initiate and facilitate a weekly Conversation Group with suitable topical discussions, ensuring participants involvement.
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Willing and able to work with participants from diverse cultures and background
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Manage or facilitate conversations in a group and provide positive guidance and encouragement.
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Refer any safeguarding issues or concerns to Shelter and SAVTE.
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Collect participants feedback and own comments and suggestions to improve sessions.
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Working with other volunteers to deliver sessions and ideas and resources and best practice.
Skills and Abilities required:
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Enthusiasm to support people to learn and empower them to improve their lives.
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Ability to facilitate discussion and involve the whole group in the conversations.
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An organised individual who will prepare the conversation topics on a weekly basis.
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Patience in communicating with individuals who speak English as a second language.
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Be friendly, welcoming, respectful, and have a positive attitude.
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Capacity to clearly relay information to others and communicate topics effectively.
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Willing to work with other people sharing ideas to enable the groups continued learning.
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Willingness to work with SAVTE to increase your knowledge and learn from other established conversation group volunteers.
Learning & Development
To enable you to take part in this opportunity Shelter will:
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Provide you with a Volunteer Handbook
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Provide a local induction into your role
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Provide access to eLearning including Equality & Diversity, Health & Safety, Data Protection, Environmental Awareness and Safeguarding
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Provide access to our other training appropriate to your role
Benefits of Volunteering with Shelter
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Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness
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Gain valuable work experience and enhance your CV
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Be part of a great team
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Build your confidence and develop transferable skills
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role Title:
Digital Team Volunteer, Glasgow
Role summary:
The role will provide support to the Scotland digital team including quality assurance and data collection, accessibility, and admin tasks.
The digital team research, design, develop and build the housing advice pages of the website as well as working with the wider Scotland team to produce the pages on the wider Scotland site.
Suggested Commitment:
Volunteer four hours per week for six months with a view to increase. This will be based in our Glasgow Office.
Supported by:
Carolina (Caz) Varanda, Content Designer
Why this role matters to Shelter Scotland:
Scotland is in the grip of a devastating housing emergency which damages lives every single day.
A record 9,595 children trapped in temporary accommodation – up 130% since 2014.
45 children become homeless every day.
A household becomes homeless every 16 minutes.
A 10% increase in households becoming homeless compared to last year.
Main Tasks:
- Quality assurance and data collection tasks including auditing the website in relation to imagery, broken links, collecting data and meta data.
- Helping to improve the accessibility of the site including adding alt text to images and checking links are formatted consistently.
- Admin tasks including tidying up unused and duplicate components on the content management system and adding acceptance criteria to user needs bank from the miro collaborative board.
- Attend team meetings including sprint planning, stand ups, crits and helping to (review) content.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Amy’s Place is a partnership between the Amy Winehouse Foundation and Clarion Housing, providing supported living accommodation for young women aged 18-30 in recovery from drugs, alcohol and other addictive behaviors.
An enthusiastic, reliable and compassionate volunteer with good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. The volunteer must be a fully qualified Dietitian or Nutritional Therapist and have training and/or experience working with individuals with eating disorders.
Activities
- Supporting the nutritional needs of young women with health issues on a limited budget.
- Providing support with meal planning, cooking skills, food safety, and day-to-day problem solving around food and eating.
- Providing wisdom and accurate nutrition education around healthy eating for the individual.
Qualifications/ Experience
- Must be a fully qualified Dietitian or Nutritional Therapist.
- As many of the residents have eating disorders it is essential for the volunteer to have training and/or clinical experience working with individuals with eating disorders.
- Must have professional liability insurance and be a member of a professional body ie. HCPC, BANT
- This role requires us to carry out a check through the Disclosure and Barring Service for the Enhanced DBS
Commitment
This is a flexible opportunity and volunteering times and frequency will vary depending on the volunteer’s availability and the needs of the residents. We recommend weekly one-to-one sessions for a minimum of 3 months.
Support
- Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training
- Reasonable travel and lunch expenses will be reimbursed
- The role is based at the service in East London. The exact address cannot be given until the volunteer starts due to safety and privacy reasons.