Housing and homelessness volunteer roles

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Could you prevent loneliness and isolation in your community and become a befriender?

• Do you have 2-3 hours a week to give to a client suffering from loneliness or mental health? (For a mutual agreement of time and locations that meet clients’ needs)
• Can you offer support, through a listening ear and be a positive influence in a client’s life to help build self-esteem and confidence?
• Will you enable our clients to benefit from knowing someone is there to listen, be a friend, and check in on their wellbeing?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include, but is not restricted to the following tasks:

• Carry out weekly checks with the clients you are supporting. This can be in a variety of settings, e.g., family home, support home, or in the community (via face-to-face meetings, phone or video calls)
• Have fun, take clients on outings, and maybe share a hobby, sport, or an interest
• Collect prescriptions for clients and assist with their weekly shop
• Help clients rediscover social skills and confidence by building up and maintaining a close relationship
• Report any concerns to the Volunteer Coordinator

Skills required

No qualifications or volunteering experience is required; however, the below skills are essential:

• A non-judgemental approach
• Good listening and communication skills
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Be able to work on own initiative
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

�� Help us grow a movement – one post, one story, one child at a time.

About Us
Unify Giving India connects donors directly with education opportunities for underprivileged children through trusted local charities. We believe giving should be personal, transparent, and impactful – and we’re building the digital tools to make that happen.

The Role
We’re on the lookout for a Digital Marketing Volunteer to help shape our online presence and grow a vibrant, engaged community of changemakers. You'll have real ownership, creative freedom, and the chance to help us scale something meaningful.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Running our social channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X)

• Creating and managing smart, targeted ad campaigns

• Optimising our website content and boosting SEO

• Bringing our mission to life through powerful digital storytelling

• Tracking progress and learning what works – and what doesn’t

What We’re Looking For

• 2+ years of digital marketing experience

• Comfortable across social media and ad platforms

• Great communicator in English (and ideally Hindi too)

• Creative, curious, and detail-oriented

• Genuinely passionate about social impact

What You’ll Get Out of It

• A chance to create real change in Indian communities

• Portfolio-worthy projects and new skills

• A flexible, remote setup (5–10 hours per week)

• A growing global network of purpose-driven people

• Certificate of volunteer service (and lots of gratitude!)

Sound like you?
Drop us a message – we’d love to chat ��

We’re looking to recruit additional trustees to join our board. We want our board to have a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds, so if you think you’re not a typical trustee, then you might be just what we’re looking for!

You don’t need to have had experience of Citizens Advice, or of being a Trustee – just a commitment and enthusiasm to help us shape the work and strategic direction of our forward-thinking charity.

Becoming a Trustee will give you the opportunity to gain experience in leadership, governance and strategy and is a great way to give something back to your local community – some employers may even give you time off to volunteer for a local charity.

Citizens Advice Winchester District provides free advice to over 5,000 local people each year, many of whom are in desperate or challenging situations and have nowhere else to turn.

The mentoring project at Esteem invites members of the community to share their skills and experience by mentoring a young person with similar interests. 

Mentoring is an important part of our organisation and runs alongside Work Experience opportunities, providing tailored volunteer opportunities to young people aged 14-26, social activities and wellbeing support.  Creating space for young adults to thrive within their lives and communities.

Role Purpose

This is an exciting opportunity to volunteer for a charity that is passionate about giving young people the chance to develop their skills and confidence, both for their own benefit and for that of society as a whole. 

You can make a difference by mentoring 14-26 year olds who are developing or discovering their potential.

The mentors’ role is to support young people reach their next step focusing on their vocational development and encouraging progression into or maintaining Education, Employment or Training. The profile of many of Esteem’s young adults is that they have low levels of confidence and may be quite anxious; some young people may be neurodiverse including have a history of mental health problems, they also may have faced homelessness and other life affecting issues including the effects of long term unemployment 

• You will be based at Esteem’s Shoreham office but may meet your mentee in a public place such as a coffee shop, if that is what you both prefer and meets safeguarding requirements.

• You will be skills matched with a young person who will have similar interests, experience or an interest in your professional field. You will support your mentee by identifying and highlighting their skills and establishing realistic and achievable goals by breaking them down into manageable steps. 

• You will enter notes onto our database system UpShot after each meeting with your mentee and will be asked to fill in an outcome form at the conclusion of your mentoring relationship. 

Principal tasks and responsibilities 

1. To meet with your mentee regularly (once a week or once a fortnight) at a convenient time for you both either at the Esteem’s office or in a public place like a cafe. 

2. To offer ongoing vocational support to your mentee and support them to access services (such as in-house Counselling or from external organisations) if they need help with any issues they are dealing with. 

3. To support your mentee through their vocational setting, either volunteering at Esteem or within their personal, work or educational setting.

4. To offer positive feedback and aim to build self-confidence with your mentee.

5. To keep up to date notes of your meetings.

6. Complete regular reviews with the mentee and create a clear action plan if appropriate.

7. Attend all relevant training to your role.

8. To report any safeguarding concerns to the Safeguarding Team.

9. To maintain the required level of confidentiality in all tasks and communications. 

10. Uphold the commitment of the organisation to equality and diversity and its set of values. 

Person Specification

Experience

For this round of recruitment we are looking primarily for those who work in the creative industry and those who may have started their own business and/or have an entrepreneurial background. That being said, we are more than happy to accept applications from those who feel they have other skills and experience that could benefit young adults.

Whilst some experience of mentoring or supporting young adults would be helpful this is something we will cover in the day’s training.

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge 

• Motivated by promoting the development and wellbeing of young people; providing opportunities for growth where possible 

• Ability to problem solve; feeling able to support young adults to overcome obstacles

• Ability to work on own initiative (with guidance from mentor manager) 

• A willingness to undertake a small amount of preparation for each session and to take accurate notes after each session

• Ability and willingness to use computer systems, including googlemail (training provided)

• Good interpersonal skills; ability to listen, empathise and relate to others

To apply please visit our website jobs page to find out more.

Applicants will be invited to attend a short pre-interview call.

We look forward to hearing from you.

The Role

Our Lotus Community works alongside the City of Edinburgh Council to provide accommodation for 14 young people (aged 16-18), who are unaccompanied asylum-seekers. They come from a variety of different countries.

The community is a step towards independent living, whilst they await a decision about their ‘leave to remain’ in the country. The asylum procedure can be a long, complicated, overwhelming and challenging process. We support the young people in the best way during this stressful time (and after). They are supported by social workers and a guardianship service as well.

What will you do as a volunteer?

We are looking for highly motivated individuals who work well independently, are proactive and can get involved in community activities. You will support the residents of the community and help look after your shared spaces in the flats. Most of the residents have basic living skills, including cooking, cleaning and budgeting. We offer further support where needed.

We can also help them gain confidence and knowledge of the local area. This is to enable them to take further steps towards independence and integration in the local community. This is also with the purpose of them moving on to accommodation that better suits their needs in the future.

Depending on the season, and interests and abilities of the residents, your tasks can include:

• Being a peer mentor and staying in touch with the residents via WhatsApp
• Organise our monthly community meeting
• Organise activities, which can be walks, cycling, board games night, karaoke, tea and cake (whatever your interests) for the residents to come along.
• Reporting issues with the flat, repairs etc.
• Making sure that all rooms always have the equipment needed (cleaning products, toilet roll, hand sanitiser, condoms etc).
• Updating your (online) calendar for the week, so everyone knows when you are volunteering and not.
• Working together with your fellow volunteer(s) to organise activities and arrange rota.

What you get:

Location: You will live in a studio bedroom in the flat alongside the young residents. You will not pay for rent or bills (including internet).

Time: 20 hours per week for minimum 6 months. These are during the evening and weekends, with exception for a few hours spent in meetings and alike.

You can volunteer and work part time at the same time. You will organise your volunteering hours with the other volunteer.

We will provide support and training needed for you to engage with the tasks and young people in a safe manner. Support, supervision and team meetings are every month.

A Peer Mentor is a volunteer who has experienced similar challenges and experiences as the person they are supporting. Being a peer mentor is seen as a positive and secure way to progress towards education, work, or employment.

Volunteers who take on peer support roles can feel empowered, have a greater confidence and a more positive sense of identity.

Could you provide an authentic voice that our clients can relate to?

· Do you have 1-2 hours a week to support a client

· Can you inspire others, give them hope through self-disclosure and by being an example of recovery?

· Build relationships based on trust, acceptance, understanding and an empathy from a shared lived experience?

· Can we rely on you to tap into your own experiences to help us identify barriers and gaps in our services and how we can be improving and identify good practice?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

· Inspiring service users by using your own life experiences and by being a positive role model

· Providing a safe sounding space, listen in a non-judgemental way

· Helping to improve wellbeing, confidence, and independence by exploring activities that promote this

· Assist service users to engage with formalised support

· Attend appropriate training and development opportunities as required

Overview

Do you enjoy cleaning and creating an organised space for customers and team members?

We are looking for stock presentation volunteers to support our Scarborough Community Furniture Store in keeping it clean, tidy and presentable, making it a welcoming and pleasant space for customers, staff, and fellow volunteers.

We are currently looking for volunteers to assist on a Monday, Friday and Saturday. This is a flexible role designed to meet you where you're at and you will be joining a supportive charity team.

Responsibilities of the Role:

• Cleaning the shop floor and back-office areas, including:
• Vacuuming
• Sweeping
• Mopping
• Emptying and cleaning bins
• Cleaning toilets and replenishing toiletries
• General tidying and cleaning such as dusting and wiping
• Checking stock levels of cleaning equipment
• Reporting any defects, hazards, or breakages throughout the shop
• Spot cleaning and tidying, such as spills

Skills required:

• You will need to communicate well with the rest of the store team
• You will need to be a positive, helpful and friendly representative of Community Stores, as when working in the store you are likely to interact with a variety of customers

What you’ll get from us:

• Full training in health and safety and role specific skills
• Support and mentorship from a member of our team
• Supporting people in your local community who need it most as part of a supportive team
• Opportunities for training and development - in the past this has included First Aid & PAT Testing training sessions
• Relevant PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

We are proud to offer our volunteers training and development opportunities and work with a variety of volunteers from a range of backgrounds - whether you have lots of experience and just want to lend a helping hand, or are looking to build your confidence and gain experience and skills, we will meet you where you are at.

What we expect from you:

• A minimum time commitment of 3 hours per week
• Being punctual, reliable, and ready to help as part of the team
• We are currently looking for volunteers on MONDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

Who this role would suit:

• Those looking to gain skills and experience in cleaning & housekeeping
• Those with a background in cleaning and housekeeping looking to share these skills as part of a voluntary role
• Anybody willing to learn, support, and be part of the CFS team

Volunteer: “I wanted to take on a volunteering opportunity to gain confidence and learn new skills and CFS has helped me achieve that”

This role supports Aspire’s external messaging and local relationships, helping us stay visible, responsive, and connected. Volunteers in this role contribute to communications, digital content, and engagement with potential allies and funders.

A Peer Mentor is a volunteer who has experienced similar challenges and experiences as the person they are supporting. Being a peer mentor is seen as a positive and secure way to progress towards education, work, or employment.

Volunteers who take on peer support roles can feel empowered, have a greater confidence and a more positive sense of identity.

Could you provide an authentic voice that our clients can relate to?

· Do you have 1-2 hours a week to support a client

· Can you inspire others, give them hope through self-disclosure and by being an example of recovery?

· Build relationships based on trust, acceptance, understanding and an empathy from a shared lived experience?

· Can we rely on you to tap into your own experiences to help us identify barriers and gaps in our services and how we can be improving and identify good practice?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

· Inspiring service users by using your own life experiences and by being a positive role model

· Providing a safe sounding space, listen in a non-judgemental way

· Helping to improve wellbeing, confidence, and independence by exploring activities that promote this

· Assist service users to engage with formalised support

· Attend appropriate training and development opportunities as required

Volunteer with Shelter at the Sandringham Half Marathon 2025

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our team at the Sandringham Half Marathon. All we need you to do is create an inspirational buzz and provide much needed support to our fantastic runners, helping them in their mission to raise money for our Fight for Home.

Date: Sunday 28th September 2025

Time: 9:00am – 1:30pm (approx.)

Location: Sandringham Estate, Norfolk

Volunteer role: Cheer, Cheer, Cheer!!!

The main thing we need you to do is cheer! You will be a vital part of race day, supporting 10 Shelter runners from the side lines who  are raising money for the fight for home! You’ll need to help create a high energy, friendly atmosphere, motivating everyone on race day to do their best.

Your support is not only an amazing motivator to our event participants, but volunteering is also an opportunity to have fun, meet new people and experience some wonderful community spirit whilst contributing towards our mission.

Next steps

If you would like to volunteer at this event, please fill in an application. After you have applied, we’ll be in touch to say hi and discuss the volunteering opportunity 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.

Lead contact: Maya Brodie-Dowden

Summary

The gardening and growing volunteer will support our accommodation sites in maintaining their outdoor spaces at our sites across Hertfordshire and Bucks including

Brindle Court, Watford
Northgate End, Bishop's Stortford
Our smaller sites in Stevenage, Hoddesdon and Hemel Hempstead 
Crest Rd, High Wycombe

Detailed description

Having access to a secure garden or outdoor area can be crucial for providing opportunities to socialise and relax, which can be invaluable for the mental well-being of our residents.

The gardening and growing volunteer will support our accommodation sites in maintaining their outdoor spaces, including:

·Weeding

·Sweeping

·Pruning

·Clearing leaves and large twigs

·Watering plants

·Planting bulbs and tidying up flower beds

We would love for this to be an opportunity to involve our residents and potentially lead a gardening activity with them, equipping them with knowledge and skills to maintain their own green spaces in the future. 

You will need:

• Enjoy working outside in all weathers.
• An interest/basic knowledge of gardening
• Role requires some degree of physical work and lifting/manual handling
• To work under your own initiative.
• Good communication skills
• Opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills

A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided as well as access to training and events throughout the year!

Some sites have basic tools however any additional tools and material required can be discussed with your volunteer manager .

What volunteers need:
You will be required to under go a Disclosure and Barring Service check and provide details of 2 x referees

What we will provide to volunteers:

• Reimbursement of costs
• Full training and induction
• Access to events and celebrations throughout the year 

This role supports Aspire’s commitment to healing, dignity and community resilience. Volunteers help facilitate or support creative and wellbeing activities that foster connection, confidence and recovery

Women's Aid Luton is seeking a visionary and dedicated Chair of the Board to lead and support the transformation and growth of our small yet impactful charity.

Women’s Aid Luton supports over 800 of society's most vulnerable women and children each year, helping them escape horrific abuse and violence. We provide a safe haven across our five refuges in Luton, operate a helpline, and offer bespoke assistance for families. Our services include access to legal advice, mental health support, employment assistance, and resettlement aid.

One of our refuges is dedicated to women from South Asian communities, with staff who speak Punjabi, Bengali, and Urdu. We also have a refuge for single women with complex support needs, such as mental health issues and drug and alcohol dependencies, often stemming from the trauma of domestic violence and abuse.

In addition to our direct support services, we focus on prevention and intervention by working with schools to raise awareness of domestic abuse. We are committed to disrupting exploitative and abusive relationships to prevent loss of life and reduce the long-term economic and social costs to society. Our services contribute to creating a safer, more compassionate community, supporting women and children from diverse socio-economic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, including those with complex needs.

With the current challenges facing our sector, we are focused on creating financial sustainability and resilience within the organisation, focusing on a robust funding strategy and a dynamic response to risk.

Our current Chair will come to the end of their term next year, and therefore we’re seeking a new Chair to support the charity in delivering our vital work.

The Chair of Trustees is a pivotal role within our organisation. Your leadership and dedication will be instrumental in ensuring we not only maintain but also expand our vital support and services for those in need. By guiding our strategic vision and fostering a culture of compassion and excellence, you will directly impact the lives of countless vulnerable women and children, helping them rebuild their lives and find hope for the future. Your commitment will drive our mission forward, creating lasting change and a safer, more supportive community for all.

What are we looking for?

EXPERIENCE

• An understanding and passion for the violence against women and girls sector
• Significant experience as a non-executive
• An understanding of UK charity governance and working with or as part of a Board of Trustees
• Experience of operating at a senior strategic leadership level
• An ability to network with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Sensitivity and discretion in dealing with staff and service user issues.
• Significant experience and success in leading groups of people in either a professional or voluntary capacity to achieve results.
• Experience of chairing meetings.
• Significant experience of managing, motivating, and developing people.
• Strong experience of developing, deploying, and evaluating strategic plans with a view to maximising impact and benefit.
• Experience of financial management and a broad understanding of charity finance issues

 SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Exceptional leadership skills; able to cultivate effective collaboration but also comfortable in taking responsibility for difficult choices.
•  Effective strategic communicator: able to articulate Women’s Aid Luton’s vision and engage and inspire others both within the organisation and externally.
• Highly effective relationship and alliance building abilities.
• Sound judgement with high capacity for self-reflection.
• Capacity to support both Board and Executive development.
• An ability to work within the realistic expectations and limitations for the Charity

ATTRIBUTES

• Dynamic leadership style that guides and inspires the Board and Executive to fulfil their respective responsibilities.
• A strong personal commitment to improving Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Collaborative approach with excellent interpersonal skills.
• A strong personal commitment to Women’s aid Luton’s vision and mission replace with: Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to the charity, its strategic objectives and cause
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage effectively
• Strong networking capabilities that can be utilised for the benefit of the charity
• Ability to commit time to conduct the role well, including travel and attending events out of office hours

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

The initial appointment is for a three-year term but can be extended for one further term for a maximum of six years. 

 “Joining Women’s Aid in Luton as a Board member has enabled me to use my professional expertise in a way that gives back to the community. I know that all the energy and time I give is helping to strengthen the organisation and ultimately the women and children it seeks to support. Joining the Board has been immensely rewarding and I highly recommend it as a valuable way to volunteer your time for a good cause.” – current Board Trustee at Women’s Aid in Luton.

Due to the sensitive nature of this role, we will be considering female volunteers only for this post in accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Requirement (Equality Act 2010, pursuant to schedule 9 part 1). Applicants will be required to have a satisfactory enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We actively encourage applications from women from a variety of backgrounds, and with a range of skills and experiences. We are particularly interested to hear from women from Black, Asian and minoritised communities and women who have personal experience of domestic abuse.

If you have some time, energy and interest in the domestic abuse sector and believe you can make a difference to Women’s Aid Luton, we would love to hear from you.

This role is key to building Aspire’s visibility in the local community and connecting with individuals who may be in need of support but unaware of available services. Outreach volunteers help create a warm, informed bridge between Aspire and the public.