Information And Advice Volunteer Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are currently on the hunt from some volunteers to help support our weekly Speak Out Central drop-ins.
Speak Out Central is a weekly drop-in for people with learning disabilities in the centre of Brighton, helping to prevent loneliness and social isolation. People get together over a cuppa at main office at the Brighthelm Centre between 2pm and 5pm every Tuesday. We aim to support people to be more involved in their local community and make connections with others at the drop-in and the wider community in the city.
The role involves:
- To help facilitate weekly drop-in meetings with other volunteers and staff
- Work with people with Learning disabilities to become more independent and try new things away from the drop-in
- Support people with learning disabilities to develop supportive relationships and friendships
- Support people with learning disabilities to feel more confident accessing mainstream services.
- Attend induction training and ongoing training as required.
- To work independently as needed and adhere to the Speak Out Codes of Practice for Volunteers and Advocates at all times
- Support people in the decisions they make but not make them for them.
- To challenge discrimination and help people to have their rights upheld.
- To identify at risk clients and follow Speak Out’s safeguarding process if needed
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
We are currently seeking a Chair to join our dynamic charity board as our current chair is coming towards the end of their term.
We are a highly engaged board who is passionate about ensuring our charity makes a big difference to Lewisham residents, especially to the most vulnerable people. We work in a collegiate way, respecting the diverse viewpoints board members bring to the table and hold ourselves to high professional standards.
The Chair will work closely with the CEO, staff, volunteers and other Trustees to support Citizens Advice Lewisham in making a difference in the lives of people who live and work in the Borough.
General Trustee duties and responsibilities
Each individual member of the Trustee Board has a responsibility to contribute to the discharging of the board’s duties. They do this by:
● Governing the charity in the best interest of the clients and in line with the governing documents.
● Actively contributing to setting policy and strategic direction, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance and ensuring effective oversight of the charity’s activities. This includes visiting Citizens Advice Lewisham to get to know the team and being aware of the service in action.
● Taking responsibility for their own learning and development.
● Monitoring whether the service complies with its governing document and how well the advice needs of the local community are being met.
● Supporting the development of Citizens Advice Lewisham through agreed projects and managing risk.
● Maintaining confidentiality about any sensitive or confidential information received.
Chair specific responsibilities
Plan the board meetings including the dates and the agenda, supported by the CEO.
● Facilitate the trustee board meetings by leading the meeting, ensuring that agenda items are discussed, enabling all members to contribute their views and take part and seeking clarification where necessary.
● Ensure that decisions and actions taken at board meetings are carried out.
● Ensure that the board decisions are made within the remit of the Citizens Advice membership agreement, governing documents and policies.
● Monitor attendance and commitment of all trustees.
● Provide or arrange for training or support for trustees if needed.
● With other trustees and the CEO, recruit a trustee board with a diverse range of skills, experience and knowledge with an aim to promote trusteeship to underrepresented groups that represent the local community.
● Ensure that all trustees receive an induction and the training needed for them to fulfil their role.
● Be proactive in recruiting successors to key positions such as Chair, Treasurer etc.
● Arrange or provide support and supervision for the CEO including an annual appraisal.
● Together with the Treasurer, ensure proper management and control of local Citizens Advice finances.
● Together with the CEO, represent the local Citizens Advice in relationships with funders or potential funders, local events and in the community.
● Work together with all trustees and ensure that the board is able to:
● Set policy and strategy direction, set targets and evaluate the performance of the local Citizens Advice.
● Monitor the financial position of the local Citizens Advice ensuring that it operates within its means and objectives, ensuring that there are clear lines of accountability for day to day financial management.
● Monitor whether the Citizens Advice service complies with its governing document and meets the required standards.
● Seek the views of all sections of the community and monitor how well the service meets the needs of the local community.
● Ensure that the service plans for the recruitment and turnover of staff and volunteers.
● Review its own work and how effectively it operates including action for improvement.
● Work on specific projects to further the strategic objectives of the local Citizens Advice.
General Trustee skills and qualities
● Ability to meet time commitment.
● Commitment to clients and ensuring the impact of Citizens Advice Lewisham in the local community.
● Ability to fulfil governance role, specifically to manage risks, ensure oversight and strategic development of the charity.
● Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
● Willingness to gain knowledge of local needs and resources.
● Commitment to the aims, principles and policies of the Lewisham CAB service, including those relating to equal opportunities, independence, and research and campaigns.
● Ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as Trustees and employers.
● Willingness and ability to learn and to develop.
● Ability to think creatively and strategically, and exercise good, independent judgement.
● Ability to build productive respectful relationships with other Trustees, staff and volunteers.
● Willingness to actively participate in discussions concerning needs of the charity’s beneficiaries, staff and the Trustee board.
● Willingness to act in the best interest of the charity.
● Sound, independent judgement and ability to think creatively.
● Working effectively as a team member and demonstrating a willingness to learn and develop.
Chair specific skills and qualities
● Preferable experience in trustee board governance.
● Excellent interpersonal skills.
● Good leadership skills.
● Ability to facilitate and lead meetings.
● An understanding of the responsibilities and liabilities as trustees.
● Ability to be non-judgmental and respecting views, values and cultures that are different to your own.
● Good numeracy skills to understand financial accounts with the support of the treasurer.
● An understanding of the type of work undertaken by a local Citizens Advice.
Time Commitment and availability to attend required meetings
a) As Chair
● Quarterly governance committee meetings (each 11⁄2 hours plus prep).
● On average half a day per week working with the organisation on chair matters.
b) As Trustee
● Quarterly evening Trustee Board meetings (each 21⁄2 hours plus prep).
● One annual Trustee Board awayday (weekend – 5 hours plus prep).
● Liaison with CEO and colleague Trustees by phone, e-mail or Skype (occasional).
● Day-time visits to our offices to understand our work and engage with staff/volunteers (occasional).
● Two annual stakeholder events (one evening event, one mid-week all-day event).
● Liaising with other trustees and CEO via email and phone in between meetings.
● Where required, leading independently on key projects.
● Any further day time visits and meetings that may arise during the year.
What’s in it for you?
● You will contribute to making a positive impact for people in Lewisham.
● You will meet people and build relationships with trustees, staff and other volunteers.
● You will build on your governance, leadership and strategy skills.
Remuneration
This is an unpaid voluntary role and reasonable expenses will be covered by advance agreement.
Diversity
We seek candidate Trustees from all backgrounds so that our board represents the diversity of our community. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
As services are delivered in a small geographic area applicants should ideally live, work or study in, or near, Lewisham or have some local knowledge of the area.
How to apply
Application: Please send us a CV highlighting relevant skills and experience you will bring to the role along with a completed Application Form
Closing date: 31 May 2024
Interviews: 17 June 2024
Contact: If you would like to have a conversation with someone about this role, please get in touch with the Head of Business & Development who can set up a chat with the Chair or CEO.
Disclosure: Applicants must complete the Disclosure and EDI Form as part of their application.
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!
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just patience, and an ability to get on with people from different backgrounds and age groups. If so, this could be the role for you.
What is a Visitor?
SSAFA Visitors provide support to isolated people living at home or in residential care. Whilst a friendly chat about the old days over a cup of tea is an important aspect of the role you will also be able to recognise any other support needs and explore how to link your client into their local community.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
With the gift of time and a listening ear you can improve someone’s quality of life for far longer than the hour or so you might spend with them. We need you to join your local SSAFA team to help us to help more people!
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need a driving licence and access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or elsewhere.
Some volunteers will visit more people than others. Whilst you will visit a client on a regular basis for a period, you will not be developing the kind of relationship where you would provide personal care, handle money or support someone in an emergency. SSAFA can help clients to arrange other types of support if needed.
What would you be doing?
- Contacting clients and arranging to meet them regularly at their home or care home for uninterrupted conversation.
- Letting the divisional secretary know of any concerns for your or the client’s safety.
- Arranging for a SSAFA caseworker to assess the client for other support as required.
- Chatting, making a cup of tea, playing cards, looking at photo albums, military mementos etc
- Helping your client to think about ways to reduce their isolation and support them to put these into practice.
- Keeping in touch with your branch so they know your availability.
- Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
- Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and Data Protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)
The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.
What could you gain from this volunteering role?
- Support people in your community with a military background using your patience, time, and empathy.
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
- Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression.
What training and support would you receive?
- Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, friendship, and befriending. This training would take approx. 4 hours.
- Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
- Local Induction
- Access to the Volunteer Support Team based at our central office.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.
What are we looking for?
- Friendly and approachable people with good listening skills, patience, and a cheerful attitude
- Good spoken English
- Ability to be respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues.
- Ability to keep within the boundaries of the role with regards to friendship, finances etc.
- Reliable attitude, contact clients promptly, keep regular appointments, update the branch regarding your availability.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely (within SSAFA policies)
- Willingness to travel by public transport or car to appointments with clients.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.
Minimum Age: 18
Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.
References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)
Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer This role requires an enhanced check.
*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.
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!
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just patience, and an ability to get on with people from different backgrounds and age groups. If so, this could be the role for you.
What is a Visitor?
SSAFA Visitors provide support to isolated people living at home or in residential care. Whilst a friendly chat about the old days over a cup of tea is an important aspect of the role you will also be able to recognise any other support needs and explore how to link your client into their local community.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
With the gift of time and a listening ear you can improve someone’s quality of life for far longer than the hour or so you might spend with them. We need you to join your local SSAFA team to help us to help more people!
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need a driving licence and access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or elsewhere.
Some volunteers will visit more people than others. Whilst you will visit a client on a regular basis for a period, you will not be developing the kind of relationship where you would provide personal care, handle money or support someone in an emergency. SSAFA can help clients to arrange other types of support if needed.
What would you be doing?
- Contacting clients and arranging to meet them regularly at their home or care home for uninterrupted conversation.
- Letting the divisional secretary know of any concerns for your or the client’s safety.
- Arranging for a SSAFA caseworker to assess the client for other support as required.
- Chatting, making a cup of tea, playing cards, looking at photo albums, military mementos etc
- Helping your client to think about ways to reduce their isolation and support them to put these into practice.
- Keeping in touch with your branch so they know your availability.
- Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
- Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and Data Protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)
The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.
What could you gain from this volunteering role?
- Support people in your community with a military background using your patience, time, and empathy.
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
- Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression.
What training and support would you receive?
- Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, friendship, and befriending. This training would take approx. 4 hours.
- Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
- Local Induction
- Access to the Volunteer Support Team based at our central office.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.
What are we looking for?
- Friendly and approachable people with good listening skills, patience, and a cheerful attitude
- Good spoken English
- Ability to be respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues.
- Ability to keep within the boundaries of the role with regards to friendship, finances etc.
- Reliable attitude, contact clients promptly, keep regular appointments, update the branch regarding your availability.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely (within SSAFA policies)
- Willingness to travel by public transport or car to appointments with clients.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.
Minimum Age: 18
Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.
References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)
Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer This role requires an enhanced check.
*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.
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!
RNID Near You volunteer
Role description
Our volunteers are vital in helping us make life fully inclusive for the 12 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. RNID hugely value the contribution of our volunteers and we achieved the Investing in Volunteers quality mark in 2023.
What you’ll be doing
RNID Near You volunteers help us provide free, in-person drop-in sessions for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, or want to get their hearing checked. Our volunteers:
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Meet and greet people visiting our services, find out what service or information they’re looking for and direct them to the right place.
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Support hearing aid users by doing basic maintenance on their hearing aids and providing tips for getting the most from hearing aids.
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Help people to take the RNID online hearing check. They take people through the steps in person on a digital tablet.
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Provide information on a range of topics related to deafness and hearing loss.
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Help us to find supporters and donors by talking to people and providing information on supporting us.
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Support us with administrative tasks for the service.
You don’t have to do all types of activities; you can pick the activities you find most interesting and match your skills and experience. Usual time commitment varies but is typically three hours per month.
Full induction and training is provided and you’ll be assigned a supervisor to provide you with on-going support and to introduce you to our community of volunteers.
Requirements
You need to be 18 or over for this role. You may need to be able to travel by car or public transport to different places. We’ll reimburse your expenses in line with RNID’s expenses policy.
We have a legal duty to make sure that all volunteers working either in person and/ or online with children and adults at risk on a regular basis are suitable.
In addition to requesting references, we’ll carry out appropriate pre-volunteering checks in-line with regulations such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks in England and Wales, and equivalents in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
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!
Adult Casework Volunteer - Role description
Role: Adult Casework Volunteer
Team: Casework
Supervised by: Adult caseworker
Location: Tooting office on a Thursday afternoon (2-5.30pm)
Time commitment: 3.5 hours a week, we ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 6 months
About CARAS :
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.
Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.
We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.
Our values are at the centre of all our work
• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests
• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society
• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes
• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do
About CARAS casework:
CARAS works with adults and young people of a refugee and asylum seeker background to find solutions to their problems. There are two separate sub-teams within the Casework team; young people and adults. We support adults to navigate the asylum system, understand their options, access benefits, connect with services and realise their goals. We are a non-specialist casework and advocacy service, so we work in close partnership with other local organisations to whom we refer people with more complex issues.
Using the empowerment model, our casework service embodies CARAS’ values of ‘with not for’, always striving to ensure people are armed with the information and resources they need to make decisions and take action for themselves.
About the Role:
We are currently recruiting for 2 volunteers to join our Adult Casework team.
The purpose of the Adult Casework volunteer role is to support adults with a refugee or asylum seeking background to understand their rights, access information and services, and ultimately, take control of their own lives. You will work with individuals to address problems they may face relating to, among other issues, asylum support, accessing healthcare and education, access to legal advice and finding activities and opportunities.
You will start from an understanding that individuals are always best placed to solve their own problems, and often need nothing more than to talk out a problem and find the solution themselves. When helpful, you will provide information to clarify and support to take action.
The Adult Casework team hold a support session at our office in Tooting on Thursday afternoons from 2-5.30pm. Volunteer caseworkers have 1:1 appointments, either in person or by phone, with CARAS members. These can be related to a range of topics. Currently our biggest areas of work are around housing for people seeking asylum, access to college, nursery/school places for children, referrals to mental health providers, searches and signposting to activities, finding solicitors and supporting people to apply for bus passes and ID cards. Volunteers also support with administrative tasks such as updating our databases, collating resources and creating information guides.
Adult Casework Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities:
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Working in an empowering way with individuals and promoting their independence through goal-setting.
-
Supporting people to develop their knowledge of rights and entitlements.
-
Assisting with filling out forms
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Signposting and referring onto other services and organisations.
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Gathering information from experts and disseminating information to people in an accessible manner.
-
Engaging in collaborative internet and phone research on services, organisations and grants.
-
Flagging safeguarding concerns and other issues where further support is required.
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Keeping accurate casenotes
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Supporting to maintain our signposting database
-
Researching and collating resources
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Working collaboratively as a team and assisting to shape the Adult Casework project.
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Adhering to CARAS Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential
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Experience of doing 1:1 advice work/casework.
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Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English.
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Confidence in using IT (Microsft office, outlook, zoom, Google search, online forms)
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To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;
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A commitment to confidentiality and data protection
-
Thorough with good attention to detail
-
Reliable
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A high level of spoken and written English
-
Ability to gather information from people in a sensitive way
-
A calm, friendly, kind and patient approach
-
Enjoyment in speaking to new people
-
A commitment to working in an empowering way
-
Able to maintain boundaries
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Able to work autonomously
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Currently resident in the UK
Desirable
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Working knowledge or experience of relevant law and policy around asylum support, the asylum process, rights and entitlements for people seeking asylum
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Experience of working with interpreters
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Direct experience of the UK immigration system.
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Past experience of working with people seeking asylum
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Proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu or Vietnamese.
We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process
Benefits to Volunteering:
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Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
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Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
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Develop your skills and competencies;
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Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.
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Obtain a reference from us relating to your volunteering
All volunteers must complete a basic DBS check for volunteers working with adults and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.
To Apply:
To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form, using this volunteer role description to inform your answers.
Applicants will have an informal meeting with the Adult caseworker, and one with community members, to assess compatibility to the role. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP.
Successful applicants will undergo training and induction with our team.
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: Youth casework volunteer
Team: Casework
Supervised by: Youth caseworker
Location: Tooting Hub on a Wednesday afternoon (13:30-16:00pm or 18:30-21:00pm)
Time commitment: 2.5 hours a week, we ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 6 months
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.
Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation, we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.
We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.
Our values are at the centre of all our work:
• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests.
• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.
• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.
• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.
About CARAS Casework:
CARAS works with adults and young people of a refugee and asylum seeker background to find solutions to their problems. There are two separate sub-teams within the Casework team; young people and adults. We support young people to navigate the asylum system, understand their rights and entitlements, access education, connect with services and realise their goals. We are a non-specialist casework and advocacy service, so we work in close partnership with other local organisations to whom we refer people with more complex issues.
Using the empowerment model, our casework service embodies CARAS’ values of ‘with not for’, always striving to ensure people are armed with the information and resources they need to make decisions and take action for themselves.
About the Role:
We are currently recruiting 3 volunteers to join our Youth Casework team.
The purpose of the Youth Casework volunteer role is to support young people with a refugee or asylum-seeking background to understand their rights, access information and services, and ultimately, take control of their own lives. You will work with individuals to address problems they may face relating to, among other issues, asylum support, accessing healthcare and education, access to legal advice and finding activities and opportunities.
You will start from an understanding that individuals are always best placed to solve their own problems, and often need nothing more than to talk out a problem and find the solution themselves. When helpful, you will provide information to clarify and support to take action.
The Youth Casework team hold a support session at our community space in Tooting Hub on Wednesday afternoons from 13:30-16:00pm and evenings from 18:00-21:00pm. Volunteer caseworkers have 1:1 appointments, either in person or by phone, with CARAS members. These can be related to a range of topics. Currently, our biggest areas of work are around social care, the National Transfer Scheme, access to college, nursery/school places for children, referrals to mental health providers, searches, and signposting to activities, finding solicitors and supporting people to apply for bus passes and ID cards. Volunteers also support administrative tasks such as updating our databases, collating resources, and creating information guides.
Youth Casework Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities:
Working in an empowering way with individuals and promoting their independence through goal-setting.
Supporting people to develop their knowledge of rights and entitlements.
Assisting with filling out forms.
Signposting and referring to other services and organisations.
Gathering information from experts and disseminating information to people in an accessible manner.
Engaging in collaborative internet and phone research on services, organisations, and grants.
Flagging safeguarding concerns and other issues where further support is required.
Keeping accurate case notes.
Supporting to maintain our signposting database.
Researching and collating resources.
Working collaboratively as a team and assisting in shaping the Youth Casework project.
Adhering to CARAS Confidentiality Policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements (all experience can be from paid or voluntary roles):
Essential:
Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English.
Confidence in using IT (Microsoft Office, Outlook, Zoom, Google Search, online forms)
To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;
A commitment to confidentiality and data protection
Thorough with good attention to detail
Reliable
A high level of spoken and written English
Ability to gather information from people in a sensitive way
A calm, friendly, kind, and patient approach
Enjoyment in speaking to new people
A commitment to working in an empowering way
Able to maintain boundaries
Able to work autonomously
Currently resident in the UK
Desirable:
Experience in doing 1:1 advice work/casework
Working knowledge or experience of relevant law and policy around asylum support, the asylum process, rights, and entitlements for people seeking asylum.
Direct experience of the UK immigration system.
Past experience of working with people seeking asylum.
Proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu, or Vietnamese.
We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process.
Benefits of Volunteering:
· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum.
· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team.
· Develop your skills and competencies.
· Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.
Obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months regular volunteering
All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.
To Apply:
Applicants will have an informal meeting with the Youth caseworker, and one with community members, to assess compatibility to the role. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP.
Successful applicants will be required to complete 2 hours of online general CARAS induction and 2 hours of online safeguarding training and specialist Casework volunteer training before commencing their placement.
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!
RNID Near You volunteer
Role description
Our volunteers are vital in helping us make life fully inclusive for the 12 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. RNID hugely value the contribution of our volunteers and we achieved the Investing in Volunteers quality mark in 2023.
What you’ll be doing
RNID Near You volunteers help us provide free, in-person drop-in sessions for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, or want to get their hearing checked. Our volunteers:
-
Meet and greet people visiting our services, find out what service or information they’re looking for and direct them to the right place.
-
Support hearing aid users by doing basic maintenance on their hearing aids and providing tips for getting the most from hearing aids.
-
Help people to take the RNID online hearing check. They take people through the steps in person on a digital tablet.
-
Provide information on a range of topics related to deafness and hearing loss.
-
Help us to find supporters and donors by talking to people and providing information on supporting us.
-
Support us with administrative tasks for the service.
You don’t have to do all types of activities; you can pick the activities you find most interesting and match your skills and experience. Usual time commitment varies but is typically three hours per month.
Full induction and training is provided and you’ll be assigned a supervisor to provide you with on-going support and to introduce you to our community of volunteers.
Requirements
You need to be 18 or over for this role. You may need to be able to travel by car or public transport to different places. We’ll reimburse your expenses in line with RNID’s expenses policy.
We have a legal duty to make sure that all volunteers working either in person and/ or online with children and adults at risk on a regular basis are suitable.
In addition to requesting references, we’ll carry out appropriate pre-volunteering checks in-line with regulations such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks in England and Wales, and equivalents in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
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!
We are recruiting volunteers who enjoy volunteering in their community to help raise the charity’s profile at a local level. Everyone has their own community and we would love to work with people who can share their passion, interest and enthusiasm for Yes to Life with people in their communities who could benefit from our work. The role descritption provides a list of ways you can do this but we are very happy to listen to your suggestions and ideas too. The role is flexible and you can choose how many hours you dedicate to the role.
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!
RNID Near You volunteer
Role description
Our volunteers are vital in helping us make life fully inclusive for the 12 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. RNID hugely value the contribution of our volunteers and we achieved the Investing in Volunteers quality mark in 2023.
What you’ll be doing
RNID Near You volunteers help us provide free, in-person drop-in sessions for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, or want to get their hearing checked. Our volunteers:
-
Meet and greet people visiting our services, find out what service or information they’re looking for and direct them to the right place.
-
Support hearing aid users by doing basic maintenance on their hearing aids and providing tips for getting the most from hearing aids.
-
Help people to take the RNID online hearing check. They take people through the steps in person on a digital tablet.
-
Provide information on a range of topics related to deafness and hearing loss.
-
Help us to find supporters and donors by talking to people and providing information on supporting us.
-
Support us with administrative tasks for the service.
You don’t have to do all types of activities; you can pick the activities you find most interesting and match your skills and experience. Usual time commitment varies but is typically three hours per month.
Full induction and training is provided and you’ll be assigned a supervisor to provide you with on-going support and to introduce you to our community of volunteers.
Requirements
You need to be 18 or over for this role. You may need to be able to travel by car or public transport to different places. We’ll reimburse your expenses in line with RNID’s expenses policy.
We have a legal duty to make sure that all volunteers working either in person and/ or online with children and adults at risk on a regular basis are suitable.
In addition to requesting references, we’ll carry out appropriate pre-volunteering checks in-line with regulations such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks in England and Wales, and equivalents in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
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!
RNID Near You volunteer
Role description
Our volunteers are vital in helping us make life fully inclusive for the 12 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. RNID hugely value the contribution of our volunteers and we achieved the Investing in Volunteers quality mark in 2023.
What you’ll be doing
RNID Near You volunteers help us provide free, in-person drop-in sessions for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, or want to get their hearing checked. Our volunteers:
-
Meet and greet people visiting our services, find out what service or information they’re looking for and direct them to the right place.
-
Support hearing aid users by doing basic maintenance on their hearing aids and providing tips for getting the most from hearing aids.
-
Help people to take the RNID online hearing check. They take people through the steps in person on a digital tablet.
-
Provide information on a range of topics related to deafness and hearing loss.
-
Help us to find supporters and donors by talking to people and providing information on supporting us.
-
Support us with administrative tasks for the service.
You don’t have to do all types of activities; you can pick the activities you find most interesting and match your skills and experience. Usual time commitment varies but is typically three hours per month.
Full induction and training is provided and you’ll be assigned a supervisor to provide you with on-going support and to introduce you to our community of volunteers.
Requirements
You need to be 18 or over for this role. You may need to be able to travel by car or public transport to different places. We’ll reimburse your expenses in line with RNID’s expenses policy.
We have a legal duty to make sure that all volunteers working either in person and/ or online with children and adults at risk on a regular basis are suitable.
In addition to requesting references, we’ll carry out appropriate pre-volunteering checks in-line with regulations such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks in England and Wales, and equivalents in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you have good listening skills?
Are you friendly and caring?
Can you offer 2-4 hrs a month to support people living with and affected by MND?
Then you could become a Support Volunteer (Association Visitor).
We are looking for volunteers who can provide friendship, information and support to people living with and affected by MND.
Volunteers play an important role in the MND Association. They help to ensure that people with MND and their families receive the support and services they need.
This rewarding role is flexible and can fit in around your other commitments. Full training is provided and all out of pocket expenses are reimbursed.
About us
MND is a fatal, rapidly progressive disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It attacks the nerves that control movement so muscles refuse to work. It can leave people locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk and eventually breath. It kills a third of people within a year and more than half within two years of diagnosis, and it has no cure.
The MND Association was founded in 1979. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We also fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
RNID Near You volunteer
Role description
Our volunteers are vital in helping us make life fully inclusive for the 12 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. RNID hugely value the contribution of our volunteers and we achieved the Investing in Volunteers quality mark in 2023.
What you’ll be doing
RNID Near You volunteers help us provide free, in-person drop-in sessions for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, or want to get their hearing checked. Our volunteers:
-
Meet and greet people visiting our services, find out what service or information they’re looking for and direct them to the right place.
-
Support hearing aid users by doing basic maintenance on their hearing aids and providing tips for getting the most from hearing aids.
-
Help people to take the RNID online hearing check. They take people through the steps in person on a digital tablet.
-
Provide information on a range of topics related to deafness and hearing loss.
-
Help us to find supporters and donors by talking to people and providing information on supporting us.
-
Support us with administrative tasks for the service.
You don’t have to do all types of activities; you can pick the activities you find most interesting and match your skills and experience. Usual time commitment varies but is typically three hours per month.
Full induction and training is provided and you’ll be assigned a supervisor to provide you with on-going support and to introduce you to our community of volunteers.
Requirements
You need to be 18 or over for this role. You may need to be able to travel by car or public transport to different places. We’ll reimburse your expenses in line with RNID’s expenses policy.
We have a legal duty to make sure that all volunteers working either in person and/ or online with children and adults at risk on a regular basis are suitable.
In addition to requesting references, we’ll carry out appropriate pre-volunteering checks in-line with regulations such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks in England and Wales, and equivalents in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
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!
As an event volunteer you will play a vital role by raising awareness of our services, assisting with fundraising and engaging with the local community.You will represent Magpas Air Ambulance at a wide range of events indoors and outdoors, come rain or shine. You may be assisting with car parking, meeting and greeting, setting up a stall, selling merchandise, engaging the public and answering questions. Magpas Air Ambulance have a presence at over 150 events each year and need reliable, friendly people like you to help us achieve this. At larger events you will be supported by an event lead and we'll always make sure you are prepared and confident, you don't need to have previous experience, just be willing to get stuck in!
As an event volunteer, you will be expected to:
- Represent Magpas Air Ambulance in a respectful and friendly manner.
- Understand the work of Magpas Air Ambulance to secure basic knowledge and enthusiasm for our service.
- Wear your Magpas Air Ambulance ID badge while volunteering, ensuring it's visible at all times.
- Follow the leadership and guidance of the event lead, staff member or event organiser.
- Assist in all event activities in a flexible and friendly manner.
- Have good communication skills and be able to work with other volunteers and staff as part of a team.
- Process the sale of merchandise and take donations.
- Follow all Magpas Air Ambulance policies and procedures, including reporting any accidents and incidents.
- Recognise, respond to and report any safeguarding issues or concerns.
What you can expect from us:
- Regular support and advice from our staff team.
- Expenses covered in line with our volunteer policy.
- On-the-job training specific to your role.
- Events where you can meet other volunteers and share ideas.
- Impressive skills to add to your CV and a reference if/when you need it.
- The opportunity to meet a network of like-minded people.
- We are an equal opportunity organisation and welcome volunteers with diverse abilities.
As well as joining the Magpas Air Ambulance family, you will make new friends and be an important connection within your community representing the work of a lifesaving team.
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!
RNID Near You volunteer
Role description
Our volunteers are vital in helping us make life fully inclusive for the 12 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. RNID hugely value the contribution of our volunteers and we achieved the Investing in Volunteers quality mark in 2023.
What you’ll be doing
RNID Near You volunteers help us provide free, in-person drop-in sessions for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, or want to get their hearing checked. Our volunteers:
-
Meet and greet people visiting our services, find out what service or information they’re looking for and direct them to the right place.
-
Support hearing aid users by doing basic maintenance on their hearing aids and providing tips for getting the most from hearing aids.
-
Help people to take the RNID online hearing check. They take people through the steps in person on a digital tablet.
-
Provide information on a range of topics related to deafness and hearing loss.
-
Help us to find supporters and donors by talking to people and providing information on supporting us.
-
Support us with administrative tasks for the service.
You don’t have to do all types of activities; you can pick the activities you find most interesting and match your skills and experience. Usual time commitment varies but is typically three hours per month.
Full induction and training is provided and you’ll be assigned a supervisor to provide you with on-going support and to introduce you to our community of volunteers.
Requirements
You need to be 18 or over for this role. You may need to be able to travel by car or public transport to different places. We’ll reimburse your expenses in line with RNID’s expenses policy.
We have a legal duty to make sure that all volunteers working either in person and/ or online with children and adults at risk on a regular basis are suitable.
In addition to requesting references, we’ll carry out appropriate pre-volunteering checks in-line with regulations such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks in England and Wales, and equivalents in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.