Mentor for adults volunteer jobs in Milton keynes, england

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?   

Do you have experience of successful delivery of safeguarding strategies and initiatives?  

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard through a profound commitment to safeguarding, protection and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults? 

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.  

We have an exciting opportunity for a Designated Safeguarding Lead to join our team to Act as the expert organisational designated safeguarding lead (DSL) for all work 

covering children, young people (CYP) and adults in equal measure. Your role will be homebased but may require you to travel to locations such as hospitals and care homes nationally to meet with stakeholders; therefore, a suitable home internet connection is essential.

About us  

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.  

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.  

About you 

You will have at least 2 years’ experience of working as a Designated Safeguarding Lead with line management responsibility, developing, implementing and evaluating of CYP and Adult safeguarding policies, procedures, and training programmes, reflecting current legislation and best practices.You will also have demonstrable experience in leading, managing, influencing diverse teams on safeguarding, focusing on developing a positive culture and promoting continuous professional development. 

You should have experience in managing complex safeguarding cases, including conducting risk assessments, deciding on immediate actions, and coordinating with external agencies and key stakeholders. 

How will you make a difference? 

You will be called upon internally and/or by external bodies as a source of organisational expert knowledge. 

You will provide leadership and accountability for the advancement of safeguarding best 

practices. 

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively across agencies and adapt child protection systems to address risks in diverse social environments as part of a contextual safeguarding approach, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of young people, vulnerable groups and adults alike.

Benefits  

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service  

5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution  

Salary sacrifices pension scheme  

Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary)  

Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc  

24/7 Employee Assistance programme  

Access to remote counselling service  

Paid Disability Leave  

Paid compassionate Leave  

Home Working Allowance   

How are staff supported to work remotely?  

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community.  

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).   

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach.  

Equality and Diversity 

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential. 

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. 

JOB TITLE: Northern Partnership & Dog Training Manger

LOCATION:                         Northern Region (Including Scotland, Northern England and parts of the Midlands)

SALARY: £37,000 - £45,000 p/a

JOB TYPE: Permanent, Full-Time and Part-Time applications considered

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.  We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small, but ambitious charity that is a world leader in its specialist, innovative field.

MAIN PURPOSE & SCOPE OF THE ROLE:

The Northern Partnership & Training Manager is responsible for the operational leadership, coordination and quality assurance of Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles operating within the Northern region.

Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles within the Medical Alert Assistance Dog department combine elements of dog training, client instructing, partnership placement and aftercare, depending on programme need. This role provides direct line management and oversight of Northern region staff working in these hybrid capacities.

The postholder ensures consistent, high‑quality delivery of MAAD partnerships, working collaboratively with training, welfare and senior management colleagues to support dog progression, client outcomes and compliance with ADUK and ADI standards.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Provide operational leadership for Northern region Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles, ensuring staff who work across training, instructing and partnership delivery are effectively supported, coordinated and developed.

You will act as the regional lead for instructor‑delivered partnership work, maintaining oversight of workloads, partnership progression, accreditation readiness and aftercare delivery, while contributing to continuous service improvement under senior management guidance.

Reports to: Interim Head of Partnership Services

ABOUT THE ROLE

You will oversee and coordinate the Northern Medical Alert Assistance Dog function, managing staff in Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles who support MAAD partnerships from allocation through placement and ongoing aftercare.

You will provide clear leadership, supervision and quality assurance, ensuring consistent delivery standards, balanced workloads and clarity of expectations for staff whose roles span multiple functions.

You will maintain oversight of partnership pipelines, regional capacity and accreditation timelines, ensuring accurate reporting and timely escalation of risks or concerns.

This is a senior operational role requiring strong people management, excellent dog training and instructing expertise, and a calm, organised approach to managing complex client‑facing services.

Responsibilities of the Role

Hybrid Role Leadership & Management (Northern Region)

• Line manage and support Northern region‑based Partnership and Dog Training Instructor roles
• Conduct regular 1:1s, supervision and appraisals
• Chair Northern regional team meetings and provide updates to the Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme
• Approve annual leave and expenses, ensuring appropriate regional cover
• Support senior Partnership and Dog Training Instructor staff in mentoring or supporting less experienced colleagues
• Ensure staff adhere to departmental standards, methods and policies

Partnerships, Training & Client Delivery

• Oversee the progression of puppies within the Northern region and where required, carry out relevant assessments 
• Oversee the progression of MAAD partnerships across training, placement and aftercare within the Northern region
• Ensure client learning styles, family dynamics and individual needs are identified and supported
• Support or directly deliver Partnership and Dog Training Instructor role activity where required, including: Scent and odour training, Client‑specific training, Placement training, Aftercare and refresher support
• Maintain oversight of partnerships requiring remedial training or additional intervention
• Carry out or support final accreditation assessments where appropriate
• Ensure qualified partnerships continue to meet ADUK standards

Planning, Oversight & Reporting

• Maintain oversight of Northern region partnership activity, including: Applicants, Dogs approaching match, Partnerships in training, Accredited partnerships receiving aftercare
• Escalate risks, delays or welfare concerns to the ADPM with recommended solutions
• Contribute to departmental reports and inspection readiness

Governance, Welfare & Compliance

• Ensure all Partnership and Dog Training Instructor role activity complies with ADUK and ADI regulations
• Liaise with the Health & Welfare Manager regarding health or welfare concerns
• Support rehoming outcomes for withdrawn dogs in conjunction with relevant teams
• Ensure accurate and timely record‑keeping within the Harlequin CRM system
• Occasional handling of the emergency phone, liaising with clients and volunteers to manage emergency situations

Stakeholder & Cross‑Departmental Working

• To ensure volunteers and Dog training contractors based within the Northern region are well supported by regional staff.
• Act as the primary Northern region contact for partnership‑related matters
• Work closely with Applications and Welfare teams
• Support fundraising, communications and volunteering activities when required
• Promote best practice and learning across the charity

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum 2years’ experience managing or leading staff in the Assistance Dog roles within an ADUK‑affiliated organisation
• Extensive experience delivering assistance dog partnerships, including training, placement and aftercarProven experience mentoring, supporting and performance‑managing staff
• Sound knowledge of ADUK and ADI regulations
• Strong organisational and caseload‑management abilities
• Confident working independently and managing competing priorities
• Comfortable working in the presence of dogs

Desirable

• Experience working with medical alert assistance dogs
• Knowledge of medical conditions affecting adult and child clients
• Experience supporting accreditation reviews or inspection processes

Knowledge & Skills

DESIRABLE

• Strong practical dog handling, scent training and knowledge of dog behaviour and development
• Excellent coaching, assessment and quality‑assurance skills
• Calm, clear and empathetic communication style
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in complex, client‑facing situations
• High level of IT literacy including Microsoft 365 and CRM systems

Other Requirements

• Full UK driving licence
• Willingness and ability to travel across the Northern region
• Willingness to stay away from home and have dogs reside in the home when required

DIVERITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION

We are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Values & Behaviours

Working at Medical Detection Dogs will be a richly rewarding experience.

Our Values & Behaviours encapsulate who we are, what we stand for and what it will feel like to be part of our team:

• We are respectful
• We stay positive
• We strive for excellence
• We communicate and listen
• We are ambassadors
• We are one team

And of course, we advocate for Medical Detection Dogs whenever we get the chance, and we pride ourselves on our role as ambassadors for the charity.

The role

This is an exciting opportunity to join GamCare at a pivotal moment, as the organisation launches a new programme focused on preventing and reducing gambling-related harm experienced by individuals affected by another person’s gambling, known as “Affected Others”.

This new role, funded by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), is an opportunity to develop guidance and resources for Affected Others and professionals, alongside designing and delivering peer support services and training. The programme will prioritise support for key groups across England, including men, young adults (18–25), neurodiverse individuals, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

As a Development Coordinator, you will be responsible for producing high-quality guidance, resources, and service developments, ensuring that safety is embedded across all outputs and that lived experience voices inform all aspects of the work. Using an iterative test and learn approach, you will gather insights, contribute to continuous improvement, and adapt resources and services to better meet the needs of target groups.

Key responsibilities 

·Programme Support – Support the Programme Manager in the development of the programme, contributing to delivery against KPIs, timelines, and budget requirements. 

·Resource & Service Development – Develop high-quality online and printed guidance and support for Affected Others and the professionals who support them. Work collaboratively with service teams to support the development of educational peer support and other support services. 

·Matrix Working – Work collaboratively across programmes, including the Women’s Pathway Programme, to ensure resources and services are aligned, avoid duplication, and benefit from shared learning. Build strong internal relationships to support consistent messaging, practice sharing, and continuous improvement. 

·Lived Experience Engagement – Support the active involvement of people with lived experience as Affected Others, ensuring their input informs the co-creation of resources and support services. 

·Stakeholder Engagement – Build and maintain relationships with professionals working with target groups to inform the development of resources and services, and promote programme outputs to relevant audiences. 

·Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) – Embed EDI principles across all outputs, ensuring resources and services are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of target groups. 

·Learning & Insight – Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by applying a test and learn approach, gathering insights to refine and improve resources and services. 

·Impact & Evaluation – Support the collection of data and insights to assess the effectiveness and impact of resources and services. 

·Monitoring & Reporting – Contribute to programme monitoring and reporting by preparing written, statistical, and verbal updates on progress and outcomes.

About you 

The successful candidate will bring experience in developing guidance, resources or services that support positive behaviour change. In addition to this, you will have experience of building relationships and delivering initiatives with volunteers who have lived experience, as well as colleagues and external stakeholders.

Strong organisational skills are essential, along with the ability to manage competing priorities and experience of developing interventions using iterative “test and learn” approaches to build high-quality guidance and support.

About Us

Founded in 1997, GamCare is the leading provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms. We operate the National Gambling Helpline, provide treatment for anyone who is harmed by gambling, and create awareness about safer gambling and treatment.

Benefits You Can Enjoy

·33 days basic annual leave entitlement per annum (pro-rated for part-time colleagues) including bank holidays which increases with service

·A generous Pension Scheme - we contribute 6% and you contribute 2%

·Discretionary company sick pay from day one of service

·Employee Assistance Programme – 24-hour support
For further details and to apply please click the apply button.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 20 May 2026.

Interviews will take place online via video conference – week commencing 1 June 2026.

GamCare are committed to offering the best support to people affected by gambling harms, as such we welcome applications from candidates with lived experience.

GamCare is an equal opportunities employer and doesn’t discriminate based on race, religion, gender, age, sexuality, gender identification, or physical ability. We are only able to facilitate visa sponsorship in very limited circumstances, so candidates outside of the UK or who don’t have the right to work in the UK need not apply.

Money & Energy Advice Service Lead

Pro rata salary: £39,825 (35 hour week)

Home-based, with travel as required

Up to 35 hours per week with occasional evenings and / or weekend work will be required

Permanent (subject to external funding)

Responsible for: 2.0 FTE Money & Energy Advisers

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced welfare benefits practitioner with a passion for sharing knowledge and enabling teams to deliver above and beyond.

With around 4 in 10 beneficiaries, we support seeking help with financial difficulties, this is a pivotal role for Kidney Care UK.

We are seeking a knowledgeable and confident specialist income maximisation activities for a role with three key parts: to lead a small team delivering benefits and energy advice and support directly to clients; to play a key role in upskilling and supporting our outstanding Patient Support team across the country; and to be the subject matter expert within Kidney Care UK.

Our external partners – British Gas Energy Trust have committed to fund our Money and Energy Service until March 2027. We are advertising this position as ‘permanent’ – we anticipate confirmation by December 2026 whether funding will be extended beyond March 2027.

This role is made possible thanks to the support of British Gas Energy Trust.

About Kidney Care UK

Around 3.5 million people in the UK live with chronic kidney disease, and one million of them don’t know that they do.

Since 1975, Kidney Care UK has been at the forefront of supporting people with kidney disease. From our early days when we campaigned to introduce donor cards in the UK, we have worked hard to support and represent the interests of everyone affected by kidney disease. 

About the Money & Energy Advice Service

The Money & Energy Advice Service (MEAS) provides information and support for welfare benefits and income maximisation and promotes awareness of efficient energy use. Working closely with Patient Support officers, MEAS provides specialist knowledge and directly supports clients to achieve sustainable financial outcomes. The service was established in 2023 with the support of British Gas Energy Trust and is embedded as a valued element of the many ways Kidney Care UK supports people affected by kidney failure.

What we offer

Working at Kidney Care UK is incredibly rewarding and you will see the life-changing impact that the charity has on kidney patients and their families:

• Flexi-time – we are flexible about start and finish times, and flexible about your location.
• Annual and Christmas leave – we offer 25 days annual leave for full time employees plus bank holidays. We also close for three days between Christmas and New Year, and you don’t need to take this from your annual leave allowance.
• Pension – you’ll be eligible for and auto-enrolled into a pension scheme where your employer will contribute 8% of your salary.
• Health cashback plan – ability to claim back a wide variety of routine medical treatments.
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to a wide variety of support including counselling, health resources and advice.
• Cycle2Work scheme

About Habitat for Humanity Great Britain

Habitat for Humanity Great Britain is part of the global Habitat for Humanity Federation fighting global poverty and homelessness. We believe that a decent home helps to permanently break the cycle of poverty and allows families to achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance.

Habitat GB mobilises resources, partnerships, public engagement and advocacy to support high‑impact housing solutions in the UK and internationally, working closely with Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) and the wider Habitat for Humanity network.

 Job Purpose

The Programme Development Manager role is a critical role in ensuring the development and progression of our programmes. The role is responsible for drafting compelling propositions for our UK programmes and both the proposal development and remote programme management oversight of our international work.  

Key responsibilities will include developing partnerships and delivering compelling propositions to expand our existing donor-base and programme reach. This role will also manage and support the delivery of impactful projects and be responsible for collaborating with our wider Habitat for Humanity network. This role is central to translating Habitat for Humanity's GB’s mission and strategy into high-quality programmes that maximise social impact.

This is a remote (home-based) role, with regular travel to internal meetings in London and occasionally for monitoring visits overseas. 

If this sounds like it could be a good match for you, please take a look at the Candidate Pack on our website for more details and how to apply.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 12th May 2026 (at 11:59 pm).

 Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Partnership and Proposal Development: Develop and deliver compelling partnerships to expand our existing donor-base

· Scope funding and partnership opportunities and engage with existing, new and potential institutional donors and programme partners through 1) desk research; 2) preparing donor/partner profiles; 3) updating an active pipeline of proposals and opportunities; 4) engaging, building and maintaining new and existing partnerships.

· Lead the proposal development and submission process of high-quality programmes – including narrative, Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks and budget preparation. This will require working directly with our network of National Offices (NOs), and Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), ensuring that Habitat GB aligns with the tools and processes that have been developed to support this work.

· Coordinate and lead proposal development meetings with NOs and HFHI, including taking the meeting minutes.

· Ensure that feedback and learning from project bids, both successful and unsuccessful, is shared across the organisation and is used to inform future thematic priorities and programme design.

2. Impact Delivery: Manage and deliver impactful projects

· Support National Offices to prepare and establish effective project management tools and mechanisms for grant set-up and project launches in close collaboration with HFHI.

· Coordinate monthly project management meetings for key projects with National Offices.

· Conduct monitoring visits (if necessary) to projects, alongside the provision of distance monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) and safeguarding support to National Offices and their partners. Collate data, ensuring it is of high quality and produced in line with grant agreements.

· Draft, review and edit/format project reports for timely submissions to donors in close collaboration with Habitat GB colleagues, National Offices/Branches and HFHI colleagues, ensuring donor compliance.

· Support the timely transfer of funds to National Offices, tracking progress against expenditure.

3. Collaboration: Across Habitat GB and the wider Habitat network

· Supervise and mentor Programmes Assistants and volunteers (where/when) applicable, supporting their development and the delivery of high-quality work.

· Actively participate in several Communities of Practice (CoPs) hosted by major donors and development networks for external knowledge sharing and learning.

· Present key thematic topics within Habitat GB quarterly for internal sharing.

· Post case studies and project highlights on Habitat GB website.

Person Specification

Experience

• Proven experience of partnership building with UK institutional donors (Essential)
• Experience in project proposal writing and familiarity with programming documents e.g. logical framework and Theory of Change models. (Essential)
• Experience of developing and maintaining effective document management and information management processes. (Essential)
• Experience and good understanding of best practice, knowledge management and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) and safeguarding in a programme context. (Desirable)
• International programme management experience preferably in a development context. (Desirable)

Skills / Knowledge

• Excellent report writing and content development skills. (Essential)
• Understanding of financial management processes, including excellent numeracy skills and proven ability to analyse budgets, project pipelines and financial reports. (Essential)
• Ability to undertake international travel to field locations in different parts of the world when the situation allows. (Essential)
• Clear and straightforward verbal and written communication skills. (Essential)
• Excellent attention to detail. (Essential)

Working Style

· Ability to work collaboratively with diverse global teams, across different time zones. (Essential)

· Self-motivated and organised, able to work under pressure to deadlines and use own initiative to solve problems with minimal supervision and adapt to challenges. (Essential)

· Enthusiastic and positive, with a can-do attitude. (Essential)

The role and responsibilities will be carried out in a way which reflects:

· Habitat GB’s commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy.

· A commitment to Habitat GB’s vision, mission, values and approach.

· A commitment to effective management of risk, by operating within the Charity’s code of conduct, policies, procedures and controls and by carrying out the risk management and assurance responsibilities of the role as set out in relevant Policy and Procedures.

The employment of this position will be subject to a satisfactory reference check and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

At Habitat for Humanity GB, we aim to build, develop and retain a talented workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills and experiences. We welcome and actively encourage applications from anyone who feels they’d be a good fit for our organisation, regardless of race, religion, colour, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity or any other protected characteristics.

We’d prefer to hear directly from applicants – we won’t be working with third party recruiters on this role.

Our ESOL service was established in 2017 and now runs 5 days per week and offers English lessons for resettled refugees and an English Club with an emphasis on learning skills for integration into UK society. We are a growing team of ESOL tutors and creche teams providing training to help refugees and their families to resettle in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire.

About the role

The Early Years Session Lead holds responsibility for leading sessions in our trauma-informed Early Years setting. They do not hold line management responsibility for other practitioners however supervise a small team of L2 practitioners during the sessions.

The Early Years Session Lead is part of the EY Leadership Team, which meet together online on a Weds 15:00-16:00.

In addition the EY Session Lead works in our EY setting in Bedford on a Friday alongside the EY Session Lead (Bedford) and the Senior Early Years Practitioner who holds line management responsibility for the EY team.

We are open to discussing flexible working requests for the right candidate.

You can download a full job description from our website

Next Step

If this sounds like you, please complete our application form and Equal Opportunities form.

Location: Shefford, and Bedford Town Centre

Closing Date: 21st May 2026 at 6pm

Interview Date: 1st June 2026 in Shefford