Telephone helpline volunteer volunteer jobs in Belfast

This is an exciting time for Parkinson’s UK, we want to reach as many people as possible so we can improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s. We are looking for people to join our network, make genuine connections, and be part of a larger team that works together to support the Parkinson’s community. 

People living with Parkinson's value the services and opportunities Parkinson’s UK provides, delivered by committed and skilled colleagues, volunteers and partner organisations. Following an investment of 1.5 million we have the opportunity to build on the quality and reach of our community services. 

About the role 

You’ll provide a personalised service that enables appropriate levels of self-advocacy and/ or advocate on behalf of clients, signposting to other services as relevant.

You’ll empower people affected by Parkinson's, their families, friends and carers to live lives that are as fulfilling as possible and to take an active role in their treatment becoming their own advocate in health and life, wherever possible.

This role is for maternity cover and is fixed term until 30th June 2027. 

What you’ll do:

• Provide in depth, person-centred information and guidance to clients via our helpline service. 

• Keep accurate, up to date online client records in line with practice. 

• Recognise and respond to potential safeguarding situations using established procedures.

• Provide information on a variety of health and social care issues, including appropriate emotional support, employment and welfare benefits guidance and advocating with and on behalf of clients.

• Maintain relationships and partnerships with internal and external teams to achieve the best outcomes for clients. 

What you’ll bring:

• Background and/or current experience in health and social care 

• Well-developed telephone skills including active listening and questioning

• Experience of supporting and empowering people with problem solving, navigating the health and social care system and participating in their own care

• Ability to be calm and deal effectively with challenging or emotional situations and/or people

• In depth understanding of Parkinson’s, relevant issues and legislation, in particular in connection with health and social care and welfare benefits

This is an exciting time for Parkinson’s UK and we would love you to join us!

Please apply by sending us your CV, together with a detailed supporting statement which will fully demonstrate how you meet all the criteria of the role, as stated in the "What you'll bring" section of the job description.

Interviews for this role will be held week commencing 8th June 2026.

The successful candidate will be required to 

• provide their own broadband service with a minimum download speed of 2Mb 

• have a confidential space in which to work

• provide occasional cover on Saturdays and/or Bank holidays

This role will require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. You’ll be required to apply for one; refusal to do so will result in the offer being withdrawn. 

Anyone can get Parkinson’s. It’s vital that the people who work for Parkinson’s UK are representative of our diverse community. We actively encourage people from all sections of the community to apply, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.

Key Responsibilities

To support the delivery of effective and dynamic public and food bank facing support services. Ensuring that food banks have the technical support and information to work and report effectively and that people facing hunger or hardship receive compassionate and practical advice. Responsible for answering public and food bank enquiries, providing technical support to food banks to ensure the delivery of high-quality services that support the network to work towards an end to the need for food banks in the UK.

This role is part of Trussell’s Food Bank Resilience programme, the goal of which is to support every food bank to develop and sustain the core offer of a warm welcome, food and advice for every person, for as long as their services are needed, while orienting their organisations towards an end to the need for food banks. This role is focused on the successful delivery of the overall programme outcomes, contributing to the fulfilment of our long-term vision of a UK without the need for food banks.

Role responsibilities

Responding to customer enquiries
Respond to calls and emails from the public, food banks, and referral agencies, ensuring each person receives accurate and timely information to support their ongoing journey. This includes providing details of local food banks and other food‑aid providers, signposting to relevant national and local agencies, replying to emails, answering phone calls, responding to complaints, and directing customers to the appropriate teams or resources so they can operate confidently and access the support they need for their current situation.

Supporting Volunteers
Provide support to our Support Team Volunteers ensuring they have a positive experience volunteering for Trussell and are well-equipped to respond to incoming enquiries. This includes managing rotas, supporting training and regular team meetings, leading on volunteer recruitment and providing ongoing recognition. Additionally, monitoring the wellbeing of volunteers throughout their shifts, providing support after difficult calls and promptly responding to their queries. This ensures that Public Support Team Volunteers feel valued and supported and can carry out their duties effectively.  

Generate and analyse data reports
Generate and analyse data reports to support accurate monitoring, insight development and effective decision making across programmes and partnerships. This includes ensuring information is accurately logged and generating regular and ad-hoc reports, analysing and verifying data for accuracy, and sharing insights with with internal programmes and external partners to ensure reliable information is used to guide planning, demonstrate impact and improve service delivery.

Develop and maintain accurate internal signposting information
Develop and maintain our internal Signposting repository. This includes ensuring the information is kept up to date, simple to use, and contains well maintained information that supports colleagues to deliver accurate and consistent guidance to callers.

Co-ordinate, advise on and implement offers and pilot projects
Co-ordinate, advise on and implement projects that support the ongoing development of the Public Support Line and the delivery of offers and pilot projects to food banks. These projects will be driven by insights and user feedback and include establishing new systems and ways of working to ensure the phone line is relevant, supportive and in line with Trussell values. This also includes coordinating and communicating offers and pilot projects to food banks, sharing clear and timely information, gathering and responding to queries, co-ordinating participation, and ensuring updates and requirements are communicated in accessible ways. This enables food banks to make informed decisions, engage confidently with opportunities.

Provide technical support
Provide technical support to food banks and referral agencies to enable efficient use of systems and tools provided by Trussell. This includes responding to telephone and email enquiries, communicating system updates, providing training, and producing guidance documents, ensuring food banks and referral agencies have the systems support they need in order to be able to work and report effectively.

Person Specification

Core Knowledge

Knowledge of basic safeguarding and data protection principles

Proficiency in MS Office (e.g. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Ability to analyse and present data
 

Essential Skills

Written and verbal communication skills

Reporting and documentation

Customer service skills

Time management & Prioritisation skills

Accuracy and attention to detail
 

Key Experience

Handling complex customer or service-user enquiries

Handling Safeguarding concerns
 

Special Requirements

None

Join Addiction Family Support

Addiction Family Support is the leading UK-registered charity supporting adults affected or bereaved by a loved one's harmful use of alcohol, drugs, or gambling.

The role: Family Support Worker (Bereavement)

As a Family Support Worker at Addiction Family Support, you will be responsible for delivering a range of services to provide crucial emotional and practical assistance to individuals bereaved (and affected) by the loss of a loved one due to addiction. Through both individual and group support, you will offer a compassionate and understanding presence, helping people navigate grief and loss in a safe and supportive environment.

Our service delivery takes place via several methods, including taking calls on our telephone Helpline, responding to emails through our email service and delivering remote 5-Step Method informed intervention to individuals and groups via an online platform.

Working patterns are flexible and you may be expected to work on a rota basis, and we would hope to be able to offer more hours per week in time when funding allows it.

You will need to be confident in your ability to provide support via a variety of remote and digital platforms, being able to respond to immediate requests for support. You will be an active and involved member of our team and contribute to all aspects of our work to help us achieve our strategic goals and work towards achieving our vision.

Responsibilities:

• Offer empathetic and non-judgmental structured emotional and practical support to those affected by the bereavement of a loved one due to addiction (via a Helpline and 5-Step Method informed one to one and group support).
• Provide or signpost information, literature, and resources to help individuals and groups manage grief and cope with their situations.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate bereavement support group meetings, creating a safe space for participants to share their experiences and provide mutual support.
• Follow guidelines and safeguarding practices - ensuring safeguarding concerns are addressed promptly and signpost individuals to additional services where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records in line with GDPR and the charity’s policies. 

Ongoing support

As a Family Support Worker (Bereavement), you will have access to regular supervision and peer support, ensuring you feel confident and equipped in your role. Development opportunities are available to help you grow in your position and enhance the support you provide. 

 Join our team of change-makers

Are you ready to make a difference? We're on the lookout for a vibrant, enthusiastic, proactive and collaborative individual with the right skills and experience to become part of our incredible charity.

Be part of something special

Our clients' continuous positive feedback speaks volumes about the impact of our work, and we take immense pride in it. Emilia Fox, one of our dedicated Patrons, stands with us in our mission.

Join an award-winning journey

This is your chance to become part of an award-winning charity where every day is an opportunity to contribute to the greater good. If you're seeking a dynamic environment filled with compassionate individuals dedicated to creating positive change, we invite you to apply or reach out with any enquiries.

The deadline for submitting applications is 5.00pm on Friday 29 May 2026.

Interviews will be held w/c 8 June 2026.

About Bipolar UK

Bipolar UK is the only national charity dedicated to supporting people affected by bipolar — including individuals, carers, families and loved ones. Over one million people in the UK live with bipolar disorder, yet many experience symptoms for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

We are entering an exciting new phase following the launch of our co-produced three-year strategy (2026–2029). Over the coming years, we will reach more people than ever before, expand access to self-management support, and build understanding of bipolar across workplaces, services and communities.

At the heart of our work is the belief that people affected by bipolar are the experts in their own lives. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to ensuring our services are accessible, culturally responsive and shaped by lived experience.

 Purpose:  The Peer Support Officer role will work within Bipolar UK’s Peer Support Line team to support our community through telephone and email support across the UK.

The role involves using your skills and knowledge to support people affected by bipolar disorder with support requests and providing information and signposting to people via email and telephone. The successful applicant will also manage service reports in Salesforce, report back regularly to the management team, as well as developing links with other mental health services or appropriate agencies.

Though Bipolar UK does not offer Crisis Support, the successful applicant may have to direct members of our community experiencing a crisis to relevant services and will also be responsible for recognising and reporting Safeguarding incidents within the bounds of Bipolar UK’s Safeguarding Policies.

The position requires good personal interaction and the ability to empathise with service users while remaining calm and considered in sometimes difficult situations.  This is a varied and hands on role and we are looking for someone with good communication (verbal and written) along with good organisational skills. Bipolar UK will offer the successful applicant regular support and engagement with the team, as well as reflective practice sessions throughout their service with the charity.

The Peer Support Officer reports to the Services Manager who manages this service. This will be a home-based role with occasional travel, such as team days/meetings/training.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to provide practical, non-clinical information and peer support to our community, including family and loved ones. Our Peer Support Line is often a first point of contact, offering a listening ear, helping to reduce isolation, and signposting people to relevant information, services, research and campaigns.

You will join a team of highly skilled colleagues who share the same passion to support our community in a safe and appropriate way.

Specific Responsibilities

• Act as an initial point of contact with the charity for all enquiries about our services
• Act as an initial point of contact for all people affected by bipolar disorder seeking support, information and signposting
• Direct enquiries for Bipolar UK’s additional services, including understanding Bipolar UK’s specific resources and training opportunities for workplaces and connections for research
• Build and maintain relationships with existing volunteers and with volunteers expressing interest in supporting Bipolar UK
• Ensure that all service provided by both the postholder complies operationally with Bipolar UK policies and procedures, including safeguarding and data protection postholder must handle personal/special category data confidentially and in line with policy/UK GDPR
• Contribute to the development and delivery of new formats of peer support in a spirit of co-production
• Ability to work flexibly and responsively, responding to urgent requirements
• To ensure that all support information and signposting options are kept up to date
• To complete all support records in a timely manner
• Reporting all Safeguarding concerns and crisis incidents in line with Bipolar UK’s relevant policies
• To work with community mental health teams and other interested stakeholders to promote the services of the charity
• To act as an advocate for Bipolar UK within your work
• Willing to travel within the UK as deemed appropriate by the organisation, reasonable adjustments are available.
• Other duties deemed appropriate by the Chief Executive to assist in achieving the aims and objectives of the charity

 Person Specification

The successful candidate will have:

• Understanding of lived experience and peer support
• Ability to work as part of a team and individually using own initiative
• An understanding and awareness of safeguarding
• Ability to work autonomously and at times remotely from line manager
• Experience of data collection and monitoring
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Be competent in the use of Microsoft 365 products including Outlook and other Microsoft Office programmes
• Experience of delivering peer support in paid employment or as a volunteer

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Bipolar UK is an equal opportunities organisation. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from people with lived experience of bipolar or other mental health conditions, people from under‑represented communities, and those whose voices are less often heard in mental health spaces.

All recruitment decisions are based solely on skills, experience and suitability for the role.

Data Protection

Any personal information you provide will be handled securely and used only for recruitment purposes, in line with UK data protection legislation.

Safeguarding

All employees are expected to work in line with Bipolar UK’s safeguarding policies, ensuring safe, respectful and empowering environments for everyone we work with.

The successful candidate will likely have:

• Experience of partnership working with statutory and third sector organisations
• Lived or professional experience supporting people affected by bipolar, or severe mental health conditions.

How to Apply

Bipolar UK operate a blind recruitment practice and advertise our roles via CharityJob.

Please submit your CV online to CharityJob with a covering letter (maximum two A4 pages). Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience meets the person specification and explains your motivation for working with Bipolar UK

Closing date is 9am on Monday 25 May 2026.

Community Fundraising Assistant - North 

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?

Brain Tumour Research is an exciting, innovative, and ambitious charity. We are passionate about finding a cure for brain tumours through the establishment of dedicated Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence around the UK.​

After a successful 2025, we’re building on our momentum and looking ahead with ambition. As our work continues to expand, so does our impact. We are now looking for passionate people to join us on the next stage of our journey!

It is a fantastic time to be joining us and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraising Assistant - North, to join our Community and Digital Fundraising team.

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Are you able to provide friendly and professional support to fundraisers and supporters?   
• Do you have experience in supporting events or community activities?
• Do you live in either Scotland, North East England, North West England or the East Midlands? 

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Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really take the next step in your career?

Excited to learn more about this position? Then please take a read through our recruitment pack which is included within this advert.​​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we are excited to receive your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

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We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

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