Live Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for young people currently include: ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), study group, youth club, swimming lessons and football.
About Youth Club:
Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14-19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games.
Youth club takes place at Tooting Hub- Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7BU.
About Sports Programme:
We work in partnership with Fulham Kicks to run a football session every Monday. We provide 1:1 sports advice to help build confidence and remove barriers by supporting young people to plan their journeys and accompanying them to join their first sessions. We find new sessions for young people at youth clubs, gyms and other sports providers. We arrange frequent trips to offer new sports to our young people including: boxing, yoga, trampolining and hopefully to go-karting.
We will also deliver a research project to sports providers, local authorities, support networks and other young people. The project will detail: (1) the accessibility barriers to sports faced by young people, (2) methods of best practice on including young refugees and asylum seekers, (3) funding and support options available from local authorities, and (4) what participatory 1:1 support looks like for young people.
About the role:
As a sports program volunteer, you would be helping young people to travel safely around London, to feel welcome in the city, to join in with sports activities where possible and to inspire young people to take part in sports. You will need to go on group trips to external sports providers and to attend our youth club occasionally. We welcome volunteers with any level of sporting ability, the only thing necessary is to be willing to give some sports a go when it is possible. Please note, some sessions you attend will be only for under 18’s, and so you will not always be allowed to take part, and then your role will only be to accompany. We are very happy to be flexible regarding which sessions you attend according to your interests.
We ask for a commitment of at least 1-2 sports sessions or youth club evenings every month. Our youth club runs every Wednesday from 6.00-8.00pm, the external sports trips will usually be weekday evenings. We are able to be flexible according to your schedule.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- To attend and contribute to volunteer de-briefs which occur after each session/trip.
- Providing feedback of your experience to contribute to the research project.
- To act as a positive role model and set standards of behaviour when volunteering with young people.
- To encourage and inspire young people to reach their full potential.
- To assist young people to both recognise and celebrate their achievements.
- To challenge young peoples’ negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manner.
- To adhere to CARAS Child Protection procedures, Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
- To occasionally research local sports providers to find sessions for our young people.
Requirements:
Essential:
To be 18 years or older;
- To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
- To be reliable and punctual;
- Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
- To be passionate about sports and helping young people to access sports.
- Current resident of the UK;
- Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
- Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to the start of role
Volunteer induction training currently takes place online once a month on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 6pm – 8pm. we offer the same trainings on Tuesday and Wednesday daytimes online between 12noon – 2pm once every 3 months.
Your availability to attend 1 general and 1 safeguarding online training session at these times within 3 months of your application would be a prerequisite of being accepted as a volunteer at CARAS.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish.
Through volunteering with us you will:
- Meet new members of your local community;
- Learn about different cultures;
- Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum and their ability to access sports in London;
- Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
- Develop your skills and competencies;
- Be able to access relevant training;
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
CARAS is a leading refugee charity in Southwest London, providing firm foundations for new-arrival asylum seekers to build happy and successful lives. Arriving as an asylum seeker in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. We exist to help people seeking asylum overcome those challenges, and to help them rebuild their lives.
We provide person-centred educational, social and casework support to over 600 young people and adults across South London each year, recognising the moment of arrival as one of opportunity. Our work provides individuals with essential support to build language and employability skills, develop social networks and friendships, and access essential services such as legal and mental health services. Our work has multi-generational impact, providing forced migrants with early interventions to support language and skill acquisition, tackling the root causes of socio-economic marginalisation by supporting social inclusion and future labour market access.
Volunteering with CARAS – our Community of Welcome:
CARAS has a proud history of volunteers helping us deliver our charitable aims. Volunteers are an essential part of the CARAS community, bringing skills, insights, experience, different languages, and enthusiasm to the roles. Community members tell us the welcome by volunteers is so important in an often hostile world. It helps them feel safe and wanted. Community is at the heart of all we do, and we could not deliver the projects we do without the enormous contribution that volunteers bring.
About CARAS Adult Programme:
Alongside educational and casework support, CARAS has a thriving social program of weekly activities, from women’s yoga, to creative coffee afternoons, sports sessions and workshops, designed and built in collaboration with our community, volunteers and local partners. Most people we work with in the adult team are waiting for a decision on their asylum claim, are accommodated in cramped and inadequate hotels contracted by the Home Office for up to – and sometimes more than – 2 years whilst they wait for a decision on their asylum claim. During this time, they are eligible for only £8.86 per week and are prohibited from working. This is an incredibly stressful and disempowering period for those seeking asylum. Against this backdrop, our social activities exist as spaces of welcome, for people to come and make meaningful connections, build confidence and importantly – have fun!
About the Trips and Holiday Activities Project:
Alongside our weekly timetable of term time activities, we run trips across London during the school holidays. These are always chosen and planned together with our community members, and so far have included trips to famous parks, museums, galleries, and the theatre. We know from our community members how important these trips are; they are a chance to explore parts of the city that would otherwise be inaccessible, and to feel more at home in the city. As one community member told us, ‘to discover new places…this makes us feel included’. They are an opportunity to learn something new with others, to meet new people, relax and have fun.
About the Role:
To support us with these trips and holiday activities, we are looking for friendly, welcoming, enthusiastic and proactive volunteers. You will support us practically to ensure the trips run smoothly and on time, but also will be an essential part of our community of welcome – to chat and get to know our community members, and make sure everyone feels included and is having a good time.
We intend to hold 2 trips in the Easter holidays, and up to 5 trips in the summer holidays. These will all be in locations across London, most likely during daytime hours. We will also run a combination of adult-only and child-friendly trips across the year – this is what our community have told us they want! We usually have a group of 10-20 community members and will always have at least one CARAS staff member present too.
Ideally, we are looking for volunteers who are flexible during school holidays and can attend at least 3 trips throughout the year, though we may consider those who might only be able to volunteer on a one-off basis.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
To attend CARAS trips as and when you are available to do so.
To support with the logistics of travelling to and from the trip location.
To keep an eye on the general health and wellbeing of our Community Members and report any concerns to the CARAS staff member present.
To encourage positive connections between people and the places we are visiting, opening up conversations to learn about each other.
On family-friendly trips, to assist where needed with the supervision of children present (alongside parents)
Requirements – Essential:
To be 18 years or older;
To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
To be reliable and punctual;
To be welcoming, friendly part of the group, and to make sure our community members have the best and most fruitful time possible at the locations we visit.
Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
Current resident of the UK;
Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
Able to complete compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding via 2 self-paced induction training webinars prior to the start of role;
Requirements – Desirable:
Knowledge of community languages, such as Farsi, Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Somali and Spanish.
Through volunteering with us you will gain:
An opportunity to connect with and learn from a vibrant and diverse community of people who are new to the city;
A chance to share your knowledge of the city and places of interest with our community;
A deeper understanding of the experiences, challenges, and strengths of those seeking asylum here;
A deeper understanding of language-inclusive practices in multi-lingual groups;
Develop your skills and competencies;
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Trustee role for Zubeda Welcome is intergral for our organisation's strategic development. As a Trustee you will ensure that Zubeda Welcome fulfils:
- its duty to its beneficiaries and delivers its vision, mission and values
- its duties and carries out effective governance of the charity
- To act as an ambassador for the charity and its work, vision, mission and values
Zubeda Welcome is an award winning, faith-based UK registered charity no. 1198710 set up to support refugee children in the UK. Zubeda Welcome’s niche focus is to support refugees with madrasa (Islamic school) fees to help them retain their faith. Collectively, our initiative seeks to empower refugee children to overcome the barriers posed by displacement. By nurturing their faith, facilitating islamic education to help them retain and strengthen their deen and Muslim identity. The ripple effects extend beyond the individual child, positively impacting families and fostering a sense of community that transcends cultural and religious boundaries.
Ultimately, our goal is to pave the way for a brighter and more hopeful future for these resilient young muslim individuals as they navigate the challenges of rebuilding their lives in a new environment. By ensuring access to high-quality Islamic education, we anticipate that refugee and asylum seeker children will develop a profound understanding of their faith within the UK context. This not only fosters a sense of belonging and connection to their religious identity but also instils confidence in themselves and their community. As a result, parents will naturally integrate into the community, receiving support and valuable information for rebuilding their lives. There are approximately 365,000 refugee and asylum seekers in the UK (UNHCR,2022), of which more than half are muslim. Visit our website for more information.
Trustee responsibilities :
- Give strategic direction to the charity, developing and setting overall strategy and policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets
- Work collaboratively with all trustees and the executive, supporting the delivery of our strategic priorities
- Ensuring that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard
- Zubeda Welcome’s strategic priorities are financially appraised and budgets are aligned to both short-term and long-term objectives
- Support the Board’s duty to ensure proper accounting records are kept; financial resources are controlled, invested and efficiently spent in line with governance, legal and regulatory requirements
- Ensuring compliance with legal, statutory and regulatory responsibilities
- Act as an ambassador for Zubeda Welcome, representing the charity at meetings and facilitating network and funding opportunities as these arise
- Take some responsibility for fundraising, whether that be through utilising your own network for funding opportunities or supporting fundraising activities
- Use professional expertise and experience to provide guidance and advice on the development, management and impact assessment of existing and new programmes and projects
- Use professional expertise and experience to provide guidance and advice on potential partnership opportunities to broaden our reach and increase our impact
- Review planning/budgeting processes in participation with the Board and constructively challenge where required
- Be actively involved in recruitment of new talent for the charity e.g. increasing our volunteer and employee capacity
- Maintain oversight of the charity’s fundraising
- Acting as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application.
- * Please also familiarise yourself with the Government’s guidance on being a Trustee.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
VocalEyes is looking for a number of voluntary Trustees to join its Board; in particular, Trustees with an interest in taking on the roles of Chair, Vice-Chair, Committee Chair, or Treasurer at any time during their tenure.
About VocalEyes
VocalEyes is an arts organisation and charity that works with and for blind and visually impaired people. With access and inclusion at its heart, its purpose is to create accessible performances, events and digital media for arts and heritage venues across the UK. This is primarily through audio description services and through the delivery of training and consultancy to the cultural sector.
Funded by Arts Council England (ACE) and a variety of Trusts and Foundations, a team of freelance audio describers, trainers and consultants work with hundreds of theatres, museums, galleries, and heritage sites each.
This is an exciting time to be joining VocalEyes. Claire Saddleton commenced in the role of CEO in May 2024 and the organisation is in its second year as an ACE Investment Principles Support Organisation. You can find out more about us, our mission and what we do on our website.
We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experience. We need brilliant people, with a commitment to VocalEyes and our objectives, to work with us during this next period.
We would particularly like to hear from people with skills and experience in the following areas:
- People with lived experience of blindness or visual impairment
- People with experience of working in/ with sight loss organisations
- People with expertise in Arts Accessibility and/or Audio Description
- Sector knowledge across performing arts, museums and heritage, visual arts
- Knowledge of Accessibility in Digital: Film, Television, Media
- Legal expertise
- Sustainable Business Planning expertise
This is a voluntary role, with all associated expenses covered.
For further information on how to apply please see the recuitment pack.
Deadline for applications: Friday 14th June (2400hrs)
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer.
We believe that blind and visually impaired people should have the best possible opportunities to experience and enjoy art and heritage.
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.
Offering your skills and time each month will give our fledgling organisation the boost it needs as we deliver our long-term strategy. Carers' Hub is an independent local charity based in Brixton. Our mission is to improve carers’ lives in Lambeth through quality services and community engagement. We achieve this through four core workstreams: raising awareness of carers, influencing local policy through community engagement activities, improving carer wellbeing and connecting carers to each other and to support and training opportunities through our services.
Caring for a loved one, family member, friend or neighbour, can have a significant impact on all aspects of a carer's own life. Our dedicated and passionate team work with carers to help overcome challenges around managing at home, finances, caring with confidence, education and employment, physical health and emotional wellbeing.
We would now like to add to our Board and would like to hear from you if you are keen to offer your time and expertise to support us. We are particularly keen to hear from you if you have skills in the following areas:
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Finance: accountancy, financial planning or budgets.
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Safeguarding: experience of managing or overseeing safeguarding processes and practices.
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Fundraising: writing applications or bids, or helping to raise funds
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Senior management experience in a charity
We are also keen to hear from you if you have personal experience of being a carer, although this is not essential for the role.
Meetings take place at our offices, in person, in Brixton approximately once every two-three months. They currently run from 4pm until 6pm and we value our Trustees being able to attend meetings in person. It is hoped that you will be able to contribute your time to help develop pieces of work outside of meetings depending on your skill set and availability.
How to apply: Click the Quick Apply button below. You’ll be asked to submit a CV and answer a few short screening questions about your relevant skills and motivation.
Closing date: 9am Thursday 6th June
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and asylum-seekers living in south-west London. We work primarily with people who are newly arrived in the UK, most of whom are living in temporary Home Office accommodation. Arriving as a refugee in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language barriers, accessing services, financial insecurity and ongoing uncertainty are extremely challenging and disempowering. CARAS is here to work collaboratively with community members to support them to build skills, connect meaningfully with their local community, and to build positive futures in the UK.
CARAS offers a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a forced displacement background. For adults this currently includes: ESOL, digital skills and employability sessions; social and recreational activities and casework. All programs are interlinked and work hand-in-hand with one another. For example, community members can practice their spoken English in Coffee Afternoon, and casework issues might be picked up and referred into the team during an ESOL class. We design and develop our programs through consultation and ongoing conversations with our community members. We aim to have a strong volunteer presence across all our programs, fostering connections between asylum seekers and other Londoners!
About CARAS’s Adult Programming and Coffee Afternoon:
CARAS has been providing support to adult refugee women since 2005, promoting skills and confidence development that helps women gain more power in their lives. In the aftermath of COVID, we have been able to expand our adult programmes, responding to the shifting demographics of those seeking asylum in the UK. We now run a range of mixed programmes for all genders, as well as some women-only spaces. Our coffee afternoon is a mixed group.
Our coffee afternoon has been running since May 2022 and is one of our most popular groups. It takes place at TARA Theatre in Earlsfield from 1-2.30PM every Friday. Its primary aim is to reduce isolation amongst those we work with by providing a safe, friendly and welcoming space for people to have fun, learn about themselves and each other, and build connections.
In 2023, we have been running creative sessions during Coffee Afternoon, facilitated by freelance creative practitioners in partnership with TARA Theatre. These range from dance to drama, poetry to puppetry. For sessions without a creative practitioner, we sometimes host workshops on important topics such as healthcare rights or have an open and informal space for games and a chat. There is always coffee and a selection of baked goods!
For more information on TARA Theatre, our partner and host, please visit their website.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- To attend CARAS coffee afternoon’s, every Friday between 1-2.30PM in Earlsfield, South-west London. They take place at TARA Theatre, right opposite Earlsfield Station. Location here- https://maps.app.goo.gl/rXwJiKHRj93YFtLG9 (356 Garratt Ln, London SW18 4ES).
- If there is a week this is not possible, to tell CARAS staff as far in advance as you are able.
- To welcome and connect with community members attending, working to ensure everyone at the group feels included.
- To take part if there is a creative activity happening in that session, and help liaise with CARAS staff and the creative practitioner to ensure the activity runs smoothly.
- To encourage and inspire community members to feel confident and reach their full potential.
- To share conversation, and chat informally with our community members.
- To assist community members to both recognise and celebrate their achievements.
- To challenge negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manor.
- To adhere to CARAS Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
- To have interest in working with refugees and asylum seekers.
- To be non-judgemental, and able and willing to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and differing levels of English.
- To be reliable and punctual.
- To be a current resident in the UK.
- To provide five years’ worth of addresses and be willing to undergo a UK DBS check.
- To attend CARAS General and Safeguarding Training, and any further training as necessary.
- To be 18 years or older.
Through volunteering with us you will:
- Meet new members of your local community
- Learn about different cultures and life experiences from across the world
- Learn about issues relating to refugee and asylum seekers
- Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team
- Develop your skills and competencies
- Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding
To Apply:
Please fill in the volunteer application form and email it to us. Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with the Head of Adult Inclusion and Adult Program Coordinator these meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP!
Details for this role are in the description and not mentioned in the application form but please fill in your details in the Volunteer application form attached and send it back to us
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you passionate about making a difference in your local community? Do you possess the skills, knowledge, and commitment to help shape the future of community initiatives? If so, Broxbourne Big Local (BBL) is seeking enthusiastic individuals like you to join our team of Trustees.
About Broxbourne Big Local: Broxbourne Big Local is dedicated to proactively meeting the needs of the people in the borough. Our primary objective is to provide valuable opportunities and services centred around the Wormley Community Centre, to expand our reach across the borough in the future. Our current Trustees, who are local residents deeply invested in community welfare, have successfully prevented the demolition of the Wormley Community Centre and secured a 999-year lease, marking a significant milestone in our journey.
The Role: As a Trustee of Broxbourne Big Local, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of our organisation. Working alongside like-minded individuals, you will contribute to the ongoing development and sustainability of the Wormley Community Centre and our broader community initiatives. Your responsibilities will include strategic planning, financial oversight, and ensuring that our activities align with our charitable objectives.
How to Apply: If you are excited about the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of Broxbourne Big Local, you can find more information in the Trustee recruitment pack.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Join Us: Be a part of a dynamic team dedicated to building a cohesive and sustainable community in the Borough of Broxbourne. Your knowledge, skills, and talent can make a meaningful difference. Join Broxbourne Big Local today and help shape a brighter future for all.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. 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.
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Supporting people to develop their knowledge of rights and entitlements.
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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.
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Engaging in collaborative internet and phone research on services, organisations and grants.
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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
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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
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Thorough with good attention to detail
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Reliable
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A high level of spoken and written English
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Ability to gather information from people in a sensitive way
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A calm, friendly, kind and patient approach
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Enjoyment in speaking to new people
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A commitment to working in an empowering way
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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 applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Unfold does governance differently. An award winning charity, we are led by the people we serve, with inclusive, participatory governance structures which have twice been short-listed for excellence in the Charity Governance Awards.
Unfold (previously known as Westminster Befriend a Family) is an established local charity that gets people where they want to be. Powered by volunteers, we support children, young people and families with one to one mentoring and peer support groups across Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea. We're open to everyone, but we target those who face the most challenges: 93% of our service users are people of colour, 75% are single parent families headed by a woman and in 50% of the families we support there is a child with disabilities or special education needs.
We support the local community and we have also developed specialised programmes for people with specific needs, including refugees, children excluded from mainstream school and children with experience of the care system.
Unfold Trustees
We have a dynamic, committed, open and friendly board, and we're seeking two new trustees to join us, bringing skills and experiences from the not-for-profit or public sectors.
To reflect the experiences of our service users, we're aiming to maintain the diversity of our board - we're particularly keen to hear from people from the global majority, women, and people who identify with other under-represented groups, including those with disabilities or who identify at LGBTQI+.
We have grown considerably in the last five years, and we now support ten times as many people a year, with five times the budget. Along the way we've re-branded, undergone a digital transformation, become user-led and significantly expanded our team. This rapid change reflects both the extent of the community needs, and our ambition to meet those. We're looking for trustees who can help us go to the next level as we set our strategy for the next five years.
Trustees play a key role in ensuring that Unfold achieves its core purpose and overseeing the overall management and administration of the charity. They also help to ensure that Unfold has a clear strategic vision and that we are working in line with our charitable aims. Trustees support and challenge Unfold’s CEO to enable Unfold to thrive.
We are looking for two Trustees to support our vision and take on the following responsibilities:
Responsibilities
- Engage with and be accountable to our service-user accountability structures, our Youth Advisory Council and our Women’s Advisory Council, who support us in setting strategic direction and to whom we are accountable.
- Support and advise on Unfold’s vision, goals and activities
- Approve operational strategies and policies and monitor and evaluate their implementation
- Oversee the charity’s budgets and financial plans and monitor and evaluate progress
- Ensure that risks are being identified, monitored and managed effectively
- Ensure the effective administration of the charity
- Provide support and challenge to Unfold’s CEO
- Keep up to date with changes within the environment that Unfold operates
- Contribute to reviews of the charity’s governance
- Attend board meetings and be adequately prepared to contribute to the discussion. These meetings are held in person in our fully accessible London office.
- Support the promotion of Unfold's aims and reputation
- Contribute to the charity’s sub-committees and attend sub-committee meetings adequately prepared to contribute to the discussion
Skill and Experience
- Knowledge and experience of the charity sector
- An understanding of and commitment to participatory and inclusive governance.
- An understanding of and the ability to support Unfold’s fundraising strategy
- An understanding of statutory services which might be supporting families, children, young people, mental health and wellbeing, which might be through knowledge and experience in local authorities or the public sector
- Strong communication skills and able to contribute to board discussions
- Knowledge or lived experience in the borough of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea or neighbouring boroughs
- Understanding of safeguarding the welfare of children or vulnerable adults
Personal Attributes
- Personable and positive
- Willingness to learn and contribute.
- People orientated with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion
- Passionate about supporting families to improve outcomes for children, young people and parents.
Values
Trustworthy, non-judgemental, transparent, caring and compassionate, empowering, proactive, self-motivated and accountable
We particularly encourage applications from:
- Candidates from under-represented groups including women and those from Black, Asian, or minority ethnic backgrounds
- People from marginalised groups, such as people who consider themselves LGBTQ+, disabled or otherwise facing challenges.
- Individuals with knowledge or lived experience of Westminster and the surrounding boroughs.
- People with less experience but a keen enthusiasm and commitment to our aims based on lived experience.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Active Sussex is the brand name of the Sussex County Sports Partnership Trust (SCSPT), the countywide organisation for sport and physical activity recognised by the national body Sport England.
Active Sussex encompasses the counties of East and West Sussex, as well as the City of Brighton & Hove. We work with a variety of sectors, groups and partners who want similar outcomes. This includes the charitable, community and voluntary sector, including our activity providers; health and care partnerships and networks; those who support children and young people both within and outside educational settings; local authorities, including public health and wellbeing teams; parks and open spaces; leisure trusts and the gatekeepers to outdoor spaces.
Predominantly funded by Sport England, we contribute to the government’s agenda to increase the number of people participating in sport and physical activity nationally.
We are seeking to recruit three (voluntary) Non-Executive Directors, including an Independent Chair, who also act as charity trustees with the skills, experience and qualifications noted below:
- Financial Management and Accounting
- Human Resources
- Engaging and listening to communities
Active Sussex aspires to have a diverse Board, and welcomes applications from people who are involved (or would like to be) in our networks, particularly those from ethnically diverse communities, people living with a long term health condition and/or disability and self-identifying women. Given less than 3% of charity trustees are under 30 and as such are missing young people’s perspectives, we encourage young people (over 18) to apply to increase representation of this age group on our board.
Active Sussex's aim is to increase participation in sport and physical activity at a local level.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Alliance for African Women Initiative (AFAWI) welcomes volunteer interns from around the world. As a grassroots organization we foster a knowledge sharing environment that promotes an experience to learn about international development, Ghanaian culture and our projects that empowers women and children to create a better future for communities. AFAWI is not a placement agency, all the projects are owned and operated by our staff. Our organization was built to serve Ghanaian communities with a focus on women and children.
Volunteer Internship Tasks:
Implementation of on-going projects
Planning of new projects
Fundraising
Social Media
Marketing
NGO Management Assistance
Administrative Assistance
Data Collection and Evaluation
Partner Meetings
Internal Trainings
AFAWI has a number of ongoing projects for Volunteer Interns to choose from. These projects are located in rural communities no tour companies have access to.
Our projects have a set schedule and at different times of year some projects may be more of a priority. Volunteer Interns personal preference will be accommodated as much as possible, though depending on the time and length of your stay, the implementation activities and the level of results witnessed may vary. There is opportunity to learn about and contribute to multiple projects.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role: Youth ‘GRS’ casework volunteer
Team: Casework
Supervised by: Youth caseworker
Location: Tooting Hub on a Wednesday afternoon (between 12:30-18:00pm)
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 CARAS GRS:
CARAS runs a “Get Ready for School” (GRS) programme for newly arrived Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children who are eligible for statutory education but do not yet have a place in school or college. The programme helps young people prepare for mainstream education by offering six hours a week of classroom-based ESOL learning alongside numeracy, digital literacy, and study skills. These sessions take place on a Monday and a Wednesday.
Under statutory guidelines, a looked-after child in year 11 or below must be placed in full-time education within 20 school days.1 If the young person is out of education for longer than four weeks, they can continue attending Get Ready for School for up to 12 weeks, with CARAS additionally offering the young person and their support network help from our Casework team to ensure that they are accessing full-time education as soon as possible.
About the Role:
We are currently recruiting for 3 volunteers to join our Youth Casework team as a GRS needs assessment caseworker.
The purpose of the Youth ‘GRS’ 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 complete a needs assessment to establish what support they may need alongside GRS. You will work with individuals to address problems they may face relating to, among other issues, asylum information, accessing healthcare and education, accessing support from their local authority, and finding activities and opportunities. There are often supplementary referrals that come out of the GRS needs assessments that will need equal care and attention from volunteers.
On occasion, you will offer support to the GRS team to support young peoples’ learning journey and develop a wider understanding of the GRS programme.
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 GRS volunteer will attend our community space in Tooting Hub on Wednesday afternoons for 2.5 hours between 12:30-18:00pm. Volunteer caseworkers have 1:1 appointments, either in person or by phone, with CARAS members. 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.
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.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
EnhanceAble’s mission is to impact positively on the lives of local disabled people and their families through the provision of excellent social care. We pride ourselves on going the extra mile in provision of service and placing our customers at the centre of our work.
EnhanceAble is a medium sized charity in the social care sector. We have a turn over of circa. £2 million per annum. We have a Board of Trustees, and a Senior Management Team (SMT) consisting of our Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Head of Finance and HR Manager.
Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that EnhanceAble achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that EnhanceAble has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, they support and challenge the executive team to enable EnhanceAble] to grow and thrive, and through this, to achieve our mission.
Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees always act as a group and not as individuals.
Duties Include:
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Support and provide advice on EnhanceAble’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
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Monitor and evaluate the implementation of new strategies
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Oversee EnhanceAble’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.
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Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation
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Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
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Review and approve EnhanceAble’s financial statements.
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Provide support and challenge to EnhanceAble’s CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.
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Keep abreast of changes in EnhanceAble’s operating environment.
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Contribute to regular reviews of EnhanceAble’s own governance.
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Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
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Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect EnhanceAble’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third-party interests.
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Contribute to the broader promotion of EnhanceAble]’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
What we are looking for
We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.
You do not need previous governance experience – we will provide a full induction and training.
Personal skills and qualities
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Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
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Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgment and work effectively as a board member.
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Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
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A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
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Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.
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Willingness to lead according to our values.
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Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Terms of appointment
Terms of office
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Trustees are appointed for a 3 year term of office, renewal for 3 further terms to a maximum of 9 years.
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This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
Time commitment
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Attending 4 Board meetings annually. Currently meetings are held in person at our head office in KT1 2TW
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Attending circa 4 other meetings or event during any year
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
A Wellbeing Buddy is a volunteer who is matched with someone who has been referred to us for support for a period of 12 weeks and volunteers with them in person.
Face-to-face Wellbeing Buddies meet their match each week with an overall aim of helping them to build confidence and improve their quality of life. This might involve going for walks with the person, going on public transport with them, assisting them with food shopping or just offering some company in their normal routine.
The time you give to volunteering can be decided by you, as long as you can commit to at least once a week for 12 weeks with one person.
Please note that at the moment, to become a volunteer with us you will need to have some availability during the working week (9-5 Monday-Friday). Wellbeing Volunteers are not able to do this role during evenings and weekends. This is so that there are staff members available for support.
What do you need to become a Wellbeing Buddy?
You don't necessarily need to have experience in a role like this, but any experience in offering objective support to people would be beneficial. We are mainly looking for kind-hearted, personable, reliable individuals who love to chat and can give a small amount of time each week to help someone who needs it. You will be given training and support from the volunteer coordinator whenever needed.
To volunteer, you must:
- Be over the age of 18
- Be able to travel within your local area, whether by public transport, Beryl bike or driving
- Have access to the internet to use our volunteer database
- Undergo a DBS check (free to you)
- Complete the necessary training
What do you get out of it?
Volunteering with us will give you a chance to develop your skills and experience in empathy and active listening, as well as supporting and safeguarding people. We can offer you a rewarding opportunity to help empower people to live their best possible lives, a way of meeting other volunteers and likeminded people and social events for volunteers. We also offer reimbursement for expenses, access to schemes such as free Beryl Bike minutes and opportunities to attend personalised and tailored training and workshops.
How to join us:
To become a Wellbeing Buddy you will need to complete the application form attached to this opportunity (you can also find this on our website). You will then be invited to a an informal meeting with the volunteer coordinator (in person or online). If successful, you will need to attend a short training session at Beech House in Poole. This opportunity requires you to undergo a DBS check (free of charge to you).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
WK Foundation cares deeply about providing opportunities for young adults from low income contexts through practical skills & socio-emotional training and job opportunities. WKF is a recently registered charity in South London, seeking to add trustees to their board to add skills & bring diverse voices that will best represernt our young adults. Our work is dedicated to reconnecting low income urban communities with sustainable food pathways, with the aim of breaking the cycles of poverty that are perpetuated by dysfunctional food systems. The board are particularly interested in candidates who identify as Black Caribbean or have mixed racial backgrounds, such as mixed race Black Caribbean/White or Pakistani/White British.
Our board is female led (Chair & CEO are female), and consists of a clinical phschologist, social entrepreneur, trained counsellor & HR practicioner, and regenerative food specialist. We are a friendly but professional bunch who start meetings with a moment of reflection and prayer, record excellent minutes and stick (for the most part) to a pre-agreed agenda and schedule. We are big on creating a culture that combines support and listening with action, accountability and forward movement and our vibe is positive, and inclusive.
We are currently re-developing our holistic hospitality training programme called Nourish, for an October 2025 launch. Nourish provides hands on skills training, work experience and employment opportunities, as well as employment progression and support for young adults from low income context facing disadvantages. We work with young adults for up to 12 months.
Our work is underpinned by our regenerative food practises and is run in accordance with our Christian faith values & principles.
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If you have experience working, volunteering or living in community settings similar to those experienced by our trainees, and/ or experience in organising, training, mentoring, finance or legal experitse then please let us know!
Previous board experience is not a requirement, nor is any level of seniority in any given industry – WK
Foundation hopes to benefit from the insights of Trustees from all walks of life.
We are committed to building a diverse team, and seek to be representative of those we are supporting, so we
would especially like to hear from applicants who are from minority groups in the UK. We also recognise the
importance of lived experience in all roles within our organisation, and therefore welcome applications from those with lived experience of disadvantage.
Given the requirements of this role and WK Foundation Limited’s objectives and purpose as set out in its Articles of Association, it is a genuine occupational requirement under the Equality Act 2010 that the applicant for this role actively supports the Christian faith.
Please make sure you are familiar with the WKF mission on our website. Once you have submitted your application here, you will be sent some further questions to answer before being invited to a phone interview, and from there to meet the trustees in an in-person interview.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.