Mental health volunteer roles in chester, cheshire west and chester

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with VoiceAbility,

About VoiceAbility

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.

Why Volunteer with VoiceAbility

Volunteering with VoiceAbility gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your community by helping others ensure their voices are heard and valued. The roles we offer are deeply rewarding and may challenge you in new ways. You’ll develop your communication skills, meet new people, and gain a greater understanding of others, while enjoying a sense of personal fulfilment along the way!

We ask for a minimum commitment of just 3 hours per week, but you’re welcome to volunteer for more if you’d like. Whether you're looking to give back to your community, learn something new, or simply enjoy connecting with others, we’d love to have you on board!

Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR) Support Volunteer - role is in Cheshire West

People in care homes should have a voice to communicate their needs wishes and wants. Some people need support with this, but don’t have friends and family available to assist them.  This means they’re entitled to have support from an RPR and volunteer, who are there to make sure they get the care they deserve.  Your role as an RPR Support Volunteer is to collaborate with the VoiceAbility RPR to make sure a person’s views are listened to when decisions are made about their care.

As an RPR Support Volunteer you might:

· Visit people in their care home, to make sure they’re getting the right care and support

· Talk with them about their feelings, thoughts and wishes

· Raise concerns

· Keep detailed notes and records

· Make a real difference to someone’s life

All volunteering will take place Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00.  You will need to be over 18 years old and be living in the UK. Please note that there is no opportunity to volunteer at weekends or in the evening.

Safeguarding Commitment Statement

VoiceAbility are committed to safeguarding all clients who access our services. All Volunteers will be required to undertake a DBS check at the appropriate level and provide contact details for a minimum of two referees in line with our safer recruitment practice.

ED&I Statement

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. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact the Volunteering team for further options.

To find out more click “Apply Now”.

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Qualified Counselling Supervisor to provide online supervision for our counsellors.

Responsibilities:

• Group Supervision:
  • Facilitate fortnightly group supervision sessions for trainee counsellors.
  • Create a safe, supportive, and reflective learning environment.
  • Facilitate discussions around client work, ethical dilemmas, and professional development.
  • Encourage self-awareness, critical thinking, and the integration of theory and practice.
  • Provide constructive feedback and guidance to trainees.
  • Monitor trainee progress and identify areas for development.
• Ethical and Professional Practice:
  • Ensure supervision adheres to the ethical guidelines of the [Relevant Professional Body, e.g., BACP, UKCP].
  • Maintain accurate and confidential records of supervision sessions.
  • Stay up-to-date with current counselling theory, practice, and ethical guidelines.
  • Recognise and manage potential conflicts of interest.
  • Contribute to the development of the counselling service.
• Collaboration and Communication:
  • Liaise with placement coordinators and other relevant staff as required.
  • Provide timely feedback to trainees and placement coordinators.
  • Maintain professional boundaries.

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria:

• Qualified and experienced counselling supervisor with a recognised supervision qualification.
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., BACP, UKCP) and adherence to their ethical framework.
• Significant experience in providing counselling supervision, particularly in a group setting.
• Demonstrable knowledge of counselling theory, practice, and ethical guidelines.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to create a safe and supportive learning environment.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Ability to maintain clear and accurate records.

What difference will you make?

Ongoing Professional Development:

• Your support will help our counsellors stay up-to-date with the best practices 

Client Safety:

• You will help to protect clients, ensuring that counsellors are working ethically and effectively

Quality Assurance:

You will help us ensure that our counselling services are delivered to a high standard

Can you help us to bring in the funds we need to make the food bank a success? 

We are looking for a volunteer Fundraising Lead to play a significant role in shaping a fundraising strategy, help raise awareness of Bounds Green Food Bank (BGFB) and generate income through events, projects and fundraising activities.

We currently raise money through grants, individual donations and community projects. We would like to broaden our fundraising initiatives and are looking for someone to raise funds, meet fundraising targets, raise our profile with key funding partners, and inspire relevant groups to support us.

About Bounds Green Food Bank: 

Open since June 2020, we serve over 1,500 children and adults in the community. We are committed to improving lives by providing food and essential household items and helping alleviate household food insecurity. We strive to promote social inclusion by supporting people and families in crisis situations and needing assistance.

The role: 

• Work with the Board of Trustees to agree a fundraising strategy, including setting annual fundraising targets

• Help to develop a fundraising team

• Identify income-generating opportunities and develop projects

• Build, develop and maintain relationships to secure funding

• Provide guidance to other teams that support fundraising initiatives e.g. the Grants Writing Team, Events Team and the Communication Team

Person specification: 

• Passionate about food insecurity and reducing social isolation

• Experience working in a fundraising role, including grants, trusts and foundations

• Ability and willingness  to work to financial targets 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and attention to detail

• Able to work flexibly and under pressure

• Ability to be creative and entrepreneurial in order to find new ways to raise funds

Benefits:

• Gain access to free workshops for volunteers and upskill on a range of topics (conflict resolution, mental health first aid, arts and crafts, and more)

• Join free social events for volunteers (such as picnics, walks, creative workshops and celebration events)

• Give back to the community - one of the NHS’ 5 Ways to Wellbeing!

• Gain a sense of community and meet the huge team of volunteers

Tell Our Story. Create the Buzz. Change Men’s Lives.

Who We Are

MINDSET Charity is a new, volunteer-run organisation dedicated to transforming men’s lives across England. We support men on their journeys of mental wellbeing and self-improvement through workshops, creative programmes, and community-building activities. 

We are building a movement of resilience, dignity, and brotherhood. To amplify our voice and raise awareness, we need a passionate Communications Manager to help us tell our story.

The Role of Communications Manager

As our Volunteer Communications Manager, you will:

• Craft and share our story across platforms, building a strong, inspiring narrative.

• Create a real buzz around our start-up charity, ensuring our mission reaches communities nationwide.

• Raise awareness of men’s mental wellbeing and self-improvement through campaigns, press releases, and social media.

• Develop and manage communication strategies, ensuring consistency and resonance in every message.

• Collaborate with volunteers and programme leads to showcase impact and celebrate success.

This is a volunteer role, but your words and creativity will be the spark that ignites a movement.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from communicators of all backgrounds who share our passion for men’s mental wellbeing. Experience in PR, marketing, social media, or journalism is valuable, but what matters most is your ability to inspire, connect, and amplify our mission.

Why Join Us

• Be part of a pioneering charity at its foundation stage.

• Shape the public voice of a national movement.

• See your work directly empower men and communities.

• Collaborate with passionate volunteers united by vision and brotherhood.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to tell our story and help build MINDSET Charity’s future, we’d love to hear from you.

This is more than communications. It’s about giving voice to a movement, raising awareness, and changing lives. Join us, and let’s build MINDSET together.

Shape the Heart of MINDSET Charity – Build a Community of Purpose

Who We Are

MINDSET Charity is a new, volunteer-run organisation dedicated to transforming men’s lives across England. We support men on their journeys of mental wellbeing and self-improvement through workshops, creative programmes, and community-building activities.

We are building a movement of resilience, dignity, and brotherhood. To make this possible, we need a dedicated HR & Volunteering Manager to create and nurture our volunteer community.

The Role of HR & Volunteering Manager

As our Volunteer HR & Volunteering Manager, you will:

• Design and launch our volunteering programme, ensuring clarity, inclusivity, and impact.

• Recruit, onboard, and retain volunteers, building a team of talented, skilled, and positive individuals.

• Foster a brilliant team-spirited culture, where volunteers feel valued, supported, and inspired.

• Develop policies and processes that safeguard wellbeing and sustain long-term engagement.

• Champion our values of brotherhood, empowerment, integrity, and growth in every aspect of volunteer management.

This is a volunteer role, but your leadership will be the heartbeat of MINDSET Charity — creating a community that makes a real difference in men’s lives.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds who share our passion for men’s mental wellbeing. Experience in HR, volunteer management, or team leadership is highly valuable, but what matters most is your commitment to building a culture of positivity, dignity, and purpose.

Why Join Us

• Be part of a pioneering charity at its foundation stage.

• Shape the volunteer culture of a national movement.

• See your work directly empower men and communities.

• Collaborate with passionate volunteers united by vision and brotherhood.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to build a community of purpose and help shape MINDSET Charity’s future, we’d love to hear from you. 

This is more than HR. It’s about creating a family of volunteers who stand together, uplift one another, and change lives. Join us, and let’s build MINDSET together.

Join MINDSET Charity – Be Part of a Brotherhood of Change

Who We Are

MINDSET Charity is a new, volunteer-run organisation dedicated to transforming men’s lives across England. We exist to support men on their personal journeys of mental wellbeing and self-improvement. Through accessible workshops, tailored programmes, and creative activities — from role play and storytelling to arts, crafts, and woodwork — we provide spaces where men can open up, connect, and grow without fear of judgment.

We are building a movement of resilience, dignity, and brotherhood. And we need visionary Trustees to help guide us.

The Role of Trustee

As a Trustee, you will:

• Shape the strategic direction of MINDSET Charity.

• Safeguard our values of brotherhood, empowerment, integrity, and growth.

• Ensure our programmes remain impactful, inclusive, and sustainable.

• Champion our mission to foster resilience and community across England.

This is a volunteer role, but the impact is priceless: you will be part of a founding team creating a legacy of hope and transformation.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds who share our passion for men’s mental wellbeing. You don’t need prior Trustee experience — what matters most is your commitment, integrity, and belief in our mission.

Skills in governance, finance, fundraising, communications, or programme delivery are especially valuable, but above all we seek individuals who want to build something meaningful together.

Why Join Us

• Be part of a pioneering charity at its foundation stage.

• Help create safe, creative spaces for men to express themselves and grow.

• Contribute to a national movement of resilience and brotherhood.

• Work alongside passionate volunteers united by purpose and vision.

How to Apply

If you are ready to stand with us and help shape MINDSET Charity’s future, we’d love to hear from you.

This is more than a Trustee role. It’s a chance to help men across England rediscover strength, dignity, and hope. Join us, and let’s build MINDSET together.

The Africa Health Organisation (AHO) seeks to engage in bidding and tendering to deliver health and social care services effectively.  Our goal is to ensure sustainability and positively impact the lives of more people.  We want assistance in developing an ambitious strategy.

What will you be doing?

We are excited to announce an incredible opportunity for a talented Bid Manager to join our passionate team at the Africa Health Organisation (AHO)!  Since 1999, we've been dedicated to delivering health and social care to millions across Africa and the Diaspora, and now we're ready to further elevate our impact.

This year, we're embarking on a mission to broaden our funding strategy by incorporating bid and tender opportunities.  Our goal is to engage with governments in Africa and the UK, the public sector, and the public, providing essential, practical, and emotional support to those facing chronic conditions.  We need a visionary like you to help us achieve our goals.

We're seeking a dynamic, experienced Bid Manager to develop and execute a winning strategy to secure the necessary financial backing.  There are numerous exciting possibilities ahead, including central government tenders, local and statutory opportunities.  We're eager to explore them all.

In this pivotal role, you'll plan and execute our bids and tender writing efforts, ensuring that our bid proposals not only shine but also come to life in meaningful ways.  If you're a bid writer who thrives on creativity and collaboration, we want to hear from you!  Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to inspire and mentor volunteers within our bid and tender team, making a positive impact together.  Join us on this exciting journey!

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Role Description:

Bid Management: Lead and manage the entire bid and tender process, ensuring submissions meet deadlines and align with client requirements across the UK & Ireland.

Proposal Development: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop tailored, high-quality, and persuasive proposals that align with our value proposition.

Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with sales, operations, legal, and clinical teams to gather critical input and ensure accurate, compliant, and compelling submissions.

Market Analysis: Stay informed on market trends, tender opportunities, and competitor activity to identify and secure strategic opportunities.

Compliance: Ensure all submissions adhere to company standards, client specifications, and relevant regulatory requirements.

Process Improvement: Continuously refine bid processes, content libraries, templates, and tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Post-Submission Activities: Manage debrief processes and gather feedback to inform future submissions.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead AHO bids: Manage the whole bid process with a hands-on approach.
• Create strong responses: Tailor solutions that clearly show our value.
• Support growth: Work with Business Development and Marketing to boost propositions.
• Drive best practice: Lead bid qualification, governance, and reviews.
• User-focused: Understand needs and clearly present our solutions.
• Know the landscape: Medical, research industries, and opportunities.
• Know our strengths: Stay sharp on our services and competitors.
• Seal the deal: Coordinate smooth contract closures.
• Stay tidy: Keep the bid library updated and accessible.
• Keep comms clear: Align stakeholders throughout the process.
• Stay compliant: Follow governance and secure approvals.
• Push for quality: Lead reviews to ensure high-standard submissions.
• Maintain the opportunity pipeline: utilising CRM and creating reports for management.
• Taking the lead on other business development activities, such as award submissions, whitepapers, and sales collateral.
• Supporting every stage of the sales funnel: by working closely with marketing, sales, implementation, and operations teams.

What are we looking for?

Person Specification: What You'll Bring:

• At least two years of proven experience in bid and tender management, preferably within the healthcare (NHS & private), medical, or technology sectors.
• End-to-end bid management experience: A minimum of 4 years' experience leading the whole bid process.
• Preferred qualifications include a degree in Business, Communication, Marketing, Creative Writing, English or equivalent.
• APMP Certification is also desirable.
• Sector versatility: Experience with both public- and private-sector bids in the medical, biotech, biomed, health, and social sectors is preferred.
• Industry knowledge: Understanding of contact centres and/or customer experience is essential.
• Commercial acumen: Strong business sense, negotiation skills, and a hands-on approach.
• Resilience under pressure: Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines.
• Detail orientation: High attention to detail to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Growth mindset: Self-motivated, proactive, and focused on continuous improvement.
• Strong communicator: Confident and articulate, with the ability to build trusted relationships across stakeholders.
• Time management: Skilled at prioritising tasks and managing competing deadlines.

What difference will you make?

In this exciting role, you will lead the strategic process for winning new business through competitive bids, tenders, and proposals, ultimately elevating AHO's success. Your specialised knowledge will enhance our win rates and maximise revenue by bringing clarity, quality, and coordination to what can be a complex and high-stakes journey. impact

Your primary mission is to boost AHO's tender win rates and strengthen our strategic advantage.  By diligently overseeing each step of the bidding process—from initial evaluation to final submission—you will significantly improve the quality and persuasion of our proposals, directly increasing our chances of securing valuable contracts.

You'll provide key insights to help AHO target the most promising opportunities by implementing a thoughtful "bid/no-bid" process.  This approach will ensure we focus only on lucrative and winnable contracts that closely align with our strategic goals, ultimately saving time and resources and allowing us to prioritise high-potential projects.

In this role, you will orchestrate a well-coordinated process that drives operational efficiency.  As the central point of contact, you will gather input from diverse internal teams—sales, finance, legal, and technical—ensuring everyone collaborates smoothly to meet critical deadlines.

As a leader, you'll elevate the quality of our bid content.  By overseeing the creation of compelling, polished materials, you'll ensure our final submissions are professional, cohesive, and error-free. You will utilise a centralised content library containing valuable resources, such as case studies and CVs, to streamline efforts and enhance our proposals.

You will keep projects on track by developing detailed project plans and timelines, ensuring all tasks are completed on time—especially critical in the fast-paced environment of tender submissions.  Your effective management will ease colleagues' workloads, allowing the entire team to shine.

To foster long-term business growth, you'll create a wealth of knowledge around our tenders and bids. By conducting insightful post-submission debriefs and analysing feedback, you will capture invaluable lessons from both successes and setbacks.  This ongoing improvement process will enhance our bidding capabilities for future opportunities.

You also have the opportunity to enhance AHO's brand reputation by submitting well-organised, accurate, and compliant bids.  By doing so, you'll showcase our professionalism and reliability to clients, building trust and solidifying our credible standing in the market.

Strategic alignment is vital for sustaining consistent, stable business growth.  Together, we can make a remarkable impact on development.

Why we want you

Our vision is a society in which Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive. When anyone in the Armed Forces community finds themselves in need, SSAFA is the charity they can turn to – no one’s service is ever forgotten. More and more people need help, so we are growing our network of dedicated caseworkers.

Come and join our team! You will be making a real difference to the lives of those who need financial, practical, and emotional support. We value all our volunteers and the unique skills and experience they bring.

What you will be doing

• Arranging to talk with potential beneficiaries (on the phone or face to face) at a mutually convenient time
• Understanding peoples’ support needs and gathering information to assess their circumstances
• Typing written case reports to apply for financial assistance
• Sign-posting to services providing specialist support, such as mental health or housing support
• Keeping beneficiaries and the SSAFA regional office up to date with progress

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Non-judgemental
• Reliable
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Be part of a friendly and supportive SSAFA team
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Access a range of training and learning opportunities

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment. This role qualifies for a criminal record check, which will be carried out at no cost to you. If you have a criminal record, it won't necessarily stop you from becoming a volunteer. Please read our Volunteer Vetting Guidance for more information.

Volunteer Advert: Website & Social Media Producer

Coempowered is a small but rapidly developing non-profit working to empower indiviuals and help build community capacity among for young people, women, and marginalised communities in the UK and internationally through workshops, classes, semiar, projects and research. We are now building the foundations of our organisation and are looking for a dedicated, creative volunteer who is genuinely passionate about our educational and social mission and willing to grow with us as we expand our work and prepare for charity status.

About the Opportunity
This role is ideal for someone who wants to contribute meaningfully to a growing organisation by strengthening our digital presence and helping us reach wider audiences. You will work closely with the directors to shape our public voice and ensure that our online communications reflect our values of inclusion, critical thinking, and empowerment.

We are seeking someone who can commit reliably, collaborate with a small remote team, and take responsibility for managing our online platforms with initiative and care.

Key Deliverables

• Manage weekly posts across LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

• Create clear, engaging written content that communicates our work and mission.

• Produce and upload website content, including updates, project summaries, and short articles.

• Maintain a consistent editorial tone and visual identity across platforms.

• Support campaign planning and announcement of new programmes.

• Monitor basic engagement analytics and propose improvements where relevant.

• Work collaboratively with directors and volunteers to plan communications in advance.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong writing and digital communication skills.

• Experience managing or creating content for social media platforms.

• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and communicate proactively.

• Interest in education, philosophy, youth empowerment, or social change.

• A genuine desire to help build a young organisation and contribute to its long-term growth.

Time Commitment
Flexible, remote, approximately 2–3 hours per week.

If you are passionate about meaningful education, committed to social impact, and excited to help shape an emerging organisation, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Dates: 2 February 2026 – 7 December 2026

Location: Remote (Online via Google Meet)

Commitment: 1 hour per week for 16 weeks

Location: Fully remote

Structure: We provide guidance, resources, and ongoing support, but there is no fixed curriculum.

Mentees: You will be paired with a small group of mentees (typically 6–9), aged 18–26, all fluent in English.

Scheduling: Mentors arrange sessions directly with mentees at mutually convenient times.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome professionals from a wide range of industries. Our current mentors come from backgrounds including law, mental health, business, civil engineering, and architecture. Each mentor is carefully matched with students pursuing similar career paths to ensure meaningful and relevant engagement.

You do not need formal mentoring experience. We are seeking dedicated, emotionally intelligent, and inspirational professionals from around the world who bring real-world experience, strong communication skills, and empathy, and who are passionate about helping others grow.

This is not a traditional mentorship programme — it is a structured pathway designed to help young Afghan women develop the academic and professional skills needed to move forward despite the severe restrictions placed on them inside Afghanistan.

Applicants should hold either a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree with at least 10 years of professional experience. They should demonstrate emotional intelligence, clarity in communication, and the ability to guide, inspire, and challenge thoughtfully. A reliable internet connection is also essential.

Our students have completed six levels of English and are now enrolled in one of four mentorship semesters. Each mentee follows her own unique path, whether:

• Pursuing an online university degree,

• Applying for scholarships abroad (Europe or the US), or

• Seeking remote work or internships (particularly for qualified professionals currently unable to work inside Afghanistan).

This is an opportunity to make a tangible, life-changing impact. The women in our programme are courageous, determined, and eager to learn, yet they lack access to role models and practical guidance from professionals in their fields.

As a mentor, you will help them take the next step, n whether that means applying for scholarships, building a career portfolio, or gaining the confidence and professional skills to work remotely.

Our long-term goal is to move towards a 1:1 mentor-to-student ratio, ensuring that each young woman receives the personalised support she deserves.

Join our amazing volunteer team to make a real difference to people living with sight loss. You’ll be supporting people to come together in a group setting, to benefit from each other’s company, knowledge and encouragement, leading to reduced isolation, stronger networks of support, and new friendships. You can support with either local and regional telephone groups or face-to-face groups.

What you’ll be doing:
• Meeting and greeting group members on arrival or joining virtually.
• Creating a warm and welcoming environment.
• Supporting group conversations.
• Assisting with group activities (if appropriate).

What you’ll gain from the role:
• An opportunity to give something back.
• A chance to build a strong community.
• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.

• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• 1 reference Criminal record check

Location

Region

• Scotland

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • An interest in group or community work. • A sociable personality. • A commitment to working towards a society where people with sight loss are equal participants.

Sight loss can be a big deal for many people: It often comes later in life and throws up many challenges. There can be a lot to get your head around and new things to learn. In this role you will help people who have had an initial contact with RNIB by sharing with them relevant information, including available services, ways to connect with others in a similar situation, and opportunities to play a positive role in removing barriers in society. In support of your conversation you will make brief, accurate notes in the customer contact record. In short, you’ll play an important role in helping people on the journey to living well with sight loss.

You will join a well-established, friendly team that make outbound calls to RNIB beneficiaries and supporters. This role can be done from home, with the ability to make calls at times that fit in with your schedule. We’re seeking a minimum commitment of four-six hours per week. Calls can be made between 12pm and 7pm. Full training will be given before you start making calls. We are seeking to recruit a group of volunteers that includes some individuals with lived experience of sight loss.

How you will be supported in your role
Comprehensive training will be given before you start making calls, and support will continue throughout your volunteering. The team you are joining is located across the UK. There are opportunities to connect with other volunteers and colleagues via MS Teams, including social “Kettle catchups”. The team meets twice a year in person, and you will be very welcome to take part.

Reliable broadband or ethernet as calls will be made through your internet connection. You’ll need a quiet and confidential space at home when making calls, so that neither your screen nor conversations are visible / audible to others in your household.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• You must be aged 18 or over. This opportunity requires two references.

Location

Region

• Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, South West, South East, North West, North East, Greater London, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, East Midlands, East of England

Home based

• This role is home based

Additional location information

• Homebased

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• You will have a friendly, empathetic and non-judgemental disposition and be able to listen well – acknowledging and building rapport. A sociable nature and the ability to put people at ease are important qualities. You will be confident with IT and will have experience of MS Windows and common software.

This group is a chance for blind and partially sighted people with Charles Bonnet Syndrome to come together and socialise. In the role of facilitator, you will ensure the group runs smoothly and that everybody has a chance to contribute to the group conversation. You don’t need to have any experience or knowledge of Charles Bonnet Syndrome as you won’t be asked to give out any information about the condition and no medical information is exchanged.

You will:
Listen to the group conversation, ensure it flows and that all conversations are appropriate;
Make appropriate contributions as and when required to stimulate conversation;
Create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, encouraging all participants to feel comfortable taking part;
Be the link between the group participants and the RNIB Talk and Support team;
Report any Safeguarding concerns or data breaches to the Talk & Support staff team.

This is a telephone-based role that you can do from home. You’ll need access to a landline and/or mobile phone.

How often will I be needed?

• 2 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• 2 references

Location

Region

• South West, Scotland, East Midlands, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East of England, Wales, North West, Greater London, West Midlands, Northern Ireland, South East

Home based

• This role is home based

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• Good listening skills and verbal communication skills
• Able to use the telephone confidently for an hour long call up to 3 times per week
• Able to work with a wide range of people from across the UK
• Demonstrate empathy and understanding of the issues faced by visually impaired people
• Ability to follow internal policy and procedures
• Willingness to undertake and remain compliant with mandatory safeguarding training and attend other training and development opportunities when required.

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system  
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.  

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbally.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.