Mental Health Volunteer Roles

Are you a qualified nail technician and looking for a way to give back to the community? People in our services would benefit from social engagement, relaxation, and joy from learning about simple treatments they could use for themselves such as manicures and pedicures.

What you will be doing
Encourage discussions on nails and aftercare
Inspire and motivate the group to be involved in future planning/designing of the session.
Share basic tips and routines with group members.
Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback and report any concerns to the staff team.
The skills you need
A skilled and qualified nail technician
Calm and patient approach
Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
What's in it for you
Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events;

 We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun.

Are you a qualified in hair braiding/styling hair and would like to share your skills with others? We have an exciting opportunity to teach young people the skills needed to braid hair. Hair care is an essential to looking after oneself and providing confidence.

What you will be doing

• Planning hair braiding/styling workshops on a 1:1 basis or in a small group
• Sharing skills and techniques
• Encouraging others to get involved in learning and discussions about hair care

The skills you need

• A skilled and qualified Hair stylist
• Calm and patient approach
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Are you a qualified in hairstyling, including Afro and straight hair? Would like to share your skills with others? We have an exciting opportunity to teach older people the skills needed to style their hair. Hair care is an essential to looking after oneself and providing confidence.

What you will be doing:
Planning hair styling workshops on a 1:1 basis or in a small group

Sharing skills and techniques
Encouraging others to get involved in learning and discussions about hair care

The skills you need:
A skilled and qualified Hair stylist
Calm and patient approach
Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation

What's in it for you:
Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get

Role Description

Role Summary

Your primary responsibility is to lead one of the Association’s seven departments of volunteers. Each department contains a number of volunteer teams, each led by a Team Lead.

You will be supported by the CEO, who will act as your main point of contact and line manager. You will also have access to the support of our other staff and Heads of Department.

Company: Nightline Association

Role: Voluntary role, travel expenses reimbursed

Term Limit: Three years, with the possibility to be extended.

Location: Remote working, open to applicants across the UK

Supported by: CEO

Accountable to: CEO

Services Department

The Nightline Services Department is split into four teams:

• Accreditation Team - ensuring that Nightlines are operating consistently within the Good Practice Guidelines (GPGs). Developing the GPGs to be in line with sector best practice.

• Setup Team - ensuring that new Nightlines are set up smoothly and with our guidance. 

• Policy Team- maintaining a library of best practice policy templates and supporting Nightline with the development of their policies. 

• Training Team - ensuring that the practices of all Nightlines is suitable for training new volunteers. 

You will be responsible for overseeing these teams, including the work they produce and their strategic direction.

Duties and Responsibilities

Heads of Department are expected to delegate where appropriate and to seek support where needed.

Department Management

• Strategically direct your department, in order to keep its goals and priorities in line with the strategy and plans of the Association.

• Oversee and monitor the delivery of all department projects and activities, ensuring these are meeting the Association’s strategy, aims and plans.

• Approve documentation and products produced by your department. 

• Line manage Team Leads in your department, including monthly meetings and welfare checks.

• Support and supervise department volunteers to ensure they carry out their duties effectively by providing clear communication, support, motivation, facilitation, supervision and leadership.

• Oversee the recruitment of new volunteers within your department and plan for capacity and need

• Appoint, or act as, a temporary replacement for vacant volunteer roles in your department.

• Where necessary, work with the CEO to apply the Association’s disciplinary procedures, seeking support if needed.

• Exhibit and promote effective team working.

• Directly contribute to projects as appropriate to support the volunteer teams.

• Keep abreast of developments in your department’s area of work in the charity context.

• Keep abreast of developments within the wider sector, actively seeking opportunities for external collaborations where appropriate.

Communication

• Report on progress to the rest of the Senior Management Team, ensuring results are evaluated and evidenced.

• Communicate effectively and clearly with volunteers, staff, Trustees, Nightlines, and other Heads of Department with openness, respect and transparency.

• Build relationships and create links between departments and teams. 

• Clearly set out the needs of your department at the senior management level.

Meetings & Events

• Organise and run online department meetings on a regular basis to discuss operational activities, plans and ensure oversight of department activity.

• Attend monthly online Senior Management team meetings to share ideas, information and tasks.

• Contribute to the planning and running of Association Away Days, Regional Conferences (November) and the National Conference (a long weekend in June/July) and encourage department volunteers to take part in these.

Governance & Accountability

• Attend a monthly one-to-one meeting with the CEO to update on progress, consider new projects, report risks, issues and budget requirements.

• Provide verbal and written updates and reports as required.

• Set and implement suitable policies & procedures within your department, in line with the Association’s wider policies, procedures and other governing documents.

• Authorise expenditure and expenses in line with your departmental budget and to the level agreed by the CEO.

• Seek approval from the CEO, or Trustees, when required.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Able to lead, motivate, and work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Volunteer management and/or leadership experience.

• Highly developed organisational, planning, and communication skills.

• Self-motivated with effective time management skills and delegation.

• Personable, supportive, and approachable.

• Ability to act impartially and always in the best interests of Nightlines and the students they serve.

• Understanding of and commitment to the Association’s values and to supporting and developing the Nightline community.

Desirable Experience

• Experience of project management 

• Experience formulating/implementing a strategy

• Prior experience with a Nightline service and/or the Nightline Association.

• Understanding of Nightline or other helplines, or the wider mental health, higher education or charity sectors.

• Prior experience prioritising across workstreams or tasks.

• Prior experience at a helpline, particularly in the mental health sector.

• Experience with Training.

• Experience with the Good Practice Guidelines for Nightlines.

• Experience with Policymaking.

SAFEGUARDING TRUSTEE

Blue smile is looking for a Trustee to join our friendly, committed and active Board, taking the lead on safeguarding, supporting the Chair of Trustees and Charity Director.

Blue Smile’s mission and purpose

Blue Smile's mission is to transform the mental health and life chances of Cambridgeshire children through arts-based therapies.  We help over 200 children a week to be happier and have brighter futures.  We work with schools in Cambridge and the region providing children with one-to-one therapy.  We also directly support both schools and parents to help their children through our extensive Menu of Services.  We work in particular, in accordance with our charitable aims, with those who face disadvantage or deprivation.

The charity has over 70 clinical experts working with us.  Our office team supply essential management and administrative support to this clinical work. 

Safeguarding is central to all Blue Smile activities, and we recognise that the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk, is paramount and that all have equal rights of protection. We have a duty of care when they are in our charge, and we will do everything we can to provide a safe and caring environment whilst they attend our activities.

Blue Smile's Trustees

The Trustees are responsible for appointing and overseeing the work of the Charity Director, making key decisions about the charity, and ensuring it is run appropriately and in compliance with the law and good governance.  The Trustees must ensure the charity carries out its purposes for the public benefit.  They must act in the charity’s best interest, manage its resources responsibly, act with reasonable care and skill and ensure the charity is accountable.

Why become a Trustee for Blue Smile?

This is an exciting time to be joining Blue Smile as we implement our Strategy for 2024 onwards.  Building on our excellent reputation for high quality, specialised work with young children, we want to develop our services and evaluation, invest in new systems, and grow our service to meet the increased need for child mental health support.  We also want to increase reach through additional services which impact the whole school community.

You will be joining a friendly, committed, and active Board and induction and training will be provided.

THE ROLE OF THE SAFEGUARDING TRUSTEE

Though safeguarding is the responsibility of all trustees the Safeguarding Trustee will take the lead on safeguarding supporting the Chair of Trustees and Charity Director.

The Safeguarding Trustee will:

• Have oversight of the safeguarding policies and procedures. Ensuring there is an annual review which is reported to the other trustees. 
• Consider the charity's strategic plans in the light of safeguarding legislation and other relevant obligations and the safeguarding expectations of the Charities Commission.
• Check the charities risk register reflects safeguarding risks properly and work with the Board and Charity Director to plan sensible measures to take.
• Ensure there is space on the agenda for safeguarding reports and help trustees understand and challenge those reports.
• Attend relevant safeguarding training events.
• Support the trustees in developing their individual and collective understanding of safeguarding.

Experience and Skills we are looking for in a Safeguarding Trustee:

• Experience working in safeguarding for children and young people.
• Awareness of relevant guidance, particularly, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 and Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality on sensitive and confidential information.
• Commitment to the values (and ethics) of the charity.

Role type: Unremunerated/Volunteer (reasonable expenses reimbursed)

Location:  Trustee meetings currently take place mainly online but attendance at Blue Smile offices in Central Cambridge, or other locations where we work, may be required from time to time

Commitment: Six meetings a year of the Trustee Board (usually on a weekday evening) Trustees are also represented on subcommittees and advisory groups which report to the Board. We would encourage the Safeguarding Trustee to be part of the Clinical and Ethics Committee which meets once a term.

Trustees may also offer support with projects and events as required and as their time allows.

We are committed to a diversity of voices in our organisation.  We welcome applications from all backgrounds.  We would encourage younger people to consider applying – you do not need to have held a trustee or similar role before.  We would also love to hear from you if you are from an under-represented groups at Blue Smile such as individuals from Black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQI+ people and people with a disability, or if you have experience of child and family statutory services in your own personal life.

Blue Smile is committed to safer recruitment and trustees will be expected to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

If you would like to be part of a welcoming and well-respected charity whose aim is to help children enjoy happier childhoods and brighter futures please send your CV and a covering letter outlining why you are interested in the Safeguarding Trustee role. Thank you!

You will be supporting people to express their emotions, provide a time for people to relax and feel proud of their final music pieces! We are recruiting for a volunteer to support and facilitate a Music Group.

What you will be doing

• To prepare music sessions, involving individuals in the planning process where possible
• Inspire and motivate individuals to develop their musical skills, assisting them in the creation of their projects and supporting them to brainstorm and use their own initiative
• Encourage individuals to continue independent activities

The skills you need

• Experience of Music either in a professional, educational, or personal level
• Able to collaborate with individuals to plan a music group session and facilitate confidently
• A calm and patient manner
• Ability to provide a trusting, open, kind-hearted atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• An effective communicator with a patient and sympathetic nature
• Ability to handle individuals with complex needs and work with a person-centred approach

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Our service users love to go out walking and we’d like to set up a weekly walking group. We are looking for a volunteer to act as leader for the group and map out interesting local routes to enjoy some fresh air around the parks of Hinckley and the surrounding area.

As part of your role you will plan the route of the walk, ensuring comfort breaks are included. Make sure that the walk is accessible for all by adapting the pace when necessary so that all participants enjoy the walk and are able to join in. Include health and safety and risk assessments in your planning. You will also help to promote the walking group to service users by encouraging people to attend, and motivating people to attend.

As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer support network group on Zoom.

Bosworth House is a supported living service for adults with mental health needs, we currently have eight tenants with thirteen flats. Bosworth House is centrally located in Hinckley and has good transport links.

We are a passionate, inclusive and anti-racist organisation. We embrace diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. As a Disability Confident Employer we welcome applications from people with a disability, and as a proud Stonewall Diversity Champion we actively encourage applications from the LGBT+ community.

Our service users love to go out walking and we’d like to set up a weekly walking group. We are looking for a volunteer to act as leader for the group and map out interesting local routes to enjoy some fresh air around the parks of Hinckley and the surrounding area.

As part of your role you will plan the route of the walk, ensuring comfort breaks are included. Make sure that the walk is accessible for all by adapting the pace when necessary so that all participants enjoy the walk and are able to join in. Include health and safety and risk assessments in your planning. You will also help to promote the walking group to service users by encouraging people to attend, and motivating people to attend.

As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer support network group on Zoom.

Bosworth House is a supported living service for adults with mental health needs, we currently have eight tenants with thirteen flats. Bosworth House is centrally located in Hinckley and has good transport links.

We are a passionate, inclusive and anti-racist organisation. We embrace diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. As a Disability Confident Employer we welcome applications from people with a disability, and as a proud Stonewall Diversity Champion we actively encourage applications from the LGBT+ community.

Are you a qualified Self-Defence Instructor and would like to teach others how to protect themselves? The ability to defend yourself increases your self-esteem and boosts confidence as well as keeps you emotionally and physically fit.

What you will be doing

• Planning weekly 1:1 or small group sessions
• Encouraging others to get involved
• Teaching the art of self defence and how to safely protect yourself

The skills you need

• Qualified Self-defence instructor
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages participation.
• Calm and patient approach

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

We are looking for a volunteer to support us with collecting food donations from local stores. Do you enjoy being out and about in the community? The role would involve travelling to stores around the local area to collect food donations, and then delivering these to the service.

The donations will be approximately a bin bag full so may be more suitable for someone who drives and has a car but the locations are a few stops on the tube from the service. The locations of the collections are around Victoria and Waterloo and will be delivered back to the service in Lambeth. Please note that all travel expenses will be reimbursed!

What you will be doing

• Making regular visits to collect donations
• Dropping off the donations at the service
• Travelling to different stores to pick up donations

The skills you need

• Good communication
• Calm and patient approach
• To be consistent in attendance

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Do you enjoy organising? Would you like to play a key role in making sure things get done!
You will have the opportunity to support staff with a wide range of desk-based and administrative and reception based tasks. These roles provide essential support in ensuring that those who we work with access the support they require to rebuild their lives beyond crisis.

What you will be doing

• To support with administration, texting and emailing information to service users, volunteers, and staff.
• Support with updating and inputting data into spreadsheets.
• Support with making phone calls to follow up and gather needed information.
• To support the team with covering the reception desk, and dealing with enquiries from people arriving at the service/office.

The skills you need

• Good communication skills
• Good organisation and administrative skills
• Able to maintain good working relationships.
• Basic IT skills, comfortable using spreadsheets and emailing

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

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.

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.

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.