Nature force volunteer volunteer roles

Summary

Role: Helpline Support Volunteer

Reporting to: Operations Director / Helpline Manager

Benefits: on the job training; ongoing professional development opportunities, and access to mental health and wellbeing support.

Hours: 3.5 hours per week (minimum)

Role Type: Voluntary (reasonable expenses will be paid)

Location: First Floor, 1192 Stratford Road, Birmingham, B28 8AB (office based)

Application deadline: 9am on Friday 19 September 2025

Interviews: Monday 29 September and Tuesday 30 September

Training: for 3 weeks across October (09:30-14:00 on 6th,7th,8th,13th,14th,15th,20th,21st and 22nd - please note these dates may be subject to change)

Start Date: 06 October 2025

About Us

Muslim Women’s Network UK (MWNUK) is an award-winning national charity based in Birmingham and has been running since 2003. MWNUK are working to advance equality and social justice for Muslim women and girls. MWNUK achieves its aims through research, campaigning, training, engaging with its membership, evidence-based advocacy, and by operating a culturally sensitive helpline and counselling service.

Training

Due to the variety of enquiries we receive and their sensitive nature, the first month of your role will involve specialised training.You will be required to attend 3 mornings per week for 3 weeks.

Purpose of the Role

We are looking for individuals to volunteer on our Muslim Women’s Network (MWN) Helpline Service which primarily provides support to victims of domestic abuse, violence against women and girls (VAWG) and related issues. We are also recruiting volunteers for a new helpline service focused on recording incidents of anti-Muslim hatred.

As a Helpline Support Volunteer, you will be answering calls, emails, texts, webchat and on Amal Safety mobile app from service-users and supporting them on the wide variety of issues that are raised on the Helpline.  The helpline supports women on more than 45 different issues with most of the calls relate to VAWG as well as mental health and wellbeing.

All responses must be in line with the ethos of MWNUK which upholds protection from discrimination, harassment and victimization in line with the Equality Act 2010. The nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

You will be responsible for maintaining accurate records of the client cases on MWN’s bespoke online databases, ensuring data complies with GDPR requirements.

Given the nature of the role, experience supporting individuals - particularly Muslim women - is essential. This may be through paid employment, volunteering, or informal support of friends and family.

You may also have the opportunity to contribute to maintaining website resources, promoting the service, supporting other MWNUK projects and activities related to Helpline issues.

Full training and ongoing support will be provided to help you feel confident and equipped in your role.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a highly motivated and organised individual who is passionate about women’s rights and keen to make a difference. An interest in Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector and tackling anti-Muslim hatred / Islamophobia is important.

We particularly encourage applications from women who may have taken a careers break or have caring responsibilities as full training will be provided and ongoing support to help you feel confident in your role.

Main responsibilities

• Providing high-level support to users of the MWN Helpline and/or a new anti-Muslim hatred / Islamophobia incident recording service, responding to telephone and electronic enquiries.
• Manage helpline cases, including accurate data entry into MWN’s bespoke database.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to data protection policies at all times.
• Attend training sessions as directed.
• Stay informed about developments and legislation on key issues such as forced marriage, violence against women, hate crime, Islamophobia, and related topics.
• Carry out administrative duties and provide support to the Helpline Manager, Operations Director, and Trustees as required.

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who:

•  Has a strong interest in the charity sector, particularly in empowering racialised communities and Muslim women.
•  Can work in a non-judgmental, culturally and faith-sensitive manner.
•  Demonstrates accurate listening and note-taking skills.
• Has an approachable and friendly manner, with strong communication skills.
• Possesses excellent IT skills, including data entry and email correspondence.
• Speaks a second language (e.g., Urdu, Arabic, Punjabi, Mirpuri, Pashtu, Bengali, Gujarati).
• Has experience supporting Muslim women and girls—through paid work, volunteering, or informal support.
• Maintains a high level of professionalism when engaging with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Has knowledge of key issues affecting Muslim women and girls, including domestic violence, sexual violence, forced marriage, honour-based violence, hate crime, Islamophobia, and mental health.
• Works effectively as part of a team.
• Can work independently in a highly organised manner.
• Is driven and committed to providing the best possible service and ensuring the success of the Helpline.
• Understands and upholds confidentiality, data protection, and professional boundaries.
• Has knowledge of the community sector and its role in supporting vulnerable groups.

 Equal opportunities awareness

• Demonstrates awareness of diversity issues and maintains a positive, non-discriminatory, and non-judgmental approach.
•  Committed to working collaboratively and flexibly with all members of the MWNUK team.

Essential

• DBS basic clearance

Application process

Stage 1: How to apply

Please send your cover letter (and CV if you are including this) by 9am Friday 19 September 2025. Your cover letter should be no longer than one side of A4 and must include the following:

• Your name and contact details (address, email, phone number)
•  Languages spoken
•  Why you are interested in this role
• How you meet the criteria outlined in the job description and person specification
• Transferable skills relevant to the role—feel free to draw on experiences from home life, education, work, or volunteering
•  Confirmation that: you can commit to the hours outlined and you can attend all training days
• Any existing affiliations with MWNUK (e.g. relationships with current staff, volunteers, or board members)
• Details of one referee who is not related to you

We welcome CVs in addition to the cover letter, but they are not mandatory.

Stage 2: Interview process

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a face-to-face interview on Monday 29 September or Tuesday 30 September 2025.

Further information

•  Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback at Stage 1 of the application process.
• A Basic DBS clearance is required for this role.
• If successful, references will be requested. To help speed up the process, please include referee details in your cover letter and/or CV.
• In accordance with The Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, Part 1, Paragraph 1), this post is open to women only.
• Please note that, in line with MWNUK’s legal obligations as a charitable company, all job applications (successful or otherwise) will be retained for a minimum of six months. Applications will be securely deleted once retention is no longer necessary.
• For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Could you help improve the lives of older people across Wales?

Age Cymru is seeking three new trustees to join our passionate and highly skilled board. Whether you're an experienced trustee or considering your first board role, we’d love to hear from you.

As the national charity for older people in Wales, Age Cymru works to ensure that older people are valued, included, and empowered to shape the decisions that affect their lives. We deliver trusted advice, support, and services, and use our insight to influence policies that matter.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re particularly interested in individuals with skills or experience in:

• Communications
• Marketing
• Fundraising or income generation
• Law
• Government
• Business

We  particularly welcome applications from:

• Welsh speakers
• People living in North and Mid Wales
• Individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds

Your perspective and lived experience can help us broaden representation and deepen our impact.

What You’ll Gain

As a trustee, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Shape the direction of a national charity and improve the lives of older people in Wales
• Receive induction and training, and develop new skills in charity governance
• Use your expertise, connections, and insights to create new opportunities for Age Cymru
• Be part of a dedicated, collaborative team driving positive change

Commitment

• Four board meetings per year, plus a two-day strategy meeting in November
• Meetings are held online or in person on weekdays
• Preparation includes reading board papers in advance
• Many trustees also contribute through committee work

Apply Now

Deadline: 12 Noon, 30 September 2025
Visit Age Cymru ¦ Work for us for the application pack.

A wnewch chi helpu i wella bywydau pobl hŷn ledled Cymru?

Mae Age Cymru’n chwilio am dri ymddiriedolwr newydd i ymuno â’n bwrdd brwdfrydig a medrus.  Rydyn ni’n awyddus i glywed gan ymddiriedolwyr profiadol a phobl sy’n chwilio am eu rôl gyntaf fel aelod bwrdd.

Age Cymru yw’r elusen genedlaethol ar gyfer pobl hŷn yng Nghymru, ac rydyn ni’n gweithio i sicrhau bod pobl hŷn yn cael eu gwerthfawrogi, eu cynnwys a’u grymuso i ddylanwadu ar benderfyniadau sy’n effeithio ar eu bywydau.  Rydyn ni’n darparu cyngor, cefnogaeth a gwasanaethau dibynadwy, ac yn defnyddio ein profiad i ddylanwadu ar bolisïau.

Pa fath o berson ydyn ni’n chwilio amdano?

Rydyn ni’n chwilio am unigolyn sydd â sgiliau neu brofiad o:

• Cyfathrebu
• Marchnata
• Codi arian a chynhyrchu incwm
• Y gyfraith
• Llywodraeth
• Busnes

Rydyn ni’n croesawu ceisiadau gan:

• Siaradwyr Cymraeg
• Pobl sy’n byw yng Ngogledd a Chanolbarth Cymru
• Pobl o gefndiroedd ethnig lleiafrifol

Bydd eich safbwynt a’ch profiad bywyd yn ein helpu ni i ehangu ein cynrychiolaeth a chryfhau ein heffaith.

Beth fyddwch chi’n elwa?

Fel ymddiriedolwr, byddwch chi’n cael cyfle i:

• Lunio cyfeiriad elusen genedlaethol a gwella bywydau pobl hŷn yng Nghymru
• Derbyn cyfnod sefydlu a hyfforddiant, a datblygu sgiliau newydd mewn llywodraethant elusen
• Defnyddio eich arbenigedd, cysylltiadau, a phrofiadau er mwyn creu cyfleoedd newydd ar gyfer Age Cymru
• Bod yn rhan o dîm ymroddedig, cydweithredol sy’n creu newidiadau cadarnhaol

Ymrwymiad

• Pedwar cyfarfod y flwyddyn, a chyfarfod strategaeth dros gyfnod o ddau ddiwrnod ym mis Tachwedd
• Cynhelir cyfarfodydd ar-lein neu wyneb yn wyneb rhwng dydd Llun a dydd Gwener
• Mae’r gwaith paratoi’n cynnwys darllen papurau bwrdd o flaen llaw
• Mae nifer o ymddiriedolwyr yn cyfrannu gwaith pwyllgor

Ymgeisiwch nawr

Dyddiad cau: 12 Canol dydd, 30 Medi 2025
Ewch i Age Cymru ¦ Gweithio i ni er mwyn darllen y pecyn cais.