Paid volunteers volunteer roles in london

Can you commit to volunteering for a minimum of 2 years? 

Do you have 2 to 4 hours spare a month? 

Do you live in Reading?

Would you like to befriend a child or young person in care and make a long-term friendship with them? 

If yes, then volunteering for Reconstruct may suit you.

An Independent Visitor is an adult volunteer who befriends a young person in care and develops a long-term friendship with them. This often involves helping young people develop new interests, skills and hobbies or going on outings such as to the cinema, bowling or just a walk in the park.

You must be 21+, available for flexible working and able to commit to a minimum of 2 years. As a volunteer, you would spend about 2-4 hours every month with your allocated child.

Each volunteer is carefully matched with a child or young person in care in their local area who shares similar interests.

WHAT DO INDEPENDENT VISITORS DO?

• Visit a child monthly and becomes a trusted adult friend to them.
• Provide a consistent and reliable adult with a view to building a trusting and positive relationship with the child.
• Provide a child with the opportunity to try new activities and spend time with them away from their placement. This in turn can enhance progress and resilience of children, by building self-esteem, strengthening mental health, and opening new social relationships outside of the care system.

WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE DO YOU NEED?

• Interpersonal Skills – Ability to easily build rapport an identify with children and young people.
• Communication – Excellent communication skills, good report writing skills.
• Committed – Willing to commit to a child for at least one year and preferably two years.
• Role Model – A good role model for a child or young person who may have experienced difficult times during their childhood.
• DBS Check – We will carry out safer recruitment checks and you will be required to have an Enhanced DBS check.

Examples of activities can include:

• Sports
• Play football 
• Cinema
• Bowling
• Go to the library

You will be allocated a budget for each visit for your activity, and payment of your expenses, are paid so you are not out of pocket. These include, travel costs, and parking.

As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to attend necessary training for the role. Interviews will be arranged in due course thereafter.

Do you enjoy singing and listening to all genres of music? We have an exciting opportunity to facilitate a singing and music group in our domestic abuse refuges over the summer holidays! You will be supporting our women and children to get involved and have some fun! During the school summer holidays, Hestia runs a six-week Summer Play Scheme providing activities and outings for mothers and their children across our refuges. Funded through generous donations from the public, the Summer Play Scheme provides women and children with a safe and supportive space to reconnect by having fun and sharing happy memories together as family.

What you will be doing

• To develop positive relationships with the children and women, maintain professional boundaries and keep accurate records.
• Facilitate a weekly singing and music group
• Provide opportunities for the group to collaborate on agreed themes/ songs for future groups
• Coordinate and plan group sessions
• Inspire and motivate people to attend and get involved in the group
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team
• To use a range of skills and tools to make sessions interesting and fun for a range of ages.

The skills you need

• Understanding of Domestic abuse and its impact on children and women
• Good interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work with people from different backgrounds
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality
• Calm and patient approach
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Experience in music in either a professional, educational or personal level

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

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

The People and Culture (P&C) Committee is responsible to the Board of Trustees for oversight of the People and Culture Strategy and its effective implementation, including the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion agenda. The scope of the P&C Committee includes HQ volunteers as well as the staff workforce.  It sets and reviews the salary of executive management; oversees the annual cost of living review, is focused on developing the right working culture for the organisation and scrutinises and approves HR policies.

The role of an Independent Member is to provide the People and Culture Committee with advice, guidance and scrutiny to assist the Committee in making key decisions.

Main Responsibilities

Along with other members of the Committee:

• Review the People & Culture Strategy which supports the organisational strategy and recommend it to the Board
• Act as advisor to ensure Equity, Diversity and Inclusion considerations for staff and HQ volunteers underpin the objectives within the People & Culture strategy
• Conduct high level monitoring and oversight of the achievement of objectives within the People & Culture strategy
• Oversee the HR function to assure that we are legally compliant, effective and responsive to the needs of the organisation and its people
• Ensure that the culture of the organisation is appropriate to achieve its objectives and support its values 
• Monitor HR key performance indicators to assure the Committee and the Board that the Scouts is a good employer
• Ensure that robust and suitable HR policies and procedures are in place, that ensure fairness, equality and best practice in the management of staff, including an effective Reward Policy to underpin the successful recruitment and retention of staff
• Recommend to the Board the annual staff pay award
• Ensure the effective recruitment of ELT members via the Chair of the Committee
• Approve remuneration for ELT (with the exception of the Chief Executive whose remuneration is determined by the Board)
• Ensure an effective performance management policy and appraisal process is in place for ELT
• Assure itself that staff/volunteer relationships are effective
• Oversee the wellbeing of our people, working in collaboration with the HQ Health, Safety and Welfare Committee.

The person

A commitment to the vision and values of Scouting and the ability to challenge the Association’s policies and practices positively are essential.

Candidates should:

• Have a strong track record of achievement, especially in the area of Reward and Recognition
• Have experience of contributing to, supporting and or/leading HR policy formulation and culture setting across a large organisation or movement
• Have experience of designing and managing pay, benefits and non-financial incentives to motivate people
• Have a breadth of vision and a grasp of governance issues alongside an eye for detail
• Have unquestioned integrity, effective communications skills and experience of high-level discussion
• Have an understanding and commitment to The Scout Association’s evolving strategic plan and vision
• Be able to digest and act upon large amounts of written material, and have the ability to consider and constructively challenge the performance, strategy and objectives of The Scout Association
• Have experience of the Scout Movement and, ideally, the role of HQ volunteers
• Have experience of working at, or volunteering with, a charitable organisation
  
  

Time Commitment

For this role, the appointed candidate should expect to spend the equivalent of a day per quarter on The Scout Association’s work after the induction phase. This is based on preparation for and attendance at the scheduled People and Culture Committee meetings (three in each year, generally two meetings online and one face to face in London)

Appointment term

Appointments are typically for an initial three-year term, with the possibility of a further term of three years subject to a satisfactory appraisal.

Remuneration and expenses

In common with other registered charities, there is no remuneration directly associated with the role, although the Association will reimburse fully for all reasonable and properly documented expenses incurred in performing duties in accordance with the Association’s Expenses Policy.

Role: Data Volunteer
Organisation: Street Child 
Location: Central London 
Start date:  ASAP 
Commitment: Minimum 3 months, 3 days a week, 1 day in office 
Benefits: Unpaid role (Travel expense covered) 

About Street Child: 

Street Child believes that every child deserves the chance to go to school and learn. Our projects focus on a combination of education, child protection and livelihood support to address the social, economic and structural issues that underpin today’s education crisis. We partner with local organisations and communities to deliver our locally rooted programmes, using evidence to drive learning and the refinement and scale up of programmes to create maximum impact for the most children at the lowest cost. We pride ourselves on being willing to go to the world’s toughest places where others won’t, including remote, hard-to-reach areas and fragile, disaster-affected states across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Since 2008 we have helped over 250,000 children to go to school and learn, supported over 25,000 families to set up businesses so they can afford the cost of educating their children. 

About the Role:

We are in the process of implementing a fundraising CRM to efficiently manage our outreach activities. To support this project, we are seeking to recruit a Data Volunteer who can help us clean and migrate the historical fundraising data into the new database. This is an entry-level role, best suited for a candidate who is interested in developing a career in data. Data skills are high in demand so will suit someone keen on learning new data skills to enhance their CV. For the right candidate this will provide an opportunity to learn how not-for-profit organisations work and enable them an entry into the charity sector. 

Ideally, we are looking for someone with good Excel skills (any knowledge of additional data tools such as MS Access, Power Query, etc will be an advantage), and some understanding of data related process. Hands-on training will be provided to the right candidate. As the focus of this role will be on enhancing the quality of the data, we are seeking a highly organised person who can pay greatest attention to detail. As part of this role you will be working with our database project lead.

To succeed in this role, we need someone with: 

• Excellent eye for detail and a commitment to high standards 
• Interest in learning data skills and have good Excel skills 
• Good inter-personal skills and the ability to interact with the wider Street Child UK team 
• A passion for Street Child’s mission 

We are looking for volunteers who can work for a minimum of 3 days a week (minimum 1 day in the office) for a minimum of 3 months. Ideal for those who live in the Greater London area as we will be able to provide transport costs only up to £25. 

How to apply:

Please send your CV and a covering letter and explain why you are the perfect candidate for this role. We will be reviewing applications as we receive them, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

Street Child’s commitment to Safeguarding:

Street Child is committed to the safeguarding and protection of the communities we serve, our partners, our volunteers, and our staff. As part of this commitment to safeguarding, volunteers will be subject to appropriate background checks, including a Criminal Records check. 

We are looking for motivated, self-driven and passionate individuals to work with our client group and support them on their way to recovery. 

Role Overview

The SHARP programme is a community-based rehabilitation service, for individuals with alcohol or drug addictions. Clients attend the service on a daily basis for abstinence-based, interpersonal group therapy.

There are two centres at which this service is operated 9 Coggeshall Road in Braintree and 34 Runwell Road in Wickford. The role of a volunteer driver involves using their own vehicle properly insured, to carry one or more clients to and from the SHARP programme and their home address. The routes are variable depending upon where clients live and the administrator at either site will agree the routes with each volunteer to ensure the most effective cost saving for the service.

Each volunteer can choose when to work and how often to undertake journeys to suit their own personal situation.
The service will refund the car mileage (at a rate of 45p per mile) for journeys that begin and end at their home address.

What you will be doing..... 

• Arriving to collect and return clients in a timely fashion to ensure the client is punctual to the programme;

• Driving carefully and within the highway code to ensure safety of self, clients and other road users;

• Ensure that the vehicle used meets all relevant legal and safety standards and is properly insured for the carriage of passengers in a business context;

You will be providing important help and support for vulnerable people, and helping them on their journey to recovery and you will be giving back to the community.

There is a possibility that this role could progress into full or part time paid employment for the right person and the right role.

 We pay your car milage, this is at a rate of 45p per mile.

Also a full induction into the team will be provided, including placement specific policies and procedures. The following training will be provided:

• Organisational Awareness

• Data Protection & GDPR

• Health and Safety 

• Equality & Diversity

• Health & Wellbeing

• Safeguarding

• A clean, relevant driving licence

• An awareness of health & safety issues and how to respond to any concerns during a trip

• Knowledge of local roads and geography to minimise journey times

• Ability to work on both own initiative and as part of a team

• Able to work with the minimal of supervision

• Reliable and flexible

• Good communication skills

• An ability to maintain confidentiality

• Able to understand and maintain professional boundaries.

The service will refund the car mileage (at a rate of 45p per mile) for journeys that begin and end at their home address. Any additional expenses will need to be pre-agreed with placement supervisor.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

This flexible home volunteering role is worthwhile and rewarding. Make a real difference writing letters. As a Volunteer Penpal Writer you’ll be a key member of the Letterbox Team. Your letters will cheer someone up and establish a trusting, supportive relationship with a client who might be lonely or socially isolated.

What tasks can this role include (some or all of the following):

• Writing letters to clients
• Building trust and companionship with a client through correspondence. Omega befriends a variety of people including: caregivers, the lonely, isolated or people with ill-health.
• Liaising with the Letterbox Team by email or post.
• Respecting service standards, appropriate boundaries and recognising the policies and procedures that are necessary when befriending adults at risk.
• Making suggestions to help us improve the service we provide to clients and Volunteer Pen pal Writers.

This role could be for you, if you:

• Enjoy writing and receiving letters
• Are enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Associate strongly with Omega’s values and strategy
• Have knowledge or understanding about a variety of client issues including caring, feeling isolated and lonely and its impact on people and society
• Have satisfactory written and inter-personal communication skills
• Recognise the importance of confidentiality and can show this in practice
• Are committed to inclusion, treating people with dignity and respect

What support and training will be provided?

• Feedback from clients and colleagues
• Regular and ongoing support from Letterbox Team Leader
• Answering questions
• Stationary and pre-paid envelopes can be provided making the service free.
• Opportunity for peer support events and invitation to Omega events
• Reward system and opportunity for volunteer of the month rewards

What are the benefits for you?

• Knowing you are making a difference to someone’s life by doing something you enjoy
• Joining the Omega Team, who are taking action against loneliness and isolation as well as helping people in crisis
• An opportunity to enhance your CV or learn new skills
• An opportunity to engage with your community

Location of the role:

• Mainly your home

When are you needed?

• At a time to suit you

Do you have 1-3 hours every two months spare to become a Mencap befriender volunteer?

We support a gentleman who is looking for company and friendship in Ickenham.

We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing. In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.

This is a Stop and Stay visit role, meaning that the person you’ll be visiting might have some verbal communication skills or they use sounds and/or facial/body expressions to communicate with you. The person you visit might choose to take part in simple activities or watch you doing the activities. Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tend to be around half an hour to an hour long.

In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like:

• Sitting and having a chat
• Checking in on their well- being
• A craft activity at home
• Reading a book/magazine together

As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:

• Friendly and approachable
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
• Reliable and patient
• Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.

As a Mencap visitor you will:

• Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit
• Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training
• Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed
• Meet new people
• Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

**About Mencap ** Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Purpose

Our Associate Counsellors provide emotional support to adult members of families where there is a child or children with complex medical needs.

Tasks

Families who have been assessed by an experienced therapist from the project will be referred to the Associate Counsellor who will:

• Make contact with families, organising timing and frequency of sessions
• Provide counselling/therapy sessions to a member of each family
• Undertake a minimum caseload of 2 clients
• Attend monthly, mandatory, group supervision (2 hours)
• Undertake The Maypole Project initial training (20 hours)
• Work to The Maypole Project model of support (including flexibility in location of sessions)
• Complete client notes and The Maypole Project paperwork as required
• Liaise with supervisor or the Lead Therapist in case of questions/difficulties
• Follow The Maypole Project policies and guidelines at all times whilst volunteering
• Attend service-wide activities including family activity events and fundraising events

For students: Please check whether your course placement requirements would enable you to provide counselling at external venues (clients home, hospitals, hospices etc). This would occur only after a settling in period and with additional training and support provided by The Maypole Project.

Support

Whilst volunteering you will have support from our Family Support Co-ordinator for day to day issues and our Lead Therapist or another qualified counsellor for monthly clinical supervision.

Location

At our offices in Orpington and Greenwich or, after a settling-in period, in local schools, hospitals, hospices and client’s homes.

Time Commitment

Volunteers days and hours are negotiable but, due to the long-term promise of support to our clients, a most valued aspect of our service, we do ask volunteer applicants to be available to volunteer for a minimum of 6 months from acceptance onto the volunteering programme at The Maypole Project. We would ideally like volunteers to aspire to offering 2 years commitment to the role.

Note

STUDENT PLACEMENTS ONLY: We will review your work with the project throughout your placement to your graduation. If appropriate after either 2 years experience volunteering with us in therapies OR 3 months minimum experience post qualification with The Maypole Project you will be considered for a sessionally paid role with the organization.

Person Specification

Education & qualifications

• Good general education (essential)
• Placement: Final year student studying on a counselling diploma (level 4) or a degree/masters in counselling or counselling/clinical psychology or psychotherapy OR Qualified counsellor, therapist or clinical/counselling psychologist (diploma or first degree or masters) (essential)
• Courses must be accredited by BACP or approved equivalent (essential)
• Associate Counsellor (essential)
• Qualified as outlined above (essential)

Previous experience

• Student placement: 20+ hours of support to adult clients (essential)
• Associate Counsellor: 100+ hours of counselling support to adult clients (essential)
• 20+ hours of face to face counselling experience to adult clients (desirable)

Skills & knowledge

• Good communication and interpersonal skills (essential)
• Person-focused approach (essential)
• Experience of supporting children and families (desirable)

Attributes

• Self-motivated (essential)
• Able to work flexibly (essential)
• Approachable (essential)
• Ability to empathise with families in difficult situations (essential)
• Discreet and able to adhere to confidentiality procedures (essential)
• Commitment to equal opportunities and a non-judgmental attitude (essential)
• Commitment to further training and personal development (essential)

Exemption clause

• 2 years without significant loss (including divorce/diagnosis of chronic illness)

Thanks for your interest in volunteering for The Maypole Project

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

Role Title: Advice and Information & Signposting Volunteer

Weekly Hours: Minimum 4 hours per week

Expenses: Expenses are compensated where applicable such as travel

Commitment: At least 3 months

Responsible to: The Service Navigation Lead

Project overview:

Mind in Kingston is a local charity that supports people with mental health issues, and campaigns to raise awareness about mental health in Kingston and surrounding areas. We are affiliated to National Mind but operate independently in the Borough of Kingston upon Thames and surrounding areas.

The Information, Advice, Signposting & Referral Service is designed to provide enquirers with empathic advice, information and/or signposting.

Volunteers are extremely valued within our team and a vital part of our service delivery. We encourage and welcome people with lived experience of mental health issues to apply to volunteer with us; this could be personal experience relating to yourself, a family member or a friend; or in a professional capacity working with people with mental health issues.

We care about everyone’s wellbeing and as an integral member of our team, volunteers receive support to ensure they are trained and skilled up in their roles that they may take further in their career aspirations. They receive regular supervision and development opportunities as well as be part of our volunteer awards programme to recognise and celebrate their achievement and contribution to our community. As team members, volunteers have the opportunity to engage with the board of trustees, staff and other volunteers both professionally and socially.

Main purpose of the role:

· To provide confidential telephone advice and information about local services to service users.

· To provide empathic listening.

· To signpost service users to appropriate services.

· To promote emotional and physical wellbeing to service users.

· To collect data for monitoring purposes.

Tasks will include:

· Phone or email service users to provide advice, information and signposting.

· To research and learn about local services for information.

· To record each interaction with a service user on an enquiry sheet and file these in line with data protection regulations

· To fill in the message book and inform colleagues about messages relevant to them.

· To immediately raise safeguarding concerns and complete safeguarding if necessary.

· To maintain regular contact with your supervisor

· To attend meetings and supervision on a regular basis.

What you will receive in return:

· Training in providing remote support and telephone skills including mental health awareness, and boundaries.

· Training in adult safeguarding and local procedures.

· Training for any other skills as identified by yourself and your supervisor.

· Regular check-in with your supervisor, and monthly clinical and managerial supervision.

· An opportunity to learn new skills and develop existing ones while being a part of a lively and supportive team at Mind in Kingston.

· References upon completing your volunteering with us.

· Reasonable expenses to be paid so you are not left out of pocket.

What we expect from you:

· Commitment for at least three months

· Attend and complete training as directed.

· Adhere to our policies and procedures, particularly confidentiality, data protection, Safeguarding and health and safety.

· Confidence in supporting people with mental health challenges.

· Be able to deal with distressed users in a calm and robust manner.

· Proactive engagement with your supervisor for support.

· Safe handling and return of any equipment issued.

You may on occasion volunteer from home, so a confidential space is essential.

Application Process:

· Two references (one from a professional contact) are required.

· An enhanced DBS check is necessary.

We ask volunteers for two references, one of which must come from a professional connection such as a current or previous employer or a tutor. You will also need to undergo an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, as you will be working with vulnerable adults.

The Network of Wellbeing (NOW) is looking for two new Trustees to guide and support the NOW team (above). We’re particularly keen to find someone to act as our Company Secretary and another to advise and guide the management of our staff and volunteers. Do you think you could help? If so, we’d love to hear from you. The roles are unpaid but immensely rewarding. 

The Network of Wellbeing connects people, supports projects and inspires action for the wellbeing of people and the planet. We would love to bring on board two new Trustees who care passionately about our vision of people and the planet thriving together.

Trustees play an essential role in any charity and the Network of Wellbeing is no exception. Trustees are the supreme governing body in a charity. They determine its aims, its strategy and oversee all its operations. They are responsible in law for ensuring that it delivers its charitable objects.

Trustees also bring vital skills and experience to the charity’s management. We have reviewed the expertise and roles played by our existing Trustees – and found that they have strengths in business development, charity governance and environmental sustainability, to name but a few. They use their knowledge – and their wisdom – to guide the staff and inform key strategic decisions – and our existing Trustees gain a deep sense of joy and fulfilment from the role they play.

We are now looking for two new Trustees to complement and strengthen our existing Board. We are especially keen to find:

• someone to be our Company Secretary: This person will be responsible for:
  • advising Trustees and the Director on corporate governance and financial management;
  • overseeing the preparation of agendas and the taking of accurate minutes;
  • keeping up to date with regulatory or statutory changes and policies that might affect us;
  • liaising with our auditors, Companies House and the Charities Commission.
• someone to advise on and guide the management of our team of staff and volunteers. This would include:
  • advising Trustees and the Director on all matters relating to the management of staff and volunteers;
  • ensuring we have an up to date suite of policies and procedures;
  • guiding the management of the staff, including on pay, to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Trustees have the opportunity to use their skills and experience to help others and to further a cause they are passionate about – something wellbeing experts argue is key to living a meaningful life.

The commitment is four two-hour meetings per year – three of which meetings which are held online. We also like our Trustees to come and see us annually (in Devon) in person at least once.

We are committed to diversity, fairness and inclusion – and to building wellbeing together for everyone. We’re therefore keen to diversify our existing Trustee group to ensure it more broadly reflects the diversity of people in the UK. With that in mind, we’d welcome applications from people from a range of different backgrounds and experiences.

Could you be a Trustee of the Network of Wellbeing? If you are interested, please see here for the role profile and details on how to apply.

All applications will be considered by a panel of Trustees with advice from the Director.