Patient care volunteer roles in edinburgh

Join GHRI (Global Health Reform Initiative Foundation) — a non-profit organization bridging the healthcare gap through telehealth and telemedicine.

We’re inviting Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Laboratory Scientists, Nutritionists, and other Health Professionals to join our volunteer team and deliver care to underserved communities—virtually and impactfully.

�� Your Role:

Offer virtual medical consultations via GHRI’s telemedicine platform.

Participate in online health campaigns and patient education.

Support GHRI’s community programs through remote diagnosis and follow-ups.

�� Benefits:

Make real health impact from anywhere.

Gain experience in digital and telemedicine systems.

Receive a certificate of volunteer service and recognition letter.

Chatterbox Befrienders offer one-to-one telephone support and will call a client once a week offering companionship and a listening ear for an individual who might otherwise go unheard. Chatterbox volunteers befriend a variety of people including carers, socially isolated individuals who are struggling with loneliness, people with ill health and those that 
have been bereaved. 

THIS ROLE COULD BE FOR YOU IF:

- Would like to make a real difference in someone’s life

- Want to challenge loneliness and can commit to a weekly phone call

- Are a good listener

- Are empathetic, patient and of a caring nature

- Have good verbal and inter-personal communication skills

- Recognise the importance of confidentiality and can uphold this in practice

- Are committed to inclusion and treating people with dignity and respect

REQUIREMENTS OF A BEFRIENDER INCLUDE:

- Calling your client once a week for a chat of up to 45 minutes; this is a 26 week initial commitment, at the end of which each client’s needs are reviewed

- Completing an online call log record promptly after each phone call

- Ensuring immediate contact with the Chatterbox Coordinators if you feel that the client might be a risk to themselves or others

- Liaising with the Chatterbox Coordinator on a regular basis regarding the service, as well as discussing personal learning and development needs

- Respecting service standards, appropriate boundaries and recognising the range of policies and procedures that impact on befriending vulnerable adults

BENEFITS OF THE ROLE MAY INCLUDE:

- Knowing you are making a difference to someone’s life

- Joining the Omega Team who are taking action against loneliness and isolation

- An opportunity to enhance your CV or learn new skills

- An opportunity to engage with your community

SUPPORT AND TRAINING PROVIDED:

- Omega Chatterbox induction program

- Safeguarding training

- Ongoing support from Chatterbox Coordinators for all questions, concerns, and support

- Out of pocket expenses are reimbursed and a mobile phone can be provided if appropriate

- Monthly Befriender group support meetings via the Zoom app

LOCATION OF THE ROLE:

- Home-based

WHEN ARE YOU NEEDED:

- Provided on enquiry

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this role. If you have a criminal record this does not automatically prevent you from being considered as an Omega Chatterbox Befriender. We will take into account the nature of the offence, when it happened and whether it is relevant to the voluntary role. If you are shortlisted, this will be discussed with you during the recruitment process.

Will you share your counselling or psychotherapy skills as a counsellor or therapist to join an online counselling service for patients and families affected by a chronic pain condition (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)?

We're looking for 5 qualified counsellors, psychotherapists or psychologists volunteers ideally with some experience of working with chronic pain patients or lived experience of chronic illness, who may want to volunteer their skills supporting our adult service users (aged 18 & over) and help us to continue developing a mental health support service. 

As a Volunteer Counsellor/Therapist you’ll be providing remote counselling/therapy support services to adults aged 18 and over many of whom are isolated and in need of mental health services. You’ll be providing one-to-one counselling/therapy sessions online via Zoom or by phone. With your recognised counselling qualifications and experience you will be an asset to our small charity and to our services users.  

Depending on your qualifications, skills and experience, our volunteer counsellors / therapists provide person centred counselling (general talking counselling) or integrative counselling, or specialist services such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), ACT, CFT and EMDR for CRPS patients, or their families & close relatives.

People will be referred both by health or legal professionals as well as having patients and carers themselves referring into to the service.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your counselling and therapy skills, organisation, communication and team working skills.

Most importantly you’ll be providing essential services that help make sure no one has to face CRPS alone. Be the hope for CRPS.

What the role involves

This role may vary depending on needs, but is likely to include:

• Undertake a client assessments, followed by person-centred counselling (via Zoom or phone) to our clients, offering up to 20 sessions for each client plus 4 psychometric assessments

• Providing one-to-one counselling sessions to clients aged 18 & over

• Update our database with the client’s information, sessional notes and session attendance

• Maintain succinct, relevant session notes and store these confidentially and securely in acccordahce with GDPR

• Attending and participating in peer supervision support

• Attend CPD training to ensure your knowledge stays current

• Participating in volunteer meetings
• Maintaining client confidentiality, upholding data protection and equal opportunities principle

• Attend monthly Supervision and peer support sessions to ensure safe working practices

We can support you to develop the skills you need for this role, including a full induction. You will have a chance to discuss your role and any additional needs with us. We can offer you a supervisor as well as expenses for annual insurance and an external supervisor if required.

What you need for this role

Essential

• Be a member (including student membership) of one of the recognised membership organisations (see below)
• Level 4 Diploma level qualifications as a minimum (unfortunately no students at this time), Degree or Masters in Counselling, Counselling/Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, Art Therapy, EMDR 
• Minimum of 100 hours supervised
• Proof of professional indemnity insurance annually - we may consider paying this as an expense but commitment to the charity is required
• A valid DBS certificate (enhanced version), which is less than three years old and renewed every three years (the charity can provide where necessary)
• Able to keep people’s personal data safe

• Willing and able to provide counselling via Zoom from a private location with a stable WiFi connection

• Able to support a minimum of 3 clients a week, being three hours of your time for therapy sessions plus time for administration. We ideally hope you to offer the charity a minimum commitment of six months.

Desirable

• Knowledge of chronic pain or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Previous experience as a chronic pain or CRPS counsellor or psychologist 
• Committed to our values
• Willing to develop skills and experience
• Enjoy working as part of a team
• Effective administration skills, planning and organisation skills
• Approachable, presentable, enthusiastic

We also welcome training counsellors and counselling/clinical psychologists who are looking for placements.

Once we’ve assessed your application, you may be invited for interview. If you are successful, we will arrange for you to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service DBS or Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check.

Recognised Organisations You Must Be A Member of:

• British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP)
• British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP)
• EMDR Association UK
• Complimentary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
• British Psychological Society
• General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR)
• British Society for Clinical Hypnotherapists (BSCH)
• National Council for Hypnotherapists (NCH)
• United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
• The National Hypnotherapy Society (HS)
• National Counselling Society (NCS)
• Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• The Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy (APHP)
• National Register of Hypnotherapists & Psychotherapists (NRHP)

Making a difference

What impact will the opportunity have?

You will join the charity during a critical and challenging period where referrals are on the rise and your expert knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our success. You will have a key role in not only developing a counselling service for our clients but also ensure we provide counselling services and mental health support to our CRPS patients & their families who are in need of our support and inclusion on a regular basis. With your help we will expand our support and mental health services to ensure our service users receive mental health support that they may not have been offered.

What's in it for you as the volunteer? 

You would be a part of our small, friendly, forward-thinking charity team, focused on reaching people affected by this rare, painful and debilitating chronic pain condition and to provide them with psychological support whether they are patients, their partner, relatives, friends or carers. As this service is rapidly expanding, you would have a key role in developing our counselling and psychotherapy programme and to complement our support services that we offer. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a real difference in our clients' life which is already isolated and painful, who may not have received any psychological support.

Join us in promoting health and wellness in our community! We are looking for a passionate volunteer to teach Online Tai Chi sessions for individuals with mixed abilities as part of our online groups programme. Your role will be key in supporting to reduce isolation and bringing people together! If you are qualified and would like to get involved, please apply now!

At Hestia, we support adults and children who have experienced crisis and trauma, to find safety, hope and purpose. We specialise in trauma and resilience informed support for people in crisis or who have experienced trauma – including survivors of modern slavery, adults and children escaping domestic abuse, people needing support with their mental health, and people leaving prison. We foster trusting relationships at crucial moments in their recovery, that empower individuals to

build a life beyond crisis.

What you will be doing

• Planning and deliver Tai Chi classes for diverse groups and skill levels.
• Create a welcoming environment which encourages participation
• Educating participants on the physical and mental benefits of Tai Chi.
• Providing guidance during practice, encouraging participants, and helping them achieve their goals.

The skills you need

• Qualified in teaching Tai Chi
• A friendly, approachable, and patient demeanour
• An interest in promoting health, mindfulness, and community well-being
• Excellent communication and listening skills

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.

Will you help us shape our future by joining us a trustee? We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are committed to making a difference to our work. We welcome applications from people of all professional backgrounds, whether or not they are patients or have experience in the healthcare sector. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from people with skills in digital marketing and communications, charity management and fundraising.

As a Trustee, you will share responsibility for the governance of the British Thyroid Foundation (BTF) and will fully understand the charity’s purpose as set out in its governing document. You will have strategic oversight of the planning for what the charity wants to achieve and be able to explain how our activities support our objectives. You will always act in the BTF’s best interest and ensure accountability within the charity. You will comply with the charity’s governing document, manage the charity’s resources responsibility and act with reasonable care and skill.

Are you passionate about the power of creativity? Volunteer with Little Green Pig as a Story Mentor or Illustrator Mentor.

Mentors work alongside our workshop leaders, providing children and young people, aged 7-18 with in-depth support, helping to create a safe space for them to write for pleasure and purpose.

At Little Green Pig we believe that offering children and young people the opportunity to develop writing skills and invest in their imaginations can truly change their lives. It’s a vital form of self-expression that builds confidence, communication and literacy skills - and it’s fun!

We’re looking for volunteer Story Mentors and Illustrator Mentors to support our after-school clubs and on-off projects in Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne and across Sussex. Please note that these roles are in-person only at various community-based locations.

We’d love to hear from you if you’re:

• Aged 16+

• Based in Sussex

• Patient, enthusiastic and passionate about creativity

• Interested in working with children and young people

• Looking for a fun and fulfilling way to learn new skills and connect with other people.

No training necessary as full training will be given. DBS check and travel expenses provided.

Join our Board

We're looking to expand our Board of Directors as we embark on our new four-year strategy. 

About Us

Just Treatment organises patients to overcome corporate power and win equitable, universal access to the quality healthcare we all deserve. We work with people directly affected by health injustice and support them to step up into leadership roles, steering human story-centred campaigns that win systemic reforms. As we embark on an ambitious new four year strategy, we want to build on our powerful track record and evolve our proven theory of change so we can keep delivering winning patient-led campaigns in an increasingly hostile political, social, and economic context. Vital to realising our new strategic goals is the expansion of our board to add in diverse expertise, capacity, and support for our brilliant team at this exciting and challenging time for our work.

Purpose of the role

The purpose of the Board of Directors is to provide leadership, guidance, checks and balances on the structure and operation of the organisation.

The Board of Directors:

● Fulfils the duties and responsibilities of Company Directors

● Advises on and approves strategic plans, annual roadmaps, and budgets, and any changes to these

● Identifies any risks to the organisation and advises on these

● Advises on and approves organisational policies and commitments, including grant and commercial agreements

● Advises on and approves organisational structure, including the structure and composition of the Board and any other Boards and Committees it deems necessary

● Provides oversight on the Executive Director, including their appointment, performance reviews, remuneration decisions, and delegated powers

“Our dedicated Directors form a great team that I love being a part of. We really care about the work and staff team, and we're keen to add value through our expertise as well as being eager and open to learning. Through mutual respect and listening to each other our meetings and interactions are really fruitful. I know I get a lot out of being part of this team and the opportunity to support the great work of Just Treatment.” Adina Claire, Chair

“We’re very excited to be adding new Directors to our young board. So many of our rights are currently under attack, it feels incredibly important to be part of a team working intersectionally on the fight to secure health justice for all. As we’re launching into our next four year strategy we need to build our board to create a team that can help us meet this moment. The leadership of people with lived experience of the injustices we’re battling is central to our approach so we’re particularly keen to hear from people who have been personally impacted by the issues we work on.” Diarmaid McDonald, Executive Director

The Practicalities

Time commitment:

We have four full board meetings per year. Three of these are online and last for two hours, and one longer full day meeting is in person (likely in London. All costs will be covered). Directors are expected to attend these, and come prepared, having read all board papers in advance.

We have additional committees such as Finance and Governance, and Directors will be expected to join a committee. There may be other events that Directors are invited to attend, and other opportunities to get involved.

We also expect that Directors will provide ad hoc support based on their expertise and available time. We estimate the time commitment to be up to half a day per month.

What qualities should our board members have?

Our Board members are diverse while all having:

● Alignment with Just Treatment’s values

● Commitment to Just Treatment's mission

Our Board includes people who have:

● lived experience of the issues we work on

● experience leading and growing non-profit organisations in the UK, including leading their strategy and planning cycles, and fundraising efforts

● experience with different organisational forms and governance structures

● experience with shaping organisational cultures, policies and processes

● knowledge of health policy and health justice

● understanding of campaigning, advocacy, and organising practice

We are looking specifically to appoint up to three more Directors, and are seeking expertise in the following areas to add to our board:

Finance - such as small company or charity accounting, financial policies and systems.

People and Ops - such as safeguarding, HR policy and law, good practice and people development, progressive and anti-oppressive practice.

Accessibility

We encourage applications from people who are disabled or who face other oppressions or barriers. As a health justice organisation we encourage people with lived experience to join us. We also recognise the barriers that have traditionally stopped some people from getting involved with boards. Whilst this is an unpaid post, we will cover expenses such as travel or care costs that you may incur as a board member. We will also work with you to make this recruitment process as accessible as possible.

Group B Strep Support (GBSS) is seeking new Trustees to join our Board and help guide the charity through its next phase of growth and impact.

Following a recent skills audit, we are keen to strengthen our Board with individuals who bring expertise in key strategic areas, including fundraising, change management, external/public affairs, financial accounting, and governance. Whether you're a seasoned professional or someone with transferable experience and a passion for our mission, we would welcome your application.

About GBSS

GBSS is the UK’s leading charity working to prevent life-threatening group B Strep infections in babies. Our Trustees play a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of the charity, ensuring it remains true to its mission, well-governed, financially sound, and impactful.

You will be part of a committed and collegiate Board, working alongside fellow Trustees, our Clinical Advisory Panel and our Staff Team to uphold GBSS’s values and objectives.

Key Trustee Responsibilities

Trustees contribute actively to the Board, which:

• Sets and maintains the vision, mission and values.
• Develops strategic direction and longer-term strategies.
• Establishes and monitors policy.
• Ensures compliance with the Governing Document and the law.
• Ensures accountability and that resources are used exclusively in furtherance of GBSS’s objectives.
• Maintains proper fiscal oversight.
• Promotes the charity externally.
• Appoints, supports and monitors the performance of the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
• Maintains effective Board performance.

We have four Trustee positions available and we’re particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Fundraising & income generation
• Change management
• External/public affairs
• Finance, accounting & governance

We especially welcome applicants with recent UK maternity care experience and those from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic communities.

***This is a voluntary role, open to UK residents only. We are looking for people who are normally resident in the UK. This is to ensure compliance with governance, legal, and operational requirements relevant to our charity’s work.***