Prison Volunteer Roles

Prison-based volunteers are the backbone of Fine Cell Work (FCW). Supported by the Fine Cell Work programmes team and by other staff at the FCW office, they teach and administer FCW stitching groups in prisons.

Prison volunteers work in teams to organise classes and teach our stitchers, as well as providing groups information to the prison and to the FCW office. The precise mix of skills will vary from prison to prison.

Volunteering in prison for Fine Cell Work requires ideally a good level of needlework skill (or a willingness to learn), some teaching experience and/or experience of working with socially-excluded groups. Volunteers must be patient and non-judgemental in order to work effectively.

This document describes the role of prison volunteering teams as a whole. Individuals who do not have all the skills described below may find a role alongside other volunteers who do.

Purpose: Supporting the facilitation of Kids Matter parenting programmes in prisons, encouraging dads to grow in confidence, competence, and community.
Location: Within the prison (either HMP Brixton or HMP Wormwood Scrubs)
Time commitment: Minimum of 1 year, 4-8 hours per week, depending on prison placement

Main responsibilities

• Support Prison Facilitator (staff member) in the delivery of Kids Matter's prison parenting workshops
• Attend a Kids Matter family visit
• Engage with supervisory support from Prison Facilitator (staff member)

About Kids Matter's prison workshops

Kids Matter's prison workshops run for five weeks* (4x sessions followed by 1x family visit day). There will be breaks between each programme, and our goal is to run 3x programmes per year in each prison.
* Programme schedules may vary based on the prison location.

Before the programme starts

• Familiarise self with programme content
• Meet with the team
• Attend Kids Matter training
  • Minimum 4.5 hours of bespoke training (depending on level of prison experience, it may be expected to attend more training)
• Complete prison security checks and training (where required)

During the programme

• 4x weeks of 2-hour sessions, plus set-up and set-down (roughly 4 hours per week)
• 1x 3-hour Kids Matter family visit, if applicable

After programme

• Review and debrief with team

Prison-based volunteers are the backbone of Fine Cell Work (FCW). Supported by the Fine Cell Work programmes team and by other staff at the FCW office, they teach and administer FCW stitching groups in prisons.

Prison volunteers work in teams to organise classes and teach our stitchers, as well as providing groups information to the prison and to the FCW office. The precise mix of skills will vary from prison to prison.

Volunteering in prison for Fine Cell Work requires ideally a good level of needlework skill (or a willingness to learn), some teaching experience and/or experience of working with socially-excluded groups. Volunteers must be patient and non-judgemental in order to work effectively.

This document describes the role of prison volunteering teams as a whole. Individuals who do not have all the skills described below may find a role alongside other volunteers who do.

You will support our Administrators and front line workers with a range of administrative functions to support them with their daily activities and workload. This will give you the opportunity to be involved with a variety of administrative duties including filing, writing notes and supporting the front line workers with the administrative preparations of their group delivery and updating of their client case notes.

This is a fantastic opportunity to use your organisational and administrative skills while gaining an understanding of the roles and support function of our front line services.

The volunteer role will be subject to prison vetting and security checks. This is in addition to what is required for community working.

Accountabilities 

Service Delivery – Client support tasks

· Support administrative staff and front line workers with data entry onto database system.

· Provide assistance at reception/in admin office answering and taking messages and transferring phone calls.

· To assist with filing and maintaining of administration records in an orderly user-friendly system. 

· Support front line staff with administrative paperwork required for group sessions or group meetings.

· To assist with minute taking.

· To maintain confidentiality and data protection principles, raising any issues with your line manager as appropriate.

Additional tasks

· Engage in support and supervision provided.

· To keep a good record of your work, including reporting verbally to their supervisor and completing relevant forms.

This may vary depending on your specific team and time commitment.

Expenses

• Travel expenses (within 20 miles of the service) 
• Up to £6.50 lunch expenses.
• Any additional expenses will need to be pre-agreed with placement supervisor.

Qualities

Below is a list of the qualities that we are looking for from volunteers:

· If in recovery, to be 6 months abstinence from all mood altering substances if in recovery.

· Must be over 18 years of age.

· Ability to use computers and IT equipment.

· To have good verbal and written communication skills.

· To have a clear understanding and maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

· To have a clear understanding of how to set and maintain boundaries.

· To have the ability to reflect and receive feedback.

· To be reliable, flexible and committed.

· To treat individuals with respect and dignity.

· To have the ability to follow instructions.

· To be committed to own learning and development.

Checks required for this role

· Reference (this may be from a keyworker, volunteer supervisor, tutor or sponsor if you are not able to provide a work reference)

· Enhanced DBS Check

· The volunteer role will be subject to prison vetting and security checks. This is in addition to what is required for community working.

We have a new volunteer opportunity based at Rotherham Probation Office, supporting the Change Grow Live Dependency and Recovery team. We are looking for individuals that have an understanding of the issues faced by the people we support. You'll be passionate about supporting others to change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.

As a Criminal Justice Dependency & Recovery Volunteer, you will work closely with our Dependency and Recovery Coordinators and Prison & Probation Services to deliver a range of tailored activities to adult males who are on probation.

You will assist in delivering drug and alcohol interventions and encourage motivation to support the person on probation to achieve their goals around their substance misuse and offending behaviour.

As a Change Grow Live volunteer you will be part of a supportive team and receive comprehensive training and guidance to develop within the role.

Key Activities:

• Support the D&R Coordinator to deliver recovery focused interventions including drug, alcohol and harm minimisation, offending behaviour, consequential thinking and developing positive coping strategies

• Support in key-working and group sessions

• Work in partnership with and build professional relationships with external organisations, e.g. Probation, Prison and Recovery Services

• Build therapeutic relationships with the people we support

• Empower the people we support to achieve their ‘Action Plan’ goals

• Motivate the people we support to engage in recovery activities within Change Grow Live, Probation and the wider community

• Research and signpost the people we support to Asset Based Community Services e.g. food banks, mental health services, housing, mutual aid

• Remind and empower the people we support to attend appointments and groups

• Input data on to IT systems

• Support the D&R Coordinator at events to promote and provide information about the D&R service

• Collect and collate feedback from the people we support using our services 

Belong is an established, award-winning criminal justice charity with a vision of hope, rehabilitation and recovery for survivors and perpetrators of crime. We work with multiple stakeholder organisations to develop a more humane and effective criminal justice system. Through engaging with our mentoring, restorative justice, psychotherapy and training interventions, individuals and communities achieve positive, lasting change.

Belong wishes to appoint a new Chairperson to our Board of Trustees. We invite applications from individuals experienced in criminal justice and organisational leadership, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

As the Chairperson of our Board you will be passionate about Belong’s vision and motivated to help drive Belong forward on its mission. An organised, energetic and reliable leader, you will support the Board of Trustees and CEO to realise the highest vision for Belong’s success. A fluent and persuasive communicator, you will represent the organisation publicly as well as internally and build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. You will be familiar with financial and risk management processes for medium to large organisations.

The role of Chairperson is a voluntary, non-executive appointment. The role requires a commitment of approximately two days per month, with the capacity to flex upwards should the need arise.

Belong fosters an inclusive and welcoming culture where all aspects of diversity are key to the charity’s success. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, lived experience of the criminal justice system and from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

Belong’s Values

Inspiration - Genuinely believing that people can change, heal, and rehabilitate. Focusing on individual’s strengths and abilities. Role modelling evidence-based practice amongst other professionals.

Respect - Accepting people as they are. Being consistent, open and honest with people. Challenging harmful beliefs and behaviour.

Empowerment - Giving people the skills to move forward and take ownership of the future. Enabling people to talk about their experiences. Encouraging people to voice their needs and set goals.

Perseverance - Providing long term support when this is needed. Working through setbacks with people. Understanding that lasting change takes time.

Restoration - Restoring hope and self-worth Re-building relationships. Promoting a culture of hope within criminal justice systems.

Chairperson Role, Responsibilities and Attributes

The Chairperson leads the Board of Trustees and sets its agenda in consultation with the CEO. Their role is to enable Trustees to fulfil their responsibilities for overall governance, risk management and strategic direction. The Trustee Board is responsible for proactively engaging with and understanding Belong, its service users and the wider criminal justice landscape. Trustees must always uphold the best interests of Belong’s service users, ensuring that the charity achieves its charitable aims whilst abiding by charity law and other relevant regulations. The Chairperson supports and empowers the CEO to lead the organisation so that it achieves its vision, mission and aims, whilst remaining sustainable and ethical.

In supporting the trustee board and CEO, the Chairperson is responsible for:

• Acting as an ambassador and spokesperson for Belong when appropriate.
• Creating meaningful and productive working relationships with the CEO, senior leadership team and trustees.
• Providing empowering, supportive line management to the CEO.
• Chair and facilitate trustee board meetings effectively, ensuring that decisions are made fairly and in the best interests of Belong’s service users.
• Supporting the trustees to have a sound understanding and oversight of the organisations finances, including reviewing annual budgets and financial policies.
• Facilitating annual performance reviews for each trustee and for the CEO.
• Leading and developing the board of trustees and CEO including inductions, training and succession planning as appropriate.
• Supporting other trustees to arrange and effectively chair quarterly subcommittees on risk and resilience, finance and fundraising and communications.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact us via the details on our website. To apply for this role, please submit a CV and covering letter using the link below. Please note that we are not able to consider applications submitted without a CV or covering letter. 

We have an exciting volunteer opportunity based at Telford and Shrewsbury Probation Offices, supporting the Change Grow Live Dependency and Recovery team. We are looking for motivated people who have an understanding of the issues faced by the people we support. You'll be passionate about supporting people to change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.

We are a specialist service dedicated to supporting people on probation impacted by substance misuse. Our projects are based in the West Midlands, South Yorkshire and Kent, Surrey & Sussex.

As a Criminal Justice Dependency & Recovery Volunteer, you will work in close collaboration with Dependency and Recovery Coordinators (D&R Coordinator) and Prison & Probation Services to deliver a range of tailored activities to adult males who are on probation.

You will assist in delivering drug and alcohol interventions and encourage motivation to support the person on probation to achieve their goals around their substance misuse and offending behaviour.

As a Change Grow Live volunteer you will be part of a supportive team and receive comprehensive training and guidance to develop within the role.

Please note before applying

• The volunteer role is based at Telford and Shrewsbury Probation offices,once a week (office hrs are 9 - 5pm)
• Some of the training for this role is elearning and so access to a laptop in order to complete this will be required
• This post is subject to a DBS check at an enhanced level and vetting enhanced level 1 by HMPPS at the recruitment stage
• Please remember to complete the Personal Statement part of the application as this forms part of the shortlisting process

To find out more about this exciting opportunity please read the attached role description.

Trailblazers has been providing mentoring services to people in prison since 1998 with ultimate aim to to reduce re-offending. We provide support to men between the age of 18 - 35 that have 6 months left of their prison sentence and through gate into their own community for a maximum of 12 months. Services are delivered in Wolverhampton in HMPYOI Brinsford, HMP Featherstone. In London HMP Brixton and HMPYOI Isis. We are looking for volunteer mentors in all priosn porjects that can spare half a day per week to support men to change their life through inspirational role models and goal setting. Mentoring sessions usually last 1 hour per week, to allow enough time for travel and liasing with Trailblazers staff this will take about half of your day. We are actively looking for people to join our mentoring community with lived experience of the criminal justice system, under represented groups from BAME community, creative arts, business skills, wellbeing - whatever your skills and background we are open to hear from you to support our diverse group of men.Out of pocket expenses are covered as well as training to equip you for your role. Email us for an application form. 

• To provide a positive role model for people in prison and in their own community, to be empathic and to have a desire and commitment to support people to fulfil their potential.

• To attend and participate fully in the initial and ongoing mentor training.

• To attend group support/supervision meetings and review performance within mentoring relationships.

• To complete mentoring session notes relevant to the mentoring service for monitoring purposes.

• To take part in introductory meetings with mentees and set ground rules and boundaries.

• To report safeguarding concerns immediately

• To follow relevant policies and procedures 

• To perform your role in line with the aims of the organisation

• To meet with and actively develop a supportive relationship with mentees

• Be prepared to travel and undertake visits for mentoring sessions 

• To make the necessary practical arrangements to meet the mentee on a weekly or fortnightly basis

• Assist the mentee to celebrate their achievements

• Support the mentee to meet identified goals

• Develop an understanding of the role, responsibilities and boundaries of a volunteer mentor

• Be committed to the project for a minimum of 18 months

• Regular communication with Trailblazers staff in support of your mentee 

Skills/behaviours/knowledge required 

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and challenges faced by mentees (Desirable) full training will be given 

• Awareness of own professional boundaries and the ability to report any concerns within the mentoring relationship that could be pertinent to risk to the mentee, or to others 

• To be an advocate for a mentee and to actively seek opportunities for mentees for resettlement back into their own community in conjunction with Trailblazers staff 

• To be non-judgmental, focus on the person rather than the offense 

• Professional but relatable with strong communication skills 

• Awareness of adversity and how to overcome barriers to build a supportive network around the mentee 

• Basic IT skills 

• Be able to take advice and guidance from Trailblazers staff 

Criteria

• Over 21 

• We encourage applications from those with lived experience of the Criminal Justice System but you must be off licence for a minimum of 12 months, and not in crisis yourself 

• You cannot apply to a project if you have been a resident in the same prison yourself 

• A good level of fitness to able to move around a prison at fast past that does include stairs 

• Due to security checks at the prison you must be a British citizen     

• Not committed an offense where you are barred from working with vulnerable adults or children 

• Live within a 30 mile radius from the prison you would like to volunteer at

Could you help someone change their life and avoid reoffending?

Belong’s vision is of hope, rehabilitation and recovery for victims and perpetrators of crime. We inspire change by providing long term, individualised responses to conflict and crime through restorative Justice, psychotherapy, mentoring, and training for criminal justice professionals.

We have exciting opportunities available for committed, compassionate people to volunteer as one to one mentors with us. Volunteers will work with children, young people and adults serving prison sentences at HMPYOI Feltham and HMP Isis or serving community sentences in London.

One to one mentors will build a professional working relationship with individuals as they serve their prison or community sentence and work towards a crime free future. Mentoring sessions will take place once per week or fortnight, for one to two hours per session. During the sessions volunteers will offer support to individuals to assist them to access education, training and employment; develop life skills; work through previous traumas and build positive relationships. Volunteers need to be able to commit to the role for at least one year. Mentoring sessions will take place during weekdays or weekends. 

Interviews will be via zoom on variable dates before 9th November. We will liaise with each candidate to arrange a mutually convenient time.

Successful applicants will be invited to participate in an initial two day training course at either HMPYOI Feltham and HMP Isis from 9:30am-4pm on Saturday 11th and Saturday 18th May 2024. Please note: spaces on the training course are limited and we may close the recruitment before the closing date if spaces become full.

Prison security vetting and/or an enhanced DBS check are required for this role and all volunteers will be supported to undergo this. After vetting processes are complete, further training will be provided at the prison in which mentors are volunteering, with a range of dates available.

Full support and supervision will be provided to volunteers. We particularly encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system.

To apply, please send us your CV and covering letter as soon as possible, and by 19th April 2024 at 11.30pm. Interviews will be held remotely on zoom or via phone call. Applications will be screened and applicants interviewed on a first come first served basis, and we have a limited number of spaces available on our October training course. We reserve the right to close this recruitment process before the closing date if we receive a high number of suitable applications beforehand.

Release Mates - Trustees

Release Mates is a growing team of prison leavers in recovery from addiction who now support other prison leavers in the immediate hours after their release. The organisation is converting from a CIC to a charity.

Release Mates is seeking 2 trustees to complete its inaugural board. This is an exciting opportunity to institute how Release Mates will grow and keep up with the demand for its service. You will be involved in creating positive opportunities for people who society has discarded.

​Lived experience or knowledge of the criminal justice system is preferred, but not essential. The successful applicants will assist the CEO in fundraising and ensuring financial matters are in order. ​

Job Description

A contracted Ministry of Justice Approved Premises and Housing Charity working with released offenders on prison licenses and ex-offenders, to break the revolving door of re-offending, homelessness, and prison. Trustees will use their knowledge, experience, and skills in an environment they may not have previously encountered.

What will you be doing?

Trustees meet every two months with the Senior Management Team (SMT) at the Charity offices to monitor activities, finances, and development of the organisation, giving advice to the SMT and making such decisions as required to ensure the organisation is acting appropriately to meet the requirements of our stakeholders; Ministry of Justice, National Probation Service, Leeds Local Authority and within Charity Commission regulations. 

The Organisation has grown rapidly, and it is essential that the Board of Trustees develops to meet the broad needs of this Charity. 

New Trustees will contribute to the stability and support, advice, and opportunity that the Charity provides to enable vulnerable ex-offenders to do things differently and by offering their experience and specialist knowledge in the areas identified will add depth and breadth to the existing Board of Trustees.

Additional time and specialist advice given as and when required, will enable the SMT to respond effectively to new challenges and external changes as they occur whilst the SMT concentrate on the day-to-day work of the Charity and its staff.

New Trustees must want to make a difference to individual lives and wider society by supporting the SMT and staff to help those vulnerable ex-offenders with very specific and high-risk offending histories, who are being released from long or repeated prison sentences, to believe that they can live positive fulfilling lifestyles.  It is essential that Trustees can view our service users with an open mind.

What are we looking for?

New Trustees are being sought with experience of Accounting and Auditing, Housing and Private Letting Legislation, accessing Funding opportunities, Police or Probation work, Mental Health, or Substance misuse fields.

It is vital that new Trustees have an affinity with the aims of the Charity and appreciate the value of giving individuals a chance to change their future and leave their offending lifestyle behind and the important role that stable accommodation plays in enabling individuals to turn their goals into reality. 

Not all skills need to be specialist and an understanding of the barriers to prison release re-settlement, housing, employment, and stable relationships that many disadvantaged or vulnerable people in society face on a day-to-day basis is helpful.   

Being able to work within a small team of Trustees and provide good interpersonal, supportive, and positive contributions is important.

If you feel you have valuable experience and skills to contribute and would like a new challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

What difference will you make?

The development and success of the organisation needs to be supported by maintaining the number of trustees and the range of expertise available to provide effective and sustainable governance going forward.  In an environment where government policies and funding strategies are susceptible to change, a robust Board of Trustees will help to maintain the Charity's ability to provide and sustain an effective service. 

This will thereby continue to increase the availability of stable accommodation with support; service user's ability to secure and maintain stable employment; build new relationships and increase access to healthcare and wellbeing support.  As a result, this can lead to reduced reoffending, reduced prison population and cost to the taxpayer and therefore has potential to actively achieve public protection, reduce the impact of offending on victims, families and children of both victims and perpetrators and local communities.

Before you apply

Previous experience of Charity Governance would be useful but not necessary.  Please contact us via Reach with any questions you may have, and we will be pleased to discuss the opportunity on offer.

Orchestras Live seeks a new Chair to lead the Board of Trustees and help steer the organisation through its next phase of development.

Orchestras Live believes orchestras are for everyone. Our mission is to ensure everyone has access to and can enjoy the benefits of live orchestral music, regardless of their background. We work throughout England in places which have experienced historical underinvestment, including rural and coastal areas. Our projects can take place in schools, care homes, prisons, arts venues, museums, outdoors and online.

If you believe in and want to advocate for the power of culture to create social impact and positive change, this role could be of interest to you. It is not essential to have knowledge of orchestral music or the orchestral sector. However, it’s important that you recognise the unique role that orchestras can play in supporting a culturally vibrant and resilient society, and love music – orchestral or otherwise.

For further information and details on how to apply, please visit the Orchestras Live website.

One25 is a Bristol-based charity, specialising in supporting women to break free from street sex-work, addiction and other life-controlling issues and build new, independent lives. We provide night outreach (7 sessions weekly), a Health Hub and casework, giving person-centred support and advocacy to around 240 women each year.

One25’s outreach service is often how women first make contact with us, meeting us on our fully equipped outreach van.  Three volunteers, one an experienced team leader, go out on the van at night and meet women’s basic needs by providing nutritious food, first aid, warm clothing, condoms, safety alarms etc. They provide the chance to talk and get advice in a safe space and encourage women to get more in-depth help by visiting our Health Hub or seeing a caseworker. 

We are looking for volunteers to join our accelerated pathway to becoming a Van Team Leader. This pilot project will be for people who have professional experience in the following areas: 

• Domestic abuse
• Sexual violence
• Drug and alcohol
• Homelessness
• Social care
• Physical Health
• Mental health
• Prison service 

The project will aim to train volunteers up into Team Leaders within 6 months. This will consist of fortnightly van shifts and monthly training forums, and frequent mentorship from the Volunteer Manager.

Upon completion of the programme Team Leaders will be able to reduce their commitment to monthly van outreach shifts and quarterly training/meetings, with the expectation that Team Leaders will continue as a volunteering for more than 2 – 3 years (24/36 shifts). 

It is an Occupational Requirement that applications for this post are open to women only, as permitted under Schedule 9, Part 1, of the Equality Act 2010. Enhanced DBS disclosure will be required.

Application: April 

Interview: May 

Van induction: Thursday 30th May at 5pm-8:30pm 

Safeguarding and Boundary training: June date tbc

Shift 1 and 2: June

Shift 3 and 4:  July 

Material sent to view beforehand

Training forum: Monday 22nd July 6-7:30pm 

Shift 5 and 6: August

Material sent to view beforehand

Training forum:Monday 2nd September 6-7:30pm 

Shifts 7 and 8: September

Material sent to view beforehand

Training forum:  Monday 7th October 6 -7:30pm

Shifts 9 and 10: October

Probation review: November  

We are The Children's Book Project and we work passionately to enable children to have access to books. We are just establishing our presence in Birmigham as we grow nationally and have, in 2023, celebrated gifting out 1 millionth book. We gift to children in schools  and in prisons trying to tackle book poverty and give every child the opportunity to own a book of their own. Our charity is very much a family - we are grassroots and powered by an extraordinary team of volunteers. 

We really need some support in the Birmingham area and are hoping to find 1 or 2 amazing volunteers who are willing to drive for us during school term time - collecting and delivering the books that our other volunteers have gathered and packed with love and care!

What we need...

A committment of between 4-6 hours every month - Only during school term times

The ability to lift and move books and boxes ( a great workout!)

A full, clean UK driving licence, over 25 years old with permission to work in the UK

Happy to drive our van , Betsy!

All mileage will be paid and you will be a hugley valued part of our team

If you can help in any way, we would just love to hear from you !