Safeguarding volunteer roles

Guardian Light Foundation (Social Enterprise)
Remote / Hybrid / In-person (depending on location)
Flexible hours – approximately 20 hours per month
This is a voluntary position (unpaid)

About Guardian Light Foundation

Guardian Light Foundation is a social enterprise dedicated to helping children, teenagers, and single-parent families affected by homelessness, abuse, and financial hardship.
Our mission is to create safe spaces and brighter futures through education, emotional support, skill-building, and empowerment programs.

We are building a compassionate team of professionals and volunteers who believe every child and family deserves stability, dignity, and hope.

About the Role

We are seeking a Volunteer Counsellor to provide compassionate, confidential, and professional emotional support to children, teenagers, and parents in need.

This role is ideal for a qualified counsellor, trainee therapist, or psychology professional seeking to make a real difference while gaining valuable experience in the charity and community support sector.

You’ll work alongside our multidisciplinary team to provide one-to-one and group sessions that help service users build resilience, self-esteem, and emotional well-being.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide confidential emotional support and active listening to clients affected by trauma, abuse, or family hardship.

• Conduct initial assessments to understand client needs and determine appropriate support pathways.

• Deliver one-to-one or group counselling sessions (online or in-person).

• Maintain accurate and confidential client records, in line with GDPR and safeguarding policies.

• Work collaboratively with the wider Guardian Light Foundation team (including social workers, program coordinators, and legal advisors).

• Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns following the organisation’s procedures.

• Participate in regular supervision meetings and ongoing professional development.

• Support awareness campaigns, community outreach, and mental health education initiatives when possible.

Essential Requirements

• Recognised qualification or training in Counselling, Psychology, or a related field (students and trainees are also welcome).

• Empathetic, non-judgmental, and trustworthy.

• Strong understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding, and professional boundaries.

• Excellent communication and active listening skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a supportive team.

• A genuine passion for helping children, teenagers, and families facing hardship.

Desirable Skills

• Experience supporting survivors of abuse, neglect, or trauma.

• Knowledge of family dynamics, youth issues, or homelessness.

• Familiarity with online counselling tools and data confidentiality best practices.

• Membership or trainee membership of BACP, UKCP, or equivalent (preferred but not required).

What We Offer

Although this is a voluntary position, Guardian Light Foundation offers meaningful benefits, including:

• The opportunity to make a real, lasting impact in the lives of vulnerable individuals.

• Free training and ongoing supervision.

• Experience and professional references to support future employment or career advancement.

• Flexible hours – we work around your schedule.

• The chance to join a caring, inclusive, and inspiring community of professionals and volunteers.

Commitment

• Minimum of 6 months commitment preferred.

• Approximately 5–10 hours per week (flexible scheduling).

• Must attend an online induction and safeguarding briefing before starting.

How to Apply

If you have a heart for helping others and a passion for emotional wellbeing, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV and a brief cover letter outlining:

• Why you want to volunteer with Guardian Light Foundation

• Your relevant skills or experience

• Your availability

 Important Notice:

This is a voluntary (unpaid) position. There is no financial compensation for this role. Travel or approved expenses may be reimbursed where applicable.

Why we want you

As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

· Organising and attending awareness and fundraising events within the community

· Identifying new fundraising and awareness opportunities

· Helping at events

· Delivering presentations to community groups, schools, etc through

· SSAFA’s speaker programme

· Event administration

· Social media marketing

The skills you need

· Friendly and approachable

· Happy to help

· Basic IT skills would be an advantage

What's in it for you

· Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others

· Support in your role from the team at SSAFA

· Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

Community Engagement Volunteer

Why we want you

As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

· Organising and attending awareness and fundraising events within the community

· Identifying new fundraising and awareness opportunities

· Helping at events

· Delivering presentations to community groups, schools, etc through

· SSAFA’s speaker programme

· Event administration

· Social media marketing

The skills you need

· Friendly and approachable

· Happy to help

· Basic IT skills would be an advantage

What's in it for you

· Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others

· Support in your role from the team at SSAFA

· Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

Why we want you
As branch secretary you help coordinate a range of activities and a calendar of events to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

• Communication with branch volunteers
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s central office
• Co-ordinating a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc..

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Strong administration skills
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Support in your role from the team at SSAFA
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer
SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

Community Engagement Volunteer

Why we want you

As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

· Organising and attending awareness and fundraising events within the community

· Identifying new fundraising and awareness opportunities

· Helping at events

· Delivering presentations to community groups, schools, etc through

· SSAFA’s speaker programme

· Event administration

· Social media marketing

The skills you need

· Friendly and approachable

· Happy to help

· Basic IT skills would be an advantage

What's in it for you

· Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others

· Support in your role from the team at SSAFA

· Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

Childline Volunteer Counsellor- Someone who wants to make a difference to children’s lives by being there to listen when they feel they have no one else to turn to. As a Childline counsellor, you’ll be there for young people and listen to them as they open up about whatever is worrying them, whether it’s bullying, abuse, self-harm or family relationships – you’ll be there to support them.

What you’ll do

You’ll volunteer in our Leeds Childline base, offering counselling support to children and young people over the phone or through our 1-2-1 online chat. Your supervisor will help you develop and evaluate your counselling skills. After your initial training, you will be able to help young people as well as identify when a child or young person may be at risk, but don’t worry a supervisor will be on hand to give you plenty of support.

What you’ll get

You’ll receive training sessions over 12 weeks to prepare you for the role. When you start your regular shifts, a supervisor will be around all times to support you. Every shift includes a briefing and debriefing alongside other volunteers. Supervisors will also give you regular one-to-one support and group supervisions.

What we’ll need from you

Signing up to be a Childline counsellor is a big commitment and requires lots of training so, we do ask people to stay in the role for a minimum of one year.

We’ll also need to do some routine safeguarding checks, including an enhanced criminal record check and at least two satisfactory references with at least one covering a period of five years or more with no gaps. It’s nothing to worry about, and we can answer any questions you have about this.

Who’s right for the role?

While we think this role is suitable for a whole range of people, we are particularly looking for those with the following qualities and experience.

• Passionate about helping young people and children
• Great communication skills
• Empathetic and perceptive
• able to think on your feet
• works well within a team
• emotional resilience

Why volunteer with us?

Not only will you gain valuable experience throughout your volunteering journey, you’ll also have access to useful resources including a catalogue of online training, discount portal and NSPCC inMind – an online mindfulness resource.

You’ll be fully supported throughout your volunteer journey with us and will have a dedicated key contact should you have any questions along the way.

Overview:
Lead and grow CWV’s community food hubs and outreach initiatives, ensuring families receive support with dignity and connection to wider services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee day-to-day food hub operations and logistics

• Manage volunteers and coordinate schedules

• Build partnerships with food suppliers, councils, and community organisations

• Maintain records and data for reporting and impact measurement

• Develop community engagement activities around health, wellbeing, and inclusion

• Ensure all health & safety and food hygiene standards are met

Skills & Experience:

• Experience managing community or food distribution programmes

• Strong organisational and leadership skills

• Compassionate and community-focused approach

• Knowledge of health, safety, and safeguarding principles

Youth On The Rise
We train peers to deliver digital, life-skills, menstrual support and career programmes that mobilize communities.

Africa faces youth unemployment that fuels poverty, crime and substance abuse. Primary schools lack computer literacy, widening the digital divide and limiting opportunity. Girls miss school because of period poverty and stigma, while boys face violence, poor life skills and reintegration after detention. Learners also make tertiary choices with poor information. High HIV prevalence demands health education and blood donations. Communities experience unmanaged waste and degraded public spaces.

A systemic, peer-led model under Youth On The Rise that turns risk into opportunity. We run KidsInTech (foundational digital skills), A Man To Remember (life-skills plus sport and reintegration for boys), Girls’ Dignity & Wellness (period support and confidence), and Career Guidance clinics (informed pathways). Each programme uses train-to-lead toolkits, facilitator run-sheets, safeguarding, and impact trackers so schools, churches, and youth clubs can deliver independently. Partnerships—Ministry of Education permissions, Machabeng International College volunteers, local churches for meals, and Kick4Life for certificates—reduce costs and expand reach. Media campaigns, HIV education, blood drives, and city clean-ups link learning to visible community outcomes.

Social Media Manager

• Build and execute a platform strategy aligned to our mission, audience segments, and annual goals

• Own the content calendar across LinkedIn, YouTube, and WhatsApp Channels
• Write, edit, and proof captions with a distinct, consistent brand voice
• Produce short video, photo carousels, and simple graphics using Canva or equivalent tools
• Coordinate content capture at events and with programme leads and volunteers.
• Publish on schedule, optimize posts per platform best practices, and manage hashtags and tags
• Monitor comments and DMs, respond within service standards, and escalate safeguarding issues
• Grow community through interactive formats.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC) is looking to appoint a new Trustee to its Board of Trustees (voluntary role) - an individual with CQC/ Healthcare sector experience. MAAC is looking for someone who:

1. Has executive experience within a CQC regulated organisation - with extensive CQC knowledge and a strong understanding of governance. Healthcare sector experience is essential.
2. Has the ability to make a strong contribution to the governance and success of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (with a track record of successful leadership, and experience of operating at board level or the ability to contribute at board level).
3. Has the time to commit to four in person Board meetings per year and four virtual Clinical Standards Committee meetings per year.

Position Title: VLT member
Reporting to: Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) - Volunteer Lead
Organisation: Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees (SWR)
Location: Sevenoaks Town and surrounding areas within the district council area
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per week
Remuneration: Voluntary Position (Expenses Reimbursed)
Background to the charity
Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees is a local charity formed in March 2017. We are a small and growing charity, whose volunteers and supporters have come together to welcome and help support the refugees who have fled the fighting and persecution in Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine, and are now resettling in our community.
Starting with just one refugee family, we have expanded our efforts over the years and are proud to have supported about 50 families as they settle and rebuild their lives in our community.
Purpose of Role:
Would you like to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of refugee families as they settle into life in Britain—supporting them to achieve independence and integrate confidently into their new communities?
As a member of the SWR Voluntary Leadership Team (VLT), you will contribute to the effective delivery of core services for refugees and help support and coordinate our valued volunteers.
Our work spans general support with settling in, integration, building independence, language learning, educational guidance, and assistance in accessing suitable employment. In this role, you’ll work closely with other VLT members, with a particular focus on the general support function, collaborating with volunteer teams and ensuring they are well-informed, resourced, and confident in providing person-centred support.
This is a chance to contribute meaningfully within a growing, well-regarded charity, alongside a dedicated and compassionate team of volunteers who share your passion for helping others.
Key Responsibilities:
● Support communication between lead volunteers and central SWR services to help source equipment or assistance for families.
● Help oversee the changing needs of families, recognising that support levels will gradually reduce as independence builds.
● Collaborate with local authority support workers where families are still receiving formal assistance.
● Assist in developing and tracking Path to Independence Plans for families.
● Liaise with team leads across Education, Language, and Employment functions.
● Keep the Volunteer Lead and wider VLT informed as appropriate.
Skills & Qualities Needed
You should be:
● Compassionate, patient, and non-judgmental
● A good communicator, both in writing and in person
● Organised, with strong attention to detail
● Flexible and culturally sensitive to varying family needs
● Reasonably confident with IT tools (email, shared files, online forms, etc.)
Experience in teaching, social care, or charity work is useful, but not essential. A genuine interest in helping others and working collaboratively is most important.
Support & Training Provided
All SWR volunteers are expected to complete an induction, including mandatory safeguarding training. We also provide training on cultural awareness to help volunteers support families sensitively and effectively.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage you to highlight any specific adjustments that would enable you to participate fully in the recruitment process.

VSO, in partnership with the Uzbekistan government, is looking for experienced teaching professionals to help strengthen the teaching of English language at secondary school level and build the capacity of in-service teachers.

This is a unique opportunity to share your expertise and skills, collaborate with local educators, and contribute to sustainable improvements in English language teaching in schools across Uzbekistan. As a volunteer English language teacher, you will work alongside Uzbek teachers, delivering school curriculum lessons, professional development and coaching workshops. You’ll support teachers and students in enhancing their English language proficiency, adopting student-centred methodologies, and implementing international best practices. Your experience will help shape the future of English language teaching in Uzbekistan. 

Use your expertise to shape education, influence communities, and grow as a leader. Roles available across England.

Are you a business leader or corporate professional looking to make a meaningful impact outside the boardroom?

By becoming a volunteer governor at a further education (FE) or sixth form college, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of an organisation that transforms lives through education and skills—while strengthening your own governance experience and leadership credentials.

Why it’s relevant to professionals like you

Further Education colleges train over 1.6 million learners annually, preparing the skilled workforce that keeps our economy moving—from engineers and IT specialists to healthcare professionals and construction experts.

As a college governor, you’ll sit on the board of an FE institution (and registered charity), where your insight into strategy, risk, people, or finance will have a direct impact on how public funds are spent, how performance is measured, and how learners are supported to succeed.

This is an opportunity to:

• Apply your corporate skills in a charitable leadership role
• Gain board-level experience and enhance your CV
• Contribute to local economic growth and social mobility
• Support a vital sector during a time of transformation

What you’ll do

As part of a governing board, you’ll:

• Set strategic direction: Help define the college’s mission and goals
• Hold leadership to account: Monitor finances, performance, and outcomes
• Ensure governance excellence: Make decisions in the best interests of learners and stakeholders
• Act as a charity trustee: Ensure financial sustainability and legal compliance

You’ll also engage with senior leaders and external stakeholders, including local employers, regulators, and community partners.

Who we’re looking for

We welcome professionals from a broad range of sectors, including but not limited to:

• Finance, Audit & Risk
• HR, People & Culture
• Strategy, Transformation & Operations
• Technology, AI & Digital
• Legal, Governance & Compliance
• Marketing, PR & Communications
• Education, Apprenticeships or vocational courses

What matters most is your strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and commitment to helping others succeed.

Prior education experience is not required. Full induction and training are provided, with access to DfE-funded development and peer mentoring where needed.

Time commitment

Expect to give approximately 1–2 days per month, including:

• Attending board and committee meetings (in-person or hybrid)
• Reading papers and preparing questions
• Participating in training and occasional college visits

The time commitment is manageable alongside a full-time role—and many employers actively support staff to take on governance roles as part of their professional development.

Where you’ll be needed

We are recruiting governors for colleges across England, with new opportunities added regularly. We’ll work with you to match your skills and location with a college in need of your expertise.

What’s in it for you?

· Enhance your board-level and governance experience

· Develop strategic oversight and leadership outside your day-to-day role

· Expand your professional network

· Give back in a way that creates long-term, measurable impact

· Gain exposure to the education, charity, and public sectors

Ready to step into a strategic, purpose-driven leadership role?

If you’re ready to bring your corporate insight to the education sector and help shape the future of skills, opportunity, and social mobility—we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now to become a volunteer college governor.

Use your expertise to shape education, influence communities, and grow as a leader. Roles available across England.

Are you a business leader or corporate professional looking to make a meaningful impact outside the boardroom?

By becoming a volunteer governor at a further education (FE) or sixth form college, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of an organisation that transforms lives through education and skills—while strengthening your own governance experience and leadership credentials.

Why it’s relevant to professionals like you

Further Education colleges train over 1.6 million learners annually, preparing the skilled workforce that keeps our economy moving—from engineers and IT specialists to healthcare professionals and construction experts.

As a college governor, you’ll sit on the board of an FE institution (and registered charity), where your insight into strategy, risk, people, or finance will have a direct impact on how public funds are spent, how performance is measured, and how learners are supported to succeed.

This is an opportunity to:

• Apply your corporate skills in a charitable leadership role
• Gain board-level experience and enhance your CV
• Contribute to local economic growth and social mobility
• Support a vital sector during a time of transformation

What you’ll do

As part of a governing board, you’ll:

• Set strategic direction: Help define the college’s mission and goals
• Hold leadership to account: Monitor finances, performance, and outcomes
• Ensure governance excellence: Make decisions in the best interests of learners and stakeholders
• Act as a charity trustee: Ensure financial sustainability and legal compliance

You’ll also engage with senior leaders and external stakeholders, including local employers, regulators, and community partners.

Who we’re looking for

We welcome professionals from a broad range of sectors, including but not limited to:

• Finance, Audit & Risk
• HR, People & Culture
• Strategy, Transformation & Operations
• Technology, AI & Digital
• Legal, Governance & Compliance
• Marketing, PR & Communications
• Education, Apprenticeships or vocational courses

What matters most is your strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and commitment to helping others succeed.

Prior education experience is not required. Full induction and training are provided, with access to DfE-funded development and peer mentoring where needed.

Time commitment

Expect to give approximately 1–2 days per month, including:

• Attending board and committee meetings (in-person or hybrid)
• Reading papers and preparing questions
• Participating in training and occasional college visits

The time commitment is manageable alongside a full-time role—and many employers actively support staff to take on governance roles as part of their professional development.

Where you’ll be needed

We are recruiting governors for colleges across England, with new opportunities added regularly. We’ll work with you to match your skills and location with a college in need of your expertise.

What’s in it for you?

· Enhance your board-level and governance experience

· Develop strategic oversight and leadership outside your day-to-day role

· Expand your professional network

·Give back in a way that creates long-term, measurable impact

· Gain exposure to the education, charity, and public sectors

Ready to step into a strategic, purpose-driven leadership role?

If you’re ready to bring your corporate insight to the education sector and help shape the future of skills, opportunity, and social mobility—we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now to become a volunteer college governor.

Please note: this role covers areas in Herefordshire only. 

Relevant Persons Representative (RPR) Volunteers ‘looks out’ for an older or disabled person living in a Residential and Nursing care home, making sure they are getting the right care and support and are being treated fairly. This role provides support for people with a Deprivation Of Liberty Safeguard (DOLS) in place. A DOLS is a deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding meaning the person you support is unable to leave of their own free will. A DOLS is put in place to protect individuals from harm or abuse. 

Benefits of volunteering with Advocacy Services

• Be part of a growing charity with ever expanding exciting new projects!
• You are provided with FREE training
• Reimbursed for public transport fair and/ or partial mileage costs
• Get experience in the field of mental health
• References are available from us on request
• Fulfilment in helping your local community
• Meet new and likeminded people - we hold regular volunteer catch ups to have your say and meet other volunteers
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme benefits

Overview of Onside

ONSIDE is an independent charity promoting the rights and interests of people facing disadvantage. We believe that everyone is entitled to fair, equal treatment and opportunity. Our skilled staff and volunteers make a real difference to the lives of over 11,000 people a year across Worcestershire and Herefordshire.