Service volunteer volunteer volunteer roles in East ham, greater london
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Amy’s Place is a partnership between the Amy Winehouse Foundation and Clarion Housing, providing supported living accommodation for young women aged 18-30 in recovery from drugs, alcohol and other addictive behaviors.
With training in alternative therapies such as Reiki and Sound Healing, you will support young women to improve their physical and emotional well-being in a group setting or on an individual basis.
Activities
- Delivering Sound Healing sessions in a 1-2-1 or group basis.
- Providing a safe, relaxing, therapeutic environment for the activity to take place.
Experience and requirements:
- Suitable candidates need to be qualified or nearing the end of a substantial training.
- Volunteers may be asked to have professional liability insurance.
- This role will require us to carry out an enhanced check through the disclosure and barring service.
Commitment
Commitment can be flexible to suit your availability, from about 1-2 hours per week. Ideally this volunteer will commit to a minimum of 3 months
Support
- Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training
- Reasonable travel and lunch expenses will be reimbursed
- The role is based at the service in East London. The exact address cannot be given until the volunteer starts due to safety and privacy reasons
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Looking for a way to give back to your local community without a long-term commitment? Not sure exactly what you’d like to do, but know you want to help?
Sometimes we come across one-off community tasks that just need a few volunteers to give us a good old Yorkshire helping hand. We also know life can get very busy and people don’t always have time to commit to a regular volunteering role.
Being a Community Squad volunteer is a flexible way to get involved. You’ll find out when and where one-off tasks are happening near you, and you can choose to help whenever it suits. There’s no ongoing commitment, you’re in control.
As a Squad volunteer, you’ll regularly receive updates about opportunities across Yorkshire. There’s no obligation to sign up for any of them, but if something catches your eye, just put your name forward. We’ll send you all the details you need, and you simply turn up on the day!
Tasks vary widely, so there’s something for everyone. You might help at a community clean-up, plant spring bulbs, hand out leaflets, put out grit or clear a path when it’s snowed for a neighbour. Or you could be handing out popcorn at a cinema event, making cups of tea at a social club, supporting someone with their digital devices, creating glitter tattoos at a children’s event, or writing letters to customers who are isolated.
There will be lots of varied things to help with!
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
As part of the Government led Gommunities for Afghans programme, we are looking to recruit individuals or groups to make up a team of 6 volunteers to support an Afghan family - you could be friends, neighbours, colleagues, faith groups, veterans, or community organisations are welcome.
We are currently focussed on supporting families across Wales, West Midlands and Scotland but be keen to support elsewhere geographically where possible. With this in mind, you may live in these areas, but we are also delighted to bring volunteers together remotely to support a family.
You will be at the heart of this programme. It is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference!
The Communities for Afghans programme is a community-led Government initiative supporting families as they rebuild their lives in the UK. It is a Government-approved scheme that enables local people to welcome Afghan refugee famiklies into their community. Volunteers will be supported by us to find housing for a family, provide practical and emotional support enabling them to settle into daily life and feel a genuine sense of belonging in the community.
How community sponsorship work
- Form a Sponsor Group Create a team of six or more volunteers — friends, neighbours, colleagues, faith groups, veterans, or community organisations.
- Training & Ongoing Support Our partners provide full training, so your group feels confident and well prepared. This simple, practical training is offered before you begin and continues throughout the sponsorship journey.
- Identify Suitable Housing With our guidance, your group helps find long-term accommodation. We then match an Afghan family of the appropriate size and ensure the property is suitable and affordable. Government funding is available for rent deposits and related costs.
- Welcome & Support the Family Volunteers help the family register with schools, healthcare, benefits, and local services, while introducing them to the community and supporting them as they adjust to life in the UK.
- Be the Local Point of Contact You act as the family’s trusted guide, helping them navigate the area, understand local systems, and access opportunities that only residents truly know.
- Commit for Three Years Sponsor groups support the family for three years, providing consistency as they grow in independence, confidence, and resilience.
Why Your Support Matters
Volunteering through Community Sponsorship is a powerful act of solidarity. You are not only helping one family — you are strengthening your entire community.
Your support helps families:
- Rebuild their lives in safety and dignity
- Access education, healthcare, and employment
- Learn English and integrate into the community
- Become confident and independent
And your community benefits:
- Stronger local connections
- Celebrated diversity
- Practical meaningful humanitarian action
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Care4Calais
Care4Calais is a volunteer-led charity delivering essential aid and support to people seeking asylum living in the UK and Northern France. We provide direct aid and advocate for a fair asylum system, including safe routes to claim asylum.
The UK Direct Aid team delivers essential support through practical services; such as running distributions, delivering English classes and casework-style support through drop-ins. The UK Direct Aid team also provides services to promote wellbeing such as trips and sports activities.
Volunteer Role Description
We are looking for empathetic and motivated people, who are committed to welcoming people seeking safety to join our volunteer teams across the UK. We have volunteer teams across the UK so there will be a local group you can join.
What you will receive:
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Comprehensive training to equip you in your role; including safeguarding training, Induction Training, Activities and Distribution Training and Boundaries and Resilience Training.
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Support from a wonderful team
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Opportunity to develop skills, including casework, networking, and interpersonal skills
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Greater understanding of the UK asylum system
As a volunteer, there is a range of activities you can choose to get involved in, depending on the area you volunteer. Some activities include:
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English classes/ conversation clubs
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Drop-ins - help with requests and signpost to support.
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Distributions - provide essential items like clothing, shoes, toiletries.
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Sports - activities like yoga, football etc. are a great way to improve wellbeing, and for people to connect with others.
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Trips - organise trips to places such as the park, cinema to help boost mood and give people time away from the hotel.
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Wellbeing activities - sessions like crafts and cooking are popular.
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Workshops - help with housing once someone receives Leave to Remain; familiarise people with life in the UK.
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Events - mark specific days or holidays to get people together and celebrate.
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Media/ Press/ Engagements - as a volunteer, you may be asked to share a story for our social media or help someone with lived experience to share.
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Remote working - support with tasks such as contacting Migrant Help, assisting individuals to register with GPS, researching local support, or general admin.
Care4Calais strongly encourages people with experience of the asylum system to apply, and recognises the specific value that lived experience brings to an organisation.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About the Role
We are Buttons & Bubbles C.I.C. and our mission is to increase inclusion and representation for disabled families across society. We offer a variety of services including bespoke characters, workshops, free resources, events, sensory trails, and more.
We are looking for volunteers to help us apply for and secure funding to support our valuable work. This role can be done remotely, with no fixed rota, and the amount of time you give is flexible.
Who Are We Looking For?
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Interested in fundraising or securing funding
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May have experience in the community or charity sector
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Legal or corporate background, or studying law or similar subjects
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Willingness to learn, motivated, and proactive
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Organised and detail-oriented
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Positive attitude and collaborative
What Do We Expect?
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Willingness to undertake our virtual training programme at a time convenient to you
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Have a basic DBS check (preferably on the update system) or be willing to complete one with us
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Sign our volunteer contract (we are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments if needed)
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A positive and inclusive attitude toward disability and illness
What Can You Expect?
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A supportive, kind, and nurturing team that values its volunteers
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Flexibility – contribute at times that suit you
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Supportive approach to accessibility and accommodations
Benefits of Volunteering with Buttons & Bubbles C.I.C.
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Make a tangible difference in your community
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Develop skills in fundraising, research, and grant applications
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Enhance your CV and demonstrate reliability to future employers
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Explore new areas of interest and take on additional tasks if desired
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Build confidence while contributing to meaningful work
To increase inclusion and representation across society for disabled families.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About the Role
We are Buttons & Bubbles C.I.C. and our mission is to increase inclusion and representation for disabled families across society. We offer a variety of services including bespoke characters, workshops, free resources, events, sensory trails, and more.
We want to collaborate with more organisations, schools, and hospitals to spread the word about our work and services. To do this, we are looking for volunteers to join our outreach team and support these efforts.
Who Are We Looking For?
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Enthusiastic about increasing representation and inclusion
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Interested in development, with possible experience working with schools, hospitals, or in business development
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Strong communicator (verbal or other forms such as Sign Language, Eye Gaze, etc.)
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Creative thinker who can bring fresh ideas to the team
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Collaborative and team-minded
What Do We Expect?
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Willingness to undertake our virtual training programme
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Have an Enhanced DBS check (preferably on the update system) or be willing to complete one with us
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Sign our volunteer contract (we are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments if needed)
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A positive and inclusive attitude toward disability and illness
What Can You Expect?
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A supportive, kind, and nurturing team that values its volunteers
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Flexibility- contribute at times that suit you
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Supportive approach to accessibility and accommodations
Benefits of Volunteering with Buttons & Bubbles C.I.C
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Make a tangible difference in your community
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Develop skills in outreach, communication, and partnership building
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Enhance your CV and demonstrate reliability to future employers
-
Explore new areas of interest and take on additional tasks if desired
-
Build confidence while contributing to meaningful work
To increase inclusion and representation across society for disabled families.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
A charity based in Croydon, Surrey, London, UK is looking for volunteer Charity Team Assistants; to volunteer 30 unpaid hours per week. The Charity serves a multi ethnic community especially people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds.
Responsibilities:
- To assist GNDFuk's permanent instructors in finding and providing creative forms of engagement for both our youth and adult programmes.
- To assist in project and schedule planning including setting and clearing up 30 minutes before and after projects and events
- To assist in ensuring that activities are executed safely
- To assist in coordinating events and activities to encourage the objectives of GNDFuk
Person Specification:
- Someone enthusiastic and creative who is committed to working towards the achievements of the charities objectives.
- Knowledege of Black and ethnic minority tradition/culture is preferable however not essential.
- Experience is desirable.
This is a non-paid one year temporary position however accommodation and maintenance will be provided.
All interested candidates are required to send us a letter of application, a resume, and contact to the email provided. If your application is accepted, you will be invited for a telephone interview. Any applications received after the closing date will not be considered unless we have been unable to find a suitable candidate for this vacancy.
Successful candidates will require a DBS/POLICE check and references prior to commencement.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) is a dynamic local charity established in 2006. We support asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants, to lift themselves out of poverty and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community. We provide both crisis support to meet immediate need, and longer-term, flexible programmes to tackle the underlying problems that lead people to be in crisis.
We are a team of 15 majority part-time paid staff (9FTE) and over 100 volunteers. Our office is based in the Leemore Centre in central Lewisham. AFRIL works with residents in Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, Bexley and Bromley. In the last 12 months AFRIL has supported over 750 individuals.
AFRIL’s Casework and Advocacy Team provides complex casework and legal interventions in the areas of housing and homelessness, Asylum Support, Benefits, No Recourse to Public Funds and Community Care. AFRIL also offers community activities to the residents of a local Asylum Support Hotel. Activities are arranged in situ at the hotel, as well through trips and outings.
AFRIL’s ESOL support volunteers will work with AFRIL’s Community Activities Coordinator to provide friendly and professional ESOL and English Conversation activities to participants.
Your duties will include:
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Arrive promptly to support AFRIL staff to set up the ESOL / English Conversation activity.
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You will work with the Community Activities Coordinator to plan activities and sessions according to the appropriate level of the participants’ English.
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You will engage participants in the activities, supporting them to take part, improving their English and confidence.
Other duties also include:
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Undertake comprehensive training (including safeguarding training) to support you in carrying out your volunteer role.
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Uphold AFRIL’s values when working alongside staff, volunteers and clients, and follow AFRIL’s policies and procedures at all times.
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Be vigilant of any safeguarding concerns and report these swiftly to AFRIL staff.
Please complete the application form and submit alongside your CV. Please mention the position within the title of your email.
We support asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants to lift themselves out of poverty and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The International Academy of Secrets Wisdom welcomes volunteers to contribute to its educational and administrative activities.
Even if you have no prior experience, you are welcome to join under direct supervision by experienced staff to ensure quality and skill development.
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### Personal Information
- Full Name
- Email Address
- Phone Number
- Country / City
- Age
- Primary Language (Arabic / English)
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### Available Volunteering Fields (choose one or more)
- Human Resources (HR)
- Executive Assistant to CEO
- Trainer
- Marketer
- Sales Team
- Zoom Room Supervisor
- Content Writer
- Podcast Host
- Accountant
- Business Manager
- Fundraising Campaign Specialist
- Social Media Manager
- Certificates Officer
- Arabic–English Translator
- Lawyer (preferably specialized in corporate law, based in the UK)
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### Benefits
- Experience certificate in the chosen field (minimum 7 months of volunteering required).
- Opportunity to obtain a paid contract after the volunteering period, as the academy grows.
- Work will be online (remote).
Academy Message: Providing comprehensive and innovative educational and training programs designed to develop individuals and prepare them to become c
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Amy’s Place is a partnership between the Amy Winehouse Foundation and Clarion Housing Group providing supported living accommodation for young women in recovery and receiving support with drug and alcohol issues.
A confident and experienced hypnotherapist, with appropriate qualifications and interest in working with clients affected by addiction. The successful applicant will be someone who can provide supportive and calming sessions tailored to the individual needs of the client to promote their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Activities
- 1:1 or group Hypnotherapy sessions for residents
- Provide a safe, relaxing, therapeutic environment for the activity to take place.
- Suitable candidates must hold a professional qualification
- Volunteers may be asked to have professional liability insurance
Support
- Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training.
- Volunteers have a named supervisor providing day-to-day support and encouragement.
This is a flexible opportunity and volunteering times and frequency will vary depending on your availability and the needs of service users. It might be every week or fortnight, 3 to 4 hours, ideally for a minimum of 3 months.
Trustee Recruitment
Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering
Become a trustee for Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham and Havering (Age UK RBH)
We are seeking new trustees to strengthen our Board and help shape the future of vital services for older people across our three boroughs.
We are looking for dedicated, passionate people, of all ages, with a range of professional and life experience, to join the Age UK RBH Board of Trustees.
You'll join a trustee team with a vast amount of personal and professional experience across a whole range of fields. You’ll be warmly welcomed, participate fully in the governance of our charity and all that entails, and supported to develop your skills.
We'd love to hear from you whether you're an experienced trustee or have never been one. It's just important that you're passionate about creating a fair and equal society for older people and can embody our values.
What we are looking for:
· Previous committee experience and abilities to work in a team
· Professional or voluntary skills and experience covering areas such as supporting older people, caring, finance, communication, property, Human Resources.
· People who live in one of our 3 core boroughs or work or have family connection to one of them or an interest in supporting older people in Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham and Havering
· Commitment to diversity and inclusion
It is not essential to be an older person yourself (due to a majority of older people on the existing board).
We are particularly keen to recruit trustees with experience in one or more of the following areas that are underrepresented on our board:
· Legal – governance, compliance, contracts, safeguarding
· Human Resources – workforce development, wellbeing, organisational culture
· Local Authority/Public Sector – commissioning, partnership working, policy insight
· Data and Digital – evidence‑based decision making, data governance, innovation
· Social Enterprise/Business Development – income generation, sustainability, entrepreneurship
· Commissioning and Contract Management – strategic commissioning, outcomes framework
We're actively looking to improve the diversity of our Board of Trustees, so we'd especially like to hear from people from diverse backgrounds and under-represented groups.
Time commitment
There are six Board of Trustees Meetings in the year usually on a Friday afternoon and additional training days as required.
Contact
To register your interest in becoming a trustee please email your CV with a short paragraph stating why you are interested in the role to chair
We will invite you for a conversation and provide further information about becoming a trustee.
Closing date: 31st January 2026
Interviews: Week beginning 9th February 2026
For more information please email:
Alima Qureshi, Chair of the Board of Trustee
Andreea Albu, Chief Executive
Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Why we need your help
We provide free games and activity sessions with tailored support for children with additional needs and disabilities. We support over 100 children, known as our ‘athletes’, with a wide range of additional needs, including autism, cerebral palsy, non-visible disabilities, and global development delay. At KEEN London, we strive to use fun and games to improve young people's wellbeing, and personal, social and emotional development as well as broadening experiences to increase skills and confidence.
Purpose of the role
Our Volunteer Coaches are the backbone of a KEEN London session! You’ll provide one-to-one support to an athlete, helping them to access all the activities on offer, achieve their personal development goals, and of course have tons of fun! You can expect to get involved with a wide range of playground games, ball games, nature walks, and creative activities. From time to time, we also run trips for our athletes, and previous trips have included trampoline parks, high ropes courses, pedalo boating and slime-making classes.
Tasks and activities
● You’ll support our athletes to engage with the session, and have fun while they’re doing it.
● You’ll help our Service Coordinators develop goals for our athletes, track their progress, and give them lots of encouragement along the way.
● You’ll work with your Service Coordinators and fellow Coaches to come up with new games, develop resources, and plan activities.
● We want our athletes to enjoy being active, making friends, and trying new things - and we want you to join in the activities with them!
● Our athletes love working with energetic and enthusiastic people, and we’ll ensure that all your hard work will be rewarded with a great time.
Please note: To ensure that you are equipped and ready to take on this role, there is a thorough application process which includes but is not limited to: an information session, an in-person onboarding training evening, an enhanced DBS check, reference checks and a safeguarding quiz. All elements of the onboarding process have to be completed satisfactorily before you can start volunteering in this role.
Why Volunteer with KEEN London?
KEEN London would not be what it is without the volunteers who support our work, and we want to ensure that all our volunteers gain just as much from their volunteering journey as they put into the charity. Here’s what you’ll get in return for supporting us:
● Regular volunteer social events, and opportunities to meet other coaches
● We will provide you with ongoing feedback and support to enable you to reach your full potential at KEEN, you will receive an induction and handbook prior to starting your role and you will receive access to a virtual training portal with additional resources.
● We will give you opportunities to access other roles to help you broaden your skills, such as becoming a Captain or Session Leader.
● Long-term volunteers receive t-shirts, badges, and advance sign-ups to our popular events
● We have a budget set aside to cover volunteer expenses (see Volunteer Agreement below)
● We will provide job/character references to volunteers after a reasonable period of volunteering with us.
Volunteer Agreement
All KEEN London volunteers are asked to observe the Volunteer Agreement. This agreement is binding in honour only, is not intended to be a legally binding contract between us and may be cancelled at any time at the discretion of either party. Neither of us intends any employment relationship to be created either now or at any time in the future.
As a volunteer with KEEN London, you can expect:
● To be a part of a unique and evolving charity that is providing a valuable service to children and young people with additional needs.
● To be introduced to how the organisation works and your role within it.
● A supportive and reciprocal environment that ensures a positive experience for you as a volunteer.
● To be invited to volunteer at special events and fundraising activities.
● Reimbursement of any reasonable travel expenses.
● To be treated fairly and equally with dignity and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, age, (dis)ability, religion or sexual orientation.
● A safe and healthy environment for you to volunteer in.
● Any problems or complaints to be investigated quickly and resolved fairly.
● Recognition for your efforts and successes – celebrating achievements and rewarding loyalty and dedication.
● To receive, if required, a reference after a reasonable time of volunteering.
● Access to free Charity Worker Discounts.
Our expectations of volunteers:
● To maintain and uphold the reputation and good name of the charity.
● To treat other volunteers, staff and service users fairly and with dignity, and to respect everyone equally, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, age, (dis)ability, religion or sexual orientation.
● To ensure appropriate levels of confidentiality and data protection are upheld.
● To uphold our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy. This includes ensuring that when out of sight of other adults a ratio of 2 adults to 1 athlete is in place, and that you report any concerns you have about the safety and wellbeing of athletes to the Coordinator as soon as possible.
● To adhere to all health and safety instructions.
● To be punctual and reliable when attending sessions, and inform the coordinator via phone call as soon as possible if you are unable to attend.
● To attend at least 2 sessions per month for at least 6 months.
● To bring energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn to all sessions.
Role Description Internal Ref Number: COACH4
Every child has a chance to enjoy sports and activities, and none are left behind due to disability.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Learn to Love to Read offers one-to-one support to children who find learning to read challenging, in schools and online via Zoom.Our In-school volunteers are asked to commit 90 minutes, one afternoon a week, usually between 1-3 pm.
Our virtual volunteers are asked to commit 30-60 minutes, one afternoon a week, usually between 4-6 pm.
Full training and ongoing support is provided for all volunteers to provide them with a framework which supports children's reading skills, while also building their self-esteem, confidence and love of reading. Our volunteers support the same children each week, providing 20 minutes of one-to-one support for the whole academic year. This ensures a consistent and rewarding experience for both the volunteer and the children.
In Wandsworth, post-COVID, 20% of Key Stage 1 and 25% of Key Stage 2 children did not reach the expected standard of reading in summer 2025. Low literacy is linked to poverty and social exclusion, limiting options in life. Early literacy intervention is crucial to break this cycle. School closures due to COVID-19 have been tough for children from disadvantaged families.
Please note we only work with schools in the London borough of Wandsworth and all our volunteers need to live in or within easy reach of that borough.
In line with Safer Recruitment, all applicants are asked to complete an application form, provide references, take part in a face-to-face interview and ID check, and attend online training which includes safeguarding. All volunteers must have an enhanced DBS check which we arrange on your behalf. You will also be required to obtain checks from any country in which you've lived for more than three months from the age of 16 in line with Wandsworth's guidance. Once you have registered, we’ll send you a link to the application form.
Learn to Love to Read is committed to working without bias and offering equal opportunities for our volunteers. We are committed to valuing diversity and working inclusively across all our activities. Our aim is that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Every child a reader - supporting children's literacy in the London Borough of Wandsworth
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Summary
To be the first point of contact for families at our centres, providing administrative support and helping ensure the smooth running of the service.
Detailed description
We are looking for Volunteer Administrators for the following locations:
Broadwater Family Centre, Stevenage
Windmill Family Centre, Hemel Hempstead
Sopwell Family Centre, St Albans
Westfield & Littlebury Family Centre, Watford
The BECC Family Centre, Borehamwood
Main responsibilities
·Welcome families, visitors, and professionals to the Family Centre in a friendly and professional manner.
·Answer telephone calls and take messages accurately.
·Assist staff with administrative tasks such as photocopying, filing, and preparing resources.
·Input data into systems, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
·Help maintain an organised and tidy reception and office space.
·Support the preparation of publicity materials, newsletters, and information displays.
·Signpost visitors to the appropriate staff member for further support.
·Uphold safeguarding, confidentiality, and health & safety policies at all times.
Skills / Abilities / Experience / Qualities
·Friendly, welcoming, and professional manner.
·Good organisational and communication skills.
·Basic IT skills (Microsoft Office, email, internet)
·Reliable, punctual, and able to work as part of a team.
·Respectful of confidentiality and sensitive information.
·Understanding of diversity and inclusive practice.
·Previous office or reception experience is helpful but not essential.
Training / Support
·A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided.
·Requirement to undertake One YMCA online training courses
·To understand and implement One YMCA’s policies.
·Ongoing support and regular 1:1 meetings
·Access to organisational events throughout the year including Socials, Conferences and Training opportunities.
Additional Information
·Undergo enhanced DBS check
·X2 References required
·Undertake additional training as and when required
·We offer to pay volunteers’ “out of pocket” expenses within agreed guidelines
One YMCA's mission is to create supportive and energizing communities where young people can belong, contribute, and thrive.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
INDEPENDENT READING GROUP VOLUNTEER (FACE-TO-FACE)
CARAS Youth ESOL Programme – Monday, Wednesday mornings
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.
Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.
We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.
Our values are at the centre of all our work:
• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests.
• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.
• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.
• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.
About Youth ESOL:
Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.
About the Role:
CARAS is looking for Reading Group Volunteer to support our face-to-face study programme for young people.
The reading group is in Streatham and is an important element of a study programme for young people aged 14 to 18 who are out of formal education. The timings of the reading group sessions are as follows:
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Monday afternoons 2pm to 3pm
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Wednesday mornings 11am to 1pm.
Volunteers are required to attend either one of both sessions. Volunteers are also welcome to stay and support the more traditional English language classes either before the reading session on Mondays or after the reading session on Wednesdays.
Students will be supported to read at length and complete challenges that are adapted to their ability level.
The reading group aims to foster independence and a joy of reading among the young people and requires volunteers to learn about the young peoples' interests in order to help them select an appropriate text.
The ESOL teacher will provide volunteers with tips to support reading and understanding for emerging learners of English, such as phonics and elicitation strategies.
Volunteers will work with 1-5 students, mostly reading out loud with them or helping them to decode unfamiliar language.
Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.
Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:
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Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within the Reading Group sessions;
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Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources;
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Contributing to debriefs to inform the ESOL teacher how each student found the lesson/task and the students’ areas of greatest challenge and success;
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Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;
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Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class;
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Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project;
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Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential;
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Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;
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Listening and supporting students to select, read and understand a text; Showing flexibility to the wide range of ability levels in the classroom;
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Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential
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To be 18 years or older;
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An interest in education and English language teaching;
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Currently resident in the UK; has asylum-seeker or refugee status
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* Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; *DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK.
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Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role
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Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (food and travel expenses can be reimbursed);
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To be non-judgemental and able to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds;
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To be reliable and punctual;
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Good communication skills, especially with people who are new to English;
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An interest in books and stories, writing and poetry
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The ability to volunteer on Wednesday during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months;
Desirable:
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Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish;
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Experience of reading with young people or learners of English, or teaching ESOL or phonics.
Through volunteering with us you will:
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Gain experience of English language teaching;
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Meet new members of your local community;
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Learn about different cultures;
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Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
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Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
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Develop your skills and competencies such as literacy and phonics strategies for emerging learners of English;
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Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.
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Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering.
We provide firm foundations for new-arrival asylum seekers to build happy and successful lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.

