Social group volunteer volunteer roles in merton, greater london
Shout is the UK’s only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. When people text 'Shout' to 85258, they are connected to a Shout Volunteer for a text conversation. Our volunteers provide a safe space for people to share what's causing them distress, while showing warmth and compassion.
Tasks and Responsibilities
If your application is successful, you’ll be enrolled in a training group. New groups start every two weeks.
Shout Volunteers receive 25 hours of free training in communication, listening, managing and assessing risk, and problem solving. The training is self-paced and done online. You’ll learn how to bring people in distress to a place of calm and practice skills that will be useful to you throughout life.
As we are investing in you throughout your time with us, our hope is that you will complete the training in a timely manner and look at this as a longer term commitment. The experience you gain over time is valuable and our goal is to have volunteers commit to 200 hours on the platform, which can take up to two years to complete, as we ask you to take one 2-4 hour shift per week.
Our Volunteer Training Support team is here to support you, answer any questions and provide feedback during training and throughout your time with Shout. You’ll be joining an incredibly supportive volunteer community and have access to the resources you need to do your role.
As a volunteer, you’ll be supporting people in distress, so it’s important we see the skills required to do that while you are in training. While most trainees complete the training and go on to volunteer, not everyone will pass the training. If this happens, there are other ways you can still support us.
Selection Criteria
A Shout Volunteer is kind and compassionate, a good listener, and has the ability to remain calm when supporting people in crisis. You will also:
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Understand the difference between being friendly and being a friend
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Be aware of your own mental health and wellbeing
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Be open-minded
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Be supportive
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Be reliable
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Be discreet and able to respect confidentiality at all times
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Be accepting and non-judgemental
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Be passionate about contributing some of your time to a cause such as Shout
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Adopt a growth mindset, and be willing to accept feedback
Requirements
- You must live in the United Kingdom or New Zealand while volunteering.
- You must be over 18 years of age.
- You will need a reliable internet connection and a private place to take your shift.
- All of your volunteering must be done using a laptop or desktop computer and Google Chrome.
It’s worth spending time thinking about the nature of the role, and whether it’s right for you. We support all texters, regardless of race, religion, sexual identity or issue. You will need to be comfortable addressing topics frequently discussed with texters (suicide, self-harm, depression, etc.) without compromising your own mental health.
Before you apply, please consider whether either of the following applies to you:
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Have you recently experienced grief, loss or change issue/s? For example; someone close to you has been ill or has died, you’ve lost your job, your relationship has ended.
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Is your current mental health and wellbeing in a place such that the stress and pressure of listening to the challenges of others would bring additional burden to you personally?
Benefits to Volunteers
The role is rewarding and can save lives. Shout Volunteers tell us they gain a sense of pride, satisfaction and purpose from taking conversations. They also tell us that their own wellbeing increases, they learn valuable skills and gain experience they can use at work and in their personal lives.
Volunteering can also be a great addition to your CV. You do not need to have any past experience in mental health to be a Shout Volunteer - we’ll provide you with all the training and support you need to do the role.
Application Process
You will need to create your account and fill in the application using a laptop or desktop computer and in a Google Chrome browser. This is a standard requirement for all of our systems at Shout, from the application through to the platform.
You should leave up to an hour to complete the form. As Shout is a text based service and we do not conduct in person interviews for our volunteer candidates what you write in your application and the strength of your references are how we get to know you.
We appreciate when candidates take the time to write thoughtful, considered answers. We recommend you review your application with an eye toward things like spelling, grammar and punctuation. While some of our texters will occasionally reach out using more informal text speak, our volunteers respond in full sentences and double check their messages for accuracy before hitting send.
Your application will be reviewed once we have received responses from both of your references. We ask for a personal reference and a professional reference. The personal reference can be a friend or colleague but the other must be someone who knows you professionally or has supervised you in some way.
This could be a manager or supervisor from where you work or a teacher or educator from where you study. We recommend you choose references who are able to speak to your ability to fulfil the selection criteria outlined above.
We do not accept references from family members. This includes your partner or their relatives, your children, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents or godparents.
Please allow up to a month for us to review your application and return a decision.
If your application is approved, you can book your place on training. Training groups usually start every two weeks and spaces are available to book a couple of months ahead. While you are in training and before you are allowed on the platform we will carry out a background check.
Shout is the UK’s only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
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!
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.
What is a Caseworker?
Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.
What would you be doing?
- Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
- Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
- Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
- Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system
- Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
- Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
- Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
- Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
- Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
- Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
- Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
- Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
- Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!
What training and support would you receive?
- Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
- Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
- Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
- Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
- Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
- Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.
What are we looking for?
- Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
- Good communication skills both written and verbally.
- Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
- Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
- Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
- Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
- Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
- Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.
Minimum Age: 18
Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.
References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)
Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)
*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.
Our vision A society in which the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive.

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!
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.
What is a Caseworker?
Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.
What would you be doing?
- Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
- Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
- Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
- Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system
- Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
- Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
- Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
- Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
- Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
- Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
- Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
- Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
- Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!
What training and support would you receive?
- Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
- Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
- Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
- Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
- Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
- Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.
What are we looking for?
- Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
- Good communication skills both written and verbally.
- Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
- Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
- Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
- Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
- Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
- Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.
Minimum Age: 18
Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.
References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)
Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)
*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.
Our vision A society in which the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive.

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!
Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.
What is a Caseworker?
Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.
What would you be doing?
- Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
- Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
- Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
- Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system
- Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
- Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
- Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
- Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
- Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
- Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
- Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
- Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
- Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
- Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!
What training and support would you receive?
- Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
- Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
- Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
- Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
- Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
- Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.
What are we looking for?
- Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
- Good communication skills both written and verbally.
- Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
- Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
- Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
- Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
- Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
- Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.
Minimum Age: 18
Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.
References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)
Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)
*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.
Our vision A society in which the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive.

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!
Trailblazers’ mission is to reduce re-offending and inspire new futures. Your support will help a young man to reconnect with his community, friends and loved ones, go into education, training and employment, and give a person a sense of hope for the future.
Trailblazers has been providing mentoring services to people in prison since 1998 with ultimate aim to reduce re-offending. We provide support to men between the age of 18 - 35 in custody who have 6 months left of their prison sentence, and then 'through the gate' into their own community for up to 12 months. The Education, Training & Employment (ETE) team supports our mentees in custody to break down barriers to employability. Post-release, this continues by supporting mentees to gain meaningful and career changing roles in sector specific industries such as Construction, Engineering, Catering & Hospitality or the Self-Employment route.
The ETE team are looking to build a team of volunteers to work with mentees in the community and to shape the existing ETE service in the Thames Valley area. We are looking for volunteer mentors who can commit for up to 12 months and give a few hours a week to support men to change their life by being inspirational role models, helping with goal setting and supporting their mentee to access ETE opportunities and ultimately gain meaningful employment. Mentoring sessions will be 1:1, take place weekly and can be done remotely by telephone or online. These sessions will last approximately one hour, but some time should also be given to liaising with Trailblazers staff and researching relevant opportunities.
Induction training is provided, out of pocket expenses covered, a mobile phone is provided to protect your identity, a Trailblazers T-shirt and lanyard are provided, DBS costs are covered, as well as regular reflective practice sessions to support you within your role.
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.
Trailblazers are looking for Volunteer Mentors who are:
- Empathetic with a positive outlook and manner.
- Able to help others without judgement or discrimination.
- Excellent communicators with a sense of humour.
- Well organised, can prioritise and multi-task.
- Reliable and able to commit to the role for up to 12 months providing weekly ETE sessions remotely either by telephone or via Zoom / MS Team digital platforms.
- Have skills and experience in supporting those who are disadvantaged into education, training and employment (ETE).
- Able to work independently with the ability to prioritise and manage your own workload with minimal supervision taking a flexible and creative approach to the demands of the post.
- Able to demonstrate sensitivity to other cultures, working with people from other backgrounds and demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities.
Trailblazers’ mission is to reduce re-offending and inspire new futures for young men (18-35) leaving prison.

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!
Are you passionate about creating a culture of welcome for refugees in the UK? Do you have extensive experience in the governance of a charity or public sector organisation? This could be the perfect role for you!
STAR is a dynamic and exciting national charity which makes a huge impact on a small budget. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about creating a culture of welcome in the UK for refugees ,who believes in the power of young people as changemakers and who wants to empower refugees to reach higher education to join our board of trustees.
We are in particular looking for applicants who:
- Have lived experience
- Have HR experience
- Have campaigns experience, in particular hybrid campaigning.
- Have charitable fundraising experience.
Applications from persons with lived refugee experience are highly encouraged.
Role Description
To provide strategic oversight of:
- STAR’s compliance with its Articles of Association, policies, and law;
- STAR’s compliance with all funding conditions and contracts;
- Whether STAR is best using its resources to meet its objectives;
- The effective and efficient administration of STAR;
- Monitoring and reporting of financial information;
- STAR’s funding and expenditure situation; and
- Implementation of STAR’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Safeguarding Policy in employment and service delivery.
Also to:
- Contribute actively to STAR by giving strategic direction and evaluating performance against targets
- Attend and prepare for board meetings
- Appoint board members and officers via the procedures in this policy
- Approve accounts
- Ensure that STAR and the board safeguard STAR’s values and reputation
- Provide any other assistance the board or STAR may require, as appropriate, particularly utilising any specialist skills or experience they may have.
Person Specification
Essential
- Experience of governance of a charity or public sector organisation
- A commitment to STAR’s values
- An awareness of issues affecting both STAR and the wider refugee sector, the ever shifting landscape of refugee policy and media coverage, or a willingness to learn and stay abreast of these current topics and new developments.
- A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to prepare for and attend regular STAR meetings for at least 2 years
- Integrity and good independent judgement
- Strategic vision and an ability to stay focused on strategic objectives
- Willingness to take part in STAR discussions, contribute constructively and listen to others
- Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and liabilities of trustees of a charitable company
- Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- A commitment to the principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, as well as an understanding and acceptance of the Equal Opportunities Policy
- Willingness to undertake training required to allow them to fulfil their duties.
Desirable
Five years experience in one or more of:
- Working with people seeking asylum and refugees;
- Other work with the asylum/refugee/migrant sector;
- Charitable fundraising;
- Voluntary sector issues, such as trends for charities and partnership/network formation;
- Organisational development, growth or change;
- Human resources;
- Financial management/accountancy;
- IT;
- Negotiations;
- Marketing and public relations;
- Lobbying, advocacy and campaigning regarding social justice or social policy;
- Management and administration of a charity, for example as a director or trustee;
- Campaigning;
- Social Media/ Communications
About Student Action for Refugees
STAR (Student Action for Refugees) is the national network of students building a society where refugees and asylum seekers are welcomed and can thrive.
Set up by students at Nottingham University in 1994, STAR is creating a more understanding, just and welcoming society by:
- empowering young people to be changemakers;
- providing practical support and connecting local communities through volunteering and student volunteer led community projects;
- challenging the structural barriers that refugees and asylum seekers face when seeking protection and building new lives in the UK;
- Sharing trusted information about asylum and the lived experience of refugees to combat misinformation, hostile narratives and instead spread compassion and humanisation
We have a small staff team who train and support the network and lead on national campaign and advocacy work, with expertise in improving access to higher education for forced migrants.
Here are just some of our highlights from last year:
- 37 STAR university student society groups, across 28 towns and cities, run by 222 STAR student leaders.
- 262 events were organised by STAR groups to educate, campaign, and fundraise for a more welcoming UK, from art exhibitions to cookery classes and film nights.
- 1,280 refugees and people seeking asylum were supported by 413 volunteers through 28 community projects and 25 one off volunteering events.
- 100s of students mobilised to support calls for better treatment of refugees in the UK including standing against detention, for a fairer plan for refugees and to lift the ban on work.
- 88 UK universities now offer sanctuary scholarships for refugee students. The STAR staff team was involved in the development of many of these new scholarships and the improvement of existing scholarships. We also ran workshops for hundreds of university staff.
- 15 STAR groups campaigned for Equal Access at their institutions and 4 won!
- 65 aspiring refugee students were supported by our mentoring project and we provided signposting and advice about accessing HE to over 470 people.
If you would like an informal chat before applying, please get in touch.
Deadline for applications: 11th July 2025
Interviews: Rolling
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!
Your Legacy Starts Here
Become a Founding Trustee for SUNSHINE!
This isn't just a volunteer role; it's an invitation to ignite a movement.
SUNSHINE is a brand new, 100% volunteer-run charity, born from a fervent belief that no one should face loneliness alone. We are on the cusp of bringing immense joy, genuine connection, and vital community spirit to countless lives. But to truly shine, we need YOU.
We're looking for visionary leaders to join our passionate Board of Trustees – the very architects of SUNSHINE's future. As a founding Trustee, you won't just advise; you'll build, shape, and drive the strategic direction of a charity set to transform lives.
This is a challenging, yet incredibly rewarding opportunity to leverage your expertise at a pivotal moment. Imagine the profound satisfaction of knowing your guidance directly establishes our foundation, enables our growth, and creates a lasting impact on community wellbeing.
We urgently need Trustees with exceptional skills and a burning desire to make a difference, particularly for:
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General Trustees: Individuals with strong strategic thinking, governance awareness, and a passion for our mission to provide invaluable oversight and guidance.
Alongside our crucial core leadership roles (Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer), we are specifically seeking Trustees with vital experience in:
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Fundraising & Grant Writing: To unlock the vital resources that will fuel our mission and expand our reach, securing our sustainable future.
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Social Work, Community Work & Service Development: To ensure our programmes are deeply responsive to community needs, ethically delivered, and maximally impactful for those facing isolation.
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HR & Learning and Development: To champion the growth, wellbeing, and professional development of our invaluable volunteer team, making SUNSHINE a truly supportive environment.
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Marketing & Communications: To amplify our voice, build crucial alliances, and strategically spread the word about SUNSHINE far and wide, reaching those who need us most.
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And more! If you have strategic leadership skills and expertise in any field related to charity set up, growth, and development – from legal and finance to operations and technology – we want to hear from you.
Why step up now? Because this is your chance to be part of something truly special from its very inception. Your leadership will directly enable SUNSHINE to get formally set up, registered, and launch the vital programmes that will change lives by fostering connection and combating isolation.
Are you ready to build a brighter future, one life-changing connection at a time? Are you passionate, dedicated, and committed to taking on this powerful challenge with flexible hours?
Your legacy of compassion and community impact awaits.
SUNSHINE is London based dedicated to bringing people together, fostering connections, enhancing wellbeing and transforming lives.

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!
IGNITE THE SPARK
Become SUNSHINE's Volunteer Coordinator and Build Our Family!
Are you a natural people-person, brimming with enthusiasm, and passionate about empowering others?
SUNSHINE is a brand new, 100% volunteer-run charity, dedicated to combating loneliness and radiating joy throughout our community. Our mission lives and breathes through the incredible individuals who volunteer their time – and we urgently need a warm, dynamic Volunteer Coordinator to bring them all together!
This isn't just about managing schedules; it's about building a vibrant, supportive family. You'll be the heart of our volunteer team, playing a pivotal role in:
- Recruiting & Welcoming: Finding and onboarding the amazing people who will spread our message and our mission.
- Training & Empowering: Equipping our volunteers with the skills and confidence to shine.
- Motivating & Valuing: Ensuring every volunteer feels appreciated, supported, and truly part of the SUNSHINE mission and family.
- Fostering Connection: Creating a strong, happy team that embodies the very spirit of our charity.
If you are passionate, dedicated, and committed to nurturing talent, building relationships, and seeing the direct impact of a thriving volunteer force – this flexible volunteer role is calling you! Your efforts will directly enable us to reach more isolated individuals and transform more lives.
Ready to build the most joyful volunteer family and truly spread SUNSHINE?
SUNSHINE is London based dedicated to bringing people together, fostering connections, enhancing wellbeing and transforming lives.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
RSBC are looking for volunteers to get involved with our range of online clubs for children and young people with visual impairments.
Role: Online Activities Volunteer
Commitment: Currently, sessions are run both during the week (mostly in the afternoon) and at weekends (usually on a Saturday). Activity volunteering is a flexible commitment, and you will be able to sign up for the session you like and when you have time. It really is up to you and your availability.
Location: Remote
Availability: RSBC Events · https://lu.ma/rsbc
Age: 18+
Our Mission Statement:
RSBC believes that every blind young person should have the chance to live life without limits.
By giving young people the essential skills and confidence to take control of their life, they can unleash their true potential.
Our success depends on our values
Underpinning all RSBC’s work are values embedded in trust and excellence:
TRUST: Respect and accountability
ENERGY: Straight talking and constantly learning
AMBITION: Confronting reality and driving results
MOTIVATION: Vision impaired children and young people are our number one priority, and we look for solutions, not problems
What will I be doing?
Our amazing Activity Volunteers play a key role in supporting blind children and young people to take part in a variety of activities. These range from sports, creative (singing, performing, art), audiobook club and day trips. Our activities are designed for blind young people to meet new friends, gain confidence, learn new skills/sports, and become more independent. The skills you have developed in your career and personal life will be invaluable to our young people.
Key Tasks and Main Duties
Online activities:
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support the session timetable
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facilitate the communication and social interaction between participants
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encourage members of the group to participate and share their opinions
Who are you?
We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need to have volunteered or worked before as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and willing to follow RSBC’s policies and can be an excellent ambassador for RSBC. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of sight problems.
What’s in it for me?
RSBC offers the opportunity to gain insight and experience into helping others with sight issues. As part of your volunteering, you will have access to Sighted Guide training, a training session designed to help you understand the issues and complexities of sight problems and give you the ability to help others navigate the world.
RSBC also provides paid expenses for your volunteering experience, you can claim up to £10 per day.
RSBC can also provide references and impact reports from your volunteering if required.
You will be fully supported in your role by our team of expert and compassionate service delivery team.
Develop or utilise your skills – As a volunteer, you’ll be given plenty of opportunities to develop new skills or use those you already have, which can help to build your CV, boost your employability and give you a sense of satisfaction.
What's in it for the Community?
Make a difference to people’s lives
Help in your community
Help deliver creative services to help people with sighted issues feel included in the world around them.
Make a direct and tangible difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted children and young people.
Safeguarding:
Due to the nature of the role, before you can begin volunteering with RSBC there are some required safeguarding checks which will need to be completed.
All RSBC volunteers undergo an Enhanced DBS check (paid for by RSBC) and must provide two references.
All volunteers will also be booked onto safeguarding training.
RSBC risk assesses all its services and activities.
Next Steps:
If this sounds like you, please fill out an expression of interest, and one of our volunteer team members will get back to you!
To be there for blind children and their families with specialist support throughout their journey.
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 us
Age UK is the country's leading charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. The over-60s is the fastest-growing group in society and there are more of us than ever before. Ageing is not an illness, but it can be challenging. At Age UK we provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people. We stand up and speak for all those who have reached later life, and also protect the long-term interests of future generations..
The role in a nutshell:
Volunteers help to keep our UK charity shops running like clockwork and are an essential part of everything that we do. Our charity shops raise vital funds that support the wide range of services Age UK delivers, so if you have some free time available and would like to help, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you are looking to gain new skills and experiences, use those you already have or are just looking for a way to get out and meet new people, then we have flexible options to suit you! What will you be doing?
Volunteer Shop Assistants carry out a wide range of tasks in their roles. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, keeping our shop floor full and organised or supporting with raffle ticket sales and promoting gift aid.
How would you be supported in this role?
When you begin your role, you will receive a mix of e-learning and in-person training to get you started. Throughout the role, you will receive refresher training as required as well as ongoing support, reimbursement for role-related expenses and the opportunity to further shape the volunteering you do.
Why do we need volunteers in this role?
Age UK operates charity shops to raise funds for the delivery of services for older people in need. Volunteers play a key role in the shop team, ensuring our shops are welcoming places in the community and selling the items that are generously donated to our organisation.
Additional information:
We offer a variety of flexible shifts for volunteers.
What skills, interests or experience might be helpful in this role?
We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning, will follow Age UKs policies and be an excellent representative for the charity. We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities, so we will do what we can to find a role which works for you.
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!
London City Mission (LCM) shares the gospel alongside the local church of London, equipping everyday Christians to lovingly bring a message of hope in Christ to those least likely to hear it.
Webber Street is LCM’S Day Centre for people who are homeless - based just around the corner from Waterloo station. We welcome up to 70 guests a day - we seek to give them not only relief from life on the streets, but also help in taking the first step out of homelessness.
We also seek to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of guests, as well as the physical ones, to help restore some of the dignity that life on the streets has taken from them and to share the life-transforming news of Jesus!
Role Description:
Morning Volunteer (Mondays to Thursdays 8:00-12:30)
This role involves serving our guests breakfast at our morning sessions when we usually have around 60-80 guests each session. Our volunteers come from many walks of life, backgrounds and church traditions, we want to make the best use of your gifts to connect with all of our guests and provide relevant support to them.
No. of volunteers required: 3 each morning
Afternoon Volunteer (Mondays to Thursdays 13:00-16:00)
You can also join us in helping at our weekly afternoon sessions when we have a smaller number of guests. Perhaps you have a gift of listening and coming alongside others; maybe you have artistic gifts where you can come up with new ideas for art and crafts activities and taking the lead in making these happen; maybe you have the skills to help the men with their CVs; maybe you like to show hospitality in welcoming our guests or have a heart serve drinks and refreshments; you can also join or be the lead of our weekly Bible Group.
Our weekly afternoon schedule are as follows:
Mondays- Arts group
Wednesdays- Bible group
Thursdays- Drop in (fortnightly)
No. of volunteers required: 2 each afternoon
Women only space (Fridays 9:00-12:30)
This is a designated safe space for women guests which operates once per week at our centre. You can join our team if you would like to support our women guests.
Note: This is for female volunteers only
Centre Team
This role involves supporting the centre practically by working in our clothes store, assisting in the kitchen, and doing other practical jobs around the building such as maintenance. It's a hands-on type of role but a vital part of the ongoing ministry of Webber Street.
General Tasks
The role of volunteers at Webber Street Day Centre is to welcome and care for our guests from homeless communities. You will help to ensure smooth operation of the Day Centre by preparing the space and leaving, to help with respective activities based on its weekly programme. Specific duties will include some of the following:
Morning sessions:
o Meeting and welcoming the people who come to Webber Street Day Centre
o Assisting our staff and other volunteers in preparing the room for our guests and leaving it clean and tidy at the end of the session
o Socialising and chatting with those who attend
o Having gospel conversations with our guests
o Praying with guests at their request
o Signposting guests to where they can get help and advice
Afternoon sessions:
o Similar to the tasks in morning session, while volunteer may lead or help with art and craft activities, lead or help with bible group, welcoming guests and help with refreshments.
About You
We are looking for Christians have a compassionate heart to care for those on the margins of society and want to put their faith into action by serving.
We want to make the best use of your gifts and experience, as well as finding a time that fits with your schedule, so we’ll work with you to define how we can serve best. We have volunteers commit to come weekly, fortnightly or monthly etc.
You should be comfortable sharing your faith with guests at natural opportunities.
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!
Ref VPD-251
Are you a physically fit, proactive and organised individual with experience of working in a van delivery role, preferably in food distribution and use of chilled vehicles? Looking to make a difference in a vital voluntary role?
If so, St Giles is looking for a Voluntary Pantry Delivery Driver to be responsible for the food delivery to our Camberwell Pantry. The Pantry is a Social Supermarket which will support clients to access affordable and healthy food each week (for a maximum of six months) and offers both a responsive solution and a sustainable route out of poverty, ensuring people can access healthy food whilst getting the support they need.
About St Giles Trust
An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need. Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.
About this important role
Our Voluntary Pantry Delivery Driver will safely drive between food collection points and St Giles Pantry sites across London, loading the vehicle with food in line with food safety and manual handling regulations. You will ensure your vehicle is checked for safety and cleanliness before each shift, report any incidents with management and calmly react to changing scenarios, such as traffic, while always being polite and courteous to other volunteers who may be accompanying deliveries.
On the road, and at the Pantries, you will be representing St Giles and so you will drive safely, responsibly and within the law and be courteous to all road users, staff, volunteers and members. At all times you will ensure that you are following St Giles’ health and safety policy and food safety standards protocols to consistently ensure safe collection and delivery of food is maintained.
What we are looking for
- A full and valid driving licence (due to insurance requirements, this role is only open to applicants of 25 years of age or older)
- You must be physically fit to be able to manually load heavy items into a van
- Experience of working in a similar van delivery role, preferably in food distribution and use of chilled vehicles
- Food safety and hygiene qualification or willingness to work towards one
- Problem-solving skills and the ability to make effective decisions ‘on the spot’
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- An awareness of safety issues especially when driving, loading and unloading vehicles.
As an organisation that works with children and adults at risk we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of our clients and successful applicants will require a Basic DBS check.
We actively encourage people with personal experience of the criminal justice system or lived experience of the issues facing this client group to apply for this role.
We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.
St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.
To apply, please visit our website via the ‘Apply’ button. We encourage you to apply early as we will be shortlisting as applications come in.
Closing date 10 July 25 at 11pm
We help people held back by poverty, unemployment, the criminal justice system, homelessness, exploitation and abuse to build a positive future.
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!
Why we want you
Prison in reach volunteers support members of the Armed Forces community who are in prison. They make a real difference by providing essential support during these incredibly difficult times.
Our volunteers work closely with veterans in custody support officers, attending veteran forums, and offering one to one support, including making applications for financial assistance. We also connect clients with organisations, to help support pathways for positive change.
Come and join our team! We value all our volunteers and the unique skills and experience they bring.
We are keen to increase volunteer diversity, especially from under-represented groups such as young people, those of working age and individuals from minoritised groups.
What you will be doing
- Attend group forums for veterans within the prison environment.
- Complete individual assessments and complete one to one personalised support for veterans within the prison environment, which includes casework.
- Promote the services available to family members.
- Establish an agreement around the rate of visits with the VCJS team and the prison.
- Record the support offered to veterans accordingly and appropriately.
- Complete monitoring reports.
The skills you need
- Be over 21.
- Have a good level of fitness to able to move around a prison quickly - including stairs.
- Excellent listening skills.
- Awareness of boundaries and confidentiality.
- Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a range of people, including prison staff, other agencies, SSAFA colleagues and clients.
- Positive, committed and non-judgemental. Non-judgemental and empathetic attitude.
- Good IT skills.
- An enhanced DBS check is required for this role. Individual prisons will determine if they authorise individuals to be based in their facilities based on security considerations. Security Vetting by His Majesty’s Prison Service is often required. For further discussion, please get in touch.
- You will need to declare potential conflicts of interest, for example any family connection with the prison.
What's in it for you
- Full training provided with regular ongoing support.
- You gain criminal justice sector experience and build your CV.
- You can make a real difference to the lives of Veterans who are in the justice system.
Disclaimer
SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment. This role qualifies for a criminal record check, which will be carried out at no cost for you. If you have a criminal record, it won't necessarily stop you becoming a volunteer. Please read our Volunteer Vetting Guidance for more information.
Our vision A society in which the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive.

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!
About us
Age UK is the country's leading charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. The over-60s is the fastest-growing group in society and there are more of us than ever before. Ageing is not an illness, but it can be challenging. At Age UK we provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people. We stand up and speak for all those who have reached later life, and also protect the long-term interests of future generations..
The role in a nutshell:
Volunteers help to keep our UK charity shops running like clockwork and are an essential part of everything that we do. Our charity shops raise vital funds that support the wide range of services Age UK delivers, so if you have some free time available and would like to help, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you are looking to gain new skills and experiences, use those you already have or are just looking for a way to get out and meet new people, then we have flexible options to suit you! What will you be doing?
Volunteer Shop Assistants carry out a wide range of tasks in their roles. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, keeping our shop floor full and organised or supporting with raffle ticket sales and promoting gift aid.
How would you be supported in this role?
When you begin your role, you will receive a mix of e-learning and in-person training to get you started. Throughout the role, you will receive refresher training as required as well as ongoing support, reimbursement for role-related expenses and the opportunity to further shape the volunteering you do.
Why do we need volunteers in this role?
Age UK operates charity shops to raise funds for the delivery of services for older people in need. Volunteers play a key role in the shop team, ensuring our shops are welcoming places in the community and selling the items that are generously donated to our organisation.
Additional information:
We offer a variety of flexible shifts for volunteers.
What skills, interests or experience might be helpful in this role?
We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning, will follow Age UKs policies and be an excellent representative for the charity. We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities, so we will do what we can to find a role which works for you.
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 role: Our scholars are eager to meet graduates and professionals who can support them in achieving their ambitions. Mentors are mainly responsible for providing support and career advice to pupils. Mentors must also be committed to supporting us at our events, which take place in the evenings and on Saturdays throughout the term. These events include our scholar enrichment days, our parent and pupil information sessions and our volunteer social events which are held in London.
Availability: Mentors must be available for approximately 2-3 hours a month to meet with their mentee, and discuss via phone, email or in person. There is a minimum commitment of one year (three terms).
In addition to this, you will need to support a minimum of 2 events throughout the year. Enrichment and skill-building events for our scholars usually take place in the evenings and at weekends, with events ranging from 2-8 hours in length.
Location: Mentoring sessions and events can take place online or in person.
Responsibilities:
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Working collaboratively with parents to give students guidance and advice on how to achieve their aspirations
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Informing pupils of opportunities to them so that they can achieve their aspirations
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Meeting with pupils for one to one mentoring sessions
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Supporting pupils with university, sixth form or job applications
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Monitoring and reporting on each pupils progress
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Giving feedback to parents and programme coordinators
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Working collaboratively with other tutors and mentors
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Supporting at events including:
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Collaborate effectively with other volunteers within the events team
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Assist with setting up and clearing up at events
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Support workshop facilitators with managing groups of young people or parents
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Assist with the coordination of lunch or refreshments for attendees
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Assist the event coordinator with ensuring the health and safety of attendees and overall risk management at events
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Give feedback to the event coordinators and programme managers at the end of each event.
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Person specification:
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Be passionate and committed to tackling educational inequality
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Enjoy working with children and young people
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Be educated to a minimum of degree level or equivalent
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Possess strong communication skills both written and verbal
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Be punctual and organised
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Be able to remain calm under pressure
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Have excellent time management skills
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.