Social work volunteer roles

Amazing, giving, and inspiring are a few words we would use to describe our volunteers.

Our volunteers play an integral part in the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will really make a difference whilst gaining experience along the way, then join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.

About the role

We are looking for Volunteer Befrienders to support our Brent Mental Health service in the London Borough of Brent. 

As a Volunteer Befriender, you will be required to travel across Brent to meet with service users and carry out your role. Ideally, you will be able to commit a minimum of 2 hours per week to volunteering. 

You will be supported by Befriending Volunteer Coordinators who will provide regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role. You can read more about the benefits of volunteering on the full advert on our website.

About the service

Our Brent Mental Health service provides support to people aged 18 and above who live in the Borough of Brent, and who have a mental illness and are known to the local NHS trust, Central and North West London (CNWL).

The aim of the Befriending Service is to;

• Reduce social isolation of service users
• Increase the confidence of service users in accessing community resources independently
• Provide meaningful activities and peer support for service users 
• Help service users to live happier, healthier, independent lives
• Provide volunteering opportunities for people with mental health issues
• Reduce stigma and raise mental health awareness

What you will be doing as a Volunteer Befriender:

• Meeting with service users in locations and times which meet their needs (including evenings and weekends)
• Provide befriending support to a maximum of 2 service users at any one time
• Provide emotional support based on your own lived experience
• Support service users to access and build social and community networks and activities
• Act as a community connector to local services

What will make you a great fit for this role?

• You will have good communication skills
• You will be flexible in order to meet the needs of the service users

If you would like to express an interest in this opportunity, please complete an application as soon as possible, as the advert may close early if we receive a high level of interest.

Who are we?

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”    

It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.    

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion  

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.  

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation  

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.  

We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. 

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.

An enthusiastic, reliable and compassionate volunteer with good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. The volunteer needs to hold a professional level diploma in counselling and have training and experience working with individuals with eating disorders.

Activities

• To provide therapeutic support to young women (aged 18-30) with eating disorders
• One-to-One counselling sessions will aim to support the individual to improve self-confidence, identify and resolve negative thought processes, implement constructive coping strategies and empower them to fulfil attainable life goals
• To develop and promote a positive relationship with the women within allocated caseload
• To keep up-to-date with development in the field of counselling and eating disorder therapy
• To manage appropriate professional boundaries in the relationship
• To maintain records for monitoring, evaluation and tracking purposes plus service evaluation
• To take responsibility for own professional development

Requirements

• Hold a professional level diploma in counselling
• Hold professional membership with BACP, UKCP or equivalent
• Have own regular supervision with a qualified supervisor
• Fully trained in eating disorder therapy and previous experience supporting individuals with eating disorders
• This role requires us to carry out a check through the Disclosure and Barring Service for the Enhanced DBS

Commitment 

This is a flexible opportunity and volunteering times and frequency will vary depending on the volunteer’s availability and the needs of the residents. Ideally weekly one-to-one sessions for 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.

Family Home-Visiting Volunteer Role Description

Home-Start Leeds is a voluntary organisation founded in 1987 which offer regular support  and practical help to families in their own homes to help prevent family crisis or breakdown. 

Role

We are seeking enthusiastic and dedicated people to join our Leeds Volunteering Team to:

• Offer guidance and both practical and emotional support to a family with a child/ren under 7 years of age or expecting a baby
• Help parents to give their children the best start in life that they can, and help the family to become more confident, resilient and independent
• To visit families in their own homes, where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected
• Reassuring families that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual. 
• To encourage parents’ strengths and emotional well-being for the ultimate benefit of their own family. 
• To encourage families to widen their network of relationships and to use effectively the support and services available in the community. 

Time Commitment 

• Visiting a family for approximately 2-4 hours per week according to the family’s needs and Volunteer’s availability. 

Experience and Qualifications

• No qualifications needed, however, understanding the pressures which raising a family can bring, especially to someone in difficult circumstances, is necessary
• A warm and open personality with the ability to listen and communicate well.
• A non-judgmental approach towards people who may view things differently and who may be from different cultures, religion, gender, or sexual preferences.
• Be reliable, able to respect confidentiality, and able to commit to weekly visits

Process of Becoming a Volunteer

• Initial Chat – If you would like to know more please contact us to arrange a telephone call with one of our team.
• Volunteer Questionnaire – If you feel ready now, or after a chat, please complete the Volunteer Form on our website 

References and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

References will be sought for all those wishing to be a Volunteer before training commences.

Home-Start Leeds has a legal requirement to ensure that Safeguarding is at the heart of all we do. All prospective Volunteers undergo a DBS Check before they can attend our Preparation Training Course.

Training

Before you can start to Volunteer we require that you attend our 5-week (1 day per week) ‘Preparation Course‘ that Will give you an understanding of the role. Once you have completed the course we will match you with a family.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

About Us

Frank Parkinson was a pioneering electrical engineer, notable for the early development of electric lighting and motors. He and his brother established a company in their hometown of Guiseley, West Yorkshire, which prospered and became Crompton Parkinson. When he died in 1946, Frank left a large part of his considerable fortune to establish the Trust, and we focus on the following:

• Providing inclusive, low-cost accommodation to older adults (and others by exception) registered as living in the wards of Leeds and Bradford who are experiencing socio-economic deprivation and/or adverse consequences of increased costs of living.
• Investing in the local community to help address the wider determinants of health and wellbeing.
• Providing educational opportunities for the local population in the fields of information technology and engineering through working with partner organisations (e.g. voluntary and community social enterprises, higher education institutions).

Under the wider objectives of the Trust, we also make grants to other registered charities within the Guiseley area, where their aims align with ours. For example, we have provided ongoing support to a local charity catering for the needs of older adults with living disabilities by funding the purchase of a minibus. This facility has enabled them to go shopping and access other local amenities.

Background to the roles

The Board of the Frank Parkinson Yorkshire Trust currently comprises five Trustees including the Chair. We recognise the need to enhance the Board and welcome new Trustees who will bring energy and a range of knowledge and skills to support our important work. We are seeking motivated people who live locally or in the surrounding areas and who share our commitment to honour Frank Parkinson’s legacy by providing housing for older people and supporting local charities. 

We’re looking for one or more trustees with a finance background as well as someone with a legal background, possibly in property law. Applications would also be welcome from people interested in our work who bring other skills and experience, for example, social housing, property, charity governance, or older people.

Main Responsibilities

Finance Trustees(s)

The role of the Finance Trustee(s) is to oversee, approve and present budgets, accounts, and financial statements as well as the preparation and presentation of financial reports to the board. In addition, ensure that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place and liaise with the Operations Manager about financial matters.

Legal Trustee (property)

This role will provide expert legal advice on property-related matters, including leases, compliance, and risk management. You will support the strategic oversight of our property portfolio, ensuring legal integrity, regulatory compliance, and alignment with charitable objectives.

General Trustees

These roles will support our work by bringing professional skills and experience from other areas such as social care, work with older people, buildings and property, and charity governance. You will support our work, ensuring we deliver on our strategy and are providing the best, most appropriate care to our residents. Trustees are valued ‘critical friends’ and your input will be invaluable.

Person Specification

Finance Trustee

• A recognised financial qualification
• The ability to take a strategic approach to financial planning and oversight and to help non-financial colleagues understand these
• Analytical ability and good independent judgement

Legal Trustee (property)

• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, including charity and company law
• Supporting governance processes related to property and estates
• Contributing to board-level discussions on risk, sustainability, and legal frameworks

General Trustees

• Analytical ability and good independent judgement
• The ability to think strategically and understand the importance of The Frank Parkinson Yorkshire Trust’s role
• The ability to work effectively as a team member and demonstrate a willingness to learn and develop

Diversity

Eastside People is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and work with our clients to ensure that we recruit inclusively, seeking to address the under-representation of some groups of people on boards and in leadership teams. 

How to apply

Eastside People is supporting the Frank Parkinson Yorkshire Trust in the recruitment for this role. Please apply by sending your CV and cover letter both in Word doc. format. 

Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following:

• Why are you interested in becoming a Trustee, and why with the Frank Parkinson Yorkshire Trust
• How can you contribute to the Frank Parkinson Yorkshire Trust as a Trustee? Please highlight relevant experience and demonstrate how your skills match the specific requirements of the role as set out in the role description and person specification, if applicable.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential. Please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can make the application process work for you.

The closing date for applications is Monday 30 June with shortlisting interviews taking place as applications are received. The interviews with the Frank Parkinson Yorkshire Trust will take place on Thursday 17 July.

About Kith & Kids
We provide activities, opportunities, information and support for people with a learning disability or autism, their parents and siblings.
For all our projects and activities we are dependent on volunteers.

Our Summer Camps
Thursday 21st – Sunday 24th August, & Thursday 28th – Sunday 31st August near Romford, Essex.

We are currently looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteers to join us on one (or both!) of our action-packed residential Summer Camps. On the camp you will be supporting one of our members with a disability to have a holiday they won’t forget.

What you'll do

On the camp you and a fellow co-volunteers will support one of our members with a learning disability or autism for the 4 days. You’ll support and encourage them to take part in lots of exciting activities such as campfires, treasure trails, swimming, nighttime activities, day trips to the seaside and much more. You’ll also help our members with their day-to-day routines and preparing our meals.

Not only is it four days full of fun and games for you and our members, but you will also play a vital part in supporting them to develop their social skills in a day-to-day environment and of course, to enjoy a fantastic holiday!

Come along and get involved!

Male volunteers especially welcome (we need more)!!

What you need
You do not need experience. Full disability awareness training will be provided before you begin volunteering with us.
The only requirements we ask of you are enthusiasm, energy and to be open-minded.
Minimum age for volunteers is 18.

How much time?
The Camps run on consecutive weekends for four days each. The dates are Thursday 21st – Sunday 24th August, & Thursday 28th – Sunday 31st August. You can volunteer on one or both weekends.

Both camps start and finish in Tottenham, North London.

We can offer you
We can reimburse your travel expenses for your training days. All meals, transportation and accommodation are provided during the camps.
We'll also provide excellent training before the camp, and lots of helpful support throughout.

By volunteering on our camps, you'll also:

• Use and develop your skills
• Learn something new, get involved in fun activities with others
• Increase your confidence
• Meet new people and make friends
• Gain experience for (other) work
• Give something back to the community
• Do something fun and satisfying in your spare time
• Challenge yourself
   

What about training?
Volunteers must attend training and complete a free DBS check before you begin volunteering.

This is a great opportunity to get to know everyone at Kith & Kids: your fellow volunteers, some of our members you will be working with, and also gives the opportunity to develop some new skills and expand your knowledge in our workshops.

Topics we cover include:

• Communication
• Autism
• Supporting emotions
• Safeguarding
• Creativity & Participation
• Epilepsy

When do I need to come?
We’ll be meeting individual volunteers online from mid-April.

We'll be running face-to-face training in north London. Training starts from 24th May with other date options.

Training will take place in North London – once we have met you online for a chat, we will send you confirmation of our training venue details. 

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Our publicity team leaders have the important role of supporting a wider team of publicity volunteers. As a team our publicity volunteers collectively keep members of the public informed of the vital and varied ways we help our cats in need. Raising awareness is crucial to us being able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us. A higher profile can help raise funds, raise awareness of adopting a cat, promote neutering and encourage as many people as possible to learn about feline welfare.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Communicating with others including newsletter, social media and website volunteers
• Advising others on the content of newsletters and web posts
• Interacting with others to make sure information is positive, accurate and consistent
• Liaising with your volunteer group and our Head Office to organise media campaigns
• Responding to local media requests if required

Time expectation 

Our publicity team leaders usually spend 3 to 4 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

About Roots Academy 

At Roots Academy, we’ve built a learning experience that’s changing the lives of the ummah’s future leaders, change-makers and visionaries.

Our vision is enabling university students to live God-centred lives, so we teach structured, engaging and transformative face-to-face foundational Islamic education to over 2,000 students across the UK, Canada, Australia & USA.

Role Summary

To bring our vision to life, we are seeking a dedicated individual to join our dynamic marketing team. In this role, you will play a vital role in managing and strengthening our relationships with partner organisations. You will work closely with external partners to ensure they use our branding correctly, effectively market our classes, and maintain open lines of communication.

Key tasks

• Branding Compliance - Collaborate with partner organisations to ensure they correctly represent our brand in all marketing materials, including logos, imagery, and messaging.

• Marketing Support - Provide guidance and resources to partners for marketing our services effectively, including creating marketing collateral, campaigns, and promotional materials.

• Communication Liaison - Serve as the primary point of contact through social media between our organisation and partner organisations, facilitating clear and consistent communication channels.

• Training and Onboarding - Conduct training sessions and onboarding for new partner organisations to familiarise them with our brand guidelines, marketing strategies, and communication protocols.

• Performance Monitoring - Monitor the marketing efforts of partner organisations, track key performance metrics, and provide feedback and recommendations for improvement.

• Collaboration - Coordinate cross-functional efforts with internal teams, such as marketing, design, and external partnerships, to ensure alignment with partnership goals.

What we’re looking for

• Passion for Islamic education and the development of young Muslims. 

• Strong understanding of branding, marketing, and communication principles

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple partnerships simultaneously.

• Proficiency in project management and organisational skills.

• Analytical mindset for assessing partnership performance.

• Data Analysis Tools - Skills in data analysis tools like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for evaluating partnership performance and providing insights.

• Communication Tools - Proficiency in communication and collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom for maintaining open lines of communication with partners.

• Content Collaboration Tools - Knowledge of platforms like Google Workspace for collaborating on content creation and sharing documents with partners.

What we have to offer

• Be part of a team of 100+ dedicated volunteers from across the country.

• Receive continuous rewards for those that seek Islamic knowledge from the Roots platform.

• Be a part of a growing organisation that aims to revive and educate Muslims from a grassroots perspective.

• Receive in-house tarbiyah sessions to develop your deen. 

Please note this is an unpaid volunteer position. 

Volunteers are entitled to claim expenses incurred for food, travel and equipment, in line with our Expenses policy. 

Fundraising volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you! 

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

This is a eally flexible role, you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example: 

• face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins 

• online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations

• marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  

• completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork

● championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

● photography. Capturing images of cats in care, cats we are helping, events and all things Cats Protection

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats

About Kith & Kids
We provide activities, opportunities, information, and support for people with a learning disability or autism, their parents, and siblings.
For all our projects and activities we are dependent on volunteers.

Our Weekend Clubs
10.00am to 1.30pm and/or 1:30pm to 6.00pm, monthly, Saturdays during term time.

We are currently looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteers, to join us on our fantastic fun-filled Weekend club activities.

Volunteers and our members who have disabilities get to know each other as they take part in fun and challenging workshops including sports & games, arts & crafts, cooking and enjoying a day out in London once a term.

What you'll do
On the club you and a fellow volunteer will be paired with one of our members with a learning disability or autism. You'll support and encourage them to take part in a wide range of activities led by professional therapists and workshop leaders.

Our aim at a Kith & Kids’ club is that everybody has lots of fun in an environment in which our members feel safe and relaxed and can fully express themselves.  We aim that our members receive 2:1 volunteer support.  This helps ensure that the sessions have lots of energy and enthusiasm.  It also gives new volunteers a chance to learn further support tips from experienced volunteers. 

Our Weekend Clubs also allow our members to develop key skills and relationships in a fun, friendly and safe setting that is individually centred on their needs.

Workshops include music, drama, arts & crafts, sports & games and much more.  We even enjoy trips out!  Recently groups have attended swimming, museums, crazy golf, and bowling.

Not only is it a session full of fun and games for you and our members, but you are also a vital part in supporting them to develop their social skills in a day-to-day environment.

Come along and get involved!

Male volunteers especially welcome (we need more)!!

Requirements

What you need
You do not need experience. Full disability awareness training will be provided before you begin volunteering with us.
The only requirements we ask of you are enthusiasm, energy and to be open-minded.
Minimum age for volunteers is 18.

How much time?
The clubs run Sat monthly, 10.00am to 1.30pm and/or 1:30pm to 6.00pm, in term time only.

The more clubs you do, the more you'll build close relationships with the members you'll be supporting and will create the most impact.

What we can offer you
We can reimburse your travel expenses.
We'll also provide excellent training before the project, and lots of helpful support.

By volunteering on our clubs, you'll also:

• Use and develop your skills
• Learn something new, get involved in fun activities with others
• Increase your confidence
• Meet new people and make friends
• Gain experience for (other) work
• Give something back to the community
• Do something fun and satisfying in your spare time
• Challenge yourself
   

What about training?
Volunteers must attend training and complete a free DBS check before you begin volunteering.

This is a great opportunity to get to know everyone at Kith & Kids: your fellow volunteers, some of our members you will be working with, and gives the opportunity to develop some new skills and expand your knowledge in our workshops.

Topics we cover include:

• Communication
• Autism
• Supporting emotions
• Safeguarding
• Creativity & Participation
• Epilepsy
   

When do I need to come?

Volunteers must attend training and complete a free DBS check before taking part.

We'll be running face-to-face training in north London starting in mid-May with lots of other dates to choose from.

In the meantime, we'll be meeting volunteers online.

Training will take place in North London – once we have met you online for a chat, we will send you confirmation of our training venue details.

Fundraising volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you! 

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

This is a really flexible role, you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example: 

• face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins 

• online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations

• marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  

• completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork

● championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

● photography. Capturing images of cats in care, cats we are helping, events and all things Cats Protection

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats

Would you like to become an Ambassador for knus? We've introduced our new arm-chairing volunteer position.

If you're interested arm-chair volunteering (our most flexible, low commitment role) and applying to volunteer at knus, simply read through the information on this page and apply.

• Are you over 18 and living in the UK? You must be over the 18 years of age and live permanently in the UK.
• Do you have a mobile phone or laptop? You can do this role whether you are, whether it be on a sofa or on a plane.
• How much time can you give? As much as you want to do. We are flexible and like to work around you.
• Do you like to learn? We provide training for all volunteers that join us. You'll have access to our CPD courses to help you advance your knowledge and certificates to add to your CV.

How does it work?

In 2025 we launched our arm chair volunteering initiative to help us spread the word about our service and to give people the opportunity to take part in surveys and projects to help us deliver the best mental health support to the UK public.

We'd like to embrace what you love doing, whether that be sharing on socials, proof reading, surveys, sharing experiences or getting involved in our fabulous projects.

Important information:

In order to volunteer for knus as an ambassador, you will need to complete a brief application form and a ID check. A DBS is not required for this role, however, if you wish to progress to another role you may need a disclosure. We do this to ensure of service remains a safe place to volunteer for all. Please do not worry about this, we will help you as much as we can.

Training is provided by us and our training partners. You will be required to attend this training using online conferencing software such as zoom or teams.

Are you creative? Would you like to support others to express their emotions through arts and crafting?

Art plays a valuable role in mental wellbeing with research showing that crafting, regardless of the medium you use can boost your mood, self-confidence and reduce stress overall. Taking part in art-based activities increases our resilience and engages us in the here and now. You will be supporting people to express their emotions, provide a time for people to relax and feel proud of their final art products!

We are recruiting for a volunteer to support and facilitate an art and craft group.

Hestia has a variety of different services that support people across London and the South East. These services support people that are struggling with their mental health, are victims of Domestic Abuse or Modern Slavery, and more. Join our team of volunteers who play a vital role in what we do! We work with people who need support with their mental health across London and the South East. Our support ranges from registered accommodation services for people with severe mental health conditions to drop-in community and crisis services.

In the last year, 9,499 adults accessed Hestia’s mental health support.

We help people to feel safe, develop hope for a better future, and achieve their personal goals. These goals may include rebuilding relationships with family members and friends or connecting more with their local community.

What you will be doing

• To prepare arts and craft sessions, involving individuals in the planning process where possible
• Inspire and motivate individuals to develop their arts and craft skills, assisting them in the creation of their projects and supporting them to brainstorm and use their own initiative
• Encourage individuals to continue independent activities

The skills you need

• Experience of arts and/or crafts either in a professional, educational, or personal level
• Able to collaborate with individuals to plan an art group session and facilitate confidently
• A calm and patient manner
• Ability to provide a trusting, open, kind-hearted atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• An effective communicator with a patient and sympathetic nature

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Disclaimer

Hestia is proud to be a Disability Confident employer. Should you require our role pack in an alternative format or wish to discuss any reasonable adjustments you may need for your interview, please contact hestia. As part of the process of volunteering, all applicants will need to complete a DBS and references. If you have any convictions/cautions, this does not mean that you cannot apply for any of our roles, however we do require a DBS for all positions. We ensure that all positive disclosures on DBS records are discussed with our volunteers and fairly assessed. Schedule 9 (1a) of the Equality Act 2010 applies to this position – (Only Female applicants please)

About Children With Voices

Children With Voices (CWV) is a grassroots non-profit organisation dedicated to improving

the lives of children and families through community-driven programs. We run holiday clubs,

healthy lifestyle education, and intervention projects for children aged 5–11 to combat

childhood obesity, antisocial behaviour, and gang involvement.

Our goal is early intervention – giving children the tools to lead healthier, safer, and more

empowered lives.

The Role – Board Member (Volunteer)

We are seeking passionate, community-minded individuals to join our Board of Trustees. As

a board member, you will provide oversight, guidance, and strategic support to help CWV

grow its reach and impact. You don’t need previous board experience – just the drive to make

a difference and bring your unique skills, networks, or community insight to the table.

Key Responsibilities

•Attend and contribute to quarterly board meetings and occasional strategy sessions.

•Support the development of CWV’s strategic vision and community impact.

•Use your professional expertise or lived experience to inform board decisions (e.g.

education, youth work, business, legal, HR, marketing, fundraising, etc.).

•Leverage your personal or professional network to promote CWV’s work and connect us

with funding, partnerships, or opportunities.

•Ensure CWV operates in line with its charitable aims, legal obligations, and good

governance practices.

•Act as an ambassador for CWV at events, with funders, and across your networks.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome board members from a wide range of backgrounds. You may have experience

in:

•Community development or youth services

•Education, social work, or mental health

•Fundraising, business development, or marketing

•Finance, governance, HR, or legal

•Lived experience of the issues CWV addresses

•Or a strong passion for helping children and communities thrive

Commitment

•Time required: 6–10 hours per month (flexible)

•Location: Remote and/or London-based meetings (hybrid)

•Term: Minimum one-year commitment (renewable)

•Training and induction provided

What You’ll Gain

•A chance to help shape the future of a growing, impactful charity

•Experience in governance and leadership within the non-profit sector

•Meaningful connections with like-minded individuals

•Personal fulfilment from empowering children and families

How to Apply

Interested? Please email your CV or a short expression of interest to:

Subject: Board Member Application

Bring your voice to Children With Voices – and help us build healthier, safer, and stronger

communities.

Job description

We need dedicated volunteers to work at our Askew Road store. If you have a passion for fashion (especially second-hand), amazing customer service skills and you are keen to learn new skills, then this opportunity is for you. As a volunteer you will also be involved in receiving, sorting, steaming, and pricing our lovely donations, serving at the till, and using your creativity to create displays around the shop. Training will be provided. As a volunteer, you will be helping to raise money for the Octavia Foundation and support the work we do in the local community.

About Octavia Foundation Shops

We are Octavia. Founded by the Victorian philanthropist Octavia Hill in the 1860s, our work today covers three areas: homes, support, and care. We provide Londoners with quality, affordable housing, allowing many people to remain in the city who otherwise would have been priced out. We empower people, connecting them with opportunities for a better life. And we look after the elderly and vulnerable, with tailored and personalized care. We are for hope, for communities, and for connections. For the common good.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for friendly volunteers who adhere to our values of being reliable, respectful, responsible, and resourceful. You will be a good team member who we can expect to volunteer in our shops for a minimum of 4 hours a week.

Practical Considerations
We do reimburse Travel and Lunch expenses in line with our policy.

Job Type: Volunteer

Pay: n/a

Benefits:

• Travel Expenses claimable
• Store discount

Flexible language requirement:

• English not required

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability
• Weekends only

Work Location: In person