Support at home volunteer roles in ashford, middlesex

Role Title: Graphic Designer

Role Purpose

Quilombo UK is looking for a Graphic Designer to join the team. Quilombo UK is a not for profit social enterprise that challenges people to think differently and bridge gaps between communities, with the aim of building a culturally rich society, where differences are accepted and celebrated. As chosen among 160 other organizations to work in collaboration with the Home Office on the “Building a Stronger Britain together” project, you will be joining a team, which not only supports the community but also stands up to extremism in all of its forms.

Quilombo UK works in collaboration with QMC Capoeira School, giving you the chance to support QMC Capoeira which is one of the most awarded Capoeira Schools in UK (UK Coaching Awards, Gillette Sports Awards, Kingston Council Sports Awards).

By joining QuilomboUK you will be supported and guided by experienced staff and volunteers, who are willing to share their skill set and will provide you with great opportunities for development in many different areas.

Ideal candidates will use their passion to promote Quilombo UK and raise its profile, while attracting new members. They should create engaging and on-brand graphics for a variety of media.

Main Responsibilities

• Study design briefs and determine requirements
• Schedule projects and define budget constraints
• Conceptualize visuals based on requirements
• Prepare rough drafts and present ideas
• Develop illustrations, logos and other designs using software or by hand
• Use the appropriate colours and layouts for each graphic
• Work with copywriters and creative director to produce final design
• Test graphics across various media
• Amend designs after feedback
• Ensure final graphics and layouts are visually appealing and on-brand

Essential Skills

• Proven graphic designing experience
• A portfolio of illustrations or other graphics / CV
• Familiarity with design software and technologies (such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Suite)
• Flexibility and openness to work on a variety of tasks
• Focused, organised and able to prioritise and execute tasks independently
• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments
• Strong team player
• A keen eye for aesthetics and details
• Excellent communication skills
• Degree in Design, Fine Arts or related field is a plus
• Must be UK resident

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate

Job Type: Volunteer

Volunteer Befriender

Octavia works with people affected by unemployment, ill health, social isolation or low income to connect them with opportunities for positive personal change. Our vision is to build stronger, happier and healthier communities in central and west London to help create an enriched life where we live. Please help us to do this by volunteering to befriend a member of the local community, who is isolated and vulnerable, in Westminster or Kensington and Chelsea.

Reasons to volunteer

Would you like to assist an isolated person in your local area? Would you like to provide them with the emotional support, social skills and confidence that will help them to feel happier in their everyday life?

 You will know that you have helped someone to move on in their life and take part in society
 Full induction, ongoing training and support. This includes training on: communication, empathy, health and safety, confidentiality and safeguarding
 Opportunity to enhance your CV and to learn new skills
 We are able to provide references to employers and/or further education establishments
 Travel costs and out of pocket expenses reimbursed on the provision of receipts*

What would I be doing?

 Meeting once a week with the person you have been matched with, in their own home or an agreed public place, at a mutually agreed time
 Encourage communication on a shared interest or topic
 Arrange activities and listen to your Befriendee with empathy and encouragement
 On occasion you may be asked by your befriendee to accompany/escort them outside on a one to one basis or do some shopping in circumstances where they are unable to

What skills are we looking for?

 Good communication skills
 Understanding of empathy and the needs of people with isolation issues
 Understanding of confidentiality
 Able to use own initiative and work unsupervised, reliable and trustworthy
 We ask that you volunteer for 1 hour per week, for a minimum of 6 months

Sounds great! How do I sign up?

When you aplply, we ask for 2 references but these do not need to be from employers. For instance, they can be character references from college tutors or support workers who know you well. We also carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks on all volunteers, but this would only happen if we both agree that Befriending is the right fit for you.

We are committed to equality and diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Please contact us should you prefer to apply over the phone or via hard copy, for accessibility reasons. If you require any adjustments due to a disability (including: physical, psychological or neurological disease or disorders) in order to get the most out of your time volunteering with us, please do let us know so that we can ideally facilitate this.

Do you have professional expertise you could use to help a good cause? Are you passionate about animal welfare? Trustees manage the affairs of our local RSPCA Branch to promote and provide animal welfare within the branch area. 

We are the Surrey East Branch of the RSPCA, and it's our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion. 

Main activities: 

• To be familiar with and support the aims and policies of the RSPCA. 

• To be familiar with our branch rules and follow them at all times. 

• To work with your fellow trustees and branch officers to jointly act in making decisions for the best interest of our branch and the RSPCA. 

• To ensure the branch meets all the minimum animal welfare standards (MAWS). Where they are not met, work with national RSPCA staff to meet the standard as soon as practicable. 

• In conjunction with your fellow trustees and Branch support specialist (BSS), to write, adopt, monitor and review a branch development plan setting out the short and long-term aims of our branch. 

• To actively participate in branch committee meetings and attend the branch annual general meeting, and regional conference. 

• To be aware of the outcome of regional board meetings and support regional initiatives. 

• To attend the trustee training course. 

• To actively promote and advertise the society in an ongoing programme to recruit new branch trustees and volunteers. 

• To welcome new trustees and volunteers to the branch. 

About the RSPCA

We’re proud to be the oldest welfare charity in existence

• We were the first to introduce a law to protect animals and we work hard to ensure that all animals can live a life free from pain and suffering. 

• Through our campaigns we raise standards of care and awareness of issues for the animals who have no voice. We push for laws to be changed, improving the welfare of animals on farms, in research labs, in the wild, in paddocks or in our homes. 

• Through investigations and prosecutions, we stand up to those who deliberately harm animals to send out a clear message - we will not tolerate animal abuse. 

• Our highly trained officers tackle neglect and cruelty at every level and are working hard to stamp out large-scale serious, organised and commercial animal cruelty. 

• We believe every animal has the right to be counted as an individual. Animals can rely on us to rescue them when they need us most. To rehabilitate them wherever possible, provide them with the very best veterinary care and to find them new homes, either through rehoming or release.

What are we looking for? 

• Most people aged 18 or over are eligible to become a trustee. You will need to become a member of the RSPCA. Good interpersonal skills are important. You do not need to be an expert, although commitment, common sense and the ability to be objective is vital. 

• Specific skills such as finance, fundraising, project management, business experience, and awareness of employment and/or charity legislation can be useful, but not essential. 

• Trustees must sign a Trustee Declaration of Willingness to Act to clarify that they are not disqualified from being a trustee and that they accept the post. 

• In addition to our standard declaration of willingness, trustees also need to complete a declaration from the Charity Commission and read their guidance for individuals on who can’t be a trustee or senior manager of a charity. 

What can we offer you? 

• It’s a great way to meet like-minded people who share your enthusiasm for animal welfare. 

• You will have the opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals. 

• New RSPCA trustees are provided with a document “Trustees handbook” and asked to attend a training course which provides information and guidance about a trustee’s role and responsibilities. 

• Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch. 

• Volunteer at the heart of the local community. 

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

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

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
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

A bit more information about this role and the team

We are specifically looking for indoor - single room fosterers.

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

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.

Lively Minds is a fast growing innovative charity that gets pre-school children in rural Ghana and Uganda school-ready. We are looking for a seasoned Treasurer/Financial Trustee to support the Chair and Board, as we expand our operations.

What will you be doing?

Lively Minds is an award-winning UK registered Charity working to get pre-schoolers in rural Ghana and Uganda school-ready. One of the main barriers to school-readiness is that parents in remote communities lack the information, education and aspiration to provide basic and cheap opportunities for their children. 

Our behaviour change programme empowers uneducated & marginalised Mothers to run educational Play Schemes for pre-schoolers and to provide better home-based care, using cheap local resources. The charity is proud that it has been proven through a randomised control trial to improve children’s cognitive and socio-emotional development and to reduce child acute malnutrition. These are exciting times for Lively Minds. The Government of Ghana have adopted the Lively Minds programme and we are now supporting them to scale it to over 4000 communities. 

We are also seeking to develop a similar partnership and scale-up strategy in Uganda. We plan to expand to other countries too over the next few years and are also exploring how we can take on more of a thought leadership role in the global Early Childhood Development (ECD) space. Lively Minds is supported to deliver in its mission by a selection of well-respected international innovation funders.

The Treasurer will play a vital governance and support role in helping us achieve these goals and will join a skilled, diverse and friendly Board.

What are we looking for?

Person Specification

Essential

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or other CCAB Recognised Body).
• Significant accounting experience and demonstrable commercial awareness.
• Knowledge of or a willingness to learn charity SORP and impending changes.
• Competent use of IT skills.
• Proven ability to communicate and explain financial information to members of the Board and other stakeholders in a simple and compelling manner.
• Analytical and evaluation skills, demonstrating good judgement.
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
• Good communication and leadership skills

Desirable

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of charity fundraising and finance practices.
• Dedicated to Lively Minds’ cause and objectives and willing to act as its ambassador to external bodies, charities and companies.
• A team-oriented approach to problem solving and to management.
• Knowledge and experience of Africa

What difference will you make?

You will be a key member of the Board and in collaboration with the CEO and CFO monitor the financial aspects of the charity - cash flow, income, expenses and strategic management of Lively Minds resources. In addition you will Chair the Finance and Audit Committee and oversee the risk management process and end of year accounts. 

Before you apply

Please reply to Reach in the first instance with a covering letter indicating why you are interested and a CV. Applications will be  processed as they are received and selected candidates will have an initial two way exploratory chat on Zoom with the Chair

Fundraising and Communications Internship

Concordis International seeks internship candidates to become actively involved in fundraising and communications for their programmes, providing meaningful assistance to the organisation’s operations. The internships are designed to give you concrete experience in communications and fundraising within the international development sector. The role is varied and will require you to work with our small UK team and with other interns who are based around the world.

Concordis International works impartially alongside those involved in or affected by armed conflict, so that through dialogue they may build relationships of mutual trust and together develop and implement policies that improve security and social cohesion, laying firm foundations for lasting peace.

Location: Home-based. You must have good internet connection and a computer.

Duration: 6 months; minimum 3 days (22 hours) per week, some flexible working is available.

Closing date: 16th June at 23:59 BST.

Start date: 30th June.

Reporting to: Fundraising & Communications Manager.

Role Description

You will work closely with the Fundraising and Communications Manager as an integral part of the F&C Team, and be involved in all the projects we cover. Your internship with Concordis will give you experience in both fundraising and communications and you won't just watch it happen; you'll be doing the work as part of the team, with opportunities to make a valuable contribution. You’ll have exposure to planning, designing, writing and working to tight deadlines. And the more you put in, the more you will get out.

We are particularly seeking interns with great creative energy and graphic design skills. If that's you, please get in touch.​​ You’ll need really fluent English too; it’s an advantage if it is your mother tongue.

Communications role

You will become one of our storytellers. You will learn about our programmes, their activities, history and conflict analysis, so you can produce communications materials for social media, our website, newsletters, events and other outlets. This will mean you:

• Liaise with our programme teams to gather information, stories and materials

• Brief, resource and support the F&C Manager

• Edit and design publications such as reports, news articles and other awareness-raising materials

• Respond to requests for communications support from the wider team

• Update and design new pages for our website

• Create posts and monitor social media platforms 

Fundraising role

You will work closely with the F&C Manager to support activities as required.

• Help maintain and develop our Customer Relationships Management system

• Help with fundraising events (including organisational aspects)

• Be closely involved in the process of producing our Annual Review, from planning, through design, to print

Other tasks

Interns monitor international and regional institutions and grant-making organisations for funding opportunities.  They are also expected to take their turn in tasks such as taking notes during meetings and monitoring the security of teams on the road.

Interns serve on a voluntary basis; there is no salary or stipend, but Concordis will reimburse reasonable expenses including a small daily lunch allowance.

Interns do not follow a formal training programme, but Concordis will seek to provide experience tailored to the skills, needs and aspirations of individual interns within the range of activities outlined above.

Thank you for your interest to become a Fosterer at Cats Protection! We are looking for volunteers to foster cats and kittens in the South Ayrshire area of Scotland.

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

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

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
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and 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 must live in the South Ayrshire area of Scotland
• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home (separate room minimum size 3.6m squared - essential to meet UK animal welfare standards)
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

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.

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

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

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
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and 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 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

TACT is the UK’s largest dedicated fostering charity, with over 500 foster carers currently providing loving homes for over 600 children and young people across England, Scotland and Wales. We have annual income of £25million and 200 staff.

Since we were founded in 1993, we have strived to offer excellent care for all our children entrusted to us and to instil positive change in the wider care system. We have also sought to innovate so we can improve the experiences of children and young people in the care system to transform outcomes for the better.

More than 30 years on, TACT continues to undertake a wide range of innovative work across the UK, ensuring we remain at the leading edge of improving the UK care system. Our education service is proving to be a great success in improving educational outcomes for our children, while our health service enables young people and carers to access high quality health (particularly mental health) treatment in a timely manner. TACT Connect, a wholly unique service in the sector, continues to provide support for our care experienced adults, while offering them a platform to keep in touch with TACT and also with other adults who share similar experiences to their own. Looking ahead, we are continuing to explore opportunities to further expand our reach and impact, and recently successfully completed the acquisition of an independent fostering service in North Wales.

Underpinning all of this vital work are our excellent staff and, of course, our amazing and inspirational foster carers. They are caring for children and young people who are vulnerable, but also full of hopes, dreams, potential and joy. Good foster families provide safe and stable homes and help children fulfil their potential and enable them to lead happy and successful lives.

We are looking to appoint up to three trustees to join our Board, bringing a range of diverse skills and experiences and providing critical challenge and oversight to our work. We are particularly keen to appoint trustees with knowledge of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), as well as young trustees who bring lived experience of the care system. Prior trustee experience is not required - you will receive all of the necessary training and support. Our trustees come from a wide range of backgrounds and are based across the UK. We also have both care experienced adults and foster careers on our Board currently, and we are keen to build on this further.

We are all excited about the opportunity these appointments present to help guide our charity into the next phase of its journey, with our foster carers and children at the heart. We hope that you want to be part of it.

To download a full copy of the candidate brief and learn more about the role, please click the ‘Apply’ button, where you will be redirected to the website of our recruitment partner, Tall Roots. Applications should include a CV and covering letter. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Tall Roots.

Professionals Aid Guild (PAG) is seeking a new Trustee to join a well-established charity based in London to assist with ongoing and future strategic development. A background in Education or Social Welfare would be desirable.

Using your experience, skills and knowledge, as Trustee you will be;

• Contributing actively to the Board of Trustees' role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation,
• Setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
• Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation.
• Protecting and managing the property of the organisation and ensuring the proper investment of the organisation's funds.
• Ensuring that the charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and is focused on achieving these.
• Being responsible for the performance of the charity and for its “corporate” behaviour; ensuring that the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Acting as guardians of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application.
• Ensuring that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard.

We are particularly interested in hearing from anyone with a background in IT, Education or Welfare; however a general interest in the relief of poverty is important. A successful applicant would be decisive, responsible, good at networking and passionate about delivering and developing the aims of the charity. Our Trustees play a vital role in the work of the charity and have a high degree of responsibility. The charity processes confidential information about our applicants and so an awareness of data protection regulation would be useful.

As a Trustee for PAG you will make a difference to professionals throughout UK.  Examples of our beneficiaries could include a family struggling to afford school uniforms for their children, a cancer sufferer who has had to give up work and is struggling to manage financially, a medical student whose funding has failed, or a single parent who has moved to a new home and needs assistance with the cost of furniture – these are all areas in which PAG has assisted and continues to assist.

Some case studies below demonstrate the real impact that the charity has;

1. Mrs B accumulated large debts when she lost her job and was unable to obtain further loan or credit.  She was awarded a one-off gift of £500 towards travel for the final year of her MSc/Diploma from PAG’s Education Committee. Mrs B wrote “I am lost for words to express my gratitude for the received cheque. I would like to say thank you for helping me to every person involved. It will truly make a big difference to my life.”
2. Ms E left the family home due to domestic violence and subsequently divorced, she has one son, who is in employment and who contributes to the household income, and one daughter, who is at school. Mrs E is not currently employed; she has completed a Diploma and hopes to find paid employment soon. She was awarded a grant by the Case Committee and a further award for her daughter’s education from the Education Committee. Ms E wrote “I just wanted to thank you all for helping my family and I. I truly feel grateful and supported by PAG. I really don’t know how I would have coped over the years with so many different events that have happened to in my life. Thank you once again.”

We’ve been shaping social change since 1884.

In our 141st year, we are looking for new Trustees to us achieve our vision of a  fairer future for East London and beyond.

Vacancy: Finance Trustee x 2

About Toynbee Hall

Toynbee Hall works alongside people facing poverty and injustice to build a fairer future.

Based in the East End of London since 1884, we provide vital support to individuals through our advice and support services and work in partnership with local communities to tackle unfairness through research and advocacy. We are a place where people come together to work out solutions to the challenges facing us all and to shape systemic change.

As a charity we are governed by our Trustees - a group of volunteers who have responsibility for setting our strategy and ensuring we meet our charitable objectives.

However, with the pandemic's aftermath and the ongoing cost of living crisis, we face unprecedented challenges. The most vulnerable communities are hit hardest, and our role has never been more critical. We are constantly reviewing our own allocation of finite resources to ensure we are clearly and effectively focusing on where we can make the greatest impact. 

We are looking for Trustees with finance experience to join our Board; helping to shape our future plans and strategy.

Over the past five years, Toynbee Hall has undergone a significant renewal, revitalising our historical buildings, creating spaces that not only provide advice and community connections but also generate revenue to support the delivery of our services and research. Like many organisations we face challenges and some difficult decisions over this period but we are energised about the changes we want to see and how we can contribute. We are also keen to collaborate and grow our projects and thus have wider impact.

We have an engaged, diverse and skilled Trustee Board who are working alongside our senior team as we implement our new strategic plan and organisational priorities.

You can find out more about our existing Trustees on our website.

What we are looking for and what we can offer

It is important to us that we attract Trustees from a range of backgrounds. You don’t need to have previous experience of being a trustee, so please don’t let that put you off!

We will offer an induction program and support to take up the position.

We aim to have a trustee board that reflects the local community, so we especially encourage to apply if you live in Tower Hamlets or who have a personal connection with Toynbee Hall, Tower Hamlets or the East End. Our Board is currently diverse in age, gender and ethnicity and we are committed to maintaining that diversity. We particularly want to hear from potential Trustees who are Black or Asian.

The essential responsibilities of a Toynbee Hall Trustee is to ensure that the organisation pursues its charitable objectives and ensure we remain a going concern.

Trustees must be people with independent judgement, with an ability to think strategically and creatively about the challenges and opportunities ahead.

For this role you will have a financial qualification with at least 3 years’ experience in finance / accountancy. Ideally experience in financial decision making. An understanding of charity funding would be an advantage.

Above all you need to have real enthusiasm for our work and for supporting and guiding our Chief Executive and Toynbee Hall’s passionate and committed staff and volunteers so that they remain focused on tackling inequality and poverty in East London and beyond. And in return we are commitment to helping you gain experience in the non-profit sector strategy and decision making.

 The time commitment to be a Trustee

We ask our Board members to attend four evening Board meetings a year, an annual away-day and to be a member of one Committee. Our Committees meet up to three times a year. At the moment our committee meetings tend to be over video, where Board meetings aim to be in person. In person meetings take place at Toynbee Hall’s home in Commercial Street, E1. Board and Committee meetings are held in the evening.

Each Board member serves for a three-year term. This will then be reviewed by the Board with a maximum nine-year term.

Our Board members are also active ambassadors for Toynbee Hall. This means attending and supporting events and taking opportunities to promote and develop the work of Toynbee Hall through networks and contacts.

Next steps and what to expect

We will be accepting applications until midday on 9th June 2025. Interviews will be held with two of our trustees (online) and a second stage with the Chief Operating Officer (in person).

CAT FOSTERER

Cat Fosterer (RSPCA Finchley, Golders Green, Hendon & District Branch)

We’re looking for cat-loving volunteers to play a vital role in helping us improve the wellbeing of the cats in our care whilst they wait to be rehomed. Can you help them by providing a calm and caring home whilst we find their purrfect forever home?

Overview of the opportunity

As a cat fosterer, you would be supporting the RSPCA in providing our cats with the safety of your home whilst tending to their welfare needs such as feeding and grooming. In addition to this, by providing a temporary loving environment, you will play a crucial role in a cat’s wellbeing and socialisation, which will significantly improve their chances of successful rehoming.

Once everything is in place, the animal centre will guide you through the fostering process and ensure that you have all the necessary equipment, food, and veterinary care for your fostered cat. The RSPCA is also happy to reimburse any other pre-agreed expenses that you may incur through volunteering for us.

Whilst our cats are in your foster care, you will:

•  Provide them with care, suitable housing, and a safe environment as per our policies and guidelines.
•  Feed, water, and groom them in line with our advice.
• Transport them to any veterinary appointments if required.
•  Provide them with your time and patience.
•  Help us spread the word about the cats in your care so they might find their forever home quicker.
•  Playing and cuddles are also a must!        

What we are looking for in a volunteer Cat Fosterer                                                                                                                                                                                             

• Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had plenty of experience caring for cats.
• Fostering experience is beneficial but not essential as training is provided.
• For their wellbeing, our cats need to be kept in a separate room, so the whole family should be on board.
• Any existing pets or animals need to have been spayed/neutered (some medical reasons may mean they cannot be so, please let us know if this is the case). 

​What we can offer you as a volunteer Cat Fosterer

• You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the cats in your care.
• Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
•  Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and fostering training programme.
•  Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

It is worth mentioning that our cats do have different needs as whilst some are ready for rehoming others may require rehabilitation or ongoing medication. Therefore, we also aim to understand your situation and circumstances to ensure that we match you with your perfect foster cat.

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

At PAS we believe that everyone has the right to be treated fairly, properly and with respect. Prisoners can be ‘ out of sight, out of mind’, or considered to not be as deserving of good treatment as other people – but not for PAS; our reason for existing is ensuring that prisoners can fully exercise their rights.

It is my privilege to be Chair of Trustees for PAS, I believe that the work we do is fundamental to my belief that we judge our society by the way in which we treat the most vulnerable people. Contrary to popular culture, prisoners are some of the most vulnerable, neglected people in our society, and I am proud to be a part of an organisation that helps to protect them.

My fellow trustees are an impressive group of people, actively engaged with PAS, who energise me whenever I meet with them. However, our numbers have dwindled over the past year, as it can been difficult for people to fit in the demands of being a trustee around their busy lives. We also very sadly lost one of our most long-standing trustees to cancer – he is still sorely missed by us.

If you feel that you could offer your skills and experience, but most importantly your commitment and enthusiasm to our cause, we would be very interested in considering you joining us as a new Trustee.

As a Trustee, you will contribute to the strategic governance of the organisation and the setting and monitoring of overall policy; refine strategic priorities; agree targets and budgets; evaluate organisational performance and help the organisation fundraise.

Meetings take place quarterly in central London in the evening (with some virtual attendance), with additional attendance requested at Awaydays and PAS’s Annual Lecture and debates.

The Board encourages applications from candidates with disabilities or experience of mental health services, as well as black and minority ethnic applicants and ex-prisoners.

PAS does not accept Home Office or Prison Service money as this may affect its independence.

  Trustees are volunteers, but travel costs and reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

The Prisoners’ Advice Service (PAS) is the only independent registered charity dedicated to offering free legal advice and representation to adult prisoners on their rights and prison rules in England and Wales.

About us: GT Scholars is a charitable social enterprise that tackles educational inequality by giving ambitious young people the support, skills and strategies they need to achieve aspirations. We run a wide range of programmes that help young people achieve their academic and career aspirations, particularly those from less-privileged backgrounds. 

What makes us different? We run tutoring, mentoring & career insight programmes that help our scholars, aged 11-18, discover their strengths, develop their mindsets and design their own futures.

There are many charitable organisations and social enterprises offering programmes to improve the life chances of young people. 

However, our programmes use a unique 3:1 model which means that we’re able to sustainably use our profits to provide additional places on our programmes, to young people from low income homes. 

We believe that all young people are gifted and talented, regardless of their background. 

Our mission is to empower and develop the next generation of leaders and change-makers and we’re looking for volunteer tutors that are passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives!

If you are an undergraduate or graduate, you could make a difference by joining us as a volunteer tutor. As a volunteer tutor, you’ll need to:

• Have a passion for helping children and young people

• Provide online one-to-one tutoring support for 1 hour week

• Build pupil confidence in Science.

• Have strong subject knowledge (confident enough to tutor up to GCSE)

• Work collaboratively with other tutors and mentors

• Have a minimum of an undergraduate degree or be working towards this

Volunteer tutoring can be extremely rewarding and volunteers with GT Scholars benefit from:

• A flexible schedule - you can choose online tutoring hours to suit your schedule

• The chance to grow your contacts and meet like-minded volunteers 

• The chance to make a real difference in the life of a young person.

Additional information: We’re looking for tutors that can commit to a minimum of 2 academic terms of volunteering.

We will need to conduct reference checks and you will need an Enhanced DBS for this role as you will be working directly with children. We can process this for you or you may submit one if this is less than 3 years old.