Support group volunteer volunteer roles in manchester

Would you like to help end food poverty and tackle climate change and CO2 emissions in Greater Manchester, whilst at the same time gaining valuable CV-enhancing experience and skills?

What we offer you

Induction, training and support from the staff of FareShare and its parent charity, EMERGE 3Rs.

Practical experience and transferable skills in warehousing and food redistribution.

A reference after 2 months with us.

An understanding of warehousing and logistics, and the importance of food surplus and recycling initiatives.

Expenses
We reimburse travel expenses up to £6 for car drivers, and up to £5 for public transport costs.
Up to £3 is given towards the cost of lunch if a volunteer has special dietary requirements. (We provide lunch for our volunteers, so will contribute towards the cost of a volunteer's meal, should they bring their own, if what we are offering in the canteen isn't considered suitable; for example, a diet that's restricted for reasons of health, religion, or ethics).

About Us
As a sustainability charity, we take surplus food that's donated to us and redistribute it to people in need.
The front line initiatives we support include food banks, schools, community groups and charities who, in turn, help people who are disadvantaged by poverty.

Our vital work supports people experiencing extreme hardship and prevents perfectly good food going to landfill, where it would otherwise contribute to climate warming. 

We need helping hands in our busy warehouse to receive and catalogue supplies, to load and unload vans, and to prepare orders for delivery. In return we offer training and support to help you obtain skills and experience to boost your CV if you are seeking work. If you're not looking for employment, volunteering with us is rewarding in many other ways; offering an opportunity to help tackle hunger, food waste and global warming, and to make friends, keep physically active and support your community.

This role is vital to the work of FareShare, ensuring that the food in our warehouse is correctly sorted, labelled and organised into orders placed by our charities and community groups.

It is perfect for someone who is:

a) Looking for experience and skills to gain employment in the food industry, warehousing and customer service.
b) Wanting to help their community and/or help tackle global warming.
c) Looking for a practical activity. 
d) Wanting to make new friends.
e) Wanting to keep busy and/or physically fit.

Our volunteer opportunities are available Monday to Friday, for a whole or half day, with shifts between 8:30-am - 12:30pm and 12:30 - 4:30pm. Volunteers are typically involved for one day a week. We are flexible around the hours you can offer us.

What will I be doing?

Receiving, sorting, cataloguing and storing chilled and ambient surplus food in a warehouse, and preparing orders for delivery.

Ensuring food quality and safety by checking ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates.

Sorting and unpacking deliveries; categorising and recording food.

Assembling food orders placed by charities and community groups.

Maintaining health and safety and food hygiene standards. 

Helping with cleaning and other tasks identified by warehouse staff.

Person Specification: 
You must:

be reasonably physically fit to carry out tasks, including lifting and loading.

have a good command of English in order to understand and follow instructions and health and safety rules. 

have basic literacy and numeracy skills to record quantities and types of food donated.

be able to work in a manner that respects Health and Safety standards.

be happy to complete tasks independently according to instruction.

be positive, friendly and enthusiastic about tackling food waste and food poverty.

be reliable and able to commit to an agreed session/day.

Where is the opportunity based?
We are located in our brand new depot at Maynard House, New Smithfield Market, Openshaw, Manchester M11 2WJ.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us.
This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles.
We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

We are looking for new volunteers from all over the North West area to be Speak out. Stay Safe Volunteers. You would visit primary schools local to you to help us protect a generation of children from abuse and neglect.

We are currently not recruiting for the following areas: Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Warrington, Wigan, Bolton, Oldham, Bury, Stockport and Tameside, Isle of Man and Rochdale

In 2022 the NSPCC's Speak out. Stay safe volunteers returned to primary schools. As a Speak out. Stay safe. volunteer, you will visit primary schools to deliver Speak out. Stay safe. workshops that teach children about the different types of abuse and how they can speak out and stay safe. Our Speak out. Stay safe. workshops are age-appropriate and memorable and need an energetic and enthusiastic person to deliver them. You'll work alongside other Speak out. Stay safe. volunteers to make sure at the end of each session the children feel empowered and know who they can speak out to if they are worried.

If you are interested in volunteering as a Speak out. Stay safe. volunteer and want to find out more about the role, the next step is to attend a Volunteer Information Meeting, which is a fantastic opportunity to:

• Meet with staff as well as volunteers to ask any questions you may have
• Learn more about the application process and your volunteer journey

Our meetings are designed to help you decide whether you want to apply – there's no obligation or expectation that you'll apply if you attend one. At the meeting, you'll also receive information on other ways you can become a supporter of the NSPCC.

For this role, we can only accept people over the age of 16. 

Interested in getting involved? Volunteer today and join our fight for every childhood.

Emerge Worldwide exists to amplify voices until freedom rings for all women and girls.

Our vision is to see sexual exploitation and sex trafficking abolished, and it starts one mind at a time, one life at a time!

Our mission is to prevent sexual exploitation and trafficking by advocating for policy reform, raising public awareness, and providing comprehensive support to victims/survivors. The organisation aims to assist vulnerable youth, particularly girls, and women, influence public discourse through education, and foster systemic change to enhance protections for individuals impacted by exploitation and trafficking.

Purpose of Role

The Communications Officer will play a key role in ensuring effective internal and external communication across Emerge Worldwide. This role will be responsible for producing high-quality newsletters, managing communication with partners, collaborators, influencers, and associates, maintaining organisational directories, and supporting the flow of information across departments. The Communications Officer will also manage calendars, support administrative needs, and liaise with the social media team to ensure consistent messaging and brand alignment.

This position requires excellent organisational, IT, and communication skills, alongside a proactive approach to supporting the charity’s mission and daily operations.

Role Description - What will I be doing?

 Communications & Engagement

• Draft, design, and distribute newsletters and organisational updates to stakeholders.
• Maintain effective communication with partners, collaborators, influencers, and associates.
• Identify and manage key contacts and opportunities for engagement.
• Share key information across internal departments and teams to improve collaboration.
• Work with departments to ensure consistent messaging across all channels.
• Support the development of communication strategies to raise Emerge Worldwide’s profile.

 Administration & Coordination

• Respond to general email enquiries and redirect them appropriately.
• Manage shared drives, organisational directories, and ensure accurate record-keeping.
• Coordinate and set up meetings, including preparing agendas and taking minutes.
• Support calendar management for the organisation, ensuring alignment across departments.
• Assist with the preparation of presentations, reports, and communication materials.
• Work closely with the Operations Manager to ensure smooth organisational communication flow.
• Work within agreed budgets and managing resources effectively.

 Technical & IT

• Use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for reporting, communication, and presentations.
• Support the use of Mailchimp or other IT software for mass communications.
• Maintain mailing lists, contact directories, and subscription platforms.
• Ensure compliance with data protection, GDPR, and organisational policies when managing contacts.

 Other Duties

• Support wider organisational projects and campaigns where communication is required.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with stakeholders.
• Participate in departmental and cross departmental progress meetings, training, and 1:1s
• Undertake training and professional development as required.
• Carry out any other duties in line with the role as directed by the Operations Manager.

Person Specification - What skills and qualities do I need?

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to draft professional correspondence and engaging content.
• Excellent IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience using digital communication tools such as Mailchimp, CRM systems, or equivalent.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience managing calendars, meetings, and administrative systems.
• Experience of successfully working collaboratively across teams or departments.
• Attention to detail with a proactive and solution-focused approach.
• Proactive, showing initiative, with the ability to work unsupervised
• Understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding, and GDPR compliance.

 Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience working in a charity, non-profit, or mission-driven organisation.
• Familiarity with managing contact directories, databases, or CRM systems.
• Knowledge of social media platforms and how they integrate with organisational communication.
• Experience of stakeholder engagement and partnership communication.
• Ability to produce visually engaging newsletters, reports, and presentations.
• Event coordination or project support experience.

 Personal Qualities

• A collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• Confident, professional, and approachable communication style.
• Able to work independently and take initiative.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Passionate about Emerge Worldwide’s mission to advocate against sexual exploitation and support vulnerable groups.

Requirements

• Resides in the UK and is eligible to volunteer
• A DBS check, if applicable
• Able to work in alignment with Emerge Worldwide’s policies, procedures, values, standards, and boundaries, including those relating to confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, and the volunteer code of conduct.
• Model Emerge Worldwide values and behaviours in all team activities

What support will I receive?

• An induction, ongoing training, supervision and support from your supervisor and the team
• Access to Emerge Worldwide’s training courses
• Out of pocket expenses approved in advance will be reimbursed

I would like to volunteer:

Please submit a Cv and cover email

References will be taken upon successful offer.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

The Charity Evaluation Working Group is a community of 300+ charity sector evaluators. Our mission to empower charities, (and other purpose-driven organisations), to create positive change through effective evaluation.

We are looking for passionate individuals to join our board as trustees and chair / co-chairs. This is a unique opportunity to lead our next chapter and strengthen our community.

We’re specifically looking to recruit people who are not only passionate about the use of data and evidence, but bring a wider range of skills to the board, including;

• research and evaluation
• income generation
• comms and marketing
• advocacy and influence

Our trustees are based across the UK, so all of our meetings are online. We’re a small charity, which means that we’re looking for people who are happy to be hands-on.

We would like to maintain the diversity of our board and therefore would particularly like to hear from people from the global majority, lower socioeconomic backgrounds, disabled people and those from other marginalised groups. We’re open to new perspectives and ways of thinking, so you don’t necessarily need to have worked in the third sector, understand evaluation, or have experience of being a trustee before.

For more information and to apply for these roles, please visit our website.

We are accepting applications until 5pm, Monday 22nd September 2025.

Welcome and thank you for your interest in becoming a Trustee of The Hardman Trust

• Are you keen to help people leaving prison and support them to work towards their goals?
• Do you believe that with the right support people can rebuild their lives, contribute to their communities, and break free from the cycle of reoffending?
• Do you share our conviction that no one should be defined solely by their past, and that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive?

If so, you could be one of the people we are looking for to help The Hardman Trust move into the next
exciting chapter of our work.

Who are we?
The Hardman Trust was established in 1994, with the aim of helping people leaving prison after long
sentences. Our founder, Guy Armstrong, was a prison Chaplain. He saw the challenges facing this
group: homelessness, a lack of workplace skills, stigma, isolation, low confidence, and poverty. A fund
was set up to provide financial assistance to purchase tools and equipment, offering a helping hand
into employment. We now know from experience that this practical approach works. The people the
Hardman Trust has supported over three decades have used this financial support to gain
qualifications, start their own businesses, find employment and a new direction in life. We are now
extending our reach so more people can benefit from our support and sharing our evidence and
insights to help shape a more effective, humane criminal justice system. Achieving this means securing
the right funding, building strong partnerships, and ensuring our resources are used with maximum
efficiency and impact.
We are looking for several new Trustees to join the Hardman Trust Board. If you want to support our
mission, and you feel that you have the commitment and the life or professional experience for the
role, we would love to hear from you. In return, you will have the chance to make a meaningful
difference to those serving long sentences; and you will be part of a passionate and committed team
of staff, trustees and volunteers. We offer support to all new Trustees and if you haven’t been one
before, don’t worry - we will make sure you have access to any training and development you feel you
need.
It is a privilege to be part of the Hardman Trust’s work. It is an incredible organisation making real
change in the criminal justice sector. It is an exciting time to join the charity – we have recently
appointed a new CEO, Annette So and we are looking forward to developing our direction for the
future and fulfilling our vision where everyone can achieve their potential within and beyond prison.

The Trustee role
The Trustees work collectively as a Board. They have ultimate responsibility for governing the
Hardman Trust charity, directing its management, and ensuring it is well-run and operates according to
its purposes. They are legally responsible for the charity's finances, reputation, and compliance with
the law. Each Trustee brings their own lived experience and/or professional skills to support the charity
achieve its aims. Most Trustees also learn new skills during their time on the Board.
We want our Board to look like the world we serve and to have different voices within it. We know
that diverse groups of people make better decisions. We are keen to hear from people who can bring
perspectives or experiences often underrepresented in charity governance and how can help us
progress our vision.
Trustees are not usually involved in the day-to-day running of the charity. However, they work closely
with the Hardman Trust’s dedicated staff team, who are supported by a wider group of volunteers. The
Trustee role as in the majority of charities, is unpaid although legitimate expenses – travel costs for
example – can be claimed.

The Trustees’ key responsibilities

• Setting The Hardman Trust’s strategy and priorities.
• Representing the community, we serve and ensuring our decisions reflect the needs and experiences of those leaving prison.
• Supporting and constructively challenging our staff team to ensure the charity’s work, resources, and partnerships are well-managed and deliver maximum impact.
• Approving operational strategies and policies and monitoring their implementation.
• Approving The Hardman Trust’s financial plans and budgets and monitoring progress.
• Ensuring that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
• Promoting and safeguarding our values by acting with integrity, fairness, and commitment at all times.
• Applying their skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts to promote the charity’s work.

What we are looking for
No single Trustee will have everything the Hardman Trust needs. We want our Board to have the
collective experience needed to support and guide the charity. What matters most is your
commitment to our mission, your willingness to share your perspective and knowledge, and your
readiness to contribute to our Board’s decision-making. You do not have to have been a Trustee
before.
To complement the experience of our current Trustees, we are keen to hear from people with one or
more of the following:

• Lived experience of the criminal justice system, whether your own or that of a partner, family member, or close friend.
• Knowledge of Black, Asian, or minority ethnic communities, especially in relation to challenges faced after leaving prison.
• Professional experience in, or connected to, the criminal justice system.
• Expertise in HR, banking, and employment law to help us strengthen our policies and practices.
• Fundraising expertise to help grow the charity’s income and help us establish a Fundraising
• Advisory Board.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to improving outcomes for people serving long prison sentences.

Please review the document The Hardman Trust Trustee Pack for more information about this position.

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

Thousands of cats each year rely on the help of animal charities because they have been abandoned, they have strayed or because there has been a change in their owner’s circumstances. Becoming an administration volunteer is just one way you can help improve the lives of cats in your local community. Our administration volunteers help provide vital admin support to our volunteer groups and teams across Cats Protection. They help keep up to date records of the number of cats that have been rehomed, collate supporter details and send out newsletters. This could be the perfect volunteer role if you have administrative experience, a passion for cats, or both!

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:

· Recording relevant information related to your volunteer group

· Signposting enquiries to the relevant teams within Cats Protection

· Sending information to supporters, volunteers and to our Head Office

· Distributing information leaflets if required

Time expectation

Our administration volunteers usually spend 2 to 3 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

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

Thousands of cats each year rely on the help of animal charities because they have been abandoned, they have strayed or because there has been a change in their owner’s circumstances. Becoming an administration volunteer is just one way you can help improve the lives of cats in your local community. Our administration volunteers help provide vital admin support to our volunteer groups and teams across Cats Protection. They help keep up to date records of the number of cats that have been rehomed, collate supporter details and send out newsletters. This could be the perfect volunteer role if you have administrative experience, a passion for cats, or both!

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:

· Recording relevant information related to your volunteer group

· Signposting enquiries to the relevant teams within Cats Protection

· Sending information to supporters, volunteers and to our Head Office

· Distributing information leaflets if required

Time expectation

Our administration volunteers usually spend 2 to 3 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

How you can make a difference:

Are you a painter, illustrator, knitter or potter? You might be a sports teacher, a music student or even a professional writer. If you are dedicated to supporting young people and you’ve got a super skill you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you!

A sibling or young carer is a young person who lives with a family member with a disability, such as a parent or sibling, often providing support or care. Here at Sense, we know that it’s not always easy being a young carer, or the sibling of a disabled person. Their wellbeing and happiness are just as important. That is why we deliver activities and sessions specifically for young people aged 5-18, who have a caring role for a parent or have a sibling with a disability.

We run a wide range of virtual group sessions after school and at weekends. Our sessions are designed to meet the interests of the young people we support, supporting their wellbeing, giving them opportunities to socialise with other siblings and young carers, and providing a fun break that is just for them. 

We are looking for volunteers to share their skills and engage groups of young people through fun, interactive, and accessible Zoom workshops. Volunteers will have experience in one of the following skills, either through study, teaching, running a business, or delivering workshops. Please note you only need one of the following skill areas to apply, however if you have experience in more than one, please do let us know:

• Arts/drawing
• Crafts/creative projects
• Sports/fitness
• Music
• Graphics/design/animation
• Gaming
• Creative writing

We welcome your application if you have another area of expertise you believe would be a great opportunity for young people to partake in.

This a great opportunity to utilise your own skills and experience to deliver impactful recreational sessions to siblings and young carers across the country. You do not need to have previous experience working with siblings or young carers, we will provide you with training and ongoing support to equip you for your role.

Our staff team will be there to support you every step of the way. The volunteer role is really flexible – you might run workshops after school, evenings, or any time at the weekend – once a month, twice a month, or more if you’d like! You will build up a great rapport with the young people and gain amazing experience supporting them each month.

Benefits:

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A reference following your commitment (at least 6 months)
• Flexible volunteering hours
• Reimbursed expenses*
• Full training and ongoing support, as well as ‘upskill’ opportunities
• Joining a family of wonderful volunteers
• Learning about the experiences of siblings and young carers and those with disabilities

• Gaining experience of working with young people

  *Expenses have to be pre-agreed

Additional Information:

• Location: Virtual, so we’re keen to hear from people all around the UK
• Time commitment: Estimated 3–5 hours a month, depending on the activity
• Duration: minimum 6 months
• Age minimum: 18

Welcome and thank you for your interest in becoming the Chair of the board at The Hardman Trust

• Are you keen to help people leaving prison and support them to work towards their goals?
• Do you believe that with the right support people can rebuild their lives, contribute to their communities, and break free from the cycle of reoffending?
• Do you share our conviction that no one should be defined solely by their past, and that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive?

If so, you could be one of the people we are looking for to help The Hardman Trust move into the next
exciting chapter of our work.

Who are we?
The Hardman Trust was established in 1994, with the aim of helping people leaving prison after long
sentences. Our founder, Guy Armstrong, was a prison Chaplain. He saw the challenges facing this
group: homelessness, a lack of workplace skills, stigma, isolation, low confidence, and poverty. A fund
was set up to provide financial assistance to purchase tools and equipment, offering a helping hand
into employment. We now know from experience that this practical approach works. The people the
Hardman Trust has supported over three decades have used this financial support to gain
qualifications, start their own businesses, find employment and a new direction in life. We are now
extending our reach so more people can benefit from our support and sharing our evidence and
insights to help shape a more effective, humane criminal justice system. Achieving this means securing
the right funding, building strong partnerships, and ensuring our resources are used with maximum
efficiency and impact.
We are looking for several new Trustees to join the Hardman Trust Board. If you want to support our
mission, and you feel that you have the commitment and the life or professional experience for the
role, we would love to hear from you. In return, you will have the chance to make a meaningful
difference to those serving long sentences; and you will be part of a passionate and committed team
of staff, trustees and volunteers. We offer support to all new Trustees and if you haven’t been one
before, don’t worry - we will make sure you have access to any training and development you feel you
need.
It is a privilege to be part of the Hardman Trust’s work. It is an incredible organisation making real
change in the criminal justice sector. It is an exciting time to join the charity – we have recently
appointed a new CEO, Annette So and we are looking forward to developing our direction for the
future and fulfilling our vision where everyone can achieve their potential within and beyond prison.

The Trustee role
The Trustees work collectively as a Board. They have ultimate responsibility for governing the
Hardman Trust charity, directing its management, and ensuring it is well-run and operates according to
its purposes. They are legally responsible for the charity's finances, reputation, and compliance with
the law. Each Trustee brings their own lived experience and/or professional skills to support the charity
achieve its aims. Most Trustees also learn new skills during their time on the Board.
We want our Board to look like the world we serve and to have different voices within it. We know
that diverse groups of people make better decisions. We are keen to hear from people who can bring
perspectives or experiences often underrepresented in charity governance and how can help us
progress our vision.
Trustees are not usually involved in the day-to-day running of the charity. However, they work closely
with the Hardman Trust’s dedicated staff team, who are supported by a wider group of volunteers. The
Trustee role as in the majority of charities, is unpaid although legitimate expenses – travel costs for
example – can be claimed.

The Trustees’ key responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the Board in setting the charity’s strategy and priorities
• Oversee a collaborative and effective Board that brings diverse perspectives
• Support the Chief Executive, offering guidance and challenge
• Champion the charity’s mission and values, acting as an Ambassador and building relationships with key stakeholders, including policymakers, donors and the wider criminal justice sector
• Ensure effective governance and decision making, including chairing quarterly board meetings
• Ensure compliance with the Charity Commission and relevant legislation.
• A full job specification is included below for further information.

What we are looking for

Experience of leadership, ideally at Board or senior executive level. You don’t have to have been a Chair before, but you do have to have experience of being a Trustee.

• Strong governance knowledge and an understanding of the responsibility of charity trustees
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and able to build relationships effectively
• Strategic thinking with the ability to support and challenge constructively, and an inclusive leadership style
• Someone who will act as an advocate for the charity and be willing to champion the Hardman
• Trust through personal networks, social media and other channels.
• The ability to be responsive and flexible – we are a small charity which sometimes requires the
• Chair to be available at short notice or out of hours to offer support or advice
• Commitment to equality, diversion and inclusion and to improving outcomes for people serving long prison sentences
• Experience of the criminal justice sector, prisons or related fields is desirable

Please review the document The Hardman Trust Chair Pack for more information about this position and details on how to apply.