Support volunteer volunteer roles in leighton buzzard, central bedfordshire
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
As a Volunteer Health Walk Leader, you will play a key role in supporting our residents to become more active and improve their wellbeing through social walks!
Project Resilience provides easily accessible opportunities for our hostel residents to take part in a variety of social and sporting activities to boost overall health and wellbeing.
You’ll help lead short, safe, and friendly group walk, especially for those who may be inactive, recovering from illness, or looking to improve their physical and mental health.
You will:
·Plan and lead regular health walks in your local area
·Welcome and support all participants, ensuring a positive and inclusive atmosphere
·Carry out basic safety checks and risk assessments for walk routes
·Encourage conversation and connection among walkers
Monitor attendance and report back to the coordinator as required
Skills required:
·First Aid Qualification
·Friendly, approachable, and reliable
·Good communication and people skills
·An interest in walking and promoting healthy lifestyles
·Able to walk at a steady pace for 30–60 minutes
What we offer:
·A full induction to the role and site will be provided
·Access to communal garden area and nearby fields for outdoor activities
·You will be required to undertake mandatory e-learning and a menu of optional training will be made available
·Ongoing supervision and support from your line manager
·Travel expenses reimbursed (if applicable).
·Access to events, networking, and training and development opportunities.
Please note, that you will be required to undergo a DBS check and we will require details of 2 x referees.
One YMCA's mission is to create supportive and energizing communities where young people can belong, contribute, and thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you have a great idea to benefit people living with MS? At the MS Society, we campaign on a range of issues like welfare, treatments, care and support that people with MS need. We want to do more locally and want to support your ideas on making change happen. Together we can do more.
Perhaps you’ve spotted there are no blue badge spaces at your local supermarket? Or maybe your neighbourhood has no kerbs easy for wheelchairs to use? In this volunteer role, you’ll help drive change for people with MS in your community and develop your networking and influencing skills along the way.
As a campaigner you’ll bring your own ideas, local knowledge and personal experience to your campaigns. You’ll make decisions about your own campaign activities and collaborate with other campaigners in your area.
This role is flexible and aims to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities and the campaigning you’d like to do. This is an ongoing role.
Apply
1. Read through the role description carefully (available via file attached on the right hand side)
2. Apply online, and have a welcome chat with your support staff member
Do you enjoy organising things and making this happen?
Are you able to volunteer a few hours a week?
Yes? We’d love to hear from you.
We’re looking for admin volunteers to help with our daily operations. We have a variety of ways you can get involved:
- Responding to client requests and enquiries
- Fundrasing and partnership management
- Managing and updating company databases
- Keeping track of partnership enquiries
- Maintaining internal, volunteer, and client records
- Drafting and mailing client correspondence and newsletters
- Organising events, scheduling meetings, and making travel arrangements
- Providing administrative support to other departments or projects as needed
- Performing other duties as agreed in advance
We’ve designed our volunteering programme to be flexible and adaptive to you. All volunteering is 100% remote and you’re supported fully by our team. You control what you do and how many hours per week you want to volunteer. Some roles may require an Enhanced DBS check. If your application is successful, we will ask for a donation towards the cost of your enhanced DBS check if it's required for your role. This cost is £20.60.
Here’s some further information on what’s needed:
Are you over 18 and living in the UK?
You must be over the 18 years of age and live permanently in the UK. You must be a UK resident to apply for this role.
Do you have a laptop?
A laptop and a quiet space to volunteer is essential.
How much time can you give?
A minimum of 2 hours per week is required. We are flexible and like to work around you.
Training
We provide CPD accredited training with 3 short courses needing to be completed prior starting your volunteer role. After, you’ll have access to over 90 CPD accredited courses should you want to study further.
To always be ‘by your side’ when you need mental health peer support.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Why we want you: Local groups across the UK are run by volunteers and offer friendship and support to people living with Parkinson's and their families and friends. The friendly faces and warm welcome provided by branch volunteers mean attendees get the most from the group, with the activities on offer running smoothly.
What you will be doing: Core to group meetings, you'll help set up the venue, offering a warm welcome to all attendees; assist with fundraising events; getting involved in the activities the group offers - joining in to get the most out of these for you too.
The skills you need: Good communication skills; supportive; able to listen to the needs of people with Parkinson's, and reflect these to the group to shape the support provided; honest; you'll know when to ask for help, or when tasks might be seen as less important, and able to share that with Parkinson's UK and your group.
What's in it for you: You'll make new friends and meet new people, both in the branch and in the local community; you'll be making a real difference for people affected by Parkinson's in your community; developing valuable organisational and people skills; you'll be part of a movement of people improving the lives of people affected by Parkinson's; you'll be able to take part in the activities of the group.
We exist to make every day better, for everybody living with Parkinson’s. Right now.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you have a great idea to benefit people living with MS? At the MS Society, we campaign on a range of issues like welfare, treatments, care and support that people with MS need. We want to do more locally and want to support your ideas on making change happen. Together we can do more.
Perhaps you’ve spotted there are no blue badge spaces at your local supermarket? Or maybe your neighbourhood has no kerbs easy for wheelchairs to use? In this volunteer role, you’ll help drive change for people with MS in your community and develop your networking and influencing skills along the way.
As a campaigner you’ll bring your own ideas, local knowledge and personal experience to your campaigns. You’ll make decisions about your own campaign activities and collaborate with other campaigners in your area.
This role is flexible and aims to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities and the campaigning you’d like to do. This is an ongoing role.
Apply
1. Read through the role description carefully (available via file attached on the right hand side)
2. Apply online, and have a welcome chat with your support staff member
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title: Personal Assistant
Reports To: Department Manager
Location: Remote
Employment Type: Volunteer (12 hours/week for 6 months)
About the Project – “Solta o Jogo”
“Solta o Jogo” is a vibrant cultural competition and festival celebrating Brazilian heritage through Capoeira, music, dance, acrobatics, and a Brazilian arts & crafts fair. Hosted at Kingston University Townhouse, the event invites the community to participate in free performances, workshops, and exhibitions promoting cross-cultural understanding.
As part of this initiative, we are seeking a Personal Assistant to support daily coordination, scheduling, and communication tasks across departments. This remote volunteer opportunity is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, proactive, and looking to gain experience in nonprofit administration while contributing to a meaningful community-driven programme.
Position Overview:
The Personal Assistant will be responsible for organising meetings, managing calendars, supporting internal communications, and assisting in day-to-day administrative operations. This role plays a vital part in ensuring smooth coordination between teams, and offers autonomy, flexibility, and mentorship opportunities for someone looking to develop or apply their administrative and organisational skills in the Third Sector.
Key Responsibilities:
Administrative Support & Coordination:
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Manage meeting schedules, appointments, and internal calendars.
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Organise virtual events, staff briefings, and team check-ins.
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Support in planning and executing internal conferences or training sessions.
Data & System Management:
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Maintain and update internal databases and contact lists.
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Implement and uphold procedures and administrative systems.
Staff Liaison & Communication:
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Act as a point of contact between managers and teams.
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Assist in internal communications and task follow-ups.
General Administrative Tasks:
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Contribute to internal meetings with updates and suggestions.
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Provide ad hoc administrative support to leadership and teams as needed.
Required Qualifications:
Education:
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No specific degree required, but relevant administrative or office support experience is preferred.
Experience:
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Prior experience as an administrative or personal assistant is an advantage.
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Familiarity with coordinating meetings, managing data, or supporting organisational logistics.
Skills:
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Strong written and verbal communication.
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Excellent organisational and time-management abilities.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
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Proactive, professional, and able to work independently or collaboratively.
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Strong team player with attention to detail.
Benefits:
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Gain valuable administrative and coordination experience in the nonprofit sector.
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Receive support and mentorship to build confidence and skills.
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Work flexibly in a fully remote setup with a collaborative team.
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Build your network within a mission-driven cultural organisation.
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Reimbursement of local travel expenses (if in-person support is required for specific events).
Equality Statement
Quilombo UK is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment. We promote equal opportunities in line with the Equality Act 2010. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated, and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Chatterbox Befrienders offer one-to-one telephone support and will call a client once a week offering companionship and a listening ear for an individual who might otherwise go unheard. Chatterbox volunteers befriend a variety of people including carers, socially isolated individuals who are struggling with loneliness, people with ill health and those that have been bereaved.
This role could be for you, if you:
- Would like to make a real difference in someone’s life
- Want to challenge loneliness and can commit to a weekly phone call
- Are a good listener
- Are empathetic, patient and of a caring nature
- Have good verbal and inter-personal communication skills
- Recognise the importance of confidentiality and can uphold this in practice
- Are committed to inclusion and treating people with dignity and respect
Requirements of a Befriender include:
- Calling your client once a week for a chat of up to 45 minutes; this is a 26 week initial commitment, at the end of which each client’s needs are reviewed
- Completing an online call log record promptly after each phone call
- Ensuring immediate contact with the Chatterbox Coordinators if you feel that the client might be a risk to themselves or others
- Liaising with the Chatterbox Coordinator on a regular basis regarding the service, as well as discussing personal learning and development needs
- Respecting service standards, appropriate boundaries and recognising the range of policies and procedures that impact on befriending vulnerable adults
Benefits of this role may include:
- Knowing you are making a difference to someone’s life
- Joining the Omega Team who are taking action against loneliness and isolation
- An opportunity to enhance your CV or learn new skills
- An opportunity to engage with your community
Support and training provided:
- Omega Chatterbox induction program
- Safeguarding training
- Ongoing support from Chatterbox Coordinators for all questions, concerns, and support
- Out of pocket expenses are reimbursed and a mobile phone can be provided if appropriate
- Monthly Befriender group support meetings via the Zoom app
Location of the role:
- Home-based
When are you needed:
- Provided on enquiry
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this role. If you have a criminal record this does not automatically prevent you from being considered as an Omega Chatterbox Befriender. We will take into account the nature of the offence, when it happened and whether it is relevant to the voluntary role. If you are shortlisted, this will be discussed with you during the recruitment process.
Omega is a registered charity dedicated to reducing social isolation and loneliness.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Every child deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of their background. Action Tutoring is a charity dedicated to closing the attainment gap and creating a more equitable future for young people.
We're building a diverse community of tutors passionate about educational equity. We are seeking dedicated volunteers from all walks of life to tutor and support pupils facing socio-economic disadvantage in maths and English.
As a volunteer tutor, you’ll:
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Tutor a group of 1-3 pupils (primary or secondary), with options to support online or in-person.
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Dedicate just one hour a week for a 10-20 week programme.
We provide the resources - you bring your enthusiasm! You’ll use our workbooks to deliver your sessions.
Whether you're a university student, a working professional, retired or simply looking to give back, your hour a week can open doors to brighter futures for these young people and make a lasting impact.
What you'll gain:
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Comprehensive training (2-hour induction, technical training for online tutors, optional further skills training).
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Ongoing support from your dedicated programme coordinator.
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Structured session plans and workbooks.
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Travel expense reimbursement (up to £5 per session).
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Free DBS check.
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Optional tutor socials and buddy system.
We look for volunteers with:
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Solid subject knowledge in the area they wish to tutor, which may be demonstrated by a degree or grade B at A-level qualification (or equivalent) or relevant experience.
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The ability to explain concepts clearly and patiently.
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A commitment to supporting pupils’ academic progress.
We recognise that valuable experience can be gained through diverse routes. If your qualifications differ from those mentioned, we still encourage you to apply. Please highlight any relevant experience or skills in your application.
We welcome applications from volunteers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. (Please note: This is a volunteer, unpaid position.)
Our programmes run during term time, and you can sign up at ay time throughout the year.
Our volunteers say:
" The Action Tutoring team has been fabulous in their support: timely updates, always available, closely following progress, and ready to intervene where needed, very professional indeed!"
"Volunteering is very rewarding. I would say the skills that one develops from teaching the pupils are transferable to any walk of life and make you a better person. I would highly recommend it."
Award-winning national education charity working towards a world in which no child’s life chances are limited by their socio-economic background.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
RSBC are looking for volunteers to get involved with our range of online clubs for children and young people with visual impairments.
Role: Online Activities Volunteer
Commitment: Currently, sessions are run both during the week (mostly in the afternoon) and at weekends (usually on a Saturday). Activity volunteering is a flexible commitment, and you will be able to sign up for the session you like and when you have time. It really is up to you and your availability.
Location: Remote
Availability: RSBC Events · https://lu.ma/rsbc
Age: 18+
Our Mission Statement:
RSBC believes that every blind young person should have the chance to live life without limits.
By giving young people the essential skills and confidence to take control of their life, they can unleash their true potential.
Our success depends on our values
Underpinning all RSBC’s work are values embedded in trust and excellence:
TRUST: Respect and accountability
ENERGY: Straight talking and constantly learning
AMBITION: Confronting reality and driving results
MOTIVATION: Vision impaired children and young people are our number one priority, and we look for solutions, not problems
What will I be doing?
Our amazing Activity Volunteers play a key role in supporting blind children and young people to take part in a variety of activities. These range from sports, creative (singing, performing, art), audiobook club and day trips. Our activities are designed for blind young people to meet new friends, gain confidence, learn new skills/sports, and become more independent. The skills you have developed in your career and personal life will be invaluable to our young people.
Key Tasks and Main Duties
Online activities:
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support the session timetable
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facilitate the communication and social interaction between participants
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encourage members of the group to participate and share their opinions
Who are you?
We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need to have volunteered or worked before as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and willing to follow RSBC’s policies and can be an excellent ambassador for RSBC. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of sight problems.
What’s in it for me?
RSBC offers the opportunity to gain insight and experience into helping others with sight issues. As part of your volunteering, you will have access to Sighted Guide training, a training session designed to help you understand the issues and complexities of sight problems and give you the ability to help others navigate the world.
RSBC also provides paid expenses for your volunteering experience, you can claim up to £10 per day.
RSBC can also provide references and impact reports from your volunteering if required.
You will be fully supported in your role by our team of expert and compassionate service delivery team.
Develop or utilise your skills – As a volunteer, you’ll be given plenty of opportunities to develop new skills or use those you already have, which can help to build your CV, boost your employability and give you a sense of satisfaction.
What's in it for the Community?
Make a difference to people’s lives
Help in your community
Help deliver creative services to help people with sighted issues feel included in the world around them.
Make a direct and tangible difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted children and young people.
Safeguarding:
Due to the nature of the role, before you can begin volunteering with RSBC there are some required safeguarding checks which will need to be completed.
All RSBC volunteers undergo an Enhanced DBS check (paid for by RSBC) and must provide two references.
All volunteers will also be booked onto safeguarding training.
RSBC risk assesses all its services and activities.
Next Steps:
If this sounds like you, please fill out an expression of interest, and one of our volunteer team members will get back to you!
To be there for blind children and their families with specialist support throughout their journey.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Summary
The gardening and growing volunteer will support our accommodation sites in maintaining their outdoor spaces at our sites across Hertfordshire and Bucks including
Brindle Court, Watford
Northgate End, Bishop's Stortford
Our smaller sites in Stevenage, Hoddesdon and Hemel Hempstead
Crest Rd, High Wycombe
Detailed description
Having access to a secure garden or outdoor area can be crucial for providing opportunities to socialise and relax, which can be invaluable for the mental well-being of our residents.
The gardening and growing volunteer will support our accommodation sites in maintaining their outdoor spaces, including:
·Weeding
·Sweeping
·Pruning
·Clearing leaves and large twigs
·Watering plants
·Planting bulbs and tidying up flower beds
We would love for this to be an opportunity to involve our residents and potentially lead a gardening activity with them, equipping them with knowledge and skills to maintain their own green spaces in the future.
You will need:
- Enjoy working outside in all weathers.
- An interest/basic knowledge of gardening
- Role requires some degree of physical work and lifting/manual handling
- To work under your own initiative.
- Good communication skills
- Opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills
A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided as well as access to training and events throughout the year!
Some sites have basic tools however any additional tools and material required can be discussed with your volunteer manager .
What volunteers need:
You will be required to under go a Disclosure and Barring Service check and provide details of 2 x referees
What we will provide to volunteers:
- Reimbursement of costs
- Full training and induction
- Access to events and celebrations throughout the year
One YMCA's mission is to create supportive and energizing communities where young people can belong, contribute, and thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.
We are looking to recruit a Fundraising Volunteer for the Amersham and Chesham Group. As our Fundraising Volunteer you’ll support your Group Coordinator to organise local fundraising activities and events throughout the year.
In this role you’ll be able to develop your organisation, communication and team working skills.Most importantly you’ll inspire your local community to raise funds that help make sure no one has to face MS alone.
Time Commitment
We estimate this role will need around 2 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.
This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.
About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.
You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the area the group to carry out this role.
Apply
1. Read through the role description carefully
2. Please apply online
The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Chatterbox Befrienders offer one-to-one telephone support and will call a client once a week offering companionship and a listening ear for an individual who might otherwise go unheard. Chatterbox volunteers befriend a variety of people including carers, socially isolated individuals who are struggling with loneliness, people with ill health and those that have been bereaved.
This role could be for you, if you:
- Would like to make a real difference in someone’s life
- Want to challenge loneliness and can commit to a weekly phone call
- Are a good listener
- Are empathetic, patient and of a caring nature
- Have good verbal and inter-personal communication skills
- Recognise the importance of confidentiality and can uphold this in practice
- Are committed to inclusion and treating people with dignity and respect
Requirements of a Befriender include:
- Calling your client once a week for a chat of up to 45 minutes; this is a 26 week initial commitment, at the end of which each client’s needs are reviewed
- Completing an online call log record promptly after each phone call
- Ensuring immediate contact with the Chatterbox Coordinators if you feel that the client might be a risk to themselves or others
- Liaising with the Chatterbox Coordinator on a regular basis regarding the service, as well as discussing personal learning and development needs
- Respecting service standards, appropriate boundaries and recognising the range of policies and procedures that impact on befriending vulnerable adults
Benefits of this role may include:
- Knowing you are making a difference to someone’s life
- Joining the Omega Team who are taking action against loneliness and isolation
- An opportunity to enhance your CV or learn new skills
- An opportunity to engage with your community
Support and training provided:
- Omega Chatterbox induction program
- Safeguarding training
- Ongoing support from Chatterbox Coordinators for all questions, concerns, and support
- Out of pocket expenses are reimbursed and a mobile phone can be provided if appropriate
- Monthly Befriender group support meetings via the Zoom app
Location of the role:
- Home-based
When are you needed:
- Provided on enquiry
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this role. If you have a criminal record this does not automatically prevent you from being considered as an Omega Chatterbox Befriender. We will take into account the nature of the offence, when it happened and whether it is relevant to the voluntary role. If you are shortlisted, this will be discussed with you during the recruitment process.
Omega is a registered charity dedicated to reducing social isolation and loneliness.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Main purpose of job: To host our Parent/Carer online community support group as part of Mast Cell Actions community support services.
Key tasks include:
· Host support sessions with professionalism and enthusiasm.
· Moderate Q&A sessions, and facilitate audience interaction to keep participants engaged.
· Manage technical aspects of virtual events, to ensure smooth execution.
· Take the register and send post event emails using our bespoke event platform
· Raise safeguarding concerns using internal processes and procedures. Training will be provided
· Maintain confidentiality and follow charity policies and procedures
· Undertake relevant training
Key Objectives Include:
· The main purpose of this role is to facilitate and host our Parent/Carer Support Sessions alongside another volunteer
· Host support sessions in a manner that captivates and engages the audience, keeping them interested and actively participating throughout the event.
· Reassure and validate participants' experiences whilst encouraging story-sharing.
· Manage the technical aspects of virtual events proficiently.
· Represent Mast Cell Action professionally at all times, demonstrating strong communication skills, reliability, and adaptability in a virtual environment.
Experience/skills required:
· Proven experience as a virtual event host, moderator, or similar role is desirable but not essential as we can train you.
· Must have personal experience of being a parent or carer for a child with MCAS or suspected MCAS
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Summary
The gardening and growing volunteer will support our accommodation sites in maintaining their outdoor spaces at our sites across Hertfordshire and Bucks including
Brindle Court, Watford
Northgate End, Bishop's Stortford
Our smaller sites in Stevenage, Hoddesdon and Hemel Hempstead
Crest Rd, High Wycombe
Detailed description
Having access to a secure garden or outdoor area can be crucial for providing opportunities to socialise and relax, which can be invaluable for the mental well-being of our residents.
The gardening and growing volunteer will support our accommodation sites in maintaining their outdoor spaces, including:
·Weeding
·Sweeping
·Pruning
·Clearing leaves and large twigs
·Watering plants
·Planting bulbs and tidying up flower beds
We would love for this to be an opportunity to involve our residents and potentially lead a gardening activity with them, equipping them with knowledge and skills to maintain their own green spaces in the future.
You will need:
- Enjoy working outside in all weathers.
- An interest/basic knowledge of gardening
- Role requires some degree of physical work and lifting/manual handling
- To work under your own initiative.
- Good communication skills
- Opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills
A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided as well as access to training and events throughout the year!
Some sites have basic tools however any additional tools and material required can be discussed with your volunteer manager .
What volunteers need:
You will be required to under go a Disclosure and Barring Service check and provide details of 2 x referees
What we will provide to volunteers:
- Reimbursement of costs
- Full training and induction
- Access to events and celebrations throughout the year
One YMCA's mission is to create supportive and energizing communities where young people can belong, contribute, and thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Us
My Black Dog is a charity that offers anonymous, peer to peer mental health support through our web-chat service. We are committed to making a positive impact on mental health in the UK as we tackle an epidemic that millions of people face.
We were founded on the motto "talk to someone who gets it". We want to connect people who share lived experiences to provide an empathetic, non-judgmental space where everybody understands how it feels to experience mental health struggles.
Position Overview
Our web-chat service is run by our Volunteer Pack, each of whom have their own lived experience of mental health challenges. In addition, each shift has a 'Leader' and a 'Mentor'. These are Volunteers who carry out specific roles during the shift and, together, ensure its success:
- Leaders - Managers of the shift. There to ensure the shift runs as it should. They support and guide Volunteers through chats and follow safeguarding processes when an alert is raised. They escalate safeguarding alerts to the shift's Designated Safeguarding Lead (a trained professional). They also complete a 'Shift Handover' document once the shift is completed.
- Mentors - There to support and guide Volunteers through chats. Will take over from the Leader if there are safeguarding issues that need the Leader's attention and/or if the Leader needs a break.
As My Black Dog looks to expand our opening hours, we are looking to recruit additional Leaders and Mentors who can run shifts and cover additional shifts as necessary. We are looking to fill the following positions and shifts:
- Leader, Mondays (5pm - 7pm)
- Mentor, Mondays (5pm - 7pm)
- Leader, Thursdays (5pm - 7pm)
- Mentor, Thursdays (5pm - 7pm)
- Mentor, Fridays (7pm - 10pm)
- Leader, Saturdays (TBC*)
- Mentor, Saturdays (TBC*)
- Leader, Sundays (5pm - 7pm)
*We are currently finalising future opening hours on Saturday. Please apply for this particular shift if general availabilty on Saturdays is good.
Leaders and Mentors will be assigned a shift based on your availability and preference. The expectation is that Leaders and Mentors will form a ‘pair’ and, together, will do one shift at the same time each week. This is to provide stability, predictability and to encourage community-building between Volunteers. Shifts are 2-3 hours long. We may ask you to cover another shift when we are short, but you will never do more than 6 hours per week.
Training will be provided and you will be supported on shift by a Designated Safeguarding Lead, who will manage all safeguarding issues.
The work you will do as Leaders and Mentors will ensure we provide the best possible service to our Guests. You will also be helping our Volunteer Pack to do what we do best: helping those in need by speaking to someone who 'gets it'.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for people who have experienced their own journey with mental health and are in a strong position to support others. We ask that our Leaders and Mentors:
- Are strongly committed to helping others
- Have experienced mental health issues in order to relate to those seeking help
- Are collaborative and enjoy working with others
- Are encouraging and supportive
- Are organised and can monitor several things at once
- Can remain calm and focused during busy times and when safeguarding alerts are raised
- Are 18 years and over
- Can commit the time to a regular weekly shift
Role Responsibilities
- Supervise and support Volunteers whilst on shift with general enquiries, positive feedback and signposting.
- Assist with general volunteering enquiries whilst on shift. Provide time for guidance, instruction and de-briefing for Volunteers if required.
- Follow Leaders & Mentors processes including unexpected absence reporting, Volunteer check-in and check-out, and completing Shift Handovers.
- Monitor web-chat conversations and ensure all chats are tagged.
- Maintain ability to listen, remain calm and provide intervention if necessary.
- Be able to have difficult and often complex conversations about mental health, including Guests experiencing crisis and first-stage intervention support.
- If a Leader, work alongside the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) when safeguarding risks are identified and, if a Mentor, take over responsibility for shifts when Leader and DSL have to address a safeguarding crisis.
- Exercise discretion in handling confidential situations and information, conveying sensitive information in a timely manner to necessary individuals.
- Provide written follow up of shifts via handover, ensuring all necessary information is handed over at the end of the shift.
- Adhere to all standards, policies and procedures of My Black Dog.
Please note: An Enhanced DBS Certificate is required for this role. If you do not have one, My Black Dog will arrange the DBS Check for you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.