Telephone support volunteer volunteer roles in greater london

Home-Start Croydon offers parents the support they need to help give their children the best start in life. As a Parent Champion Volunteer you will be engaging with families from your own community, providing peer to peer support and promoting services for children under 5 and their families. By connecting with other parents and carers, Parent Champions help communities thrive, breaking barriers and reducing isolation.

Key activities

• Engage with parents with children under 5 years old
• Build good knowledge of own community and links with local families
• Signpost parents to children’s centres and local organisations providing services for families
• Talk with parents in groups
• Facilitate parents to build peer to peer support groups
• Provide information on childcare options including the free early learning for two year olds
• Record accurate information manually
• Attend training and personal development activities
• Meet the Parent Champion Coordinator and other Parent Champions to share good practice

Person Specification

• Have experience of being a parent or carer
• Ability to talk and listen to other parents and understand their world
• Have a non-judgemental attitude
• Have an understanding of the difficulties parents face when looking for childcare
• Have a positive experience of using formal childcare and family services
• Have an understanding about confidentiality
• Have an awareness on the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults
• Have knowledge of and commitment to equal opportunities, fairness and diversity
• Be able to keep basic records as requested by Home-Start

Fundraising Volunteer

Thank you for your interest to become a Fundraising Volunteer at Cats Protection!

Our vision is a society where every cat has their best possible life because they are protected, cared for and understood by everyone.

We are a movement of people championing the welfare of cats. We lead society in a richer understanding of all cats and care for those that need our help.

Our Purpose is to to help people see the world through cats’ eyes

Our brand new Community Fundraising Hub is here to support you in this role, so there's never been a better time to get involved!

A bit about this role:

As a charity we can help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations from our supporters. Raising funds is a key role in our charity, helping to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need.

As a fundraising volunteer, we will support you every step of the way to ensure your time at Cats Protection is a positive and rewarding one. Whatever time you can give really does make a big difference We have lots of exciting activities to choose from for example attending a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, handling administrative tasks, or contributing to the development of new fundraising ideas. Whatever your skill set, this role could be perfect for you!

What can you expect to be doing?

As a flexible role, you have the choice to be involved in the following:

• face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping with fundraising events, attending supermarket collections and monitoring collection boxes.
• online fundraising – assisting with online appeals, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised.
• bringing new ideas! We always love to come up with new ideas to raise funds for cats and we’d love to help bring yours to life.
• engaging with your local branch and Fundraising Hub and feeling like an integral part of the team.

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge though Cats Protection’s learn online system, providing you with the skills to thrive as a fundraiser. You’ll also have the chance to meet new people and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers. Money raised by our volunteers enables us to put cats first. Cats are at the centre of all we do. We care for them, ensure their welfare, and help others to understand and better support them.

We're looking for someone with:

• Sympathetic to cats and our values
• Happy to be part of a team of dedicated volunteers and employees.
• Flexible and adaptable to different events/activities
• Open to new ideas and ways of fundraising

Time expectation

This role is very flexible, often certain times of the year are busier than others. You can choose your level of involvement to suit your schedule.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The well being of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we encounter as part of our activities.

Volunteer Fundraising Events Helper

Thank you for your interest to become a Fundraising Volunteer at Cats Protection!

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.

We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters.

A bit about the role

As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our Fundraising Event Helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between!

What can you expect to be doing

● Help set up and/or man stalls at events

● Help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections

● Help at fundraising events such as Quiz nights, cake sales and dances

● Promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You’ll meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers. By being the link between members of the public and Cats Protection, the money you collect will make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens

We’re looking for someone with

● A friendly, outgoing outlook

● An affinity with people

● Willingness to be part of a team

● A passion for feline welfare

Time expectation

This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.  

We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The well being of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we encounter as part of our activities.

Volunteer Fundraising Events Helper

Thank you for your interest to become a Fundraising Volunteer at Cats Protection!

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.

We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters.

A bit about the role

As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our Fundraising Event Helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between!

What can you expect to be doing

● Help set up and/or man stalls at events

● Help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections

● Help at fundraising events such as Quiz nights, cake sales and dances

● Promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You’ll meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers. By being the link between members of the public and Cats Protection, the money you collect will make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens

We’re looking for someone with

● A friendly, outgoing outlook

● An affinity with people

● Willingness to be part of a team

● A passion for feline welfare

Time expectation

This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.  

We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The well being of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we encounter as part of our activities.

Are you a proactive fundraiser and looking to support a small charity? We're looking for 2 energetic and enthusiastic fundraiser volunteers to increase the fundraising opportunities for the charity as well as developing corporate partnerships, legacy giving, individual giving and major donors. This role may also include:

• Develop new and imaginative fundraising activities, many of which involve organising events
• Project manage fundraising events, from inception all the way through to evaluation
• Recruit and promote supporters and volunteers for challenge and national events.
• Assisting with researching and approaching corporate entities for event sponsorships, partnerships, Charity of the Year partnerships, and donations from corporate foundations
• Writing emails and speaking with potential partners about the work of Burning Nights CRPS Support with the aim of securing funds for the organisation
• Helping to maintain the fundraising database, ensuring accuracy and consistency of all records;
• Development in fundraising opportunities
• Keeping in contact with current & past donors and assisting in finding new donors
• Communicating with past fundraisers and encourage them to consider fundraising in the future
• Assist in marketing our events
• Development / Improvement of fundraising support (e.g fundraising packs and materials)
• Create fundraising & donation posts for social media & email marketing

Key & Desirable Skills:

• Fully computer literate and fully able with the main Microsoft Office tools including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint as well as the internet and email
• Knowledge of using CRM systems or ability to learn

• Outgoing, friendly and proactive character
• Good initiative and ability to work with little direct supervision but will ask when help is needed
• Be comfortable volunteering within a small team or by yourself
• Good communication skills - Ability to communicate effectively at a number of different levels
• Ability to communicate effectively by telephone, written correspondence and in person
• Experience of writing funding proposals and working in fundraising would be an advantage
• Strong organisational skills
• Knowledge of corporate fundraising techniques including Charity of the Year, sponsorship, donations, marketing would be an advantage
• An ability to present and engage potential partners/sponsors in a compelling way
• Maintaining strict confidentiality

Practical Considerations:

• Age over 18 only
• Expenses will be given in line with the charity’s expenses policy
• It is an indoor role at one site – your home, but occasionally meetings are held in other offices and in the office of the charity or online
• This role is suitable for people wanting to learn new skills as well as improve previously learnt skills

Not sure if you have the right skills? Then contact us or apply as you may have some great translatable skills that would be applicable for this role!

About the Charity: Burning Nights CRPS Support is a UK wide charity that works to improve life for those living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), their families, loved ones, carers and friends. As a charity we raise awareness about the condition amongst the public, health and legal professionals by providing CRPS awareness sessions so that patients can be diagnosed quicker to enable treatment to start more rapidly.

Application Process:

Apply on Charity Job with CV and covering letter telling us why you would be a good fit for our charity

Are you a good listener? 

More than 130,000 people live with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the UK. Every one of them shares the uncertainty of life with MS. People are most likely to find out they have MS in their thirties, forties and fifties; news that can be worrying and heart breaking. MS can get steadily worse, or symptoms can come and go unpredictably throughout someone’s life.

Could you spare three hours a week to provide emotional support and information to those affected by MS? If so, the MS Helpline team would like to hear from you. 

We’re the UK charity for people with MS. We’re fighting for better treatment and care to help people with MS take control of their lives, and we’re funding research that we believe will stop MS for good. We’ve already made important breakthroughs, and big advances in MS treatments are possible within our lifetimes. With your support, we will stop MS. 

Time and Commitment

The MS Helpline is open from Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm. All of our MS Helpline volunteers carry out their volunteering from home and give emotional support and information to people affected by MS by telephone. 

We are looking for volunteers that can commit to a 3 hour telephone shift a week.

 You will be attending comprehensive helpline volunteer training programme throughout May 2025. All training sessions will be remote via Teams during weekdays between 10am-4pm. There will be pre-reading and exercise tasks to complete in between training sessions.

About you

We do not ask for previous experience although we are looking for people with good listening skills and a clear, warm telephone voice. You should have good IT skills as the role will require use of Microsoft Office such as Outlook and Teams, internal databases and call handling system.

We also ask that you have access to a confidential and comfortable working space, computer and broadband suitable for MS Helpline Volunteer role. If you are shortlisted for the role interview, we will ask you about your home and equipment set up, as unfortunately not everyone may have the appropriate set up and equipment for MS Helpline Volunteer role. 

What will you get from volunteering with us?

• A chance to learn new skills
• Meet new people
• Be part of a supportive, caring team
• Ongoing support for your development as a volunteer
• A rewarding role supporting the MS community

Before applying please ensure you will be able to meet the following considerations: 

If you are shortlisted, there will be a 45 minute volunteer interview including a role play w\c 28th April 2025 on Teams.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 27th April 2025.

Are you a good listener? 

More than 130,000 people live with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the UK. Every one of them shares the uncertainty of life with MS. People are most likely to find out they have MS in their thirties, forties and fifties; news that can be worrying and heart breaking. MS can get steadily worse, or symptoms can come and go unpredictably throughout someone’s life.

Could you spare three hours a week to provide emotional support and information to those affected by MS? If so, the MS Helpline team would like to hear from you. 

We’re the UK charity for people with MS. We’re fighting for better treatment and care to help people with MS take control of their lives, and we’re funding research that we believe will stop MS for good. We’ve already made important breakthroughs, and big advances in MS treatments are possible within our lifetimes. With your support, we will stop MS. 

Time and Commitment

The MS Helpline is open from Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm. All of our MS Helpline volunteers carry out their volunteering from home and give emotional support and information to people affected by MS by telephone. 

We are looking for volunteers that can commit to a 3 hour telephone shift a week.

 You will be attending comprehensive helpline volunteer training programme throughout May/June 2025. All training sessions will be remote via Teams during weekdays between 10am-4pm. There will be pre-reading and exercise tasks to complete in between training sessions.

About you

We do not ask for previous experience although we are looking for people with good listening skills and a clear, warm telephone voice. You should have good IT skills as the role will require use of Microsoft Office such as Outlook and Teams, internal databases and call handling system.

We also ask that you have access to a confidential and comfortable working space, computer and broadband suitable for MS Helpline Volunteer role. If you are shortlisted for the role interview, we will ask you about your home and equipment set up, as unfortunately not everyone may have the appropriate set up and equipment for MS Helpline Volunteer role. 

What will you get from volunteering with us?

• A chance to learn new skills
• Meet new people
• Be part of a supportive, caring team
• Ongoing support for your development as a volunteer
• A rewarding role supporting the MS community

Before applying please ensure you will be able to meet the following considerations: 

If you are shortlisted, there will be a 45 minute volunteer interview including a role play w\c 12th May 2025 on Teams.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 11th May 2025.

Background to the role:

Keep Active is a volunteer-delivered project at The Creighton Centre, which aims to provide support to older people (60+) who have had a fall, stroke or other illness.  We work in partnership with the NHS Community Rehabilitation Service across Hammersmith & Fulham. As a Keep Active Volunteer you would visit an older person (the average age is 84) once a week for up to nine weeks to help them with improving mobility indoors with exercises, or outdoors with walks in their community. This project aims to empower people to get back to independence, access community once more and reduce risks of future falls and hospital re-admittance.

Availability/commitment:

· To live in or near Hammersmith and Fulham, or travel regularly through

· To be able to spare 1-2 hours a week, preferably during working hours

Role of the Keep Active Volunteer:

· To attend an initial one-off training session [with Volunteer Coordinator and therapists from NHS rehabilitation teams].

· To visit an older person’s home once a week for up to 9 weeks to supervise and motivate them to continue practicing their exercise and walking goals, as prescribed by NHS rehabilitation teams.

· Support might include:

- A walk around their local community possibly going to the park or visiting shops.

- Encouraging them to complete a prescribed gentle exercise program.

- Keeping an older and sometimes isolated person company.

- Visiting someone in their homes to help them reach their exercise goals.

NB: Please note that this is a volunteer role and you will not be expected to provide any physical support. This is a motivational role only.

We will provide:

· Induction training and NHS Community Rehabilitation led training (weekday training).

· Regular contact and support from the project staff.

· Occasional social events for volunteers

· Occasional training opportunities for volunteers

· A reference after 3-6 months of volunteering with us

· An enhanced DBS check

· Reimbursement of travel expenses incurred during your volunteering

Skills needed:

· Good listening and communication skills and a good level of spoken English.

· Empathy and a kind and patience approach.

· Enthusiasm and commitment.

· A friendly personality.

· The desire to make a positive difference to someone’s health and wellbeing

· Ability to cope with clients who are unwell.

· A positive attitude towards empowering and improving the lives of older people

· An understanding of and commitment to our policies (including: Confidentiality, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities)

Accountable to:

Keep Active Coordinator

Refettorio Felix is a community kitchen with an open-door policy in the Earl's Court area. We provide a safe haven and a warm, welcoming atmosphere for those facing homelessness and financial crises.

Using surplus food ingredients, our kitchen freshly prepares a three-course lunch for up to 140 people per weekday. We are looking for friendly and dedicated volunteers to support us in our mission to provide fresh and nutritious meals to our guests.

Your support will have a meaningful impact on the quality of lives of the most vulnerable members of the community. From trained and experienced Chefs to keen home cooks, we would love to hear from you!

SANE is a UK-wide mental health charity working to improve the quality of life of anyone affected by mental illness. It aims to raise awareness and understanding of all mental health conditions; fight to improve frontline mental health services for individuals and carers; provide support, information and guidance through its helpline, email and text support and Online Forum; and promote and host research into causes, treatments and therapies.

About the role:

We are now looking for people interested in providing compassionate support to those affected by mental health problems, particularly people with severe mental illness, and carers, families and friends. As a volunteer, you will provide support on-site, in our Islington offices, by telephone. You will also form a close team with our other skilled volunteers and shift leads.

Volunteering can help improve mental well-being, increase physical activity, enhance social bonds and bring meaning to people's lives. It is an excellent way of putting a structure on your free time and keeping your brain active. When you volunteer, you feel useful to and valued by your community.

SANEline Volunteers provide support to callers with a wide range of mental health problems via our confidential crisis line, which is open from 4-10pm, 365 days a year.

Working on SANEline requires empathy and resilience, and we take pride in providing a nurturing environment and unwavering support to our team.

About you:

- You are empathetic, highly compassionate and genuinely interested in supporting people from all walks of life

- You are a good listener and a warm and confident communicator

- You have a few hours to spare each week and want to use that time to make a difference to help vulnerable people

- You are looking for a way to continue using skills built up over your working life or a route to learn and explore new avenues previously blocked by the demands of your career or job.

- You can commit to one 4-hour shift per week, including one weekend shift per month

- You can work collaboratively with our team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service on SANEline

- No previous helpline or mental health experience is required, just a sincere desire to help others

Altogether, we are looking for warm, compassionate, understanding people who are good communicators to join our services team as a volunteer. You don't need to be a mental health expert: empathy matters more than academic qualifications or experience, and we’re keen to hear from people of all ages and walks of life.

We particularly encourage applications from retirees, empty nesters, or people changing careers and wanting to develop new skills. 

In early May, we will run a drop-in session for you to find out more about SANE and ask any questions you may have about volunteering with us. 

What can you expect?

To work within SANE's framework, including regular check-ins and debriefs to support you and help refine your newly acquired skills.

To receive the full SANEline training and further online training opportunities within specific areas.

To become part of an established and diverse team.

To gain exposure to a wide range of mental health problems.

To gain valuable practical experience in providing emotional support to vulnerable people.

A culture where team members support and learn from each other.

A warm, supportive and encouraging environment.

To apply: Please click on "Apply via Website" and fill in the form to register your interest. We will then get in touch and let you know about the following steps. 

You can make a difference…Age UK Wandsworth is a small, local, independent charity that has been working with older people in the area since 1963. We rely on your support to keep serving the older residents with in the Wandsworth community. We have a dedicated team of experienced staff and a large network of dedicated local volunteers. Our aim is to enable everyone to age well in Wandsworth. We would love your help to be able to continue to support older Wandsworth residents

Joining our amazing team of volunteers is a fantastic way to give back to the community by providing company and support to an older person in your area.

About the role 

You will be volunteering alongside our Community Engagement team, where activities will change and adapt based on client feedback and their evolving needs. Volunteers will help to facilitate activities and events across the borough, including but not limited to our digital inclusion drop-in sessions, coffee mornings, LGBTQ+ group and future activities which will include a gardening club and walking group. Most of our activities run for an hour or two, and we require volunteers to commit to attending at least one session a month. 

About the service 

Various opportunities are available based on our event schedule, which runs weekdays between the hours of 9am-4pm for 1–2 hours..

What will make you a great fit for this role?

• Friendly
• Patient
• Great listening skills

Based in the Reception of the Main Gallery, you will be the first point of contact for visitors to the Gallery, giving a warm welcome, assisting with enquiries and ensuring a high-quality visitor experience. You will also support the day to day running of the Gallery, dealing with administrative duties and supporting the Gallery Shop, sharing product information with visitors and taking sales.  

Tasks and Responsibilities  

• Welcoming and engaging visitors, providing information about the gallery and programmes  

• Responding to telephone, email and face to face enquiries  

• Being a visible presence in the Gallery space, ensuring everyone’s safety and the security of artwork and our retail space 

• Guiding visitors around the gallery and wider site 

• Assisting with sales and shop displays, including cash handling 

• Maintaining a neat and tidy reception and retail area  

• Supporting our retail work, with stocktaking, pricing and other tasks 

• Monitoring visitor numbers and contributing to evaluation initiatives  

• Representing the Gallery and Richmond Arts Service  

What we hope you will get from the role 

• The opportunity to meet new people and engage with the local community 

• Improved and demonstrable administration and communication skills 

• Valuable insight and experience of a contemporary art gallery, crossing the arts, cultural and heritage sectors 

• An understanding of the breadth of arts activity offered by Richmond Arts Service 

Training and Support  

We will provide training and an induction which covers all aspects of the role. On-going support and supervision will be provided by staff throughout your time with us. Additionally, there are regular training sessions to supplement and further your initial training, as well as a varied programme of volunteer events and activities to join in, meet people and learn something new! 

Desirable qualities and experience  

• Enthusiasm for meeting and engaging with people and sharing information 

• Interest for contemporary art, local history and/or heritage  

• Able to answer enquiries in a friendly and helpful manner  

• Willingness to learn, particularly administrative skills 

• Enjoys being part of a team  

• Ability to complete tasks independently 

• Good time keeping  

Availability  

The gallery is open to the public Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm, with two volunteer shifts a day, 10am – 1pm and 1pm – 5pm.   

We ask for a minimum commitment of one shift every fortnight, although there is flexibility over scheduling.   

Location  

This role is based at Orleans House Gallery in the Main Gallery building.

Expenses  

We will cover travel expenses up to £14 per day.   

How to Apply  

Please complete our application form through our website.

Our Volunteers Co-ordinator will then contact you for an introductory chat, to learn more about your interest in volunteering and discuss the role further.   

Background  

Richmond Arts Service is based at Orleans House Gallery on the Riverside in Twickenham, promoting arts and culture through a programme of contemporary art exhibitions, festivals, events and activities for everyone in the community.   

We foster creativity and enjoyment of the arts, enable people to reflect on their lives and develop new ways of seeing the world. We bring thought-provoking art to the Borough and cultivate a network of individuals, organisations and programmes that nourishes the arts, local organisations and communities.

Home to the Richmond Borough Art Collection, comprising of over 4,400 artworks, at a site with a rich 300+ year history, Orleans House Gallery works with local, national and international artists and community partners to engage with the community, as we have done since 1972.   

Role Title: Advice and Information & Signposting Volunteer

Weekly Hours: Minimum 4 hours per week

Expenses: Expenses are compensated where applicable such as travel

Commitment: At least 3 months

Responsible to: The Service Navigation Lead

Project overview:

Mind in Kingston is a local charity that supports people with mental health issues, and campaigns to raise awareness about mental health in Kingston and surrounding areas. We are affiliated to National Mind but operate independently in the Borough of Kingston upon Thames and surrounding areas.

The Information, Advice, Signposting & Referral Service is designed to provide enquirers with empathic advice, information and/or signposting.

Volunteers are extremely valued within our team and a vital part of our service delivery. We encourage and welcome people with lived experience of mental health issues to apply to volunteer with us; this could be personal experience relating to yourself, a family member or a friend; or in a professional capacity working with people with mental health issues.

We care about everyone’s wellbeing and as an integral member of our team, volunteers receive support to ensure they are trained and skilled up in their roles that they may take further in their career aspirations. They receive regular supervision and development opportunities as well as be part of our volunteer awards programme to recognise and celebrate their achievement and contribution to our community. As team members, volunteers have the opportunity to engage with the board of trustees, staff and other volunteers both professionally and socially.

Main purpose of the role:

· To provide confidential telephone advice and information about local services to service users.

· To provide empathic listening.

· To signpost service users to appropriate services.

· To promote emotional and physical wellbeing to service users.

· To collect data for monitoring purposes.

Tasks will include:

· Phone or email service users to provide advice, information and signposting.

· To research and learn about local services for information.

· To record each interaction with a service user on an enquiry sheet and file these in line with data protection regulations

· To fill in the message book and inform colleagues about messages relevant to them.

· To immediately raise safeguarding concerns and complete safeguarding if necessary.

· To maintain regular contact with your supervisor

· To attend meetings and supervision on a regular basis.

What you will receive in return:

· Training in providing remote support and telephone skills including mental health awareness, and boundaries.

· Training in adult safeguarding and local procedures.

· Training for any other skills as identified by yourself and your supervisor.

· Regular check-in with your supervisor, and monthly clinical and managerial supervision.

· An opportunity to learn new skills and develop existing ones while being a part of a lively and supportive team at Mind in Kingston.

· References upon completing your volunteering with us.

· Reasonable expenses to be paid so you are not left out of pocket.

What we expect from you:

· Commitment for at least three months

· Attend and complete training as directed.

· Adhere to our policies and procedures, particularly confidentiality, data protection, Safeguarding and health and safety.

· Confidence in supporting people with mental health challenges.

· Be able to deal with distressed users in a calm and robust manner.

· Proactive engagement with your supervisor for support.

· Safe handling and return of any equipment issued.

You may on occasion volunteer from home, so a confidential space is essential.

Application Process:

· Two references (one from a professional contact) are required.

· An enhanced DBS check is necessary.

We ask volunteers for two references, one of which must come from a professional connection such as a current or previous employer or a tutor. You will also need to undergo an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, as you will be working with vulnerable adults.

Could you befriend an asylum seeking or refugee young person? HIAS+JCORE is seeking volunteer befrienders for our transformative JUMP project! As a befriender, you'd meet fortnightly with your young person for at least 12 months, and receive full training and an enhanced DBS check. You'll also get ongoing support from our JUMP project staff.

The difference you'd make

The young people JUMP support might benefit from a befriender because they’ve left their families behind and often feel isolated, bewildered and lonely. Some have no one to talk to. Some want to improve their English. Some would like to get to know London better. The impact made by our befrienders is long-lasting and varies depending on both the befriender and young person's interests. 

What do volunteers get out of JUMP?

• A chance to help people in real need
• The opportunity to ‘give back’
• A new friend
• Increased understanding about asylum and refugee issues and policy 

Skills required

• Able to establish good relationships with young people.
• Able to use a non-judgemental, non-directive approach to working with young people.
• Empathy, sensitivity and patience.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Reliable in making and keeping commitments, including arrangements to meet up.
• Aware of the needs of young people.
• Sympathy for the difficulties that asylum seeking/refugee children and young people face.
• Willing to enhance own awareness of the issues facing asylum-seeking and refugee children/young people through training.
• Aware of safeguarding and child protection issues, and (i) willing to enhance this through JUMP training, and (ii) willing to follow HIAS+JCORE’s safeguarding policy and procedures.
• Willing to ask for help when uncertain when befriending and to discuss the experience of befriending through regular updates and supervision.

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers will be required to:

• Meet with an unaccompanied asylum seeking or refugee young person fortnightly for at least one year.
• Establish a warm, supportive friendship with the young person within JUMP befriending boundaries.
• Help to build up the young person’s self-esteem and confidence.
• A JUMP befriender will be someone the young person can talk to. They must be prepared to support the young person with a range of possible activities, such as: developing everyday life skills, getting around London, taking part in recreational or educational opportunities, applying for work experience or a job. They should be prepared to offer support with English, and where possible other types of academic work.
• They must make time to travel, if necessary, within London to meet with the young person. While we try to match people who live reasonably close by, this is not always possible, and young people can often have precarious housing situations and move neighbourhoods. It is important to consider the travel time, as well as contact time, potentially involved in befriending.
• A JUMP volunteer should be prepared to enjoy cultural/ sporting activities with the young person, and to take advantage of free entertainment and other opportunities in London.
• They should regularly communicate with the project coordinator after meeting the young person, providing feedback once a month about activities undertaken and to attend supervision face-to-face twice a year.
• They must submit monthly expenses incurred during the activities undertaken with the young person, and immediately alert the JUMP project coordinator or HIAS+JCORE Safeguarding Lead to any safeguarding (child and young person protection) issues.

What is the application process?

After submitting your application, you will be contacted to arrange an informal telephone interview. If all goes well at this stage, we would request two references and get you booked onto a day's training. The training will cover the role of the befriender and offer some more information about the experiences of unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee young people. Before being paired with a young person we would also request an enhanced DBS check.