Transport Volunteer Volunteer Roles in Belfast

The Foundation for Integrated Transport (FIT) is looking for three new trustees to sit on its Board.

Background
The Foundation was established in 2014 by the late Dr Simon Norton, a world-class mathematician and renowned transport campaigner. Simon’s vision was a world where humans have a right to get around without a car and where people can travel with minimum impact on other people’s lives and the environment. In pursuit of these aims, the Foundation provides grants and fellowships and promotes solutions that overcome barriers to getting around, which might be provided through volunteering, social enterprise and other means.

FIT is one of the few grant-making trusts devoted entirely to promoting change on transport issues in the UK. Its strategic priorities are:

• Supporting initiatives that change public attitudes to the car
• Transforming the quality of bus services in the UK
• Increasing sustainable travel to leisure destinations
• Availability of public transport as a human right
• Making new and existing developments public transport friendly
• Supporting grassroots community action for sustainable transport and not road building
• Better inter-regional transport coaches and integrating longer distance modes of transport
• Helping organisations active on environmental, health and social issues to adopt transport as a priority.

To help achieve these aims, FIT offers four types of funding:

1. Grants: between £5,000 and £30,000 for projects that promote and deliver transport as a basic right and tackle climate change
2. Small grants: maximum £2,000 to support the running costs of local campaigns and grassroots groups or networks
3. Fellowships: to develop the skills and experience of remarkable transport activists and researchers who are contributing to integrated transport
4. Social Investment Fund: a fund which makes loans, repayable grants and equity investments in selected projects and innovations.

FIT’s 2023 funding focus is projects which focus on traffic reduction, with a particular emphasis on road-user charging.

The trust has assets of approximately £6 million, to be spent over 10 years on grants, small grants for volunteer organisations, fellowships and social investments. FIT’s two current areas of interest, which inform its decisions, are transport as a basic human right and climate change.

The role
As a specialist Foundation we are seeking trustees who have a keen interest in transport, but this need not be specialist knowledge. We are also looking for people with financial and legal knowledge/ backgrounds. Additionally, we are interested in finding younger trustees, with more based outside the southeast, as well as from a diverse range of backgrounds.

FIT is one of the few sources of charitable funds for sustainable transport, so trustees play a key role. This is an opportunity to work with and support campaigners for sustainable transport.

Quarterly Board and other committee meetings
The trust deed provides for trustees to be appointed for up to three terms, each of three years. The amount of time needed for the role can be flexible, to fit in with other commitments. Quarterly Board and other committee meetings are held online and there is an annual Strategic Review meeting which is held in person.

Legal duties of trustees

• Ensure your charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
• Comply with your charity’s governing document and the law
• Act in your charity’s best interests
• Manage your charity’s resources responsibly
• Act with reasonable care and skill
• Ensure your charity is accountable
• Attendance at quarterly trust meetings online, as well as in person once a year
• Possible membership of the trust’s Social Investment and Organisational Committees
• Reviewing applications for funding and helping decide which applicants receive funding
• Regularly reviewing the work of the trust and of its grantees, fellows and social investments
• Overseeing the policy and performance of the trust’s market investments
• Ensuring that the trust’s governance and policies are sound and consistent with the trust’s vision and strategy.

FIT is registered as charity number 1156363.

Application process
To apply, please submit the following:

• full name
• contact details (email & postal addresses, phone number)
• CV
• supporting statement, outlining your reasons for applying to join the FIT Board and highlighting the skills and experience you would bring to the role (maximum of two sides of A4)
• names & contact details of two referees who can comment on your suitability as a trustee. These should not include relatives or friends from outside a professional context

The deadline for applications is 01/01/2024.

What is the purpose of this role?

To provide support to the Project Coordinator at Scams Awareness events that take place in Community venues across Nottingham City & County.

What impact does this role have?

Our Scams Awareness Events, provide vital information to older people on how to be more aware of different types of scams and how to avoid being scammed. The events also provide support to those who have been scammed or had a near miss. Providing support at these events will mean that you are directly liaising with people affected or at risk of being affected by scams and you will have the opportunity to potentially change their outcome.

What activities might you be involved in?

· Liaising with the Project Coordinator to put dates in the diary where you will jointly attend events in the community.

· Helping with the setting up and packing away at Scams Awareness events the Project Coordinator is attending.

· Welcoming people to the event.

· Supporting the Project Coordinator at events, manning an information stand, handing out leaflets, making a note of any queries from attendees (which will be answered by the Project Coordinator at a later date) and taking contact details for scams referrals.

· Volunteering in line with the Charity’s policies and procedures and adhering to the Volunteer Code of Conduct

What are we looking for?

Ø  Individuals with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of older people

Ø  A cheerful, ‘can-do’ attitude

Ø  Individuals who have excellent interpersonal skills.

Ø  Individuals who maintain confidential communication where applicable.

Ø  A passion for the work of Age UK Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

Ø  Flexibility

Ø  Individuals who can travel to events throughout Nottingham City & County either by car or by public transport.

When would you be needed to volunteer?

You will need to be able to commit to attending one Scams Awareness Event when required (which are often run on a Wednesday or Thursday during the day), but there may be occasional requirement to support an event taking place in the early evening.

What training will you be given?

You will be given all the training you need to enable you to carry out your role which will include a thorough departmental induction.

What can you gain from this opportunity?

· The chance to make a difference to older people’s lives

· Ongoing support, ensuring your volunteering experience is a fulfilling and positive one

· A comprehensive training programme

· The opportunity to learn new skills

· Experience to add to your CV

· The opportunity to meet new people and make new friends

· Reimbursement of travel expenses as defined in the Age UK Notts Volunteer Handbook

Additional Information

Please note a Basic DBS check is required for this role which will be undertaken by the Charity at no cost to the volunteer, after being offered the role.

***Please note that we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

Join our community of amazing volunteer Sooty box collectors and help us to provide blind and partially sighted people with the support they need. RNIB urgently need volunteers to collect and bank donations received through our Sooty boxes, which play a vital role in generating income and raising our profile in local communities. This role is completely flexible, can be performed by individuals, pairs or groups and the time you dedicate to it is entirely up to you and your commitments. You can give your time as little or as often as you like! Please note: Volunteers will be expected to use their own transportation and ideally should have access to a car. Mileage or transport costs can be reimbursed. Due to insurance requirements you must be 18 or over.

Description

Do you live in a rural or semi-rural location? Would you like to help older people in your community and surrounding areas? If yes, please read on.

Community Information Volunteers (previously known as Village Agents) provide an information and connections service, to people living in their local area, enabling them to find the help and support they need and to engage with their community. They are known, trusted local residents and provide face-to-face contact, for people who are less likely to use the telephone or internet, to access information.

Outline of the role

What do Community Information Volunteers actually do?

Community Information Volunteers work to make their faces known in their local area by attending events and groups (Covid restrictions allowing), so that people get to know who they are and that they can be approached with queries.

They visit people in their homes in response to queries, and will also provide a helping hand to enable the person to make use of the information provided. This could be by making a phone call or filling in a form on behalf of the person. They may help to arrange transport, or go with a person to a local group for the first time, to help introduce them.

Typical enquiries include, but are not exclusive to:

• Finding local tradespeople, such as gardeners or a handyperson
• Helping to complete forms, such as Blue Badge and Attendance Allowance applications
• Introducing to local community groups and services, such as lunch clubs or social groups
• Staying safe around the home, such as personal alarms
• Finding help around the home, such as a carer or cleaner

Also, Community Information Volunteers get to know key local groups and organisations, such as the parish/town council, GP surgery and other voluntary organisations working in the area. They are supported by our Information Service if they need help with a resident’s query.

Training is provided, and you will be required to undertake regular training/reading, to keep up-to-date with the latest practices and guidance. We are following strict Covid-safe guidelines and a DBS check will be required. You will be based at home, but will be visiting people in their home and attending local meetings/groups/activities.

For this role you need to be:

• An excellent communicator, both in writing and orally, with a range of people and organisations such as older people, carers, relatives and professionals
• Good interpersonal skills
• Able to review and extract relevant information
• Good IT skills – email; using the internet; Microsoft Office (Word; Excel)
• Strong time-management skills
• Understanding
• Friendly
• Car owner/driver or able to travel in your local community and surrounding areas

What is in it for you?

• Becoming part of a friendly, dedicated organisation
• Volunteering in your local community for a local independent charity
• Meeting people and making new friends
• Improving and learning new skills
• Enjoying new experiences
• References for your CV

Volunteer Role Description

Role Titles: Volunteer Mobile Support Unit Receptionist  &

Volunteer Mobile Support Unit Officer

Department: Support Services

Reporting to: Logistics Manager

Location: Nantgarw / Ystrad Mynach / Bangor / Llandudno / Rhyl / Wrexham / Port Talbot / Bridgend / Carmarthen / Aberystwyth / Haverfordwest

Why am I needed?

Our Mobile Support Units bring cancer treatment into the community & closer to home. We’re looking for volunteers to provide support on the reception desk of our specialist Mobile Clinic (the first in the world of its kind!), so that we can continue to support NHS patients & their loved ones.

What will I be doing?

Welcoming patients & their families on board the Mobile Support Unit

Undertaking basic admin skills including taking patients’ details

Offering refreshments to all visitors

Basic Logistics work

Speaking with visitors about all of our services

Liaising with the nurses on board the Mobile Support Unit to help provide an excellent service for those receiving treatment.

What skills do I need?

Excellent communication skills and experience of dealing with people face to face

A friendly and enthusiastic approach, with great customer service skills

Efficient with good attention to detail

Sensitivity

Commitment

Health care or transport experience would be beneficial

Welsh speaking skills are desirable but not essential.

How much time do I need to commit?

Usually between the hours of 0730-1600

What support will I be given?

You’ll receive an induction to the charity and the Mobile Unit team will support you as you begin your role. There’ll always be another member of the Mobile Unit team to support you when you’re volunteering with us.

There may also be the opportunity for further training such as Supportive Skills and Welfare Benefits. You'll also have access to our eLearning training system.

What benefits can I expect?

The chance to gain experience of supporting Wales’ leading cancer charity in a unique environment

The opportunity to develop a range of skills & apply for all internal vacancies

The satisfaction of knowing you’re making a vital difference to people’s lives through our unique work.

Where will I be based?

Your local Tenovus Mobile Unit location

About the role

Our volunteers are an essential part of our organisation, enabling us to provide a wide range of services to clients. By helping as a volunteer driver you are developing your communication and interpersonal skills and being aware of the importance of time keeping. Your role enables those with a visual impairment or hard of hearing to access to our Resource Centre where they can find devices to help them at home or help them access events we run to support their independence and reduce their sense of loneliness and social isolation.

Time Commitment

This role would suit someone wanting to volunteer on an ad hoc basis as the needs of our clients can fluctuate. Timings will vary but will be predominantly daytime with the occasional evenings required to help some of our Trustees attend Board Meetings.

Requirements

Do you have a clean driving licence, a few hours to spare on an ad hoc basis and the desire to help those with a visual impairment or hard of hearing access Sight for Surrey’s services?

We are looking for someone reliable, with strong communication and interpersonal skills to transport clients unable to attend our Resource Centre or events without the aid of a driver. 

All volunteers are required to have training appropriate to the role, these can include safeguarding, lone working and how to safely guide someone with a visual impairment.

Benefits

Sight for Surrey will reimburse travel expenses. For car users we pay 45 pence a mile for the journeys you undertake on behalf of the organisation. For those using public transport we would require tickets or proof of payment. We also hold regular social events and an annual awards evening which allows our volunteers to meet each other.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Are you an excellent listener? Could you visit care homes to help people talk about their end of life wishes and personal goals? 

Our Talk About service operates in East Dorset in partnership with the NHS and helps people to have the time and safe space to consider their end of life wishes and share them with those closest to them. Thinking about death is always a challenging ask but with this project we want to change the conversation and help people Talk About it to ensure more people have their version of a ‘good death’ where they want it to be, and with their wishes being met.

We are looking for empathetic and self-motivated individuals to join our team of Companion Volunteers to support the Talk About project.

The main element of this role will be supporting residents in care homes across East Dorset. You will spend your time discussing and recording their wishes and will need to be confident using IT to do this.

There will also be opportunities to support community events, network with local organisations and community groups and co-facilitate training, among other activities.

What we are looking for:

• A friendly and sensitive approach
• Patience, empathy, and emotional awareness
• Excellent listening skills and an ability to build a rapport with others
• Access to IT equipment, and confident using IT to type and upload notes
• Commitment and reliability
• Inclusive and respectful values
• An understanding of confidentiality
• Willingness to operate within the boundaries of the role
• Proficient in using Email and Microsoft Word and keep to local record keeping procedures

What’s in it for you:

• Flexible volunteering – As and when needed
• Opportunity to be involved with a national leader in end-of-life care
• Comprehensive training and induction
• A supportive and empowering team environment
• Resilience Based Group Supervision
• 1:1 Wellbeing Support Sessions
• Access to other volunteering opportunities within Marie Curie
• Continuous personal development
• Buddying and shadow, sessions where required

This role is flexible as and when needed on an ad hoc basis and you must live in (or close to) Dorset, you will also need to have access to transport. 

About Marie Curie:

Everyone knows our daffodil, but it’s our warmth, creativity and care that touch lives. Here, we take the time to really get to know the people we care for and those who love them. And we do whatever it takes to give them the final days and hours they deserve.

Everyone will be affected by dying, death and bereavement and deserves the best possible experience, reflecting what’s most important to them. Marie Curie will lead in end-of-life experience to make this happen.

About Us

Every day of your life matters – from the first to the last. When you volunteer for Marie Curie, you understand that better than ever. We’re a passionate, committed, and diverse team of more than 4,400 staff and 6,500 volunteers, here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support, to help them get the most from the time they have left. 

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work.  We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

Marie Curie is committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early.

We’re looking for friendly, reliable Volunteer Retail Drivers, to support our retail team with the safe and efficient transporting of furniture & donated goods to and from our 15 retail shops around the Merseyside and Cheshire areas.

You will work closely with our retail driver’s while out and about in our shop communities, and you will be given full manual handling training and induction.

This role plays a vital part in supporting Claire House, by being out in the local communities you become an ambassador of the charity, the positive effect this has on the Hospice and surrounding areas is priceless.

The Volunteer Retail Driver’s role will support the driver’s team with transporting stock to our shops. This role will include:

· Assist the Retail Drivers in delivering stock & Furniture to the shops: Ability to lift and carry moderate to heavy loads (donated items) and perform physical tasks as needed.

· Supporting the Retail Driver in completing tip runs.

· Heavy lifting of stock including sofas tables, wardrobes etc: Manual Handling training will be mandatory.

· Support the retail Driver in empting the stock shed and clothing banks.

· Abiding by all health and safety and training procedures.

Times: We’d be looking for set days each week. 4 hours.

You’ll need to:

· Hold a valid and current UK driving licence.

· Be able to drive a 3.5 tonne tail lift vehicle.

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

· Reliable and punctual.

· Ability to volunteer as part of a team and also independently to cover absences and holiday.

· Be aged between 21-70 years old (due to insurance restrictions)

· Be physically fit and health (due to the nature of the role)

Benefits: We’ll provide out of pocket expenses (including mileage) ongoing support and training will also be offered free of charge.

Due to the training involved, this volunteer role requires a certain level of commitment, which can be discussed further pending application.

Do you live in Somerset? Are you looking for a new opportunity where no two days are the same and you make a real difference to people’s lives?

Death, Dying and Bereavement have been uppermost in the minds of many since the start of the pandemic and we know that people haven’t always had what they wanted at the end of life. Many families, friends and carers have worried that they haven’t been able to give their loved ones what’s important to them at the end.

Our Talk About service operates in Somerset in partnership with the NHS and helps people to have the time and safe space to consider their end of life wishes and share them with those closest to them. Thinking about death is always a challenging ask but with this project we want to change the conversation and help people Talk About it to ensure more people have their version of a ‘good death’ where they want it to be, and with their wishes being met.

This is an exciting volunteering opportunity for self-motivated and organised individuals to join our team of Companion Volunteers to support the Talk About project.

The main element of this role will be to attend people’s homes and spend time supporting them to navigate what will be important to them at the end of their life including what their version of a ‘good death’ would be and documenting this for them. There will also be opportunities to support community events, network with local organisations and community groups and co-facilitate training, among other activities.

What we are looking for:

• A friendly and sensitive approach
• Patience, empathy, and emotional intelligence
• Excellent listening skills and an ability to build a rapport with others
• Commitment and reliability
• Inclusive and respectful values
• An understanding of confidentiality
• Willingness to operate within the boundaries of the role
• Proactive individuals who can research relevant organisations to signpost people to
• Proficient in using Email and Microsoft Word and keep to local record keeping procedures

What’s in it for you:

• Flexible volunteering
• Opportunity to be involved with a national leader in end-of-life care
• Comprehensive training and induction
• A supportive and empowering team environment
• Resilience Based Group Supervision
• 1:1 Wellbeing Support Sessions
• Access to other volunteering opportunities within Marie Curie
• Continuous personal development
• Buddying and shadow, sessions where required

This role required a minimum commitment of 3 hours per week and to live in (or close to) Somerset, you will also need to have access to transport. 

This role will be subject to receiving a satisfactory Enhanced criminal record check.

About Marie Curie:

Every day of your life matters – from the first to the last. When you Volunteer for Marie Curie, you understand that better than ever. We’re a passionate, committed, and diverse team of more than 4,400 staff and 12,000 volunteers, here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance, and support, to help them get the most from the time they have left. Everyone knows our daffodil, but it’s our warmth, creativity and care that touch lives. Here, we take the time to really get to know the people we care for and those who love them. And we do whatever it takes to give them the final days and hours they deserve.

Everyone will be affected by dying, death and bereavement and deserves the best possible experience, reflecting what’s most important to them. Marie Curie will lead in end-of-life experience to make this happen.

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 form 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 form 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. 

Come join our volunteering team to help change the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society. Ranked 2023 Q3 by Best Companies as the 6th best charity to work for in the UK, Medaille Trust is one of the UK’s leading charities in the fight against modern slavery. Our innovative model is based on three principles: Prevent, Protect and Pursue.  We are one of the UK’s largest providers of survivor services, with ten safehouses and six outreach hubs, staffed round the clock by specialist staff, working with more than 600 men, women and dependent children each year.  We work to raise awareness in the UK and to provide preventive work in source countries. Our Pursue work helps survivors to engage with police and within the legal  system to seek justice and to secure convictions against their perpetrators.

We are looking for a Prospect Research Volunteer who can aid with researching grant making trusts and foundations to help the wider Fundraising team in their efforts to generate funding for the charity. Tasks will include:

•Identifying suitable grant giving trusts and foundations against a set of criteria

•Reviewing details of registered trusts and foundations in the UK, identifying and working towards funding deadlines

•Extracting and capturing key information to inform application strategies

•Providing support for the preparation of funding proposals

This role will provide an opportunity to gain essential experience and skills in key aspects of fundraising for a charity who supports and empowers survivors of modern slavery and trafficking. The role is focused on prospect research of grant making organisations.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and have a wide range of experience and motivations. Whatever your reason for deciding to volunteer, we want to make sure you enjoy your time with us and know just how much we value your support.

Volunteers need to:

•Be at least 18 years old

•Have strong research skills with an ability to present information clearly and concisely

•Have your own laptop and use of the internet

•Have the ability to work independently

•Have excellent IT and Microsoft Office skills, knowledge of Word and Excel are essential

•Have the ability to maintain confidentiality

•Have an interest in the Anti-Slavery, Anti-Trafficking and charity sector

•Having fundraising experience is an advantage but not essential 

•Be able to regularly commit on a flexible basic

For full details and how to apply please visit our website and complete an application form.

Where (Location):

To provide 1:1 Befriending to an allocated person within Gravesham, Dartford and Swanley

Time commitment:

2-3 hours per week /fortnight

Role:

To befriend an adult with dementia or their carer, to improve their self-confidence, emotional health and wellbeing, reducing their social isolation and promote their independence.

Responsibilities:

• To visit a person with whom you have been matched, building a relationship of friendship and trust
• To give the person some company and companionship in their own home
• To complete a visit sheet after each visit and to participate in regular supervision with the Befriending Coordinator
• To liaise, at times, with organisation name staff or other agencies as appropriate
• To uphold organisation name core principles, vision, culture and values and abide by the policies and procedures as per the volunteer handbook
• If a person needs more support the volunteer should report this to the Volunteer Coordinator (when needs change)

Qualities and Skills required

• To be reliable and have a genuine interest in the desire to make a difference in the lives of people with dementia
• Good communication skills
• Patience and a warm and friendly attitude
• The ability to speak another language is welcomed 

Training and support

• You will be required to attend the Befriending Induction training and participate in further training and/or networking events which may be offered.
• Ongoing support and supervision will be given by the Befriending coordinator either in person or via skype/telephone.
• Regular reviews will take place and an opportunity given for peer support through networking events with other Befrienders
• Regular newsletters, updates and news from the Befriending Service will be sent to you by email
• Reimbursement of out of pocket expenses such as mileage or public transport costs.

Any other Requirements

Due to the vulnerable nature of the people we support we will require two references and also DBS checks.  Further details will be discussed with you at recruitment.

Would you like to help blind and partially sighted people in your local area? Do you enjoy driving and meeting new people? RNIB wants you to be a Volunteer Driver.

For the people they help, our volunteer drivers provide a friendly face and that personal touch to brighten their day and help get them to where they need to be.

Our drivers can become a regular part of someone’s life and for some their journeys together may be the only chance an RNIB customer has had to get out of their home for some time.

If you are friendly, courteous and reliable then this is the opportunity for you.

Transporting BPS to/from weekly support group-weekly on Fridays to Newtownabbey and monthly to Greenisland.

*Clean Driving licence
*Enhanced Access NI 
*2 references
*Good Interpersonal Skills
*Reliability
*Enthusiasm and patience
*Willingness to work independently.

Covering Newtownabbey/Carrickfergus & Greenisland area