Tuesday Activities Volunteer Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London, helping them to play their full part in the community. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for adults currently include: ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), a creative writing workshop, drama group, yoga and gardening project.
About the CARAS ESOL Team:
COVID has posed unprecedented challenges to refugees and people seeking asylum in London. Many of those we meet have arrived alone in the UK and have been living in contingency accommodation for many months. Our ESOL team offer English language classes to adults at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling people to attend college and access other services in the future.
About the Role:
CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our online Zoom classes on Tuesday mornings:
Entry 1 class: 10 to 11.30am
Entry 2 class: 11.30am to 1pm (plus a 15-minute debrief)
You are welcome to apply to volunteer in one or both classes. Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.
As a volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistant your role is flexible and varied. It will involve supporting the Adult ESOL Teacher in the delivery of online Zoom classes, as well as providing learners with one-to-one or small-group support.
Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:
Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes;
Helping learners build confidence in digital literacy;
Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;
Helping create “learner portraits” to understand their strengths and areas of interest;
Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class;
Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project;
Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential;
Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;
Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management, online communications and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential:
To be 18 years or older;
An interest in education and English language teaching;
To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
To be reliable and punctual;
Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
The ability to volunteer on Tuesday mornings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of three months;
Currently resident in the UK;
Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to start of role
Desirable:
Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).
Through volunteering with us you will:
Meet new members of your local community;
Learn about different cultures;
Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
Develop your skills and competencies;
Be able to access relevant training, including ESOL safeguarding training;
Gain experience in teaching and interpreting.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you passionate about inspiring the next generation into STEM? If so, we'd love for you to volunteer with us at the UK's BIGGEST STEM event for young people! We're looking for volunteers for 1, 2 or 3 days to get involved at The Big Bang Fair 2024. So wheather you're an apprentice, student, graduate, career starter, a professional with years of experience or retired, this could be the opportunity you're looking for!
What's in it for you?
- A fun and rewarding opportunity to make a difference in young people's lives
- A chance to build your personal development and network
The Fair takes place from 19 to 21 June at the NEC in Birmingham. A day runs from 8am to 4pm and lunch will be provided.
No experience necessary and full training will be given.
We want young people to see themselves represented in the volunteers who work with us, so we actively encourage volunteers from groups who are currently underrepresented in the engineering and technology professions.
Ref: V226 | Communication Service Supporter | East Midlands
We’re looking for three volunteers over the age of 18 years old, based in various locations:
- Tuesdays - Somercotes Community Centre, Nottingham Road Somercotes - Derbyshire, DE55 4LY
-Wednesdays - Erewash Voluntary Action Aid, Granville Ave, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 4HD
-Thursdays - The Parish of All Saints Church, Mickleover, Derby DE3 0DL
You’ll be volunteering one afternoon every two weeks in blocks of 6 sessions. Depending on venue chosen, may be Tuesday/Wednesday or Thursday.
We are looking for communication service supporters to assist stroke survivors in developing their communication skills on a one-to-one basis in their homes or out in their local community so that they can access activities and services.
The volunteers will:
· Be an effective communication service supporter you need great listening skills and be able to support people in an empathetic and non-judgemental way.
· Be willing to learn and use the technique, called ‘supported conversation’, that is used to support people with communication difficulties.
If you are someone who enjoys conversation, meeting new people and likes to try new things, then this role might be a good one for you.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this role.
Interested in this role?
Find out more by downloading the role desciption for the Communication service supporter role.
If you are interested in this role, please complete our application form on our website.
About Us
Stroke Association. Rebuilding lives after stroke.
When stroke strikes, part of your brain shuts down. And so does a part of you. That’s because a stroke happens in the brain, the control centre for who we are and what we can do. It happens every five minutes in the UK and changes lives instantly. Recovery is tough, but with the right specialist support and a ton of courage and determination, the brain can adapt.
We believe everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke. And it’s a team effort to get there.
We provide specialist support, fund critical research and campaign to make sure people affected by stroke get the very best care and support to rebuild their lives.
We’re working to improve the diversity of our team. Because we know that individuality leads to a richer experience for our people and better support for those affected by stroke.
We strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. And we’re particularly looking to increase the number of applications from those with lived experience of stroke and those from under-represented communities.
Every five minutes, stroke destroys lives. Help us rebuild them and join our team.
To help us deliver our strategy and make a real difference, we are looking to recruit talented people to a number of new roles.
If you would like to support stroke survivors to rebuild their lives, we want to hear from you!
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Wellbeing Volunteer
Herriot Hospice@The Lambert & Local Community, North Yorkshire
Wellbeing volunteers are vital within the Wellbeing Network, in supporting people living with terminal illness, their families, and carers.
As we will soon be opening the doors of our new Herriot Hospice@the Lambert in Thirsk, we are looking to expand the number of Wellbeing volunteers to reach more people. The roles are varied and bespoke, to support the needs of individuals providing reliable social and emotional support to people wherever they need it.
Volunteer roles are designed to support both the patient or client, and their carer to live as well as they can with a terminal diagnosis.
To apply, please click on 'How to apply' .
Role Description
Through volunteering your time at Saint Michael’s and Herriot Hospice Homecare you are supporting those in our community at a time when they need it most. Volunteers are integral to our work; and we would love to welcome you to our team.
Wellbeing volunteer roles are delivered as below, however if you have a particular skill that you feel would support us, please get in touch.
- The Community Hub at The Lambert – our newest addition to our volunteer roles, providing support to patients, their families and anyone else that comes in, signposting to our services and offering a listening ear. This role will also work closely with the Food and Nutrition team in the hub.
- Sitting - simply staying with the patient, providing respite and empowering their carer to get out for a walk, appointments, or meeting friends.
- Befriending - simply being there, listening, supporting with isolation, accompanying the individual with their support networks in the community, going for a walk.
- Driving – to offer a short drive to medical appointments and to social groups , to pick up prescriptions for the inpatient unit .
- Groups – The Wellbeing Network has a range of social groups to offer the opportunity for people to come together to provide each other with social and emotional support. Volunteers are to welcome individuals, offer refreshments and a listening ear and support the wider team with collecting feedback about the support received.
- IPU – Volunteers to visit patients on the inpatient unit and offer some companionship, reading to patients, sitting with them to provide reassurance, or helping with activities.
- Armed Forces - The service also provides befriending support to veterans who have served in the Armed Forces.
Volunteering should be a mutually beneficial role, and we believe that consistency is important, so we hope volunteers will be able to support for 2-4 hours per week in whichever role you want to support in – we welcome applicants who want to combine different roles!
- Key Tasks
- Offering companionship and social support either in person or on the telephone.
- Accompanying the person on a walk or other social activity, for example visit a café.
- Support the person with an activity like shopping, carry out some gardening or a light household task.
- Driving someone to an appointment, for example a medical appointment.
- Sitting with a person with a terminal diagnosis to allow their family member or carer to leave the house for a short period or time, for example to allow them to go shopping, attend a medical appointment, have a break or another essential appointment.
- We will ask for feedback about the service and this will be in the form of questionnaires for the client, carer and volunteer this will enable us to plan any further developments to the service.
NB: volunteers may use their own vehicles where appropriate – after notifying their insurance provider and providing a copy of their driving licence
Tasks are not to include (more detail will be given during the training programme):
- Assisting the person whilst they are using the toilet, dressing, showering (this is considered personal care)
- Giving the person their medication or assisting with their oxygen
- Nursing tasks
It is essential that volunteers adhere to the role description, undertake appropriate tasks only and are clear about the boundaries of this role. If volunteers are unsure about any task they have been asked to carry out, they should contact their line manager for advice. This is to ensure the safety and well-being of both clients and volunteers.
Overarching responsibilities
- To embed the values of the organisation into your working practices, evidencing this regularly and ensuring this remains a priority.
- To live out our values, which drive all that we do, in the context of your everyday work following our behaviour framework.
- To work in accordance and fully comply with our organisational policies and procedures.
- To carry out all duties in accordance with the law, regulations, organisational frameworks, recognised professional guidelines and the have a commitment to FREDIE, integration and collective decision making.
Throughout your time with us we will conduct ongoing employment checks and performance reviews relevant to your role, for example professional registration checks, DBS, appraisals and regular contact meetings.
- Person Specification
Is this the right role for you?
You will be:
- Sensitive and empathetic
- Friendly and approachable
- Confident in your ability to undertake a role that may be emotionally challenging at times.
- Happy working as part of a team, but also happy to work independently
- Confident in following the boundaries of the role
- Strict adherence to confidentiality.
- Confident in escalating any concerns.
We will:
- Provide a key contact who will be contactable at any time during the working hours of (Mon-Fri 9:00-16.00). The key contact will offer responsive supervision if an issue arises during a visit or telephone call.
- Facilitate a monthly group supervision session with a member of the team; this provides an opportunity to for more structured supervision and to reflect with other volunteer visitors, and share your experiences.
- Provide regular one to one review/supervision– giving you the opportunity to reflect on the volunteering experience and receive feedback.
- Ensure you have all the training you need to feel confident in your role.
- Ensure any patient or client you interact with has an up to date risk assessment
- Communicate regularly and effectively with you to ensure you are empowered in your role.
- Provide an up to date suite of policies to support you in delivering your role.
Getting started and training:
- Interested candidates will be invited to a short interview, which is an opportunity for you and us to get to know each other and understand more about the role, and what an impact volunteering can have.
- We offer a thorough and comprehensive training programme, with elements of face-to face and online training, providing you with the skills and knowledge needed to undertake these roles, with yearly updates.
- A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken before commencing volunteering.
- Attendance at group supervision on a monthly basis.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking for warm, child-friendly volunteers to help with activities at YMCA Doncaster.
Our programme of activities is quite new and still developing. At present, activities include arts and crafts, music and drama.
We work with children and young people from the age of 5 upwards, with our activity sessions being led by YMCA staff.
Joining us as a volunteer will involve helping with preparation and tidying up as well as supporting anyone who needs a bit of extra help to join in.
Sessions take place on Monday and Tuesday evenings at the YMCA between 3pm and 8.30pm, and we’re looking for volunteers who can help out with one or both evenings each week. Having regular volunteers will mean that we can grow the activities, offer more places and build some extra informal sessions into our programme.
We think that this opportunity would be great for people with an interest in working with children and young people, wherever you are in your career – we welcome people of any age over 18.
Your Role
- To assist children and young people with taking part in YMCA activities.
- To assist with setting up rooms and equipment / tidying away.
- To deal with difficulties, including challenging behaviour in sessions.
- To welcome and escort participants to their sessions.
- To create social media posts / content showing the activities in a positive way.
- To develop appropriate professionalism and boundaries, and maintain those at all times.
- To lead by example, showing “Take Part, Have Fun, Be Kind” qualities throughout.
- To carry out other activity-related tasks as required.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
SUMMARY
Minds Vanessa Project is looking for a volunteer with a passion for gardening to join in with their project.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Gardening Volunteer position available for Mind’s Vanessa Project on a Tuesday 11am-1pm (2 hours).
Applicant would assist with service users in gardening projects and have casual conversations. If the weather is bad, then indoor activities will be available including planning of gardening activities, colouring and nature related quizzes.
Personal Skills and Qualities that will be beneficial:
· Passion for gardening
· Communication Skills
· Humour
· Willingness to help
· Positive attitude
· Compassion
· Lived experience
· Works well as part of a team
Tasks and Responsibilities:
• Providing support to service users who have different capabilities to complete gardening activities.
• Talking to service users regarding a diverse range of subjects.
Qualities and Skills gained or improved upon through volunteering for the Vanessa Project at Mind:
• Teamwork
• Gardening Skills
• Time Management
• Problem Solving
• Organisation
• Interpersonal Skills
Mind offers a range of training opportunities available to all volunteers.
To provide services and support to anyone affected by or vulnerable to mental illness, improving their quality of life and wellbeing.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
ABOUT THE ROLE
As part of our Community Support team, you will play a key role in ensuring the fulfilment of our users' needs by sharing information about our services, projects, and activities; this takes place in person, through our digital channels and helpline. Additionally, you will be responsible for keeping up to date information about other services and partner organisations. The primary challenge faced by the Latin American community is the language barrier, which hinders their comprehension of the UK system and their entitlements. Taking part in the Community Interpreting service, you will support service users in navigating these obstacles, enabling them to establish a more integrated life in the UK. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to better understand the challenges faced by the Latin American community in London; use their language skills in a positive and impactful way; and develop valuable administrative and customer service skills in a multicultural, fast-paced organisation.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
● Connecting service users to our services, projects and activities in person or by answering phone calls and emails
● Supporting users with general enquiries, referring them to relevant services within our organisation as well as signposting and referring to external services
● Registering users on our database and keeping accurate records of services offered
● Monitoring internal calendars and appointments
● Sharing useful, up-to-date information with users as instructed by other team members
● Ensuring internal communications, flyers and handouts are up to date
● Interpreting calls for service users and supporting with non-official translations
● Supporting community members with basic application forms
● Liaising with staff in other departments and with external contacts
PERSON SPECIFICATION
● Good verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish and/or Portuguese
● Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and with a diverse population of service users, staff and partners
● A caring, sensitive and non-judgemental approach
● Ability to cope with stressful and emotionally challenging issues
● Professionalism to handle sensitive and confidential information
● Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to multitask
● Ability to set their own work priorities, take initiatives and work with minimal supervision
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
This role helps the shop to run efficiently and effectively, and to sell products for Age UK Notts, which in turn, generates funds to allow Age UK Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to continue to run effective services.
What activities might you be involved in?
Front of shop
• Engaging with our customers, in a friendly and welcoming way.
• Ensuring customers experience excellent customer service
• Maintaining the look of the shop displays so that customers have a positive shopping experience.
• Restocking shelves and rails as and when needed
• Maintaining a tidy clean and safe shopping / working environment
• Taking and processing payments from customers (including card payments following appropriate training)
• Accepting donations from supporters that visit the shop and encouraging those who are tax payers to sign up to Gift Aid in order to generate a further 25p in every £1 for the Charity.
Back Shop
• Accepting donations and ensuring that donations that have been Gift Aided are separated and clearly labelled with the correct Gift Aid number
• Sorting through donations to identify:
➢ items that can be sold in the shop,
➢ items that can be ragged or sold as scrap and
➢ items of higher value that need to be sold on elsewhere
• Labelling all saleable items with price tags and if appropriate Gift Aid numbers
• Steaming items of clothing and placing on appropriate hanger in preparation for sale
• Maintaining a clean, tidy and safe working environment.
• Use of the internet to share shop stock on Social Media.
• Volunteering in line with the Charity’s policies and procedures and adhering to the Volunteer Code of Conduct.
This is for anybody who is interested in working in a charity retail environment.
Our shop is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10am until 4pm and we are looking for volunteers who can commit to at least one morning or afternoon per week
As part of the recruitment process, there will also be an interview, references and a basic DBS check.
***Please note that we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
MHA The Wilderness is a 7 acre heritage garden attached to MHA Hall Grange Care home in Croydon, London. The garden has been recently reclaimed and conserved. Our aim is to make it a peaceful haven for MHA Hall Grange residents, visitors, staff and local communities. As a Volunteer Gardener you will help our Head Gardener and other volunteers with the general upkeep of The Wilderness.
Main activities:
- You’ll be working with a small friendly team throughout The Wilderness garden to help with the general upkeep.
- You’ll do tasks such as; watering, weeding, stimming, cutting and propagating
- You’ll keep the grounds accessible for all with ongoing maintenance and clear areas for access throughout the seasons
- You’ll be familiar with and to adhere MHA’s Health and Safety Policies and policies relating to your volunteering role.
The Benefits for you:
- Boost Confidence
- Keep socially active
- Give back to the residents and the community
- Keep Fit and healthy
- Gain experience to add to your CV
- Develop skills and knowledge of trees and plants
Desirable Qualities:
We need our volunteers to be:
- At least 16 years old
- Enthusiastic
- Able to set time aside for activity regularly
- A good team player
What training and support will be provided:
- We will provide you with a full induction for the role
- Training on safeguarding, health and safety and other training and updating of skills and knowledge relevant to the role as appropriate
- Ongoing support from a named contact
- Out of pocket expenses in accordance with MHA’s Expenses Policy
Times and Commitment
- Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays from 10am-1pm. We could also arrange alterative days based on your availability with prior agreement with the Head Gardener.
- We ask you to be able to commit on a regular basis
- We ask that you make a minimum of six months commitment to this role
* Please note- we can only accept applications for volunteers who live in the UK
Role: Support at the drop-in centre on either a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday (12.30-4.30pm) or a Friday (either 10-1pm or 1-4.00pm), either weekly or fortnightly.
We also have a selection of other days open for volunteer opportunitities.
Purpose: To support adults with a learning disability and/or autism in a social situation to increase confidence and self-esteem, to build independence and to reduce social isolation.
Activities: We provide a range of activities that our members can choose to be involved with, or simply attend to socialise with friends. Volunteers and staff are there to provide support where needed. Please note that this is not a support role and that members who need extra care will attend sessions with their own support/care workers.
Examples of Activities:
- Encourage and support individuals to access and/or engage with activities
- Help facilitate arts and crafts, quizzes, bingo, and other games and activities
- Encourage independence and social skills amongst members by engaging and socialising with them (in accordance with The Hive’s boundaries policy)
- Help in the kitchen to provide refreshments (teas and coffees) as needed
Skills Required: Skills in listening and the ability to communicate with diverse types of people are essential. Patience, enthusiasm, and a non-judgemental mindset are a must. Experience with learning disabilities and/or autism is not a requirement, and full training will be provided to new volunteers.
Hours and Timescale: One session at the drop-in either weekly or fortnightly,, ideally for a minimum of six months. Flexible volunteering can be offered; however, it is essential that volunteers attend sessions that they are scheduled for and notify the session leader if they are unable to attend. This is to ensure the safe running of the drop-in.
Supervision: Volunteers will be supported by their Session Leader, who will provide informal supervision on a regular basis. The Volunteer Coordinator can always be contacted via email if there are any issues.
Benefits: All volunteers receive induction and awareness training on learning disabilities and autism within the first three months of volunteering and have the option to attend additional training offered by The Hive. Full liability insurance is in place. Mileage and out-of-pocket expenses can be claimed if needed. A work record will be kept for each volunteer so that we are able to provide references if requested. Social events, such as skittles, are held regularly for volunteers.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
ROLE SUMMARY:
- To support artists and the Zest Whitstable Coordinator in the delivery of creative sessions for people living with dementia, their family, friends and carers.
- To work directly with participants with complex needs, enabling them to engage with each session.
ABOUT US:
Bright Shadow’s mission is to enable people living with dementia, and those affected by it, to live well and to thrive. We are experts in creative activities designed specifically for people with dementia to enable self-expression, social interaction and active participation. We do this in a number of ways, including our trademark Zest sessions for people living with dementia in the community.
We offer a range of volunteer opportunities, and are particularly looking for someone to work with our Zest group in Whitstable. This role is a wonderful opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of our participants by enabling those with more complex needs to continue engaging with this close-knit group.
You will become part of a friendly team offering support and guidance, so your positive attitude is more important to us than specific experience. We offer all volunteers dementia awareness and safeguarding training, as well as requiring an enhanced DBS certificate.
Established in 2009, Bright Shadow is passionate about a brighter quality of care, which is invigorating, mood boosting and enhances relationships. We are adamant that life and fun shouldn’t stop once you reach a certain age or receive a diagnosis of dementia. In all of our work we celebrate the here and now, ensuring that people with dementia enjoy a bright today and a bright tomorrow.
POST REPORTS TO: Project & Admin Coordinator and Zest Whitstable Coordinator
LOCATION: Whitstable Umbrella Centre, Oxford Street, Whitstable, CT5 1DD
POSITION TYPE: Volunteer
HOURS REQUIRED: Tuesdays 1:45-4:15pm
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
-
Understanding of or willingness to learn about living with dementia, including completing provided dementia awareness training
-
Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy
-
Enthusiasm to join in with performance and arts activities such as singing, movement and story making wherever possible and assisting participants to engage fully
-
Work closely with Zest Whitstable Coordinator to deliver a safe and high quality experience
-
Help Zest Whitstable Coordinator to prepare the room before sessions and clear up at the end where necessary
-
Help Zest Whitstable Coordinator to prepare refreshments for participants
-
Help the Zest Whitstable Coordinator with the collection of evaluation information
-
Assist in documenting the sessions using photography, recording and/or film on equipment provided where necessary
-
Work within all Bright Shadow policies, including Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Covid-19, Equality and GDPR compliance. This role is subject to the volunteer having an up to date enhanced DBS check carried out.
Person Specification
Zest Communities Session Volunteer
The person specification states the knowledge; skills and experience helpful in volunteering with us and is used for both short-listing volunteers for informal interview and to identify the areas to explore in this interview.
Competencies
Essential
-
Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy
-
Sensitive to people’s needs and the safeguarding of vulnerable adults
-
Good initiative and ability to work independently
-
To undertake an enhanced DBS check
Desirable
-
Previous experience working with older adults
-
Experience of working for an arts organisation
-
Competent IT skills, including social media
-
Knowledge/understanding of dementia
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
ROLE SUMMARY:
To support artists and the Zest Medway Coordinator in the delivery of creative sessions for people living with dementia, their family, friends and carers.
To work directly with participants with complex needs, enabling them to engage with each session.
ABOUT US:
Bright Shadow’s mission is to enable people living with dementia, and those affected by it, to live well and to thrive. We are experts in creative activities designed specifically for people with dementia to enable self-expression, social interaction and active participation. We do this in a number of ways, including our trademark Zest sessions for people living with dementia in the community.
We offer a range of volunteer opportunities, and are particularly looking for someone to work with our Zest group in Medway, which is launching in April 2024. This role is a wonderful opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of our participants by enabling those with more complex needs to engage with this group. Our Medway Zest group is one of four Zest groups that meet; Deal, Hythe and Whitstable are already established groups who have been running for many years.
You will become part of a friendly team offering support and guidance, so your positive attitude is more important to us than specific experience. We offer all volunteers dementia awareness and safeguarding training, as well as requiring an enhanced DBS certificate.
Established in 2009, Bright Shadow is passionate about a brighter quality of care, which is invigorating, mood boosting and enhances relationships. We are adamant that life and fun shouldn’t stop once you reach a certain age or receive a diagnosis of dementia. In all of our work we celebrate the here and now, ensuring that people with dementia enjoy a bright today and a bright tomorrow.
POST REPORTS TO: Volunteer Coordinator and Zest Medway Coordinator
LOCATION: Sunlight Centre, Richmond Road, Gillingham, ME7 1LX
POSITION TYPE: Volunteer
HOURS REQUIRED: Tuesdays 9:45am - 12:15pm. We are equally looking for those who can commit on a regular basis, as well as those who would want to offer their time on a fixed basis (such as one month, 6 weeks etc).
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
-
Understanding of or willingness to learn about living with dementia, including completing provided dementia awareness training
-
Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy
-
Enthusiasm to join in with performance and arts activities such as singing, movement and story making wherever possible and assisting participants to engage fully
-
Work closely with Zest Medway Coordinator to deliver a safe and high quality experience
-
Help Zest Medway Coordinator to prepare the room before sessions and clear up at the end where necessary
-
Help Zest Medway Coordinator to prepare refreshments for participants
-
Help the Zest Medway Coordinator with the collection of evaluation information
-
Assist in documenting the sessions using photography, recording and/or film on equipment provided where necessary
-
Work within all Bright Shadow policies, including Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Covid-19, Equality and GDPR compliance. This role is subject to the volunteer having an up to date enhanced DBS check carried out.
Competencies
Essential
-
Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy
-
Sensitive to people’s needs and the safeguarding of vulnerable adults
-
Good initiative and ability to work independently
-
To undertake an enhanced DBS check
Desirable
-
Previous experience working with older adults
-
Experience of working for an arts organisation
-
Competent IT skills, including social media
-
Knowledge/understanding of dementia
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic well-being of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for young people currently include ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), study groups, youth clubs, sports trips and football.
Volunteering With CARAS – Our Community of Welcome
CARAS has a proud history of volunteers helping us deliver our charitable aims. Volunteers are an essential part of the CARAS community, bringing skills, insights, experience, different languages, and enthusiasm to the roles.
Community members tell us that welcome by volunteers is so important in an often hostile world. It helps them feel safe and wanted. Community is at the heart of all we do, and we could not deliver the projects we do without the enormous contribution volunteers bring. Thank you for taking the time to consider volunteering with us.
About Sports Programme:
We work in partnership with Fulham Kicks to run a football session every Monday evening. We provide 1:1 sports advice to help build confidence and remove barriers by supporting young people to plan their journeys and accompanying them to join their first sessions. We find new activities and memberships for young people at youth clubs, gyms and other sports providers. We arrange frequent trips to offer sports to our young people including boxing, yoga, trampolining and hopefully go-karting.
To advance and continue this work we have an exciting new element to the project. The research project will detail: (1) the accessibility barriers faced by young people, (2) methods of best practice for including young refugees and asylum seekers, (3) funding and support options available from local authorities, and (4) what participatory 1:1 support looks like for young people.
About the role:
As a Sports research volunteer, you will work with four young people hired as peer researchers to co-design and deliver a research project to sports providers, local authorities, support networks and other young people. The aim here is to help to remove barriers that young refugees and asylum seekers face in accessing the sports they enjoy. You can do this remotely, researching sports providers and finding sessions for our young people to attend. You will also take part in in-person workshops looking at young refugees and asylum seekers’ experiences in accessing sports in London. You will work with the young people to design questionnaires and deliver the results to local authorities and sports providers. You may need to help young people to travel safely around London and to feel welcome in the city. We would love you to join in with activities where possible and if you would like to.
We ask for a commitment of at least 2-3 hours per month in your own time, and to attend workshops over the Summer for the research project.
Tasks and responsibilities:
· To attend research workshops and assist staff in facilitating them.
· To support young people in their co-design of the project
· To act as a positive role model and set standards of behaviour when volunteering with young people.
· To participate in research in an independent, open-minded and fair way.
· To encourage and inspire young people to reach their full potential.
· To assist young people to both recognise and celebrate their achievements.
· To challenge young people’s negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manner.
· To adhere to CARAS Child Protection procedures, Confidentiality Policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
To be 18 years or older;
· To have access to your own IT device and to be comfortable using Google Search and Microsoft Office.
· To be able to work both from home and at CARAS
· To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
· To be reliable and punctual;
· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
· Current resident of the UK;
· Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
· Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to the start of the role:
Volunteer induction training currently takes place online once a month on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 6 pm – 8 pm. we offer the same training on Tuesday and Wednesday daytimes online between 12 noon – 2 pm once every 3 months.
Your availability to attend 1 general and 1 safeguarding online training session at these times within 3 months of your application would be a prerequisite for being accepted as a volunteer at CARAS.
Desirable:
· Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).
· Some experience in designing/ using questionnaires and surveys to inform services or activities
· To be confident in advocating for young people and explaining their life experiences to local authorities and sports providers.
Through volunteering with us you will:
· Meet new members of your local community;
· Learn about different cultures;
· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
· Develop your skills and competencies;
· Be able to access relevant training;
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for young people currently include: ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), study group, youth club, swimming lessons and football.
About Youth Club:
Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14-19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games.
Youth club takes place at Tooting Hub- Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7BU.
About Sports Programme:
We work in partnership with Fulham Kicks to run a football session every Monday. We provide 1:1 sports advice to help build confidence and remove barriers by supporting young people to plan their journeys and accompanying them to join their first sessions. We find new sessions for young people at youth clubs, gyms and other sports providers. We arrange frequent trips to offer new sports to our young people including: boxing, yoga, trampolining and hopefully to go-karting.
We will also deliver a research project to sports providers, local authorities, support networks and other young people. The project will detail: (1) the accessibility barriers to sports faced by young people, (2) methods of best practice on including young refugees and asylum seekers, (3) funding and support options available from local authorities, and (4) what participatory 1:1 support looks like for young people.
About the role:
As a sports program volunteer, you would be helping young people to travel safely around London, to feel welcome in the city, to join in with sports activities where possible and to inspire young people to take part in sports. You will need to go on group trips to external sports providers and to attend our youth club occasionally. We welcome volunteers with any level of sporting ability, the only thing necessary is to be willing to give some sports a go when it is possible. Please note, some sessions you attend will be only for under 18’s, and so you will not always be allowed to take part, and then your role will only be to accompany. We are very happy to be flexible regarding which sessions you attend according to your interests.
We ask for a commitment of at least 1-2 sports sessions or youth club evenings every month. Our youth club runs every Wednesday from 6.00-8.00pm, the external sports trips will usually be weekday evenings. We are able to be flexible according to your schedule.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- To attend and contribute to volunteer de-briefs which occur after each session/trip.
- Providing feedback of your experience to contribute to the research project.
- To act as a positive role model and set standards of behaviour when volunteering with young people.
- To encourage and inspire young people to reach their full potential.
- To assist young people to both recognise and celebrate their achievements.
- To challenge young peoples’ negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manner.
- To adhere to CARAS Child Protection procedures, Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
- To occasionally research local sports providers to find sessions for our young people.
Requirements:
Essential:
To be 18 years or older;
- To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
- To be reliable and punctual;
- Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
- To be passionate about sports and helping young people to access sports.
- Current resident of the UK;
- Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
- Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to the start of role
Volunteer induction training currently takes place online once a month on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 6pm – 8pm. we offer the same trainings on Tuesday and Wednesday daytimes online between 12noon – 2pm once every 3 months.
Your availability to attend 1 general and 1 safeguarding online training session at these times within 3 months of your application would be a prerequisite of being accepted as a volunteer at CARAS.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish.
Through volunteering with us you will:
- Meet new members of your local community;
- Learn about different cultures;
- Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum and their ability to access sports in London;
- Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
- Develop your skills and competencies;
- Be able to access relevant training;
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Creative Support Disco in Stockton is a popular weekly social night for adults with support needs.
We are looking for Volunteers to help us at the weekly Stockton disco held at The Oxbridge. We would like support with selling tickets on the door, running the tuck shop, handing out the refreshments, and helping to set up the room.
The disco has a core group of service users who help out on the night, your role will be to support the service users in completing activities, and helping Creative Support staff to make sure the event runs smoothly.
To support you in your role you will be offered training and regular supervisions with an assigned volunteer supervisor.
Volunteer Duties:
· Help with duties on the night including setting up tables and chairs.
· Selling tickets on the door
· Helping run the tuck shop and handing out refreshments
· To follow Health and Safety guidelines and alert staff to any concerns.
Suggested Time Commitment: Tuesday 6:30pm till 9pm
Creative Support is a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Silver award. We actively encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and cultures.
We can only accept applications from candidates who are located in and eligible to work within the UK.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.