Volunteer advocate volunteer roles in shoreditch, greater london
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you interested in becoming the next Treasurer for CARAS?
We are looking for a treasurer to oversee the financial management of the charity and report to the trustees at quarterly meetings about its financial health.
About CARAS
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) works with people of refugee backgrounds to provide practical, educational, and social help. We create supportive relationships, networks, and spaces that enable people to access what they need in order to improve their wellbeing and safety. Our team of staff and volunteers run a large range of activities and services which offer a place of welcome to refugees and asylum seekers, working with them to recognise skills and develop potential.
CARAS has become one of the largest providers of refugee support in south London, including working with large numbers of unaccompanied and separated children. We have responded to changes in demographics and are proud of our ability to remain agile.
Role
- Oversee and present budgets, management accounts and annual financial statements to the board
- Ensure that proper accounting records are kept and financial resources are properly controlled, invested in line with good governance, legal and regulatory
- requirements;
- Oversee the charity’s financial reserves,
- Liaise with the finance manager, CEO and any other relevant members of staff
- responsible for the financial activities of the organisation
- Chair the finance working group and manage the agenda
- Monitor and advise on the financial viability of the charity
- Oversee the implementation of and monitor financial controls and adherence to systems
- Advise on the financial implications of the charity’s strategy
- Liaise with the risk lead regarding financial risk management
- Act as a counter-signatory on charity cheques and important applications to funders
- Liaise with the independent examiner/ auditors
What We Are Looking For
- Professional experience in a finance role (charity finance would be a bonus)
- A keen sense of strategic purpose.
- An inclusive leadership style
- The ability to listen and engage effectively.
- An advocate to champion CARAS’s work through personal networks and other channels.
- A strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Flexibility (as a growing charity, it helps to have co-chairs who are available and responsive)
We encourage applications from people who have been through the UK asylum or immigration system, people of colour, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ people.
Time Commitment
Four meetings per year (in the evenings, alternating between online and at CARAS’s office in Tooting), one away day per year (usually at the weekend), leadership of the finance working group, regular meetings with the finance manager, and occasional attendance at activities (this can be arranged either during the day, in the evenings, or weekends).
Closing Date
We will assess and respond to applications as they are received.
We provide firm foundations for new-arrival asylum seekers to build happy and successful lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Role of the Chair: The Chair of Trustees plays a vital role in shaping the strategic direction, governance and impact of Success Club. Working closely with the CEO and the Board, the Chair ensures that the charity operates effectively and remains true to its mission and values. The Chair acts as an ambassador for Success Club, promoting its mission and values to key stakeholders. This is a rewarding opportunity for an inspirational and experienced leader to guide an ambitious charity through its next phase of growth to achieve its ambitions and influence positive change for young people.
About Charity Success Club: Success Club is a dynamic and ambitious charity dedicated to supporting children and young people who are potentially at risk of under-achieving, both academically and socially. We became a charity in November 2018 but have been working in schools since 2014. We believe that, when children and young people succeed in the moment, they create templates that they can use at any time. Our team puts mindfulness at the heart of our intervention, teaching children and young people how to develop a better relationship with themselves. We help students understand the wider implications of negative attitudes, allowing them to find solutions to issues they may face now and in the future. During 2024 we have provided support and activities to 2970 children across 26 schools. Current tracking (for 2025 year to date) show that we are well on the way to surpassing those figures. We are a passionate team of staff and volunteers, supported by a committed Board of Trustees, working together to create lasting change.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Family Friends carefully recruit, train, and match volunteers with families in Central-West London. Our volunteer befrienders offer practical and emotional support based on each family's unique needs and potential. We offer two volunteer opportunities - Big Buddies and Parent Buddies.
Volunteers will aim to help parents to discover their strengths, build confidence, and resolve difficulties. Volunteers meet with their match weekly for a period of 6 -12 months.
Activities might include:
- Supporting a parent to take their children on days out.
- Helping to strengthen family relationships.
- Providing a listening ear.
- Helping parents to build confidence in themselves.
Essential Criteria:
- You must be able to commit to the Parent Buddy programme for a minimum of 6 months.
- 18+
- Must have lived in the UK for the last 2 years
What we provide in return:
- Full induction training and ongoing training
- DBS check
- Weekly supervision and support
- The chance to learn new skills
- References provided after 6 months' commitment
- Reimbursement of travel and session expenses
We are an equal opportunities charity and value the principles of diversity and inclusion, which is central in providing successful support to our families. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQI+ and individuals from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds.
In the first instance, please register your interest in becoming a volunteer with us - you can do that by contacting us here for an application form.
Once we've reviewed your application, a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role description
All Abortion Talk trustees are responsible for ensuring that we:
● have effectively evaluated the success of our three-year strategy.
● develop and implement a new, 2027 - 2030 strategy for Abortion Talk, to help us achieve
our vision of a world free of abortion stigma.
● comply with our governing document (i.e. our charitable objects), charity law, company
law and any other relevant legislation or regulation.
● apply our resources only in pursuing our charitable objects and for the benefit of the
public.
● protect the pro-choice, feminist and inclusive values of our charity.
● effectively govern the charity, which includes making sure we have the proper policies
and procedures in place.
● ensure financial stability.
The role of the chair also includes:
● leading the board to develop our new, 2027 - 2030 strategy.
● providing leadership to the organisation and the board and ensuring that everyone
remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes to provide
greater public benefit
● chairing board meetings.
● ensuring that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.
● making sure the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated
opportunities, and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of
opportunities, and manage and mitigate the risks.
● ensuring trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the
charity.
● appraising the performance of the trustees and the board on an annual basis.
● regularly reviewing and acting to ensure the board has a balance of skills, knowledge
and experience needed to govern and lead the charity effectively.
● representing the organisation at functions and meetings as an external representative of
the board. Acting as a spokesperson as appropriate.
● supporting the development of board members, individually and collectively.
● bringing impartiality and objectivity to decision-making.
● working with our lead freelancer, providing them with advice and support as needed.
● role model a commitment to Abortion Talk’s values, and advocate for this across the
organisation.
The above list is indicative, not exhaustive, and the Chair may be required to engage in
additional activities from time to time.
Time commitment: Four two-hour virtual meetings per year, plus one in-person strategy day
(held on a Saturday in London). Additional time to prepare for the meetings and provide ad hoc
advice to Abortion Talk’s lead contractor and volunteers as required, estimated to be around 20
hours per month.
Person specification
Essential
● Professional leadership experience.
● A full commitment to all of our values (set out above).
● A willingness and ability to dedicate the time and effort required to direct how Abortion
Talk is run and managed.
● Good, independent judgement and a willingness to speak your mind in acting as a
critical friend to Abortion Talk’s leadership (including other trustees)
● An ability to think creatively.
● An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of
trusteeship
● An ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
● A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity,
objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Desirable
● Professional leadership experience at small charities/helpline providers.
● Previous experience as a charity trustee.
Interviews
There are like to be two interview stages:
Stage one: A call with our current chair, lead contractor and an Abortion Talk volunteer or board
member. This is likely to take place between 5pm and 8pm on either Wednesday 14th or
Wednesday 21st January 2026.
Stage two: If successful at stage one, you will be invited back to a call with our current chair
and two other trustees. This is likely to take place between 5pm and 8pm on Wednesday 4th
and Thursday 5th February 2026
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Family Friends carefully recruits, trains, and matches volunteers with families in Central-West London. Our befriending volunteers offer long-term practical and emotional support based on each family's unique needs and potential. We offer two befriending volunteer opportunities with us-, Big Buddies and Parent Buddies.
Our Big Buddies support young people, aged 10-18, for a few hours each week over a period of 6 -12 months. With encouragement and support, volunteers will aim to help young people to discover their strengths and build confidence.
Support may look like:
- Helping to strengthen family relationships.
- Providing a listening ear
- Taking young person to the cinema, museums, libraries - broadening their horizons!
Essential Criteria:
- Can commit to the Big Buddies programme for a minimum of 6 months
- 18+
- Must have lived in the UK for the last 2 years
What we provide in return:
- Full induction training and ongoing training
- Full DBS check
- Support and supervision
- The chance to learn new skills
- References provided after 6 months' commitment
- Reimbursement of travel and session expenses
We are an equal opportunities charity and we value the principles of diversity and inclusion, which is central in providing successful support to our families. We welcome and would like to encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQI+ and individuals from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds.
In the first instance, please register your interest in becoming a volunteer with us by contacting us here for an online application form.
Once we've reviewed your application, a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About HIAS+JCORE
HIAS+JCORE is the UK Jewish response to refuge and asylum. Our vision is a UK where refugees can live in dignity, in a society free from racism. This work is driven by the belief that the Jewish community should play an active part in empowering refugees to thrive.
Our organisation came into this form through the joining of operations between two organisations: the UK-based JCORE (Jewish Council for Racial Equality) and HIAS, a global humanitarian aid and advocacy organisation. HIAS+JCORE is inspired by Jewish values and history to support those who are displaced, no matter their background.
Role purpose
The Fundraising Trustee will bring expertise, insight, and strategic guidance to help the charity strengthen and diversify its income. Working with the Board and staff/volunteers, they will ensure fundraising is ethical, sustainable, and aligned with the charity’s mission and values.
Key responsibilities
- Contribute to the overall governance of the charity as a member of the Board of Trustees.
- Provide advice and support on fundraising strategy, ensuring income generation is realistic and compliant with regulation.
- Act as a fundraising champion on HIAS+JCORE’s board, working with and supporting other trustees to explore fundraising possibilities.
- If networks for fundraising exist, use them to support the work of the charity.
- Support the development of diverse fundraising streams (e.g. individual giving, trusts and foundations, community fundraising, corporate support) and advise and support with appeals and major fundraising events/campaigns.
- Ensure compliance with fundraising regulation and best practice, including the Code of Fundraising Practice, and through HIAS+JCORE’s policies and procedures.
- Act as an ambassador for the charity, promoting its work and helping to raise its profile.
Person specification
Essential:
- Commitment to the charity’s mission and values.
- Understanding of the legal duties and responsibilities of charity trusteeship.
- Knowledge and experience of fundraising (e.g. trusts, corporates, major donors, community fundraising, or digital campaigns).
- Strategic thinker, able to balance long-term planning with practical advice.
- Strong communication and networking skills.
Desirable:
- Experience of fundraising in a small charity context.
- Existing networks that could support the charity’s fundraising efforts.
- Understanding of charity finance and/or marketing.
We work for a UK where refugees and people seeking asylum have a fair chance to thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Guardian Light Foundation Board of Directors – Roles, Expectations & Benefits Our Mission
Guardian Light Foundation (GLF) is a for-profit social enterprise dedicated to transforming the lives of homeless and abused children, teenagers, and struggling single-parent families. We provide safe housing, education, career pathways, legal aid, and life-skills support to help individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.
We are building not just an organisation — but a movement of hope, empowerment, and social impact.
BOARD EXPECTATIONS (Applies to ALL Members)
Every GLF board member plays a direct role in the success and sustainability of the organisation.
Core Expectations
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Fundraising Commitment:
Every board member must actively participate in fundraising campaigns, donor outreach, and sponsorship drives.
Each member is required to make a personal monthly donation to the organisation (amount optional but meaningful). -
Time Commitment:
Minimum of 20 hours per month, including board meetings, subcommittee work, fundraising events, and strategic planning. -
Ambassadorship:
Represent GLF publicly as a visible ambassador at community events, speaking engagements, and networking functions. -
Governance & Accountability:
Ensure the organisation operates ethically, transparently, and in alignment with its mission and legal obligations. -
Strategic Leadership:
Contribute skills, knowledge, and professional networks to advance the organisation’s growth, partnerships, and visibility. -
Passion for the Mission:
Demonstrated commitment to supporting children, teenagers, and single-parent families experiencing hardship.
OVERALL BOARD MEMBER BENEFITS
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Prestige: Founding member of a ground-breaking national social enterprise.
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Networking: Exclusive access to philanthropists, public officials, and corporate leaders.
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Leadership Development: Gain board-level governance and strategic experience.
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Impact Legacy: Directly shape programs that provide homes, hope, and opportunity for hundreds of lives.
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Visibility: Public recognition through GLF website, media, and national campaigns.
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Personal Fulfilment: Be part of a purpose-driven organisation changing the narrative for children and families in need.
IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE (For All Roles)
We are looking for leaders who are:
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Deeply passionate about social impact, youth empowerment, and family stability.
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Professionally experienced (1+ years) in their area of expertise.
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Team players who bring creativity, positivity, and initiative.
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Connected and influential, willing to open doors and amplify GLF’s message.
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Dedicated, committing time, expertise, and monthly donations.
Position: Board of Director - Socially Connected Ambassador (Unpaid Volunteer Role)
Reports to: Board Chairperson
Location: Hybrid (remote + in-person events as needed)
Purpose: To leverage personal and professional networks to expand GLF’s reach and influence.
Key Responsibilities:
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Represent GLF at social, political, and business networking events.
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Connect GLF with potential partners, donors, and sponsors.
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Support awareness campaigns through social media and public engagement.
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Advocate for youth and family issues in community forums.
Requirements/Skills:
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Strong public presence or social influence.
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Excellent networking and relationship-building skills.
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Passionate advocate for vulnerable children and families.
Benefits:
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Opportunity to be the public face of a growing national movement.
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Exclusive access to elite events, media appearances, and social recognition.
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Personal fulfillment from using influence to create tangible change.
Compensation:
This is an unpaid volunteer position.
At Guardian Light Foundation, we restore hope for homeless children, teens and single parents scarred by abuse, harassment and homelessness.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
ABOUT US
AkiOke Music Club is a CIO run by a small group of like-minded individuals, passionate about empowering young people with disabilities through music.
The AkiOke vision is to provide a fun and inclusive social environment for attendees to explore music, build confidence, and connect with others by singing.
Our aim is to provide a regular music/vocal training session using a range of technology to enhance singing experiences that encourages participation and social interaction for vulnerable young adults.
JOB FUNCTION
The post-holder will co-lead on the setup and delivery of AkiOke, a grassroots music and karaoke club. This joyful and inclusive weekly music-based social group is for adults with mild learning difficulties. You will work closely with a young adult with lived experience, who initiated the project and serves as its creative lead.
This role also involves collaboration the Volunteer Coordinator and Trustees, ensuring that all operations are guided by the lived experiences of participants and supported by sustainable outreach and funding strategies.
You will develop strategic and campaign plans and assist marketing volunteers in delivering effective, inclusive campaigns.
The Right to work in the UK is required for this post.
DBS will be required
Please see attached the full job description
Will need UK right to work
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.
You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time.
We'd like to open a new Cadet and Badger Group on a Monday evening, to allow even more young people to learn first-aid skills. If you'd be interested in helping set these Groups up, please state so in your application or at interview stage!
This is such an exciting time to join Sutton Network as a Youth Helper or Youth Leader. We’re hoping to open a new Cadet Group in our Sutton HQ, alongside a new Badger Sett, to teach even more young people vital first-aid skills and give them knowledge for life. Ideally this would be on a Monday or Thursday night, so please let us know your availability at interview.
We’d also like to open a new Group for the Cantonese speaking community in the future, so keep your eyes peeled for another vacancy for this Group!
Pursuing the role
Closing date for these opportunities is: 31/12/2025
To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Research & Policy Officer (Volunteer)
Purpose: To support research / policy projects in areas of the UK, ensuring strategic alignment, quality assurance, and effective collaboration that drives systemic change for young people across the UK.
Key Responsibilities
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Provide strategic oversight of research / policy projects, ensuring outputs are high-quality and impactful.
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Lead on drafting policy briefs and research reports, setting standards for evidence-based advocacy.
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Coordinate multi-stakeholder collaboration, i.e councils, commissions, and community organisations to deliver change.
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Identify emerging issues and opportunities, help in shaping the research agenda in line with organisational priorities.
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Represent the organisation in external meetings.
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Ensure consistency and coherence across multiple projects running in different localities.
Person Specification
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Background in social policy, law, health, climate, or political science, ideally with professional or postgraduate experience.
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Proven ability to manage complex projects and coordinate across multiple stakeholders.
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Excellent strategic thinking and communication skills, able to influence decision-makers.
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Strong IT and remote collaboration skills.
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Deep commitment to human rights
Bring your senior-level expertise to a committed and forward-thinking Board.
Unlock has achieved a great deal for the people we support, thanks to the talents and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and trustees. By listening to and working alongside people who face difficulties because of their criminal records, we have built a strong track record of identifying problems, developing solutions, and turning those solutions into real change. We also influence national policy and drive systemic reform.
We are now seeking a new Chair of Trustees to join our engaged and committed board.
About the role
Trustees play a crucial part in shaping Unlock’s leadership, strategic direction, and governance. As Chair, you will work in partnership with the Chief Executive to provide clear and inclusive leadership, ensuring that the board operates effectively and that the organisation remains focused on its charitable purpose. You will help the board set strategy, scrutinise performance, uphold good governance, and support the CEO and senior team to deliver Unlock’s mission.
About you
We would love to hear from you if you can bring the following attitudes and skills:
· Experience as a trustee and of working with or managing senior leaders.
· A willingness to offer advice to staff when needed, and to get involved practically where appropriate.
· A strong commitment to Unlock’s vision, values, and mission.
· Experience in the charity sector is helpful but not essential. If you have the right leadership qualities and a passion for our work, we will provide support to help you step confidently into the role. So if you’re new to the voluntary sector, please don’t let that discourage you from applying.
· We are committed to increasing diversity across Unlock, including within our board. We particularly welcome applications from people who have themselves faced and overcome the disadvantages associated with a criminal record.
If you’re energised by the prospect of helping to lead a small criminal justice charity with an impressive national impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.
To help people overcome the long-term disadvantages caused by their criminal records, and work with government, employers and others to enable people


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
PDA Society are excited to share that we are looking for 2 new Trustees to join our board.
Trustees play a key role in providing strategic direction, oversight, and support to ensure that the PDA Society continues to grow sustainably and deliver real impact for the community we serve.
Following the retirement of two Trustees we’re keen to broaden the range of skills and experiences represented. Our work is guided by people with lived experience, and our Board of Trustees plays a central role in shaping our strategy and ensuring that our values are embedded across everything we do.
Appointments are made on merit, and we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive Board that truly reflects the communities we serve.
We particularly welcome applications from anyone who has experienced marginalisation due to their race or religion, as these voices are currently underrepresented on our Board.
This is a voluntary position, and Trustees are not remunerated, although reasonable expenses are reimbursed. Trustees are appointed for an initial 3-year term.
Our mission is to improve the lives of PDA children, PDA adults and their families. We are working hard to build awareness and understanding.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
A cancer diagnosis brings extra expense from day one. Every child or young person with a cancer diagnosis has a short-term disability and needs to apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP). The forms are long and complex and sometimes families need advice or support to ensure they include enough information to receive the correct level of financial support.
Your empathy, understanding and ability to identify the key information to enable families and young people to claim financial assistance will have a tremendous impact easing stress and allowing them to concentrate on supporting themselves physically and emotionally.
You will be an important part of the team and provide practical support to young people and families completing DLA and PIP forms which can seem lengthy and daunting to young people, and families. Each family’s needs are different, however support via benefits such as DLA and PIP are usually one of the first recommendations made to families seeking financial advice.
What you’ll be doing:
- Providing face to face to support to families of children and young people with a diagnosis of cancer
- Actively listening to families and asking relevant questions to enable them to identify specific support needs
- Supporting families to complete complex forms to enable them to claim DLA or PIP
- As a key part of the team recognise when to ask for other team members for advice or support
This will include:
- Looking at the DLA/PIP form with the family or young person
- Explaining the information Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) needs
- Coaching the family to include as much detail in their answers as necessary
The practical support required for this role will vary from taking the time to read through an application with a young person or family, who require a second opinion. Others may require questions to be re-phrased to simplify them and make them more applicable to their lived experience.
You will be providing guidance on how to answer the questions on the forms and useful information to include. It may occasionally include filling in the form with the family/young person when they are not able to complete it themselves
Booking slots will be flexible to meet the individual need (30 minutes up to 2 hours)
There is scope and opportunity in this role for development into supporting families or young people with appeals.
What we’ll give you:
- The satisfaction of using your skills and talents to make a tangible difference in the lives of young cancer patients
- A solid introduction and first-hand experience of working in the charity sector with the opportunity to meet other Teams across the organisation and gain a clear insight into the day-to-day work of Young Lives vs Cancer
- Full induction and training with support from a dedicated volunteer manager
- The support of a friendly and knowledgeable team
- Experience of working with a social care team and opportunity to develop communication and planning skills and advocating for families
- Experience of working with and directly supporting children and young people with cancer and their families
- And of course, we’ll cover any out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Volunteering Policy!
You should be able to volunteer for 2 hours per week during Monday to Friday between 10am and 3pm at our Home from Home in London WC1. We are flexible as to days or times to fit in with your other commitments.
We may close applications for this role early depending on applications
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Here at Youth4Youth, we have grown a strong, tight-knit community of individuals who are passionate about making a difference and improving the lives of young people across the UK. Our growing team of volunteers all contribute, significantly, to the impact that we have as a charity on our direct beneficiaries, regardless of the department that they work in of the level of time that they are able to commit. Our services primarily offer a peer-support network to young people right across the UK, allowing them to access a peer mentor who is of a similar age to them and somebody that they feel more comfortable speaking with.
If successful, you will be joining a growing team of diverse, but likeminded individuals, collaborating to increase the reach of the Charity and improve support provisions available to young people. All of our volunteers and employees are remote workers, but that doesn't stop us keeping in touch and maintaining a strong positive culture amongst our whole team.
About the role
Our Peer Mentors are at the forefront of our Youth Services delivery, tackling head on the issues that young people are facing everyday. As a Peer Mentor, you will engage with young people who reach out to Youth4Youth for support, taking time to coach and guide them through the difficulties that they are facing. This exciting opportunity, targeted at individuals who are between the ages of 16 and 25, provides young people with the space to directly impact and transform the lives of young people, significantly improving their overall wellbeing.
Ideal candidates are those who are able to commit to regular volunteering activity of at least 2 hours per week (on average) and who are able to comfortably communicate via written e-mail and other remote chat functionalities.
Responsibilities:
Your core responsibilities as a Peer Mentor at Youth4Youth include:
- Building strong, professional relationships with young people seeking mentoring support.
- Demonstrating commitment to the charity by regular volunteer engagement to maintain ongoing communication with young people (which includes responding to young people within an agreed and reasonable time frame).
- Providing light support, advice and guidance to young people in relation to the troubles that they are facing, in line with the resources provided to you by the charity.
- Maintaining professional boundaries with young people and not seeking to offer support beyond your capability that may put a young person at risk.
- Maintaining regular contact with your Youth4Youth supervisor, with the expectation that you will meet at least once per month for a supervision session that involves reflective practice and a focus on your development as a mentor.
- Providing support as part of our Peer Mentor network to colleagues across the Charity who are also directly supporting young people.
- Maintaining compliance with all policies. Most importantly this means maintaining the right level of confidentiality around your conversations with young people and recognising your safeguarding responsibilities in raising concerns as they arise to keep young people safe.
Peer Mentors are also actively encouraged to get involved in fundraising, outreach and social media activities where they feel comfortable and able to.
Skills
- Strong written communication skills, such as being able to effectively compose a written e-mail in response to a young person.
- Ability to build strong, professional relationships and maintain trust between yourself and a young person, such as through active listening and adapting to the individual needs of different young people.
- Ability to demonstrate empathy to others.
- Ability to work in a challenging environment and recognise when you may need support yourself.
- Proficient in the use of IT tools, such as Microsoft Outlook.
Our mission is to continue to grow towards becoming one of the best charities in the UK. Our aim is to do this by building a diverse team, rich with different backgrounds and perspectives. Therefore, even if you feel you only are a 75% match, we would still love to hear from you. Skills can be learned, but diversity cannot.
Skills development for you:
As a Peer Mentor at Youth4Youth, you will be required to take part and graduate our Youth Services Academy. This program requires an upfront commitment of 10 - 13 hours of training prior to taking on the role of communicating with young people. This investment in you not only equips you with the understanding of what it takes to be a successful peer mentor, and the skills that you will need, but also is an investment in you. This training will provide you with core soft skills that are transferrable to many opportunities, whether that's in everyday life for you, your education setting or your place of work. All Mentors graduating from the Youth Services Academy will be provided with an electronic certificate to demonstrate your successful completion of the program, which can be shared with potential employers.
Benefits of volunteering with Youth4Youth
We recognise that you will be joining us and giving your time as an 'in-kind' donation, but there must be benefits for you too. When joining our team, you will be open to the following benefits:
- Professional and personal development opportunities in a variety of skill areas through volunteering in real roles. This may be general development or tailored to your specific needs or ambitions
- Becoming a member of a strong network of likeminded individuals, spread across the UK, who you can connect with and collaborate with both within and outside of the Charity
- Access to bespoke discounts, specifically designed for non-profit workers and Youth4Youth volunteers
- Opportunities to truly shape the future of the Charity, having a direct influence over the impact that Youth4Youth has on its direct beneficiaries
The hiring process:
Unlike other roles at Youth4Youth, the hiring process has been simplified for peer mentors, recognising the demographic of individuals that we are seeking to fill these positions. To put you at ease, the hiring process includes:
- An initial application, stating your reasons for wishing to become a Peer Mentor
- A remote interview conducted via Microsoft Teams
Successful candidates at this stage will be invited into the final stage of the recruitment process which includes:
- Satisfactory references being received (these do not need to be employment references)
- A satisfactory DBS check being received
- Successful completion of the Youth Services Academy
To ensure that all young people have a safe space to reach out for support, enabling them to realise their full potential, thrive in everyday life
Could you be one of our new trustees?
We currently have space on our Board for up to eight new Trustees who want to work with us to help improve university communities so that every student gets the mental health support they need to reach their goals.
At Student Minds, we’re working to improve university communities so that no student is held back by their mental health. So it should come as no surprise that we are keen to reflect the communities we serve, maintain a diverse board and ensure student voices are represented. This is key to our mission and our continued impact.
You may be thinking that you don't have the experience because you haven't been a trustee before, or because charity governance isn't your field. Think again!
Here's what you DO NEED need:
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Commitment to our vision - a world where no student is held back by their mental health
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Experience in 1 or 2 of the following areas:
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Current higher education students
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Professional higher education sector expertise
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Legal expertise
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Fundraising and income generation expertise
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Equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, intersectionality and anti racism expertise
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AI and technology expertise
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Campaigning, advocacy, community organising and/or public affairs expertise
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Marketing and brand awareness expertise
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People and culture, HR, organisational development or leadership development expertise
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And what you DON'T need:
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Previous experience of trusteeship
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Experience in charity law or working with a charity
Both experienced and aspiring trustees have much to bring to our table: we are looking for fresh perspectives and seasoned knowledge alike.
Key responsibilities
Student Minds Trustees are expected to commit to the following:
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Preparation and attendance at four board meetings a year. Board meetings are held online and take place on weekdays from 5 - 7.30 pm.
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Preparation and attendance at two board away days each year, usually from 12.30 - 5 pm. Board away days are in person and usually take place in Leeds. Travel expenses can be claimed.
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Ad-hoc meetings and conversations with the senior management team as required. This usually constitutes approximately a further five working days a year.
If appointed, you will receive the training and onboarding you need to be a confident, contributing member of the board. We are also able to provide you with a board buddy to support you in your first few months.
So, if you want to help shape the future of student mental health, download our recruitment pack to find out more!
How to apply?
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For more information about the role responsibilities please follow the link
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Download and complete our application form, which is available on the link
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Complete the Equality Monitoring Form.
Application process
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Application closing deadline: Monday the 5th January at 11.59 pm - make sure you send your completed application form by this date
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Interviews: 29th or 30th January (general Trustees) or 5th February (Student Trustees) with a Trustee and CEO
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Appointment: subject to approval by the Student Minds Board.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.

