Volunteer caseworker ongoing opportunity volunteer roles

Could you lead the local SSAFA services in your area? You don’t need a military background for this role, but you should be empathic to the needs of the armed forces community, have some experience of managing people and possess good I.T. skills. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Branch Chair?

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas. Many are further divided into local areas called divisions. Each branch has a Chair to oversee all aspects of the branch. Ultimately accountable to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, through the National Chairman your role is to ensure that the branch is running in line with SSAFA’s Royal Charter Rules, Regulations, and policies. Also, to ensure that clients and volunteers are safe, all services provided are appropriate and effective and that the branch is financially sound. You will be the public face of SSAFA in your branch area.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. More people than ever are contacting SSAFA for financial, practical and emotional support. To do this we need local branches and volunteers who can coordinate people, ensure the local population know about SSAFA and keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Our branches support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role is about leadership, coordination, and administration. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home. The role requires an ongoing time commitment, usually about 2-3 days per month. In addition, you would need to organise and attend regular meetings throughout the year.

What would you be doing?

• Providing leadership to the Branch and ensuring that all activities comply with SSAFA regulations both directly, and through the Branch Secretary, other Branch Officers, and Divisional Officers.
• Providing support and guidance to volunteers in office holder roles, and support with recruitment of volunteers into these positions to ensure the sustainability of the branch.
• Ensuring the financial integrity of the Branch, including the appointment of Treasurers and a local fundraising programme to meet branch running costs.
• Ensuring that all data is processed and held in accordance with SSAFA’s data management policies.
• Monitoring volunteer numbers against the demand for support and working with other volunteers, regional and central office staff to attract and recruit new volunteers as required.
• Ensuring that all volunteers are recruited, inducted, supported, and managed in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.
• Building relationships with regional and central office staff, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA Service committees, local military establishments, prisons etc.
• Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising so that potential clients, volunteers, and supporters know how to contact the branch.
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s Central Office
• Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.
• Supporting any salaried branch staff and ensuring that their line management arrangements are working appropriately.
• Resolve any complaints that are suitable for local resolution in accordance with SSAFA’s Complaints Policy and procedures, referring upwards any that are not suitable for local resolution.

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What could you gain from this volunteering role?

• Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area
• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – caseworker training, caseworker IT system training, volunteer management – attracting, recruiting, and inducting volunteers. 
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Local orientation as well as meet and greet sessions with key Central Office and regional teams.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Support from Regional and central staff and peer support from fellow Chairs in neighbouring branches.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people of any age (18+) with some experience of coordinating people and admin
• Willingness and ability to lead and manage a team of volunteers.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to learn basic digital skills. Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the training course)
• Ability to understand and keep within the boundaries of the role for which training will be given.
• Reliability
• Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA policies.
• Willingness and means to travel to meetings or events as required.
• Good written and spoken English.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No

About Us
We are a new and powerful Black-led Community Interest Company (CIC) committed to transforming the lives of Black British Caribbean individuals through radical truth-telling, storytelling, cultural healing, and justice. Our flagship platform is a podcast that provides a safe, supportive space for survivors of childhood sexual trauma in the Black British Caribbean community to speak their truth—uncensored, unapologetically, and with purpose.

We aim to remain free at the point of access for our community—no fees, no paywalls. To sustain our mission, we are building a foundation of long-term, strategic grant funding to cover our staffing, outreach, healing programs, podcast production, and more.

We’re now seeking a Strategic Grant Writer to join our founding team and help build the financial engine that drives this vital work.

Role Overview
This is a pivotal volunteer-to-permanent role ideal for someone who is highly experienced in grant writing or fundraising strategy and wants to be part of a revolutionary, culturally rooted mission. You will be responsible for building and implementing a sustainable grants funding strategy to ensure the organisation’s monthly operational costs are continuously covered through grants—from core costs to project funding.

This is not a short-term or one-off bid-writing role. We’re looking for someone who sees themselves as part of our long-term journey. Once funding is secured, this role will transition into a paid, full-time strategic position with competitive salary and creative freedom.

Key Responsibilities

Grant Strategy & Pipeline Development

• Design and implement a rolling grants calendar (monthly/quarterly cycles) to maintain consistent income.

• Research suitable grant opportunities from trusts, foundations, government funds, corporate social responsibility programs, and philanthropic funds.

• Write compelling grant applications that reflect the lived experiences, voice, and mission of the CIC.

• Maintain a master funding tracker including deadlines, submission statuses, and post-award reporting requirements.

Sustainable Income Planning

• Secure multi-year and unrestricted core funding for staff salaries, podcast production, outreach, and operational costs.

• Build a diversified portfolio of income sources to avoid reliance on a single stream.

• Contribute to the CIC’s 12-month and 3-year funding roadmap.

Relationship Management & Reporting

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with funders and stakeholders.

• Draft reports, budgets, and evaluation summaries for successful bids.

• Help develop case studies, impact statements, and community data that support future applications.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with the Founder and Outreach & Partnerships Specialist to ensure funding goals align with service delivery.

• Attend monthly in-person CIC team meetings in London (refreshments and travel covered).

• Communicate progress, needs, and milestones transparently and collaboratively.

 Ideal Candidate

• You are an experienced grant writer or fundraiser with a strong track record of securing five- and six-figure funds from UK-based funders.

• You have a deep understanding of core vs project funding, unrestricted income, and funder priorities in the UK voluntary/charity/CIC space.

• You are familiar with funders such as: National Lottery, Arts Council England, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn, Tudor Trust, City Bridge Trust, etc.

• You are passionate about racial justice, trauma recovery, and systemic change—and can translate this into compelling narratives.

• You are a self-starter, capable of managing your time, working independently, and contributing to team-wide strategies.

• You are committed to seeing this project through and desire a long-term, principal role in the organisation.

⏰ Role Details

• Location: Remote (with monthly in-person meeting in Greater London)

• Time Commitment: Approx. 2-3 days per week to begin with, flexible hours

• Duration: 3–6 month volunteer phase, with pathway to full-time salaried employment

• Expenses: Travel & refreshments covered for monthly meetings

• Perks:

  • First access to paid leadership role as soon as funding is secured

  • Full credit and recognition across platforms

  • Access to CIC wellness and development programmes

  • CPD, mentoring, and professional endorsement

  • Influence in shaping a national movement of healing and truth-telling

 Why This Role Matters
This is not a fundraising job for a generic cause. It’s a rare opportunity to join a purpose-led cultural movement from the ground up. You will be the architect of a system that makes it possible to heal a generation—without barriers, bureaucracy, or silence.

We’re building something revolutionary. If you want to be part of it, apply today and show us your heart, your vision, and your strategy.

Dignify delivers educational workshops in schools to promote healthy relationships, self-respect, and respect for others. We work to prevent the harmful effects of pornography and challenge the normalisation of unhealthy sexual behaviours among young people. Through evidence-based sessions, we equip students with knowledge, empathy, and tools to navigate relationships positively.

Role Purpose

We are seeking Volunteer Schools Workers to accompany our lead Schools Worker in delivering workshops to children and young people. You’ll help create a safe, positive environment for learning, support classroom activities, and be an encouraging presence for students as they explore important topics around respect, relationships, and digital culture.

Key Responsibilities

· Accompany the lead Schools Worker to sessions in primary and secondary schools.

· Assist with setting up and packing away resources and equipment.

· Helping facilitate and monitoring small group sessions

· Observe and note student engagement to help evaluate sessions.

Skills / Abilities / Experience / Qualities

· Strong communication skills, especially with young people.

· Willingness to work with young people from diverse backgrounds and gender identities.

· Comfortable discussing sensitive topics such as pornography, sexual harassment, and objectification.

· Calm, approachable manner that helps young people feel at ease.

· Openness to learning and developing new skills.

· Ability to build respectful, professional relationships with young people, staff, and colleagues.

· Good rapport with people of all ages and abilities.

· Commitment to confidentiality.

· Reliable timekeeping and punctuality for all sessions.

Training / Support

· A full induction to the service will be provided

· You will be required to undertake mandatory e-learning and a menu of optional training will be made available

· Ongoing supervision and support from your line manager

· Travel expenses reimbursed (if applicable).

· Access to events, networking, and training and development opportunities.

Additional Information

· You will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check

· We will require 2 x references

· You will be required to dress in an appropriate manner when accompanying the team to sessions (school smart)

St Giles Trust is seeking passionate, committed individuals to join us as a Trustee on our Board of Trustees. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are looking for trustees who bring fresh perspectives, lived experience, and specialist expertise to help guide our strategic direction and strengthen our governance.

About Us

St Giles Trust is an award winning, national charity working to empower people facing adversity. We believe in second chances, equity, and the power of lived experience. Our work spans criminal justice, poverty, exploitation, and violence—supporting people to build better futures.

Who We’re Looking For

We are particularly keen to hear from individuals with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Human Resources / Organisational Development

• Senior Organisational Leadership

• Criminal Justice System

• Poverty, Exploitation & Violence

• Lived Experience

We welcome applications from people of the global majority (Black, Brown, Multi-heritage), those who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, or who face social barriers. We value the empowering impact of diverse thought and lived experience.

What You’ll Do

As a trustee, you will:

• Attend quarterly board meetings and contribute to strategic decision-making.

• Champion our mission and values.

• Provide insight and challenge to help us grow sustainably and inclusively.

• Support our visibility and credibility with funders and stakeholders.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 9.00am, Monday 29 September 2025

• Interviews: Week commencing 13 October 2025

• Meet the Executive Team: Week commencing 20 October 2025

How to Apply

Please send a covering letter (max 1 page) and CV (max 3 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements via the apply button. For full information see our Trustee Information Pack attached.