Voluntary Volunteer volunteer roles in Europe
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!
We support a lovely gentleman living in Wokingham who would like a volunteer to visit him for a relaxed check in. He enjoys watching the telly, looking at pictures, eating chocolate (of course!) and perhaps colouring or painting from time to time. He is deaf and non-verbal, so a calm, friendly and kind approach is key. If you’re someone who values quiet connection and meaningful moments, we’d love to hear from you.
We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year and, in many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.
This is a Check in visit role, meaning that your visits are likely to be short - on average 30 minutes or less. Some of the people we visit may be unable to communicate with words. Sometimes the person might choose not to meet with their visitor. Your visit is however very important, and these are some of the things you could be doing on a visit: • Checking in on their well-being and speak to support staff to get an update on how the person is doing • You might be able to bring a treat that the person enjoys, like chocolates or fruit. • Some people we support enjoy sensory experiences so items that will stimulate their senses can also help you create a sense of connection with the person you visit. Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions.
As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:
- Friendly and approachable
- Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
- Reliable and patient
- Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.
As a Mencap visitor you will:
- Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit
- Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training
- Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed
- Meet new people
- Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued
About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.
Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.
If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Empower individuals with learning disabilities and autism to reach their full potential and lead the lives they choose.
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!
Home-Start Croydon is a charity dedicated to helping parents give their children the best possible start in life.
As a volunteer, you will help run a warm and welcoming peer-to-peer stay and play group for families with children aged 0–5. You will engage with parents, share information about local services, and take part in play activities that encourage children to learn and explore.
Your support will help strengthen community bonds, promote inclusion, and reduce isolation—creating a safe, supportive space where families and children can flourish and thrive.
Role title: Stay & Play Group Volunteer
Hours: 3 hours per week, term-time only
Key activities
v Setting up the group room and tidying up afterwards
v Chatting with parents and making them feel welcome
v Making refreshments for adults/healthy snacks for children
v Encouraging children to play and explore
v Participating with the families in the activities organised for the day
v Inspiring parents to build friendships and support networks amongst themselves
v Providing information on childcare options / signposting to local services for families (training provided)
v Being attentive, observant, able to read situations and respond with care
v Building a good knowledge of your own community and links with local families
v Collaborating and coordinating with fellow volunteers to ensure sessions run smoothly
v Recording and documenting basic but essential information needed for funding purposes
v Attending training
v Regularly meeting with the Parent Champion Coordinator and other volunteers to share good practice
Skills and Experience
v Have experience of being a parent or carer
v Have a positive experience of using formal childcare and local family services
v Having an understanding of professional and personal boundaries
v Being warm, jovial and welcoming with the families and colleagues
v Have a non-judgemental attitude, able to communicate and listen with kindness and understanding
v Have the ability to empathise with some of the difficulties parents face
v Be able to work collaboratively in small teams
v Have an awareness of Confidentiality and Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults (training provided)
v Have knowledge of and commitment to equal opportunities, fairness and diversity
v Be able to keep basic records as requested by Home-Start Croydon
Prospective volunteers will be contacted and invited to attend an induction training course provided by Home-Start Croydon and Coram Family and Childcare. An enhanced DBS check is required and will be carried out as part of the application process by Home-Start.
Home-Start Croydon is committed to safe recruitment practice as an important part of safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults.
This role involves volunteering with families who may be going through difficult times. It is essential that candidates are in a stable and positive place themselves, meet the above criteria, and are prepared to work sensitively and responsibly with families. Home-Start Croydon reserves the right to decline any volunteer application if the individual does not meet the requirements or if it is considered not suitable for the families’ well-being.
Home-Start Croydon is a voluntary organisation committed to helping local families through emotional & practical support.
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!
Community Engagement Volunteer
Why we want you
As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.
What you will be doing
· Organising and attending awareness and fundraising events within the community
· Identifying new fundraising and awareness opportunities
· Helping at events
· Delivering presentations to community groups, schools, etc through
· SSAFA’s speaker programme
· Event administration
· Social media marketing
The skills you need
· Friendly and approachable
· Happy to help
· Basic IT skills would be an advantage
What's in it for you
· Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
· Support in your role from the team at SSAFA
· Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
Disclaimer
SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.
Our vision A society in which the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can 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!
Community Engagement Volunteer
Why we want you
As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.
What you will be doing
· Organising and attending awareness and fundraising events within the community
· Identifying new fundraising and awareness opportunities
· Helping at events
· Delivering presentations to community groups, schools, etc through
· SSAFA’s speaker programme
· Event administration
· Social media marketing
The skills you need
· Friendly and approachable
· Happy to help
· Basic IT skills would be an advantage
What's in it for you
· Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
· Support in your role from the team at SSAFA
· Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
Disclaimer
SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.
Our vision A society in which the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can 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!
Our Shop Volunteers raise money for the people we support with a Learning Disability. Do you have a few hours a week to spare and share your time with us?
Our retail roles are varied and fun. You could be sorting donations from the public, dressing our window or serving customers on the till. There are many people from different walks of life and it's a great way to get practical experience and to meet new people.
This role will take place on a weekly basis for a few hours We will try our best to be flexible around the best time for you, but also need to consider the store opening times and volunteer rota. It could be a weekday or weekend, morning or afternoon, our stores are usually open 7 days a week. We’d appreciate any time that you can spare.
Whilst in the store, you will help with activities based on the needs of the Store Manager. Tasks you could get up to whilst volunteering could include:
- Serving customers on the till
- Taking stock donations from the public
- Tagging and steaming stock for the shop floor
- Dressing the window displays
- Asking people to join us as a volunteer
As a Retail Volunteer you will be:
- Friendly and Approachable
- Reliable, Kind and Patient
- A good communicator (including listener)
- Willing to volunteer within guidelines and to take direction where necessary
- Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
As a Mencap volunteer you will:
- Make new friends and raise important funds for people with a learning disability
- Get reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in line with our policy e.g. travel
- Receive full Training and support
- Volunteer alongside other people
- Have a chance to give back your local community
About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.
We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.
Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.
If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us
Empower individuals with learning disabilities and autism to reach their full potential and lead the lives they choose.
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!
Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) are at the heart of the cadet experience. As a CFAV, you will guide and support young people, lead or assist in training sessions, and help create a safe, supportive and rewarding environment. You can volunteer as a uniformed or non-uniformed instructor - no military experience is required, all training will be provided.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
- Support, mentor and encourage cadets, helping them build confidence and life skills
- Assist with planning and delivering training sessions, including subjects such as; first aid, map reading and navigation, fieldcraft, drill and turnout, expedition and adventure training, leadership tasks and teamwork
- Participate in community events, remembrance parades, competitions and weekend activities and residential camps.
- Help with cadet development, assessments and progression as set out in the Army Cadet Syllabus.
- Promote safeguarding, inclusion and wellbeing.
- Work collaboratively with other volunteers and staff to deliver a varied and engaging programme
Skills & Experience (Not Essential):
- Experience of working with young people (youth work, teaching, coaching or similar)
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Leadership, organisation or teamwork abilities
- Enthusiasm, patience and willingness to learn
If you have none of the above - don’t worry. We provide full training, support and mentoring.
Benefits of Volunteering:
- Full training, including opportunities for accredited qualifications.
- Leadership, instructional and youth-development experience
- Improved confidence, teamwork and communication skills
- Social events, outdoor experiences and personal development
- Uniform provided, and reasonable volunteer expenses covered
- The reward of seeing young people grow, achieve and overcome challenges
Practical Information:
- You must be 18 or over.
- A DBS check and safeguarding training are required (provided).
- We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and levels of experience.
- Commitment is flexible - most detachments meet once or twice a week.
- There are no specific nationality requirements, but volunteers must have leave to remain and be eligible to work in the UK.
About the Army Cadets
The Army Cadet Force is a national, community-based youth organisation that provides young people aged 12–18 with opportunities to challenge themselves, learn new skills and grow in confidence. Through a variety of activities, both military-themed and non-military-themed adventurous activities, teamwork, leadership training and community engagement, cadets develop resilience and skills that last a lifetime. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our amazing adult volunteers.
We're currently recruiting volunteers at the following detachments: Ashburton, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Dawlish, Bovey Tracey, Illfracombe, Ivybridge, Paignton and Torquay.
To apply, please enter your postcode into the Find a Detachment box and click Join as a Volunteer to complete the form.
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!
We’re Mind, the leading mental health charity. We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. We provide advice and support to empower anybody experiencing a mental health problem and we campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding.
Our volunteers are a fundamental part of our shops. Any time which they volunteer at our shops and warehouses, help us be there for more people who are experiencing a mental health problem.
About the volunteer role
To provide our volunteers with opportunities to gain a variety of skills and experience, we offer them a range of volunteer roles to choose from, which include:
- Stock preparation volunteer
- Volunteer stock generation assistant
- Specialist knowledge volunteer (antiques and collectables)
- Specialist knowledge volunteer (books and entertainment)
- Housekeeping volunteer
Key tasks
There is a variety of tasks within the above mentioned roles that our volunteers get involved with, including:
- If you are volunteering in one of our warehouses there may be some variation in your role
- We are looking for ebay listers, including researching items, help with processing and packing our online shop orders.
- Support with our van drivers, collecting and delivering stock to our network of shops and also helping with local street collections.
- Receiving donated items from members of the public
- Sorting, tagging and preparing donated items for sale
- Stock rotation
- Identifying special or valuable items within donated stock
About you
- Passionate about customer service
- Good communication skills
- Friendly and helpful
- Respectful of others and their diversity
Experience & skills you will gain
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Retail experience
- Stock organisation
- Selling skills
- Customer service skills
Our Commitment
We are committed to becoming actively anti-racist in everything we do. This is a critical priority for Mind. We embrace diversity and understand that being an inclusive organisation, recognising different perspectives, will enable us to provide excellent services. We are committed to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work and promoting equity in physical and mental health for all.
Mind Retail are a network of over 170 Mind charity shops across England and Wales.



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!
Shop Volunteering Opportunities
Faversham
Our shops are at the heart of local communities raising vital funds for our fight against homelessness and bad housing - and they’re powered by our volunteers!
Suggested Involvement: It’s up to you! We have volunteers who support for one hour a week and others who volunteer more. Many people volunteer for a morning or an afternoon each week, but we’ll have a chat about your availability after you’ve applied.
Availability: The shop is open Monday - Saturday 09:00-17:00 and Sunday 10:00-17:00.
Location: Shop in Faversham, ME13 7AL
Supervised by: Community Shop Manager/Assistant Manager
Why volunteer with Shelter?
Home is a human right. It's our foundation and it's where we thrive. Yet, every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams ensure fighting the housing emergency never felt so fun.
What can I do?
After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal chat to find the right role for you. Some roles involve a basic criminal record check being completed during recruitment. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us, but it may impact the ways you can get involved.
- Volunteering in the shop
Our retail volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.
- You will not undergo a criminal record check for this role
- Volunteering in a leadership role
Our volunteer supervisors help with overseeing the running of our shop and creating a fantastic environment for our customers. You may be involved with coordinating and supporting other volunteers, operating computer systems, and being a key point of contact for the shop.
Skills and Experiences Required:
We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need to have volunteered or worked in a shop before as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and willing to follow Shelter’s policies and can be an excellent ambassador for Shelter. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of bad housing or homelessness.
Induction, Learning and Development:
To enable you to take part in this opportunity Shelter will:
- Welcome you with a Volunteer Handbook
- Provide training, induction, and ongoing support from your Shop Manager to help you feel confident in your role
- Refund any out-of-pocket expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy
Benefits of volunteering with Shelter…
- Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness
- Gain valuable experience in a retail environment
- Getting involved in your local community and being part of a great team
- Build your confidence and develop transferable skills
We aim to respond to all applications within 14 days
If you would like to find out more about the volunteering opportunity before applying, why not pop into the shop, or contact the shop manager.
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!
Why we want you
As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community to ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.
This role is diverse and allows for you to focus on the areas that you have skills or interests in. The role has flexibility and can work around your other commitments.
Below are some examples of possible activities you can take on or be a part of as a SSAFA Community Engagement Volunteer.
What you will be doing
- Activity Organisers - Love planning? Help coordinate amazing events like charity dinners, carol concerts, and local fairs.
- Event Champions - Be the friendly face of SSAFA! Help at events, chat with visitors, sell merchandise, and spread the word about our work.
- Event Champions - Be the friendly face of SSAFA! Help at events, chat with visitors, sell merchandise, and spread the word about our work.
- Promoting SSAFA Services - Help provide a warm, welcoming presence at Veterans Breakfast clubs, cafes or hubs - offering information about SSAFA services and signposting as appropriate.
- SSAFA Storytellers -Deliver engaging talks to organisations and groups, sharing SSAFA’s incredible history and mission.
- Community Connectors - Collaborating with the Community Engagement Manager to establish a local network, promote SSAFA's services, and respond to community opportunities such as gardening projects.
- Fundraising Heroes - Whether it’s rallying local businesses, organising events, or getting creative with unique fundraising ideas, you’ll play a crucial role in keeping SSAFA’s support going strong.
- Administrators - Are you detail-oriented and love keeping things organised? Assist with branch and event administration, manage schedules and branch calendars, and ensure everything runs smoothly currently being undertaken.
The skills you need
- Be friendly and approachable.
- Confident to engage with the public, potential clients, volunteers and SSAFA colleagues face-to-face.
- Reliable attitude, staying connected with your Branch and/or Community Engagement Manager about your availability.
- Access to public transport or a car to get to events if necessary.
- Basic IT skills would be an advantage.
What's in it for you
- Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others and make a difference.
- Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising awareness of SSAFA.
- Support from your local SSAFA branch and SSAFA Community Engagement Manager.
- 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!
Disclaimer
SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.
Our vision A society in which the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can 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!
Martlets, Chestnut Tree House and St Barnabas House have collection tins hosted by a wide variety of businesses across Worthing, Sussex, Brighton and Hove and surrounding areas. Our tins continue to play an important role in raising money and awareness for the hospices so that we can continue to provide specialist care.
These tins need to be collected, replaced, and returned to our fundraising offices or shops on a regular basis. With collections expected to be completed on a 6-8 week cycle.
We are looking for friendly, reliable people to help us with this important fundraising and community liaison role.
You will be the face of the Fundraising team in your locality, representing the hospices when collecting. This is a chance to involve yourself with the community by building a relationship with our collection tin hosts and keeping them up to date with any news from us.
This is the perfect opportunity for anyone looking for a flexible volunteering role to fit around other commitments. We can discuss potential rounds based on where you live and an appropriate distance to travel.
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!
Our Shop Volunteers raise money for the people we support with a Learning Disability. Do you have a few hours a week to spare and share your time with us?
Our retail roles are varied and fun. You could be sorting donations from the public, dressing our window or serving customers on the till. There are many people from different walks of life and it's a great way to get practical experience and to meet new people.
This role will take place on a weekly basis for a few hours We will try our best to be flexible around the best time for you, but also need to consider the store opening times and volunteer rota. It could be a weekday or weekend, morning or afternoon, our stores are usually open 7 days a week. We’d appreciate any time that you can spare.
Whilst in the store, you will help with activities based on the needs of the Store Manager.
Tasks you could get up to whilst volunteering could include:
- Serving customers on the till
- Taking stock donations from the public
- Tagging and steaming stock for the shop floor
- Dressing the window displays
- Asking people to join us as a volunteer
As a Retail Volunteer you will be:
- Friendly and Approachable
- Reliable, Kind and Patient
- A good communicator (including listener)
- Willing to volunteer within guidelines and to take direction where necessary
- Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
As a Mencap volunteer you will:
- Make new friends and raise important funds for people with a learning disability
- Get reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in line with our policy e.g. travel
- Receive full Training and support
- Volunteer alongside other people
- Have a chance to give back your local community
About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.
We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.
Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.
If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Empower individuals with learning disabilities and autism to reach their full potential and lead the lives they choose.
Volunteer with us!
At Acorns we provide care and support for life limited or life threatened children and their families. We are a charity, so most of the care that we provide is funded through fundraising and through our shops.
To help us to continue to provide the care that we do, we are looking for fun and enthusiastic volunteers to join us in our Cotteridge shop. Our shops are exciting and dynamic, with no two days being the same. From our walk-in customers, to receiving donations, and everything in between
As a Lead Shop Volunteer with us, you will be:
- Supporting the daily operation of the shop and stepping up to run it when needed.
- Delivering outstanding customer service and creating a warm, welcoming experience for every visitor.
- Guiding and supporting our amazing volunteers, offering direction and encouragement.
- Handling cash and completing banking tasks — full training provided, of course.
- Getting creative with merchandising, ensuring our displays always look their best.
- Maintaining high standards of housekeeping and helping with the smooth, day-to-day running of the store
Our shops are open Monday to Saturday (some open on Sundays too) 9am to 5pm. You can volunteer the hours that suit you, but it would be great if you could support in the shop for at least 3 hours a week.
Why Volunteer at Acorns?
- Achieve a sense of wellbeing that you are helping your local community
- To connect with like-minded people and make new friends
- To enhance your CV by learning new skills and gain valuable experience
- We’ll give you a reference for future work or volunteering
- You’ll get Invites to social events and participation in our volunteer recognition schemes and awards
- You’ll receive free mandatory and role specific training
Full training will be provided
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!
A person we support in one of our supported living services in Hanham is looking for a volunteer to join her for fun and sociable activities.
Can you help?
Activities could include crafting, baking, pottery, having a cuppa at a café, attending beauty appointments and going to the cinema. The individual is very independent and would love to meet someone with similar interests to help them access the community.
Ideally this would be a fortnightly volunteer role either on a weekday or the weekend during the day.
Travel expenses are covered for each volunteering shift and activity expenses will be discussed with the individual and the service.
For all our volunteer roles a DBS check will be carried out and we will request two references. All volunteers will need to complete online volunteer training in preparation for your role. You will be supported by both the volunteer team and a designated member of staff in the service too.
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!
INDEPENDENT READING GROUP VOLUNTEER (FACE-TO-FACE)
CARAS Youth ESOL Programme – Monday, Wednesday mornings
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.
Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.
We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.
Our values are at the centre of all our work:
• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests.
• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.
• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.
• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.
About Youth ESOL:
Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.
About the Role:
CARAS is looking for Reading Group Volunteer to support our face-to-face study programme for young people.
The reading group is in Streatham and is an important element of a study programme for young people aged 14 to 18 who are out of formal education. The timings of the reading group sessions are as follows:
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Monday afternoons 2pm to 3pm
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Wednesday mornings 11am to 1pm.
Volunteers are required to attend either one of both sessions. Volunteers are also welcome to stay and support the more traditional English language classes either before the reading session on Mondays or after the reading session on Wednesdays.
Students will be supported to read at length and complete challenges that are adapted to their ability level.
The reading group aims to foster independence and a joy of reading among the young people and requires volunteers to learn about the young peoples' interests in order to help them select an appropriate text.
The ESOL teacher will provide volunteers with tips to support reading and understanding for emerging learners of English, such as phonics and elicitation strategies.
Volunteers will work with 1-5 students, mostly reading out loud with them or helping them to decode unfamiliar language.
Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.
Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:
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Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within the Reading Group sessions;
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Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources;
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Contributing to debriefs to inform the ESOL teacher how each student found the lesson/task and the students’ areas of greatest challenge and success;
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Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;
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Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class;
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Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project;
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Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential;
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Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;
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Listening and supporting students to select, read and understand a text; Showing flexibility to the wide range of ability levels in the classroom;
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Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential
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To be 18 years or older;
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An interest in education and English language teaching;
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Currently resident in the UK; has asylum-seeker or refugee status
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* Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; *DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK.
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Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role
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Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (food and travel expenses can be reimbursed);
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To be non-judgemental and able to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds;
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To be reliable and punctual;
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Good communication skills, especially with people who are new to English;
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An interest in books and stories, writing and poetry
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The ability to volunteer on Wednesday during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months;
Desirable:
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Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish;
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Experience of reading with young people or learners of English, or teaching ESOL or phonics.
Through volunteering with us you will:
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Gain experience of English language teaching;
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Meet new members of your local community;
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Learn about different cultures;
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Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
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Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
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Develop your skills and competencies such as literacy and phonics strategies for emerging learners of English;
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Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.
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Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering.
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.
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!
Our Shop Volunteers raise money for the people we support with a Learning Disability. Do you have a few hours a week to spare and share your time with us?
Our retail roles are varied and fun. You could be sorting donations from the public, dressing our window or serving customers on the till. There are many people from different walks of life and it's a great way to get practical experience and to meet new people.
This role will take place on a weekly basis for a few hours We will try our best to be flexible around the best time for you, but also need to consider the store opening times and volunteer rota. It could be a weekday or weekend, morning or afternoon, our stores are usually open 7 days a week. We’d appreciate any time that you can spare.
Whilst in the store, you will help with activities based on the needs of the Store Manager.
Tasks you could get up to whilst volunteering could include:
- Serving customers on the till
- Taking stock donations from the public
- Tagging and steaming stock for the shop floor
- Dressing the window displays
- Asking people to join us as a volunteer
As a Retail Volunteer you will be:
- Friendly and Approachable
- Reliable, Kind and Patient
- A good communicator (including listener)
- Willing to volunteer within guidelines and to take direction where necessary
- Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
As a Mencap volunteer you will:
- Make new friends and raise important funds for people with a learning disability
- Get reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in line with our policy e.g. travel
- Receive full Training and support
- Volunteer alongside other people
- Have a chance to give back your local community
About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.
We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.
Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.
If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Empower individuals with learning disabilities and autism to reach their full potential and lead the lives they choose.