Volunteer volunteer roles in North west

Organisation: Make a Smile
Location: Remote - UK-based (with opportunities for occasional in-person involvement)
Commitment: Flexible, approx. 4–6 hours per week

About Make a Smile

At Make a Smile, we believe every volunteer should feel supported, valued, and empowered. Our volunteers are the heart of our charity, and we work hard to break down barriers so that everyone—no matter their background—can get involved and make a difference to children’s lives.

The Role

The Supporting Chapter Manager provides support to Chapter that are deemed to be struggling. They should assess chapters frequently to ensure they have a clear awareness of what a chapter requires support, in addition to input from other Trustees. They will then provide hands on support to the struggling chapters with focus on recruitment, events and costumes. 

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience in volunteer management and co-ordination.

• The chance to make a lasting impact in the areas needing the most support.

• Opportunities to develop leadership, communication, and management.

• The satisfaction of knowing you’re helping volunteers feel supported, engaged, and empowered.

Time Commitment

This role is flexible and can be done remotely. We ask for around 4–6 hours per week, though this may vary depending on activities or events.

The Community Officer is responsible for creating an engaging and welcoming environment for volunteers. This encourages and motivates volunteers to get involved and stay involved. This includes encouraging engagement in shared social spaces (Discord and Whatsapp), organising a range of regular socials and supporting with the Ball at conference. 

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital funds for our work and act as incredible advocates for the rights of children both in the UK and around the world.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests.

Volunteering in the shop

Our Stockton Heath Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied.

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick.

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children.

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related).  

How to apply

Express your interest on email via the apply button.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests.

Job description

Are you driven by purpose over profit, and motivated to use data to strengthen accountability rather than chase vanity metrics?

Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C. is seeking a Founding Volunteer Analytics & Performance Officer to design and oversee the ethical performance framework that will guide our digital decision-making.

This is not a corporate analytics role.
It is an impact and accountability role.

Our C.I.C. exists to confront and expose the realities of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), centre survivor truth and accountability, support young people into economic empowerment, and build community-owned, open-source systems that serve people rather than capital.

We are:

• Values-led

• Anti-capitalist

• Community-driven

• Decentralised by design

We are not here to analyse data for growth alone. We are here to use insight ethically — to understand impact, protect trust, and ensure our digital activity serves people, safeguarding, and long-term community power.

This role offers the opportunity to build a performance system that reflects values, not just numbers.

About the Role

As our Founding Analytics & Performance Officer, you will design, coordinate, and maintain the C.I.C.’s digital performance and reporting systems during the build and early growth phase.

You will not inherit a finished analytics framework.
You will help build one that reflects our values.

Your work will ensure that data strengthens strategic decision-making across content, fundraising, and community engagement — while protecting confidentiality, dignity, and safeguarding standards.

This role requires both analytical rigour and ethical awareness. You must be comfortable interpreting data, communicating insight clearly to non-technical stakeholders, and ensuring responsible handling of sensitive information.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

Essential / Highly Valued Experience

• Practical experience working with digital analytics or performance reporting at organisational or project level.

• Experience using and interpreting analytics tools such as:

  • Website analytics platforms (e.g. Google Analytics or equivalent)

  • Social media insights

  • Dashboards, spreadsheets, or reporting tools

• Ability to track, analyse, and report on key performance indicators including engagement, reach, conversions, and sign-ups.

• Ability to translate data into clear, practical insight for non-technical stakeholders.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and integrity.

• Experience handling data responsibly, including awareness of confidentiality and ethical data use.

• Working knowledge of UK GDPR principles as they apply to digital performance data.

• Ability to manage multiple data sources and reporting requirements simultaneously.

• Confidence supporting teams with insight and recommendations without creating dependency.

• Equivalent professional or voluntary experience accepted.

Desirable / Can Be Developed

• Experience working in non-profit, CIC, or community-led organisations.

• Experience analysing social impact, engagement, or community behaviour data.

• Familiarity with ethical data practices and safeguarding-led environments.

• Experience supporting fundraising, donor engagement, or campaign analytics.

• Basic understanding of digital marketing and online campaign performance measurement.

Qualifications

Formal qualifications are not required.
Equivalent practical experience in analytics and performance management is highly valued.

Main Responsibilities / Key Duties

• Design, coordinate, and oversee the C.I.C.’s digital performance and analytics framework during the build and early growth phase.

• Develop and maintain a coherent performance measurement approach that supports strategic decision-making across teams.

• Ensure analytics practices reflect real organisational goals and values rather than vanity metrics.

• Establish consistent data collection and reporting standards across platforms.

• Oversee appropriate use of analytics and reporting tools.

• Apply UK GDPR principles including data minimisation, accuracy, and appropriate retention.

• Implement controls for sensitive data, including donor, supporter, and community engagement information.

• Ensure performance reporting remains accessible and understandable for volunteers with varied technical confidence.

• Work closely with Safeguarding, Fundraising, and Digital teams to ensure lawful and ethical use of performance data.

• Provide regular insight and recommendations to leadership.

• Help design the long-term analytics and reporting model for the C.I.C.

• Support transition planning from volunteer-led reporting systems to future funded roles.

What You Gain

• Founding-level experience in analytics and performance management.

• Strategic insight into values-led, community-based performance measurement.

• Leadership exposure in managing sensitive data responsibly.

• Direct contribution to C.I.C. sustainability and long-term impact.

• Priority consideration for future paid roles as the C.I.C. scales.

This Role Is Not Suitable If You:

• Prefer low-responsibility volunteer work.

• Avoid handling sensitive data or detailed reporting.

• Are seeking immediate paid employment.

• Are uncomfortable applying analysis to strategic decision-making.

Important to Be Clear

• This is a volunteer role during the C.I.C.’s build phase.

• It carries real responsibility for data integrity and ethical reporting.

• Formal qualifications are not required, but equivalent experience is essential.

Next Steps

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to:

• A values-led conversation

• A practical discussion about performance insight, ethical data use, and decision-making

If you believe that data should guide responsibility, accountability, and impact — not just growth — this role is for you.

We're looking for a trustee with experience or knowledge of working within the criminal justice system. This is an important area of our work that isn't currently represented on our board.

Step Together Volunteering is a small but mighty charity. Through our unique, person-centred approach we support people to build the confidence and skills they need to look towards a positive future.

We work with young people, people in contact with the justice system, and the Armed Forces community, through 1-1 support, coaching and volunteering placements in the community. Our support doesn't have a time limit, we work with our clients until they have the confidence and skills they need to look forward to a more positive future.

We work nationally, our Head Office is Bristol, and our frontline staff are home-based in the regions they cover.

As a trustee, alongside your fellow board members you'll be responsible for the strategic leadership and administration of Step Together, and we're keen for you to contribute your perspectives and experiences to discussion. Alongside this, we'd specifically like you to:

• Provide expertise relating to the criminal justice system, and support to the rest of the Board and senior staff to ensure the charity operates a best practice model.
• Help identify opportunities for the charity to expand its work and impact within the criminal justice sector, including those funded by statutory and voluntary funders.
• Remain abreast of key developments within the criminal justice sector, ensuring these are brought to the attention of the rest of the Board and senior staff.
• Leverage support for the charity’s work (financial or otherwise) from your own networks and contacts where possible.
• Advise on implications of any current or planned projects within the criminal justice sector to aid good decision-making at board level.

What are we looking for?

Your experience will ideally have been gained through professional work in the Criminal Justice Sector. This could be through employment within the Prisons or Probation Service, other Ministry of Justice role, Youth Justice teams, Police, or with another charity or agency working in the sector.

Good networks within the justice system in the southwest would be advantageous. You will be knowledgeable about the criminal justice sector, the role the voluntary sector plays, and the challenges faced by the different organisations working in the sector.

Ability to work at a strategic level is essential.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about the work that we do, and someone who is happy to advocate for and represent the charity to key stakeholders to help further our work and impact.

What difference will you make?

Your knowledge and experience of the criminal justice system will help shape our strategic direction and decision-making in this important area of our work.

More broadly, as a trustee, you'll play an important role in ensuring Step Together is sustainable, well run and has a clear, strategic direction so that it continues it's brilliant work, supporting people who are otherwise left behind.

Commitments

We have two in person meetings per year (one in London, one in Bristol) and two online, plus an 'away day' in the autumn. We're ideally looking for trustees who based in Bristol or the surrounding areas.

Our board meetings and away day are fixed but there may be times we need to get in touch on an ad-hoc basis, or ask you to be involved in task-focussed committees.

Before you apply

Please get in touch if you've any questions, or to find out more, and we'll arrange a time for you to have a chat with the CEO or Chair.

If you'd like to apply, please get in touch - we'd love to hear from you! It would be helpful to hear a bit about you, what you'd like to bring to the board, and why you're interested in Step Together Volunteering.

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just some spare time occasionally, and an ability to get on with people from diverse backgrounds and age groups. If so, this could be the role for you.

What is a Helper?

SSAFA Helpers provide support to local SSAFA branches, so that the service to veterans and their families can run smoothly. Perhaps you could help out at an event, take care of some office admin, or give a talk about SSAFA?

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.

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

We have peak times throughout the year when we need extra volunteers. Whether you enjoy organising behind the scenes or being out meeting the public, we need people who can offer some time on a flexible basis.

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

This role will suit you if you are looking to volunteer on a flexible basis as and when you are available, and we need extra help. You may be based in an office, at home, or out and about at events.

What would you be doing?

• Helping at public events by staffing stalls, stewarding etc
• Helping to distribute Christmas hampers to clients.
• Giving talks about SSAFA to schools and local groups
• Helping with office tasks like stuffing envelopes, ordering marketing materials

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?

• Support people in your community with a military background
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience 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?

• 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 induction
• 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 with a cheerful attitude
• Good spoken English
• Ability to represent SSAFA and its values to potential clients, their families, other agencies, potential volunteers and potential funders.
• Ability to keep within the boundaries of the role with regards to safeguarding, giving advice etc.
• Reliable attitude, keep appointments, update the branch regarding your availability.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely.
• Access to transport if needed for your role.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities to 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

We're looking for a legal expert to join our friendly board, and help people excluded from society build bright futures.

Step Together Volunteering is a small but mighty charity. Through our unique, person-centred approach we support people to build the confidence and skills they need to look towards a positive future.

We work with young people, people in contact with the justice system, and the Armed Forces community, through 1-1 support, coaching and volunteering placements in the community. Our support doesn't have a time limit, we work with our clients until they have the confidence and skills they need to look forward to a more positive future.

We work nationally, our Head Office is Bristol, and our frontline staff are home-based in the regions they cover.

Our legal trustee has recently reached the end of her term, and we're now looking to find a new trustee who'd be happy to share their expertise with the board, and provide ad hoc advice to the CEO from time to time.

As a trustee, alongside your fellow board members you'll be responsible for the strategic leadership and administration of Step Together, and we're keen for you to contribute your perspectives and experiences to discussion. Specifically in relation to law, you may be asked to:

• Provide legal expertise and support to the rest of the Board and senior staff to ensure the charity complies with its duties and obligations.
• Ensure there are robust policies and procedures in place for legal and regulatory compliance.
• Liaise with senior staff on ad hoc legal matters to provide support and advice.
• Advise on legal implications of any plans or strategies to aid good decision making at Board level.

Trustees are appointed for an initial term of three years.

What are we looking for?

Your experience will ideally have been gained as a qualified lawyer (in any field, but those with knowledge and experience in employment law, company or charity law preferred).

Good networks within the Bristol area would be advantageous. You will be knowledgeable about the legal environment that charities operate in, including governance best practice, and be comfortable working at Board level, contributing to discussion and enhancing decision-making.

Ability to work at a strategic level is essential.

We are looking for someone passionate about the work we do, who is happy to advocate for and represent the charity to key stakeholders to help further our work and impact.

What difference will you make?

You'll be helping ensure Step Together is meeting its legal and regulatory duties as well as providing the board and senior team with the advice we need to operate well. More broadly, as a trustee, you'll play an important role in ensuring Step Together is sustainable, well run and has a clear, strategic direction so that it continues it's brilliant work, supporting people who are otherwise left behind.

Commitments

We have two in person meetings per year (one in London, one in Bristol) and two online, plus an 'away day' in the autumn. We're ideally looking for trustees who based in Bristol or the surrounding areas.

Our board meetings and away day are fixed but there may be times we need to get in touch on an ad-hoc basis, or ask you to be involved in task-focussed committees.

Before you apply

Please get in touch if you've any questions, or to find out more.

If you'd like to apply, please get in touch - we'd love to hear from you! It would be helpful to hear a bit about you, what you'd like to bring to the board, and why you're interested in Step Together Volunteering.

Could you become one of our Trustees to help guide our work? 

World Horse Welfare’s volunteers help our work in many different ways, from lending a hand at one of our farms to joining our Council of Trustees. This elected group of professionals is responsible for the overall governance and strategy of our charity and, to do this effectively, our Council includes people with diverse areas of expertise, interests and backgrounds. In return for their time and knowledge, Trustees enjoy the opportunity to use and build their skills, attend a range of special events, become part of an outstanding network, and influence the direction of our charity. 

We currently have two vacancies – for a practicing equine veterinary surgeon and for someone with significant experience in one or more of the following areas: fundraising, cybersecurity and data management (where equine experience would be a bonus, but you only need an empathy with our aims and an interest in helping to guide our work). We take pride in our values of being realistic in our approach, compassionate in our attitudes, and forward-thinking in anticipating challenge. The successful person will be expected to share these values. 

The charity embraces a diversity of perspectives to inform our day-to-day work, and for this to be reflected in the membership of our Council. We encourage expressions of interest from currently under-represented groups, including people from a broad age range, LGBTQ+, ethnically diverse communities and people with disabilities.

Fundraising events helper

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our fundraising event helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between!

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· help set up and/or man stalls at events

· help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections

· help at fundraising events such as quiz nights, cake sales and dances

· promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events

Time expectation

This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.

We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Job description

Are you driven by purpose over profit, and motivated to build communication systems rooted in trust rather than pressure?

Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C. is seeking a Founding Volunteer Email Marketing & Retention Manager to design and manage the ethical communication journeys that sustain our community over time.

This is not a sales funnel role.
It is a trust and continuity role.

Our C.I.C. exists to confront and expose the realities of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), centre survivor truth and accountability, support young people into economic empowerment, and build community-owned, open-source systems that serve people rather than capital.

We are:

• Values-led

• Anti-capitalist

• Community-driven

• Decentralised by design

We are not here to produce promotional content for clicks alone. We are here to communicate truth responsibly — building trust, inviting participation, and ensuring survivor-centred work is represented with care and dignity.

This role offers the opportunity to design how a movement stays connected over time.

About the Role

As our Founding Email Marketing & Retention Manager, you will design, manage, and maintain structured email communication systems that support supporter engagement, donor retention, volunteer involvement, and long-term community growth during our build phase.

You will not inherit a finished email system.
You will help shape and define it.

Your work will ensure that everyone who connects with the C.I.C. feels informed, respected, and valued. You will build thoughtful communication journeys that prioritise safeguarding, consent, and relationship-building over transactional messaging.

This role blends strategic thinking with hands-on campaign delivery. You must be comfortable designing journeys, analysing engagement data, collaborating with content teams, and maintaining responsible data practices.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

Essential / Highly Valued Experience

• Experience or strong working knowledge of email marketing or digital communications.

• Familiarity with email platforms or CRM systems such as MailerLite, Mailchimp, or similar tools.

• Ability to design and manage structured communication journeys.

• Experience creating or supporting email content for supporters, donors, volunteers, or members.

• Understanding of how tone, timing, and frequency affect trust and engagement.

• Basic awareness of digital performance metrics including open rates, click-through rates, and engagement trends.

• Ability to segment audiences to ensure relevant and appropriate messaging.

• Willingness to work within trauma-informed, safeguarding, and ethical communication frameworks.

• Understanding of data protection and GDPR principles.

• Ability to collaborate with copywriters, campaign teams, and analysts.

• Equivalent professional or voluntary experience accepted.

Desirable / Can Be Developed

• Experience working in non-profit, CIC, or community-led organisations.

• Experience supporting fundraising or awareness campaigns.

• Familiarity with retention, lifecycle, or supporter journey design.

• Experience working in safeguarding-led environments.

• Ability to adjust strategy based on performance data and feedback.

Qualifications

Formal qualifications are not required.
Equivalent practical experience in email marketing and retention management is highly valued.

Main Responsibilities / Key Duties

• Design and manage email communication flows for supporters, donors, volunteers, and members.

• Create structured communication journeys including welcome sequences, campaign updates, impact reports, and calls to action.

• Support fundraising and campaign communications through coordinated email messaging.

• Segment audiences to ensure messaging is relevant, respectful, and appropriate.

• Work with copywriters and campaign teams to develop ethical, trauma-aware email content.

• Monitor email performance metrics including open rates and click-through rates.

• Analyse engagement trends and adjust strategy accordingly.

• Maintain accurate mailing lists, consent records, and strong data hygiene practices.

• Ensure all email communications comply with GDPR and data protection requirements.

• Support the design of long-term supporter relationship and retention systems.

• Contribute to building scalable communication processes not dependent on single individuals.

• Flag safeguarding, ethical, or data-related risks promptly.

What You Gain

• Founding-level experience in email marketing and retention strategy.

• Strategic insight into community-based communication systems.

• Leadership exposure in managing sensitive information and responsible reporting.

• Direct contribution to C.I.C. sustainability and long-term impact.

• Opportunity to build an email marketing and retention system for a movement.

• Priority consideration for future paid roles as the C.I.C. scales.

This Role Is Not Suitable If You:

• Prefer low-responsibility volunteer work.

• Are uncomfortable engaging with sensitive or serious subject matter.

• Are seeking short-term or one-off creative tasks.

• Prefer working without collaboration, feedback, or safeguarding frameworks.

• Are unwilling to follow data protection and ethical communication standards.

Next Steps

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to:

• A values-led conversation

• A practical discussion about email marketing and retention management

If you understand that communication is not about frequency, but about trust, and that retention is built on care, not pressure. We want to hear from you.

Popham Kidney Support’s counselling service provides individual counselling to clients who are kidney patients and parents /carers who are affected by kidney disease

Working in a confidential setting counsellors provide nondirective support to clients in exploring feelings, anxieties and life events that impact on their emotional wellbeing.

Through this process clients can feel more empowered to manage their mental health and make positive life changes.

It’s an exciting time to join Victim Support, as we prepare to begin delivery of the Witness Service from April 2026. We look forward to welcoming current Witness Service staff and volunteers to Victim Support — and we’re also now beginning recruitment for several new roles and to fill vacant positions.  

The Witness Service provides free, independent support to any witness giving evidence in criminal courts in England and Wales — both for the prosecution and the defence.  

Our trained staff and volunteers help people understand what to expect before, during and after a trial, and offer practical and emotional support every step of the way, so witnesses can give their best evidence.   

The Witness Service also supports bereaved family members, and friends and family who are accompanying witnesses in court.   

This is an exceptional opportunity to help us ensure a smooth transition and shape a high-quality, high-impact and trauma-informed service — so every witness feels informed, supported and more confident in court.  

Witness Service Volunteers provide support to victims and witnesses of crime prior to and during the court process helping them to feel safe and informed.

Why volunteer with us? 

• Make a difference - you will volunteer directly with victims and witnesses.

• Gain skills and experience - you will receive training on how to provide practical and emotional support.

• Join our community - you will be part of a large community of over 2,000 volunteers and staff. 

• Beyond your role – attend one of our many events/webinars and join one of our six Equality, Diversity & Inclusion networks.

What do we ask of you?

In order to join us as a Witness Service Volunteer, you must: 

• Be 18 years of age or over. 

• Be able to volunteer for at least 1 day per week, for at least 12 months. 

• Undertake training - this includes virtual training days as well as completing online learning modules. 

• Undertake an enhanced DBS check & be part of the DBS update service.

• Be able to provide two satisfactory references. 

• Have an active email address that you are comfortable using in order to engage with VS communications.

Diversity Matters

• VS strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need. 

• VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role. 

• We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to support you through the application process.

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.

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

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

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

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system  
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.  

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

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

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbally.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.

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

Minimum Age: 18

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

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

Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered. 

Who are we: 
We are Buttons & Bubbles CIC. We are dedicated to increasing inclusion and representation across society for disabled families. We take a positive and proactive disability and illness. We don't conform to society's and the media's view that disability is awful, and you have no quality of life. Although we fully acknowledge it gives rise to come of the most heartbreaking and challenging times you will ever face. We ask everyone who joins Buttons & Bubbles to embrace this perspective. If you don't agree with it, then sadly we're not the right organisation for you. 

About the role: 
 
We are looking for people to join our communications team. Helping with a variety of tasks from social media scheduling to posting job adverts to helping create policies.  

Our values: 

We embrace disability and neurodiversity; it makes us a stronger and more brilliant team. No robots at Buttons & Bubbles, thank you! 

What are we looking for? 

We are looking for a few individuals who may have the following skills and experience. Don't worry if you haven’t as full training will be provided.

Skillset; 

• Communication skills  

• Editing cntent  

• Scheduling content  

• Knowledge of admin programs including spreadsheets and outlook 

• Organised  

• Adaptable  

• Willing to learn and develop  

• An individual with a creative mindset 

• Thrill of building an online community. 

• Have a basic DBS check

• Positive attitude towards disability or illness 

Benefits of joining Buttons & Bubbles C.I.C:  

• Gaining valuable experience. 

• Improving your confidence 

• Allows you to explore potentially different areas of interest. 

Benefits of volunteering with us:  

• Making a difference to the community 

• Makes a positive impact on people 

• Develop your current skill set and gain new skills. 

• Displays your level of commitment to future employers. 

• Displays your ability to balance and schedule your time effectively when seeking future 

• Employment opportunities