Accommodation support worker volunteer roles

As a First Response Volunteer, you will help find those rough sleeping quicker, and enable Outreach workers to spend more time supporting those found to move away from the streets and get connected to other local services. First Responders play a crucial role to ensure people sleeping rough receive vital support. This is not a client-facing role and therefore is well suited to somebody looking for their first role in the homelessness sector. However, we do also offer development opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge about rough sleeping for those interested.

On shift, you and a partner volunteer will be given a list of people who have been seen sleeping rough. Your role is to identify those who are sleeping rough, and pass information about referrals to the Outreach team to follow up on – they will help the person find accommodation and link them into non-accommodation-based support for example around physical or mental health. 

Please see all locations and the time commitments we are currently recruiting for in this role:

• Bournemouth – Tuesdays and Saturdays 6am-9am (1 shift per month).
• Reading-Mondays and Fridays, 6am-8:30am (1 shift per month).
• Oxford- Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6am-10am (1 shift per month)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Role Title: Charity Worker (Volunteer)
Organisation: Morning Star International Church (MSIC)
Location: Croydon, United Kingdom
Compensation: Voluntary (no salary) – support and accommodation may be provided as per charity guidelines.

About Morning Star International Church (MSIC)

Morning Star International Church (MSIC) is a Christ-centered, Pentecostal church based in Croydon, UK, serving a multi-ethnic and multi-generational congregation. Our mission is to share the love of Christ through worship, outreach, discipleship, and community service.
We are seeking temporary Charity Workers who feel called to support our ministry’s day-to-day activities, outreach programmes, and events on a voluntary and short-term basis.

Summary of Role

Charity Workers will assist in non-pastoral, non-salaried, and supportive functions of the church. Under the supervision of the ministry team, you will serve in a range of activities aimed at supporting the mission and community work of MSIC.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

These responsibilities are temporary and voluntary, supporting the charitable and religious objectives of Morning Star International Church.

• Welcoming and assist attendees during church services and events.
• Helping with ushering, seating arrangements, and basic hospitality (e.g., serving refreshments).
• Distributing service materials such as bulletins, flyers, and other church resources.
• Providing general support to church staff and volunteers during gatherings to ensure a smooth and welcoming experience for all.

Person Specification

Essential Attributes:

• A heart to serve others with humility and dedication.
• A personal commitment to the Christian faith.
• Willingness to work as part of a team and under supervision.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• A flexible and adaptable approach.

Desirable Attributes:

• Experience in community or church-based volunteering.
• Familiarity with Pentecostal worship practices.
• Ability to communicate in English (spoken and written).
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity to diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of other languages (e.g., Swahili Language) is an asset.

Important Notes

• There is no contract of employment.
• The role is designed to support the charitable objectives of the ministry and provide the volunteer with experience in church-based events and service.
• No remuneration will be provided, though reasonable accommodation or support may be offered in line with charity regulations.

Application Process

To apply, please email the following documents:

• A current CV
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the role and your availability
• Two references (preferably church or ministry-related)

Reference Code: MSIC/CW0126

Allotment Volunteer

Location: Belburn Allotments Darlington

Timing: 3 hours per week, every Thursdays

Training: Volunteers have access to Waythrough’s training platform, LearningKind, and will be asked to complete 1 day Induction Workshop prior to start

The role:

Allotment Volunteers will support with the running of a weekly allotment group. This is an active volunteer role that will include a range of gardening related tasks as well as being a friendly, welcoming face to people who join the group.

Tasks may include:

• Help with setting up and packing away before and after each session
• Providing support and guidance on all things allotment and gardening related; including what to plant when and how to look after the growing plants
• Suggesting how to cook the produce and sharing potential recipes

Personal qualities:

• An interest in gardening and the outdoors
• Knowledge of how to plant, grow and cook seasonal produce
• Professional, Honest and Committed
• Basic IT skills – some eLearning-based training will need to be completed

About Waythrough

Waythrough provides specialist support across mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas. We delivery high-quality, evidence-based services designed around the real needs of the people we serve.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through over 250 services - and it's all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community 

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change. 

About Us:

We aim to offer ways for local people with a housing need to secure/maintain accommodation and to live independent. We offer a drop-in service daily for anyone who has a housing need.

Our services include the following:

• Support for all – anyone over the age of 25 who needs support to secure or maintain their accommodation.
• Darlington Intensive mental health team – 18 plus who have a mental health diagnosis and have an intensive housing need.
• Positive Support Pathway – Young persons service where we offer floating support as well as having 9 dispersed units in the Darlington area where YP will be allocated a support worker for the time they reside in their supported accommodation.

We aim to offer ways for local people with mental health challenges to become more independent and confident through gardening. As a charity, our project offers housing solutions for those with mental health having trouble with their housing situation. In addition to our regular support, we provide a gardening allotment group in partnership with First Stop.

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy:

• Discounts from various schemes

• Training and personal development

• A chance to make a real difference in people’s lives

• Free induction and role-specific training

• Support from experienced staff and regular supervision

• Opportunities to meet new people and develop your confidence

• Reimbursement for travel and agreed expenses

• Valuable experience that can support your personal or career development

Inclusion and accessibility 

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. 

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme  - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

How to apply 

If you’re viewing this advert on an external platform such as Indeed, please click ‘Apply via company website’ to view the full job description and submit your application. 

Please note that while this role has a stated closing date, we reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a high number of applications.

Caritas Young Parents’ Service offers accommodation-based support to young parents and their children who have experienced chaotic and/or unsafe lifestyles. We aim to keep families together and equip them with the tools they need to move on to independent living. We provide a safe space for parents to confidently parent their child.

We show parents how to play with their babies and toddlers to help them to develop new skills through guided play sessions and story times. We run skills and wellbeing sessions for the parents to help them develop independent living skills, such as how to cook on a budget.

We are excited to advertise for a new volunteer that can help deliver these activities, so if you have any skills that you are not utilising, you might be just who we are looking for.

What you will be doing

• Supporting the staff-led delivery of creative age-appropriate activities for the children, wellbeing-focused sessions for the parents and getting involved with the activities and sessions organised by staff.
• Supporting staff led activities focused on day-to-day tasks that will increase confidence, such as basic cookery sessions
• Empathising with young people experiencing parenthood for the first time.
• Volunteers are required to follow all Caritas safeguarding, confidentiality and professional boundaries policies at all times. Any concerns about the welfare of any of the children or adults who use the services must be acted upon in accordance with our Safeguarding Policy.
• Volunteers be responsible to the Service Manager who would organise their induction and ongoing supervision.
• Volunteers would be expected to ensure the confidentiality of the people who use the service, and not share any information relating to them outside of the service team.
• Volunteers will be working alongside a member of staff - either the service manager or a project worker. Once a volunteer is confident and the manager is happy with their approach then they may be left to complete a play session, for example, but they would not be working alone in the building.
• This role requires a commitment of 5 to 10 hours per week. The role is open ended not fixed term.

The skills you need

• Empathy
• Good listener
• Good communication skills
• Patience
• Respect
• Some residents may have experienced trauma, homelessness, abuse or family breakdown. Volunteers should be comfortable working in a sensitive and supportive environment.

What's in it for you

• Opportunity to use your experience and skills to support people in your communities to whom your support matters.
• Growing confidence and esteem
• Full induction and training
• Further training opportunities

Disclaimer

Please read before applying: As part of the safer recruitment process, we will be requesting an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two references for this role. Having a criminal record is not necessarily a bar to volunteering within the organisation. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and the background of the offences. Prior to starting with us you will be required to complete mandatory online training modules.

Chair

Harrogate Homeless Project

Board meetings take place at Springboard day centre, Oxford Street, Harrogate, HG1 1PP.

Harrogate Homeless Project is the leading charity in the Harrogate district supporting individuals who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or recovering from homelessness. Our mission is to use our expertise to address the root causes of a person’s homelessness and support them to long-term independent living. We aim to influence local, regional and national policy to help deliver better outcomes for our clients.

We have bold ambitions to make a step change in the support given to our clients.  We benefit from strong and positive public awareness of our work.  That work is supported by a staff team of around 18 people, nearly 50 volunteers and strong links with partners including North Yorkshire Council, other charities and local businesses.

The next period promises to be exciting for Harrogate Homeless Project as we develop our direct services to clients, extend the support offered in our premises by partners, put our influencing of public policy on a firmer footing and to significantly invest in, and expand, our fundraising.

The role.

Our current Chair is leaving in a planned way to take up a non-executive role in another organisation.  We are seeking an exceptional successor to lead our Board and work with our executive team to progress our ambitious plans.

We are looking for someone with proven leadership qualities; you will also be well-connected with any of our key partner groups in North Yorkshire – charities, businesses and the public sector.  The highest levels of personal credibility are essential for this role and sound judgment in dealings with staff, clients and partners is essential. Our longer-term impact and sustainability rely on rigorous governance and statutory compliance.  You will ensure that our oversight, scrutiny and legal compliance arrangements are as strong as possible.

This is a great time to join us, as we work collaboratively with a diverse range of partners to bring hope and empowerment to our clients.  If you want to be part of this, we look forward to hearing from you.

The appointment is on a voluntary basis with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

Information

Download the candidate brief from the vacancies section of our website to find out more about the role.

How to apply

To make an application, please visit the recruitment page of our website, read the candidate pack and submit:

• Your CV
• A covering letter (no more than two sides) that sets out how you match the criteria and describes the specific experience you can bring to the appointment to support Harrogate Homeless Project’s aims.

Recruitment timeline

Closing date: Friday 31 July 2026

Shortlisting: August 2026

Interviews: 14 September 2026 (provisional)