Centre team assistant volunteer roles in Edinburgh
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About 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 the CARAS ESOL Team:
Our ESOL team offer English language classes to adults at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling people to attend college and access other services in the future.
About the Role:
CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our online Zoom classes on Monday mornings:
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ESOL Entry 2+ level: 1:30am to 2:30pm (plus a 10-minute debrief)
Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.
As a volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistant your role is flexible and varied. It will involve supporting the Adult ESOL Teacher in the delivery of online Zoom classes, as well as providing learners with one-to-one or small-group support.
Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:
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Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes;
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Helping learners build confidence in digital literacy;
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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 lessons;
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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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Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management, online communications 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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To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
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To be reliable and punctual;
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Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
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The ability to volunteer on Tuesday mornings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of three months;
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Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; *
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Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to start of role
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UK resident; has asylum-seeker or refugee status
*DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK.
Desirable
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Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).
Through volunteering with us you will:
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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;
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Be able to access relevant training, including ESOL safeguarding training;
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Gain experience in teaching and interpreting.
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Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
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.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Charity Right
Charity Right is an international food charity - Registered Charity No. 1163944 in England & Wales
The Objects of the Charity are
- To relieve poverty worldwide by
- Providing food supplies, items, grants and services to individuals in need and other groups or organisations that are working to prevent and relieve hunger and poverty
- Providing or assisting in the provision of education, training, healthcare projects and all the necessary support designed to enable individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self-sufficient
- Undertaking and supporting research into factors that contribute to poverty and the most appropriate ways to mitigate these
- The provision of grants to enable young people to participate in healthy recreational activities that they could not otherwise afford
- The relief of financial need and suffering among victims of natural or other kinds of disaster in the form of money (or other means deemed suitable) for persons, bodies, organisations and/or countries affected.
Our work centres on breaking the cycle of poverty through sustainable school meals programmes. We currently provide daily school meals in displaced communities affected by extreme food insecurity. Our programme has helped save thousands of young peoples’ lives by freeing them to get an education, develop new skills into adulthood and lift themselves out of poverty.
With millions still going hungry worldwide, our vital work is needed now more than ever. We are at an exciting stage of growth and seek a trustee who can help us deepen our impact, strengthen our strategic direction, and ensure our programmes continue to transform lives for decades to come.
Our Commitment to Diverse Leadership
We strongly encourage applications from women and younger Muslim professionals who can bring fresh perspectives, sectoral expertise, and a long-term strategic vision to our board. We recognise that diverse leadership strengthens our governance, deepens our understanding of the communities we serve, and ensures our programmes remain relevant and impactful.
Age, gender and background diversity is not just important to us in principle, but it is essential to fulfilling our mission effectively. We actively seek to build a board that reflects the breadth of our supporter base and the communities we serve.
About the Role
We are seeking dedicated and passionate individuals to join our board of trustees. Our mission is to provide school meals to children in developing countries, with the goal of reducing hunger and improving educational outcomes.
As a trustee, you will work collaboratively with fellow trustees to provide strategic guidance and oversight to the charity. You will help ensure our activities align with our mission and values. The trustee will work closely with other members of the board and staff to develop and implement plans and policies that support the charity's objectives and maximise the positive impact of its work.
Key responsibilities
- Serve as a member of the board of trustees, providing governance and oversight to the organisation
- Uphold Charity Commission and legal responsibilities as a trustee and company director
- Collaborate with fellow trustees and staff to develop and implement strategies, plans and policies that support the charity's objectives and values
- Champion the charity to external stakeholders and partners
- Attend and actively participate in board meetings and events
- Ensure robust compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
- Act as an ambassador for the organisation, using your network to advance our mission
Person Specification
- Genuine passion for international development and our mission to end child hunger
- Experience in one or more of the following areas: [AK1] finance, programmes, marketing, fundraising, technology, and operations
- Strong analytical, strategic and critical thinking skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to contribute constructively to board discussions
- Ability to work effectively as part of a diverse team
- Willingness to dedicate time and energy to the charity’s success
- Strong understanding of governance and regulatory requirements for charitable organisations, demonstrating integrity, accountability, and commitment to collective decision-making
- Demonstrates highest standards of personal integrity, honesty and ethical behaviour, avoiding conflicts of interest and prioritizing the charity's mission
- Engages respectfully and collaboratively with board members, staff and stakeholders, fostering an inclusive environment and modelling the charity's values
- Understanding of the cultural and economic contexts of the countries where the charity operates is a plus.
Organisation Structure
The board of trustees provides strategic oversight and governance to the Executive team, who manage day to day operations. Trustees work collaboratively with the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, offering guidance while respecting operational independence
Commitment
Trustees are expected to attend all board meetings which are scheduled to accommodate trustee’s availability. Most meetings are done via video conferencing, and on occasion we meet in person at a suitable location. Individual commitments are agreed between each trustee and the Chair of the board.
Commitment
- Board meeting – quarterly
- 2-hour meetings with reports to read one week in advance
- Telephone meetings – as required
- 30-minute conference calls occasionally required in between board meetings
- Staff away day – once yearly
- A day of in-person workshops, planning and Q&A with staff
- Events – as required
- Occasional participation in promotional events – usually early evening
- Project groups – as required
- Occasional working alongside staff to complete projects – as fits expertise and diaries
Application Process
If you would like to formally apply for the role, please include a letter of application along with your current CV.
In your letter, please outline:
- Your motivation for applying and connection to our mission
- Your relevant experience, expertise, or perspective that you would bring to the board
- What you hope to contribute to Charity Right and gain from the trusteeship
- Your commitment to championing diversity and inclusive leadership
- Declaration of any potential conflicts of interest
We are happy to discuss the role in more detail and answer any questions you may have about the board service.
Charity Right is an equal opportunities organisation. We are committed to building a diverse board and strongly encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in charity governance.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
We are on a mission to end child hunger - one school meal at a time. Hunger doesn’t just mean an empty stomach. It keeps children out of school.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.