Charities assistant volunteer roles

Job description

We need dedicated volunteers to work at our Askew Road store. If you have a passion for fashion (especially second-hand), amazing customer service skills and you are keen to learn new skills, then this opportunity is for you. As a volunteer you will also be involved in receiving, sorting, steaming, and pricing our lovely donations, serving at the till, and using your creativity to create displays around the shop. Training will be provided. As a volunteer, you will be helping to raise money for the Octavia Foundation and support the work we do in the local community.

About Octavia Foundation Shops

We are Octavia. Founded by the Victorian philanthropist Octavia Hill in the 1860s, our work today covers three areas: homes, support, and care. We provide Londoners with quality, affordable housing, allowing many people to remain in the city who otherwise would have been priced out. We empower people, connecting them with opportunities for a better life. And we look after the elderly and vulnerable, with tailored and personalized care. We are for hope, for communities, and for connections. For the common good.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for friendly volunteers who adhere to our values of being reliable, respectful, responsible, and resourceful. You will be a good team member who we can expect to volunteer in our shops for a minimum of 4 hours a week.

Practical Considerations
We do reimburse Travel and Lunch expenses in line with our policy.

Job Type: Volunteer

Pay: n/a

Benefits:

• Travel Expenses claimable
• Store discount

Flexible language requirement:

• English not required

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability
• Weekends only

Work Location: In person

Job description

We need dedicated volunteers to work at our Brompton Road store. If you have a passion for fashion (especially second-hand), amazing customer service skills and you are keen to learn new skills, then this opportunity is for you. As a volunteer you will also be involved in receiving, sorting, steaming, and pricing our lovely donations, serving at the till, and using your creativity to create displays around the shop. Training will be provided. As a volunteer, you will be helping to raise money for the Octavia Foundation and support the work we do in the local community.

About Octavia Foundation Shops

We are Octavia. Founded by the Victorian philanthropist Octavia Hill in the 1860s, our work today covers three areas: homes, support, and care. We provide Londoners with quality, affordable housing, allowing many people to remain in the city who otherwise would have been priced out. We empower people, connecting them with opportunities for a better life. And we look after the elderly and vulnerable, with tailored and personalized care. We are for hope, for communities, and for connections. For the common good.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for friendly volunteers who adhere to our values of being reliable, respectful, responsible, and resourceful. You will be a good team member who we can expect to volunteer in our shops for a minimum of 4 hours a week.

Practical Considerations
We do reimburse Travel and Lunch expenses in line with our policy.

Job Type: Volunteer

Pay: n/a

Benefits:

• Travel Expenses claimable
• Store discount

Flexible language requirement:

• English not required

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability
• Weekends only

Work Location: In person

Job description

We need dedicated volunteers to work at our South Kensington store. If you have a passion for fashion (especially second-hand), amazing customer service skills and you are keen to learn new skills, then this opportunity is for you. As a volunteer you will also be involved in receiving, sorting, steaming, and pricing our lovely donations, serving at the till, and using your creativity to create displays around the shop. Training will be provided. As a volunteer, you will be helping to raise money for the Octavia Foundation and support the work we do in the local community.

About Octavia Foundation Shops

We are Octavia. Founded by the Victorian philanthropist Octavia Hill in the 1860s, our work today covers three areas: homes, support, and care. We provide Londoners with quality, affordable housing, allowing many people to remain in the city who otherwise would have been priced out. We empower people, connecting them with opportunities for a better life. And we look after the elderly and vulnerable, with tailored and personalized care. We are for hope, for communities, and for connections. For the common good.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for friendly volunteers who adhere to our values of being reliable, respectful, responsible, and resourceful. You will be a good team member who we can expect to volunteer in our shops for a minimum of 4 hours a week.

Practical Considerations
We do reimburse Travel and Lunch expenses in line with our policy.

Job Type: Volunteer

Pay: n/a

Benefits:

• Travel Expenses claimable
• Store discount

Flexible language requirement:

• English not required

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability
• Weekends only

Work Location: In person

Job description

We need dedicated volunteers to work at our Kentish Town store. If you have a passion for fashion (especially second-hand), amazing customer service skills and you are keen to learn new skills, then this opportunity is for you. As a volunteer you will also be involved in receiving, sorting, steaming, and pricing our lovely donations, serving at the till, and using your creativity to create displays around the shop. Training will be provided. As a volunteer, you will be helping to raise money for the Octavia Foundation and support the work we do in the local community.

About Octavia Foundation Shops

We are Octavia. Founded by the Victorian philanthropist Octavia Hill in the 1860s, our work today covers three areas: homes, support, and care. We provide Londoners with quality, affordable housing, allowing many people to remain in the city who otherwise would have been priced out. We empower people, connecting them with opportunities for a better life. And we look after the elderly and vulnerable, with tailored and personalized care. We are for hope, for communities, and for connections. For the common good.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for friendly volunteers who adhere to our values of being reliable, respectful, responsible, and resourceful. You will be a good team member who we can expect to volunteer in our shops for a minimum of 4 hours a week.

Practical Considerations
We do reimburse Travel and Lunch expenses in line with our policy.

Job Type: Volunteer

Pay: n/a

Benefits:

• Travel Expenses claimable
• Store discount

Flexible language requirement:

• English not required

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability
• Weekends only

Work Location: In person

Job description

We need dedicated volunteers to work at our Fulham Road store. If you have a passion for fashion (especially second-hand), amazing customer service skills and you are keen to learn new skills, then this opportunity is for you. As a volunteer you will also be involved in receiving, sorting, steaming, and pricing our lovely donations, serving at the till, and using your creativity to create displays around the shop. Training will be provided. As a volunteer, you will be helping to raise money for the Octavia Foundation and support the work we do in the local community.

About Octavia Foundation Shops

We are Octavia. Founded by the Victorian philanthropist Octavia Hill in the 1860s, our work today covers three areas: homes, support, and care. We provide Londoners with quality, affordable housing, allowing many people to remain in the city who otherwise would have been priced out. We empower people, connecting them with opportunities for a better life. And we look after the elderly and vulnerable, with tailored and personalized care. We are for hope, for communities, and for connections. For the common good.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for friendly volunteers who adhere to our values of being reliable, respectful, responsible, and resourceful. You will be a good team member who we can expect to volunteer in our shops for a minimum of 4 hours a week.

Practical Considerations
We do reimburse Travel and Lunch expenses in line with our policy.

Job Type: Volunteer

Pay: n/a

Benefits:

• Travel Expenses claimable
• Store discount

Flexible language requirement:

• English not required

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability
• Weekends only

Work Location: In person

Job description

We need dedicated volunteers to work at our Finchley Road store. If you have a passion for fashion (especially second-hand), amazing customer service skills and you are keen to learn new skills, then this opportunity is for you. As a volunteer you will also be involved in receiving, sorting, steaming, and pricing our lovely donations, serving at the till, and using your creativity to create displays around the shop. Training will be provided. As a volunteer, you will be helping to raise money for the Octavia Foundation and support the work we do in the local community.

About Octavia Foundation Shops

We are Octavia. Founded by the Victorian philanthropist Octavia Hill in the 1860s, our work today covers three areas: homes, support, and care. We provide Londoners with quality, affordable housing, allowing many people to remain in the city who otherwise would have been priced out. We empower people, connecting them with opportunities for a better life. And we look after the elderly and vulnerable, with tailored and personalized care. We are for hope, for communities, and for connections. For the common good.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for friendly volunteers who adhere to our values of being reliable, respectful, responsible, and resourceful. You will be a good team member who we can expect to volunteer in our shops for a minimum of 4 hours a week.

Practical Considerations
We do reimburse Travel and Lunch expenses in line with our policy.

Job Type: Volunteer

Pay: n/a

Benefits:

• Travel Expenses claimable
• Store discount

Flexible language requirement:

• English not required

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability
• Weekends only

Work Location: In person

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 volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our face-to-face study programme called ‘Get Ready for School.’

This programme is attended by young people out of education and is based in Streatham on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Core delivery of the programme includes English, Maths, Digital skills, complemented by Reading and Writing for Pleasure.

We also run Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon classes open to all existing CARAS youth community members, 4:30pm to 6pm. These classes tend to be larger and have a large range of language levels. 

Volunteers in this role are required to commit to at least one 2-hour session per week, during these times:

• Monday 10 am to 3pm

• Tuesday 2pm to 6pm 

• Wednesday 11am to 6pm

Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities: 

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes;

• Help young people to build confidence in digital literacy;

• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources;

• Engaging learners in informal conversations or games during breaks to help them practice their conversational English.

• Checking the session plan aims with the lead teacher and assisting learners achieve them;

• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;

• Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class;

• Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project;

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential;

• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements 

Essential: 

• To be 18 years or older;

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (travel and food expenses can be reimbursed);

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;

• To be reliable and punctual. We ask volunteers to commit to at least one class every week for a minimum of 4 months. If you are unable to attend a class due to a planned holiday, you must inform the program lead in advance. 

• Excellent communication skills, especially with people who are new to English;

• The ability to volunteer on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons/evenings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months;

• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum seeker or refugee status

• *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);

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role 

*DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK. 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• Meet new members of your local community; 

• Learn about different cultures; 

• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum; 

• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 

• Develop your skills and competencies; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering 
   

To Apply: 

Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with a member of the CARAS learning staff team and a community member. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP! 
 

 All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role. 

Eastern Angles is seeking a new Chair to lead our Board, working alongside our CEO in delivering our vision and achieving our mission with our three principles of Grow, Nourish and & Wonder. 

The Chair provides strategic leadership to the Board, working alongside the CEO to ensure that Eastern Angles’ vision goals are achieved with a continued view to the community.

As Chair, you will be a primary ambassador for Eastern Angles. We are looking for someone who has a clear and actionable plan for how they will help us grow as a company, particularly in line with our values.

We are particularly interested in hearing from those with experience in governance and facilitating fundraising efforts, ideally in a comparable context.

The position is voluntary and will be a four-year term, with the option to extend for up to a further four years.

FareShare Greater Manchester is looking for safe, confident drivers to join our busy, friendly delivery team. 

We re-distribute tonnes of surplus food a month to charities and community initiatives across Greater Manchester. This is an achievement of which we’re proud, and want to expand and is why we need your driving and delivery skills to support our growing operation, especially in these current times of increased need.

Key responsibilities

Driving a van to deliver surplus food orders to the premises of the various Community Food Members we support. 
Loading and unloading the vehicle and carrying out a range of tasks, from basic vehicle checks to delivery administration.

As a Delivery Driver at FareShare, you will be driving a temperature-controlled 3.5 tonnes Mercedes Sprinter van; working closely with a Driver’s Assistant to re-distribute food orders to the premises of a wide variety of Community Food Members. You will be involved with loading the vehicle and carrying out a range of tasks, from basic vehicle checks to delivery administration.

The required skills and attributes are as follows. You must:

Be aged 25 or over, with a clean driver's licence (or a maximum of 3 points).
(Experience of driving a van is desirable though not essential).

Be reliable and be able to commit to pre-agreed volunteer shifts.

Be physically fit to take on moving and handling of food orders.

Possess the ability to follow procedures and instructions.

Have good verbal communication skills.

Have a high respect for Health & Safety standards and procedures.

Have an interest in the work of FareShare Greater Manchester and our values.

In return you will gain:

Career, CV advice and support

A reference for future employers

Reimbursement of travel and lunch expenses 

The opportunity to give practical help to fight food poverty and reduce food waste (and associated CO2 emissions)

The opportunity to meet like-minded people and make new friends

Our operating hours are Monday - Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. 

Drivers' 4 hour shifts begin at 8:30am. 

We especially welcome volunteers who can commit to one day a week. 

The days and rota hours of volunteering are agreed around your availability.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

Job description

We need dedicated volunteers to work at our Chiswick High Road store. If you have a passion for fashion (especially second-hand), amazing customer service skills and you are keen to learn new skills, then this opportunity is for you. As a volunteer you will also be involved in receiving, sorting, steaming, and pricing our lovely donations, serving at the till, and using your creativity to create displays around the shop. Training will be provided. As a volunteer, you will be helping to raise money for the Octavia Foundation and support the work we do in the local community.

About Octavia Foundation Shops

We are Octavia. Founded by the Victorian philanthropist Octavia Hill in the 1860s, our work today covers three areas: homes, support, and care. We provide Londoners with quality, affordable housing, allowing many people to remain in the city who otherwise would have been priced out. We empower people, connecting them with opportunities for a better life. And we look after the elderly and vulnerable, with tailored and personalized care. We are for hope, for communities, and for connections. For the common good.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for friendly volunteers who adhere to our values of being reliable, respectful, responsible, and resourceful. You will be a good team member who we can expect to volunteer in our shops for a minimum of 4 hours a week.

Practical Considerations
We do reimburse Travel and Lunch expenses in line with our policy.

Job Type: Volunteer

Pay: n/a

Benefits:

• Travel Expenses claimable
• Store discount

Flexible language requirement:

• English not required

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability
• Weekends only

Work Location: In person

Do you believe that every person has a right to a full life, with friendship, belonging and chances to contribute their gifts? Do you want to support a global movement that shares the struggle of people with learning disabilities for voice, rights and community? If so, you could make a profound contribution to L’Arche through joining our Board of Trustees.

This is a pivotal time for L’Arche as, after 50 years in the UK, we work to deliver our 2030 Strategy for Beautiful Community, Brilliant Care and Effective Organisation. We are now looking for three to four new Trustees who can bring a depth of professional and personal experience to diversify the voices and expertise on our Board, in support of our vision to show that everyone belongs.

In particular, we would welcome people who can bring expertise in Fundraising, PR and Marketing, in Learning Disability Services and Commissioning, in Housing and Health & Safety, or Legal Expertise. We also want to strengthen the representation on the Board of people, for example in terms of age, ethnicity, lived experience of disability, gender and LGBTQ representation.

L’Arche in the UK is part of a worldwide movement of people with and without learning disabilities building community together. We aim to be a beacon for our society - of what social care can be, what life with learning disabilities can be, and what a more human society can be.

Our 11 Communities in England, Scotland and Wales offer a varied mix of adult supported living, registered care, and day services. We focus on building mutual relationships and going beyond traditional care models to celebrate the value of every individual.

L’Arche was first founded on Christian principles. These principles mean we stand for radical inclusion, and for the right of every person to flourish in their spirituality, whatever their background. To find out more about spirituality in L’Arche, have a look at our website to see what people said in our Big Conversation on Spirituality.

For further information about the role and context, including full details of how to apply, please see our Appointment Details Pack which can be downloaded from the supporting documents section below. Application is by submission of CV and cover letter via email to Laura Bagley at Macaulay Search (please see Appointment Details Pack for contact details).

The closing date for applications is Monday 11th May 2026.

ADMIN MANAGER & COMPANY SECRETARY (VOLUNTEER ROLE)

SUNSHINE Charity – Because No One Should Live in Lockdown Forever

Do you remember lockdown?

1. The stillness.
2. The uncertainty.
3. The feeling of being cut off from the world.
4. The long days where connection felt far away.

Now imagine living like that every single day — not because of a pandemic, but because loneliness has quietly become someone’s whole life.

At SUNSHINE, we refuse to let that be anyone’s reality. Not in London. Not in our communities. Not while we’re here.

We’re here to bring back joy, connection and human warmth — and we need someone organised, steady and compassionate to help keep our young charity running smoothly behind the scenes.

Who We Are

SUNSHINE is a brand‑new, grassroots, 100% volunteer‑powered charity on a mission to brighten the lives of people experiencing loneliness and social isolation. We’re small, passionate, and building something hopeful from the ground up. We’re awaiting our charity number — but our mission is already alive, growing and ready to shine.

Now we need someone who can help us stay organised, compliant and confident as we grow.

Your Role: Admin Manager & Company Secretary

This is a vital role at the heart of our charity’s operations.

You will be the person who keeps us organised, compliant and functioning — the calm, reliable presence who ensures SUNSHINE runs smoothly as we build our services, our team and our impact.

You will:

• Manage our core administration, ensuring documents, records and processes are kept up to date

• Support the Board and CEO, helping prepare agendas, minutes and paperwork

• Ensure good governance, keeping us aligned with legal and regulatory requirements

• Maintain key policies, updating them as we grow

• Oversee filing systems, digital organisation and internal communications

• Support volunteer onboarding admin, helping us stay structured and efficient

• Be the organisational backbone, helping SUNSHINE stay steady, safe and well‑run

Your work will help us build a charity that people can trust — one that is safe, organised and ready to support those who need us most.

Who You Are

• You’re someone who loves order, clarity and good organisation.
• You’re reliable, detail‑focused and calm under pressure.
• You care deeply about people and want to use your skills to make a real difference.
• Maybe you’ve worked in admin, office management, governance, compliance or PA roles.
• Maybe you’ve supported Boards or senior leaders before.
• Maybe you’re simply brilliant at keeping things running smoothly.

What matters most is your heart, your steadiness, and your belief that loneliness should never be a life sentence.

Why Join Us Now?

Because this is the moment everything begins.

You won’t just be joining a charity — you’ll be helping to build it. Your organisation will shape our foundations. Your attention to detail will shape our safety. Your presence will help us bring sunshine into lives that have been dark for far too long.

If you want to be part of something hopeful, human and life‑changing, this is your moment.

How to Apply

Send us your CV and a short statement about why this role speaks to you.

We welcome people from all backgrounds, experiences and walks of life.

Let’s build a charity full of sunshine — together.

About Schoolreaders

One in four children in England leave primary school unable to read at the expected level — a barrier that shadows their education, confidence, and life chances. Schoolreaders was founded in 2013 to change this.

The Charity delivers weekly one-to-one reading support to primary school children who need it most, powered by a nationwide network of trained volunteers. This community-driven model delivers exceptional impact at minimal cost. It is incredibly simple and everyone wins – the children benefit from consistent, regular additional reading support, schools benefit from trained volunteers spending one-to-one time with children, and volunteers benefit from an increased sense of purpose and wellbeing.

Demand is soaring. In just 13 years, Schoolreaders has become England’s largest in-school reading support charity. Today, almost 40,000 children receive one-to-one reading support each week, and the charity is on track to deliver more than 1.5 million in-person reading sessions in 2026 — the National Year of Reading.

Support is targeted where it matters most: 46% of participating children are eligible for Pupil Premium, and over half of partner schools serve disadvantaged communities. Independent evaluation with the Institute for Research in Education shows powerful results: across three terms, every single child improved their reading age beyond expected progress.

Schoolreaders is proving what’s possible when communities mobilise around children’s futures.

The organisation is run by a small team in Bedford, achieving high staff-to-volunteer leverage and exceptional cost-effectiveness. Its supporters include patrons Gyles Brandreth and Kate Adie, and it is governed by a Board of Trustees and an executive team. Schoolreaders has been praised for its adaptability and innovative use of digital channels in volunteer recruitment and fundraising, and for the strength, expertise, and depth of its Board, whose members typically serve multiple terms, reflecting a strong sense of commitment and continuity. This collective leadership and innovation continue to position Schoolreaders as a vital partner in tackling the literacy gap at scale.

Role specification

As a Trustee at Schoolreaders, they will play a key role, helping to shape the overall direction and vision.

The key duties of Trustees are to:

• Work collectively with fellow Trustees and the executive team to ensure Schoolreaders remains mission-driven, financially resilient, and effective in delivering high-impact literacy support, particularly to the most disadvantaged children
• Shape and challenge organisational strategy, supporting the charity’s continued national expansion and operational effectiveness, while managing strategic risks and safeguarding its reputation and resources
• Champion the importance of evidence-based, face-to-face reading interventions while constructively interrogating the potential role of digital provision, ensuring decisions are grounded in impact and inclusivity
• Engage as an ambassador for Schoolreaders, championing its mission and extending its reach through networks and partnerships
• Support the executive team in addressing key challenges, including safeguarding, funding pressures, digital transformation, and security of volunteer and beneficiary data
• Model inclusive, collaborative governance and foster an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are valued

Person specification

Schoolreaders is seeking to strengthen its Board with new Trustees who bring expertise across two priority areas: Education and Communications / PR. While prior governance experience is welcome, the organisation is equally open to applications from those seeking their first non-executive appointment.

Education

The Board welcomes applications from those with current experience as a primary school practitioner, ideally within the state sector. The capacity to deliver strategic direction is essential. Insight into challenges linked to deprivation and the use of educational technology would be particularly valuable in shaping policy, practice and partnership development. A background in safeguarding would also be highly valued. Candidates may have held leadership roles such as Head of Department, Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher, Chief Executive, or Director of Education. Appointees will also join the Education Safeguarding Consultation Group (meets online three times per year).

Communications / PR

The Board is seeking a Trustee with significant experience in communications, brand development, and / or marketing, and a strong understanding of digital and social media strategy. Candidates may come from any sector, provided they bring sound judgement, strong strategic thinking, and the ability to operate credibly across these areas. Experience in stakeholder engagement and influencing at a senior level will be valuable.

This Trustee will bring valuable insight as Schoolreaders strengthens its in-house communications and marketing capability and will help to shape the development of a longer-term strategy to raise the organisation’s profile and extend its reach. They will also support the development of a more integrated and cohesive approach, contributing to thinking on brand strategy, marketing and communications priorities, audience engagement, and external profile, as well as offering insight across digital, social, and traditional channels.

Above all, successful candidates will be motivated by the mission of Schoolreaders and committed to supporting children’s literacy and life chances.

Location

Board meetings are primarily held virtually, with one in-person board meeting and one strategy day held annually (typically in Bedford). Trustees from all regions of the UK are encouraged to apply.

Diversity

Schoolreaders welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

Terms of appointment

This is a voluntary role; however, reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed. Trustees are asked to commit to:

• attending six Board meetings per year (every two months, three hours each, five virtual and one held in person in Bedford)
• attending three Committee meetings annually (virtual), as relevant to their expertise, noting that this is an emerging area and there is not currently a specific committee for the PR / Communications Trustee role
• attending an annual strategy day, which is held in person

The initial appointment is for a three-year term, which may be renewed at the Board’s discretion.

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 Club:

Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14-19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games.

Youth club takes place at Tooting Hub- Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7B

About the Role:

CARAS is looking for volunteer Football Assistants to support our Football sessions on Mondays, 5.30-7pm in Balham.

Football coaching sessions are led by Fulham FC Kicks programme weekly, supported by CARAS volunteers to offer welcome to young people.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities

· Welcoming young people to the session;

· Helping young people to register for sessions;

· Join in and be role model for young refugees and asylum seekers;

· Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;

· Following FULHAM FC safeguarding policy and CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management, online communications and all other policies as relevant.

Requirements:

Essential

· To be 18 years or older;

· To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;

· To be reliable and punctual;

· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;

· The ability to volunteer on Monday evenings for a minimum of four months;

· Currently resident in the UK;

- A love of football, and wanting to encourage others to play.

· Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check (residency is not necessary if you are a Caras community member who is more recently arrived in the UK);

· Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to start of role

Desirable

· Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).

Through volunteering with us you will:

· Meet new members of your local community;

· Learn about different cultures;

· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;

- Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering

· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;

· Develop your skills and competencies;

· Be able to access relevant training;