Church relationship manager volunteer roles in London, greater london

Clergy Support Trust is the largest and oldest charity helping Anglican clergy and their families.
Founded in 1655 and with assets of over £110m, the charity provides financial grants, services and resources for serving and retired ministers, ordinands, and clergy families.

We are looking to appoint two outstanding new Trustees, to join the Board and the charity at this exciting moment. Specifically, we are eager to hear from candidates with experience of at least one, ideally more, of the following areas:

• Ordained ministry in the Church of England (for example, as a parish priest,
• chaplain, Area Dean, or Archdeacon);
• Communications and digital media (especially within the charity sector);
• Fundraising and supporter engagement;
• Personal experience of the Trust’s grants, services and resources (for example, as
• an applicant, or as a diocesan officer responsible for supporting other ministers);
• Wider knowledge of the Church of England or Anglican Communion.

Increasingly, the Trust also advocates for clergy, as well as acting to support them, which recently contributed to a 10.7% rise in the basic clergy stipend across England. In 2026, we published a new three-year strategy focussed on “going upstream” – understanding better the root causes of challenges facing clergy, supporting those in new ways and offering a broader programme to empower clergy, while focussing our grants on those in the greatest need.

Although the charity’s excellent relationships with the Church of England and other Anglican Provinces are important, the Trust is proudly independent, and offers a confidential service to those seeking its help.

The Board of Trustees – referred to in our Royal Charter as the Court of Assistants - is responsible for setting the charity’s strategy and vision, for overseeing the work of its Chief Executive, and for scrutinising performance. There is an occupational requirement for Trustees to be supportive of the Trust’s Anglican ethos and identity (but not to be practising Anglicans).

The charity’s operations, profile and programme have grown significantly in recent years, and a key element of the Court’s role is to support, challenge and affirm the work of the charity’s executive leadership team. Trustee's main takes and accountabilities include:

• Formulating and reviewing strategic aims
• Monitoring performance
• Legal and regulatory compliance
• Guardians of the charity’s assets
• Promotion of the charity and engagement with stakeholders

We hope for candidates who bring some experience and understanding of the charity sector, as well as a genuine and active passion for the important work which the Trust does. Strong candidates will have an ability to think strategically about the current and future needs of our applicants, and how best to meet those in a challenging and changing climate. They will understand and represent the Nolan Principles of public life, and the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of charity trusteeship. The Court takes seriously and wishes to reflect the glorious diversity of God’s Church,
and would particularly welcome applications at this time from women, those who identify as of Global Majority Heritage, and people living with disabilities.

The Court meets four times per year; in-person attendance is expected at those meetings (usually in central London), as well as for an annual twenty-four-hour awayday,  normally in February. All Trustees are asked to serve on two of the five sub-committees, which meet four times a year, where online attendance is usual (though in-person attendance welcomed). Trustees are encouraged (but not required) to be present at our annual Festival in St Paul’s Cathedral each May.

Providing a confidential non-judgemental listening ear to Residents and Staff. Supporting those wishing to develop their spiritual journey from a Christian perspective. The role will be based across one of our hostels in Watford, Borehamwood, Bishop's Stortford, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield or High Wycombe, 

Activities include:

• Proactively engaging with Residents and staff to build safe relationships and trust
• Offering a ‘listening ear’ to all and giving emotional support
• Sensitively discerning when to offer prayer and support from a Christian perspective, and when to use faith based language
• Be inclusive and welcoming to people of all religious faiths and none, referring people to other faith communities as appropriate
• Working alongside support staff, volunteers & local agencies
• Maintaining records of support and feeding back concerns about Resident welfare to Staff/Line Manager.
• Attend regular volunteer team meetings
• Being proactive in seeking spiritual and emotional support for your own benefit as this is a challenging role.

Additional activities could include:

• Facilitating group work for example: Retreat Programme, Bible Study, prayer or Mental Health Support.
• Welcoming new Residents by phone or in person
• Leading or helping with Chaplaincy lead events: Easter/Christmas activities, Remembrance Services
• Being an ambassador for YMCA’s mission in local Churches

Skills/Qualities/Experience:

• Be a good and active listener who can support others
• Be of a friendly, welcoming and cheerful disposition
• Self-motivated, reliable and punctual
• Sensitivity and courage to care for people experiencing a range of distressing situations including: grief, trauma, poor mental health, substance misuse, suicidal thoughts.
• A commitment to your own spiritual development
• A good understanding of the Christian faith, as well as some understanding of other faith traditions
• Ability to use both faith and non-faith based language, as appropriate
• Good communication skills in English; in person & over the phone
• A willingness to learn new things and get stuck in
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Respect the Christian ethos of the YMCA and uphold its values
• Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have

Training Support:

• A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided
• A one day ‘Chaplaincy Essentials’ training, plus a menu of additional training will be made available
• Online training: Safeguarding (Adults & Young People), Fire Awareness, Manual Handling
• Ongoing support and regular 1:1 meetings with your line-manager
• Team meetings and social events
• Mileage and expenses may be payable

You will need 2 x references and a DBS (we will apply for and fund this). 

Are you a parent, grandparent or have experience of caring for children?

Do you have 2-3 hours per week to spare? Use your experience to support a family facing challenging times.

Our Home-Visiting Service supports families who are experiencing difficulties or suffering stress and who have at least one child under the age of five years.

Our aims are:

To increase the confidence and independence of the family by:

Offering support, friendship and practical assistance

Visiting families in their own homes and in their community, where the dignity and identity of each adult and child can be respected and protected

Reassuring parents that difficulties in bringing up children is not unusual and encouraging them to enjoy family life.

Developing a relationship with the family in which time can be shared and understanding can be developed. This approach is flexible to take account of different needs.

Encouraging parents’ strengths and emotional wellbeing – for the ultimate benefit of their children.

Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships, and to effectively use the support and services available within the community.

Perinatal Support Volunteers provide one-to-one support to parents during pregnancy and up to nine months after the birth. These parents either have mental health issues or are at risk of developing them.

Perinatal Support Volunteers visit these families once a week (usually weekdays during working hours) for 2-3 hours, providing emotional support and practical help in the family’s home or local community. Support is aimed at empowering parents and building resilience beyond the support period.

The type of support Perinatal Support Volunteers provide to parents may include:

• An empathetic and non-judgemental listening ear
• Support to prepare for parenthood
• Support to build confidence in parenting skills
• Support to develop a positive relationship with their infant
• Support to establish daily and weekly routines
• Support to take time for self-care
• Support to manage the things that are causing stress
• Support to access relevant services
• Support to access local green spaces
• Support to make connections with other parents

No special qualifications are necessary to become a Perinatal Support Volunteer, but Home-Start volunteers are usually either parents or grandparents themselves, or people with experience of young children and family life. We particularly welcome volunteers with lived experience of perinatal mental health challenges.