Mental health volunteer volunteer roles

Why we want you

As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community to ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

This role is diverse and allows for you to focus on the areas that you have skills or interests in. The role has flexibility and can work around your other commitments.

Below are some examples of possible activities you can take on or be a part of as a SSAFA Community Engagement Volunteer.

What you will be doing

• Activity Organisers - Love planning? Help coordinate amazing events like charity dinners, carol concerts, and local fairs.
• Event Champions - Be the friendly face of SSAFA! Help at events, chat with visitors, sell merchandise, and spread the word about our work.
• Event Champions - Be the friendly face of SSAFA! Help at events, chat with visitors, sell merchandise, and spread the word about our work.
• Promoting SSAFA Services - Help provide a warm, welcoming presence at Veterans Breakfast clubs, cafes or hubs - offering information about SSAFA services and signposting as appropriate.
• SSAFA Storytellers -Deliver engaging talks to organisations and groups, sharing SSAFA’s incredible history and mission.
• Community Connectors - Collaborating with the Community Engagement Manager to establish a local network, promote SSAFA's services, and respond to community opportunities such as gardening projects.
• Fundraising Heroes - Whether it’s rallying local businesses, organising events, or getting creative with unique fundraising ideas, you’ll play a crucial role in keeping SSAFA’s support going strong.
• Administrators - Are you detail-oriented and love keeping things organised? Assist with branch and event administration, manage schedules and branch calendars, and ensure everything runs smoothly currently being undertaken.

The skills you need

• Be friendly and approachable.
• Confident to engage with the public, potential clients, volunteers and SSAFA colleagues face-to-face.
• Reliable attitude, staying connected with your Branch and/or Community Engagement Manager about your availability.
• Access to public transport or a car to get to events if necessary.
• Basic IT skills would be an advantage.

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others and make a difference.
• Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising awareness of SSAFA.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and SSAFA Community Engagement Manager.
• 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!

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

Childline Volunteer Counsellor- Someone who wants to make a difference to children’s lives by being there to listen when they feel they have no one else to turn to. As a Childline counsellor, you’ll be there for young people and listen to them as they open up about whatever is worrying them, whether it’s bullying, abuse, self-harm or family relationships – you’ll be there to support them.

What you’ll do

You’ll volunteer in our Leeds Childline base, offering counselling support to children and young people over the phone or through our 1-2-1 online chat. Your supervisor will help you develop and evaluate your counselling skills. After your initial training, you will be able to help young people as well as identify when a child or young person may be at risk, but don’t worry a supervisor will be on hand to give you plenty of support.

What you’ll get

You’ll receive training sessions over 12 weeks to prepare you for the role. When you start your regular shifts, a supervisor will be around all times to support you. Every shift includes a briefing and debriefing alongside other volunteers. Supervisors will also give you regular one-to-one support and group supervisions.

What we’ll need from you

Signing up to be a Childline counsellor is a big commitment and requires lots of training so, we do ask people to stay in the role for a minimum of one year.

We’ll also need to do some routine safeguarding checks, including an enhanced criminal record check and at least two satisfactory references with at least one covering a period of five years or more with no gaps. It’s nothing to worry about, and we can answer any questions you have about this.

Who’s right for the role?

While we think this role is suitable for a whole range of people, we are particularly looking for those with the following qualities and experience.

• Passionate about helping young people and children
• Great communication skills
• Empathetic and perceptive
• able to think on your feet
• works well within a team
• emotional resilience

Why volunteer with us?

Not only will you gain valuable experience throughout your volunteering journey, you’ll also have access to useful resources including a catalogue of online training, discount portal and NSPCC inMind – an online mindfulness resource.

You’ll be fully supported throughout your volunteer journey with us and will have a dedicated key contact should you have any questions along the way.

Are you committed to supporting the emotional wellbeing of survivors and marginalised communities through culturally informed therapeutic practices? Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C. is seeking a skilled Clinical Lead, Cultural & Emotional Therapy Liaison to join our founding volunteer team. This critical role ensures that all clinical and therapeutic support offered to members is safe, effective, culturally responsive, and aligned with the CIC’s survivor-led, values-driven mission.

As Clinical Lead, you will provide professional oversight, guidance, and liaison for all cultural and emotional therapy initiatives within the organisation. You will work closely with membership, engagement, and programme teams to ensure services are trauma-informed, culturally competent, and responsive to the needs of survivors, young people, and marginalised communities. This role blends strategic leadership, operational management, and community-facing support to build safe, transformative, and accessible therapy systems.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

Essential / Highly Valued Experience

• Professional qualification and current registration in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Psychotherapy, Counselling, or a closely related discipline (e.g. HCPC, BACP, UKCP, BABCP, or equivalent)
• Demonstrable experience providing trauma-informed therapeutic support, with strong understanding of how trauma, culture, identity, and systemic factors affect emotional wellbeing
• Proven ability to deliver or advise on culturally competent practice with diverse cultural, ethnic, faith-based, and marginalised communities
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding frameworks, risk management, and ethical practice within clinical, voluntary, and community-based settings
• Working understanding of GDPR and data protection principles, particularly relating to confidential health and safeguarding information
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or providing reflective practice to clinical practitioners, facilitators, or volunteers (including non-clinical staff delivering emotional support)
• Ability to assess risk, respond calmly to complex or sensitive situations, and provide clear, proportionate clinical guidance
• Strong organisational skills, balancing strategic oversight with operational input in a volunteer or resource-limited environment
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain clinical concepts to non-clinical audiences and work collaboratively across teams
• Experience working with survivors of abuse, trauma, exploitation, or systemic harm, and/or within grassroots, community-focused, or voluntary sector organisations
• High levels of professional integrity, emotional intelligence, cultural humility, and commitment to inclusive, ethical care

Desirable / Can Be Developed

• Role assumes senior-level competence; scope may evolve with organisational growth

Qualifications

• Current professional qualification and registration with a recognised regulatory body (as listed above)

Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties

• Provide strategic and hands-on clinical oversight to ensure the effective delivery of culturally informed emotional and therapeutic services. Ensure that programmes are safe, ethical, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse needs of members.
• Oversee the planning, delivery, and evaluation of emotional wellbeing and therapeutic services, ensuring that interventions are culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, and aligned with the organisation’s mission and values. This includes supporting programme design, session structures, referral pathways, and evaluation frameworks to promote positive member outcomes.
• Liaise closely with therapists, facilitators, programme leads, and safeguarding officers to ensure consistent alignment with clinical governance, ethical frameworks, safeguarding policies, and professional standards. Provide expert consultation on complex cultural considerations, trauma impacts, emotional safety, and effective engagement strategies, particularly for members from marginalised or under-served communities.
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, training, and supervision of therapy facilitators and volunteers. Advising on role suitability, contributing to training content, offering reflective supervision, and promoting best practice in boundaries, self-care, and ethical decision-making.
• Review and approve therapy protocols, session guidelines, risk assessments, and safeguarding procedures, ensuring they are clinically sound, culturally sensitive, and proportionate to the needs and risks of the service users. Ensure that all therapeutic activity complies with relevant professional regulatory standards, safeguarding legislation, and data protection requirements, including GDPR.
• Monitor member wellbeing outcomes, qualitative feedback, and service impact data to inform continuous improvement, learning, and programme development. This includes identifying trends, risks, or unmet needs and advising on appropriate service adaptations.
• As the primary clinical point of contact, the role holder will provide professional oversight for complex cases, escalations, or member concerns that require clinical judgement, risk management, or safeguarding intervention, working collaboratively with internal teams and external professionals where required.

What This Role Offers You:

• Leadership experience in shaping culturally-informed clinical and therapeutic services.
• Opportunity to influence the wellbeing and recovery of survivors and vulnerable community members.
• Personal and professional growth through working in a values-led, trauma-informed, and survivor-centred environment.
• The satisfaction of building safe, effective, and transformative support systems that align with community needs.

What This Role Is Not For:

• Individuals seeking traditional, hierarchical clinical roles without collaborative or community-facing responsibilities.
• Those unwilling to work within a survivor-centred, anti-capitalist, and culturally responsive framework.
• People expecting rigid structures or hands-off supervision—this role requires active leadership, decision-making, and engagement.

If you are ready to guide, shape, and oversee culturally-informed therapeutic support while making a tangible social impact, we want to hear from you. Apply now and become a key leader in building safe, transformative systems for survivors and communities.

A Final Word

Care is always about people, never just processes.

Trust grows through compassion, professionalism, and accountability.
Confidentiality is part of safeguarding, not an afterthought.
Respect, cultural awareness, and emotional safety are what sustain meaningful therapeutic relationships.

Calling all creatives! If you are great with words, images and ideas, and want to find a flexible, regular, voluntary opportunity with a great small charity - we'd love to hear from you!

Criminal justice charity Belong: Making Justice Happen is looking for a Communications and Influencing Volunteer to join our friendly team and play their part in helping to make our vision of a society where there is hope, rehabilitation and recovery for victims and perpetrators of crime, a reality. This role is vital in ensuring we are telling our story and sharing the impact of our work with the world. It will assist Belong in working towards our goal of helping to develop a fairer, more effective, and more humane criminal justice system.

Supported by Belong’s Operational and Senior Leadership Team, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop creative content that highlight Belong’s key messages and promote change across our three policy objectives whereby we seek to promote:

1. Increased, higher quality support in communities engaging people who have offended, been victims of crime or who are at risk of offending or victimisation.
2. Fairer sentencing with equal, non-discriminatory application.
3. Reduced trauma and harm in prisons enabling greater productivity and rehabilitation amongst people serving prison sentences.

Place of work: Home-based

Hours of work: Flexible, depending on availability, between 2 – 4 hours per week. 

Supported By: Belong’s Operations and Finance Administrator, Head of Programmes and the CEO

Tasks

• Creating high quality, engaging content, such as graphics, written pieces, audio and video, for use in press releases, as well as across Belong’s website and social media platforms.
• Keeping up to date with social media posts and news pieces relevant to Belong’s work in the criminal justice sector, to help generate ideas for use towards press releases, and in social media and website content.
• Using ideas and information from Belong’s operational, front-line team to help generate ideas for social media and website content.
• Using Canva and any other relevant design tools to design graphics.
• Using our social media scheduling software Loomly to plan the week’s content across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin.
• Taking part in fortnightly to monthly meetings to help plan and develop the effective and creative communication of Belong’s charitable work and policy messaging.
• Helping us keep in the loop with our industry by engaging with partners and peers online.
• Supporting on developing specialist campaigns.

 What support will you be offered?

As part of your role we will provide you with full training, support and supervision. You will have the opportunity to meet and to work with other likeminded people who share Belong’s values of restoration, respect, inspiration, perseverance and empowerment. Belong’s administrator will be on-hand to assist with planning and sign off over email, as well as via catch ups over video call. Belong’s administrator and senior management will take part alongside you in monthly meetings to plan and develop Belong’s communications and policy influencing work.

What difference will you make?

Volunteering with Belong will give you the opportunity to use and develop your skills and make a real difference to building safer communities. You will be contributing to our growth and development, which in turn will enable us to reach a greater number of individuals, and change futures for the better, by:

• Raising awareness of Belong and our policy objectives via digital platforms. This will be measured via our annual report and monthly communications and policy influencing meetings.
• Improving press and media engagement with Belong’s work and policy objectives
• Building networks/relationships with other relevant organisations, including professionals/funders/corporates.
• Increasing followers across all platforms, with the aim of increasing the general support for Belong and engagement with our policy objectives.
• Increasing donations in accordance with priorities set out in Belong’s funding strategy, e.g. individual giving and will legacies via traffic from our social media.

If you’re seeking experience in this field or want to put your existing skills to a good cause, we’d love to hear from you. Please send us a CV and cover letter outlining a bit about why you are interested in the role and what you could do to take Belong’s communications and influencing work to the next level.  

Deadline: 24 April 2026

Interviews: 6 May 2026

Post to start: ASAP

We are looking for a volunteer to support our ESOL classes on Tuesdays (10:45am–4:45pm) and Wednesdays (10:30am–1:30pm). You can volunteer for one of the days or help cover both sessions. Your support would make a real difference in helping learners build their English skills and confidence, and volunteers are a valued part of our classes.

How will I be ending homelessness?

Our Learning and Skills offer focuses on 5 key areas that we believe will help members to leave homelessness for good. These are English, finance, digital inclusion, employment and enterprise and business. As a Learning and Skills Assistant, you will be supporting our tutors and Learning and Skills Mentors to deliver a package of learning to meet outcomes identified by Lead Workers in members progression plans.

Tasks you will support with include:

· Planning

o Sharing any thoughts and ideas you have as part of the planning for a session

o Support with preparing resources for the session/setting up/tidying up any equipment and materials

· Delivery

o Creating a safe, welcome and non-judgemental learning space

o With direction from the tutor/Learning and Skills Mentor, supporting members within the group to increase both their knowledge and confidence on how that learning can be applied to support them in managing a home

o Supporting tutors and mentors with managing the group, and feeding back any concerns you have

You will work closely with the tutor/ mentor who will understand the needs and learning outcomes required for the session.

To be successful in this role we are looking for someone who:

· Is interested in the above subjects. Some subject knowledge would be beneficial, but the session will be led by the tutor/mentor

· Has the skills and confidence to support learners effectively, understand different learning needs and making individuals feel comfortable in the learning space

· Is empathetic and compassionate to the needs of those experiencing homelessness

· Is able to communicate well with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds including those who have a range of needs (for example mental health and substance misuse) and who may have English as a second language.

· Is a good listener and patient

· Understands the importance of keeping an individual’s personal information secure and private and working within the boundaries of the role to keep everyone safe 

· Is passionate about standing with Crisis and our members to end homelessness.

If you have experience learning a second or third language, this can be particularly helpful in supporting our learners and understanding the challenges they may face. There may also be opportunities to develop your own presentation and facilitation skills, including leading or presenting parts of a session if this is something you would like to try.

Would you like the opportunity to volunteer with a national charity raising awareness and funds for the thousands of people affected by dual sensory loss in the UK?

We are looking for friendly, outgoing people with good communication skills to join our Community Fundraising Team.

What we'd like you to do.....

You will use your enthusiasm, great interpersonal skills and independent working abilities to support our team and to raise money for Deafblind UK in your community. This could involve running a fundraising event like a pub quiz, manning a stall at an event, taking collections or putting up posters. Whatever your background, if you want to make a difference then we want to hear from you!

This is a flexible role that allows you to do as much or as little as you want to do and an opportunity to make good use of your own skills, have a go at new activities and gain knowledge of fundraising in the charity sector.

By sharing your skills and time, you will help us to reach and help more people living with sight and hearing loss.

We ensure all volunteers who join our team are well equipped to undertake any tasks and will provide training and supervision throughout your journey with us. Any specific training will be outlined within your onboarding and induction stages and then discussed at your reviews with your named lead contact.

All materials to support your role will be supplied by Deafblind UK, including a fundraising pack with ideas for raising money and all the information you might need. The Fundraising Team will also be on hand to provide ongoing support, advice, and guidance.

Deafblindness affects everyone in different ways. Some people might have mild sight and hearing loss whereas others can’t see or hear anything. It can be isolating and lonely and can lead to mental health issues - but it’s far more common than many people realise. Around 450,000 people are affected by sight and hearing loss in the UK.

Every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. Which is why we’re here, in people’s homes, centres and communities, focusing on the things a person can do, not what they can’t. We celebrate the moments of connection that bring more joy to life. Together, we always find a way, no matter how many barriers a person might face.

Sense is a leading disability charity with extensive knowledge and expertise in delivering personalised, creative and flexible support for disabled people with complex needs. Our tailored approach ensures that every person is empowered to live fully at every stage of life.

About the role:

As a community champion volunteer you’ll be supporting Sense’s fundraising team, playing a vital role in helping Sense to raise funds and awareness to support people with complex disabilities. 

You’ll engage with individuals, local businesses, and regional press to share our mission, organise events, and inspire others to take action. Whether you’re great at planning events, researching opportunities or connecting with your community, this role has something for you.  

This is a flexible role, with the opportunity to volunteer either virtually or in your local community. We are looking for volunteers able to offer a minimum commitment of 2 hours per month. 

We’re looking for people who are passionate about Sense’s work to support disabled people with complex needs and who have a calm, kind and friendly personality.

Please note that you will not be providing care for the people Sense supports as part of this role.

Due to the nature of the volunteer role, we cannot accept applications for anyone under the age of 18.

The four areas of the role:

As a Community Champion, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities, organised into four main role categories. You can choose to get involved in one or more of these areas, and we’ll discuss your preferences with you as part of the application process. Please note, we don’t expect volunteers to take on every area. Instead, we’ll focus on what interests you most and shape the role around your strengths and skills.

Event volunteer:

Support Sense’s Community Fundraising team by:

• Organising your own fundraising events in aid of Sense.
• Supporting and participating in fundraising events at your local Sense services, and shops.
• Supporting with fundraising admin, for example sourcing prizes for Sense fundraisers.

Skills needed:

• Creative, with fresh fundraising ideas and enthusiasm.
• Organised, with the ability help co-ordinate multiple aspects of an event.

Local public relations (PR) volunteer:

Boost Sense’s profile in your local community by:

• Writing content for local press releases.
• Building a network of local media contacts.
• Supporting regional output of national campaigns. 

Skills needed:

• Strong written communication
• Able to follow branding and messaging guidelines.
• Self-motivated and proactive in seeking opportunities. 

Fundraising researcher:

Help boost Sense’s regional income by researching available grants, partnerships and other local connections. Responsibilities include:

• Researching local grants and business partnerships.
• Researching networking events.
• Helping us to source prizes for Sense fundraising events.

Skills needed:

• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently.
• Organised, ensuring new leads are accurately recorded and shared. 

Community connector:

Act as an ambassador for Sense, attending events across your community to thank supporters, and forge new partnerships.

• Attending cheque presentations, thanking our supporters.
• Giving presentations about Sense to local schools and community groups.
• Engaging with local businesses and groups, to forge new relationships for Sense.

Skills needed:

• Strong communication skills and enjoys public speaking opportunities.
• Well-connected in their local area, and love engaging with people.

What we offer you:

As one of our volunteers, you’ll get:

• Full training with ongoing support and guidance from your team.
• A chance to meet new people.
• A great way to develop new skills and share your existing skills.
• The feeling you get knowing you’re making a difference to the lives of disabled people with complex needs.
• A reference to support future applications for paid or voluntary roles.
• Support from our Mental Health First Aiders, should you need it. 

Our values:

Everything we do is underpinned by five core values. These values shape the way we work every day. Our values are:

• We include
• We collaborate
• We find a way
• We challenge
• We celebrate

Description

You'll be raising awareness, & improving understanding of sight loss through delivering RNIB’s Awareness to Action sessions in your local community. Through these engaging sessions, you'll inspire participants to make small changes to their behaviour that make a massive difference in the day-to-day lives of people with sight loss. As a Community Change Champion, this will involve:

• Talking directly with community leaders, businesses, & local groups about ways they can get involved & inviting them to join an Awareness to Action session.
• Delivering RNIB’s Awareness to Action sessions either in person or online, using our resources. You may do this on your own or with a team of other local volunteers, both sighted and with sight loss.
• Sharing RNIB’s information & initiatives so people know we’re here for them.
• If you have a personal link to sight loss, sharing your experience during the session to help give a tangible example of how local people can make a real difference.
• Telling us about any activities you have engaged in via a Microsoft form.

What will you gain from the role?
• First-hand experience in grassroots community engagement & charity outreach.
• The opportunity to develop communication & networking skills.
• Support to learn & or use presentation skills to deliver the Awareness to Action Session in person and virtually.
• If you have lived experience of sight loss, support to tell your story to make the most positive impact.
• Know that your efforts are improving the public’s understanding, perceptions & behaviour towards blind and partially sighted people.

We will provide:
• Induction to the role & organisation.
• Training and support to help you thrive in your role.
• A resource pack/toolkit to help deliver the message.
• Opportunities to connect with other RNIB volunteers across the UK.
• The chance to get involved in other activities that interest you & to apply for our internal-only job vacancies.
• Support from a volunteering manager.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Action

Key requirements

• One reference 

• Additional location information

  • Home and local area.

We are looking for the 'practical hands' to help our families reclaim their childhood. From bubbles to gloop to water trays, you’ll help toddlers explore the world through sensory fun! Expect giggles, creativity and plenty of foam! This will be an ad hoc role on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

We are seeking a diverse, proactive team of volunteers to support a 6-week summer programme (July 20 – Aug 28) across three refuge houses. Our mission is to rebuild parent-child bonds and bring joy back into childhood for families recovering from domestic abuse. You will be volunteering alongside the Children Family workers throughout the summer, and will be invited to join an end of summer party.

What you will be doing

• Support messy play sessions: foam, slime, water trays, gloop and more!
• Create themed Tuff Trays that encourage exploration, creativity and sensory learning.
• Lead bubbles, rhymes, singing and toddler friendly games.
• Help young children feel safe and playful after difficult experiences.

The skills you need

• You enjoy early years play, hands-on activities and don’t mind getting messy.
• You’re creative, energetic and confident with young children.
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Good communication skills
• Experience in childcare desired
• Ability to speak either Farsi, Bengali, Punjabi, Bangladeshi, or Turkish, Nepalese is desired

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Welcome & Reception Volunteer [London] 

Do you want to help people experiencing the housing emergency? 

Information about the role 

You’ll be an essential part of the team, welcoming clients and visitors to the hub. You’ll be providing information and key admin support that enables people to get the help they need with their housing. As well as gathering feedback from clients on their experience of our service.

Location: London Hub, 88 Old Street, London

Suggested contribution: One day per week (can be flexible around your commitments)

Availability: Volunteering will take place at a time that suits you, within Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm 

Deadline to apply: If you are interested, please apply at your earliest opportunity as this role will close once a sufficient number of applications is received. We are aiming to respond to all applicants on Monday 20th April

The above is the essential information you need to know. You can apply now by clicking ‘fill in an application’ or read on more for details.

Main activities may include: 

• Covering reception duties and being the first point of contact for the hub. 

• Booking in clients for appointments with our advisors. 

• Responding to general enquiries both in person and over the phone. 

• Triaging clients both in person and over the phone

• Signposting people to other appropriate services. 

• General administrative tasks (such as photocopying, scanning, data entry, filing) 

• Phoning clients around 8-10 weeks after they accessed our services. 

• Asking clients set questions to gather information on their experiences with Shelter and the difference it has made to them.

• Recording the phone calls and the responses given onto our client database (CRM). 

This role fights the housing emergency by enabling people who are struggling with housing or homelessness to get the advice and support they need.

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter 

Volunteers are essential to Shelter’s mission to end housing injustice. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. The insights and life experiences our volunteers bring to Shelter are valued as much as their contribution through volunteering. 

We aim to provide our volunteers with a positive experience. This is by prioritising accessibility and tailoring the support we provide to the needs of the individual. We make sure our policies and processes are equitable, which means that no-one is unfairly disadvantaged while volunteering because of their background or identity. 

Your skills and experience 

There are no specific skills or experience you need to have for this role though we do welcome the following skills

• Understanding of the housing system

• Speak more than one language we particularly welcome speakers of Arabic, Bengali, French, Urdu. But any additional language can be useful please specify on your application form if you speak more than one language and which language you speak.

Supporting you 

• You will be provided with an induction into your role, access to relevant learning and a copy of our volunteer handbook. 

• The role, including learning and communications, are flexible, so can be tailored so they best suit your needs and preferences.

• You will be able to claim reasonable volunteering expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy. Where financial circumstances would be a barrier to volunteering, we may be able to offer these funds in advance.

• You will be able to access our volunteer support package, including our colleague assistance programme and Shelter’s network of mental health first aiders. 

Next steps 

You can apply for this role by clicking ‘fill in an application’. If you need to apply by an alternative method, please contact us to see what options are available. 

We will then get back to you about your application. Shortlisted applicants will have a recruitment conversation to discuss the role further. 

Upon offer of role, you will be asked to declare any unspent convictions and complete a basic level Criminal Record Check. Having a criminal record does not automatically mean you can’t volunteer with us. We will have a conversation with you to discuss the convictions in relation to the role you have applied for. Sometimes it may limit the ways you can get involved. Please contact us if you require more information. 

End of document

Gift of Friendship Programme Volunteer Befriender  

Background

Age UK Croydon has received a generous donation from The Julia Rausing Trust as part of its wider partnership with Age UK, the national charity, to help fund its crucial friendship services that support older people in the local area.

This ‘Gift of Friendship’ from the Trust aims to help older people experiencing loneliness and isolation. Loneliness often stems from factors like bereavement, living alone and declining health. Loss of mobility or senses can leave many older people feeling disconnected, while financial worries can increase existing feelings of isolation. This can have serious consequences, undermining resilience and increasing risk of physical and mental illness.

Volunteers Befrienders are offering support and company to people who may need that extra confidence to attend a local activity in Croydon. You could accompany someone to a local lunch group or activity or even just going with them to a park for a nice walk. They build relationships in the process, which enable meaningful conversations and help to identify support needs and other services and activities that will help maintain their clients’ mental health. A key aim of the role is to support people with achieving their goals to live a happier life, accompany them, and build their confidence back to get out into the community and feel more independent.

Commitment 

Minimum of 6 months from start of the GoF Befriending match, includes:

· 30-minute informal interview.

· Willing to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

· 1-hour core induction.

· Mandatory training sessions.

· Up to 1-2 hours a week engagement with your befriendee

· Weekly accurate records of interactions with your befriendee

· Regular check-in calls with Befriending Coordinator

Purpose of Role

Staff will assess the client and you will be given their profile and a support plan. Core tasks will include:

· Weekly companionship contact in person.

· Encouraging and accompanying to visits to other social events and activities in the local area e.g., a walk, GP, an IT class.

· Spotting additional needs and identifying services and activities to address these.

· Submitting a weekly report on the contact to include contact type, signposting and any concerns.

Support Provided 

• Full remote training and induction provided.
• We will complete the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application with you.
• Supervision and direct contact with the Befriending

Co-ordinator/Manager.

· Join and participate in peer support groups and meet other volunteers to share experiences and good practice.

Skills and attributes Required

· Good communication with a friendly approachable manner

· Solution focused.

· Comfortable working alone.

· Good record keeping.

· Good listening skills

· Reliable and committed to do at least 1 visit a week for the committed period.

· Applicants must be over the age of 18.

· Basic IT skills may be required depending on client’s needs.

Benefits

· Learn new skills.

· Enhance career prospects.

· Meet people.

· Make a difference.

· Gain confidence

· Travel expenses and hot drinks reimbursed

· Social and celebration events

· Exclusive invites to join and support community projects

Every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. Which is why we’re here, in people’s homes, centres and communities, focusing on the things a person can do, not what they can’t. We celebrate the moments of connection that bring more joy to life. Together, we always find a way, no matter how many barriers a person might face.

Sense is a leading disability charity with extensive knowledge and expertise in delivering personalised, creative and flexible support for disabled people with complex needs. Our tailored approach ensures that every person is empowered to live fully at every stage of life.

About the role:

As a community champion volunteer you’ll be supporting Sense’s fundraising team, playing a vital role in helping Sense to raise funds and awareness to support people with complex disabilities. 

You’ll engage with individuals, local businesses, and regional press to share our mission, organise events, and inspire others to take action. Whether you’re great at planning events, researching opportunities or connecting with your community, this role has something for you.  

This is a flexible role, with the opportunity to volunteer either virtually or in your local community. We are looking for volunteers able to offer a minimum commitment of 2 hours per month. 

We’re looking for people who are passionate about Sense’s work to support disabled people with complex needs and who have a calm, kind and friendly personality.

Please note that you will not be providing care for the people Sense supports as part of this role.

Due to the nature of the volunteer role, we cannot accept applications for anyone under the age of 18.

The four areas of the role:

As a Community Champion, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities, organised into four main role categories. You can choose to get involved in one or more of these areas, and we’ll discuss your preferences with you as part of the application process. Please note, we don’t expect volunteers to take on every area. Instead, we’ll focus on what interests you most and shape the role around your strengths and skills.

Event volunteer:

Support Sense’s Community Fundraising team by:

• Organising your own fundraising events in aid of Sense.
• Supporting and participating in fundraising events at your local Sense services, and shops.
• Supporting with fundraising admin, for example sourcing prizes for Sense fundraisers.

Skills needed:

• Creative, with fresh fundraising ideas and enthusiasm.
• Organised, with the ability help co-ordinate multiple aspects of an event.

Local public relations (PR) volunteer:

Boost Sense’s profile in your local community by:

• Writing content for local press releases.
• Building a network of local media contacts.
• Supporting regional output of national campaigns. 

Skills needed:

• Strong written communication
• Able to follow branding and messaging guidelines.
• Self-motivated and proactive in seeking opportunities. 

Fundraising researcher:

Help boost Sense’s regional income by researching available grants, partnerships and other local connections. Responsibilities include:

• Researching local grants and business partnerships.
• Researching networking events.
• Helping us to source prizes for Sense fundraising events.

Skills needed:

• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently.
• Organised, ensuring new leads are accurately recorded and shared. 

Community connector:

Act as an ambassador for Sense, attending events across your community to thank supporters, and forge new partnerships.

• Attending cheque presentations, thanking our supporters.
• Giving presentations about Sense to local schools and community groups.
• Engaging with local businesses and groups, to forge new relationships for Sense.

Skills needed:

• Strong communication skills and enjoys public speaking opportunities.
• Well-connected in their local area, and love engaging with people.

What we offer you:

As one of our volunteers, you’ll get:

• Full training with ongoing support and guidance from your team.
• A chance to meet new people.
• A great way to develop new skills and share your existing skills.
• The feeling you get knowing you’re making a difference to the lives of disabled people with complex needs.
• A reference to support future applications for paid or voluntary roles.
• Support from our Mental Health First Aiders, should you need it. 

Our values:

Everything we do is underpinned by five core values. These values shape the way we work every day. Our values are:

• We include
• We collaborate
• We find a way
• We challenge
• We celebrate

Strong Happy Healthy Loved

We help veterans and first responders heal trauma through structured, evidence-based mental health programs.

Website & Digital Marketing

Strong Happy Healthy Loved is a breathwork and wellness startup for veterans, first responders and anyone who feels stuck and lost — that has just been shortlisted for Change 100 — Top 100 Impact Startups To Watch in 2026, backed by Microsoft and global partners.
We are looking for a Website & Digital Marketing Specialist to help us optimise our website and drive traffic to our free eBook download page and Skool community.
Tasks will include:

• Reviewing and improving our website.
• Setting up and optimising email capture and automation
• Driving traffic from social media and search to our free eBook download page
• Funnelling website visitors into our Skool community
• Improving SEO so people can find us through Google
• Analysing website traffic and making recommendations for improvement

This is a meaningful role with real impact — helping us reach the people who need our programs most.

Minimum Hours per Week:

2-3 hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

Why we want you

As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community to ensure that that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

This role is diverse and allows for you to focus on the areas that you have skills or interests in. The role has flexibility and can work around your other commitments.

Below are some examples of possible activities you can take on or be a part of as a SSAFA Community Engagement Volunteer.

What you will be doing

• Activity Organisers - Love planning? Help coordinate amazing events like charity dinners, carol concerts, and local fairs.
• Event Champions - Be the friendly face of SSAFA! Help at events, chat with visitors, sell merchandise, and spread the word about our work.
• Promoting SSAFA Services - Help provide a warm, welcoming presence at Veterans Breakfast clubs, cafes or hubs - offering information about SSAFA services and signposting as appropriate.
• SSAFA Storytellers -Deliver engaging talks to organisations and groups, sharing SSAFA’s incredible history and mission.
• Community Connectors - Collaborating with the Community Engagement Manager to establish a local network, promote SSAFA's services, and respond to community opportunities such as gardening projects.
• Fundraising Heroes - Whether it’s rallying local businesses, organising events, or getting creative with unique fundraising ideas, you’ll play a crucial role in keeping SSAFA’s support going strong.
• Administrators - Are you detail-oriented and love keeping things organised? Assist with branch and event administration, manage schedules and branch calendars, and ensure everything runs smoothly currently being undertaken.

The skills you need

• Be friendly and approachable.
• Confident to engage with the public, potential clients, volunteers and SSAFA colleagues face-to-face.
• Reliable attitude, staying connected with your Branch and/or Community Engagement Manager about your availability.
• Access to public transport or a car to get to events if necessary.
• Basic IT skills would be an advantage.

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others and make a difference.
• Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising awareness of SSAFA.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and SSAFA Community Engagement Manager.
• 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!

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.