164 Mentoring volunteer roles

The RSAA is seeking up to four new trustees to join its board at the most exciting moment in the Society’s recent history. In our 125th anniversary year, we are renewing our mission:  promoting Asian Studies and deeper public understanding of Asia, and we are looking for exceptional people to help us deliver it.

About the Society

Founded in 1901, the RSAA is an independent, international network for informed debate about Asia, engaging experts, policy makers and the wider public with experience, analysis and scholarship. Our geographical remit runs from the eastern Mediterranean to the Pacific. We publish the quarterly journal Asian Affairs (in print continuously since 1914), the Asian Review of Books and the magazine Caravanserai.  We run a programme of public lectures and events in London and online, are digitising our historic archive, and support younger scholars through our awards and recently created mentoring scheme. The Society is wholly independent: it accepts no state funding and takes no institutional positions on issues of public policy. It is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (no. 1179300).

A new chapter

The board has set an ambitious direction for the Society’s next quarter-century: building the RSAA into a leading force for the study and understanding of Asia in the UK. Plans include a permanently endowed programme of research and travel awards, strengthened publications, and expanded collaboration with leading institutions in Asia and the United States. To underwrite this, the Society is preparing a major philanthropic fundraising programme. Alongside it, the board and executive will together shape a new five-year business plan to take effect from 2028.

Who we are looking for

We wish to strengthen the board with senior figures who share our commitment to Asia and can bring some of the following:

· Fundraising leadership. Substantial experience of philanthropic fundraising: major gifts, trusts and foundations, or corporate giving,  and the appetite to play an active part in a significant campaign alongside the President, Chairman and CEO.

· Networks and standing. Strong personal connections in philanthropic, business, academic, diplomatic or cultural circles in the UK, in Asia or in the United States, and the credibility to open doors at the most senior level.

· Commitment to the field. A demonstrable commitment to Asian Studies, whether from an academic, publishing, cultural, business or public-service background, and enthusiasm for deepening understanding of Asia.

· Strategic planning. Experience of setting strategy and building organisations, to help the executive draft and deliver the Society’s next five-year business plan.

We would also particularly welcome candidates offering skills in charity finance and accountancy, charity law and governance.

What is involved

The board meets quarterly online, with additional work through sub-committees and involvement in fundraising activity and events.  Trustees are appointed for a term of three years, renewable once. The role is unremunerated; reasonable expenses are paid.

 Diversity

The RSAA seeks to reflect, in the diversity of its board, the breadth of the communities, regions and disciplines with which the Society engages. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, and particularly from people of Asian heritage.

How to apply

Please submit a CV and a short covering letter, explaining what you would bring to the board by Friday 30 October 2026. Candidates are warmly invited to have an informal, confidential conversation with the Chairman or the CEO before applying.  To arrange one, please get in touch through the contact page on our website.  Interviews for shortlisted applicants will be held in November.

We are looking for football coach volunteers to help lead and deliver our weekly football sessions to support residents to rebuild body and mind.

Session is currently being run in a park a 5 minute walk from Ditchmore Lane, Stevenage 

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays 4 to 5pm

Project Resilience provides easily accessible opportunities for our hostel residents to take part in a variety of social and sporting activities to boost overall health and wellbeing.

We are looking for football coach volunteers to help lead and deliver our weekly football sessions to support residents to rebuild body and mind. 

Your responsibilities will include:

· Plan, prepare and deliver engaging weekly football sessions

· Helping with set up/tidying of any equipment 

· Managing and maintaining focus of residents to support their fitness progress and development

· Working closely with Project Resilience Coordinator, maintaining open lines of communication and feedback 

· Assist with any related events such as organising tournaments or community football events 

This role offers a dynamic and rewarding opportunity to inspire and mentor vulnerable residents, contributing to their health and personal growth. Your commitment to excellence in coaching and resident engagement will not only enhance your professional skills but also make a significant impact on the community. 

Join us in making a difference, one game at a time.

You will need:

· Previous experience in coaching/running football sessions 

· Being able to work as part of a team as well as on your own initiative

· Being empathetic and understanding to the needs of vulnerable residents who may have differing fitness skills and levels 

· Some sort of formal sports training - doesn’t have to be specifically for football but we would like to see some level of education e.g. Level 2 gym instructor plus 

What we will provide:

· A full induction to the role and site will be provided

· You will be required to undertake mandatory e-learning and a menu of optional training will be made available 

· Ongoing supervision and support from your line manager

· Access to organisational events and celebrations throughout the year 

 Please note: You will be required to undergo a DBS check and we will need 2 x references.

Headlight is a friendly, non-clinical peer to peer support group and one to one mentoring for young people experiencing emotional and mental health issues. We rely on volunteers to help run our fortnightly evening sessions in Ottery St Mary alongside trained staff.

Could you help young people to feel welcome and part of a support network? Could you offer a listening ear to a young person who needs to talk? Could you relate to young people aged 18-25 and help engage and support them in the groups activities? Are you hands on and willing to do the practical stuff such as set up, food preparation and tidying up? 

If you said yes to those questions then please get in touch with Molly. 

Volunteering Opportunity 

Group Activities Mentor

What You’ll Do

Support a small group of older people aged 65+ to become more active and improve their wellbeing. You'll facilitate discussions, encourage participation, and help the group work towards shared goals during a 12-week programme.

You will:

· Support a group of up to 6 participants

· Help the group identify a shared wellbeing or physical activity goal

· Facilitate weekly group sessions

· Encourage participation and positive peer support

· Monitor progress towards agreed goals

· Introduce ideas and activities that support healthy ageing and wellbeing

· Maintain attendance and session records

Skills You’ll Use or Develop

· Group facilitation

· Communication and leadership

· Motivation and coaching skills

· Confidence managing group discussions

· Organisation and planning

· Problem-solving and teamwork

Time Commitment

Minimum 2 hours per week

Flexible weekdays between 9:00am and 5:00pm

Location: Community locations around Enfield

Reports to: Communities in Motion Manager

Ready to Apply?

Our Volunteer Opportunities Pack and Volunteer Application Form are attached and available to download.

If you're interested in joining our volunteer team, simply complete the application form and email it to us. (Email address included in the application pack)

Once we've received your application, we'll arrange an informal telephone chat to discuss the volunteer role(s) you're interested in, answer any questions you may have, and help you find the opportunity that's the best fit for you.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Volunteer Coach

Transitions supports adults who may be feeling isolated, overwhelmed or going through periods of change. We work alongside people to build confidence, develop skills, and support independent living through a mix of workshops, coaching and community connection.

What you’ll be doing

As a Volunteer Wellbeing Coach, you’ll:

• Meet your client (initially with a staff member) to build trust and agree goals
• Provide weekly 1-hour coaching sessions (up to 6 months)
• Support clients to set goals, create action plans and review progress
• Help people use workshop tools and self-help resources in everyday life
• Encourage confidence-building and independent decision-making
• Support access to local services, groups, clubs and community activities
• Signpost to specialist support and accompany clients to first appointments if needed
• Help reduce isolation by supporting social connection and community engagement
• Encourage participation in Transitions workshops and group sessions

What we’re looking for

You don’t need professional experience — just the right values and approach:

• Friendly, approachable and reliable
• Good listener with strong communication skills
• Empathetic and non-judgemental
• Open-minded and comfortable working with people from all backgrounds
• Interested in personal development and supporting others
• Able to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries
• Positive, patient and encouraging

What you’ll get

• Full training and ongoing support
• Experience in coaching, mentoring and wellbeing support
• Opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s life
• Meet new people and be part of a supportive team
• The chance to help reduce isolation and build stronger communities
• Expenses (if applicable) and full guidance throughout

Purpose of the Role:

To inspire and guide girls aged 16–18 at the Baytree Centre through a focused six-session mentoring programme with a professional female role model. The Career Champions programme pairs young people with mentors working in their field of interest, for example, a girl aspiring to become an architect is matched with a practising architect, to provide insight into career pathways, develop professional skills, and build confidence. By sharing knowledge, experience, and encouragement, mentors support participants in making informed decisions about their future education and career choices.

Main Responsibilities:

- Deliver six structured mentoring sessions tailored to the mentee’s career interests and goals.

- Share knowledge, experiences, and practical advice about the mentor’s professional field.

- Introduce mentees to key skills, qualifications, and opportunities relevant to the chosen career.

- Support mentees in setting short- and long-term career-related goals, providing guidance on how to achieve them.

- Foster a positive and supportive relationship that builds the mentee’s confidence, motivation, and resilience.

- Where appropriate, provide insights into workplace culture, networking, and professional development.

- Maintain communication with the programme coordinator to track progress and address any concerns.

- Adhere to Baytree Centre policies and safeguarding procedures.

Skills and Qualities Required:

- Professional experience in the relevant career field, with the ability to share industry-specific knowledge.

- Strong interpersonal skills to build trust and rapport with young people.

- Patience, empathy, and the ability to encourage and motivate. - Good communication skills, with the ability to explain career pathways and options clearly.

Commitment:

- Six one-hour mentoring sessions to be completed within a maximum of three months.

- Sessions to be scheduled Monday to Friday between 4pm and 6pm.

- Flexibility to deliver sessions face-to-face or online, depending on the mentee’s needs.

Benefits:

- Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a young person’s future career journey.

- Develop mentoring, coaching, and communication skills.

- Share expertise and inspire the next generation of female professionals.

- Be part of a supportive and empowering volunteer community.

This role is open to female applicants only (Equality Act 2010: Schedule 9: Occupational Requirements). Applicants must be 18 years or older.

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy and numeracy?

Volunteers are essential to Shannon Trust and bring their energy, ideas and skills to train mentors in prisons, support learners in the community and enhance our business support team.

We are looking for volunteers to provide training and support to our mentors in prison in the North East area. This could include visiting any of the following prisons: HMP Frankland, HMP Holme House, HMP Durham, HMP Northumberland, HMP Low Newton, HMP Deerbolt. There may be some additional preparation and/ or administrative tasks in between volunteering days at the prison.

Our prison volunteers nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by delivering training sessions for prison mentors and offering ongoing advice, guidance and support through mentor meetings.

Volunteer recruitment dates

The closing date for applications to attend our next round of training is 24 January 2027. In some circumstances, volunteer vacancies may close early. Successful applicants will be sent interview questions in advance with notice to prepare. We will respond to all applications. Successful applicants will be invited to an interview between 25 January and 5 February 2027. This is an opportunity for you to meet our regional team, to find out more about you and for us to share more information about the volunteering role.

Training:

You'll be given high quality training to prepare you for volunteering with Shannon Trust. This takes place over 4 training sessions and via our online training portal. We ask that volunteers aim to complete the training in one course as this means that you will be ready to start actively volunteering. The next training sessions for volunteering for people applying to be a prison based volunteer will take place as follows.

Please check that you can attend all of the training the dates prior to applying:

• 16 February 2027, 10am – 1pm (via Zoom)

• 23 February 2027, 10am – 1pm (via Zoom)

• 2 March 2027, 10am – 1pm (via Zoom)

• 23 March 2027, 10am-4pm (in person session, London)

• 30 March 2027, 10am - 11am (via Zoom) - optional additional session

You’ll also receive the opportunity to attend ongoing training sessions and peer support meetings during your time as a volunteer to build your skills and experience.

A growing NGO in Malawi, working across education, livelihoods, health and environmental sustainability, is seeking a volunteer accountant to strengthen its finance systems.

The organisation has grown significantly and now manages multiple donor funded projects, with annual income of over £1 million. QuickBooks has been introduced, but is not yet fully embedded, and many processes remain manual.

The volunteer will work with the Finance and Administration Manager, wider finance team and senior leadership to review current systems, identify priorities and support practical improvements.

Key areas of support may include QuickBooks, budgeting, forecasting, cashflow, donor reporting, management accounts, internal controls, expenditure verification, audit readiness and mentoring.

This would suit a collaborative and adaptable finance professional who can balance a broad systems review with practical, hands on support.

______________________________________

Accounting for International Development (AfID) matches experienced accountants with charities, NGOs and social enterprises around the world. Our volunteers provide practical finance support, helping partners strengthen systems, reporting, controls and confidence.

Role: Fitness Coach Volunteer

Service: Amy’s Place is a partnership between the Amy Winehouse Foundation and Clarion Housing, providing supported living accommodation for young women aged 18-30 in recovery from drugs, alcohol and other addictive behaviours.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable and compassionate volunteer with good interpersonal skills, preferably with some mental health awareness training and knowledge of addiction recovery, to offer 1-2-1 coaching to women interested in enjoying the benefits of physical activity whilst improving their fitness skills.

Location: Hackney

Commitment: This is a flexible opportunity and volunteering times and frequency will vary depending on the volunteer’s availability and the needs of the residents. It might be every week or fortnight ideally for a minimum of 3 months.

DBS: This role will require us to carry out an enhanced check through the disclosure and barring service.

Activities: Deliver 1-2-1 fitness coaching for women interested in enjoying the mental health benefits of physical activity whilst improving their fitness skills. Preferably the applicant will have mental health awareness training. At a minimum, you will have an understanding of addiction recovery and be sensitive to mental health struggles including eating disorders and body image difficulties.

Support: Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training § Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed § The role is based at the service in East London. The exact address cannot be given until the volunteer starts due to safety and privacy reasons

About The Pinnacle Centre

The Pinnacle Centre is a third space in Birmingham helping young adults grow holistically. We work across three domains: personal development, sports and wellbeing, and community and belonging.

Vision 2030 is where that work is heading. We're building a multi-purpose centre in Birmingham — sports facilities, co-working space, an auditorium and a café — designed as a home for young adults to train, work, learn and gather.

Role Summary

You build the non-financial relationships that give Pinnacle reach and credibility — mosques, universities, community organisations, sports clubs and local institutions. Corporate Partnership handles money; you build mutual value.

Key tasks

1.  Relationship building

○ Map and prioritise the organisations worth partnering with across the city and country.

○ Make first approaches and build genuine working relationships.

○ Define what Pinnacle offers a partner, not only what we want from them.

2.  Partnership delivery

○ Agree scope in writing through MOUs or referral arrangements.

○ Coordinate joint events, cross-promotion and shared initiatives.

○ Deliver our side properly, so partners want a second year.

3.  Reach & audience

○ Use partnerships to reach young adults we are not currently reaching.

○ Support Marketing with partner distribution channels.

○ Represent Pinnacle credibly at partner events.

4.  Coordination & records

○ Coordinate with the Corporate Partnership Lead so one organisation has one relationship with us.

○ Maintain the partnerships register: status, owner, value and renewal date.

○ Report on partnership activity to the CMO.

What we're looking for

● Relationship-building or community engagement experience.

● Confident making a first approach to someone you do not know.

● Strong follow-through — most partnerships die of neglect.

● Credible representing Pinnacle without senior cover in the room.

● Knowledge of Birmingham's community and institutional landscape (desirable).

What we have to offer

● Real ownership of a function, not a task list — you will shape how it works, not just execute someone else's plan.

● A seat in a team building towards a 2030 horizon, with a clear line of sight to the leadership team.

● Access to our network of founders, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors through Pinnacle's events programme.

● Training, mentoring and the opportunity to build and lead a team of your own as the organisation grows.

● The reward of building something in your city that will outlast all of us.

Please note: this is currently a volunteer position. Reasonable expenses for travel, equipment and refreshments are reimbursed in line with our Expenses Policy. As Pinnacle grows and funding allows, we expect several senior roles to move to paid positions, and volunteers already in post will be considered first.

About The Pinnacle Centre

The Pinnacle Centre is a third space in Birmingham helping young adults grow holistically. We work across three domains: personal development, sports and wellbeing, and community and belonging.

Vision 2030 is where that work is heading. We're building a multi-purpose centre in Birmingham — sports facilities, co-working space, an auditorium and a café — designed as a home for young adults to train, work, learn and gather.

Role Summary

You bring in corporate support — sponsorship, charity-of-the-year partnerships, in-kind giving and employee fundraising. You build relationships where the business genuinely gets something back.

Key tasks

1.  Prospecting

○ Identify businesses whose interests align with Pinnacle's work and audience.

○ Research decision-makers and the best route in.

○ Maintain a prospect pipeline with clear ownership so approaches never collide with other teams.

2.  Proposition & pitch

○ Build sponsorship packages with clearly defined deliverables and honest value.

○ Pitch to businesses and negotiate terms.

○ Agree everything in writing before delivery begins.

3.  Delivery & stewardship

○ Deliver what was promised: visibility, access, engagement and reporting.

○ Provide sponsors with evidence of impact and reach.

○ Renew partnerships before they lapse rather than after.

4.  Coordination

○ Coordinate with the Partnerships Lead so one organisation has one relationship with us.

○ Work with Events on sponsor presence and experience on the night.

○ Report income and pipeline to the CFO.

What we're looking for

● Sales, business development or sponsorship experience.

● Confident with senior business contacts and comfortable making the first approach.

● Commercially minded — you can structure something where both sides win.

● Strong follow-through; the role is mostly what happens after the pitch.

● Knowledge of the Birmingham business network (desirable).

What we have to offer

● Real ownership of a function, not a task list — you will shape how it works, not just execute someone else's plan.

● A seat in a team building towards a 2030 horizon, with a clear line of sight to the leadership team.

● Access to our network of founders, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors through Pinnacle's events programme.

● Training, mentoring and the opportunity to build and lead a team of your own as the organisation grows.

● The reward of building something in your city that will outlast all of us.

Please note: this is currently a volunteer position. Reasonable expenses for travel, equipment and refreshments are reimbursed in line with our Expenses Policy. As Pinnacle grows and funding allows, we expect several senior roles to move to paid positions, and volunteers already in post will be considered first.

We are looking for a volunteer youth worker who will work closely with the WFRC Youth coordinators in the planning and delivery of high-quality youth activities which are fun, safe, social and educational.

You will be helping to provide a safe and supportive environment where young people learn to;

→ treat themselves and others with kindness and respect

→ discover exciting new ideas and activities they are unlikely to experience anywhere else

→ laugh, learn, experiment, make mistakes and

thrive & grow into motivated, positive, resilient and caring citizens

Principal Responsibilities

→ Welcoming young people, ensuring everything is running smoothly and supporting young people in engaging with activities provided.

→ Delivering a drop-in / online session for example organising games, positive activities and conversations, taking accountability for security and safe working within the youth sessions

→ Supporting the delivery of creative and partnership projects

→ Having conversations with young people, identifying issues affecting them and how their needs can be met

→ Mentoring, coaching and supporting individuals, encouraging young people to develop their self-awareness, independence and individuality

→ Identifying where targeted youth support is needed and facilitate referrals and connections

→ Helping ensure that all evidence of projects are properly documented, and that work is evaluated and reported in accordance with contractual commitments

→ Keeping registers, writing evaluation reports and inputting data into our management information system

→ Taking part in outreach activities, both independently and in partnership with other services

→ Developing and building strong community relationships with external stakeholders i.e schools and colleges, and developing relationships with youth networks in Wolverhampton

→ Staying informed on legislation, local and national issues, and best practice in youth work

→ Ensuring child protection procedures are followed and that the safeguarding of young people is paramount

→ Carry out all duties in accordance with WFRC’s policies on Health and Safety, Child Protection and Data Protection, and with relevant legislation

→ Act as a role model for young people, inspiring them to engage in the services and understand and appreciate the role of youth work as a career opportunity

→ Any other duties appropriate to the post as directed by WFRC

You are

→ Friendly, cheerful, positive and self-driven, able to work independently and as part of a team

Education, qualifications or experience

→ Level 2 JNC or relevant youth work experience

→ Experience of working with children and/or young people in an online/ offline environment

→ Experience of organising small scale events or coordinating projects is desirable

Knowledge, skills and abilities

→ Excellent communication skills, with the ability to quickly establish positive relationships with young people and motivate them to participate in activities and events

→ Good organisational and administration skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office

→ Understanding and appreciation of the importance of monitoring and evaluation in a youth work setting

→ Politically and creatively aware and ‘plugged in’ to emerging youth subculture

→ Positive about embracing challenge and change, open to experimenting, new ideas, reflective practice and working with other organisations in a spirit of partnership

→ Ability to prioritise effectively and enjoy multitasking in a busy environment

→ A believer in strongly supportive environments, sharing and being open with colleagues

→ A working understanding of safeguarding children and young people and how to maintain appropriate professional boundaries

→ A working understanding of equality and diversity with the ability to challenge discriminatory behaviour

About The Pinnacle Centre

The Pinnacle Centre is a third space in Birmingham helping young adults grow holistically. We work across three domains: personal development, sports and wellbeing, and community and belonging.

Vision 2030 is where that work is heading. We're building a multi-purpose centre in Birmingham — sports facilities, co-working space, an auditorium and a café — designed as a home for young adults to train, work, learn and gather.

Role Summary

You run Pinnacle's finance function day to day: accurate books, timely reporting, tight controls and no surprises. The CFO sets financial strategy; you own the numbers underneath it.

Key tasks

1.  Bookkeeping & transactions

○ Record income and expenditure accurately and promptly.

○ Reconcile bank accounts, card transactions and payment platforms.

○ Process supplier invoices and volunteer expense claims in line with policy.

2.  Reporting

○ Produce monthly management accounts with commentary, not just figures.

○ Report budget against actual by department and flag variances early.

○ Track restricted fund spend against funder conditions.

3.  Controls & compliance

○ Enforce authorisation limits, expenses policy and segregation of duties.

○ Prepare for year end and support Companies House filings and the CIC annual report.

○ Keep records in a state that would survive scrutiny.

4.  Budgeting support

○ Help each lead build a budget they can realistically hold.

○ Provide event and programme costings, including cost per participant.

○ Challenge spending that is unbudgeted or unjustified.

What we're looking for

● Qualified, part-qualified or experienced in bookkeeping and management accounts.

● Accurate and methodical — small errors bother you.

● Confident with accounting software such as Xero or QuickBooks.

● Familiar with restricted fund accounting in a charity or CIC context (desirable).

● Discreet and trustworthy with confidential information.

What we have to offer

● Real ownership of a function, not a task list — you will shape how it works, not just execute someone else's plan.

● A seat in a team building towards a 2030 horizon, with a clear line of sight to the leadership team.

● Access to our network of founders, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors through Pinnacle's events programme.

● Training, mentoring and the opportunity to build and lead a team of your own as the organisation grows.

● The reward of building something in your city that will outlast all of us.

Please note: this is currently a volunteer position. Reasonable expenses for travel, equipment and refreshments are reimbursed in line with our Expenses Policy. As Pinnacle grows and funding allows, we expect several senior roles to move to paid positions, and volunteers already in post will be considered first.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

This opportunity will be at both Crook and Durham so volunteers need to be willing to volunteer at both sites.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.