Social support work volunteer roles

Do you want to help disabled and neurodivergent children and their families who may be struggling to live their lives to their full potential? You can help us by providing support in your local community.

What will you be doing?

• Gathering information about family needs in person at local family hubs
• Supporting families in accessing useful information and connecting them with services.
• Researching and maintaining a directory of local community support services and groups.
• Identifying and attending community outreach/family engagement events to raise awareness of services in the local area.
• Providing emotional support to families

What skills would be useful?

• Good interpersonal skills
• A good level of written and verbal communication
• A good level of computer literacy
• A good eye for detail
• Experience supporting disabled or neurodivergent children
• Experience supporting families in health and social care sector

What’s in it for you?

• Relevant training, mentoring and support will be provided
• Gain experience to add on to your CV
• Utilise your skills and learn new ones
• Social opportunities
• Access to wellbeing support
• Out of pocket travel expenses can be reimbursed
• We strive to make reasonable adjustments and improve accessibility

Location:

Maryhill Family Hub in Kidsgrove, Gloucester Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 4DJ

Age limit:

18

Schedule / How much time are you expected to give and when?:

For the role to be mutually beneficial, we hope for volunteers to volunteer for 6 months.

The Kidsgrove sessions take place on the 2nd and 4th Friday morning of the month.

Do you want to help disabled and neurodivergent children and their families who may be struggling to live their lives to their full potential?

You can help us by providing family support in your local community 

What will you be doing?

• Gathering information about family needs in person at local family hubs
• Supporting families in accessing useful information and connecting them with services.
• Researching and maintaining a directory of local community support services and groups.
• Identifying and attending community outreach/family engagement events to raise awareness of services in the local area.
• Providing emotional support to families

What skills would be useful?

• Good interpersonal skills
• A good level of written and verbal communication
• A good level of computer literacy
• A good eye for detail
• Experience supporting disabled or neurodivergent children
• Experience supporting families in health and social care sector

What’s in it for you?

• Relevant training, mentoring and support will be provided
• Gain experience to add on to your CV
• Utilise your skills and learn new ones
• Social opportunities
• Access to wellbeing support
• Out of pocket travel expenses can be reimbursed
• We strive to make reasonable adjustments and improve accessibility

Location:

Stafford Family Hub Faraday Road, Stafford, ST16 3NQ

Age limit:

18

Schedule / How much time are you expected to give and when?:

For the role to be mutually beneficial, we hope for volunteers to volunteer for 6 months.

The 2nd and 4th Monday of the month 1pm-3pm (possibility of weekly sessions tbc)

About Us

Our Vision is to be the leading provider of therapeutic care, education and treatment for children and young people who have experienced early childhood trauma.  ​

​​Our Mission is to transform the lives of children and young people who suffer severe emotional and psychological difficulties, so they can relate well to others and fulfil their potential. ​

​​Our Approach is a form of psychotherapeutic group living and learning modelled on healthy relationships, adapted to the developmental needs of children and young people suffering early childhood trauma. We call this Integrated Systemic Therapy (iST). ​

Role descriptions and person specification

Role description attached provides more information on the role and responsibilities.   For this Trustee role we are particularly seeking individuals with demonstrable Social Care practice experience in an organization of comparable size and scale, in particular with insights into safeguarding. 

For more details about Childhood First, please visit our website. 

Commitment

• Each year, our Trustees are expected to attend four regular board meetings, from 5 to 7 pm in Central London. In addition, Trustees would attend potentially four meetings of any sub-committee of which they are a member. Further time is required for reading of papers before meetings.
• You would also receive invitations to various Childhood First events in the communities, which are optional but strongly encouraged to help better understand the work and feel a connection to the charity.
• We are particularly cognisant of the need to be flexible in the demands we make of Trustee colleagues. Each year there is an opportunity to meet with the Chair for mutual feedback and to discuss ways in which Trustees might wish to develop their roles.

Successful candidates will be invited to attend a board meeting will be on 15 September 2026 in Central London.

We hope you will consider making an application. If you have questions about the role and would like an informal conversation before applying please email Michael Joseph, Director of Finance and Corporate Services.

All trustee roles will be subject to background vetting, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (which may include overseas checks) which will be maintained by Childhood First for the duration of their term.

We would also be grateful if you would complete the Equality and Diversity monitoring form on the online application process. This form is for monitoring purposes only and is not treated as part of your application.

Job Description:

The Women & Families Resource Centre (WFRC) is a registered charity based in Wolverhampton which supports, empowers and advocates for women and children. We aim to actively encourage women to be self-reliant, through empowering them to identify their own needs, make their own choices and create their own solutions.
We offer short term home visits, counselling sessions, baby bank, practical & emotional One to One support, Domestic violence groups, Awareness raising workshops and drop in or chat groups to help women facing crises or challenging situations.

Purpose
To manage and grow our social media presence through creative content, audience engagement, and analysing audience engagement to help amplify WFRC’s mission.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Help create, implement, and maintain a social media strategy and content plan
• Use social media platforms to promote the activities, impact, and achievements of WFRC
• Keep social media channels regularly updated with engaging and relevant content
• Encourage audience interaction by increasing comments, shares, and engagement across platforms
• Ensure communications reach a wide range of local stakeholders and diverse audiences
• Develop and manage content for our website and social media platforms, including Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube
• Identify and select the most effective channels to engage our diverse audiences
• Stay up to date with WFRC events, projects, and news, identifying key opportunities for promotion across social media channels
• Develop publicity materials and communication approaches to better engage underrepresented communities
• Visit projects and attend events to gather content and write articles or stories for our blog and online platforms
• Manage the organisation, filing, and archiving of photographs, videos, and other digital media content

Qualifications:

• Experience managing social media accounts for a charity, organisation, business, personal project, or student initiative is preferred.
• Familiarity with social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, and YouTube.
• Experience using content creation and design tools such as Canva, CapCut, Adobe Express, or similar platforms is an advantage.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to create engaging content for diverse audiences.
• Creative thinking skills with the ability to develop new ideas, campaigns, and promotional content.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with staff, volunteers, and community members.
• Interest or experience in community work, charities, or social impact initiatives is desirable.
• A passion for our mission and a commitment to helping us increase our impact and strengthen community engagement.

Job Type: Volunteer

Benefits:
Flexitime
Store discount

Work Location: In person

Become a Community Discharge Support Service Volunteer and help someone get back on their feet when they come home from hospital.

What do Community Support Volunteers do?

Our friendly Community Support Volunteers visit people when they have come home from hospital, typically once a week for 4 – 6 weeks.

At a time when people are recovering and really appreciate a bit of extra help you could be supporting with shopping and light housework. But it’s often the company and encouragement of our volunteers that is appreciated the most as we check in and chat!

By doing this we help with recovery and reduce the chance of readmission to hospital.

You can also help from our office in Aylesbury  by making welfare and check in calls with our clients and helping to arrange these visits.

What you will get out of it

It's a great way to make a real difference to someone's life at a time they especially need it.

You'll be giving something back to your community

You get to be part of Age UK Buckinghamshire's volunteer team

Volunteers tell us they find this really rewarding and get lots out of it themselves.

What is expected of me?

Community Support Volunteers are expected to visit each client once a week for up to 6 weeks.

These visits are flexible, based on your availability.

Our office support volunteers are asked to help for 1 – 2 hours a week.

Volunteers complete a short relevant training session and provide references.

Are you a looking for experience in Communications? Do you have a passion for social media? 
 
Join us as a Volunteer Communications Assistant! 

We are looking for an enthusiastic volunteer to support our Community Connections Officer and the People we support in Wales.If you’re looking for Communications experience or you love to make a difference, this is the perfect opportunity to get involved! 
 
Activities will include 

Supporting our Facebook and social media presence. This includes:

• Assisting with poster creation and promotional materials 

• Using Canva to create visual content and graphics 

• Creating content and engaging with Dimensions Wales Facebook group members 

• Networking with community social media groups 

• Liaising with Dimensions Community Connections Officer 

About you 

We are looking for someone who is: 

• Interested in communications, marketing, or social media 

• Experienced in using Canva and confident with social media 

• Creative with good written communication skills 

• Friendly, enthusiastic and interested in others

• Passionate about supporting people to live better lives 

• Reliable/dependable and willing to volunteer regularly

What you’ll gain from being a Dimensions volunteer:    

Dimensions provide support for autistic people and people with learning disabilities across the UK.   

Our volunteers play a vital role in our work and in return, we support them with:    

•  Access to free online training (with access to 800 plus courses)    

• Comprehensive support from professional and friendly Dimensions staff    

• Reasonable expenses may be reimbursed at manager’s discretion     

• An opportunity to gain real experience in the social care sector    

Want to apply for this role? 

If you’d like to be a Dimensions volunteer, please get in touch!

Have you got a passion for making an impact in your local community?

 Could you support us by being our ambassador and a speaker within your local community to help Caudwell Children to raise funds that support disabled and neurodivergent children to realise their full potential?

 What will you be doing?

· Represent the organisation at community events, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere and sharing information about Caudwell Children

· Build positive relationships with local businesses, schools, and community groups to encourage support.

· Give presentations to community groups to raise awareness

 What skills would be useful?

· Friendly, approachable and confident speaking with new people

· Organised

· Creative and enthusiastic about fundraising

· Public speaking experience or confidence to learn

 What’s in it for you?

· Relevant training, mentoring and support will be provided

· Gain experience to add on to your CV

· Utilise your skills and learn new ones.

· Social opportunities

· Access to wellbeing support

· Out of pocket travel expenses can be reimbursed

· We strive to make reasonable adjustments and improve accessibility

How much time are you expected to give and when?

Volunteering is flexible. The brilliant thing about this role is you can do as much or as little as you like.  Weekdays or weekends, daytime or evenings, there is lots of choice.

 Where is the role located?

Looking for volunteers based across Staffordshire, support provided remotely.

Minimum age for this role: 16

Befriending Volunteer 

Would you like to offer companionship to someone who feels lonely, help them rebuild confidence, reconnect with their community, or simply brighten their week with a friendly chat? 

What do Befriending Volunteers do?

Our volunteers support older people (50+) who may be feeling lonely, isolated, or cut off from their usual activities. Volunteers help clients rebuild confidence, reconnect socially, and enjoy meaningful conversation. 

Support can take different forms depending on the client’s needs: 

Short-term Face-to-Face Support (up to 6 months) 

• Visiting someone regularly to help them work towards personal goals 

• Encouraging confidence to get out and about again 

• Supporting them to re-engage with interests, community groups, or social activities 

Long-term Befriending (for those most isolated) 

• Providing stable, ongoing social support 

• Regular facetoface or telephone companionship 

• Building a consistent and trusting relationship 

National Telephone Befriending 

• Offering friendly conversation over the phone 

• Providing regular social contact for people unable to meet in person 

This is a rewarding and varied volunteer role where every person you meet will be different — and you’ll have the chance to make a meaningful difference to their wellbeing. 

What you will get out of it

• A chance to support older people and make a real positive impact 

• A meaningful role where relationships grow and confidence returns 

• Opportunities to meet new people and experience new things 

• Being part of Age UK Buckinghamshire’s volunteer team 

• Full training, ongoing support, and guidance from your Outreach Support Worker 

Our volunteers tell us they find befriending incredibly fulfilling and often get as much from the relationship as the client does 

What is expected of me?

• We will talk you through each potential match before you decide to take it on 

• Most volunteers commit around 1–2 hours a week 

• Shortterm matches typically last up to 6 months; longterm befriending is ongoing 

• Time may be spent visiting someone at home, accompanying them to a local activity, or chatting with them by phone 

• Volunteers complete a short online training program and provide references 

• A DBS check will be required (provided at no cost) 

Who can volunteer?

If you are warm, friendly, patient, and enjoy chatting with people, this could be the role for you. You do not need any formal qualifications, just a desire to support someone who is feeling vulnerable or alone. 

Ref: V267 | Support Group Volunteer | Greenwich, London

We’re looking for one Support Group Volunteer over the age of 18 years old, based at St. Marys (Eltham) Community Complex Association, 180 Eltham High Street, London, SE9 1BJ.

You’ll be volunteering every Thursday between 10:30am and 12:30pm.

As a support group volunteer, you will help with the running of the group. The role is designed to suit the needs of the group, and the skills of people offering support. If you enjoy getting to know your community, working with others and making a real difference then this is the role for you.

The volunteer will be

· A people person, with good listening skills

· A great communicator who enjoys meeting new people

· Good at putting people at ease

· Reliable and organised

· Passionate about supporting people affected by stroke

· IT literate, have good administrative and record keeping skills and be able to follow relevant policies

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this role.

Interested in this role?

Find out more by downloading the role description for the Support Group Volunteer role for the Greenwich group.

About Us

About the Stroke Association

Finding strength through support

The Stroke Association is the only charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. We provide tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year. This support includes one-to-one and group support, funding vital scientific research into stroke prevention, acute treatment, recovery and long-term care, and campaigning to secure the best care for everyone affected by stroke. 

We’re here for stroke survivors and their loved ones, from the moment they enter the new and frightening post-stroke world, supporting them every step of the way as they find their strength and their way back to life.

It’s only thanks to the generosity of our supporters and donors that we can provide vital support. 

Stroke Association is driven by our ambition to improve the lives of everyone affected by stroke. This means we’re determined to create an equitable and inclusive workplace that benefits from the difference, and thrives on the diversity, of our people. Guided by Our approach to solving inequity in stroke, we are prioritising listening to, and learning from, lived experience across our charity.

We are working to improve the representation of this lived experience at all levels within the Stroke Association, and we are eager to recruit applicants from a variety of communities and backgrounds. We are keen to receive applications from people affected by stroke, people of colour, members of LGBT+ communities, and disabled people because these identities and experiences are underrepresented and would add enormous value to how we work.

We are a Disability Confident employer, and we are making great progress focusing on flexible working, reasonable adjustments and access to work. Our charity has a variety of staff network groups and we're committed to continuously improving our diversity and inclusion efforts. If you have questions, or access needs, we’re happy to discuss any support and adjustments we can make throughout the recruitment process so that you’re able to contribute your best in a way that meets your needs.

Age UK Bucks ‘Age Better Bucks’ volunteers will support local older people to achieve personal goals – by helping them navigate and take advantage of a Support Plan devised by as community worker, that is designed to help them meet the challenges of older age.

This could be by phoning them to provide encouragement, explanation and support, and to check on progress, and also to help them with attendance at appointments and going to new groups or activities.

What do Age Better Bucks Volunteers do?

• Work with the Community Support Connector from Age UK Bucks to accept a client and understand their goals and support plan – and which services they have been referred to for support
• Contact the client to introduce yourself, and explain what you can help them with and if that’s OK with them
• Agree how your support is best provided – e.g. weekly calls for progress and encouragement, or help with something specific on their plan. That could be a home visit (if appropriate) to help them make a call or prepare for an appointment; attend a group or activity with them; or help them take a bus etc.
• Report back to the Community Support Connector if there are any issues or concerns and agree when your support can stop
• Ideally, you’d support a few clients each week or month, depending on how much time you have

The role is to support and help the client to access the referrals and support put in place for them – and not to support them with care or specific needs yourself. Referrals might be to local care services, to local groups or clubs, or to an occupational therapist for home adaptations, other voluntary organisations and support groups etc.

Our Age Better Bucks Service

Age Better Bucks supports over 65s who could benefit from extra support to manage their well being and remain independent. It is for older people experiencing challenges or need extra support to stay independent and well – for example increasing loneliness/isolation; bereavement; health/mobility decline; mood change.

Our team of support workers will assess their needs and circumstances specific to them, and develop an action plan with them to ensure more support and help can be arranged. We check in with the client after 6 weeks to see how they are getting on, and after 6 months to see how they are and check if anything has changed, got worse or improved.

The service is designed to give people the tools, contacts and support to make positive changes and especially to tackle the impact of loneliness and isolation.

An action plan, or support plan, will be devised with all clients, identifying their main goals based on their individual needs and challenges, and referring them, with their consent only, to other services and support we agree can help. At this stage we’ll assess if a volunteer like you can help then take full advantage of this support.

What you will get out of it

• Join an enthusiastic team of people who want to make a difference
• It's a great way to support older people making a real difference to their lives
• You'll be giving something back to your community
• You get to be part of Age UK Buckinghamshire's volunteer team
• We will reimburse reasonable, approved out of pocket expenses
• Volunteers tell us they find Volunteering really rewarding and get lots out of it themselves
• You will be fully supported by our Team and wider Age UK Buckinghamshire support.

What is expected of me?

We tell you about each client and ask if you’d like to take it up. You would then arrange and complete the call or visit when convenient. The work you do is conducted in line with guidance we provide and you must comply with necessary procedures including Data Protection/Confidentiality and Personal Safety.

After the visit/contact you will complete and submit a contact form. Volunteers complete relevant training, provide references and complete a DBS check.

Key skills and requirements

• Good listener, clear communicator and able to maintain confidentiality. A good conversationalist!
• Ability to lead the conversation, provide feedback to the team and summarise the conversation.
• Non-judgmental. Able to respect others’ differences and choices
• Patient, flexible and reliable
• Able to work independently with guidance and support
• Ability to travel around the area to visit people
• A regular commitment to give 1-2 hours a week would be appreciated but the role is flexible, you can work from home, do visits, only make calls, whatever works for you.
• An interest in helping older people live the lives they want

Become an Independent Visitor to be matched one to one with a young person in care. You will meet once or twice a month to take them out to do fun activities together. This is an opportunity for our young people to develop a healthy relationship with a trusted adult, have fun and share their worries and feelings if they are ready to do so.

We'll provide full training, all your expenses and ongoing support from dedicated staff. 

This is an opportunity for you to build skills and knowledge within social care and test yourself with real life experience of a young person in care.

We're looking for enthusiastic, committed people to bring their experience, skills and positivity to the lives of young people who have been through tough times. We will be providing training on the following subjects.

Session 1 Introduction to IV and the Care system
Session 2 Trauma, Attachment and Growth
Session 3 Safeguarding
Session 4 Communications and Boundaries
Session 5 The Role Of The IV

Would you like to help East Ayrshire Women’s Aid improve the lives of women, children and young people who experience domestic abuse in East Ayrshire? Do you have a willingness to learn, share your skills and work as part of a team? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you might be interested in becoming a Director of East Ayrshire Women’s Aid.

This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a team delivering vital support to vulnerable women, children and young people in East Ayrshire. You do not need to know everything there is to know about domestic abuse, but they do need to know that you are reliable and committed to our principles and values.

The position is voluntary, but East Ayrshire Women’s Aid will provide you with training and support and pay your expenses. The Board meets at least six times a year, usually on Saturday mornings.

Applications are welcomed from women from all sections of the community.

This post is subject to PVG Disclosure. Women only need apply. The post is covered by a Genuine Occupational Requirement (Schedule 9; Equality Act 2010).

Become an Independent Visitor to be matched one to one with a young person in care. You will meet once or twice a month to take them out to do fun activities together. This is an opportunity for our young people to develop a healthy relationship with a trusted adult, have fun and share their worries and feelings if they are ready to do so.

We'll provide full training, all your expenses and ongoing support from dedicated staff. 

This is an opportunity for you to build skills and knowledge within social care and test yourself with real life experience of a young person in care.

We're looking for enthusiastic, committed people to bring their experience, skills and positivity to the lives of young people who have been through tough times. We will be providing training on the following subjects.

Session 1 Introduction to IV and the Care system
Session 2 Trauma, Attachment and Growth
Session 3 Safeguarding
Session 4 Communications and Boundaries
Session 5 The Role Of The IV

We are looking for volunteer befrienders to spend some time with our clients  in and around Central London or  to speak to them over the phone.  Our current needs are in Tulse Hill, Stockwell, Annerley, and Stepney Green.Locations change as new referrals come in, so if you are interested in befriending and want to make positive difference to  an older persons emotional well being, please contact us, we may have a client in your area!  

Befriending is a simple way to make a positive difference to someone who feels alone, or is socially isolated.  Your gift of time and companionship will give them, and you, something to look forward to. As one of our volunteers once said,“this is an easy, very meaningful way to help someone and is immensely rewarding and fun!”  

Meetings are regular, usually weekly or fortnightly, for at least six months although most of our volunteers stay involved for  longer, only because they enjoy what they do!  Phone calls can me made from any quiet space at your home or workplace. 

You might visit a client in their home, or meet them in the community, chatting in coffee shops or talking while you walk - this really depends on what our client wants to do.  Our clients are  older Scots (60 plus) who simply want to do some of the activities that most of us take for granted.

We provide training before you start, ongoing support once you are matched, out of pocket expenses, references, social events and newsletters. 

This could be an ideal opportunity gain practical experience of working with adults in a health and social care setting, or for anyonewho enjoys meeting new people and making their lives a little brighter.

Please note, this is an unpaid voluntary role and applicants must live in or around the London area for meetings, or in the UK for phone calls. 

Please contact us for more information, and a very warm welcome!

Skills & characteristics required for befriending are:

• Good communication and listening skills, English speaking
• Friendly, warm and non-judgemental 
• Honest, reliable and committed
• Empathy 
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and boundaries (covered in training) 

An enhanced DBS check will be processed  for successful applicants and two references are required.