Social support work volunteer roles

Would you like to help tackle loneliness, one conversation at a time?

Loneliness and isolation can have devastating effects on a person’s mental and physical health. We are a registered charity providing a pathway of support to alleviate the hurt and distress, and the impact on mental and physical health, caused by loneliness and social isolation. 

We are looking for Group Volunteers to join our existing team of fantastic volunteers and help with running our supportive social groups which provide a monthly opportunity to meet in Oxford or Abingdon. We are also setting up a new service in Bnabury with a group. 

These groups offer a welcoming, safe and supportive environment in which Archway Friends can meet with and gain confidence in relating to others, develop new friendships and ultimately engage with people and activities in their local community. Volunteers attend one group a month (or more if they would like!) and meet and greet Friends (what we call people who come to our groups and use our services) as well as helping to facilitate the group with activities, moving around the group, helping with refreshments and actively listening to the people who attend.

We ask volunteers to think of this as a longer term volunteer role due to the training and time we take in order to give our volunteers, and Friends, the very best service. You will also need to consider occasional time spent in training for your role and for continuous development. 

For all our roles:

Due to our Safeguarding regulations, unfortunately we are only able to accept applications from UK residents. 

Enhanced DBS checks for working with vulnerable adults (formerly called criminal records bureau checks)  which we will organise (no cost to this) and two references are required.

For any roles involving driving Archway Friends, we will need to see evidence of insurance and driving license as well as MOT and tax documents for the vehicle to be used.

We will happily cover out of pocket expenses (eg mileage or costs or bus fare). 

We provide training relevant to the roles as well as ongoing supervision, guidance and support for all volunteers.

Be the Spark in Someone’s Month

Do you love a good chat, enjoy meeting new people, and want to make a real difference in someone’s life? Come and be part of something special!

We’re looking for friendly, outgoing volunteers to help at our monthly social group meetings. These gatherings are a lifeline for many of our members living with combined sight and hearing loss — offering connection, laughter, and a safe space to make new friends.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Group Volunteer, you’ll be the welcoming face that makes our members feel at home. Your role might include:

Greeting members with a warm smile

Helping with lunch and refreshments

Spending time chatting and socialising

Supporting members with mobility or guiding, if needed

Our Peterborough group meets every last Friday of the month from 1pm to 3pm — just two hours to brighten someone’s day!

Got a Talent? Share It!

Whether you’re a quiz master, a crafty creator, a musical marvel, or have a few magic tricks up your sleeve — we’d love to see what you can bring! Your unique skills could add that extra sparkle to our sessions.

What You’ll Get

Full training and 1:1 support

Opportunities to learn and grow in your role

The joy of knowing you’ve made a real difference

All you need is a friendly, welcoming manner and a willingness to help. We’ll take care of the rest.

Social Support Volunteer (Mentor)

This role offers one-to-one support to people experiencing issues with housing, healthcare, benefits, and employment. You will support individuals, helping them to access accommodation, secure financial support, improve their health and wellbeing, and develop employability skills.

What will you be doing?

You will support individuals to navigate complex systems such as housing, benefits and healthcare, offering practical help with forms and appointments in a respectful and confidential way. Work closely with partners including SIFA Fireside, Room Match, Tabor House and Street Link, and support people with CVs, job applications and work experience. You will also be involved in community engagement, raising awareness of homelessness and maintaining accurate, confidential records.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for someone with strong interpersonal skills who communicates respectfully and has a genuine commitment to supporting vulnerable people. You’ll be organised and able to manage time, records and appointments effectively, while working well as part of a team to provide joined-up support. Patience, emotional intelligence and a solutions-focused mindset are essential. Knowledge of benefits, housing or local support systems is beneficial but not essential.

What difference will you make?

Your input will have a direct impact on people’s lives and help reduce homelessness in Birmingham. You’ll support individuals to build confidence, resilience and self-worth, helping them regain control by removing barriers that can hold people back and supporting them towards a more secure and hopeful future.

Do you love a good chat, enjoy meeting new people, and want to make a real difference in someone’s life? Come and be part of something special!

We’re looking for friendly, outgoing volunteers to help at our monthly social group meetings. These gatherings are a lifeline for many of our members living with combined sight and hearing loss — offering connection, laughter, and a safe space to make new friends.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Group Volunteer, you’ll be the welcoming face that makes our members feel at home. Your role might include:

• Greeting members with a warm smile

• Helping with lunch and refreshments

• Spending time chatting and socialising

• Supporting members with mobility or guiding, if needed

Our Newham group meets every fourth Thurday of the month from 1pm to 3pm — just two hours to brighten someone’s day!

Got a Talent? Share It!

Whether you’re a quiz master, a crafty creator, a musical marvel, or have a few magic tricks up your sleeve — we’d love to see what you can bring! Your unique skills could add that extra sparkle to our sessions.

What You’ll Get

• Full training and 1:1 support

• Opportunities to learn and grow in your role

• The joy of knowing you’ve made a real difference

All you need is a friendly, welcoming manner and a willingness to help. We’ll take care of the rest.

Do you love a good chat, enjoy meeting new people, and want to make a real difference in someone’s life? Come and be part of something special!

We’re looking for friendly, outgoing volunteers to help at our monthly social group meetings. These gatherings are a lifeline for many of our members living with combined sight and hearing loss — offering connection, laughter, and a safe space to make new friends.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Group Volunteer, you’ll be the welcoming face that makes our members feel at home. Your role might include:

• Greeting members with a warm smile

• Helping with lunch and refreshments

• Spending time chatting and socialising

• Supporting members with mobility or guiding, if needed

Our Bridgend group meets every second Friday of the month from 11.00am to 1.00pm — just two hours to brighten someone’s day!

Got a Talent? Share It!

Whether you’re a quiz master, a crafty creator, a musical marvel, or have a few magic tricks up your sleeve — we’d love to see what you can bring! Your unique skills could add that extra sparkle to our sessions.

What You’ll Get

• Full training and 1:1 support

• Opportunities to learn and grow in your role

• The joy of knowing you’ve made a real difference

All you need is a friendly, welcoming manner and a willingness to help. We’ll take care of the rest.

Do you love a good chat, enjoy meeting new people, and want to make a real difference in someone’s life? Come and be part of something special!

We’re looking for friendly, outgoing volunteers to help at our monthly social group meetings. These gatherings are a lifeline for many of our members living with combined sight and hearing loss — offering connection, laughter, and a safe space to make new friends.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Group Volunteer, you’ll be the welcoming face that makes our members feel at home. Your role might include:

• Greeting members with a warm smile

• Helping with lunch and refreshments

• Spending time chatting and socialising

• Supporting members with mobility or guiding, if needed

Our Wrexham group meets every second Thursday of the month from 10.30am to 12.30pm

Got a Talent? Share It!

Whether you’re a quiz master, a crafty creator, a musical marvel, or have a few magic tricks up your sleeve — we’d love to see what you can bring! Your unique skills could add that extra sparkle to our sessions.

What You’ll Get

• Full training and 1:1 support

• Opportunities to learn and grow in your role

• The joy of knowing you’ve made a real difference

All you need is a friendly, welcoming manner and a willingness to help. We’ll take care of the rest.

Prisoners Abroad is the only charity supporting British citizens in prison abroad, their families, and people who have returned to the UK after serving a prison sentence overseas.

We run volunteer-led support groups for family members of British prisoners that are currently detained abroad, and have a vacancy for a Family Support Group volunteer in York and the North East. The support groups may be a mixture of in person and on Zoom.

We are looking for someone with an empathy for our work, who can provide a welcoming and friendly environment for family members who have been affected by overseas imprisonment and who will enjoy being part of our team to deliver our family support work.

Come and join the fun …. We need friendly, outgoing people to assist at our monthly group meetings.

Our Peterborough Sight members meet every second Wednesday morning of the month and really enjoy getting together to have a good chat and a catch up. For many, it provides a much needed opportunity to get out and to meet and make new friends in a safe supported environment. Managing a sight loss can sometimes be an isolating and lonely experience so we aim to make our social groups as friendly and welcoming as possible.

How can you help… Our friendly Group Volunteers are a fantastic support to our members and we are looking for those special people who can bring that extra sparkle to our social groups.

As a volunteer in this role, your tasks would be varied and typically would include meeting and greeting at the start of each session, assisting with lunch and refreshments and being available to chat and spend time with those attending.

Sometimes, we get out and about on additional day trips and activities and support with planning these trips would be helpful too.

We would be very interested in anyone who has a particular talent…so if you are a singing superstar, enjoy quizzes and crafting or have a few magic tricks up your sleeve, your skills could make all the difference to our group.

Whatever your talents, a friendly, welcoming manner is essential.

Guiding our members may be required and you may also be required to push a wheelchair. Full training and 1:1 support is provided to all our volunteers as well as further learning opportunities once in the role.

About Hope for the Young

We are a community of mentors, staff, young people, and volunteers who are passionate about welcoming young refugees to the UK and ensuring they are given every opportunity they need to settle into their communities, access education, and reach their full potential. Our mission is to remove the obstacles to young refugees and asylum-seekers’ education and well-being through mentoring, advocacy, and financial support.

We are looking for a passionate and creative Social Media Volunteer to help grow our online presence and amplify the voices of the young people we support.

As part of this role, you will:

• Create and schedule engaging social media content

• Draft compelling captions and stories

• Design graphics and visual content on Canva

• Share impact stories and highlight the achievements of young people

• Help grow engagement and reach across our social platforms

Requirements for the Role:

• Strong written English skills

• Ability to create engaging and creative content

• Good understanding of tone, messaging, and audience engagement

• Excellent attention to detail

• Able to commit to 7 hours per week (however this could be negotiated). 

What you will get in return:

• Gain hands-on experience in social media and communications

• Develop content creation and storytelling skills

• Contribute to meaningful work supporting young people seeking safety in the UK

• Receive a reference upon successful completion of the role

• Flexible volunteering hours

• Travel expenses covered 

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

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Could you prevent loneliness and isolation in your community and become a befriender?

• Do you have 2-3 hours a week to give to a client suffering from loneliness or mental health? (For a mutual agreement of time and locations that meet clients’ needs)
• Can you offer support, through a listening ear and be a positive influence in a client’s life to help build self-esteem and confidence?
• Will you enable our clients to benefit from knowing someone is there to listen, be a friend, and check in on their wellbeing?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include, but is not restricted to the following tasks:

• Carry out weekly checks with the clients you are supporting. This can be in a variety of settings, e.g., family home, support home, or in the community (via face-to-face meetings, phone or video calls)
• Have fun, take clients on outings, and maybe share a hobby, sport, or an interest
• Collect prescriptions for clients and assist with their weekly shop
• Help clients rediscover social skills and confidence by building up and maintaining a close relationship
• Report any concerns to the Volunteer Coordinator

Skills required

No qualifications or volunteering experience is required; however, the below skills are essential:

• A non-judgemental approach
• Good listening and communication skills
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Be able to work on own initiative
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

Volunteer Driver – David Lewis

“Help us get where we want to go… and be part of our journey.”

A Message From the People We Support

“We’re looking for Volunteer Drivers who will help us get out into our community, enjoy activities, make appointments, meet friends, and live the lives we choose.
Sometimes we just need someone kind, reliable, and friendly to help us get from A to B — so we can do the things that matter to us.”

Your time, even a little, helps us stay connected, independent and included.

What You’ll Do — From Our Perspective

As a Volunteer Driver, you will help us to:

• Travel safely to activities, appointments, events, and days out
• Feel comfortable and supported during journeys
• Stay independent by helping us access places that are important to us
• Experience new things and take part in opportunities we enjoy

You might drive your own car or one of our David Lewis vehicles — whatever works best for you.

What We’ll Provide to Support You

“You don’t need to know everything — just be willing to help and show up with a smile.”

You’ll receive:

• Full induction and ongoing support
• Out‑of‑pocket expenses covered
• Access to our vehicle fleet if you prefer not to use your own
• A friendly, helpful team around you
• The chance to make a meaningful difference in our everyday lives

Who We’re Hoping to Meet

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a full, clean driving licence
• Is reliable, calm, and a good communicator
• Treats people with kindness, patience, and respect
• Is happy to complete the necessary checks and training

If that sounds like you, we’d love to have you on our journeys.

Why Volunteering With Us Matters

“When you volunteer with us, you’re not just giving a lift — you’re giving us freedom, choice, and connection.”

Your time helps us:

• Reach our personal goals
• Feel confident travelling
• Stay active in our community
• Enjoy richer, more meaningful experiences

Every journey you support makes a difference.

Interested? Let’s Talk.

We’d really like to hear from you.

Founded in 1879, Together for Mental Wellbeing is the longest-established mental health charity in England. We work to ensure that everyone who experiences mental distress is valued, can live the life they choose and can determine their own future.

What we do

Together for Mental Wellbeing is a national charity that supports people who experience mental distress to lead fulfilling and independent lives.

We work with approximately 4,500 people every month via 70 projects throughout England, but we aspire to reach many more people through our recently refreshed five-year strategy.

Our services include:

• personalised support in the community
• accommodation based support
• advocacy services, including in secure hospitals
• criminal justice services, including in courts and probation services

What makes us stand out is that we put people at the centre of their own support – they set their own goals and are in control of how we work alongside them to achieve these. We value people as experts in what works best for them, and draw on their skills and strengths to build resilience and support networks so they can eventually manage without us

This means we value people as experts in what works best for them, and each individual we work with influences and shapes the support they and others receive from us. It also means we provide opportunities for people experiencing mental distress to work with Together to draw on their experiences to help us improve the quality and experience of the services that we provide.

We are committed to promoting service user leadership wherever possible; this is why we recently launched our Lived Experience Network, a free, members-based community.

Our values

We work together to facilitate choice through involvement, by doing what we say, never giving up on people, and looking to constantly improve how we work.

Our Board

We have an effective and collaborative Board of enthusiastic, friendly and committed trustees, who lead the development of Together and ensure that the charity exemplifies good practice.

The opportunity

We wish to add new trustees to our Board and have identified some recruitment priorities:

• We are seeking at least one individual with lived experience of mental distress who can draw on their unique knowledge and insights as to how mental distress impacts on people’s lives, and share their passion and enthusiasm to drive the aspirations of the organisation.

Our approach is for the individual to determine whether or not they have lived experience of mental distress. One person’s lived experience is no more or less important than another’s. 

• We wish to increase the gender diversity of our leadership at Together; we currently have a high proportion of men.

Having completed a recent Board skills audit we also encourage applicants with experience of the following areas:

• Human resources and workforce planning
• Forensic psychiatry
• Public sector procurement/contracting
• Knowledge of health and wellbeing service providers from the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector
• Digital development and innovation
• Auditing and risk management
• Financial management and accounting

However, all applications are welcomed and will be considered. We also recognise that people are often juggling multiple commitments and can offer flexibility as to when you take up the role.

We offer a full induction, along with ongoing training and development opportunities. Although our trustees are unpaid volunteers all expenses related to the role will be paid in full.

Typically trustees will attend around 10 meetings per year, occasional virtual attendance is possible, and be invited to events and visits. With preparation time for meetings this can equate to a commitment of 1-2 days per month.

As a Trustee you will:

• Join a committed and friendly Board
• Help shape our strategic development as a charity
• Influence our innovative projects and initiatives, especially with service users
• Develop new skills and knowledge
• Be supported to attend relevant conferences and other training events
• Help improve the mental health and wellbeing of people and communities

Become a helping hand that makes a house feel like home again. 

Joining this role means stepping into a vital position of practical support for families who are caring for a child whose life will be short. Many families across Wales face this unimaginable situation while juggling the demands of everyday life - Often without the support network they desperately need. 

As a Practical Support at Home Volunteer, you’ll make a meaningful difference by helping families manage the household tasks that can feel overwhelming during such emotional and exhausting times. 

Your time and care will help bring calm, dignity and relief to families going through the toughest moments of their lives. 

What You Need to Know 

• Age: 18+ 

• Location: Across South & West Wales (in your local area) 

• Commitment: Flexible and can be adjusted to accommodate your personal schedule. The support plans designed for referred families are typically structured to span a period of six weeks 

• Checks: Enhanced DBS check, 2 references and induction/training course required before starting. 

What You’ll be Doing 

• Light household cleaning (dusting, wiping surfaces, hoovering) 

• Tidying, decluttering and organising 

• Laundry support (washing, drying, folding) 

• Basic garden maintenance (if interested/experienced) 

• Running small errands locally 

• Supporting with simple household tasks that reduce the family’s mental load. 

We Are Looking For Volunteers Who: 

• Are kind, empathetic and respectful of families’ privacy 

• Are reliable, flexible and able to commit on a regular basis 

• Follow our policies, procedures & health and safety guidelines 

• Can report any concerns promptly 

• Are friendly, polite and able to maintain appropriate boundaries 

• Can adapt to different situations in the home environment 

• Enjoy making a positive difference to families’ lives. 

• Are respectful of the privacy, preferences and needs of the families you are supporting, 

always maintaining confidentiality. 

At Tŷ Hafan our people values are working together, demonstrating compassion, providing excellent service and taking ownership.  

We expect all colleagues and volunteers to behave with high levels of integrity and to represent our values as a core part of their role. 

Training You Will Receive 

You will receive a full introduction to Tŷ Hafan and your role, including an in‑person induction, core training and additional e‑learning. You’ll be supported by a friendly, experienced team who are available to help with any questions through regular check‑ins. 

Role‑specific and organisation‑wide training will also be provided as needed. 

All volunteers are required to keep their mandatory training up to date to 

continue in their role. 

The benefits of becoming a Practical Support at Home Volunteer 

• Make a positive difference in the lives of children with life-shortening conditions and their families, by helping them to maintain clean spaces for them to enjoy 

• Attend Volunteer Celebration Events throughout the year 

• Meet new people and join a friendly community of volunteers, passionate about helping others 

• Expenses will be provided following discussion about the role. 

This role is purely voluntary, and this arrangement is not meant to be a legally binding one or an employment contract. 

Providing care and support is something we are only able to do because of the kindness and commitment of our wonderful staff, supporters and volunteers.