Social welfare volunteer volunteer roles

Description

Our Shop Volunteers raise money for the people we support with a Learning Disability. Do you have a few hours a week to spare and share your time with us?

Our retail roles are varied and fun. You could be sorting donations from the public, dressing our window or serving customers on the till. There are many people from different walks of life and it's a great way to get practical experience and to meet new people.

This role will take place on a weekly basis for a few hours We will try our best to be flexible around the best time for you, but also need to consider the store opening times and volunteer rota. It could be a weekday or weekend, morning or afternoon, our stores are usually open 7 days a week. We’d appreciate any time that you can spare.

Whilst in the store, you will help with activities based on the needs of the Store Manager.

Tasks you could get up to whilst volunteering could include:

• Serving customers on the till
• Taking stock donations from the public
• Tagging and steaming stock for the shop floor
• Dressing the window displays
• Asking people to join us as a volunteer

As a Retail Volunteer you will be:

• Friendly and Approachable
• Reliable, Kind and Patient
• A good communicator (including listener)
• Willing to volunteer within guidelines and to take direction where necessary
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself

As a Mencap volunteer you will:

• Make new friends and raise important funds for people with a learning disability
• Get reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in line with our policy e.g. travel
• Receive full Training and support
• Volunteer alongside other people
• Have a chance to give back your local community

About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.

We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!

Stepping Stones Learning and Leisure is a small, friendly charity based in Southwark, providing inclusive activities for adults with learning disabilities. We believe everyone should have the chance to express themselves, connect with others, and take part in activities that bring joy, confidence, and new skills. 

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Dance Fit Class Volunteer to support our weekly Thursday afternoon classes (1pm-3pm), held at St Faith’s Community Centre, Red Post Hill, SE24 9JQ (close to North Dulwich and Herne Hill stations). 

About Dance Fit

Dance Fit is a fun way to stay active through music and movement. Sessions are designed to improve fitness, flexibility and confidence in a supportive and enjoyable environment. Routines and exercises can be performed standing or seated, making the sessions accessible for everyone. The group learns simple routines that can also be practised at home, and each July learners have the opportunity to perform to friends and family at our Summer Show!

About The Role 

This role is ideal for someone who loves to move. You’ll support our tutor in delivering inclusive and fun classes for a small group of adults with learning disabilities. Every class is an opportunity for the learners to express themselves freely, socialise with others and feel the benefits of physical activity on their wellbeing.

As a Dance Fit Class Volunteer at Stepping Stones, you will: 

• Assist the tutor in setting up and closing down the studio space
• Encourage and support learners 
• Demonstrate movements
• Offer 1:1 or group support where needed to help participants engage 
• Help build a warm, inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels safe to express themselves 

What You’ll Gain 

Volunteering with us is a chance to: 

• Contribute to a creative and meaningful community project 
• Build relationships with and support learners to learn new skills and grow in confidence 
• Experience working with adults with learning disabilities in a supportive setting 
• Develop skills in teamwork, adaptability, communication, and creative problem-solving 
• Have a place in a welcoming and friendly team of tutors, staff and volunteers 
• Receive appropriate training and guidance from an experienced team 

What We’re Looking For 

You don’t need to be a trained dancer to volunteer in this role! At Stepping Stones we value: 

• Good communication and a warm, encouraging approach 
• Enthusiasm, patience, and a willingness to get involved 
• A non-judgemental and inclusive mindset 
• Reliability and commitment 
• Flexibility and adaptability 

Prior to volunteering, we ask all volunteers to: 

• Attend an in-person session with the Stepping Stones team and learners 
• Provide two references 
• Complete a DBS check (we will arrange this) 
• Commit to volunteering one session per week for 3 x 10 week terms throughout the year. For continuity for our service users, we ask that you commit to volunteering with us for one year

How to Apply 

Please submit your CV and respond to the following questions (these will come up when you hit 'Apply Now') 

1. Why would you like to volunteer with Stepping Stones? 
2. What are the strongest attributes and values you feel you'll bring to this role? 

Volunteer Workshop Support

What you’ll be doing

Workshop Support Volunteer

• Welcome and support participants during workshops
• Help with activities, discussions and group participation
• Assist staff with setting up resources and workshop materials
• Support a safe, positive and inclusive learning environment
• Help gather feedback and pack away after sessions
• Support online sessions where needed

or Workshop Co-Facilitator Support

You may also support workshop delivery by:

• Assisting the lead facilitator during sessions
• Helping guide discussions and group activities
• Supporting positive group dynamics and equal participation
• Encouraging confidence, engagement and peer support
• Helping participants feel comfortable contributing and sharing ideas
• Assisting with online facilitation tools such as breakout rooms and chat functions

What we’re looking for

You don’t need professional experience — just the right attitude:

• Friendly, reliable and approachable
• Good listener and communicator
• Empathetic and non-judgemental
• Comfortable working with people from different backgrounds
• Positive, organised and supportive
• Able to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries

Experience in group work, coaching, mentoring or wellbeing support is helpful but not essential.

What you’ll get

• Full training and ongoing support
• Experience in workshop facilitation and community support
• Opportunity to build confidence and develop new skills
• Meet new people and be part of a supportive team
• The chance to make a real difference in your local community

Time commitment

• Around 3 hours per week during workshop courses
• Opportunity to support multiple courses over time

Our busy Homework Club is part of our delivery of child and family support services, in order that low income and vulnerable families have improved access to services, employment opportunities and life chances.

Do you have some teaching or coaching exeperince either as a parent, classroom assistant or teacher? On Fridays afternoons from 3.30-5pm the Centre provides an after-school Homework club during term time. Children from three local primary schools, and a few from Year 7 attend the club.  Many come from families where English is a second language.

Volunteers sit on a table with 1 or 2 children and provide help with their homework, maths and English work mostly, and some reading.  Volunteers commit to one session a week on Friday (3.30 – 5pm). 

Our Mission

Each Person Matters: The Cardinal Hume Centre enables families, children and young people to overcome poverty and avoid homelessness.

What are we looking for?

• Ideally you have some experience in teaching, either professionally, voluntary or at home with your own children. 
• You are friendly, patient and can have rapport with children easily.
• Able to help with maths and English at primary school level. 

What is the time commitment?

• Ideally at least one academic term
• Fridays, 3.30 – 5pm at The Cardinal Hume Centre

How will you be supported?

• You will be supported by the Family Services staff team. 
• You will have access to wide range of e-learning topics.  Child safeguarding and fire safety awareness is mandatory for all new volunteers.
• You will be reimbursed for travel expenses.

Sorting Room Volunteer

Do you enjoy organising, spotting quality items and bringing order to chaos? Join our behind-the-scenes sorting team!

We are looking for volunteers to help process donated items and prepare quality stock for our charity shop. This is an ideal role for someone who enjoys sorting, organising and has a good eye for detail.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll play an important role in helping donated items reach the shop floor ready for sale.

Tasks may include:

• Sorting through donated clothing, books, toys and household items
• Checking quality and carrying out quality control
• Identifying valuable or desirable brands
• Pricing items ready for sale
• Organising stock in the sorting room
• Preparing donations for the shop floor
• Helping keep the sorting area tidy and efficient

We’re looking for someone who:

• Enjoys organising and practical tasks
• Has good attention to detail
• Has an eye for quality and presentation
• Has brand awareness (desirable, but not essential)
• Is reliable and able to work independently
• Enjoys being part of a friendly team

Time commitment

• Shifts are usually 10am–1pm or 1pm–4pm
• Regular weekly volunteering preferred, with some flexibility available

VOLUNTEER ROLE: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT / LAUNCH COORDINATOR

Help Us Keep REMIX Moving Fast as We Build and Launch Shoreditch’s New Youth Creativity & Social Mobility Charity

We’re REMIX — a start-up Shoreditch‑based social mobility charity empowering young people to remix their lives with confidence, creativity and real opportunities. We’re launching this September, and we’re looking for a high‑energy, organised, creative Executive Assistant / Launch Coordinator to support our CEO and help keep the whole operation running smoothly.

This is a hands‑on, fast‑paced, start‑up role. You’ll be right at the centre of the action — coordinating, organising, planning, and helping us build momentum as we push towards launch.

If you love youth culture, creativity, organisation and making things happen quickly, this role is made for you.

What This Role Is All About

As our Executive Assistant / Launch Coordinator, you’ll be the person who keeps everything flowing. You’ll support the CEO directly, help coordinate the team, manage schedules, organise launch tasks and make sure nothing slips through the cracks.

You’ll help us stay sharp, focused and moving forward at speed.

You’ll meet weekly at first as we build REMIX’s early systems, prepare for launch and create the energy we need to introduce ourselves to London.

What You’ll Be Doing at REMIX

You’ll help us run our launch operations, including:

• Supporting the CEO with day‑to‑day coordination and organisation

• Managing schedules, meetings, priorities and launch timelines

• Helping coordinate volunteers, creative teams and programme leads

• Keeping track of tasks, deadlines and moving parts

• Organising launch events, shoots, planning sessions and team meet‑ups

• Ensuring communication flows smoothly across the team

• Helping maintain momentum, clarity and structure during the build‑up to launch

Your work will help REMIX stay fast, focused and ready to empower young people from day one.

Who We’re Looking For

We want someone who is:

• Positive, energetic and Shoreditch‑vibed

• Organised, fast‑moving and great at keeping things on track

• Comfortable supporting a CEO in a start‑up environment

• Creative, confident and youth‑culture aware

• Able to juggle multiple tasks with calmness and clarity

• Excited by building something new, modern and culturally relevant

If you’re the kind of person who loves making things happen behind the scenes — you’ll thrive here.

What You’ll Be Part Of

As our EA / Launch Coordinator, you’ll help us:

• Launch a charity designed to help young people remix their futures

• Build early systems that feel modern, simple and youth‑friendly

• Shape a culture rooted in creativity, confidence and opportunity

• Create momentum and energy in the run‑up to launch

• Set the tone for how REMIX operates as we grow

You’ll be part of something with big plans and huge potential — and your organisation and energy will help us get there.

What You’ll Get From Volunteering With REMIX

• A central role in a fast‑moving start‑up charity

• Experience supporting a CEO and coordinating a launch

• Weekly collaboration with a creative, energetic team

• A chance to shape REMIX’s early operations and identity

• The excitement of launching something bold, modern and youth‑centred

• The knowledge that your work directly supports young people rising

Ready to Help Us Remix the Future

If you’re excited by creativity, youth culture and building something that moves fast, we’d love to hear from you. Share a bit about yourself, your experience and why this role speaks to you. Let’s build something powerful together.

Our small friendly Charity Shop in South Westminster

As well as being an important source of revenue for the Centre, the shop on Horseferry Road is the public face of the Cardinal Hume Centre to the residents and workers of Westminster. It can be a very busy environment with lots of regular customers. You will be part of a friendly, international team!  You will receive excellent support and opportunities to learn team skills and customer service.  You can obtain a reference for future employers.

How does this role make a difference?

You will be part of the fundraising team, raising funds to support the work of the Cardinal Hume Centre and promoting the work of the Centre to the public.

What will you be doing?

Flexibility will be given where possible, but in general, volunteers will undertake the following tasks as part of this role:

· Customer service on the till

· Cashing up at the end of the day and walking the takings round to the reception and handing in to Finance Team

· Greeting and helping customers

· Replenishing the stock on the shop floor

· Sorting donations

· Helping present top items in window display and around the shop

· Promoting the work of the Centre to the public

Want to increase your skills in retail?

If you want to develop in this role, we are keen to support you.  There are more responsibilities you can take on in the shop, for example; opening and closing the shop, cashing up at the end of the day and helping with the induction of new volunteers.  Let us know if this interests you.  We also have employment advisors who can provide employment support.  Furthermore, if you want to expand your experience in the voluntary sector, you can combine your role in the shop with a volunteer role elsewhere in the organisation.

What are we looking for?

No special qualifications are needed to work in our shop, as relevant training will be given, however, we will be asking for the following qualities:

· Over 18+

· Good spoken English needed – at least Entry Level 3

· The ability to contribute to a positive team culture and atmosphere

· Be able to provide a friendly, high-quality service to customers

· A commitment to equal opportunities and to treating all individuals who visit or work in the shop with dignity and respect

· Physically fit - able to lift light bags and boxes and to comfortably use the stairs between the shop floor and the stock room.  Manual handling training will be given.

What is the time commitment?

The shop opening hours are 10am – 4.30pm, Monday – Friday.  A full or half day (10 – 1pm or 1 – 4.30pm) is ideal, but weare flexible and are grateful for even a couple of hours help each week. Ideally, volunteers will commit to a period of at least 4 months.

How will you be supported?

· You will be supported and trained in all areas of retail and customer service by the Charity Shop Manager and the Assistant Shop Manager.

· You will receive a Centre induction from a Volunteer Coordinator

· You will be reimbursed for reasonable and agreed ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses such as travel and also lunch if working a full day.

· For volunteers who stay for more than three months, we are happy to provide a reference.

Family Friends carefully recruits, trains, and matches volunteers with families in Central-West London. Our befriending volunteers offer long-term practical and emotional support based on each family's unique needs and potential. We offer two befriending volunteer opportunities with us-, Big Buddies and Parent Buddies.

Our Big Buddies support young people, aged 10-18, for a few hours each week over a period of up to 12 months. With encouragement and support, volunteers will aim to help young people to discover their strengths and build confidence.

Support may look like:

• Helping to strengthen family relationships.
• Providing a listening ear 
• Taking young person to the cinema, museums, libraries - broadening their horizons!

Essential Criteria:

• Can commit to the Big Buddies programme for a minimum of 6 months
• 18+
• Must have lived in the UK for the last 2 years

What we provide in return:

• Full induction training and ongoing training
• Full DBS check
• Support and supervision
• The chance to learn new skills
• References provided after 6 months' commitment
• Reimbursement of travel and session expenses

We are an equal opportunities charity and we value the principles of diversity and inclusion, which is central in providing successful support to our families. We welcome and would like to encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQI+ and individuals from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds.

In the first instance, please register your interest in becoming a volunteer with us by contacting us here for an online application form.

Once we've reviewed your application, a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.

FINANCE LEAD / ACCOUNTANT (VOLUNTEER)

1. Protect the Charity.
2. Build the Systems.
3. Keep the Mission Strong.

MINDSET Charity is launching a bold new movement for men and boys — practical, real‑world, non‑clinical tools that help men grow, level up and take control of their lives.

To build this mission, we need someone who can keep our financial foundations rock‑solid from day one.

This is your role.

As our Finance Lead / Accountant (Volunteer), you’ll take charge of MINDSET’s finances at the most crucial stage of our journey. You’ll manage our bank account, oversee financial controls, handle HMRC Gift Aid, prepare simple monthly reports for the Board, and ensure we meet Charity Commission requirements with confidence and clarity.

You’ll help set up the financial systems that keep us safe, compliant and ready to grow — the backbone of a charity built to last.

If you’re someone who’s steady with numbers, strong on structure and wants to help build a charity with purpose and integrity, this is your moment to step in at the start and shape how MINDSET operates.

• Build the systems.
• Guard the finances.
• Strengthen the mission.

Become the Finance Lead who helps launch MINDSET Charity.

FareShare Greater Manchester is looking for volunteer Driver's Assistants to join our busy friendly delivery team with redistributing tonnes of surplus food a month to charities and community initiatives across Greater Manchester.

FareShare is a national charity fighting food poverty and global warming by tackling food surplus. We source overstocked food from retailers and manufacturers and engage many volunteers to help re-distribute it to over 220 frontline charities and community groups across Greater Manchester. These groups, in turn, provide meals to vulnerable people experiencing food poverty, individuals who are homeless, families, and people who are unemployed or socially isolated. This food would otherwise have gone to waste, so we are simultaneously supporting people in need and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Key responsibilities

Working closely with the driver of a temperature-controlled 3.5 tonne Mercedes Sprinter van to deliver surplus food orders to the premises of the benevolent projects we support. 

Loading and unloading the vehicle and carrying out a range of tasks, from basic vehicle checks to delivery administration.

The required skills and attributes are:

• Reliability and ability to commit to pre-agreed volunteer shifts (ESSENTIAL)

• Physical fitness, to take on moving and handling of food orders

• Ability to follow procedures and instructions

• Good verbal communication skills

• Interest in the work of FareShare Greater Manchester and our values

• High respect for Health & Safety procedures and standards

In return you will gain:

Career and CV advice and support

A reference for future employers

Reimbursement of travel and lunch expenses 

The opportunity to give practical help to fight food poverty and reduce food waste (and associated CO2 emissions)

The opportunity to meet like-minded people and make new friends

Our operating hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Driver and Driver’s Assistant shifts begin at 8:30am. 

We welcome volunteers who can commit to one day a week. 

The days and rota hours of volunteering are agreed around your availability.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

MumsAid’s Young Mums service supports expectant and new mothers aged up to the age of 25, offering emotional support, peer connection, advocacy, within a group setting. The group offers a safe, welcoming environment where young mums can share, connect, and learn.

To assist in the organisation and the smooth running of Young MumsAid group sessions. Offering friendly emotional support and guidance to help new mums connect and thrive in their community, ensuring group participants feel safe and welcomed. 

What will you be doing? 

• Assist the group facilitator with planning, organising, and facilitating regular support group meetings for new mothers, ensuring that the meeting space is clean, safe and warm. 

• Greet attendees as they arrive; help new members settle in, show them around, introduce them to others. 

• Be attentive to group dynamics; encourage inclusion and gently facilitate interaction when helpful (for example, helping quieter mums to join in). 

• Provide emotional support and guidance to mothers within the group, ensuring a safe and inclusive atmosphere. 

• Provide tailored one-to-one support to mothers within the group who need additional help, referring to other specialists when necessary. 

• Assist with administrative tasks related to the group, including attendance records, scheduling, and communication with participants. 

• Implement and deliver engaging and relevant content for group sessions including activities, and discussion topics as advised by the facilitator. 

• Participate in debrief or feedback with the facilitator after the group, sharing any insights or concerns. 

• Observe and flag any safeguarding, mental health, or welfare concerns in line with MumsAid Safeguarding and child protection policies (in debrief with facilitator) immediately following the session. 

• With guidance from the facilitator carry out monitoring requirements. 

• Support in liaising with other professionals to increase awareness about the group and to assist in recruitment of suitable group members.

• Respond to any feedback of the group, adapting sessions as necessary as directed by the group facilitator. 

• Distribute educational materials and resources relevant to new motherhood as necessary. 

• Promote and support equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring that the views and voices of MumsAid’s service users are considered in all aspects of group initiatives, including in the discussions of need and impact. 

• Maintain confidentiality and privacy of group members. 

• Attend induction and role-specific training and take part in supervision or feedback sessions. 

What skills and qualities can you bring? 

• Warm, welcoming personality; good at putting others at ease 

• Empathetic, non-judgemental nature 

• Some awareness of mental health challenges (especially maternal mental health) 

• Strong commitment to MumsAid values: empowering, safe, peer-led, inclusive, sustainable 

• Understanding of confidentiality and when safeguarding takes precedence, in line with MumsAid policies and procedures 

• Reliable and able to work well in a team 

• Be committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

• Comfortable and confident around young children 

• Openness to feedback and supervision 

• Willingness to complete volunteer induction 

• Willing to undergo DBS check 

What is in it for me? 

• Induction and regular training, including safeguarding training, mental health first aid and suicide prevention training.

• Ongoing support, supervision, and feedback 

• Reimbursement of travel expenses (with receipts) 

• Make a real difference to the lives of local young mums 

• Gain valuable experience in supporting vulnerable families 

• Gain practical experience in group facilitation and community support. 

• Develop active listening, communication, and safeguarding skills. 

• Be part of a welcoming volunteer team 

• Written references on request 

• A DBS check paid for by MumsAid (If required) 

We’re Mind, the leading mental health charity. We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. We provide advice and support to empower anybody experiencing a mental health problem and we campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding.

Our volunteers are a fundamental part of our shops. Any time which they volunteer at our shops, help us be there for more people who are experiencing a mental health problem. 

About the volunteer role

To provide our volunteers with opportunities to gain a variety of skills and experience, we offer them a range of volunteer roles to choose from, which include:

• Stock preparation volunteer
• Volunteer shop sales assistant
• Volunteer stock generation assistant
• Volunteer window dresser/Merchandiser
• Specialist knowledge volunteer (antiques and collectables)
• Specialist knowledge volunteer (books and entertainment)
• Housekeeping volunteer

Key tasks

There is a variety of tasks within the above mentioned roles that our volunteers get involved with, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers with their purchases, providing them with great customer service and a delightful shopping experience
• Receiving donated items from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated items for sale
• Creating visually appealing window and in-store displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, clean and coordinated
• Processing sales and serving at the till
• Signing up gift aid donors
• Stock rotation
• Identifying special or valuable items within donated stock

About you

• Passionate about customer service 
• Good communication skills 
• Friendly and helpful
• Respectful of others and their diversity

Experience & skills you will gain

• Experience of working as part of a team
• Retail experience 
• Stock organisation
• Selling skills 
• Customer service skills 

Our Commitment

We are committed to becoming actively anti-racist in everything we do. This is a critical priority for Mind. We embrace diversity and understand that being an inclusive organisation, recognising different perspectives, will enable us to provide excellent services. We are committed to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work and promoting equity in physical and mental health for all.

Fancy combining a Saturday kick-about with actually changing someone's week? We're looking for volunteers to help kick off Route to Roots, a new football and lunch club for asylum-seeking men in Bethnal Green. You'll help welcome people, grab the pizzas, chat over lunch and join in the football if you fancy it – but no skill or sports required, just a friendly face.

About Globe Community Project

Globe Community Project is a grassroots charity working in Tower Hamlets, one of London's most diverse boroughs, for over 20 years. Our mission is to transform loneliness into connection among isolated people and under-served groups. Whoever we're working with, we want to create spaces of joy, friendship and belonging. Our two established programmes, Well Old and Touching Safe Ground, support older people and refugee women and their children. Route to Roots is a brand new project for men who've recently arrived in the UK seeking sanctuary.

About Route to Roots

We’re looking for volunteers of any gender to support this new football and lunch project for male sanctuary seekers in Bethnal Green. We'll bring together 12–14 men each Saturday for an informal kick-about, followed by lunch together. The aim is simply to create a welcoming space where people can connect, build community and enjoy some time together.

What you'll be doing

Your job is to welcome participants to the venue and help create a warm, relaxed space. One lucky person gets to collect the pizzas from a local restaurant. Volunteers will also be chatting with people over lunch, and giving people chance to practice their English. You can join in the football - if you fancy it! No footballing skills or sports action required though - just a friendly face and a bit of time to give.

Dates

Saturday 5 September, 11.00-13:30 | Saturday 12 September, 11.00-13:30 | Saturday 19 September, 10:00-12:30 | Saturday 26 September, 11:00-13:30 | Saturday 3rd October, 11:00-13:30 | Saturday 10th October, 11:00-13:30 | Saturday 17th October, 11:00-13:30 | Saturday 24th October, 11:00-13:30 | 

It’s ok if you can’t make every date - just come to as many sessions as you're able (and let us know).

Who we're looking for

We welcome volunteers of any gender and any background. You don't need previous experience working with refugees or people seeking asylum - just warmth, patience, and a genuine interest in getting to know new people. You'll need to be 18 or over.

Through volunteering with us, you'll meet new people from your local community, learn more about the realities faced by people seeking asylum, be part of a friendly, welcoming team from day one, and help shape a brand new project from its very first sessions.

Family Friends carefully recruit, train, and match volunteers with families in Central-West London. Our volunteer befrienders offer practical and emotional support based on each family's unique needs and potential. We offer two volunteer opportunities - Big Buddies and Parent Buddies.

Volunteers will aim to help parents to discover their strengths, build confidence, and resolve difficulties. Volunteers meet with their match weekly for a period of up to 12 months.

Activities might include:

• Supporting a parent to take their children on days out.
• Helping to strengthen family relationships.
• Providing a listening ear.
• Helping parents to build confidence in themselves.

Essential Criteria:

• You must be able to commit to the Parent Buddy programme for a minimum of 6 months.
• 18+
• Must have lived in the UK for the last 2 years

What we provide in return:

• Full induction training and ongoing training
• DBS check
• Weekly supervision and support
• The chance to learn new skills
• References provided after 6 months' commitment
• Reimbursement of travel and session expenses

We are an equal opportunities charity and value the principles of diversity and inclusion, which is central in providing successful support to our families. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQI+ and individuals from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds.

In the first instance, please register your interest in becoming a volunteer with us - you can do that by contacting us here to receive the application form.

Once we've reviewed your application, a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.