Stories volunteer roles

We’re Looking for a Creative Hero — Is It You?

Our brand‑new East London charity is on a mission to unlock opportunities for adults who’ve been overlooked, underestimated, or left behind. Through career coaching, employability skills, mentoring, and real-world experiences, we’re building pathways that give people a genuine foot‑up — not just a pep talk.

But every movement needs a symbol. Every mission needs a mark. And that’s where you come in.

We need a volunteer designer to create our very first logo — a visual identity that captures hope, momentum, and possibility.

We imagine a design with unlocking rounded arrows, shaped by our two‑toned/fade orange palette — a colour that radiates positivity, future, energy, and opportunity. Something simple, modern, and full of purpose.

Why your contribution matters

Your work won’t just sit on a website. It will become the emblem carried by every CV workshop, every mentoring session, every programme, every success story. It will represent the moment someone in East London feels seen, supported, and ready to step into their future.

Your time commitment

Just a few hours. A small window for you — a huge leap forward for us.

If you believe in creativity with impact, this is your moment to shape a charity from day one.

Join us. Design the symbol that unlocks someone’s next chapter.

We're Unlock YOUR Potential

Unlocking Potential - Breaking Down Barriers

CutOff Recycle

We convert human hair waste into organic fertilizers for sustainable agriculture.

Graphic Designer – Social Media

About Us

CutOff Recycle is a circular economy startup turning human hair waste into organic fertilizers, scaling across Tanzania and beyond through innovation and impact.

Role Overview

We are seeking a creative volunteer to design compelling social media visuals that communicate our brand story across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.

Key Responsibilities

• Design graphics, carousels, and campaign creatives for all four platforms
• Maintain brand consistency in colors, fonts, and visual tone (We have templates already on Canva) 
• Translate product launches, milestones, and campaigns into shareable visuals
• Deliver platform-ready assets in correct dimensions weekly

What We're Looking For

• Proficiency in Canva, Adobe Suite, Affinity Designer, or similar tools
• A portfolio with social media design examples
• Eye for visual storytelling for impact-driven brands
• Ability to work independently and meet weekly deadlines

What You'll Gain

• Real portfolio work for a patented, growing African startup
• Experience designing for sustainability and agri-innovation
• Exposure to a fast-moving circular economy brand
• Potential long-term creative role as we scale

Minimum Hours per Week:

10+ hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

Head of Marketing & Communications (MINDSET Charity) - VOLUNTEER ROLE

Remote | Approx. 3 hours per week | MINDSET Charity (UK)

Lead the voice, story, and national presence of a movement transforming men’s lives

MINDSET is building a new kind of men’s mental wellbeing and personal growth movement in the UK — one built on action, challenge, brotherhood, and real‑world transformation. We’re here to change the narrative for men, and we need a powerful, strategic communicator to help take this mission nationwide.

This is your chance to shape the public face of a charity that is ready to grow, ready to be seen, and ready to make a real difference.

Why This Role Matters

MINDSET’s programmes change men’s lives — but the country won’t feel that impact unless our story is told boldly, clearly, and consistently.

As Head of Marketing & Communications, you will be the architect of how MINDSET shows up in the world. Your leadership will help us:

• Reach men who need us

• Inspire volunteers to join us

• Build trust with partners and communities

• Establish MINDSET as a national voice for men’s wellbeing

This is a founding leadership role — you will help define the brand, tone, and public presence of MINDSET from the ground up.

What You’ll Lead

As our Head of Marketing & Communications, you will:

• Shape and lead MINDSET’s national marketing and communications strategy

• Build a strong, consistent brand identity across all platforms

• Manage and grow our social media presence with purpose and clarity

• Create compelling content that inspires men, volunteers, and supporters

• Oversee messaging for campaigns, programmes, events, and recruitment

• Support fundraising and partnership communications

• Guide a small team of volunteers (designers, social media leads, content creators) as the charity grows

• Ensure everything we publish reflects our mission, values, and tone

This role is remote, flexible, and ideal for someone who wants to make a meaningful impact in just a few hours each week.

Who This Role Is Perfect For

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• A natural storyteller who understands how to move people

• Strategic, creative, and confident shaping a brand from scratch

• Experienced in marketing, communications, social media, or content creation

• Passionate about men’s wellbeing, personal growth, and community

• Excited by the idea of helping build a national movement

• Someone who loves turning ideas into campaigns that resonate

You do not need charity experience. You simply need experience and clarity, creativity, and a desire to help men live fuller, healthier lives.

What You’ll Be Part Of

MINDSET is redefining what men’s wellbeing can look like in the UK. We’re building a movement that helps men grow through:

• Challenge

• Accountability

• Brotherhood

• Purpose

• Real‑world action

Your work will ensure that this message reaches the men who need it most — and that MINDSET becomes a recognised, trusted, national presence.

If you want to help put MINDSET on the map across the UK…

We’d love to hear from you. Join us and help shape the voice of a movement built to change men’s lives.

Love social media, photography or content creation? This is your chance to build real experience while helping a meaningful community project grow.

Join AkiOke and gain hands-on experience capturing and sharing the energy of a music club for young adults with learning difficulties.

We are looking for friendly volunteers to help grow AkiOke — a welcoming music club.

Social Media Volunteer

• Attending sessions help us with our social presence
• Help us share our story on Instagram & Facebook
• Support us in capturing the energy of the group

 Real-world experience in social media and content creation
 Hands-on photography and video skills
 Experience working on a live community project
 Strong content for your CV or portfolio
 Opportunity to take ownership and shape our online presence
 A chance to build confidence and creative skills
 Flexible, low-pressure environment

WHO THIS ROLE SUITS:

• students or early-career creatives
• Anyone interested in social media, photography or marketing
• Friendly, reliable people who enjoy working with others
• No formal experience needed — just enthusiasm and willingness to learn

Description

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

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

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

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

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Action

Key requirements

• One reference

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • Positive attitude towards blind and partially sighted people. • Effective communication skills. • An outgoing friendly approach to meeting new people. • A willingness and ability to complete the Microsoft feedback form.

Are you passionate about harnessing digital platforms and social media to educate, empower and inspire communities? 

Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C. is seeking a visionary Social & Digital Media Education Lead to join our founding volunteer team. This role is central to designing and delivering educational programmes that equip members with the knowledge, skills and confidence to use social media and digital tools safely, creatively and impactfully.

Purpose of the role:

The Volunteer Social & Digital Media Education Lead is responsible for designing, developing and delivering educational programmes focused on social and digital media skills. This role supports the organisation’s mission by empowering volunteers, staff and community members with the knowledge and tools to effectively use digital platforms for communication, outreach and engagement. 

About the role:

As Social & Digital Media Education Lead, you will develop and lead training, workshops, and resources for community members, volunteers, and staff. You will work closely with the Instructional Designer, Membership Director, and Technical Systems Liaison to ensure digital learning aligns with our anti-capitalist, survivor-led, and community-driven mission. This is a strategic and hands-on role where your expertise directly enables communities to navigate and leverage digital spaces safely and effectively.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

Essential Technical Competencies:

• Experience managing social media platforms, including content creation, scheduling and audience engagement.
• Experience designing and delivering digital education programmes or training courses.
• Skilled in facilitating online workshops, webinars or interactive learning sessions.
• Ability to create multimedia learning materials such as videos, presentations and guides.
• Ability to support learners in building practical digital skills.
• Knowledge of major social media platforms, digital tools and safe online practices.
• Strong communication skills for clear instruction and guidance.
• Ability to design, deliver and evaluate digital learning content effectively.
• Formal qualifications in digital media, communications or a related field or equivalent professional/volunteer experience.
• Practical experience demonstrating digital content creation, online facilitation or programme management. 

Desirable / Can Be Developed:

• Experience or strong interest in social media, digital content creation or online community engagement. 
• Strong interest in community education, inclusion and positive digital participation.
• Developing skills in creating educational or informative digital content (posts, short videos, guides or campaigns). 

Qualifications:

• Formal qualifications are not required but desirable.
• Relevant study, training or experience in social media, digital communication, education, marketing or community engagement is valued.

Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties

• Design and deliver educational programmes, workshops and learning resources on social media literacy.
• Develop training on digital safety and responsible online behaviour.
• Monitor digital trends, tools and risks to ensure training content is relevant, current and safe.
• Develop engaging, practical learning experiences for diverse audiences.
• Update and adapt learning materials to reflect changes in social media platforms and digital practices.
• Align digital media training with organisational goals and programme objectives.
• Provide practical guidance to ensure learners can apply digital skills confidently.
• Support members and volunteers in applying digital skills, including content creation, online communication and platform navigation.
• Develop assessment tools, guides and documentation to track learning progress and measure outcomes.
• Maintain records of learning activities and progress to inform programme improvements.
• Foster confidence and competence among learners and staff in applying digital skills responsibly and effectively.
• Monitor compliance and provide feedback to continuously improve digital education programmes in line with organisational standards.
• Ensure all digital education activities comply with safeguarding policies, protecting vulnerable participants and maintaining a safe learning environment.
• Apply best practices in data-driven decision-making to ensure digital education initiatives are learner-focused, inclusive and aligned with organisational objectives.

What This Role Offers You:

• Leadership experience in designing and delivering digital literacy and media education programmes.
•  Personal and professional growth through hands-on engagement with diverse community members.
• Opportunity to shape the digital literacy and empowerment framework within a pioneering, values-led CIC.
• The satisfaction of enabling members to confidently navigate digital spaces, share their stories and amplify community impact.

What This Role Is Not For:

• Individuals seeking purely administrative or technical work without engagement or training responsibilities.
• Those unwilling to uphold safeguarding, data protection and ethical online practice standards.
• People expecting pre-set, rigid curricula—this role requires creativity, adaptability and proactive problem-solving.

Next Steps

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to

• A values-led conversation.
• If you are ready to educate, empower, and guide communities through digital spaces while fostering meaningful social impact, we want to hear from you. 
• Apply now and become a key driver of transformative digital education.

A Final Word

Data is about people, not numbers. Trust is built through care and accuracy.

If you know that: Respect keeps relationships strong.

See inside our Collections storage facility - closed to the public - and help us prepare to move our collection to a new facility

What is an Inventory volunteer?

The RAF Museum has many items in its collection which are not currently on display. Our inventory volunteers will ensure that we have an up-to-date record of all the items in our reserve collection, their purpose and condition, to help us prepare to move from our current store outside Stafford to a new storage facility in Cosford. This is a weekday only opportunity.

This role sits within the RAF Museum’s Midlands Development Programme which will transform our museum and our impact on the local community through a series of phased projects – engaging audiences who may not obviously identify with the RAF story by finding common interests and histories which link them. As part of this project, we are planning a new learning centre, outdoor spaces, collections hub and major exhibition.

What will I be doing?

The Inventory Volunteer role could encompass various tasks, which might include:

· Assessing objects’ condition

· Measuring and weighing items

· Undertaking cleaning as required

· Object photography

This role is perfect for you if you…

· Are curious and eager to learn

· Pay attention to detail

· Have a light and careful touch

· Are happy working as part of a team

· Are organised and able to keep accurate records

How much time would I need to commit?

Ideally a half day (09:00 to 12:00 or 13:00 to 16:00) once a week, although other arrangements can be considered on a case-by-case basis. We would ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of 20 volunteering sessions. This is a weekdays only opportunity.

What's in it for me?

· Becoming part of a great team of volunteers and staff

· See and handle objects from the RAF Museum’s collection not on public display

· Learn about object conservation

· Discover more about the history of the RAF

· Gain behind-the-scenes experience within the heritage sector

· 25% discount at our retail outlets and café[KS1] 

· Travel expenses reimbursed up to £14.50 per day, in line with our policy

· Free entry to a wide range of museums and heritage sites across the UK.

Description

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

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

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

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

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Action

Key requirements

• One reference

Location

Additional location information

• Home and local area.

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • Positive attitude towards blind and partially sighted people. • Effective communication skills. • An outgoing friendly approach to meeting new people. • A willingness and ability to complete the Microsoft feedback form.

Description

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

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

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

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

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Action

Key requirements

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

What skills and experience are needed?

• One reference
• West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, East of England, Greater London
  • You must be at least 18 years old to apply
  • • Positive attitude towards blind and partially sighted people. • Effective communication skills. • An outgoing friendly approach to meeting new people. • A willingness and ability to complete the Microsoft feedback form.

Are you passionate about harnessing digital platforms and social media to educate, empower and inspire communities? 

Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C. is seeking a visionary Social & Digital Media Education Lead to join our founding volunteer team. This role is central to designing and delivering educational programmes that equip members with the knowledge, skills and confidence to use social media and digital tools safely, creatively and impactfully.

Purpose of the role:

The Volunteer Social & Digital Media Education Lead is responsible for designing, developing and delivering educational programmes focused on social and digital media skills. This role supports the organisation’s mission by empowering volunteers, staff and community members with the knowledge and tools to effectively use digital platforms for communication, outreach and engagement. 

About the role:

As Social & Digital Media Education Lead, you will develop and lead training, workshops, and resources for community members, volunteers, and staff. You will work closely with the Instructional Designer, Membership Director, and Technical Systems Liaison to ensure digital learning aligns with our anti-capitalist, survivor-led, and community-driven mission. This is a strategic and hands-on role where your expertise directly enables communities to navigate and leverage digital spaces safely and effectively.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

Essential Technical Competencies:

• Experience managing social media platforms, including content creation, scheduling and audience engagement.
• Experience designing and delivering digital education programmes or training courses.
• Skilled in facilitating online workshops, webinars or interactive learning sessions.
• Ability to create multimedia learning materials such as videos, presentations and guides.
• Ability to support learners in building practical digital skills.
• Knowledge of major social media platforms, digital tools and safe online practices.
• Strong communication skills for clear instruction and guidance.
• Ability to design, deliver and evaluate digital learning content effectively.
• Formal qualifications in digital media, communications or a related field or equivalent professional/volunteer experience.
• Practical experience demonstrating digital content creation, online facilitation or programme management. 

Desirable / Can Be Developed:

• Experience or strong interest in social media, digital content creation or online community engagement. 
• Strong interest in community education, inclusion and positive digital participation.
• Developing skills in creating educational or informative digital content (posts, short videos, guides or campaigns). 

Qualifications:

• Formal qualifications are not required but desirable.
• Relevant study, training or experience in social media, digital communication, education, marketing or community engagement is valued.

Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties

• Design and deliver educational programmes, workshops and learning resources on social media literacy.
• Develop training on digital safety and responsible online behaviour.
• Monitor digital trends, tools and risks to ensure training content is relevant, current and safe.
• Develop engaging, practical learning experiences for diverse audiences.
• Update and adapt learning materials to reflect changes in social media platforms and digital practices.
• Align digital media training with organisational goals and programme objectives.
• Provide practical guidance to ensure learners can apply digital skills confidently.
• Support members and volunteers in applying digital skills, including content creation, online communication and platform navigation.
• Develop assessment tools, guides and documentation to track learning progress and measure outcomes.
• Maintain records of learning activities and progress to inform programme improvements.
• Foster confidence and competence among learners and staff in applying digital skills responsibly and effectively.
• Monitor compliance and provide feedback to continuously improve digital education programmes in line with organisational standards.
• Ensure all digital education activities comply with safeguarding policies, protecting vulnerable participants and maintaining a safe learning environment.
• Apply best practices in data-driven decision-making to ensure digital education initiatives are learner-focused, inclusive and aligned with organisational objectives.

What This Role Offers You:

• Leadership experience in designing and delivering digital literacy and media education programmes.
•  Personal and professional growth through hands-on engagement with diverse community members.
• Opportunity to shape the digital literacy and empowerment framework within a pioneering, values-led CIC.
• The satisfaction of enabling members to confidently navigate digital spaces, share their stories and amplify community impact.

What This Role Is Not For:

• Individuals seeking purely administrative or technical work without engagement or training responsibilities.
• Those unwilling to uphold safeguarding, data protection and ethical online practice standards.
• People expecting pre-set, rigid curricula—this role requires creativity, adaptability and proactive problem-solving.

Next Steps

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to

• A values-led conversation.
• If you are ready to educate, empower, and guide communities through digital spaces while fostering meaningful social impact, we want to hear from you. 
• Apply now and become a key driver of transformative digital education.

A Final Word

Data is about people, not numbers. Trust is built through care and accuracy.

If you know that: Respect keeps relationships strong.

Description

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

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

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

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

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Action

Key requirements

• One reference

• Additional location information

  • Home and local area.

We're keen to hear from you if you'd like to share your experiences as a blind and partially sighted person and help build a world which understands the impact of living with sight loss.

In this role, you will be:

• Delivering talks to groups of sighted people about your lived experience of sight loss to challenge their perceptions and behaviours. Audiences will vary but may include local businesses, community, faith and voluntary groups.

• Making links with your own existing groups and networks in your local community that may want to be involved in reducing barriers to blind and partially sighted people.
• Building relationships with people or local businesses you know.
• Taking part in and sharing information about specific campaigns and initiatives to help remove barriers to blind and partially sighted people.
• Delivering talks on behalf of RNIB’s Social Action Team.

What you'll gain from the role:
• A chance to make a difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people with a sense of achievement.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people.
• To make an impact by speaking to groups of people.
• An opportunity to develop your role into delivering talks independently as your confidence and skills grow.
• An opportunity to improve public understanding, helping change perceptions and behaviours, building a world which understands sight loss.
• An opportunity to explore different volunteer roles within our organisation and have access to internal employment opportunities.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• Induction to the role and organisation.
• Training in public speaking and telling your story.
• A supportive volunteer manager.
• Regular catch-ups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

Description

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

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

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

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

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Action

Key requirements

• One reference

INDEPENDENT READING GROUP VOLUNTEER (FACE-TO-FACE) 

CARAS Youth ESOL Programme – Monday, Wednesday mornings  

About CARAS: 

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community. 

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives. 

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support. 

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests. 

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society. 

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes. 

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do. 

About Youth ESOL: 

Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.

About the Role: 

CARAS is looking for Reading Group Volunteer to support our face-to-face study programme for young people.

The reading group is in Streatham and is an important element of a study programme for young people aged 14 to 18 who are out of formal education. The timings of the reading group sessions are as follows: 

• Monday afternoons 2pm to 3pm 

• Wednesday mornings 11am to 1pm. 

Volunteers are required to attend either one of both sessions. Volunteers are also welcome to stay and support the more traditional English language classes either before the reading session on Mondays or after the reading session on Wednesdays. 

Students will be supported to read at length and complete challenges that are adapted to their ability level.

The reading group aims to foster independence and a joy of reading among the young people and requires volunteers to learn about the young peoples' interests in order to help them select an appropriate text.

The ESOL teacher will provide volunteers with tips to support reading and understanding for emerging learners of English, such as phonics and elicitation strategies.

Volunteers will work with 1-5 students, mostly reading out loud with them or helping them to decode unfamiliar language.

Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities: 

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within the Reading Group sessions; 

• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources; 

• Contributing to debriefs to inform the ESOL teacher how each student found the lesson/task and the students’ areas of greatest challenge and success;  

• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session; 

• Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class; 

• Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project; 

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential; 

• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements; 

• Listening and supporting students to select, read and understand a text; Showing flexibility to the wide range of ability levels in the classroom; 

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements: 

Essential

• To be 18 years or older; 

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum-seeker or refugee status 

• * Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; *DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK.  

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role 

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (food and travel expenses can be reimbursed); 

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds; 

• To be reliable and punctual; 

• Good communication skills, especially with people who are new to English; 

• An interest in books and stories, writing and poetry 

• The ability to volunteer on Wednesday during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months; 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish; 

• Experience of reading with young people or learners of English, or teaching ESOL or phonics. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• Meet new members of your local community; 

• Learn about different cultures; 

• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum; 

• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 

• Develop your skills and competencies such as literacy and phonics strategies for emerging learners of English; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering.