Support work volunteer roles
Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.
You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time.
Pursuing the role
- Interview - From 16/03/2026, time and location to be confirmed
- Welcome Event (Induction) - 18/03/2026, time and location to be confirmed
- Training for role - date, time and location to be confirmed
If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:
Closing date for these opportunities is:28/12/2026
To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:
No one should die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it. St John Ambulance teaches people first aid so they can be the difference between life and death, and you can help us do this.
As a County President for Hertfordshire – you will support the District Managers; act as an ambassador to the community on behalf of St John Ambulance and the Order of St John, promoting the charity’s objectives and our work within the local community.
You will also act as a member of the County Priory Group and liase between St John Ambulance and the Order of St John locally, under the direction of the Chief President for St John Ambulance.
You will have established links in the community and be able to help SJA achieve our charitable aims by developing relations both externally and internally with local units, volunteer managers, and regional staff and with the County Priory Group and other Presidents. All you do will be aimed at supporting the county to fulfill our vision: ‘Everyone who needs it should receive first aid from those around them. No one should suffer for the lack of trained first aiders.’
Closing date for this post is 01/04/2026
Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.
You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time.
Pursuing the role
- Interview - 08/03/2026, time and location to be confirmed
- Welcome Event (Induction) - 15/03/2026, time and location to be confirmed
- Training for role - date, time and location to be confirmed
If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:
Closing date for these opportunities is: 01/05/2026
To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:
Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.
You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time.
Our Felixstowe Cadet Unit will meet for 2 hrs on a weekday evening, every week during term times. Usually between the hours between 6-9pm, being a new unit, the team will be able to discuss day/time when in place. Please outline your availability in your application form. Location postcode is set to the Docks, as no venue is currently secured as we need a team in place to allow us to open and find a venue suitable
Pursuing the role
- Interview - date, time and location to be confirmed
- Welcome Event (Induction) - date, time and location to be confirmed
- Training for role - date, time and location to be confirmed
If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:
Closing date for these opportunities is: 31/03/2026
To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:
Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.
You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time.
Pursuing the role
Interviews and selection for the role will take place between 12 April and 10 May (inclusive)
If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role:
- Welcome Event (Induction) - A Welcome/ induction event will take place once all new volunteers have been on-boarded.
- Training for role - Volunteers will need to undertake both on-line and face to face training, details of course including dates, time & venue tbc
Closing date for these opportunities is: 09/04/2026
To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
ABOUT TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FOUNDATION
Tottenham Hotspur Foundation is the charitable arm of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Using the power of sport, we work with local communities to improve physical health, mental wellbeing, education, and employment outcomes.
Through our Health & Wellbeing programmes, including Making Sport a Daily Habit (MSADH), we support adults who may be inactive, face health inequalities, or live with long-term health conditions to move more, feel better, and connect with others. We are proud to welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, experiences, and communities.
You will support the delivery, set-up and administration of inclusive and enjoyable physical activity sessions that help adults build confidence, routine, and enjoyment in being active. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys encouraging others and creating welcoming spaces, particularly for people who may feel nervous or unsure about physical activity. You do not need to be an expert athlete — enthusiasm, empathy, and a supportive attitude are what matter most.
You may be a great fit if you are:
• Friendly, approachable, and encouraging
• Passionate about physical activity, wellbeing, or community support
• Comfortable supporting people of different ages, abilities, and confidence levels
• Reliable and keen to be part of a supportive team Helpful but not essential:
• Experience supporting or leading group or physical activities
• Good communication and people skills
• Interest in health, wellbeing, or behaviour change
• Coaching, fitness, or First Aid qualifications
What is in it for you?
• Experience supporting community health and wellbeing programmes
• The opportunity to make a positive difference to people’s lives
• Training, guidance, and ongoing support from experienced staff
• Opportunities to build confidence and practical coaching skills
• You will receive a reference upon successful completion of your volunteering to support future education or employment opportunities
• A welcoming and inclusive volunteering environment
We encourage applications from everyone, regardless of their background. We welcome applications from local residents, graduates starting their coaching journey, and people with lived experience who are passionate about supporting their community. We value equality, diversity and inclusion, so please let us know if there is anything we can do to support your application
If you’re passionate about supporting our community and can commit to a minimum of three months, we’d love to hear from you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Purpose of the role:
We are seeking a Web Developer to help build, improve, and maintain the public-facing and internal web platforms that power our work.
About the role:
As Web Developer, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining web-based systems that support the CIC’s website, membership areas, and digital services. You will help turn organisational needs into functional, secure, and user-friendly web experiences.
Your work will directly affect how people access information, join the community, and use our digital services.
Experience Qualification and Requirements
Formal qualifications is desirable but STRONG experience and passion beats and tops this always.
Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties
· Develop, maintain, and improve web pages and web-based systems that support organisational services and digital operations.
· Build, adapt, and enhance features for both public-facing and member-facing areas of the website.
· Ensure websites are fully responsive across devices and browsers and optimised for usability and clarity.
· Apply accessibility best practices to ensure inclusive access for all users.
· Work closely with designers to implement layouts, styling, and user interface components accurately.
· Collaborate with content teams to ensure content is presented clearly, consistently, and effectively.
· Integrate open-source tools, plugins, or services where required to support organisational needs.
· Support performance optimisation, including page speed, load times, and efficient front-end behaviour.
· Apply basic security practices, including updates, access controls, and secure handling of web assets.
· Test web pages and features thoroughly to identify bugs, broken layouts, or usability issues.
· Fix bugs and make iterative improvements based on feedback and testing results.
· Document technical changes, updates, and development processes clearly for continuity and collaboration.
· Support future platform growth by contributing to new features, pages, and digital services.
· Work within existing digital systems and frameworks while recommending improvements where appropriate.
· Ensure all web systems comply with data protection, GDPR principles, safeguarding requirements, and ethical standards.
· Collaborate with digital, safeguarding, and systems leads to minimise risk when handling user data or sensitive content.
Essential Skills and Experience
· Practical experience in web development or front-end development.
· Strong knowledge of HTML, CSS, and basic JavaScript.
· Experience building responsive and accessible web pages.
· Ability to follow design specifications and implement layouts accurately.
· Experience testing and fixing bugs or layout issues.
· Ability to document work clearly and work collaboratively with non-technical teams.
· Understanding of GDPR principles and secure handling of web content.
· Equivalent professional or voluntary experience accepted.
Desirable Skills and Experience
· Experience working with CMS platforms such as WordPress or similar.
· Familiarity with open-source tools or plugins.
· Experience working in non-profit, CIC, or community-led organisations.
· Basic understanding of performance optimisation and web security.
· Experience supporting ongoing platform development or service expansion.
What This Role Requires:
· Experience or working knowledge of web development.
· Understanding of HTML, CSS, and at least one scripting or backend language (e.g. JavaScript, PHP, or similar).
· Ability to work with open-source frameworks or tools.
· Basic awareness of web accessibility and performance principles.
· Comfort working in a collaborative development environment.
· Willingness to work within safeguarding, ethical, and data protection frameworks.
· formal qualifications is desirable but STRONG experience and passion beats and tops this always.
What This Role Offers You:
· Founding role in a community-owned digital infrastructure project.
· Leadership-level experience in building real-world platforms for social impact.
· Opportunity to develop skills in ethical and open-source web systems.
· Direct contribution to education, membership, and survivor-centred services.
· Experience working alongside designers, educators, and system architects.
· Priority consideration for future paid roles as the C.I.C. becomes financially sustainable.
What This Role Is Not For:
· People only interested in commercial or profit-driven web projects.
· Anyone uncomfortable working with serious or sensitive subject matter.
· Those seeking immediate or guaranteed income.
· Individuals unwilling to document or maintain their work.
· People who prefer not to work within shared systems and standards.
If you believe the web should be a place for access, dignity, and collective power and that open-source technology can support justice and community ownership this role gives you the chance to help build the digital foundations of Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C.
Join the Digital Infrastructure Team and help create web platforms that serve people, not profit.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Why we want you
As branch chair you and your branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.
What you will be doing
- Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising activities so that potential beneficiaries, volunteers and supporters are aware of SSAFA as first in mind for support.
- Building relationships with the regional and national SSAFA team, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA serving community teams, local military establishments, etc.
- Attending events as a key SSAFA representative.
- Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s central office
- Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.
- Working with other volunteers, regional and national team members to attract and recruit new volunteers as required.
- Work closely with the community engagement co-ordinator to recruit, welcome, induct, support, and manage volunteers in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.
The skills you need
- Motivating leadership with an ability lead a team of volunteers.
- Friendly and approachable
- Great written and verbal communication skills
- Basic IT skills
What's in it for you
- Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area.
- Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community.
- Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
- Support in your role from the team at SSAFA
- Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
Disclaimer
SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.
Our vision A society in which the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Why we want you
As branch chair you and your branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.
What you will be doing
- Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising activities so that potential beneficiaries, volunteers and supporters are aware of SSAFA as first in mind for support.
- Building relationships with the regional and national SSAFA team, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA serving community teams, local military establishments, etc.
- Attending events as a key SSAFA representative.
- Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s central office
- Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.
- Working with other volunteers, regional and national team members to attract and recruit new volunteers as required.
- Work closely with the community engagement co-ordinator to recruit, welcome, induct, support, and manage volunteers in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.
The skills you need
- Motivating leadership with an ability lead a team of volunteers.
- Friendly and approachable
- Great written and verbal communication skills
- Basic IT skills
What's in it for you
- Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area.
- Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community.
- Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
- Support in your role from the team at SSAFA
- Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
Disclaimer
SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.
Our vision A society in which the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
As an Adventure Ambassador, you will act as the face of Adventures for Animals on our UK and overseas trips. This role offers an exciting opportunity to combine your passion for travel with your commitment to animal welfare, while inspiring others to take part in meaningful challenges. Your primary focus will be on promoting trips, building community engagement, supporting fundraising and delivering an exceptional participant experience before and during each adventure.
Key Responsibilities
Promote Inspiring Adventures
- Generate interest and excitement through social media, community outreach, and personal networks.
- Encourage registrations, and later fundraising, by sharing the purpose and impact of Adventures for Animals and the work of IAPWA.
Host and Represent on Trips
- Act as the official Adventure Ambassador on each trip, representing Adventures for Animals and IAPWA.
- Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive group environment.
- Support participants throughout the journey to help ensure a smooth and memorable experience.
Incentives and Rewards
- Once a trip reaches an agreed capacity, you will secure a free place on the expedition.
- At the next agreed benchmark, you will receive free return flights for the adventure.
- At full capacity, you will also then receive a generous trip allowance.
Represent the Mission
- Embody the values and mission of the charity.
- Share insight into the charity’s work and inspire participants to support animal welfare initiatives.
- Strengthen the sense of community and shared purpose across each adventure.
Team Collaboration
- Attend monthly team meetings with fellow Adventure Ambassadors.
- Share insights, feedback, and ideas to support programme growth and fundraising best practice.
- Optionally organise UK-based hikes or local events to promote upcoming trips and engage the community.
Essential Experience / Skills
- A genuine passion for travel, adventure, and animal welfare
- Strong communication skills and confidence engaging groups
- Self-motivated with the ability to proactively promote trips
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a natural leadership presence
- Organised, reliable, and positive in approach
What You’ll Gain
- The opportunity to explore exciting destinations while supporting meaningful animal welfare initiatives.
- Personal and professional development in leadership, public speaking, and community engagement.
- The chance to play a key role in raising awareness and funds to support animals worldwide.
Closing Date: The job advert will close as soon as suitable candidates have been found. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible!
IAPWA (International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals) is a UK registered charity dedicated to creating a better future for animals in need
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteer Assistant Tutor – Rotherhithe Saturday School
Empowering Young Minds, Boosting Core Skills
Maths & English Every Saturday 10am-12pm for Kids Aged 7-11
Skills Development Training is a 10+ year established Southwark charity running a new Rotherhithe Saturday School for children aged 7-11 (Years 3–6). We are looking for a committed Volunteer Assistant Tutor to support our small-group Maths & English sessions.
Role Overview
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Support the lead tutor every Saturday, 10am–12pm (term time).
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Help deliver 1 hour Maths + 1 hour English with a short break.
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Work with a small group of up to 10 pupils, focusing on: number fluency, reading comprehension and writing skills.
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Help with setting up the classroom, supporting individual pupils, and maintaining a positive learning environment.
What We Offer
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Travel expenses covered.
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Experience in a structured, professional education setting.
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Opportunity to develop teaching, classroom management and mentoring skills.
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A reference after a period of consistent volunteering.
What We’re Looking For
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Reliable and able to commit to most Saturdays, 10am–12pm.
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Enjoy working with children aged 7–11 and supporting their learning.
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Patient, encouraging and confident with basic Maths and English.
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Willing to complete a DBS check and follow safeguarding policies (training provided).
Location
The Business Centre, St. Olav's Court
Lower Road, London, SE16 2XB (Rotherhithe area)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
GHRI is seeking a Remote Volunteer Administrative Assistant to support daily operations and coordinate other volunteers. This role is key to keeping communication smooth, tasks organized, and volunteers aligned across projects.
✨ Important part: You’ll help manage and support volunteers remotely, not just handle admin tasks.
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️ Key Responsibilities
Handle remote administrative tasks (scheduling, documentation, follow-ups)
Coordinate and oversee other volunteers remotely
Assist with internal communication and task tracking
Maintain accurate digital records and reports
Support GHRI programs and ongoing initiatives
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✅ Requirements
Strong communication and organizational skills
Ability to work independently in a remote environment
Basic knowledge of Google Workspace / Microsoft Office
Experience managing or coordinating people is a plus
Passion for humanitarian and health-focused work
(No commuting. No traffic. Just responsibility.)
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What You’ll Gain
Remote work experience in a global humanitarian organization
Leadership and administrative skill development
Exposure to digital health and nonprofit operations
Volunteer certificate and recommendation (where applicable)
A meaningful experience you’ll actually be proud of
Our mission is to deliver affordable, quality healthcare to underserved communities via telemedicine, hospital links & humanitarian aid.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking for someone keen to help with coordinating activities between the charities we support and enabling links between them and key local bodies such as councils and the NHS.
We are a very ambitious local grant-making charity that also offers various training, support and consultancy services to small charities and community groups in West London. We now support over 200 local charities and are keen to organise events that bring them together and to promote their access to and influence on key local decision makers. You would also be helping with supporting them with basic governance and management issues.
Our ideal candidate would have a good all-round background in management, consultancy or organisational professional services gained over a number of years, but they need not be experienced in the areas mentioned above. You'd be given full training, with the opportunity to shadow the people already working in these areas. Far more important is adaptability, initiative, an ability to get on well with people from all sorts of backgrounds, and good organisational skills. Most crucially you would have a demonstrable commitment to our ideals of promoting a strong and influential civil society in West London. You will thrive on challenges and find rewards in seeing our objectives achieved.
You would ideally be able to commit an average of 1 day a week and the work would involve dealing with our groups during office hours, so you will probably be someone who is working part-time, or is perhaps retired or semi-retired, or is otherwise not in full-time employment.
Much of the work would be taking place from home, but it will also involve some face to face contact with clients, so living in or around the Ealing, Hounslow or Hillingdon boroughs would be an advantage.
All reasonable expenses will be reimbursed and refreshments provided where suitable.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. Which is why we’re here, in people’s homes, centres and communities, focusing on the things a person can do, not what they can’t. We celebrate the moments of connection that bring more joy to life. Together, we always find a way, no matter how many barriers a person might face.
Sense is a leading disability charity with extensive knowledge and expertise in delivering personalised, creative and flexible support for disabled people with complex needs. Our tailored approach ensures that every person is empowered to live fully at every stage of life.
About the role:
As a Shop Volunteer you’ll be joining a friendly, welcoming team of volunteers and staff who support each other and have a lot of fun along the way. We value every volunteer and the unique perspective, skills and energy you bring.
Whether you’re sorting donations, creating beautiful displays, or chatting to customers, every task you take on helps to build a more inclusive world.
We value volunteer development, and as part of this role your can develop your skills further by training to become a till user alongside your regular shop volunteer responsibilities, or progressing into a Key volunteer, a role which includes opening, running, and closing the shop in the absence of the manager.
No matter your reason for volunteering – whether it’s to meet new people, build new skills or support Sense’s cause – there’s a place for you in one of our shops.
Due to the nature of the role, we require all applicants to be aged 16 or over. You must have a UK address to volunteer with Sense.
Key responsibilities: Shop volunteer
You’ll spend time doing a range of activities, including:
- Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service, helping create a wonderful shopping experience.
- Receiving donated items from the public, thanking them for their support.
- Sorting, steaming and preparing donations for sale.
- Helping to display stock in eye-catching and exciting ways.
- Keeping the shop floor clean, safe and tidy.
- Talking to customers about Sense and the work we do.
Key responsibilities: Till volunteer
Being a till volunteer includes all the same responsibilities as a shop volunteer, however, when you’re ready, we’ll provide you with additional training to:
- Serve customers on the till in a warm and friendly way.
- Put sales through the till, packing them and thanking the customer for shopping with us.
- Talk to customers about Gift Aid and other fundraising initiatives.
If you are interested in becoming a till volunteer straight away, please select ‘Till volunteer’, as well as ‘Shop volunteer’, when asked which volunteer role/s you are interested in during your application.
Key responsibilities: Key volunteer
Being a Key volunteer includes all the same responsibilities as a shop and till volunteer. However, if you’re interested in taking on additional responsibilities, you can train to become a Key Volunteer, helping the shop manager by:
- Helping supervise the shop and other volunteers.
- Supporting the shop manager to make sure customers have a great experience.
- Opening and closing the shop when needed.
- Cashing up at the end of the day.
If you are interested in becoming a Key volunteer straight away, please select ‘Key volunteer’ when asked which volunteer role/s you are interested in during your application.
Skills and qualities:
This role would suit you if you’re:
- Passionate about Sense’s work to support disabled people with complex needs.
- Calm, kind and have a friendly personality.
- A team player who enjoys working with others.
- Enthusiastic, motivated and someone with a positive attitude.
- Respectful of others.
What we offer you:
As one of our volunteers, you’ll get:
- Full training with ongoing support and guidance from your team.
- A chance to meet new people.
- A great way to develop new skills and share your existing skills.
- The feeling you get knowing you’re making a difference to the lives of disabled people with complex needs.
- A reference to support future applications for paid or voluntary roles.
- Support from our Mental Health First Aiders, should you need it.
Our values:
Everything we do is underpinned by five core values. These values shape the way we work every day. Our values are:
- We include
- We collaborate
- We find a way
- We challenge
- We celebrate
We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world.



The Organisation
Rethink Mental Illness is a leading mental health charity in England, dedicated to supporting people severely affected by mental illness to improve their lives, regardless of how challenging circumstances may feel. The charity works to create lasting change across health and social care systems, public attitudes, and the everyday experiences of people living with mental illness across the country.
People with lived experience of mental illness are central to everything Rethink Mental Illness does. Their insight shapes trusted advice, information, and more than 200 services, including housing and employment support, carer services, and legal advice. These voices also drive campaigns to challenge discrimination and influence legislative change, while their diverse experiences help ensure services are inclusive and accessible. Rethink Mental Illness believes that people severely affected by mental illness can have a good quality of life and is committed to making this a reality.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Board of Trustees of Rethink Mental Illness as Chair of the Audit and Assurance Committee. This role operates alongside, and does not replace, the broader responsibilities and duties of charity trusteeship.
Responsibilities of the Audit & Assurance Committee Chair
Leadership and Direction
The Chair will:
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Chair all meetings of the Audit and Assurance Committee and provide effective leadership and direction.
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Maintain a clear understanding of the committee’s duties and responsibilities.
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Commit the necessary time and bring strong business, financial, communication and leadership skills.
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Demonstrate excellent working knowledge of corporate governance, accounting practices, internal control functions and risk management frameworks.
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Champion open and constructive discussion, while maintaining appropriate discipline and ensuring meetings are effective and complete their agendas.
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Be prepared to ask challenging and, where necessary, difficult questions with tenacity.
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Ensure committee members understand their responsibilities and feel able to raise matters of concern.
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Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the Chair of Trustees, Vice-Chairs, Treasurer, Chief Executive and executive team, External Audit Partner and Internal Audit Lead.
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Plan the work of the committee in conjunction with the executive team, agreeing a rolling forward plan and agendas in advance of meetings.
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Review the effectiveness of each meeting, seeking feedback from members and attendees.
Governance
The Chair will:
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Ensure the committee maintains its independence and avoids assuming responsibilities beyond its remit.
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Act as the Charity’s Whistleblowing Champion, ensuring regular review of the effectiveness and operation of the Whistleblowing Policy.
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Lead oversight of external and internal audit arrangements, including appointment and performance review.
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Ensure the committee holds at least annual private sessions with the CFO, External Audit Partner, Internal Audit Lead and the Treasurer (ex-officio member).
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Promote and participate in regular formal self-assessment of the committee against appropriate professional standards.
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Ensure that the committee’s work and key issues are clearly communicated to the Board.
Development of the Committee
The Chair will:
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Work with the Honorary Officers Committee to ensure an appropriate balance of skills and experience within committee membership.
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Meet at least annually with each committee member to review engagement, gather feedback, address performance issues and identify development needs.
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Foster the right culture within the committee, encouraging constructive challenge and positive questioning.
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Ensure appropriate induction and training support is provided for both new and existing committee members.
The Person
Rethink Mental Illness is seeking individuals who can confidently balance strong commercial awareness and financial sustainability with a deep commitment to the charity’s purpose and values, bringing a thoughtful perspective that looks beyond profit alone.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
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A good understanding of the mental health sector and the wider challenges facing charities supporting people with severe mental illness.
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Strong financial literacy, with qualified accountant status desirable, and experience overseeing financial reporting, risk management, internal controls and audit.
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A strong understanding of charity governance, with experience in the charity or not-for-profit sector desirable.
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An analytical and constructive approach, with the confidence to provide appropriate challenge while supporting collaborative, values-led decision-making.
Rethink Mental Illness warmly welcomes applications from people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages and from disabled people, and actively encourages applications from groups that are underrepresented.
How to Apply
Applicants are invited to submit:
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An up-to-date CV, including details of two referees (who will not be contacted without prior permission).
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A supporting statement outlining how they meet the criteria in the person specification and their motivation for applying.