Trust administrator volunteer roles

Guardian Light Foundation & Guardian Light Enterprises Ltd

Location: Remote / Online
Commitment: Approx. 20 hours per month
Role Type: Volunteer
Reports to: Founder / Safeguarding Lead

�� About Us

Guardian Light Foundation is a mission-driven organisation supporting children, teenagers, and single-parent families affected by homelessness, abuse, trauma, and financial hardship.

Our counselling services operate in three tiers:

Tier 1 – Guardian Light Foundation
Free emotional support for vulnerable individuals.

Tier 2 & Tier 3 – Guardian Light Enterprises Ltd
Low-cost and paid counselling services that help fund our charitable programmes and expand access to professional mental health support.

To maintain the highest ethical and professional standards, we are seeking a Volunteer Clinical Supervisor to support our counselling team.

�� Purpose of the Role

The Volunteer Clinical Supervisor will ensure that all counselling delivered through Guardian Light Foundation and Guardian Light Enterprises Ltd is:

• Ethical

• Safe

• Trauma-informed

• Professionally supported

• Aligned with recognised counselling standards (e.g. BACP / UKCP frameworks)

You will provide clinical supervision, safeguarding oversight, and professional guidance to our counsellors and trainee counsellors.

�� Key Responsibilities

Clinical Supervision

• Provide supervision for volunteer and trainee counsellors

• Facilitate monthly or bi-monthly group supervision sessions

• Offer guidance on complex or high-risk cases

• Support counsellors with professional development

Safeguarding Oversight

• Support decision-making where safeguarding concerns arise

• Ensure appropriate boundaries and ethical practice

• Assist with risk assessments where needed

Professional Standards

• Help maintain high clinical standards across services

• Ensure alignment with recognised ethical frameworks

• Provide guidance on confidentiality, consent, and record keeping

Support for Tier Structure

Provide supervision for counsellors working across:

Tier 1 – Charity Counselling

• Crisis support

• Emotional wellbeing support

• Early intervention

Tier 2 – Low-Cost Counselling

• Structured therapeutic support

Tier 3 – Professional Counselling

• Longer-term therapeutic work

Programme Development

• Advise on counselling frameworks and policies

• Support development of safe referral pathways

• Provide input on improving service delivery

��️ Safeguarding Requirements

Because this role involves oversight of services supporting vulnerable individuals:

• Enhanced DBS Check (Volunteer) required

• Must follow Guardian Light safeguarding policies

• Work closely with the Safeguarding Lead when concerns arise

DBS checks will be conducted via our trusted partner Serve (Rushden).

�� Skills & Experience Required

Essential

• Qualified Clinical Supervisor

• Accredited or registered with a recognised body such as:

  • BACP

  • UKCP

  • NCPS

  • BABCP (or equivalent)

• Experience supervising counsellors or trainee therapists

• Strong understanding of trauma, safeguarding, and ethical practice

• Ability to support practitioners working with complex cases

Desirable

• Experience working with:

  • Young people

  • Domestic abuse survivors

  • Trauma

  • Vulnerable families

• Experience supporting trainee counsellors

• Experience working within charities or social enterprises

�� Personal Qualities

We are looking for someone who is:

• Compassionate and emotionally intelligent

• Ethical and professional

• Passionate about protecting vulnerable people

• Supportive but able to challenge constructively

• Committed to social impact

⏰ Time Commitment

Approximate commitment:

20 hours per month

This may include:

• Group supervision sessions

• Case consultation

• Safeguarding guidance when required

Flexible scheduling.

�� What You’ll Gain

• The opportunity to shape a growing counselling service from the beginning

• Meaningful impact on vulnerable lives

• Recognition as a key professional advisor to the organisation

• Networking with therapists, legal professionals, and social care specialists

• Opportunity to join the Advisory Board or Board of Directors

• Professional contribution toward social change

�� Structure of Services

Guardian Light Foundation

• Tier 1: Free counselling for vulnerable individuals

Guardian Light Enterprises Ltd

• Tier 2: Affordable counselling

• Tier 3: Professional counselling services that help fund the charity

This structure allows us to sustain our mission while expanding access to mental health support.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum of 2 court days per month attendance requiured. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

We are currently looking to recruit an external trustee to join our Board of Trustees and also act as chair to the Finance and Audit Sub-Committee. We will also require the trustee to support our whistleblowing policy, acting as the nominated trustee contact for whistleblowing concerns.  You’ll champion openness and ensure the organisation has safe, fair, and effective processes for raising and handling concerns.

Your SU is overseen by our Board of Trustees, and our trading subsidiary (CUSU Services Ltd) is overseen by our Commercial Services Board . They are both made up of a collection of our elected Officers, students, university staff and external professionals that ensure the Charity and the Trading Subsidiary remain sustainable in terms of finance, legality and reputational status.

You will be expected to attend Board meetings 4 times per year – these will be a mix of in person and Teams meetings. You will also be expected to support at least one sub-committee of the Trustee Board (3-4 times per year) as well as complete training and induction. You will need some time to allow for prereading of reports and other documentation before meetings. 

Trustee meetings are typically held on a Friday afternoon 1pm-4pm. Most of the meetings are online, although you would be offered travel expenses for any face-to-face meetings (and hybrid meetings are usually offered if you do need to join remotely.) There is also a strategy day once a year as well as the occasional social activity!

For this trustee role, we are looking for an experienced professional ideally with third-sector governance experience. In addition to being a member of the Board of Trustees the trustee will be required to chair the Finance and Audit subcommittee and should possess a strong finance background with analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex financial information.

We are especially keen to encourage applications from people currently under-represented within the organisation, including but not limited to those from the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and those from a Global Majority background. We hope that by enhancing our diversity we can extend our organisational creativity and problem solving through the different perspectives and life experiences which diversity brings.

Please note that this is an unpaid voluntary role.

For further information there is a full recruitment pack and role profile available to download or visit our website for more information.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

This opportunity will be at both Crook and Durham so volunteers need to be willing to volunteer at both sites.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.

We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.

We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.

New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.

Thames Reach Housing is the registered provider subsidiary of Thames Reach Charity, a leading London-based charity with a particular focus on rough sleeping, and helping people who are, have been, or are at risk of rough sleeping to find decent homes, build supportive relationships and lead fulfilling lives. The charity provides innovative services aimed at preventing rough sleeping, intervening where people are sleeping rough, and helping people to recover from the impact of life on the streets. As well as street outreach work, services include tenancy support, emergency shelters, day services, hostels and accommodation, and help with health and employment. We work across London and South East England.

Thames Reach Housing completed the process of registration with the Regulator of Social Housing in February 2023 and has taken ownership of one of the hostels managed by Thames Reach Charity. Becoming a registered provider offers the opportunity to consider the transfer of other hostels and supported housing schemes where this is the best way to secure their future; as well as possible ownership of new hostel and supported housing developments where revenue funding is available.

The Thames Reach group (Thames Reach Charity and Thames Reach Housing) is a strong organisation that is growing in response to need. Our services are rooted in our understanding of the issues surrounding street homelessness, and we use this understanding to influence decision making at a local, regional, and national level. We have an excellent reputation for effective service delivery, working with people who may have very high levels of need, and using our experience of delivering services to develop and improve our approach. The majority of our services are delivered to local and regional authorities on a contract basis and we understand that our continued effectiveness requires us to sustain and develop our financial viability; and to retain and grow our excellent employees and volunteers.

The group has just over 400 employees and around 150 volunteers, and our turnover is around £28 million per year. The employees at the hostel which is owned by Thames Reach Housing are employed by Thames Reach Charity under a local authority contract. Thames Reach Housing therefore does not have any direct employees and its key function as the owning registered provider is to ensure the delivery of high-quality accommodation that supports the work carried out by Thames Reach Charity.

Thames Reach Housing has an effective and experienced non-executive board. They are supported by group sub-committees shared with Thames Reach Charity with a focus on the specific areas of Governance and People, Finance, Audit and Fundraising, and our Services. The Board meets around four times a year and participates in an annual group awayday in the autumn. There are currently three board members; one Thames Reach Housing Board member is shared with the Thames Reach Charity Board, and acts as the link between the Finance, Audit and Fundraising and Governance and People sub-committees. The Chair and other Board member are independents, not forming part of the Thames Reach Charity Board structure.

We are now looking for a new independent member, with an interest in and commitment to ending street homelessness and the ability and interest in providing strategic oversight for Thames Reach Housing.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who may be considering becoming a Board member for the first time and we want to prioritise interest in homelessness and understanding of how housing associations operate above existing governance experience. We are able to provide governance support and training to new Board members and you would be joining a board with considerable governance experience aligned with a competent Thames Reach Charity senior team to support you in your role.

Thames Reach is committed to achieving a diversity that reflects the communities we serve. We value, respect, and celebrate diversity. We welcome and encourage applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their history of homelessness, sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religious belief. We particularly welcome applicants who may have experience of homelessness and/or of using services that support people with complex support needs.

Thames Reach is a leading London-based charity with a particular focus on rough sleeping, and helping people who are, have been, or are at risk of rough sleeping to find decent homes, build supportive relationships and lead fulfilling lives. The charity provides innovative services aimed at preventing rough sleeping, intervening where people are sleeping rough, and helping people to recover from the impact of life on the streets. As well as street outreach work, our services include tenancy support, emergency shelters, day services, hostels and accommodation, and help with health and employment. We work across London and the South East.

Thames Reach is a strong organisation that is growing in response to need. Our services are rooted in our understanding of the issues surrounding street homelessness, and we use this understanding to influence decision making at a local, regional, and national level. We have an excellent reputation for effective service delivery, working with people who may have very high levels of need, and using our experience of delivering services to develop and improve our approach. The majority of our services are delivered to local and regional authorities on a contract basis and we understand that our continued effectiveness requires us to sustain and develop our financial viability; and to retain and grow our excellent employees and volunteers.

We have just over 400 employees and around 150volunteers, and our organisational turnover is around £28 million per annum.

We have an effective and long-standing non-executive Board with a wealth of relevant experience in both the public and commercial sectors. They provide valuable support to the Executive team, as well as attending around five Board meetings every year, sitting on one of the three Board sub-committees (Finance, Audit and Fundraising; Services; Governance and People) that meet around four times a year. Board members are also asked to participate in an annual away day, usually in the autumn, with separate preparatory visits to our services.

We are now looking for up to three new members. As well as interest in and commitment to ending street homelessness as a board member and the ability and interest in providing strategic oversight for the organisation, we are hoping to recruit members with specific skills in the following areas:

People/ Human Resources

Candidates with current understanding of the recruitment, management, retention and development of staff (and volunteers) in an organisation of Thames Reach’s size.

Lived experience

Candidates with lived experience of street homelessness and/or service use (for example substance misuse or mental health services), and an understanding of how this lived experience can improve and develop services.

Finance/accounting

Candidates with knowledge of financial management in medium large complex organisations, particularly those with knowledge of Charity Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) requirements.

Communications

Candidates with current knowledge of approaches to internal and external organisational communication, with understanding of both conventional and new media. 

Thames Reach is committed to achieving a diversity that reflects the communities we serve. We value, respect, and celebrate diversity. We welcome and encourage applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their history of homelessness, sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religious belief. We particularly welcome applicants who may have experience of homelessness and/or of using services that support people with complex support needs.

A bit about this role

As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our fundraising event helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between!
 

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

• help set up and/or man stalls at events
• help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections
• help at fundraising events such as quiz nights, cake sales and dances
• promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events

Time expectation

This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.

We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.
 

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You'll be:

• supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers
• planning fundraising events and activities with your team
• allocating tasks before and during fundraising events
• keeping financial records from fundraising events
• encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 
• following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

A bit about this role

As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our fundraising event helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between!
 

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

• help set up and/or man stalls at events
• help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections
• help at fundraising events such as quiz nights, cake sales and dances
• promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events

Time expectation

This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.

We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

A bit about this role

As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our fundraising event helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between!

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

• help set up and/or man stalls at events
• help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections
• help at fundraising events such as quiz nights, cake sales and dances
• promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events

Time expectation

This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.

We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

A bit about this role

As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our fundraising event helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between!
 

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

• help set up and/or man stalls at events
• help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections
• help at fundraising events such as quiz nights, cake sales and dances
• promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events

Time expectation

This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.

We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.