Volunteer leader volunteer roles

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. 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. Activities include:

· 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

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise funds and awareness through organising local events. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers. You will be supported and guided from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

We're looking for someone with the following:

· Great people skills and the ability to bring out the best in others

· Excellent organisational skills

· The ability to prioritise and delegate

· An appreciation of the importance of handling money and charity resources responsibly

· Fine-tuned communication skills and a passion for engaging with people within your local community

· Basic IT skills to use Cats Protection systems - training and support can be provided

· Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+

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.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Role Title: Charity Youth Volunteer Worker
Organisation: Morning Star International Church (MSIC)
Location: Croydon, United Kingdom
Compensation: Voluntary (no salary). Reasonable accommodation and subsistence support may be provided in accordance with charity guidelines.

ABOUT MORNING STAR INTERNATIONAL CHURCH (MSIC)

Morning Star International Church (MSIC) is a Christ-centred Pentecostal church based in Croydon, United Kingdom. The church serves a diverse, multi-ethnic and multi-generational congregation and is committed to sharing the love of Christ through worship, discipleship, community outreach, and pastoral support.

As part of our charitable mission, the church provides programmes that encourage spiritual growth, youth engagement, and community support.

Morning Star International Church is seeking Charity Youth Volunteer Workers who feel called to support the ministry’s day-to-day activities and assist in youth-focused programmes on a temporary voluntary basis.

SUMMARY OF ROLE

The Charity Youth Volunteer Worker will support the ministry by assisting with non-pastoral, non-salaried, and supportive duties within the church.

Working under the supervision of the ministry leadership team, the volunteer will assist with youth activities and help facilitate a welcoming and supportive environment during church programmes and events.

This role is designed to support the charitable objectives of the church while providing the volunteer with meaningful experience in ministry and community service.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Charity Youth Volunteer Worker will support the church through the following voluntary activities:

• Helping create a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment for young people attending church programmes.
• Supporting youth during group discussions, activities, and fellowship sessions.
• Assisting in organising and preparing youth meetings, events, and church gatherings.
• Encouraging participation and engagement among young attendees.
• Providing general support to church leaders and volunteers during services and ministry activities.
• Assisting with practical arrangements during church gatherings to ensure a smooth and positive experience for attendees.

All duties will be carried out under supervision of the church leadership team.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Attributes

Applicants should demonstrate:

• A genuine heart to serve others with humility and dedication.
• A personal commitment to the Christian faith and the mission of the church.
• Willingness to work collaboratively as part of a team and under supervision.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• A flexible and adaptable approach to volunteering.

Desirable Attributes

The following qualities would be advantageous:

• Previous experience in church, ministry, or community volunteering.
• Familiarity with Pentecostal worship practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English (spoken and written).
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity to diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of additional languages (e.g., Swahili) would be an asset.

Important Notes

• This is a voluntary position and does not constitute employment.
• No salary or wages will be paid.
• The role is intended to support the charitable and religious objectives of Morning Star International Church.
• Volunteers may receive reasonable accommodation or subsistence support, where applicable, in line with charity regulations and policies.
• All volunteers are expected to adhere to the church’s safeguarding policies and code of conduct.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants should submit the following documents:

• A current CV
• A cover letter outlining their interest in the role and availability
• Two references (preferably from church or ministry leaders)

Please include the following reference code in your application:

Reference Code: MSIC/CYW26

Come and make a difference to some young people who really need your input.

Go Beyond are a national UK charity giving children who have been bereaved, abused or bullied, who are living in poverty or caring for loved ones the chance to escape their worries and pressures through free breaks in the countryside. We need volunteers to help us deliver fun, creative and adventurous activities throughout the year.

Go Beyond’s centres in Essex, the Cornish coastline, and on the edge of the Peak District are where vulnerable young people facing various challenges in their life come for a week of freedom and fun. Running Monday-Friday throughout the year, our breaks give children and young people the chance for time away from the worries of their everyday life, to make friends, try new things, build confidence, and ultimately go home inspired by what the world can offer them and what they, in turn, can offer the world.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

As a breaks volunteer, you will be part of a team, including trained Break Leaders, and will support by being an extra pair of eyes and ears, and a helping hand where needed. You will spend time with the young people attending Go Beyond and help ensure they have a positive week full of experiences and memories that will last a lifetime!

Full training and support will be given throughout. We have a wide variety of volunteer roles available and key responsibilities can include:

• Helping the Break Leaders with day-to-day tasks, such as setting up activities and keeping the centre tidy
• Assisting at mealtimes with preparing, serving, and cleaning
• Leading planned activities based on your skills with support from Break Leaders (such as baking, sports games, gardening, arts and crafts etc.)
• Capturing photos of special moments for the young people (using Go Beyond cameras only)
• Accompanying our driver to collect or drop off groups and supervise behaviour on the buses
• To be a positive role model and lead by example at all times
• To be encouraging and supportive to the young people and take an interest in each child
• To take part in the activities alongside the young people
• To be aware of boundaries and know when it is important to enforce these
• To inform the Break Leaders of any issues or concerns you have relating to the young people or the break experience
• To contribute to personalised messages which the young people receive in their goody bags as a lasting memory of their Go Beyond break
• To read, sign and ensure Safeguarding and Health and Safety Policies and Reporting Procedures are followed, and contribute to Go Beyond Hazard Analysis Critical Control Principles, Risk Assessment and Quality Assurance processes.

Qualities & Skills

• Enthusiasm and a willingness to help
• Good communication skills and a positive, friendly attitude
• Non-judgemental and approachable
• Experience of working with young people
• Willingness to work flexibly, adapting tasks to suit the needs of the group
• Ability to work well as part of a team in a busy, fast-paced environment

What you can gain from volunteering with Go Beyond

• Gain new skills and experience in a professional environment
• Training and personal development opportunities
• Join an enthusiastic team of people who want to make a difference, just like you
• We will happily provide a reference for volunteers who complete training and reach the agreed number of volunteer hours
• Have a rewarding experience making a difference to children living in desperately difficult circumstances across the UK

Time commitment

A break will run Monday to Friday, various weeks throughout the year

Application process

• Complete the application form online
• Two successful references will be required
• A successful DBS check would need to be completed (we pay, but you will need to prove your ID at the Post Office, which costs £12)
• A 30 minute online induction session
• Discussion of which break, where and when.

Are you passionate about young people and ensuring everyone has equitable access to opportunities? Do you have a vibrant energy and experience to bring to our families and children? Then we could be looking for you to join our team of volunteers supportung families and young people in the North Kensington community.

As we ease out of lockdown, we are looking for volunteers to help on day trips in and around London to support families in getting back to normality again.

Trips will include anything from horse riding through to the beach, farms and Kew Gardens. This is an opportunity to help families in our community while gaining experience of working with a small, friendly and supportive charity.

Volunteers will help the group leader to accompany groups of parents/guardians and their children on a variety of cultural/fun trips, helping to make them feel welcome. 

Suitable volunteers will be reliable and sociable and enjoy working with children. Volunteers must be available for day trips during school holidays, as this is when most of the trips take place.

Volunteers receive a full induction, and support from the Children and Young People Coordinator. Travel expenses on the outings and any entrance fees are covered, and some further expenses can also be claimed.

IMPORTANT: An enhanced DBS check is required for this role, and so we are unfortunately only able to accept applications from UK-based applicants or British nationals living abroad.

It’s an exciting time to join Victim Support, as we prepare to begin delivery of the Witness Service from April 2026. We look forward to welcoming current Witness Service staff and volunteers to Victim Support — and we’re also now beginning recruitment for several new roles and to fill vacant positions.  

The Witness Service provides free, independent support to any witness giving evidence in criminal courts in England and Wales — both for the prosecution and the defence.  

Our trained staff and volunteers help people understand what to expect before, during and after a trial, and offer practical and emotional support every step of the way, so witnesses can give their best evidence.   

The Witness Service also supports bereaved family members, and friends and family who are accompanying witnesses in court.  

This is an exceptional opportunity to help us ensure a smooth transition and shape a high-quality, high-impact and trauma-informed service — so every witness feels informed, supported and more confident in court.  

Witness Service Volunteers provide support to victims and witnesses of crime prior to and during the court process helping them to feel safe and informed. 

Why volunteer with us?

• Make a difference - you will volunteer directly with victims and witnesses.

• Gain skills and experience - you will receive training on how to provide practical and emotional support.

• Join our community - you will be part of a large community of over 2,000 volunteers and staff. 

• Beyond your role – attend one of our many events/webinars and join one of our six Equality, Diversity & Inclusion networks.

What do we ask of you? 

In order to join us as a Witness Service Volunteer, you must: 

• Be 18 years of age or over. 

• Be able to volunteer for at least 1 day per week, for at least 12 months. 

• Undertake training - this includes virtual training days as well as completing online learning modules. 

• Undertake an enhanced DBS check & be part of the DBS update service.

• Be able to provide two satisfactory references. 

• Have an active email address that you are comfortable using in order to engage with VS communications.

Diversity Matters

• VS strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need. 

• VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role. 

• We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to support you through the application process.

Volunteer Opportunity: Squirrels Section Volunteer

Location: URC Baker Street, Alvaston
When: Mondays, 1 hour per week, 4.30pm-5.30pm

Do you have an hour to spare on a Monday and a willingness to make a big difference to young children? We’re looking for friendly volunteers to join our Squirrels team and help support our weekly sessions.

About Squirrels

Squirrels is the youngest section of Scouts, designed for children aged 4–6. Sessions are fun, active, and varied… from crafts and games to simple challenges that build confidence, teamwork, and curiosity about the world.

The Role

As a Squirrels Volunteer, you’ll support the session leaders during our weekly one hour meetings. Typical tasks include:

• Helping small groups of children take part in activities
• Offering encouragement and gentle guidance
• Supporting games, crafts, and simple challenges
• Helping create a safe, welcoming, and fun environment

You won’t be expected to plan sessions or lead activities, unless you’d like to! This role is all about support and teamwork.

Who We’re Looking For

You will be a great fit if you:

• Are friendly, approachable, and reliable
• Have patience and a calm manner
• Enjoy helping others and being part of a team
• Are happy to get involved and have fun

No previous experience with children is required.
All we ask is a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.

Training & Support

You’ll receive full training provided by Scouts HQ, including:

• Safeguarding
• Data protection
• Safety and wellbeing

Training is straightforward, supported, and designed to fit around busy lives. 

Why Volunteer?

• Make a real difference in your local community
• Gain confidence and transferable skills
• Be part of a friendly, supportive team
• Have fun while helping children grow and thrive

If you’re curious, kind, and can spare an hour a week, we’d love to hear from you. Helping at Squirrels is hugely rewarding… and the smiles are guaranteed!

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

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

A bit more information about this role and the team

Please note that due to the nature of the role (transporting resources to and from events, cash security, etc) having your own transport is preferred but not essential.  

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.

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:

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:

Join the Savio House Retreat Team 2026-27, and work with young people at our Youth Retreat Centre at Bollington, Cheshire.

Why Savio House? Well, wouldn't you love to …

• • Live in a Christian community that works for young people
  • Wake up each day in a fantastic location in the Pennine hills
  • Develop skills in working with young people
  • Develop team working skills alongside qualified leaders
  • Develop valuable planning and leadership skills
  • Learn to create totally new resources
  • Get free training in first aid, food hygiene, fire prevention training, health and safety etc.
  • Explore accreditation paths towards a future career working with young people
  • Search out the answers to some of your deeper life questions
  • Join a world-wide Salesian network of youth workers
  • Receive a weekly allowance
  • Have all food, accommodation and laundry provided
  • Enjoy national conferences/events and meet up with other volunteers
  • Have regular mentoring and support through the whole year- September- July

Job description - Main duties and responsibilities:

• Live in Roman Catholic religious community

• Share faith with hundreds of young people on retreat

• Assist to lead and organise Salesian retreats

• Work as a team to enhance the retreat experience for those who attend

Skills, qualifications and experience needed for the job:

Mandatory:

• Must be 18 or over

• Be able to communicate in English

• Must be willing to provide police check and 2 character references

Desirable:

• Experience of working with young people

• Experience of working within a Salesian or parish setting, or be willing to participate with one of our provinces outside of the UK

We are growing our volunteering team and looking to recruit 2 Lead Volunteers for our Content Team. We’re looking for two people who have a passion for promoting a charity supporting a rare condition and have the ability to support a volunteering team as well as plan and use communication tools such as websites, Canva and other digital platforms.

This is a flexible volunteering opportunity, which means your commitment can be balanced around your lifestyle - being part of a team to ensure that communications to our community and supporters are up to date and timely.

You will provide leadership for your team and support the development of a communications plan for the charity.

Key Tasks and Objectives

• Lead a team of content writer volunteers.
• Lead and co-ordinate internal projects, activities and campaigns that help build awareness of our organisation and its aims.
• Building, leading and inspiring the content team, ensuring goals are agreed and communicated to support the achievement of our overall aims and projects.
• Ensuring all content is on-brand, consistent in terms of style, quality and tone of voice, and ideally optimised for search and user experience for channels of content including on our website, in our members' magazine as well as supporting the content for social media .
• Supporting the development of a communications strategy, focusing on the content section.
• The implementation of a functional content calendar
• Establishing workflow for requesting, creating, editing, publishing, and repurposing content
• Operate as the point of contact for content volunteers in the team.
• To also be an active part of the content team as a content writer.
• Identifying, initiating and leading on content projects which align to the strategy and realise our goals.
• Collaborate with the team
• To contribute to the Annual Report or other reporting documents.
• Protecting our charity brand identity, ensuring it is delivered consistently, both internally and externally.
• Promote the charity across all our channels and forms of communication.
• Ensure effective, regular communication to both internal and external audiences.
• Support the review of progress and effectiveness of the Communications Strategy on an annual basis.

What are we looking for?

About You

To be successful in this role you will:

• Have a real enthusiasm for excellence, innovation, continuous improvement and change.
• Be a team leader who is positive, hands-on and able to get the best out of a team.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and are adept at building relationships with different stakeholders.
• Have the ability to think strategically but also enjoy being at an operational level to support your team and key stakeholders.
• Have a high level of attention to detail.
• Have the ability to prioritise, plan and organise projects and to manage expectations.

Experience and Skills

• The ability to communicate (verbal and non-verbal) to a wide variety of audiences including the public, various forms of media and on an individual basis.
• Experience in building and leading a team.
• Previous experience of working or volunteering for charities and/or volunteer organisations is desirable but not required.
• Creativity 
• Good IT skills.
• Ability to motivate and enthuse others.
• To be a part of a team.
• Previous experience in marketing, communications, or related fields.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire volunteers.
• Experience of using Canva or similar design packages.
• A strong network of PR and media contacts would be highly advantageous.

What's in it for you?

This role is a fantastic opportunity to volunteer with a small but ambitious charity, developing and honing your skills around leadership in the Third sector.

Getting the right story in print and online can be challenging, especially when dealing with a rare health condition, but it is definitely rewarding.

You will gain experience in the charity sector, gain new or update your writing skills, a broader C.V., and a sense of accomplishment from using your skills to help people affected by a very painful condition.

You would be leading our small, friendly, forward-thinking charity team, focused on reaching people who may not have heard about the charity or about the condition. You would also have a key role in developing a communications and marketing strategy for a small charity. This is an excellent opportunity for you to make a real difference to a rare condition.

Key Benefits

• Gain valuable experience in communications and marketing, plus charity team leadership.
• Make a meaningful impact on the fight to support the CRPS community.
• Develop professional skills and expand your network.

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 volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our face-to-face study programme called ‘Get Ready for School.’

This programme is attended by young people out of education and is based in Streatham on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Core delivery of the programme includes English, Maths, Digital skills, complemented by Reading and Writing for Pleasure.

We also run Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon classes open to all existing CARAS youth community members, 4:30pm to 6pm. These classes tend to be larger and have a large range of language levels. 

Volunteers in this role are required to commit to at least one 2-hour session per week, during these times:

• Monday 10 am to 3pm

• Tuesday 2pm to 6pm 

• Wednesday 11am to 6pm

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 ESOL classes;

• Help young people to build confidence in digital literacy;

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

• Engaging learners in informal conversations or games during breaks to help them practice their conversational English.

• Checking the session plan aims with the lead teacher and assisting learners achieve them;

• 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;

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

Requirements 

Essential: 

• To be 18 years or older;

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

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

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

• To be reliable and punctual. We ask volunteers to commit to at least one class every week for a minimum of 4 months. If you are unable to attend a class due to a planned holiday, you must inform the program lead in advance. 

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

• The ability to volunteer on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons/evenings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months;

• 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 

*DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK. 

Desirable: 

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

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; 

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

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

To Apply: 

Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with a member of the CARAS learning staff team and a community member. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP! 
 

 All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role. 

This flexible home volunteering role is worthwhile and rewarding. Make a real difference writing letters. As a Volunteer Penpal Writer you’ll be a key member of the Letterbox Team. Your letters will cheer someone up and establish a trusting, supportive relationship with a client who might be lonely or socially isolated.

What tasks can this role include (some or all of the following):

• Writing letters to clients
• Building trust and companionship with a client through correspondence. Omega befriends a variety of people including: caregivers, the lonely, isolated or people with ill-health.
• Liaising with the Letterbox Team by email or post.
• Respecting service standards, appropriate boundaries and recognising the policies and procedures that are necessary when befriending adults at risk.
• Making suggestions to help us improve the service we provide to clients and Volunteer Pen pal Writers.

This role could be for you, if you:

• Enjoy writing and receiving letters
• Are enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Associate strongly with Omega’s values and strategy
• Have knowledge or understanding about a variety of client issues including caring, feeling isolated and lonely and its impact on people and society
• Have satisfactory written and inter-personal communication skills
• Recognise the importance of confidentiality and can show this in practice
• Are committed to inclusion, treating people with dignity and respect

What support and training will be provided?

• Feedback from clients and colleagues
• Regular and ongoing support from Letterbox Team Leader
• Answering questions
• Stationary and pre-paid envelopes can be provided making the service free.
• Opportunity for peer support events and invitation to Omega events
• Reward system and opportunity for volunteer of the month rewards

What are the benefits for you?

• Knowing you are making a difference to someone’s life by doing something you enjoy
• Joining the Omega Team, who are taking action against loneliness and isolation as well as helping people in crisis
• An opportunity to enhance your CV or learn new skills
• An opportunity to engage with your community

Location of the role:

• Mainly your home

When are you needed?

• At a time to suit you