Volunteer roles in Alva

Do you want to see more happiness and kindness in the world? We’re looking for dynamic Volunteers to be part of creating exactly that!

About the Role:

Our volunteers bring people together for shared online learning experiences, based on positive psychology, that boost the wellbeing of everyone involved.

Our groups and courses can be run online or in-person in your local area.

- The amazing 6-week Happiness Habits Course is designed to be run by pairs of volunteers.  It features expert videos, science-backed exercises and the chance to form meaningful connections. Our course has been specially designed to gather the insights of the world's leading experts on six fundamental aspects of a happy and meaningful life: Gratitude, Self-Care, Relationships, Resilience, Kindness, and Meaning. It is a very impactful (many say life-changing) experience.

- Alternatively, you can get involved by supporting a Monthly Group, bringing like-minded people together to learn evidence-based tools for creating a happier and more meaningful life. Explore the monthly themes and encourage people to set personal actions towards happiness, that support both themselves and others.

Volunteering with Action for Happiness is a path of action that consistently feels like you are making a difference in the world. You don’t have to be an expert - or be happy all the time. If you are a warm and enthusiastic person that is more than enough to get started.

Why Volunteer with Us?

Do something that matters: spreading happiness and witnessing people transform for the better is a huge source of meaning.

Grow your skills: inspiring others, learning together and reinforcing your own happiness skills all contribute to personal growth.

Build community: meeting like-minded people, building lasting friendships and belonging to a global community contributing to a better future for all.

How do I know it’s right for me?

Try out free VOLUNTEER TRAINING via the Action For Happiness website and decide for yourself.

We've designed it especially to help you answer questions like this as it explains thoroughly what being a volunteer involves and helps you reflect on your readiness.

What is the time commitment?

You'll need to set aside a couple of hours for the training initially and a few more for planning your course or group and connecting with your co-volunteer. Then you'll need a couple of hours per session for facilitating (x6 weekly sessions for a course, or x1 session per month for a group). 

- Apply today! Together, we can inspire change that ripples out through people’s lives, communities and the world.
 

Solihull Area ONLY - An Independent Visitor is a positive adult role model who provides support and friendship to a young person in care. You will enjoy fun activities together which will give the young person unforgettable memories and experiences. Your consistent friendship will help the young person raise their aspirations, learn new skills, build self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.

We are looking for fun, reliable, and enthusiastic volunteers from all different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. You do not need any formal qualifications to become a volunteer, but it is helpful if you have some knowledge and practical experience of involvement with children and young people.

Children and young people who are looked after need an adult who has time to spend with them, take them on activities and be someone they can talk to and trust. You can fit your visits in around your own time and work commitments. We only ask that you can commit to a few hours once per month for a minimum of 2 years. 

We urgently require volunteers as an Independent Visitor for children and young people in care. As a volunteer you will:

• Have fun, take young people on outings and maybe share a hobby, sport or interest.
• Offer support and a listening ear and be a positive influence in a young person's life and help build self-esteem and confidence.

You do not need any special qualifications

We are looking for reliable and dependable people from all walks of life

We will provide training and on going support.

Job Type: Volunteer

Pay: £30.00 expenses limit per visit 

Schedule:

• Weekdays in school holidays
• Weekend availability needed

Age: 18 years and over?

As part of the recruitment process you will need to complete an application form, interview, enhanced DBS check, references and digital risk assessment.

We offer a full support package including induction training, online mandatory training and one to one support by your IV Coordinator throughout your volunteer journey.

It’s shaping up to be a busy year at Locate International, with a lot of important stories to tell. We need people who can help us tell them – and play a huge part in resolving cases.

We’re looking for more people to join as volunteer media officers – this will involve writing press releases for our missing and unidentified appeals, giving interviews and forging partnerships with broadcasters and publishers.

The right people will be able to write well, will ideally have a journalistic background, and will have experience dealing with different media outlets and their demands. But they must also be able to work with sensitivity and care.

We meet for an hour every Tuesday night on Zoom, and volunteers are expected to contribute an average of six hours a week.

Do you know your FYP from your CTR?

Can you build and manage a subreddit without summoning the mods?

And when we say “Shorts”, do you think watch time, hooks & retention - not what you’re packing for your next holiday?

Locate International are looking to expand our Media Team on a completely voluntary basis, with an average time commitment of around six hours per week.

Founded in 2019, we assist families in locating loved ones from unsolved missing persons cases and in identifying unknown deceased individuals.

By recruiting three volunteers - each specialising in TikTok, YouTube or Reddit - we can spread more breadcrumbs & ensure every case we take on has the best possible chance of being solved.

Our Media Team is a close-knit group of volunteers who meet via Zoom every Tuesday evening at 7pm (for one hour). Attendance at these meetings is important so we can support our Investigation Teams, plan appeals, and create a clear plan of action for the weeks ahead. We appreciate that availability can vary, but we ask that you attend as many sessions as possible to stay connected with the team and cases.

You will champion your platform - posting, monitoring engagement, and coming up with fresh ideas to help raise awareness of our cases. Sometimes this will be broad-reach content; other times it will involve niching down to target specific audiences who may hold vital missing pieces of the puzzle.

Everyone who volunteers with Locate International shares the belief that everybody deserves a name, and no family should endure the uncertainty of a missing loved one.

What we’re looking for:

TikTok Content Creator

Someone who understands trends, who can hook viewers in the first few seconds and encourage comments and sharing. You must be confident editing content directly within TikTok.

YouTube Content Creator

Someone who can create engaging, informative videos that encourage interaction. You should be confident with professional video editing, understand branding, and know how to craft compelling titles and optimise tags. Viral potential is a big plus.

Reddit Content Creator

A significant percentage of our website traffic comes from Reddit, yet we don’t currently have an official presence there. If you understand Reddit etiquette, the do’s and don’ts, and what’s involved in creating and managing subreddits - we need you.

What’s in it for you:

• Being part of a large, supportive team of dedicated volunteers.
• Working within a creative, passionate Media Team that encourages thinking outside the box.
• A regular one-hour Zoom meeting on Tuesday evenings, joining the team as often as possible to collaborate on live cases.
• The satisfaction of using your skills to make a meaningful difference to families & communities worldwide.

If you feel you have what it takes to be one of the volunteers we're looking for, please get in touch with your experience, expertise, and what you can bring to the Media Team. 

The role in a nutshell:

Age UK Cheshire's Sharing Time Reconnect Befriending service strives to reduce loneliness and isolation by matching our volunteers with older people via a meaningful befriending relationship.

Please note: You must be located within Cheshire to apply for this volunteering role.

What will you be doing?

You will be calling a lonely older person for a chat with the aim of developing a long term, meaningful befriending relationship which is positive for both parties. You will not only prevent an older person from feeling lonely and isolated, you will also hear amazing stories and share meaningful moments. 

How would you be supported in this role?

Our volunteers receive an initial induction into the work and policies of our charity and then specific training on befriending and safeguarding. You will be part of a caring and experienced team and have the support of a dedicated service coordinator. 

Why do we need volunteers in this role?

Loneliness among older people is a growing crisis. By volunteering with Age UK Cheshire’s Sharing Time project, you will offer more than a regular telephone call – you will offer a lifeline to older people in your community. 

Befriending phone calls usually last around 30 minutes. They are typically weekly but can be flexible depending on the individual you are supporting and their circumstances. They continue indefinitely or until one party’s circumstances change. 

What skills, interests or experience might be helpful in this role?

• A good listener, patient, friendly and can show empathy.
• Active listening skills with the ability to motivate others.
• Awareness of acting in a way that respects equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Willingness to follow guidance to keep yourself and others safe.
• The desire to ensure your befriendee receives an enjoyable, stimulating, person-centred and empowering experience!

Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity (Alex TLC) is a small, independent rare disease charity competing for essential resources within an extremely competitive arena.

Like many other small charities, we have grown organically from an informal support group to the recognised voice for leukodystrophy patients and their families. In order to fulfil our charitable objectives we need to increase and sustain our corporate income levels.

Could you spare a few hours a week to help us?

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for volunteers, preferably with corporate fundraising experience to:

• research the corporate giving landscape and the interests of potential donors

• identify potential corporate donors and partners whose corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals align with our mission and values

• approach local and national businesses in person and over the telephone to inform them of the work of Alex TLC

• keep a record of all approaches

Time Commitment

• This role is flexible and can easily fit round your other commitments. 

Location of Volunteering

• Homebased

ABOUT YOU

• an interest in Alex TLC and the work that we do

• access to a computer/laptop with an internet connection, and a printer

• basic understanding of the complexities of leukodystrophy

• excellent written skills

• excellent organisational and administrative skills

Benefits to you:

• Meeting and working with new people

• The ability to volunteer around your own commitments

• Learning new skills whilst having fun!

• Adding to your CV

• Helping those affected by leukodystrophies

We can only accept applications from UK residents. 

Our Volunteer Community Pet Speakers play a vital role in educating and inspiring communities by sharing important pet care messaging with diverse audiences, tailoring their approach to their own strengths and interests.

By supporting the Community Programmes team, you will help inform and educate pet owners in key areas through workshops, community events, and outreach activities.

What will I be doing:

• Shadowing staff to train in school workshop delivery and / or leading stands at community events, across our key areas of Peterborough & Fenland.
• Once trained, delivering pet welfare and dog safety sessions to primary age children in schools, youth clubs and to uniform groups.
• Running interactive event stands at various community events to share essential information on caring for dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small pets.

Important things to note:

To keep everyone safe and ensure the best support for pet owners, we ask our Community Pet Speakers to follow these guidelines:

• When in a school environment ensure you follow the schools and Woodgreen’s safeguarding policy. This includes making sure you are never alone with a student and a member of school staff is always present during sessions.
• If you’re performing a task for Woodgreen in the community alone, always have a designated point of contact, as outlined in our lone working policy. Your safety is our priority!
• Until your training record is fully signed off, we ask that you don’t give direct advice. Instead, you can help by guiding pet owners to the right support services or making a referral to an education or outreach Officer who can assist them. This ensures pet owners get the best possible help.
• An enhanced DBS check is required for this role.

A full induction will be provided for this role which will need to be completed prior to commencing volunteering.  If driving to schools/appointments you will be expected to comply with driving licence checks and the Charity’s Driver and Vehicle policy.

Will my expenses be paid?

If a volunteer had business insurance on their personal vehicle, we can cover fuel costs.

If this sounds like the role for you, please apply now.

Woodgreen is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk and protecting anyone that comes into contact with us from harm. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Role: Head of Local Operations (Scotland & Northern Ireland)

Job Description:
Youth Advantage UK is seeking a volunteer Head of Local Operations to lead the launch and on-going delivery of its commissioned research projects in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The focus of these projects will be obtaining and analysing primary and secondary data in order to help smaller community organisations improve their ways of working and effectively report on their impact. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring their teams deliver these projects within the agreed time-scales and in line with the goals agreed with the commissioning organisations, growing Youth Advantage’s reputation and reach.

Working closely with the Departmental Director, the ideal candidate will use their prior experience to effectively contribute to the organisation’s ability to enable evidence-based, positive local change. They should have excellent leadership, writing and speaking skills, IT literacy, and the ability to work well independently and in a team.

This role reports directly to the Director of Local Operations.

Role Purpose

The Deputy Head of Ethics & Research Reporting is a senior volunteer leadership role designed to provide strategic and operational resilience across the department. This role will initially serve as Interim Head of Ethics & Research Reporting during the Head of Department’s leave of absence, assuming full leadership responsibilities. When the Head returns in May, the Deputy will transition into the standard Deputy Head role, continuing to provide leadership continuity, oversight and support.

The Deputy Head works across both the Ethics Team and the Research Reporting Team, ensuring that ethical standards, research integrity and high‑quality reporting are upheld across all departmental activity.

Key Responsibilities

During Interim Headship (until May)

• Provide full strategic and operational leadership for the Ethics & Research Reporting Department.

• Set departmental priorities, oversee planning and ensure alignment with organisational strategy.

• Lead and motivate Senior Managers, Managers and wider departmental volunteers.

• Ensure ethical governance, research integrity and responsible data practices across all projects.

• Oversee departmental performance, reporting regularly to C‑Level leadership and Trustees.

• Maintain oversight of departmental budgets, costs and resource needs in collaboration with relevant teams.

• Ensure GDPR compliance and good data‑handling practices across the department.

• Identify and mitigate risks, ensuring safe, ethical and compliant operations.

• Develop and implement departmental policies, procedures and quality standards.

• Ensure accurate, timely reporting and documentation across both Ethics and Research Reporting functions.

After Transition to Deputy Head (from May onwards)

• Support the Head of Department in delivering strategic and operational leadership.

• Provide continuity, stability and leadership resilience across the department.

• Lead delegated strategic initiatives or operational areas as assigned by the Head of Department.

• Share responsibility for departmental planning, performance monitoring and reporting.

• Support Senior Managers and Managers, offering guidance, oversight and problem‑solving support.

• Contribute to departmental policy development, risk management and quality assurance.

• Act as a key point of contact for cross‑departmental collaboration and organisational alignment.

• Step into leadership when required to ensure smooth, uninterrupted departmental operations.

Competency Requirements (Deputy Head)

To succeed in this senior volunteer leadership role, the Deputy Head should demonstrate:

• Strategic leadership capability, with the ability to translate organisational goals into departmental plans.

• Advanced ethical awareness, including deep understanding of research ethics, integrity and responsible data management.

• Clear, confident communication, suitable for volunteers, senior leaders and Trustees.

• Collaborative leadership, fostering a positive, inclusive and supportive departmental culture.

• Professionalism and integrity, modelling fairness, consistency and ethical behaviour.

• Sound judgement and decision‑making, especially in complex or sensitive ethical scenarios.

• Operational oversight skills, including planning, resource management and performance monitoring.

• Risk awareness, with the ability to identify, assess and mitigate ethical, operational and reputational risks.

• Ability to support and develop others, including Senior Managers, Managers and wider volunteers.

• Commitment to GDPR compliance, responsible data handling and good governance practices.

• Adaptability, particularly during the interim leadership period and subsequent transition.

Role Requirements (Deputy Head)

Given the seniority and responsibility of this volunteer role, the following experience is required:

• A PhD is required, along with postdoctoral research experience, or significant academic or practical research experience at an equivalent level, demonstrating advanced expertise in research design, ethics, governance or reporting.

• Substantial experience in research ethics, research governance or research leadership, ideally across multiple projects or teams.

• Experience in strategic planning, departmental oversight or senior‑level decision‑making, whether in a volunteer, academic or professional context.

• A strong track record of ethical decision‑making, particularly in roles where judgement, integrity and risk assessment were central.

• Experience with research reporting, research communication or academic publication processes is highly beneficial.

• A strong interest in ethical governance, research integrity and maintaining high standards across research projects.

• Familiarity with GDPR and responsible data management practices, or willingness to develop this knowledge quickly.

• Experience working with volunteers or mixed‑experience teams is advantageous.

Overview of the Role:

The Head of IT & Systems will lead the technological vision, strategy, and execution

for the organization. This role requires a strong focus on developing robust IT

systems, overseeing digital transformation, ensuring data security, and maintaining

operational efficiency to support the organization's objectives. Management and

people leadership are integral to this role, ensuring effective team collaboration and

development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement the IT strategy in alignment with
• organizational goals.
• System Management: Oversee the design, deployment, and maintenance of
• IT systems, ensuring seamless operation and security.
• Digital Transformation: Lead initiatives to modernize technology
• infrastructure and integrate innovative solutions.
• Cybersecurity: Develop policies and practices to protect the organization
• against cybersecurity threats and ensure compliance with data protection
• regulations.
• Vendor Relations: Manage relationships with external IT service providers,
• ensuring value and quality.
• Team Leadership: Build and lead a high-performing IT team, fostering
• professional development and maintaining strong team dynamics.
• Budget Management: Plan and manage the IT budget effectively to
• maximize resources.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with other departments to support
• organisational needs with technology solutions.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Proven experience in IT leadership roles.
• Strong understanding of IT systems, infrastructure, and security.
• Exceptional management, people leadership, and strategic thinking skills.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management abilities.

Commitment: This role requires a flexible commitment of approximately 5 to 10

hours per week, which can be adjusted to fit around other responsibilities

This Role Protects Our People and Our Purpose

At Tell My Truth and Shame the Devil C.I.C., our work intersects with survivors of CSA, vulnerable young people, and marginalised communities. Content, engagement, and community interaction can surface trauma, risk, or harmful behaviours. The Community Moderation & Safeguarding Officer ensures that all digital and community spaces operate safely, ethically, and responsibly, protecting members, volunteers, and the CIC itself.This is not a passive role. It is a high-responsibility, systems-driven position where vigilance and structured response are critical.

Purpose of the Role

This role is responsible for:

• Protecting members from harm
• Preventing retraumatisation
• Upholding community standards
• Supporting moderators and volunteers
• Ensuring safeguarding procedures are followed in real time

The role-holder ensures that the community does not drift into chaos, harm, or uncontained disclosure.

About the role:

To manage safeguarding and moderation protocols across all digital platforms and community touchpoints, acting as the first point of escalation for risk, abuse, or harmful content.

To uphold UK safeguarding compliance, maintain accurate records, support moderation teams, and advise leadership on risk trends, mitigation, and community safety — protecting trust and ethical engagement.

Experience Qualification and Requirements

Essential experience

• Practical experience in safeguarding, child protection, or vulnerable-adult contexts, or closely related roles involving risk assessment and duty of care.
• Background in social care, youth work, education, community services, mental health, or survivor-support environments with sensitive disclosures.
• Experience moderating online communities or managing safety in digital spaces, particularly those involving vulnerable or at-risk groups.
• Proven ability to identify risk, assess severity, and respond appropriately, including recognising when immediate escalation is required.
• Experience handling incidents and maintaining clear, factual documentation and records in line with safeguarding expectations.
• Experience contributing to or applying safeguarding policies, protocols, or guidance in real-world settings.

Essential skills

• Strong understanding of safeguarding principles, boundaries, confidentiality, and safe handling of disclosures.
• Ability to apply a trauma-informed approach, communicating calmly and respectfully while prioritising safety and dignity.
• Clear written communication skills for incident logs, escalation summaries, and internal reporting.
• Sound judgement and emotional resilience when working with distressing or sensitive material.
• Ability to support and guide volunteers, providing clear advice and reassurance on moderation decisions.
• High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy, confidentiality, and safeguarding compliance.
• Confidence following structured protocols, checklists, and escalation routes without deviation.

Desirable (not required)

• Experience with CSA, exploitation, domestic abuse, or safeguarding-led community organisations.
• Experience delivering safeguarding or moderation training to volunteers or staff.
• Familiarity with UK safeguarding expectations and referral processes.
• Confidence using shared digital tools such as Teams, spreadsheets, forms, and incident trackers.

Formal qualifications

• Formal qualifications are not required; equivalent professional experience is essential.
• Full training will be provided on CIC-specific safeguarding and moderation protocols.

Main Responsibilities/ Key Duties

• Develop, implement, and maintain clear moderation and safeguarding frameworks that are trauma-informed, practical, and consistently applied across all CIC platforms.
• Monitor all community spaces to identify harmful or abusive behaviour, boundary violations, and high-risk disclosures involving children, survivors, or vulnerable adults.
• Take timely moderation action in line with protocols, including content removal, access restrictions, warnings, or escalation to safeguarding leads.
• Escalate safeguarding incidents promptly and accurately in accordance with CIC procedures, prioritising cases involving immediate or serious risk.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records of incidents, actions taken, outcomes, and follow-ups to ensure accountability and audit readiness.
• Support a safe and respectful community culture by reinforcing behaviour standards, tone-of-voice guidance, and survivor-centred practices.
• Train and support volunteers in trauma-informed moderation, safeguarding awareness, confidentiality, and correct escalation pathways.
• Review incident trends and recurring risks, recommending improvements to moderation systems, guidance, and preventative controls.
• Liaise closely with Social Media Engagement Officers, Campaign Managers, and Membership & Community Directors to ensure joined-up safeguarding practice.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by supporting updates to policies, protocols, response scripts, and internal safeguarding documentation.

This role is not suitable if you:

• Avoid conflict or risk
• Seek casual, low-commitment volunteer work
• Are unable to follow structured protocols
• Prefer creative or posting roles over operational responsibility
• Expect immediate paid employment

Important to Be Clear

• This is a volunteer role during the build phase
• It carries real responsibility and accountability
• Paid roles will emerge as funding and sustainability allow

Next Steps

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to:

• A values-led and ethics conversation
• A practical safeguarding scenario discussion

If you believe that safety and ethical oversight are as important as strategy and content, this role is for you.

A Final Word

Safeguarding is about people, not procedures.

If you know that:
Protection requires vigilance and structure
Documentation is a safeguarding responsibility
Ethical oversight keeps trust intact