Volunteer roles in South east

Connect: North Korea works with North Korean escapees to recover, rebuild, and succeed. We were established in 2018 to address the complex challenges North Koreans face in building new lives after escaping the North Korean regime and reaching safety.

We are seeking a Legal Trustee to join our Board of Trustees at an exciting stage of growth. As we scale our programmes and deepen our impact in the UK and internationally, we are looking for an individual with strong legal expertise to support our governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic development.

If you have a legal background, this is an excellent opportunity to play a highly rewarding role in supporting our mission. The successful candidate will help ensure robust governance, provide legal insight on risk and compliance, and support the organisation to grow sustainably. Individuals are sought who have a strong empathy with our work and vision and share our values and commitment to social and racial justice. 

CNK’s small Board of Trustees is committed, friendly and comprises trustees from a broad range of professional and personal backgrounds at different points in their careers. If you are invested in CNK’s mission and from a legal background but have questions about the role or are unsure if your experience matches the criteria below, please do get in touch for an informal conversation.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Legal Trustee

LOCATION: Remote / 78 Coombe Road, New Malden, KT3 4QS

We usually hold board meetings online, but this is open to change.

COMMITMENT: 2 – 3 hours per month. We hold one annual away day we’d expect the board to attend.

Our Board meets every quarter for 2 hours. There is expected support between meetings. Our terms are capped at 3 years with potential for renewal for one additional term.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to good governance and strategic decision-making, ensuring the Board fulfils its responsibilities in line with our constitution, governance framework, and applicable legislation.

• Provide legal insight and oversight on regulatory compliance, risk, and organisational development, ensuring alignment with relevant legal frameworks

• Support the Board in maintaining high standards of governance, accountability, and transparency

• Use your networks and influence to promote the charity’s mission, acting as an ambassador to build relationships with donors, partners, and advocates.

• Work collaboratively with fellow trustees and the Chair to maintain a supportive, ambitious, and effective governance environment.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Demonstrable experience in a legal role (e.g. solicitor, barrister, in-house counsel).

• Understanding of legal and regulatory frameworks relevant to charities

• Interpersonal and relationship-building skills and comfortable in an ambassadorial role.

• Demonstrable communication and teamwork skills with proven ability to foster and promote a collaborative team environment.

• Able to make difficult evidence-based decisions, negotiate challenging conversations, and be able to balance competing interests

• Experience working or volunteering in diverse and cross-cultural environments.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience of charity law, regulatory compliance, or governance

• Lived experience of migration or of a refugee background is highly desirable.

• Korean speaker

• Be actively engaged in refugee and migrant rights, social change, and/or a related field

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Due to the nature of CNK’s work with people in vulnerable circumstances, including at times children, a DBS or criminal record check is required for this role, although a criminal record is not necessarily a barrier to working at CNK. 

• Candidates are required to commit a minimum of 2-3 hours per month to this role for at least one term of three years. 

• Charity trustee positions are unpaid voluntary roles. Any reasonable expenses will be reimbursed inline with CNK’s expenses policy. 

CNK’s values are rooted in inclusivity and equity and we encourage applications from people of all ethnicities, working ages, genders, sex, sexual orientations, faiths (or non), marital status (or non) and pregnancy status. People with refugee or asylum-seeking backgrounds are experts by experience and are particularly encouraged to apply. 

We also respect that people’s identity is not defined by their past experiences and do not expect candidates to describe their lived experience during the interview process unless they wish to. 

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a CV and cover letter for the attention of Emma Shore, Chair of the Board of Trustees. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis. 

As a Swim Buddy you will be joining the people we support in the water, helping them have fun and encouraging them to swim and play in the pool.

One of our Support Workers will always be there for guidance and they will be responsible for the personal care of your buddy, but they may stay on the side during the time you're in the water.

Skills Required

• To be confident in the water and a good swimmer.

• To be kind, empathetic and friendly.

• To have a good sense of humour and be enthusiastic.

• To be reliable and punctual.

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

• Safeguarding

• H&S

• Manual Handling

• How to be Eye Care Aware

• Fire Safety

• Infection Control

• Data Security and Confidentiality

• First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

This is a fantastic opportunity to give something positive back to society and have a direct impact on people’s lives. Being a Swim Buddy is a great way to get out and about, exercise, and help others.

SeeAbility provides training, which can help you to develop new skills.

Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time.

SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

Our Gardener Volunteers support our homes by helping to maintain their outdoor spaces through weeding, pruning and planting, so that the people we support can enjoy spending time in a beautiful environment. 

We are currently looking for volunteer gardeners for one of our services, who can support with the following tasks:

• Create planters

• Provide general maintenance of our gardens

• Watering, planting, weeding and pruning

• Maintaining flower beds

• Creating/improving/maintaining our sensory garden spaces

Skills required 

In order to become one of our gardener volunteers you will be:

• Knowledgeable about plants

• Confident using gardening equipment

• Punctual and reliable

• Friendly and approachable.

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

• Safeguarding

• H&S

• Manual Handling

• How to be Eye Care Aware

• Fire Safety

• Infection Control

• Data Security and Confidentiality

• First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

This is a fantastic opportunity to give something positive back to society and have a direct impact on people’s lives.

Gardening is a great way to get out and about, stay fit and meet new people.

Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us 

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time.

SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

Our Gardener Volunteers support our homes by helping to maintain their outdoor spaces through weeding, pruning and planting, so that the people we support can enjoy spending time in a beautiful environment. 

We are currently looking for volunteer gardeners for one of our services, who can support with the following tasks:

• Create planters

• Provide general maintenance of our gardens

• Watering, planting, weeding and pruning

• Maintaining flower beds

• Creating/improving/maintaining our sensory garden spaces

Skills required 

In order to become one of our gardener volunteers you will be:

• Knowledgeable about plants

• Confident using gardening equipment

• Punctual and reliable

• Friendly and approachable.

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

• Safeguarding

• H&S

• Manual Handling

• How to be Eye Care Aware

• Fire Safety

• Infection Control

• Data Security and Confidentiality

• First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

This is a fantastic opportunity to give something positive back to society and have a direct impact on people’s lives.

Gardening is a great way to get out and about, stay fit and meet new people.

Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us 

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time.

SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

A unique opportunity to teach prison inmates sewing and designing skills while encouraging their own creativity.

Help engender greater self-belief and enhance potential employability upon release.

We will be using surplus fabric from the textile trade which would otherwise go into landfill.

This is not seen as a commercial enterprise so any profit made from selling marketable products would be invested in prisoner welfare.

We are recruiting a team of volunteers to teach cutting and machine-sewing skills in Pentonville prison, with inmates vetted for this project and with strictly applied safeguarding in place. MA students from Saint Martins Arts University, under the auspices of Professor Lorraine Gamman’s ‘Design Against Crime’ project will also be contributing time and creative input.

Ideally we foresee volunteers and inmates exchanging and developing ideas together in a supportive and creative space.

Volunteers will be asked to commit for at least six months to a minimum of 3-4 hours a week and would in a typical session together with at least one other volunteer be working with up to five learners. A one-session training on working in a prison will be provided. 

The Befriender 'In Home' Volunteer will play an important role by providing companionship to someone we support at our supported living service by spending time with them, visiting them in the home and doing activities they enjoy. These might include chatting over a cup of tea, reading books, playing board games, etc.

Skills Required

· To be kind, empathetic and friendly

· To have a good sense of humour and love to chat

· To be punctual and reliable

· To be able to deal with information in line with our data protection and confidentiality procedures

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

· Safeguarding

· H&S

· Manual Handling

· How to be Eye Care Aware

· Fire Safety

· Infection Control

· Data Security and Confidentiality

· First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

· This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others. 

· Befriending is a great way to keep active and meet new people.

· SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

· Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time. SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

The Befriender 'In Home' Volunteer will play an important role by providing companionship to someone we support at our supported living service by spending time with them, visiting them in the home and doing activities they enjoy. These might include chatting over a cup of tea, reading books, playing board games, etc.

Skills Required

· To be kind, empathetic and friendly

· To have a good sense of humour and love to chat

· To be punctual and reliable

· To be able to deal with information in line with our data protection and confidentiality procedures

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

· Safeguarding

· H&S

· Manual Handling

· How to be Eye Care Aware

· Fire Safety

· Infection Control

· Data Security and Confidentiality

· First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

· This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others. 

· Befriending is a great way to keep active and meet new people.

· SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

· Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time. SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

The Befriender 'In Home' Volunteer will play an important role by providing companionship to someone we support at our supported living service by spending time with them, visiting them in the home and doing activities they enjoy. These might include chatting over a cup of tea, reading books, playing board games, etc.

Skills Required

· To be kind, empathetic and friendly

· To have a good sense of humour and love to chat

· To be punctual and reliable

· To be able to deal with information in line with our data protection and confidentiality procedures

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

· Safeguarding

· H&S

· Manual Handling

· How to be Eye Care Aware

· Fire Safety

· Infection Control

· Data Security and Confidentiality

· First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

· This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others. 

· Befriending is a great way to keep active and meet new people.

· SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

· Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time. SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

The Befriender 'In Home' Volunteer will play an important role by providing companionship to someone we support at our supported living service by spending time with them, visiting them in the home and doing activities they enjoy. These might include chatting over a cup of tea, reading books, playing board games, etc.

Skills Required

· To be kind, empathetic and friendly

· To have a good sense of humour and love to chat

· To be punctual and reliable

· To be able to deal with information in line with our data protection and confidentiality procedures

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

· Safeguarding

· H&S

· Manual Handling

· How to be Eye Care Aware

· Fire Safety

· Infection Control

· Data Security and Confidentiality

· First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

· This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others. 

· Befriending is a great way to keep active and meet new people.

· SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

· Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time. SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

The Befriender 'In Home' Volunteer will play an important role by providing companionship to someone we support at our supported living service by spending time with them, visiting them in the home and doing activities they enjoy. These might include chatting over a cup of tea, reading books, playing board games, etc.

Skills Required

· To be kind, empathetic and friendly

· To have a good sense of humour and love to chat

· To be punctual and reliable

· To be able to deal with information in line with our data protection and confidentiality procedures

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

· Safeguarding

· H&S

· Manual Handling

· How to be Eye Care Aware

· Fire Safety

· Infection Control

· Data Security and Confidentiality

· First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

· This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others. 

· Befriending is a great way to keep active and meet new people.

· SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

· Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time. SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

The Befriender 'In Home' Volunteer will play an important role by providing companionship to someone we support at our supported living service by spending time with them, visiting them in the home and doing activities they enjoy. These might include chatting over a cup of tea, reading books, playing board games, etc.

Skills Required

· To be kind, empathetic and friendly

· To have a good sense of humour and love to chat

· To be punctual and reliable

· To be able to deal with information in line with our data protection and confidentiality procedures

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

· Safeguarding

· H&S

· Manual Handling

· How to be Eye Care Aware

· Fire Safety

· Infection Control

· Data Security and Confidentiality

· First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

· This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others. 

· Befriending is a great way to keep active and meet new people.

· SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

· Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time. SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

The Befriender 'In Home' Volunteer will play an important role by providing companionship to someone we support at our supported living service by spending time with them, visiting them in the home and doing activities they enjoy. These might include chatting over a cup of tea, reading books, playing board games, etc.

Skills Required

· To be kind, empathetic and friendly

· To have a good sense of humour and love to chat

· To be punctual and reliable

· To be able to deal with information in line with our data protection and confidentiality procedures

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

· Safeguarding

· H&S

· Manual Handling

· How to be Eye Care Aware

· Fire Safety

· Infection Control

· Data Security and Confidentiality

· First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

· This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others. 

· Befriending is a great way to keep active and meet new people.

· SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

· Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time. SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

The Befriender 'In Home' Volunteer will play an important role by providing companionship to someone we support at our supported living service by spending time with them, visiting them in the home and doing activities they enjoy. These might include chatting over a cup of tea, reading books, playing board games, etc.

Skills Required 

• To be kind, empathetic and friendly

• To have a good sense of humour and love to chat

• To be punctual and reliable

• To be able to deal with information in line with our data protection and confidentiality procedures

Training required for this role (all delivered vis e-learning)

• Safeguarding

• H&S

• Manual Handling

• How to be Eye Care Aware

• Fire Safety

• Infection Control

• Data Security and Confidentiality

• First Aid

All these courses will take approximately 40-60 minutes, apart from the First Aid which is 2 hours.

Benefits

This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others. 

Befriending is a great way to keep active and meet new people.

SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.

Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About us 

About Us 

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time.

SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

 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

We will be running a number of information events locally and these are:

• Date, time and location to be advised

We are looking to run a volunteering selection session on:

• Date, time and location to be advised

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

• Welcome Event (Induction) - Date, time and location to be advised
• Training for role - Date, time and location to be advised

Closing date for these opportunities is: 30/09/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below: