Volunteer roles in South east

INDEPENDENT READING GROUP VOLUNTEER (FACE-TO-FACE) 

CARAS Youth ESOL Programme – Monday, Wednesday mornings  

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 Reading Group Volunteer to support our face-to-face study programme for young people.

The reading group is in Streatham and is an important element of a study programme for young people aged 14 to 18 who are out of formal education. The timings of the reading group sessions are as follows: 

• Monday afternoons 2pm to 3pm 

• Wednesday mornings 11am to 1pm. 

Volunteers are required to attend either one of both sessions. Volunteers are also welcome to stay and support the more traditional English language classes either before the reading session on Mondays or after the reading session on Wednesdays. 

Students will be supported to read at length and complete challenges that are adapted to their ability level.

The reading group aims to foster independence and a joy of reading among the young people and requires volunteers to learn about the young peoples' interests in order to help them select an appropriate text.

The ESOL teacher will provide volunteers with tips to support reading and understanding for emerging learners of English, such as phonics and elicitation strategies.

Volunteers will work with 1-5 students, mostly reading out loud with them or helping them to decode unfamiliar language.

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 the Reading Group sessions; 

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

• Contributing to debriefs to inform the ESOL teacher how each student found the lesson/task and the students’ areas of greatest challenge and success;  

• 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; 

• Listening and supporting students to select, read and understand a text; Showing flexibility to the wide range of ability levels in the classroom; 

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

Requirements: 

Essential

• To be 18 years or older; 

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

• 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 

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

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

• To be reliable and punctual; 

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

• An interest in books and stories, writing and poetry 

• The ability to volunteer on Wednesday during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months; 

Desirable: 

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

• Experience of reading with young people or learners of English, or teaching ESOL or phonics. 

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 such as literacy and phonics strategies for emerging learners of English; 

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

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

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 the CARAS ESOL Team:

Our ESOL team offer English language classes to adults at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling people to attend college and access other services in the future.

About the Role: 

CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our online Zoom classes on Monday mornings: 

• ESOL Entry 2+ level: 1:30am to 2:30pm (plus a 10-minute debrief) 

Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

As a volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistant your role is flexible and varied. It will involve supporting the Adult ESOL Teacher in the delivery of online Zoom classes, as well as providing learners with one-to-one or small-group support. 

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities: 

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes; 

• Helping learners build confidence in digital literacy; 

• 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 lessons; 

• 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, online communications and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements:  

Essential  

• To be 18 years or older; 

• An interest in education and English language teaching; 

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

• To be reliable and punctual; 

• Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English; 

• The ability to volunteer on Tuesday mornings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of three months;  

• Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; * 

• Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to start of role 

• UK resident; has asylum-seeker or refugee status 

*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 (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish). 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• 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 ESOL safeguarding training; 

• Gain experience in teaching and interpreting. 

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

Support the work of St John Ambulance in your community by volunteering as a Community Volunteer, an exciting new role which is designed to revamp how volunteering looks in the modern world; flexible, innovative and is open for all.

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference, supporting them to become safe and more resilient. Community Volunteers can choose from a wide selection of activities – including fundraising, talks and demonstrations, supporting at events, volunteer welfare, social media and administration support.

Through supporting the growth of community partnerships, you will bring people along to our cause, growing our membership and fundraising base and spreading the message that First Aid Saves Lives.

Give as much (or little) time as you can afford. With this new role, you simply volunteer when it works for you. That means you can give as much time as you like or as little as 24 hours across a whole year, whenever it suits you. It’s perfect for busy lives, changing schedules, or for anyone seeking a low-commitment involvement. 

The Community Volunteer provides an easy way to stay connected and contribute meaningfully to your local community. Here are some examples of what you could do: 

• Community fundraising
• Talks and demonstrations
• Support at events
• Volunteer welfare
• Community Roadshows
• Supporting national campaigns
• Counting and banking money
• Booking events
• Supporting Networks  
• Administration support
• Writing thank you and community letters
• Media and social media
• Community news and Network newsletters 

Through volunteering as a Community Volunteer, 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.

Once we have completed your selection and screening for this role, we will provide you with an induction, as well as invite you to any necessary training sessions. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

There is no clinical training, just online mandatory modules relevant to the role.

You will need to be interviewed, and then screened, and then complete the online training. You can then start attending the Network sessions and come out and do the role.

You will be allocated a mentor within the Network. You will be expected to attend Community Engagement events and deliver the St John values to the general public.

There is no clinical training. You will need to complete the mandatory online modules relevant to the role.

Closing date for these opportunities is: 08/03/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Support the work of St John Ambulance in your community by volunteering as a Community Volunteer, an exciting new role which is designed to revamp how volunteering looks in the modern world; flexible, innovative and is open for all.

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference, supporting them to become safe and more resilient. Community Volunteers can choose from a wide selection of activities – including fundraising, talks and demonstrations, supporting at events, volunteer welfare, social media and administration support.

Through supporting the growth of community partnerships, you will bring people along to our cause, growing our membership and fundraising base and spreading the message that First Aid Saves Lives.

Give as much (or little) time as you can afford. With this new role, you simply volunteer when it works for you. That means you can give as much time as you like or as little as 24 hours across a whole year, whenever it suits you. It’s perfect for busy lives, changing schedules, or for anyone seeking a low-commitment involvement. 

The Community Volunteer provides an easy way to stay connected and contribute meaningfully to your local community. Here are some examples of what you could do: 

• Community fundraising
• Talks and demonstrations
• Support at events
• Volunteer welfare
• Community Roadshows
• Supporting national campaigns
• Counting and banking money
• Booking events
• Supporting Networks  
• Administration support
• Writing thank you and community letters
• Media and social media
• Community news and Network newsletters 

Through volunteering as a Community Volunteer, 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.

Once we have completed your selection and screening for this role, we will provide you with an induction, as well as invite you to any necessary training sessions. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter. Please note this is a non-clinical role.

Volunteers need to attend induction and carry out online financial training.

Closing date for these opportunities is: 02/02/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

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. 

We are looking for new charity trustees to join our board and provide strong governance for Energise Me. Contribute to a great cause, develop your skills, build your professional network and gain strategic experience.

As a trustee, you will help lead Energise Me and keep us on track with our purpose. You might ask questions which help us think differently, make suggestions to move things forward, or act as a sounding board for ideas.

We are looking for trustees with skills, knowledge or experience in at least one of the following:

• HR and employment
• Accountancy and finance
• The justice system
• Planning for place and/or transport

The role of an Energise Me Trustee

• Support Energise Me to pursue its charitable objective as defined in its governing document
• Support the Chair of the Board in the management of the Chief Executive, including monitoring their performance and remuneration
• Act as an advocate for the organisation and assist in building relationships with stakeholders and potential partners
• Contribute actively to the Board’s role in giving strong strategic direction, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting and evaluating targets
• Ensure the management and administration of the organisation is delivered effectively and efficiently, making best use of the charity’s resources
• Ensure the financial stability of the organisation and oversee management of risk
• Sit on, Chair or facilitate Action Groups and their goals as appropriate

Energise Me trustees meet four times a year in central Winchester, or virtually, for board meetings. Those with a particular interest or skill may also be invited to join committees or action groups that support particular areas of work, such as Finance, Audit and Risk.

About Energise Me

By joining Energise Me you'll be helping to tackle the things that prevent active lifestyles, so everyone can improve their health and happiness by moving more.

Physical activity transforms lives. It reduces our risk of developing major illnesses by up to 50% and our risk of depression by up to 30%.

At the moment, almost 370,000 adults in Hampshire and IOW are doing less than 30 minutes of physical activity per week. Over half of children are not achieving the level of physical activity recommended for good health.

We are passionate about removing inequalities. To achieve this, we need a board of trustees who share our passion and are as diverse as the people we support.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, you will need to complete a short application via our online recruitment platform, Applied.

Applicants must be 18+

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 11th February (Midday)

Transform is looking for a new Treasurer to join our board of Trustees!

We are looking for a qualified accountant, preferably with experience in the charity sector; knowledge and experience of the drug sector an advantage.

As we are a small organisation this is quite a hands-on role. You will need:

 To work collaboratively with the CEO, our book-keepers and the auditors to produce annual accounts
and regular financial statements
 Proven accountancy qualifications, budgeting and understanding the finance of small
charities including a working knowledge of xero 
 Ability to translate finances in an easy-to-understand manner for different
stakeholders with less financial knowledge
 Good knowledge of charity governance rules and procedures
 To be passionate about the values and mission of the charity

You will also work closely with the Chair and the Board to ensure we are meeting our
financial objectives
You will be willing to bring experience, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and be
willing to broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.

About Transform
Transform Drug Policy Foundation is a global leader in developing, and advocating for, more
humane drug policies. Our vision is a world where drug policy contributes to safer and
healthier societies. We want to recruit a treasurer, to oversee income and expenditure of the
organisation, to help drive forward our work.

This is an exciting time in drug policy. Rapid changes in approach are occurring in the UK and
internationally. Transform has a long history of shaping these changes and seeking to ensure
that reform reduces harm, improves social justice and protects public health. Our Anyone’s
Child campaign is a highly effective family-led movement that has had a significant impact
here and abroad. But like so many charities, we are feeling the strain from the cost of giving
crisis and gaining longer-term sustainable funding is essential for the continuation of our
important work. 

We welcome applications from all candidates with the skills and commitment to support the
work of Transform. We especially welcome applications from Black and minority ethnic
candidates as part of our commitment to ensuring a full diversity of experience is reflected in
our work. We are also interested to hear from candidates with personal lived experience
which informs their understanding of the need for drug policy reform.

We are looking for a volunteer to help us identify and apply for UK government and quasi-government grant funding that corresponds to our platform activities,  including entrepreneurship support, innovation, skills, inclusion, and regional growth.

This role is ideal for someone with experience in public funding, policy programmes, innovation grants, or the third sector who wants to apply their expertise to a fast-growing, mission-driven organisation with a strong track record.

You will work closely with Unrest’s co-founders and Head of Partnerships, as well as being a part of the Unrest team and vibrant Unrest community of founders and changemakers.

Responsibilities

• Research and map relevant UK government, public sector, and arm’s-length body funding opportunities aligned with Unrest’s programmes and community work.
• Assess eligibility, competitiveness, and strategic fit of funding opportunities.
• Lead or support the drafting of grant applications, including written narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate inputs from the Unrest team and external collaborators where required.
• Track deadlines, compliance requirements, and reporting obligations for submitted or awarded grants.
• Help build institutional knowledge and reusable materials to strengthen future applications.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience with UK government or public-sector grant funding (hands-on application experience strongly preferred).
• Strong written communication skills and comfort working with structured application processes.
• High attention to detail and good organisational instincts.
• An interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, impact, or community-building.
• A collaborative, pragmatic working style suited to a small, fast-moving team.

What You’ll Get

• The opportunity to create a meaningful contribution to programmes supporting mission-driven founders across the UK.
• Close collaboration with an experienced founding team and exposure to accelerator and community design and delivery.
• Meaningful ownership over a clearly defined workstream.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

1-2 months

Join Lightup Impact as a volunteer and be part of a passionate team driving real change for young people and women across East Africa — where your creativity, voice, and ideas truly matter!

What you’ll do:

• Manage the monthly giving program (social media content, emails, outreach).
• Scout relevant foundations and trusts; help prepare pitch decks and funding proposals.
• Support donor engagement and contribute to fundraising strategy execution.
• Create compelling donor email, whatsapp or linkedin communications.

Skills we’re looking for:

• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Experience in using storytelling for research mobilization is a plus.
• Experience in Trust/Foundation Fundraising Mechanisms (Research, Scouting, Approaching) or willingness to learn.
• Strong collaborative skills - be part of an exciting fundraising team.
• Willingness to learn and a can-do changemaker attitude.

What you’ll gain:

• Be part of a creative, dynamic team.
• Contribute to positive change for young people and women across East Africa.
• Exposure to startup and impact-driven environments.
• Opportunity to network, develop new skills, and strengthen your professional profile.

Minimum Hours per Week:

7-9 hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

ReviveBattery mitigate the early death of lead-acid batteries and regenerate them 2-3 times for up to 90% of their original capacity. In the process, they reduce 3.5 tons of Co2 emissions per battery. Battery recycling is an emission-intensive chemical process that causes environmental damage and harms people engaging with it. Their cutting-edge technology rejuvenates batteries without damaging them, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and avoiding the need for energy-intensive recycling.

Role Description: 

As a Research Volunteer, you will support Revive Battery’s research and strategy efforts by conducting structured desk research, data analysis, and insight synthesis across technology, policy, market, and sustainability domains. This role offers hands-on exposure to applied research within a fast-paced cleantech startup, contributing directly to thought leadership, strategy development, and impact-driven decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

● Conduct desk research on topics related to battery technologies, circular economy, sustainability, energy systems, and climate policy
● Analyze industry reports, academic literature, policy documents, and market data
● Support preparation of research briefs, summaries, white papers, and internal strategy notes
● Assist with data collection, structuring, and basic analysis (qualitative and quantitative)
● Track trends, regulations, and innovations relevant to battery lifecycle management and energy transition
● Support benchmarking of competitors, technologies, and global best practices
● Collaborate with fundraising, marketing, and technical teams to align research insights with business needs
● Document sources clearly and maintain structured research repositories

Requirements

● Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Energy Systems, Economics, Engineering, Public Policy, International Relations, or a related field
● Strong research, analytical, and critical thinking skills
● Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise insights
● Comfortable working with reports, academic papers, and policy documents
● Strong written communication skills and attention to detail
● Proficient in Google Workspace; familiarity with Excel, Notion, or reference tools is a plus
● Organized, self-driven, and able to manage multiple research tasks independently
● Interest in climate action, circular economy, energy transition, or sustainability innovation

Learning Opportunities

● Hands-on experience conducting applied research for a cleantech startup
● Exposure to sustainability, energy, and battery-related policy and market landscapes
● Development of skills in research synthesis, insight generation, and strategic analysis
● Opportunity to contribute to thought leadership content, grant research, and strategy inputs
● Mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals in sustainability and innovation

What We Offer

● Real-world exposure to research and strategy in a sustainability-focused startup
● Flexible remote working arrangement within an international team
● Mentorship, feedback, and professional development support
● Volunteer Agreement, certificate of completion, and reference letter upon successful completion
● Opportunity to contribute to meaningful climate and environmental impact initiatives

Minimum Hours per Week:

10+ hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

Our Befriending Project supports people who are socially isolated in Ealing and Hounslow. They may have a physical or sensory disability, or they may have mild dementia, and are sometimes housebound.

This is an opportunity to become a Befriender.

On successful completion of the training, Befrienders are matched with someone who lives close to them.

They make a weekly 1-2 hour visit to the client's home, where they might stay in and chat over a cup of tea or, where possible, go out for a walk together, visit a café or undertake a local activity.

These visits make such a difference for the client, but volunteering with BEfriend not only enriches the lives of those who are isolated, it also offers immense personal rewards.

As a Befriender, you’ll get to know inspirational people with fascinating stories, develop new skills and be part of a supportive team that values compassion and connection.

Our Linked Minds Befriending Project supports people who are socially isolated in Ealing and Hounslow due to a diagnosed mental health problem.

This is an opportunity to become a Befriender.

On successful completion of specialist mental health training, the Befriender is matched with someone suitable, by a Co-ordinator who then acts as a (non-clinical) supervisor for the befriending period, which is limited to a year.

Befriender, client and supervisor make a plan together with a goal to work towards, and the Befriender makes a weekly 1-2 hour visit to the client's home, where they might stay in and chat over a cup of tea, go out for a walk together, visit a café or undertake a local activity. 

These visits make such a difference for the client, increasing their confidence and helping them explore and work towards getting a job, joining a club, meeting other people or whatever their goal may be.

The aim is that, by the end of the year, clients feel better about themselves, more valued, resilient, empowered, more linked to their community and better equipped for their journeys in recovery.

But volunteering with BEfriend not only enriches the lives of those who are isolated, it also offers immense personal rewards.

As a Befriender, you’ll get to know inspirational people with fascinating stories, develop new skills and be part of a supportive team that values compassion and connection.

Salary - Volunteer

35 hours per week (flexible working options available)

Remote/Hybrid/Flexible location

Ref: VCS-251 

Are you a creative, organised and collaborative communicator with a passion for digital content and social impact? If so, St Giles is looking for a Volunteer Communications Support to help strengthen our digital presence and support the delivery of high-quality communications across the organisation.

About St Giles Trust 

An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need.  Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

About this key role

As Volunteer Communications Support, you will play an important role within the Fundraising and Communications team, working closely with the Senior Media and Publicity Manager and colleagues across St Giles. You will support the creation, scheduling and management of digital content that promotes our work, campaigns and values, helping us reach and engage key audiences. The role will also involve providing general support to the team. 

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop or apply their communications, digital and storytelling skills in a supportive, values-driven environment.

What you’ll be doing:

• Creating digital assets to support St Giles communications campaigns and projects
• Writing engaging, audience-focused digital copy
• Using design software (e.g. Canva and AI tools) to produce content in line with brand guidelines
• Uploading and scheduling digital content across relevant platforms
• Supporting the maintenance and development of the St Giles website
• Researching and sourcing photography through stock image libraries
• Using analytics to help measure performance and engagement
• Assisting with organising events, where required
• Attending meetings relevant to the role and working collaboratively with colleagues
• Ensuring confidentiality, data protection and information security policies are upheld
• Promoting sustainable working practices and environmental responsibility

What we are looking for

• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, SharePoint and Teams
• Experience of producing digital written content
• A sound sense of design and the ability to work within brand and photographic guidelines
• Experience using digital design tools such as Canva (and interest in AI tools such as ChatGPT)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong storytelling ability
• Experience uploading, scheduling and managing digital content
• Knowledge of producing email marketing copy
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities and collaborate effectively as part of a team
• An understanding of, and sensitivity to, the issues faced by people with lived experience and the barriers they may encounter

A Basic DBS check is required for this role.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

Closing date: Friday 6th February 2026 at 9am. We will be reviewing applications as they are received and reserve the right to close this advert early if a suitable candidate is appointed. We therefore strongly encourage early applications to avoid any disappointment.

Can you help with our Collection Tins and Daffodil Boxes?

Distribute and collect our Marie Curie tins or daffodil boxes in your local community - in shops, cafés, pubs, sports and social clubs, pharmacies and other venues.

Availability: 1-2 hours per month required – totally flexible to suit you

Locations: Your hometown and surrounding areas

We welcome applicants aged 18 years or older for this opportunity - if that’s you, we’d love to welcome you to the team! 

What you'll do:

• Distribute and collect collection tins/boxes
• Count and bank donations securely
• Monitor and empty donation boxes regularly
• Identify new venues

Why you'd be a great fit:

• Friendly and bring a positive attitude
• A good organiser
• Comfortable talking to people from all walks of life
• Knowledge of your local area

What you get:

• Essential training delivered
• Ongoing guidance and wellbeing support
• Recognition for your time

Perks:

• Travel and expenses reimbursed
• Access to discounts on shopping, dining, travel and more

Ready to support your local community and make a real difference?