Volunteer roles for the Housing and Homelessness sector

Position Title: VLT member
Reporting to: Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) - Volunteer Lead
Organisation: Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees (SWR)
Location: Sevenoaks Town and surrounding areas within the district council area
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per week
Remuneration: Voluntary Position (Expenses Reimbursed)
Background to the charity
Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees is a local charity formed in March 2017. We are a small and growing charity, whose volunteers and supporters have come together to welcome and help support the refugees who have fled the fighting and persecution in Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine, and are now resettling in our community.
Starting with just one refugee family, we have expanded our efforts over the years and are proud to have supported about 50 families as they settle and rebuild their lives in our community.
Purpose of Role:
Would you like to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of refugee families as they settle into life in Britain—supporting them to achieve independence and integrate confidently into their new communities?
As a member of the SWR Voluntary Leadership Team (VLT), you will contribute to the effective delivery of core services for refugees and help support and coordinate our valued volunteers.
Our work spans general support with settling in, integration, building independence, language learning, educational guidance, and assistance in accessing suitable employment. In this role, you’ll work closely with other VLT members, with a particular focus on the general support function, collaborating with volunteer teams and ensuring they are well-informed, resourced, and confident in providing person-centred support.
This is a chance to contribute meaningfully within a growing, well-regarded charity, alongside a dedicated and compassionate team of volunteers who share your passion for helping others.
Key Responsibilities:
● Support communication between lead volunteers and central SWR services to help source equipment or assistance for families.
● Help oversee the changing needs of families, recognising that support levels will gradually reduce as independence builds.
● Collaborate with local authority support workers where families are still receiving formal assistance.
● Assist in developing and tracking Path to Independence Plans for families.
● Liaise with team leads across Education, Language, and Employment functions.
● Keep the Volunteer Lead and wider VLT informed as appropriate.
Skills & Qualities Needed
You should be:
● Compassionate, patient, and non-judgmental
● A good communicator, both in writing and in person
● Organised, with strong attention to detail
● Flexible and culturally sensitive to varying family needs
● Reasonably confident with IT tools (email, shared files, online forms, etc.)
Experience in teaching, social care, or charity work is useful, but not essential. A genuine interest in helping others and working collaboratively is most important.
Support & Training Provided
All SWR volunteers are expected to complete an induction, including mandatory safeguarding training. We also provide training on cultural awareness to help volunteers support families sensitively and effectively.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage you to highlight any specific adjustments that would enable you to participate fully in the recruitment process.

Amy’s Place is a partnership between the Amy Winehouse Foundation and Clarion Housing, providing supported living accommodation for young women aged 18-30 in recovery from drugs, alcohol and other addictive behaviors.

As a great communicator with ‘green fingers’ you will create a calm, nurturing environment in which to support the residents to gain gardening skills and to explore the possibility of growing their own food. 

Activities

Inspire the residents to take an interest in the outdoor space at Amy’s Place and involve them in the development of a regular gardening and/or food growing club.

Help residents to develop their gardening skills and knowledge specific to growing food, through group workshops and individually tailored support, guidance and encouragement.

Commitment 

This is a flexible opportunity and volunteering times and frequency will vary depending on the volunteer’s availability and the needs of the residents. It might be every week or fortnight ideally for a minimum of 3 months.

Requirements 

This role will require us to carry out an enhanced check through the disclosure and barring service.

Support 

•  Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training
•  Reasonable travel and lunch expenses will be reimbursed
• The role is based at the service in East London. The exact address cannot be given until the volunteer starts due to safety and privacy reasons

Amy’s Place is a partnership between the Amy Winehouse Foundation and Clarion Housing, providing supported living accommodation for young women aged 18-30 in recovery from drugs, alcohol and other addictive behaviors.

An enthusiastic, reliable and compassionate volunteer with good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. The volunteer needs to hold a professional level diploma in counselling and have training and experience working with individuals with eating disorders.

Activities

• To provide therapeutic support to young women (aged 18-30) with eating disorders
• One-to-One counselling sessions will aim to support the individual to improve self-confidence, identify and resolve negative thought processes, implement constructive coping strategies and empower them to fulfil attainable life goals
• To develop and promote a positive relationship with the women within allocated caseload
• To keep up-to-date with development in the field of counselling and eating disorder therapy
• To manage appropriate professional boundaries in the relationship
• To maintain records for monitoring, evaluation and tracking purposes plus service evaluation
• To take responsibility for own professional development

Requirements

• Hold a professional level diploma in counselling
• Hold professional membership with BACP, UKCP or equivalent
• Have own regular supervision with a qualified supervisor
• Fully trained in eating disorder therapy and previous experience supporting individuals with eating disorders
• This role requires us to carry out a check through the Disclosure and Barring Service for the Enhanced DBS

Commitment 

This is a flexible opportunity and volunteering times and frequency will vary depending on the volunteer’s availability and the needs of the residents. Ideally weekly one-to-one sessions for a minimum of 3 months.

Support 

•  Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training
•  Reasonable travel and lunch expenses will be reimbursed
• The role is based at the service in East London. The exact address cannot be given until the volunteer starts due to safety and privacy reasons.

Amy’s Place is a partnership between the Amy Winehouse Foundation and Clarion Housing, providing supported living accommodation for young women aged 18-30 in recovery from drugs, alcohol and other addictive behaviors.

An enthusiastic, reliable and compassionate volunteer with good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. The volunteer must be a fully qualified Dietitian or Nutritional Therapist and have training and/or experience working with individuals with eating disorders.

Activities

• Supporting the nutritional needs of young women with health issues on a limited budget.
• Providing support with meal planning, cooking skills, food safety, and day-to-day problem solving around food and eating.
• Providing wisdom and accurate nutrition education around healthy eating for the individual.

Qualifications/ Experience

• Must be a fully qualified Dietitian or Nutritional Therapist.
• As many of the residents have eating disorders it is essential for the volunteer to have training and/or clinical experience working with individuals with eating disorders.
• Must have professional liability insurance and be a member of a professional body ie. HCPC, BANT
• This role requires us to carry out a check through the Disclosure and Barring Service for the Enhanced DBS

Commitment 

This is a flexible opportunity and volunteering times and frequency will vary depending on the volunteer’s availability and the needs of the residents. We recommend weekly one-to-one sessions for a minimum of 3 months.

Support 

•  Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training
•  Reasonable travel and lunch expenses will be reimbursed
• The role is based at the service in East London. The exact address cannot be given until the volunteer starts due to safety and privacy reasons.

Unify is building a social impact platform that helps get direct, practical support to people who need it most — with dignity, transparency, and real-world usability at the core.

We’re looking for a Senior Developer / Tech Lead (Volunteer) to guide the build, unblock the team, and help us ship a solid, scalable product. This is a light commitment (2–5 hours per week), but a high-leverage role: you’ll be working closely alongside the founders and our Product Manager.

What you’ll do (2–5 hrs/week)

• Lead engineering direction: keep the build clean, pragmatic, and shippable.

• Review PRs and raise code quality (architecture, security, performance, maintainability).

• Help prioritise technical work with the founders + Product Manager.

• Support and mentor a small volunteer/dev team (light-touch guidance, not heavy management).

• Set up or improve engineering foundations (CI/CD, environments, observability, release process).

• Identify risk early (security, data handling, scalability) and propose solutions.

What we’re building

• A production product with real users and real-world constraints.

• A platform where trust, safety, and reliability matter as much as features.

Tech stack

MERN stack

• MongoDB (database)

• Express.js (backend framework)

• React (frontend)

• Node.js (runtime / API layer)

What we’re looking for

• Senior-level software engineering experience (ideally with leading small teams or acting as tech lead).

• Strong product sense: you can balance “build it right” with “ship it”.

• Comfortable in ambiguous, early-stage environments.

• Solid judgement around security, data handling, and best practices.

• A collaborative communicator who can keep things calm and moving.

Nice to have (not required)

• Experience with marketplaces, payments, identity/verification flows, or credit/voucher systems.

• Experience setting up CI/CD, testing strategy, and deployment pipelines for MERN apps.

• Previous work in startups, charities, civic tech, or social impact.

Why join (and what you’ll get)

• Real ownership and influence — your decisions shape the product.

• Work directly with the founders + Product Manager.

• A mission-led build where shipping matters and the work is tangible.

• Flexibility: async-first, lightweight weekly rhythm.

Time + format

• Volunteer: 2–5 hours per week

• Remote / hybrid (where relevant)

• Async-first with a short weekly check-in

Interested?
Send a short note with your background + links (GitHub/LinkedIn/portfolio) and we’ll set up a quick chat

THE OPPORTUNITY

Have you got finance or adult social care knowledge and experience that you would like to use as a way of giving back to your local community? Then your experience will be valuable as a Trustee here at the Harrison and Potter Trust.

This is a great opportunity to get involved with a charity that focuses its work on the provision of housing. You'll support those in need of decent homes across Leeds, while learning and building on your governance skills. Your professional know-how will make a difference where it matters.

So, can you lead in collaboration with your fellow Trustees to ensure that the vision and mission of our charity are achieved? Then, we'd like to learn more about how your financial or social care knowledge and experience can support our Trust.

WHO ARE HARRISON AND POTTER TRUST?

Harrison and Potter Trust is a Leeds-based charity supporting people to live well. We have almshouses on Lovell Park Road and Raglan Road, and offer safe and secure housing. We also give grants to local groups, supporting people facing financial hardship. Our focus is especially on housing needs and social isolation.

WHAT MATTERS TO US

Securing a decent home in Leeds continues to be a challenge for a great number of people, young and old. Housing stock is limited, particularly for people on limited means. We’re proud to be supporting the people who live in our houses who might otherwise have struggled to find good, safe, and clean housing.

IF YOU JOIN US…

You'll join a Board that is keen to welcome new Trustees who will bring energy as well as broader experience. Your knowledge and skills will enhance and support our important work as a charity.

Sharing our commitment to honour our settlors’ legacies will be a focal point for you. Providing housing for older people and supporting local charities will be your shared mission.

The strategic experience gained through a trustee role can have a powerful impact on your career. You'll grow in personal development through a role that is flexible around other commitments.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

All Trustees need certain qualities such as integrity and commitment. You'll also learn about the importance of effective governance.

We are particularly seeking:

• a Finance Trustee with knowledge of charity accounts and managing investment portfolio
• a Trustee with Adult Social Care experience within a Local Authority or Housing Association

Please make sure you read our Candidate Information Pack before applying. It contains important details about the role and our organisation.

Don’t think you quite meet all the specifications? Please don’t count yourself out. We’d still love to learn more about your interest in joining the Harrison and Potter Trust.

What’s next?

Eastside People is supporting Harrison Potter and Trust in the recruitment of these roles. You can click here to apply today.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 25th February. Shortlisting interviews will take place shortly after. Shortlisted candidates will then have an interview with Harrison and Potter shortly after this.

We acknowledge every application. You’ll always hear from us after taking the time to apply - we look forward to hearing from you!

Are you passionate about helping people from Afghanistan feel welcome and supported in the UK? Do you have the language skills and cultural understanding to assist Afghan refugees as they navigate the challenges of building a new life? If you’re adaptable, resilient, and dedicated to making a difference, we’d love to hear from you!

About us

Gulab Sorkh Foundation (GSF) is an independent charity supporting Afghan nationals resettled in the UK under the ARAP scheme. We are a small but impactful organisation, dedicated to helping those who worked closely with British forces in Afghanistan and their families integrate successfully into British life.

Job description

We are looking for two volunteer interpreters—one fluent in Dari and one fluent in Pashto — to join our team at the Gulab Sorkh Foundation (GSF). You will play a key role in supporting Afghan refugees who have resettled in the UK, assisting them in accessing essential services and communicating effectively in their daily lives.  This is an influential volunteer opportunity where you will make a real difference by helping Afghan refugees integrate into British society, providing crucial interpretation during interactions with service providers such as healthcare professionals, housing officers, and legal advisors.

As a Volunteer Interpreter, you will:

• Provide interpretation services (Dari or Pashto) to Afghan refugees, ensuring clear 
• communication between them and various UK service providers.
• Assist refugees in understanding key information related to housing, healthcare, 
• education, and other public services.
• Facilitate communication during meetings, appointments, and community events to 
• support their integration journey.
• Offer support and cultural understanding to ensure refugees feel comfortable and 
• respected throughout their resettlement process.

Key responsibilities:

• Interpret accurately and sensitively between Dari/Pashto and English during one-on-one 
• and group interactions.
• Help beneficiaries understand and complete necessary paperwork or official forms in 
• both languages.
• Collaborate with case managers and external partners to ensure the refugees’ needs are 
• effectively communicated.
• Be aware of and sensitive to the needs of individuals who may have experienced trauma 
• and displacement.
• Follow data protection laws and policies

Essential skills:

• Fluency (written and verbal) in Dari and/or Pashto and in English.
• A high level of cultural sensitivity and empathy towards Afghan refugees.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information clearly 
• and accurately.
• Ability to remain neutral and impartial in all interactions.
• Commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals and confidentiality.

Desirable skills:

• Level 3 in Interpretation.
• Previous experience working with refugees or vulnerable communities.
• Knowledge of UK systems such as healthcare, housing, and immigration.
• Understanding of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Please note:

This is an unpaid voluntary position, offering flexibility to fit around your other commitments.

This is a completely remote role, and as such you will need to ensure that you have access to a confidential, quite space during your working hours.

To apply please upload your CV and covering letter (max. 2 A4 pages each) 
In your application, please explain how you meet every point on the essential criteria with examples. If you meet any of the desired criteria, please do the same for these.  We actively encourage applications from individuals with lived experiences of migration or refugee resettlement.

Please get in touch with us if you have any queries.

We look forward to hearing from you

Are you looking for a new and exciting opportunity which makes a positive difference to the everyday lives of others?

Then why not consider becoming a director with the Charity of Elizabeth Janes Jones and the David Henry Waring Home?We are an Almshouse and provide 103 units of high-quality accommodation for people of limited financial means in Bedfont, Southwest London and have plans to create a further 31 new units.

Being a director for the Charity of Elizabeth Janes Jones and the David Henry Waring Home is an exciting and challenging role, bringing with it opportunities for applying strategic thinking, planning, creativity, and stewardship which can help guide the Charity to achieve its goals in the management of its properties, a site re-development which is a significant milestone in the Charity’s history.

Our directors are responsible in law for managing the incorporated entity, and as we are a charitable organisation our directors are also trustees at law and have formal responsibilities under the Companies Act 2006.Our directors give their time voluntarily and the positions are unremunerated, but reasonable out of pocket expenses may be allowable.

As a director, you’ll work as part of a board alongside our other directors and will also have opportunities to work with the CEO, staff, and volunteers, adding to the range of knowledge, skills, and experience within the Charity’s team.  As well as bringing fresh ideas to current and future property management and development projects, the director role also has responsibilities for the governance of the Charity, regulatory compliance matters and the effective stewardship of our finances and resources.

We are looking to recruit new directors to the board. If you would like to become a director and have an interest in property and housing, then we’d be delighted to hear from you!The positions require the following commitments:

• Dedicating the necessary time to prepare for and attending scheduled meetings and other obligations.
• Understanding and accepting the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of directorship of the Charity.
• Respecting and upholding the Charity’s values, staff policies and processes and to applying the generally accepted principals of directorship, selflessness, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and personal leadership. 
• Think creatively and identify new directions, whilst preserving the overall purpose of the Charity.

We’re looking for people who are passionate about making a difference to the housing sector we would love to hear from you if you’d like to contribute. Ideally, we are hoping to find volunteers with professional qualifications experience and knowledge in the following areas:

• Practical skills and knowledge of social housing and the housing sector and an understanding of the difficulties faced by individuals with disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Using financial data to run a team, function or organisation and to make financial decisions which optimises budgets and contributes to the smooth running of the operation.
• Understanding of a directors, legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities.
• Familiarity with personal responsibilities and liabilities like that of a director and acting in the best interests of the team and organisation.
• Time management and decision-making skills.
• Management and mitigation of risk.
• Interacting with others and people skills, and a track record of being able to get along with, boards, employees, service users and the public.
• Working with and interpreting data and management information to develop plans and help make and support the making of informed decisions.
• An understanding of and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Time commitment: The full Board meets every 2 months and meetings last for about 2.5 hours. In addition, Board members are expected to be members of at least one sub committees. These meet when needed but typically monthly. 

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate based on disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Make a Difference: Become a Trustee for Emmaus Greenwich!

Are you passionate about tackling homelessness and empowering individuals to rebuild their lives? Emmaus Greenwich is seeking dedicated individuals to join our Board of Trustees and help steer our vital work in London. 

Who We Are:
Emmaus Greenwich provides a home, support, and meaningful work through our social enterprises, giving people experiencing homelessness a reason to get up in the morning and a path to regain independence. 

Your Role as a Trustee:

• Help shape our strategy and ensure goals align with our vision.
• Provide governance and oversight, ensuring compliance and robust management.
• Volunteer your time (meetings are held five times a year) and potentially get involved in projects. 

Who We're Looking For:
We're keen to build a diverse board with skills in:

• Finance & Business Development
• Human Resources (HR)
• Retail & Social Enterprise
• Housing Law
• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

Time Commitment:

Trustees at Emmaus Greenwich serve for up to three terms of three years each. The Board meets every two months, both in person and online, and also comes together for an annual in-person strategy session, usually held in winter.

There are three internal sub-committees, each focusing on a specific area of the organisation’s work. These committees also meet every two months, either in person or online, and every trustee is expected to join at least one.

Ready to Get Involved?

Whether you're an experienced trustee or taking your first step at board level, we want to hear from you! 

Join us in creating lasting change for those facing homelessness in our community!

Location: Shepherd’s Bush, West London

Time Commitment: Approx. 1–2 days per month (including quarterly board meetings and annual Away Day)

Type: Voluntary

Start Date: Early 2026

Join a unique West London charity creating lasting change in people’s lives

The Upper Room is seeking a Chair of Trustees (Designate) to join our Board in 2025/26 and, after a year of active trusteeship and shadowing, to step into the role of Chair when our current Chair reaches the end of their tenure in 2027.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a passionate, values-led individual to help shape the next phase of our work, from strategic resilience to community innovation.

About Us

From small beginnings more than 35 years ago The Upper Room has grown into a thriving charity with an annual budget of around £650K.

Food provision has always been at the heart of what we do. UR4Meals serves approximately 40,000 meals a year, operating five days a week.

UR4Driving works with ex-offenders and young people identified as at risk of offending. We help them pass their driving theory test, and then provide free driving lessons. Last year 37 students gained a full driving licence with us. This has a significant impact on their employability and self-esteem, and dramatically reduces re-offending.

UR4Jobs helps people become work-ready, and supports their wellbeing.

We are still based in our original home at St Saviour’s Church near Shepherd’s Bush in west London.

About the Role

As Chair, you’ll lead a committed and skilled Board of Trustees, working closely with our CEO and senior team to guide strategy, ensure good governance and champion our impact.

You’ll also play a key role externally, acting as an ambassador to funders, partners and supporters.

We’re looking for someone who can

• Provide strategic leadership through a period of growth and innovation
• Foster a culture of inclusion and respect, both on the Board and across the organisation - Support and challenge the CEO, acting as a critical friend and sounding board
• Ensure excellent governance, compliance and risk management
• Represent the charity publicly, building relationships and influence

About You

We welcome candidates with prior Board experience as a Trustee, Chair or Non-Executive Director, and a strong commitment to social justice.

We especially encourage applications from those with lived experience of disadvantage, as well as those from under-represented backgrounds, including individuals from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

We’re interested in candidates with

• A clear understanding of charity governance and the role of a Chair
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
• Strategic thinking and sound judgement
• A collaborative, values-driven approach
• The time, energy and commitment to make a lasting difference

Additional experience in fundraising, partnerships, organisational development or public sector engagement would be welcome, though not essential.

Time Commitment

• As a Trustee in 2025/ 26 (approx. 1–2 days per month)
• Transition to Chair in 2027, subject to mutual agreement and Board approval
• Quarterly evening Board meetings (in person in London)
• Annual summer Away Day with staff and trustees
• Optional involvement in sub-committees or events depending on interest and availability
• Representing the charity at local events

Why Now

By inviting a prospective Chair to join our Board as a Trustee in 2025/26, we can ensure a smooth, informed transition, with the support and handover of our current Chair, and plenty of time for deep onboarding and relationship-building.

The new Chair will help consolidate our growth, and lead our Board through the next chapter, ensuring our mission continues to serve those who need us most in the years ahead.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a brief covering letter explaining your interest and suitability to the Upper Room.

If you would like to have an informal conversation before applying, feel free to reach out via email to arrange a call.

Because we are planning for the long term we are not placing a deadline on this process. However, we aim to appoint in the first quarter of 2026.

Interviews will be held in two stages, including an in-person meeting with key Board and staff members.

BOARD MEMBER – EAST MIDLANDS, VOLUNTARY, FULL EXPENSES REIMBURSED

· Do you want to be a part of a vibrant and ambitious charity that delivers services to homeless people and others with a range of support needs?

· Do you have expertise in Housing or Finance?

· Do you have ambition to Chair a Board Committee?

· Do you want to contribute to the strategic direction of our successful and expanding organisation?

· Do you have a strong social conscience and the commitment to make a difference?

· If you have the motivation, vision and enthusiasm to join us in this exciting and challenging role, apply today!

Who Are We?

Framework is a registered charity delivering housing support, health, and employment services to people with a diverse range of needs. We assist rough sleepers and those who need help to keep their home. We support excluded youngsters as they make their way into adulthood and those starting or returning to work. We provide access to treatment for people with mental health issues and those using alcohol or substances, and we join up services for homeless people with multiple and complex needs.

Our 70 services across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and Sheffield support more than 18,000 people each year and accommodate more than 1,300 people at any one time. Responding to their needs, respecting their choices and empowering them to achieve, we aim to make life better for our service users and those around them.

What We’re Looking For:

We are particularly keen to hear from people with expertise in Housing and Finance a finance/accounting qualification is essential). At least two successful candidates will also become members of the Audit and Risk Management Committee (ARM), with one having future aspirations to become the Chair of the ARM Committee.

By joining our Board of Trustees, you will be working alongside the Senior Leadership Team to navigate an external environment that is challenging and continually changing: budgets for support services have been drastically cut so we have to think carefully about how to create efficiency without compromising on quality.

Guardian Light Foundation

Location: Remote
Commitment: Flexible – approx. 20 hours per month
Role Type: Volunteer
Reports to: Board of directors

�� About Guardian Light Foundation

Guardian Light Foundation exists to protect, support, and empower children, teenagers, and single-parent families facing homelessness, abuse, and extreme hardship.

Many of the individuals we serve are navigating complex legal situations while already dealing with trauma, fear, and instability. Access to safe, ethical, and compassionate legal advice can be life-changing — and that’s where you come in.

⚖️ About the Role

We are seeking a Volunteer Solicitor with experience in family law, safeguarding, or domestic abuse-related legal matters to provide initial legal guidance, signposting, and referrals to vulnerable individuals supported by Guardian Light Foundation.

This role is advisory and supportive, not high-volume casework. Your expertise will help people understand their rights, options, and next steps at critical moments in their lives.

�� Focus Areas

�� Children’s Arrangements

• Custody and contact arrangements

• Child safeguarding concerns

• Schooling and parental responsibility guidance

• Early advice on family court processes

��️ Domestic Violence Injunctions

• Non-molestation orders

• Occupation orders

• Restraining orders

• Emergency protection guidance and referrals

��‍�� Single-Parent Legal Support

• Family court guidance

• Child maintenance advice

• Housing rights and homelessness-related legal signposting

• Referrals to specialist legal services where appropriate

�� What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing initial legal advice and guidance (not ongoing representation)

• Supporting safeguarding decisions where legal insight is required

• Advising on urgent legal options in high-risk situations

• Signposting individuals to appropriate external legal services

• Working closely with GLF’s safeguarding and support teams

• Maintaining clear professional boundaries and ethical practice

��️ Safeguarding & Compliance

Because this role supports vulnerable individuals:

• An Enhanced Volunteer DBS Check is required

• DBS checks are conducted via our trusted partner Serve (Rushden)

• All work must align with GLF’s safeguarding policies

• Confidentiality and GDPR compliance are essential

�� Skills & Experience Required

Essential:

• Qualified UK Solicitor (or equivalent legal professional)

• Experience in family law, domestic abuse, or child safeguarding

• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice

• Ability to explain legal concepts clearly and compassionately

• Commitment to ethical and client-centred practice

Desirable:

• Experience working with charities or vulnerable populations

• Knowledge of housing or homelessness law

• Familiarity with referral pathways and support services

�� Who We’re Looking For

You are someone who:

• Has a genuine passion for protecting children and families

• Believes access to justice should never depend on income

• Can balance professionalism with empathy

• Understands the emotional impact of legal uncertainty

• Wants to use their expertise to create real social impact

⏰ Time Commitment

• Approx. 20 hours per month

• Flexible scheduling

• Fully remote

�� What You’ll Gain

• The opportunity to make a direct, meaningful impact

• Professional fulfilment through purpose-led legal work

• Recognition and appreciation within a growing social enterprise

• Networking with professionals across counselling, housing, and social care

• Opportunity to join an Advisory Board or Board of Directors as the organisation grows

Position Title: Family Liaison
Reporting to: Volunteer Leadership Team - Family Support Lead
Organisation: Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees (SWR)
Location: Swanley or able to travel to Swanley
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per week
Remuneration: Voluntary Position (Expenses Reimbursed)

Organisation Overview
Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees is a local charity formed in March 2017. We are a small and growing charity, whose volunteers and supporters have come together to welcome and help support the refugees who have fled the fighting and persecution in Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine, and are now resettling in our community.
Starting with just one refugee family, we have expanded our efforts over the years and are proud to have supported about 50 families as they settle and rebuild their lives in our community.

Purpose of Role:
Would you like to make a crucial difference for the better to the life and welfare of a refugee family as they settle into life in Britain helping them to achieve independence and social integration in their new surroundings? As a Family Liaison, you will be a vital friendly link and mentor for the family to help them navigate through difficulties that they may encounter on their path to independent living in our district. It is a very important and rewarding role.
Key Responsibilities: ● Where the family is new, help them to settle in and pass on requests for help and equipment. ● See over the welfare and requirements of the family which will change incrementally over time. The level of support should gradually diminish as the family becomes more independent. ● Liaise with local government support workers (Refugee Council) as needed while the family is still receiving support from them. ● Liaise with the team around the family - general support, language and education - so that they work together; moderate a Whatsapp group for all volunteers supporting the family, whatever their role. ● Encourage and monitor the family’s path to independence ● Liaise with Education, Language and Employment specialities.
● Keep the Volunteer Leadership Team (VLT) Family Support Lead up to date as needed.
Skills & Qualities Needed

You need to be:
● compassionate, patient, and non-judgmental
● good at communication
● organized with good attention to detail.
● flexible and adaptable to different family needs and cultural backgrounds.
● reasonably IT literate
It would help if you had a background in health, teaching, social services or other service related charities - BUT it is not essential, a practical attitude is needed.

Time and location
The weekly commitment might be 1-2 hours particularly initially, tapering down as the families become more independent. This is not an online job and the family is located in Swanley.

Support & Training Provided As well as general training for SWR volunteers on the essentials such as safeguarding and cultural awareness, we run workshops to find out more about how we can help children in their path through education, language learning and other matters that may be relevant. The VLT will ensure that the Family Liaison has support and backup as required and a mentor will be appointed to help a new Family Liaison in the initial stages of taking up the role.

Position Title: Language Programme Lead
Reporting to: Volunteer Leadership Team - Chair
Organisation: Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees (SWR)
Location: Sevenoaks Town and surrounding areas within the district council area
Time Commitment: 3 hours per week
Remuneration: Voluntary Position (Expenses Reimbursed)

Organisation Overview
Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees (SWR) was founded in 2017 and became a registered charity in 2019. Initially focused on supporting Syrian refugees resettling in the Sevenoaks district under the UK Government Resettlement Scheme, SWR’s mission has since expanded to assist 16 refugee families from Syria and Afghanistan, as well as 50 Ukrainian families. In 2023-24, SWR raised over £70,000 to further its work, collaborating closely with local councils and partner organisations to achieve its objectives. With seven trustees, 110 active volunteers, and a supporter base of approximately 750 people, SWR is poised for a new phase of growth.

Role Overview:
As the Language Programme Lead, you will provide leadership in developing and delivering tailored language learning plans for refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. Your role is crucial in promoting independence and successful integration into society for these individuals and families, aligning with the charity’s strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities:
● Manage the delivery of language support tailored to the individual needs of each refugee through a team of 30 or so well-motivated language volunteers, usually, but not always operating one to one. This team have delivered at least 8,000 hours of language support since the charity started.
● Be actively involved in the recruitment of new language volunteers as required.
● Oversee necessary training for language volunteers and develop the promotion of best practice across the language programme group.
● Arrange for initial assessments on the arrival of all new families into the area and producing suitable teaching programmes that link with whatever other family support is required and what other stakeholders are providing.
● Work with the Volunteer Leadership Team to provide an effective overall support for our refugee beneficiaries.
● Liaise with key stakeholders such as Kent Adult Education(KAE), and the Kent ESOL Networking Group to maintain good relationships that support the provision of our language programme.

Qualifications
A working knowledge of ESOL and associated exams and qualifications would be beneficial.
Driver’s licence and access to a car would be extremely useful, given the geographical spread of the beneficiaries in the wider Sevenoaks area. This is not a role that can be performed online.

Impact and reward:
The Language Programme Lead will play a critical role in empowering refugees to achieve greater independence and integration within their new communities. You will help our refugee beneficiaries gain the language skills, confidence, and vocational training necessary to navigate daily life, access employment opportunities, and participate fully in society. You will play a big role in transforming the lives of refugees. In some cases of refugees who are illiterate in their own language, this will be genuinely life changing.