Advice, Information Volunteer Roles

Would you like to do something practical to help older people? Do you have a few hours a month to spare? We are looking for caring and compassionate people with excellent communication and administrative skills to assist us with reception duties at our footcare clinics.

Your volunteering responsibilities

• Help prepare the venue before and after clinics.

• Act as first port of call for clients attending the clinic, e.g., direct them where to park, welcome them on arrival, provide drinks and chat while they wait for their appointment, and inform the Foot Care Practitioners when they have arrived.

• Ensure that clients are informed of fire safety procedures e.g. signing in and out, evacuation procedures.

• Alert the Independence at Home Manager if there are any issues or concerns.

The skills required for this role are:

• Good communication skills.

• A warm and friendly personality.

• Patience and respect for others.

• Be committed and reliable.

• Willingness to complete our induction training

Why we want you

Our vision is a society in which Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive. When anyone in the Armed Forces community finds themselves in need, SSAFA is the charity they can turn to – no one’s service is ever forgotten. More and more people need help, so we are growing our network of dedicated caseworkers.

Come and join our team! You will be making a real difference to the lives of those who need financial, practical, and emotional support. We value all our volunteers and the unique skills and experience they bring.

What you will be doing

• Arranging to talk with potential beneficiaries (on the phone or face to face) at a mutually convenient time
• Understanding peoples’ support needs and gathering information to assess their circumstances
• Typing written case reports to apply for financial assistance
• Sign-posting to services providing specialist support, such as mental health or housing support
• Keeping beneficiaries and the SSAFA regional office up to date with progress

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Non-judgemental
• Reliable
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Be part of a friendly and supportive SSAFA team
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Access a range of training and learning opportunities

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment. This role qualifies for a criminal record check, which will be carried out at no cost to you. If you have a criminal record, it won't necessarily stop you from becoming a volunteer. Please read our Volunteer Vetting Guidance for more information.

Why we want you

Our vision is a society in which Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive. When anyone in the Armed Forces community finds themselves in need, SSAFA is the charity they can turn to – no one’s service is ever forgotten. More and more people need help, so we are growing our network of dedicated caseworkers.

Come and join our team! You will be making a real difference to the lives of those who need financial, practical, and emotional support. We value all our volunteers and the unique skills and experience they bring.

What you will be doing

• Arranging to talk with potential beneficiaries (on the phone or face to face) at a mutually convenient time
• Understanding peoples’ support needs and gathering information to assess their circumstances
• Typing written case reports to apply for financial assistance
• Sign-posting to services providing specialist support, such as mental health or housing support
• Keeping beneficiaries and the SSAFA regional office up to date with progress

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Non-judgemental
• Reliable
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Be part of a friendly and supportive SSAFA team
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Access a range of training and learning opportunities

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment. This role qualifies for a criminal record check, which will be carried out at no cost to you. If you have a criminal record, it won't necessarily stop you from becoming a volunteer. Please read our Volunteer Vetting Guidance for more information.

If you are a history buff, a lover of London or are passionate about museums then we want to hear from you!

London Canal Museum is dedicated to educating and inspiring our visitors with the history of London’s canals – how they’ve shaped London’s development, the ordinary people that lived and worked on them, as well as the entrepreneurs who profited from them. We want to pass on the heritage of the canals so that future generations can learn about London’s industrial and social past. 

Role Location:

London Canal Museum, 12-13 New Wharf Road, London, N1 9RT. We are a 5-10 minute walk from Kings Cross St Pancras tube and rail stations.

Role hours:

- One shift a fortnight, from 9.45am until 4.45pm

- The Museum is open Tuesday - Sundays

Role purpose:

The role of the Front of House volunteer is vital to the life of London Canal Museum – in small teams, volunteers in this role ensure the building is open and ready to welcome visitors each day, greet visitors and educate them about the museum’s exhibits and history, keep visitors safe and answer enquiries to keep the museum running smoothly across the day.

Key Tasks:

- Open and close the museum and ensure it is presentable and ready to receive visitors
- Greet visitors, welcome them into the museum and engage with them about the exhibits and history of the building
- Sell admissions, gifts and books, and ensure the till procedures are followed correctly
- Answer telephone and in-person enquiries
- Provide refreshments and assistance during group visits
- Maintain the various museum areas and ensure they are presentable
- Follow museum policies and procedures to ensure the building, volunteers, staff and visitors are safe and well at all times
- Training and support

All volunteers are line managed by the Volunteering and Training Manager, who provides comprehensive inductions and training to all Front of House volunteers in core areas including: 

- Visitor Engagement
- Customer Service
- Health & Safety
- Accessibility in Museums
- Child Protection
- Retail Skills (including using the till)

Benefits to you:

- Learn about the history of London’s canals, the people who lived and worked on them, and their place in the industrial revolution, as well as the ice trade and history of the building

- Meeting new people and having opportunities to socialise with fellow volunteers at events – you will be a part of a community of over 70 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds

- Build your experience of working in museums, heritage and visitor engagement

- Develop your skills in customer service, team work, communication and other key workplace skills

- Opportunities for further involvement with the museum – including archiving and collections care, events, administration, education and guiding walks and boat trips.

- Free entry to the museum and museum events, 10% off in our shop, discounted venue hire and 50% off museum entry for up to 4 friends and family at a time.

- We also have volunteer events, parties and trips that you can enjoy!

- References can be given for all volunteers who volunteer regularly for 6 months or more

We are looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to support the delivery of groupwork to clients who have experienced domestic abuse. NDAS runs a variety of group work programmes designed to support both male and female victims of domestic abuse, as well as a programme dedicated to perpetrator awareness. The role holder will be expected to support the delivery of these programmes and to work alongside the facilitator.

Programmes run both daytime and evenings and volunteers would need to be available for one 2.5-3 hour session, on a regular basis, on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday between 9:45am – 12:15pm or 6:45pm – 9:15pm. 

Key Activities:

• Attending groups and supporting facilitators with delivery
• Providing support and understanding to participants throughout the programme
• Liaising closely with facilitators to give handovers where necessary 
• Help with Client admin 
• The role could be extended for the right candidate to include some administration for the programmes which might include calling/emailing clients from waiting lists to invite them to groups that have been set up and ensuring clients relevant information before the start of each group
•  

What we’re looking for: 

• No formal experience is needed, as all necessary training will be given, but ideally you will:
• Be enthusiastic about helping a local charity to support families affected by domestic abuse 
• Be trustworthy and reliable
• Have empathy with those who have experienced domestic abuse
• Have excellent communication and team working skills 
• Keep up-to-date with the work of NDAS to represent the charity in a professional manner 
• Good attention to detail and organisational skills

What we offer: 

• You will be given an induction and any necessary training for this role 
• The volunteer mentor and dedicated volunteer coordinator to help and support you when volunteering. 
• You will be able to develop new and existing skills
• You will be working as part of a dedicated and motivated team of staff and volunteers. 
• You will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the organisation
• Access to all NDAS’s training and development opportunities.
• Volunteers can claim all reasonable and previously agreed expenses (such as for travel or reimbursement for items purchased) although this role will be working remotely as programmes are virtual. 

We are currently seeking a Chair to join our dynamic charity board as our current chair is coming towards the end of their term.

We are a highly engaged board who is passionate about ensuring our charity makes a big difference to Lewisham residents, especially to the most vulnerable people. We work in a collegiate way, respecting the diverse viewpoints board members bring to the table and hold ourselves to high professional standards.

The Chair will work closely with the CEO, staff, volunteers and other Trustees to support Citizens Advice Lewisham in making a difference in the lives of people who live and work in the Borough.

General Trustee duties and responsibilities

Each individual member of the Trustee Board has a responsibility to contribute to the discharging of the board’s duties. They do this by:
● Governing the charity in the best interest of the clients and in line with the governing documents.
● Actively contributing to setting policy and strategic direction, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance and ensuring effective oversight of the charity’s activities. This includes visiting Citizens Advice Lewisham to get to know the team and being aware of the service in action.
● Taking responsibility for their own learning and development.
● Monitoring whether the service complies with its governing document and how well the advice needs of the local community are being met.
● Supporting the development of Citizens Advice Lewisham through agreed projects and managing risk.
● Maintaining confidentiality about any sensitive or confidential information received.

Chair specific responsibilities

Plan the board meetings including the dates and the agenda, supported by the CEO.
● Facilitate the trustee board meetings by leading the meeting, ensuring that agenda items are discussed, enabling all members to contribute their views and take part and seeking clarification where necessary.
● Ensure that decisions and actions taken at board meetings are carried out.
● Ensure that the board decisions are made within the remit of the Citizens Advice membership agreement, governing documents and policies.
● Monitor attendance and commitment of all trustees.
● Provide or arrange for training or support for trustees if needed.
● With other trustees and the CEO, recruit a trustee board with a diverse range of skills, experience and knowledge with an aim to promote trusteeship to underrepresented groups that represent the local community.
● Ensure that all trustees receive an induction and the training needed for them to fulfil their role.
● Be proactive in recruiting successors to key positions such as Chair, Treasurer etc.
● Arrange or provide support and supervision for the CEO including an annual appraisal.
● Together with the Treasurer, ensure proper management and control of local Citizens Advice finances.
● Together with the CEO, represent the local Citizens Advice in relationships with funders or potential funders, local events and in the community.
● Work together with all trustees and ensure that the board is able to:
● Set policy and strategy direction, set targets and evaluate the performance of the local Citizens Advice.
● Monitor the financial position of the local Citizens Advice ensuring that it operates within its means and objectives, ensuring that there are clear lines of accountability for day to day financial management.
● Monitor whether the Citizens Advice service complies with its governing document and meets the required standards.
● Seek the views of all sections of the community and monitor how well the service meets the needs of the local community.
● Ensure that the service plans for the recruitment and turnover of staff and volunteers.
● Review its own work and how effectively it operates including action for improvement.
● Work on specific projects to further the strategic objectives of the local Citizens Advice.

General Trustee skills and qualities

● Ability to meet time commitment.
● Commitment to clients and ensuring the impact of Citizens Advice Lewisham in the local community.
● Ability to fulfil governance role, specifically to manage risks, ensure oversight and strategic development of the charity.
● Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
● Willingness to gain knowledge of local needs and resources.

● Commitment to the aims, principles and policies of the Lewisham CAB service, including those relating to equal opportunities, independence, and research and campaigns.
● Ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as Trustees and employers.
● Willingness and ability to learn and to develop.
● Ability to think creatively and strategically, and exercise good, independent judgement.
● Ability to build productive respectful relationships with other Trustees, staff and volunteers.
● Willingness to actively participate in discussions concerning needs of the charity’s beneficiaries, staff and the Trustee board.
● Willingness to act in the best interest of the charity.
● Sound, independent judgement and ability to think creatively.
● Working effectively as a team member and demonstrating a willingness to learn and develop.

Chair specific skills and qualities

● Preferable experience in trustee board governance.
● Excellent interpersonal skills.
● Good leadership skills.
● Ability to facilitate and lead meetings.
● An understanding of the responsibilities and liabilities as trustees.
● Ability to be non-judgmental and respecting views, values and cultures that are different to your own.
● Good numeracy skills to understand financial accounts with the support of the treasurer.
● An understanding of the type of work undertaken by a local Citizens Advice.

Time Commitment and availability to attend required meetings

a) As Chair
● Quarterly governance committee meetings (each 11⁄2 hours plus prep).
● On average half a day per week working with the organisation on chair matters.
b) As Trustee
● Quarterly evening Trustee Board meetings (each 21⁄2 hours plus prep).
● One annual Trustee Board awayday (weekend – 5 hours plus prep).
● Liaison with CEO and colleague Trustees by phone, e-mail or Skype (occasional).
● Day-time visits to our offices to understand our work and engage with staff/volunteers (occasional).
● Two annual stakeholder events (one evening event, one mid-week all-day event).
● Liaising with other trustees and CEO via email and phone in between meetings.
● Where required, leading independently on key projects.
● Any further day time visits and meetings that may arise during the year.

What’s in it for you?

● You will contribute to making a positive impact for people in Lewisham.
● You will meet people and build relationships with trustees, staff and other volunteers.
● You will build on your governance, leadership and strategy skills.

Remuneration

This is an unpaid voluntary role and reasonable expenses will be covered by advance agreement.

Diversity

We seek candidate Trustees from all backgrounds so that our board represents the diversity of our community. We welcome applications from all candidates regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

As services are delivered in a small geographic area applicants should ideally live, work or study in, or near, Lewisham or have some local knowledge of the area.

How to apply

Application: Please send us a CV highlighting relevant skills and experience you will bring to the role along with a completed Application Form

Closing date: 31 May 2024

Interviews: 17 June 2024

Contact: If you would like to have a conversation with someone about this role, please get in touch with the Head of Business & Development who can set up a chat with the Chair or CEO.

Disclosure: Applicants must complete the Disclosure and EDI Form as part of their application.

GFS Heywood - Activity Leader:

Our mission is to support and inspire girls and young women. As an Activity Leader, you will create spaces where girls feel safe and valued, so that they can build strong foundations that will prepare them for life’s challenges.

GFS Activity Leaders are people who want help deliver fun and inspiring sessions to girls and young women, with the opportunity to lead on certain tasks. Our new GFS Heywood Group runs in Heady Hill Community Centre, Whalley Road, Heywood, OL10 3JG every Tuesday during term time from 6.00pm.

What you will be doing:

· Engaging with and listening to girls and young women weekly, to make them feel supported, valued and inspired to try new things.

· Treating every girl with respect and kindness, helping her to feel proud of who she is.

· Helping run activities for the girls, organising any materials needed for the sessions and helping with set up, tidy up and refreshments

· Supporting and contributing to termly planning team meetings to create a programme of activities alongside the Group Leader/Coordinator. We’ll also provide support through themed session plans and step-by-step activity guides on the GFS website.

· Leading on activities as agreed with the volunteer team

· Sharing ideas and feedback given by the girls to the Group Leader/Coordinator to help create a truly girl-led termly programme.

· Helping with First Aid or Food Hygiene in the group as needed

· Keeping girls safe by informing your GFS Staff contact about any issues or concerns for girls’ wellbeing and report safeguarding concerns that you, or any other volunteers, have as soon as possible.

· Treating every girl, parent, volunteer and task within the GFS values of being girl-focused, brave, feminist, ambitious, inclusive and fun.

· Understanding GFS policy and procedures and follow them, especially safeguarding

What makes an Activity Leader?

· Happy to be a supportive member of the volunteer team, helping out wherever needed and communicating with the Group Leader/Coordinator and fellow volunteers about availability

· A passion for building the confidence of girls and young women through fun and inspiring activities

· Ideas for activities to run with girls or a willingness to learn about how to plan and run activities

· Willing to take a training course in First Aid or Food Hygiene

· Help to report and safeguarding or wellbeing concerns to GFS staff as soon as possible

· Able to work with and within diverse communities

Need to know:

Equity Diversity and inclusion is of strategic importance to GFS. We encourage applications from ethnically and racially minoritised, disabled and from LGBTQ+ people to build our best volunteer teams and reflect the girls we serve.

For our roles that work directly with girls, we can only accept women volunteers under the provisions of the Equality Act 2010.

This role requires a DBS check which is paid for by GFS

Time commitment

We are ideally looking for people who could commit to a minimum of a year’s volunteering (term time only).

For this role, we ask that volunteers complete around 2 hours of training online/  as part of your onboarding process. Additional training may also include First Aid or Food Hygiene.

On a weekly basis, volunteers would commit to roughly 2 – 3 hours per week, plus an extra 1 – 1.5 hours for planning every term.

Weekly:

2 hours direct delivery at your group including set up and tidy up

1 hour prep and planning for sessions

Termly:

1 – 1.5 hours termly planning meeting

Occasional trip out

Media Trust is looking for new Trustees to join its Board to bring different perspectives and areas of expertise to complement and strengthen the Board’s skill set, experience and diversity. The new Trustees will bring enthusiasm for Media Trust’s work as well as relevant expertise, experience and networks to support the organisation in corporate/philanthropic fundraising or its programmes aimed at improving representation in the screen industries (film, TV, and gaming).

About Media Trust

At Media Trust, we believe it’s by giving everyone a voice that we’ll get to a more equal society. That’s why we’re working with hundreds of charities to strengthen their storytelling, advocacy and campaigning, press engagement and social media. We do this through media, communications and digital skills training delivered in partnership with our media and creative industry partners and by matching media industry volunteers looking to give back with charities looking for help with content creation and other comms support. At the same time, our programmes for underrepresented talent are giving young and diverse talent the creative media skills, access and mentoring support to break into the media.

The charity has an extensive network of long-standing media and creative industry partners including Ascential, BBC, BBH, Bloomberg, Channel 4, Dentsu, Edelman, Google, Hearst, ITV, Meta, News UK, Ogilvy, Sky, Talon, Warner Bros. Discovery, WPP and Yahoo, whom it works closely with to deliver its programmes.

Role specification

Media Trust has a committed Board of Trustees and is always looking to bring in different perspectives and areas of expertise to complement and strengthen the board further.

All Trustees are responsible for ensuring that Media Trust acts in the interest of the charities and the underrepresented groups it serves and, in line with its charitable objectives, must ensure that the charity’s performance is evaluated in this respect. In addition to formal Board meetings, Trustees should be willing to engage in other ways, for example by joining a working group or committee for a specified period or providing advice to the senior leadership team on a more ad hoc basis.

It is an advantage, though not a requirement, if trustees have contacts who are interested in supporting Media Trust’s aims.

Person specification

The new Trustees will bring passion and enthusiasm for Media Trust’s work and be keen to learn and contribute to the organisation’s work: bridging the gap between the media and creative industry and broader society to strengthen the voices of charities and under-represented communities.

Candidates should possess relationship-building and strong interpersonal skills and will be expected to act as prominent ambassadors for the charity. Media Trust is open to appointing candidates for whom this would be their first board role and is committed to broadening the Board’s diversity across every axis.

For the current vacancies, Media Trust is seeking experience and expertise in the following areas:

• Industry fundraising expertise: to support the executive team in identifying and securing programme/event sponsors and other sources of industry income. You may have leadership experience working at a media or brand organisation, a marketing or media industry body, or experience as a fundraising professional in the charity, nonprofit or private sectors with strong connections to industry.
• Screen industry connections: to help the executive team secure screen industries’ support (trainers, mentors, facilities) to deliver programmes aimed at getting more under-represented talent into film, TV, and gaming particularly in behind the camera roles, we’re looking for new trustees with deep connections within the screen industries, particularly in development, production and post-production at the major studios, major broadcasters or industry bodies.

Diversity

Media Trust welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, or disability.

Media Trust is particularly keen to improve the diversity of its Board and ensure that it is representative of the organisations and communities which Media Trust serves. As people who identify as women or non-binary and people with physical disabilities or neurodiversity are all currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those candidates would be particularly encouraged.

All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process, overseen by Media Trust’s Nominations Committee. In line with the Equality Act 2010, the organisation may employ positive action where diverse candidates can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

Expected time commitment

Media Trust holds four Board meetings per year which last around 3 hours, not including preparation.

There is also an opportunity, depending on skills and experience, for the new Trustees to join one or more Board committees. The Finance & Audit Committee meets four times a year for c. 1-1.5 hours each time, whereas the Nominations Committee meets according to need.

There is also the option to join the Advisory Board for a specific programme, depending on its relevance and a Trustee’s interest & availability.

Board meetings are usually held in Central London and are hosted at the offices of the charity’s Trustees, with reasonable travel expenses covered. Media Trust is a flexible employer: hybrid and remote working are welcomed, and there will be options to attend these meetings remotely.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for applicants who need additional support at any stage of the recruitment process, please see our Equal Opportunities form for more details and do not hesitate to get in touch to discuss if you would prefer.

A guide to timings:

• Deadline for applications: 31 May 2024
• Interviews conducted: June 2024
• New Trustees appointed: July 2024

Are you passionate about supporting people to improve their language and communication skills? Are you working towards a teaching qualification and looking to gain relevant experience? 

We are looking for new ESOL volunteers to support our qualified tutors in the classroom. Volunteers play a fundamental role in our classes. All of our classes are led by paid teachers, however, they are also often supported by volunteer teaching assistants.

Whether helping to set up the classroom, supporting participants during group work or offering support and advice on local services, the contribution made by volunteers in our classrooms is vital.

Skills/ experience

• CELTA or similar qualification is desirable
• Teaching experience is desirable

In return, volunteers will have the opportunity to:

• Gain experience of English language teaching in a community setting with a friendly team
• Gain support and advice on professional development for those looking to become an ESOL teacher

Most of our classes are held face to face in West London, with some having a blended / online learning approach with Zoom.

If you are interested please send your CV and cover letter via Charity Jobs and our volunteer coordinator will get back to you. Please let us know your relevant experience, availability and why you would like to support Nova.

Job Description

Role Title:  

Volunteer Information Advice and Guidance Assistant (x 2) 

Where: 

Nova New Opportunities, 2 Thorpe Close, W10 5XL with travel to other locations within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC). 

When:  

April 2023, minimum commitment of 6 months 

2-5 hours weekly

Between 10am-2pm

Monday to Wednesday 

About Nova: 

Based in North Kensington since 1983 and serving its poorest wards & those of surrounding London boroughs, Nova works with individuals from marginalised and disadvantaged communities who are looking to develop their potential and achieve a better future for themselves. Nova brings about real and lasting change in people’s lives by addressing every person as an individual and seeking out ways to best support that person to reach their goals. We endeavour to help every person that comes to us who is motivated and committed to improving his or her life.  

Reaching 2,500+ people each year, we believe in improving people’s lives one person at a time, helping committed and motivated individuals to achieve their potential by: 

• Developing knowledge, education and confidence

• Connecting diverse groups

• Providing opportunities

Our work, operates on 2 levels:

• Grassroots Community Support – including responsive actions (e.g. Grenfell, COVID-19), education, IAG, family programme and volunteering  

• Wider Reaching Dialogue Events and Influencing – focussing on challenging stigma, prejudice and inequality – working with individuals, organisations, networks and decision makers to move through conversation to action

Purpose of role:

Support the Nova Information, Advice and Guidance Programme team respond to the challenges and needs of the community enabling them to thrive.

Role Description:

This role will act to assist Advisors delivering support to people helping them improve skills for employment purposes. With the disruption of Covid-19, many households have been thrown into a continuum of health and financial challenges which have in some cases demotivated and reduced self-esteem. In the short-term our aim is to intensively support 30 RBKC individuals rediscover their potential, increase their confidence and assist them in reaching their potential through training, volunteering and longer-term secure meaningful paid employment.

You will:

• Enjoy listening and helping others in a non-judgemental manner 

• Be able to work in a team and seek guidance when needed

• Have a naturally resourceful outlook

• Have a genuine interest in providing Information, Advice and Guidance

• Support advisors to successfully deliver robust services according to client needs

You need to be:

• DBS Checked

• Confident in the use of IT

• Some experience of supporting people 

• Inquisitive

• Committed

• Competent

• Reliable

• Honest

• Punctual

• Patient

• Fair

• Open minded

• Respectful of client information and circumstance 

• Clients may come from various cultural backgrounds and face different challenges. 

• Comfortable following Nova staff directions and working independently

Further information:

• Induction and appropriate training will be provided.

• IAG qualification or experience of community work would be desirable but not essential. 

Main point of contact/supervisor:

Head of IAG / Head of IAG Development and Strategy

How to apply: 

Please email your updated CV and brief covering letter (no more than one A4 page) outlining why you would like to join the IAG team.

A cancer diagnosis brings extra expense from day one. Every child or young person with a cancer diagnosis has a short-term disability and needs to apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP). The forms are long and complex and sometimes families need advice or support to ensure they include enough information to receive the correct level of financial support.

Your empathy, understanding and ability to identify the key information to enable families and young people to claim financial assistance will have a tremendous impact easing stress and allowing them to concentrate on supporting themselves physically and emotionally.

You will be an important part of the team and provide practical support to young people and families completing DLA and PIP forms which can seem lengthy and daunting to young people, and families. Each family’s needs are different, however support via benefits such as DLA and PIP are usually one of the first recommendations made to families seeking financial advice.

What you’ll be doing:

• Providing face to face to support to families of children and young people with a diagnosis of cancer
• Actively listening to families and asking relevant questions to enable them to identify specific support needs
• Supporting families to complete complex forms to enable them to claim DLA or PIP
• As a key part of the team recognise when to ask for other team members for advice or support

This will include:

• Looking at the DLA/PIP form with the family or young person
• Explaining the information Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) needs
• Coaching the family to include as much detail in their answers as necessary

The practical support required for this role will vary from taking the time to read through an application with a young person or family, who require a second opinion.  Others may require questions to be re-phrased to simplify them and make them more applicable to their lived experience.

You will be providing guidance on how to answer the questions on the forms and useful information to include. It may occasionally include filling in the form with the family/young person when they are not able to complete it themselves

Booking slots will be flexible to meet the individual need (30 minutes up to 2 hours)

There is scope and opportunity in this role for development into supporting families or young people with appeals.

What we’ll give you:

• The satisfaction of using your skills and talents to make a tangible difference in the lives of young cancer patients
• A solid introduction and first-hand experience of working in the charity sector with the opportunity to meet other Teams across the organisation and gain a clear insight into the day-to-day work of Young Lives vs Cancer
• Full induction and training with support from a dedicated volunteer manager
• The support of a friendly and knowledgeable team
• Experience of working with a social care team and opportunity to develop communication and planning skills and advocating for families
• Experience of working with and directly supporting children and young people with cancer and their families
• And of course, we’ll cover any out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Volunteering Policy!

You should be able to volunteer for 2 hours per week during Monday to Friday between 10am and 3pm at our Home from Home in London WC1.  We are flexible as to days or times to fit in with your other commitments.

We may close applications for this role early depending on applications

Do you speak Sudanese Arabic?

It’s fantastic that you would like to find out more about volunteering at St Mungo’s. Would you like to provide vital support to vulnerable adults who need help translating important documents for whom English is not their first language? As a Language Translation Microvolunteer, you will be providing an extremely valuable service to our clients and staff; helping to translate important documents to increase the accessibility of our resources, as well as providing – if you are available when asked, language translation support via the phone. You will be helping people who have experienced homelessness, who may be experiencing addiction, mental health issues, physical or mental disabilities or who may be refugees, asylum seekers or have no recourse to public funds.

Please see all locations and the time commitments we are currently recruiting for in this role:

• Remote – We will be contacting you as and when we receive translation support requests from our clients and our local services.

Do I need to have any specific skills? 

• Be fluent in a language other than English (both written and verbal communication) 

• An understanding of the causes of homelessness and its impact. 

• Genuine interest in and commitment to St Mungo’s work and client group. 

• An understanding of and commitment to diversity & equality.

Do you speak Hindi/Punjabi/any Indian dialect?

It’s fantastic that you would like to find out more about volunteering at St Mungo’s. Would you like to provide vital support to vulnerable adults who need help translating important documents for whom English is not their first language? As a Language Translation Microvolunteer, you will be providing an extremely valuable service to our clients and staff; helping to translate important documents to increase the accessibility of our resources, as well as providing – if you are available when asked, language translation support via the phone. You will be helping people who have experienced homelessness, who may be experiencing addiction, mental health issues, physical or mental disabilities or who may be refugees, asylum seekers or have no recourse to public funds.

Please see all locations and the time commitments we are currently recruiting for in this role:

• Remote – We will be contacting you as and when we receive translation support requests from our clients and our local services.

Do I need to have any specific skills? 

• Be fluent in a language other than English (both written and verbal communication) 
• An understanding of the causes of homelessness and its impact. 
• Genuine interest in and commitment to St Mungo’s work and client group. 
• An understanding of and commitment to diversity & equality.

Do you speak Polish?

It’s fantastic that you would like to find out more about volunteering at St Mungo’s. Would you like to provide vital support to vulnerable adults who need help translating important documents for whom English is not their first language? As a Language Translation Microvolunteer, you will be providing an extremely valuable service to our clients and staff; helping to translate important documents to increase the accessibility of our resources, as well as providing – if you are available when asked, language translation support via the phone. You will be helping people who have experienced homelessness, who may be experiencing addiction, mental health issues, physical or mental disabilities or who may be refugees, asylum seekers or have no recourse to public funds.

Please see all locations and the time commitments we are currently recruiting for in this role:

• Remote – We will be contacting you as and when we receive translation support requests from our clients and our local services.

Do I need to have any specific skills? 

• Be fluent in a language other than English (both written and verbal communication) 

• An understanding of the causes of homelessness and its impact. 

• Genuine interest in and commitment to St Mungo’s work and client group. 

• An understanding of and commitment to diversity & equality.