Advice / Information Volunteer Roles

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care. We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.

A bit about this role

Without the passionate and committed teams of volunteers across Cats Protection we wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us. Our Cat Welfare Team Leaders have the important role of coordinating, encouraging and supporting teams of volunteer fosterers and cat carers. They make sure volunteers with direct cat care roles are happy and confident, and provide advice and guidance when needed. This incredible teamwork means we can help more cats and kittens in need.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Volunteering alongside colleagues including the Branch Coordinator, Cat Welfare team, Branch Development Manager and Vet team to ensure that CP cat care policies, procedures and standards are applied
• Supporting fosterers to follow Cats Protection cat welfare policies and procedures
• Acting as the main point of contact within the branch for cat welfare and ensuring that welfare updates are shared and implemented effectively
• Ensuring that accurate and up-to-date records of all cats helped are maintained, using specified Cats Protection systems
• Attending relevant Cats Protection volunteer training sessions and encouraging other volunteers to do likewise
• Recruit, induct and support all branch fosterers and cat care volunteers, using Cats Protection processes
• Represent the branch at relevant meetings
• Play an active part in the branch committee, being part of the branch team leading on cat adoption information and updates
• Collaborating with the Cats Protection Cat Adoption Team Leader to ensure the highest standards of cat care are applied in line with Cats Protection policy and procedures

A bit more information about this role and the team...

Northumbria Cats Protection is run by a small team of dedicated, cat-loving volunteers.
In 2023, our amazing team of volunteers helped over 130 cats: 38 cats and kittens found their 'furever' homes, 90 feral cats were trapped and neutered and our fabulous local vets delivered 436 treatments to cats.

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will significantly contribute to improving the lives of cats and kittens by leading and supporting other volunteers in direct cat care roles. You will develop new skills, expand knowledge, meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• A willingness to follow Cats Protection policies and procedures
• Basic knowledge and experience of cat welfare
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to engage with people on all levels to build strong and effective relationships
• A willingness to develop themselves and others and to update knowledge and skills as necessary
• Good administration and organisational skills
• Basic IT skills to use Cats Protection systems - training and support provided
• The ability to handle sensitive issues with objectivity and pragmatism
• Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+

Time expectation

The time for this role will vary depending on the number of volunteers and cats in care. Our Cat Welfare Team Leaders usually give between 10 to 12 hours a week. This is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. 

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we meet as part of our activities.

What is the purpose of this role?

 The Information & Advice (ISA) Service aims to provide advice on a range of subjects relevant to the needs of older people and to those who are caring for older friends, partners, and relatives.  The service operates through the City and County of Nottinghamshire. Currently the advice we offer is provided over the telephone, face-to-face office appointments and home visits.

The role of the Volunteer Benefits Advisor is to complete a Welfare Benefits Check with clients and provide advice on potential benefits entitlements, and supporting older clients with long-term health conditions or disabilities to complete applications forms which could include new claims, upgrade, or renew claims for the following: Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Carers Allowance, Blue Badge, Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit.

What impact does the role have?

This role provides vital support in helping ensure that people in later life are able to meet the extra costs involved in living with a long-term health condition or disability by claiming the benefits they are entitled to.

What activities might you be involved in?

• Providing Welfare Benefits Checks and Welfare Benefits advice, within the boundaries laid out by the Service Coordinator, by telephone or face to face office or home visits.
• Identifying signposting opportunities to further support service user.
• Assisting the Coordinator in meeting targets of the Service e.g. providing extra information about service users’ needs for case studies, funding monitoring etc.
• Attending workshops, training, or events relevant to your role.
• Recording accurate case notes on our secure electronic database – this can be from our office or from a home computer with an Internet connection.
• Using an online benefits calculator tool to complete welfare benefits checks
• Volunteering in line with the Charity’s policies and procedures and adhering to the Volunteer Code of Conduct

What are we looking for?

Essential

· A genuine interest in the wellbeing of older people and a calm, sensitive approach to providing advice to older people, their family, and carers.

· Ability to think holistically to best meet clients’ needs and referring for follow up by the Volunteer Coordinator.

· Ability to treat customers with sensitivity and confidentiality.

• Previous experience of providing advice about benefit options.

· IT literacy and a willingness to input own client case notes on to the Charity’s database, together with recording of the appropriate individual client consents.

· Ability to work to deadlines.

· Willing to attend one to one’s support sessions, benefits training and volunteer meetings.

· Willing to volunteer within the guidelines of Age UK Notts’ Volunteering policy and adhere to the Volunteer Code of Conduct.                                   

Desirable (any of the following):

• Previous experience of working with older people.
• Previous experience of either working or volunteering in an advice role at CAB, Welfare Rights, Housing association or similar or to have worked in an advisory role for a statutory agency including DWP, Housing and Council Tax department, Adult Social Care department or a Housing Association.
• A sound knowledge of health and welfare benefits and claims processes (inc. Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, PIP) and ideally, experience of providing welfare benefits checks.
• Ability to accurately complete detailed forms.
• Ability to record information for reporting purposes, including writing case studies where applicable.
• Ability to work alone and using own initiative.

When would you be needed to volunteer?

The needs of the role and your availability (including days and times) can be discussed at interview.  Ideally, we would like you to be available for a minimum of 3 hours each week.

What training will you be given?

You will be given all the training you need to enable you to carry out your role which will include a thorough departmental induction.

What can you gain from this opportunity?

· The chance to make a difference to the lives of older people.

· The opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

· Ongoing support, ensuring your volunteering experience is a fulfilling and positive one.

· A comprehensive training programme.

· The opportunity to learn new skills.

· Experience to add to your CV.

· Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses as defined in Age UK Notts Volunteer Handbook

Additional Information

Please note an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring check) is required for this role which will be undertaken by the Charity at no cost to the volunteer, after being offered the role.

***Please note that we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

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.

Placement Volunteers at the British Red Cross are highly valued for the skills and energy they bring. We aim to provide our placement volunteers with an insight into the daily workings of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation. They will have access to relevant in-house training and development opportunities during their placement with possible ad hoc opportunities to get involved in other areas of activity.

Your role as a placement volunteer will help make a great contribution to the work of the British Red Cross. You will take responsibility for achieving specific objectives that are agreed with you within one of the various departments across the UK. You will have a real responsibility and place in the department, bringing some of your skills and experience to the role; you will also have the chance to develop workplace skills. While we don’t offer voluntary internships, we are happy for you to describe yourself as an intern on your CV, if you feel that would be helpful.

Hours: The placement is due to run for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. The placement will take place across 2 o 3 days, flexible hours, Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm. The volunteering hours are negotiable to balance your needs and what can be achieved in the role.

Location: The placement will take place on a remote basis, from the volunteer's home, but there may be occasional travel to London and/or other regional offices to attend and support at meetings.

Bursary Scheme: The British Red Cross offers a bursary scheme to those placement volunteers from low-income households. Eligibility will be determined through a separate application process open to all short-listed candidates. All British Red Cross volunteers are entitled to out-of-pocket reasonable expenses. For this scheme we are defining low-income households as: Inside London: Living with family or partner £25,000 or under. Living independently £22.500 or under Outside London: Living with family or partner £18,500 or under. Living independently £16,500 or under

Diversity: We welcome applications from people of different backgrounds, experience and circumstances. We seek to ensure that our organisation and our services are relevant and accessible to all, with equality, diversity and fairness at the core of what we do. We invite applications from individuals regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or political belief and are committed to promoting fair participation and equality of opportunity for all of our applicants.

The British Red Cross is committed to being inclusive, with a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences – including disabled and ethnic minority candidates. We value fresh perspectives and insights gained by involving and welcoming people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture and experience. This is to contribute to the breadth of experience we need to respond to people in crisis.

The Community Education product team are looking for an aspiring content developer to support a co-production project working on our resilience building education for young people and their educators.

Our free humanitarian education aims to support educators across the UK with teaching resources, session plans and professional development courses. One of the key parts of our programme is our resilience topic, including resources which help young people to cope with challenges.

We are looking to improve our resilience resources in co-production with young people. This volunteer placement would be involved in running the co-production sessions with young people from across the UK, gathering insights and ideas. The role will assist our content development team to implement these ideas by creating new humanitarian educational resources.

We want to ensure that our resilience building resources are relevant and exciting for young people, including accessible formats of learning and focusing on challenges young people are really facing. Your insights will bring a new perspective to the team, helping us to engage young people during both the co-production project and through the final resource you help to produce.

What you will be doing:

• Gathering and interpreting insights from young people to inform and propose decisions about the educational products created.
• Writing, editing and reviewing educational products.

Skills you will need:

• Interpersonal and communication skills to engage participants in the co-production project and work collaboratively as part of the team.
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills to create engaging and relevant learning activities, guidance for teachers and more.
• Time management skills as you may be working on multiple parts of the project at one time.

What's in it for you

• Meet new people and be part of a supportive and inclusive team
• A great opportunity to develop your existing skills and gain new ones
• All training and induction for the role (there is no charge for training)
• Reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses for the role including for attending training
• An opportunity to be part of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation and the knowledge that you are making a difference to people’s lives

Please ensure you mention your education, experience & skills you acquire related to this role in your application.

We are looking for self-motivated and compassionate individuals to help deliver our Helpline service and make a difference to the lives of anyone affected by cancer.

The Helpline offers those with cancer a chance to share their feelings and experiences with someone who has empathy for what they are going through. Helpline Volunteers create a safe and welcoming environment, listen, and provide emotional support and signposting individuals onto further information.

No special qualifications are needed for this role, but access to a telephone in a comfortable quiet setting is essential.

Are you interested in supporting local families with young children that are struggling? We are here to show you how!

Home-Start Guildford offers free, confidential support and practical help to parents of children under five in the Guildford Borough.

We are looking for volunteers with parenting or child caring experience to support families for 2-3 hours per week, for a minimum of one year upon completing the preparation course.

Home Visiting volunteers are an essential part of the Home-Start Guildford service. We provide a free preparation course for all volunteers before they start to visit families, which covers all the essential training and information you will require and continued support as you commence your journey with us; as well as further training and social opportunities.

As a volunteer, you will be carefully matched with a family, then introduced by one of our experienced staff team.  A unique support package will be devised based on the needs of the family and a day and time for each weekly visit will be agreed to suit both you and the family.

You will build a trusting professional friendship with the family, offering emotional support, guidance and practical help during your visits, sharing your own experiences, with the ultimate goal to empower families with the confidence and skills to cope alone once support ends, creating a legacy of a long term difference.

Interested but would like to know more, why not join us at our Open Morning on the 12th September for a chance to chat with staff and volunteers over a cuppa and slice of cake!  Free parking and refreshments. Visit our website for more information or to register your attendance.

How to apply

All prospective volunteers must complete and return an application form, please email our office or call our office to request a volunteer application pack. 

We consider all completed application forms and once received you will be invited to attend an initial interview to discuss the volunteering role further.

You will need to complete our training course before you can start supporting a family, our next course start on the 16th October. 

You must be able to provide 2 referees and complete an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service Declaration (no costs incurred for volunteers).

We are looking for self-motivated and compassionate individuals to help facilitate our support groups and make a difference to the lives of people affected by cancer.

Support Groups offer those with cancer a chance to share their feelings and experiences in a safe and welcoming environment. Support Group Facilitators listen, provide emotional support and share approved cancer related information.

No special qualifications are needed for this role, but being able to devote time to setting up and maintaining a group is essential.

We are recruiting volunteers who enjoy volunteering in their community to help raise the charity’s profile at a local level. Everyone has their own community and we would love to work with people who can share their passion, interest and enthusiasm for Yes to Life with people in their communities who could benefit from our work. The role descritption provides a list of ways you can do this but we are very happy to listen to your suggestions and ideas too. The role is flexible and you can choose how many hours you dedicate to the role.

Volunteer School Mentor

Start Date: 21st October

Location: Walkden, Worsley, Manchester M28 7JB

The Role

As a City Year Mentor, you’ll support pupils at Co-Op Walkden Academy by acting as a positive role model and mentor. Your role involves helping students engage in learning, boosting their confidence, and improving behaviour both in and outside the classroom. You’ll also help run breakfast, lunch, and after-school clubs.

Your responsibilities will include:

· 1-to-1 mentoring and small group support

· Running breakfast, lunch, and after-school clubs

· Assisting teachers in the classroom

· Supporting extracurricular activities and school events

Leadership Development Programme

In addition to your work in school, you’ll take part in City Year UK’s Leadership Development Programme. This includes tailored professional development workshops and the opportunity to gain an accredited qualification. You’ll also receive training on leadership, communication, and employability skills that will set you up for success in your future career. Our volunteers often go on to careers in education, social work, law enforcement, and many other fields.

This is a full-time position, Monday to Friday, during term time. Living expenses and travel costs will be reimbursed.

Please note, we have limited spots available for this role.

What You'll Get

· Living expenses of £115 per week plus travel reimbursement

· A red City Year jacket

· Access to professional mentoring and accredited leadership courses

Please note that is takes up to 20 minutes to apply for the programme, so allow yourself enough time to complete the process.

Requirements

This role is full-time, Monday to Friday, during school term time. A typical school day runs from 8:00am to around 4:00pm, with an hour for lunch (this may vary depending on the school’s schedule). You’ll need to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and provide satisfactory references.

About City Year UK

City Year UK is a youth and education charity that empowers young adults to tackle educational inequality by volunteering full-time in schools. Our mission is twofold:

To give every pupil the chance to succeed, by coaching those furthest from opportunity to achieve the social, emotional, and academic results they need.

To harness the talent and idealism of young people to drive social change in education while developing leadership skills for their future careers.

Since 2009, over 1,500 young people have volunteered with City Year UK, making a difference in the lives of more than 15,000 pupils. Many of our alumni go on to work in education or pursue careers in a wide range of fields, from social work to business, engineering, and even starting their own ventures.

If you’re passionate about making a difference and developing your leadership potential, we want you to join us. Start your journey, give a year, and #BeTheChange.

We are looking for a Fundraising Trustee that can take our fundraising to the next level. The limb reconstruction process can be long, painful and challenging for patients' mental health. Rebuild has exciting plans to expand our psychological support for these patients but we need the help of an experienced fundraiser to do this.  

Main responsibilities: 

• Oversee fundraising and to make sure it is carried out in legal, honest and accountable ways.
• To identify funding opportunities. 
• Contribute knowledge of fundraising techniques and strategies.
• To guide and advise the Trustees in the approval of the fundraising strategy and targets.
• To keep the Trustees informed about its duties and legal responsibilities in relation to fundraising and the Fundraising Regulator.
• To assess risks in new fundraising directions and alert the Board of any concerns.
• Be an active champion of the charity.

Background: 

We are looking for a Trustee who has experience in any of the following areas: charity fund raising, marketing, finance, public relations, sales. 

Qualities of a Fundraising Trustee 

Essential: 

• Fundraising/income generation knowledge or business development background.  
• A good understanding of fundraising and the UK charity sector, Charity Commission, Companies House requirements, relevant legislation and statutory requirements.
• Excellent networking and communication skills.
• Sound, independent judgement and ability to think creatively.
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Experience in the health sector.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of digital or social media.  
• Experience of diverse fundraising practices, including statutory funds, corporate and philanthropic giving.  
• An understanding of the challenges facing small UK charities in maximising income streams & donor cultivation.  
• Experience in the charitable or voluntary sector.

Time commitment/location:

• The Trustee Board meets 4 times a year.
• Board meeings are usually held virtually.
• Anticipated time commitment: 8 hours per month
• To work with the Trustees outside of the Board Meeting in developing a new fundraising strategy.
• Appointment term 3 – 4 years 

After18 runs a weekly group for asylum seeking and refugee young women (including victims of trafficking) on a Friday evening at our Leicester city-centre hub. We aim to increase confidence and reduce isolation by encouraging young women to participate in a range of creative and wellbeing activities chosen and led by them. We also offer homework support for students taking Health and Social Care at college and access to opportunities to help them progress in this field.

We are looking for a volunteer to support this group and interact with the young people as they participate in the activities they have chosen each week. This could include cooking and baking or arts and crafts activities, as well as trips to venues in and around Leicester. This would be a great opportunity for someone who has previously worked or volunteered with young people and is passionate about supporting their wellbeing.

The volunteer must be available on a Friday evening (5-7pm) in Leicester city centre.

The volunteer may be involved in:

- Supporting the activity lead to set up the materials needed for the session

- Helping to demonstrate how to do the activities and encouraging the young women

- Talking to the young women and answering questions they may have about Leicester

- Going on trips or visits in and around Leicester with the group

Volunteer specifications:

- Previous work or volunteering with young people, preferably with young women or girls

- Spoken and written fluency in English

- Compassion and sensitivity to asylum-seeking young people

- Ability to work within After18’s policies and procedures

- Able to commit for at least six months

- Commitment to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the children and young people they come into contact with

After18 is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young people we work with. All staff and volunteers are required to undertake an enhanced criminal record check before joining us.

The Integrated Community Support (ICS) service provides day service opportunities for people with low and medium Preventative Care Needs.

We are currently looking to offer volunteering placements with our Mental Health Recovery Pathway (MHRP) – a mental health provision based across three sites in Islington responding to the mental health needs of Islington residents.

You will be assisting service users who experience mental distress in group settings.

We ask for a commitment of at least 1 day a week 10:15am – 4:00pm for a full year (+ about 2-3 months for DBS check and induction), though there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer more than one day a week.

If this sounds interesting and suitable to you, please complete the ICS volunteer application form and return with your CV, indicating why are you interested in volunteering for Islington Mind, if there is anything specific that you would like to do in your volunteering placement – e.g. facilitate activities, support our open access drop-in sessions, support service users with completing forms, accompany service users to appointments etc, and your availability – e.g. one or more days a week and which days of the week you are available.

The Structured Intervention Support (SIS) service offers support for people with high and complex needs.

You will be assisting service users who experience mental distress in one-to-one settings:
-help to resettle in the community on discharge from hospital
-help to develop strategies to improve their quality of life and reduce their dependence on statutory services
-provide personalised key work support to enable people with complex mental health needs progress and maintain independent living.

We are looking for volunteers who can support people with activities for a minimum of 1 day per week. Activities such as:

-Escorting people to appointments/outings/activities or events
-Organisational and administrative tasks – help with budgeting; understanding/applying for welfare benefits; letter writing and form filling; arranging activities/appointments; planning the use of other services such as shopping.
-Supporting people to maintain their homes – reporting/organising repairs; organising a move; signposting and referring to services and activities.
-Ad-hoc support

Are you involved with Media that helps people? Or wish to be? Experts in graphics and social media are needed.

Volunteer in MEDIA Globally from your home. Whether an hour a month or an hour a day, whether experienced or new; your help is needed. Meet many people from diverse cultures and socio- economic backgrounds globally, while helping children seeking a brighter future.

The International Humanity Foundation(IHF) is seeking experts and those who want to learn. Ages 18-95. Volunteering 1-2 hours a month (or week) on a long term basis.

MEDIA PR DIVISION

�� GRAPHICS & DESIGN

�� IHF Website IT

�� IHF Social Media

�� Translation

�� Volunteer Outreach (General Online Outreach Task Team, GOOTT)

�� University Partnerships

�� IHF Newsletter