Voluntary Advice, Information Volunteer Roles in North East
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Community Volunteer
Role description
Our volunteers are vital in helping us make life fully inclusive for the 12 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. RNID hugely value the contribution of our volunteers and we achieved the Investing in Volunteers quality mark in 2023.
What you’ll be doing
Community volunteers help us share information. They act as ambassadors for RNID, providing information to deaf people and people with hearing loss and tinnitus and providing information on RNID services and activities. They do this by:
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attending events, such as community open days, health information days
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giving presentations to groups (these might be in-person or held remotely on-line
You don’t have to do all types of activities; you can pick the activities you find most interesting and match your skills and experience. Community volunteers help us on an ad hoc, flexible basis, there is no fixed time commitment.
Full induction and training is provided and you’ll be assigned a supervisor to provide you with on-going support and to introduce you to our community of volunteers.
Requirements
You need to be 16 or over for this role. You may need to be able to travel by car or public transport to different places. We’ll reimburse your expenses in line with RNID’s expenses policy.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
RNID Near You volunteer
Role description
Our volunteers are vital in helping us make life fully inclusive for the 12 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. RNID hugely value the contribution of our volunteers and we achieved the Investing in Volunteers quality mark in 2023.
What you’ll be doing
RNID Near You volunteers help us provide free, in-person drop-in sessions for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, or want to get their hearing checked. Our volunteers:
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Meet and greet people visiting our services, find out what service or information they’re looking for and direct them to the right place.
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Support hearing aid users by doing basic maintenance on their hearing aids and providing tips for getting the most from hearing aids.
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Help people to take the RNID online hearing check. They take people through the steps in person on a digital tablet.
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Provide information on a range of topics related to deafness and hearing loss.
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Help us to find supporters and donors by talking to people and providing information on supporting us.
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Support us with administrative tasks for the service.
You don’t have to do all types of activities; you can pick the activities you find most interesting and match your skills and experience. Usual time commitment varies but is typically three hours per month.
Full induction and training is provided and you’ll be assigned a supervisor to provide you with on-going support and to introduce you to our community of volunteers.
Requirements
You need to be 18 or over for this role. You may need to be able to travel by car or public transport to different places. We’ll reimburse your expenses in line with RNID’s expenses policy.
We have a legal duty to make sure that all volunteers working either in person and/ or online with children and adults at risk on a regular basis are suitable.
In addition to requesting references, we’ll carry out appropriate pre-volunteering checks in-line with regulations such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks in England and Wales, and equivalents in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in your community? Do you have expertise in finance and a desire to contribute to a cause that positively impacts lives? If the answer is yes, then this could be the perfect role for you!
STAMP Revisited is a small but ambitious charity, which provides advocacy and emotional support to those experiencing mental health difficulties. We support them to access vital services they need that they would not be able to access independently. We have already supported thousands of the most disadvantaged people to have their voice heard and respected.
We are currently recruiting a new Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees. As a Trustee of STAMP Revisited, you will play a crucial role in setting the strategic direction of the charity and ensuring good governance. You will contribute to ensuring that the charity fulfils its mission, operates effectively, and remains accountable to those experiencing mental health issues.
In addition to the general duties as Trustee, as Treasurer you will play a pivotal role in securing the financial integrity and sustainability of our charity. You will ensure that effective and appropriate financial measures are put in place and report to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation.
If you are interested in finding out more about being a Treasurer and sitting on our Board, we would love to hear from you. Our Board welcomes people from diverse backgrounds, aged 18 or over with a wide range of skills. We are keen to welcome people who have personal experience of mental health challenges, including service users and carers.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Can you spare a few hours a month to support STAMP Revisited, a local mental health charity?
We are, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which has provided advocacy services for the people of Teesside for almost 30 years, and we are currently looking for new Trustees to join our Board.
Our advocates provide advocacy to adults who are experiencing mental health difficulties that impact on their ability to make their voice heard and are unable to independently navigate personal issues such as aspects of their health, finances, or housing needs.
Trustees are essential to the success of a charity, and the Board is the charity’s governing body. Trustees are responsible for ensuring the charity meets its objectives and are responsible for its general administration and control of the charity.
If you are interested in finding out more about being a Trustee and sitting on our Board, we would love to hear from you. Our Board welcomes people from diverse backgrounds, aged 18 or over with a wide range of skills. We are keen to welcome people who have personal experience of mental health challenges, including service users and carers.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Home-based volunteering opportunity
Information and Support Voices Volunteers
Do you have experience of terminal illness? Or have you experience of caring for someone at the end of their life?
Why we need your help
We’re looking for people from diverse backgrounds and with a range of experiences related to terminal illness, end of life and bereavement, to join our group of I&S Voices volunteers.
As an I&S Voices volunteer, you will share your story and give us your feedback on what we produce so we can keep improving the information and support we have on our website and in print.
What will you be doing?
Your role might include some of the following:
- Reading and sharing your thoughts on a piece of written content.
- Watching and giving your opinion on a video.
- Having a phone call to talk about your experience.
- Being part of a group discussion about a particular topic.
What’s in it for you?
- Flexible volunteering – there’s no time commitment, and you can always turn down a request.
- Opportunity to make real changes to Marie Curie’s information and support for others affected by terminal illness.
- Opportunity to be involved with a national leader in palliative and end of life care.
- A supportive contact within the Information and Support team.
Marie Curie reserve the right to colse this opportunity early
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
JOB DESCRIPTION
This advert is listed in Welsh first followed by English.
Pam mae angen eich help arnom
Mae ymdopi â phrofedigaeth yn cynnwys emosiynau poenus, derbyn colled a gwneud addasiadau mewn bywyd. Mae llawer o bobl yn ei chael hi'n gysur mawr cael rhywun i siarad â nhw am sut maen nhw'n teimlo yn ystod y cyfnod anodd hwn.
Rydym yn edrych am wirfoddolwyr i ddarparu cymorth emosiynol dros y ffôn i oedolion sydd mewn profedigaeth oherwydd salwch terfynol. Bydd y rôl hon yn cefnogi unigolion sydd wedi cysylltu â ni drwy’n Llinell Gymorth ffôn genedlaethol. Byddwch yn eu helpu i archwilio’u teimladau ac addasu i fywyd ar ôl profedigaeth. Darperir hyfforddiant, cymorth a goruchwyliaeth.
Beth rydym angen i chi ei wneud
Bydd eich rôl yn cynnwys rhai o’r tasgau canlynol:
- Darparu cymorth emosiynol byrdymor dros y ffôn i gleientiaid rydych wedi paru â nhw am hyd at 12 sesiwn o 45 munud (fel arfer 1 neu 2 ar unrhyw adeg benodol)
- Gwrando’n astud ar gleientiaid ac archwilio’u teimladau am golled ag empathi a sensitifrwydd
- Cyfeirio’r cleient at ffynonellau gwybodaeth a chymorth priodol yn ôl yr angen
- Cwblhau dogfennau angenrheidiol fel sy’n ofynnol gan y gwasanaeth (e.e. Cytundeb Gweithio Cyfrinachol) a throsglwyddo gwybodaeth briodol am y gwasanaeth i’ch rheolwr goruchwylio.
- Cymryd rhan mewn goruchwyliaeth un-i-un a/neu grŵp gyda chyswllt penodedig yn rheolaidd (a ragwelir unwaith y mis, dros y ffôn neu Skype)
- Ymgymryd â hyfforddiant cychwynnol a pharhaus yn unol â’r rôl; peth wyneb yn wyneb, peth ar-lein
Pa sgiliau neu brofiad sydd eu hangen arnoch?
- Y gallu i ddarparu cymorth emosiynol heb feirniadaeth ac o fewn ffiniau
- Y gallu i ddelio â phobl mewn profedigaeth yn sensitif a chael ymwybyddiaeth o’u hanghenion unigol
- Amynedd, empathi a sefydlogrwydd emosiynol
- Ymroddiad a dibynadwyedd – y gallu i gadw apwyntiadau a gwirfoddoli am hyd paru â chleient
- Dealltwriaeth o bwysigrwydd diogelu a chaw cyfrinachedd cleientiaid
- Parodrwydd i ddysgu ac ymgymryd â hyfforddiant gofynnol a chymryd rhan mewn goruchwyliaeth cymorth
- Sgiliau TG sylfaenol a’r gallu, neu’r parodrwydd i ddysgu, i ddefnyddio technoleg Skype
- Siarad cymraeg yn ddymunol
Gofynion gweithio
- Man tawel a chyfrinachol i weithio, heb aflonyddwch neu ymyrraeth
- Mynediad at ffôn clyfar, gliniadur neu gyfrifiadur bwrdd gwaith
- Ar gael ar yr un pryd bob wythnos am hyd at 12 sesiwn
- Bodlonrwydd a’r gallu i deithio o fewn y DU unwaith neu ddwywaith y flwyddyn ar gyfer hyfforddiant a chymorth – bydd gofyn i chi aros dros nos/dros y penwythnos ar gyfer hyfforddiant (bydd treuliau’n cael eu had-dalu)
Beth allwn ni ei gynnig i chi:
- Cyfle gwych i adeiladu ar eich sgiliau mewn amgylchedd elusen
- Cyflwyniad, hyfforddiant a goruchwyliaeth yn eich rôl
- Treuliau parod rhesymol y cytunwyd arnynt
Yr hyn rydym yn ei ofyn gennych chi:
- Darparu dau eirda gan bobl nad ydynt yn aelodau o’ch teulu a dogfennau perthnasol eraill sy'n ymwneud â'r rôl
- Cadw at holl bolisïau a gweithdrefnau’r elusen
- Cwblhau cyflwyniad ac unrhyw hyfforddiant sy’n gysylltiedig â'r rôl
Mae Marie Curie wedi ymrwymo i ddiogelu a hyrwyddo lles cleifion a’u teuluoedd ac yn disgwyl i’n holl staff a gwirfoddolwyr rannu’r ymrwymiad hwn. Bydd Marie Curie’n trin pob gwirfoddolwr yn deg ac â pharch. Ni fyddwn yn gwahaniaethu ar sail anabledd, ethnigrwydd, statws priodasol, beichiogrwydd neu famolaeth, rhyw (h.y. rhywedd), cyfeiriadedd rhywiol, crefydd neu ffydd, neu ailbennu rhywedd. Ni fyddwn yn gwahaniaethu ar sail oedran, oni bai fod cyfrifoldebau rôl yn gofyn i ni wneud hynny er mwyn diogelu ein gwirfoddolwyr a/neu ddefnyddwyr gwasanaeth.
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Why we need your help
Coping with bereavement involves painful emotions, coming to terms with loss and making adjustments in life. Many people find it a great comfort to have someone to talk to about how they are feeling during this difficult time.
We are looking for volunteers to provide emotional support over the phone to adults who have been bereaved by a terminal illness. This role will be supporting individuals who have made contact with us through our national telephone Support Line. You will be helping them to explore their feelings and adapt to life post-bereavement. Training, support and supervision will be provided.
What we need you to do
Your role will include the following tasks:
- Provide short-term emotional support over the phone to matched clients for up to 6, 45-minute, sessions (normally 1 or 2 at any given time)
- Actively listen to clients and explore their feelings around their loss with empathy and sensitivity
- Direct clients to relevant sources of information and support as needed
- Complete necessary documentation as required by the service (e.g. Confidential Working Agreement) and pass on appropriate service information to your supervising manager
- Participate in one-to-one and or group supervision with an assigned contact on a regular basis (around once a month, by phone or skype)
- Undertake both initial and ongoing training in line with the role, some of which will be face-to-face, some independent study. This includes attending a two-day (likely weekend) training programme.
What skills or experience do you need?
- Ability to provide emotional support without judgement and within boundaries
- Ability to deal sensitively with bereaved people and have an awareness of their individual needs
- Patience, empathy and emotional stability
- Commitment and reliability – able to keep to appointments and volunteer for the duration of a client match
- An understanding of the importance of safeguarding and maintaining client confidentiality
- Willingness to learn and undertake required training and participate in support supervision
- Basic IT skills and the ability, or willingness to learn, to use the calling system.
- Welsh speaking is desirable
Working requirements
- A quiet and confidential space for working, away from distraction or interruption
- Access to a smartphone, laptop or desktop computer
- Available at the same time every week for up to 6 sessions
- Willingness and ability to travel within the UK once or twice a year for training and support – training will require a weekend, (overnight stay depending on location). Expenses will be reimbursed.
What we can offer you:
- An excellent opportunity to build on your skills in a charity environment and to be involved in delivering a brand-new national service
- An induction, initial and ongoing training, (including on grief and bereavement), support and supervision in your role
- Agreed reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, for both training and service delivery e.g. train tickets and call costs
What we ask of you:
- To keep to all the charity’s policies and guidelines
- To complete an induction and any training related to the role
Marie Curie is committed to being a diverse and inclusive charity. We aim to demonstrate support for all of our staff and volunteers, valuing each individual’s contribution regardless of age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, civil partnership status, disability, nationality, race, religion or belief. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to our staff and volunteers and to taking steps to ensure our staff and volunteers are protected from discrimination.
About Us
Mae pob diwrnod o’ch bywyd yn bwysig – o’r cyntaf i’r olaf. Pan fyddwch yn gwirfoddoli i Marie Curie, byddwch yn deall hynny’n well nag erioed. Rydym yn dîm angerddol, ymroddedig ac amrywiol o dros 4,400 o staff a 6,500 o wirfoddolwyr sydd yma i bobl sy’n byw gydag unrhyw salwch terfynol, a’u teuluoedd. Rydym yn cynnig gofal, arweiniad a chymorth arbenigol i’w helpu i gael y budd mwyaf o’r amser sydd ar ôl ganddynt.
ABOUT US
Every day of your life matters – from the first to the last. When you volunteer for Marie Curie, you understand that better than ever. We’re a passionate, committed and diverse team of more than 4,400 staff and 6,500 volunteers, here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support, to help them get the most from the time they have left.
Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work. We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.
Marie Curie is committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Deafblind UK members have combined sight and hearing loss and many can feel lonely or socially isolated. We offer a free telephone befriending service where we match volunteers with one of our members to have a weekly 30 minute chat together.
We are looking for confident, empathetic and friendly people who can hold a good conversation. You could be chatting about similar interests or learning about each other’s lives. Whatever the conversation you’ll be having a positive impact.
One 30 minute call seems really simple but having someone to talk to and someone to listen, could really make a difference to our members. It could be that you’re the only person they speak to that day, or even that week.
Our members love to chat with people who have had some life experience and stories to tell. You will need good communication skills and be able to strike up a conversation. You will also need to be reliable, patient with a naturally warm and friendly nature.
We will ensure you are supported throughout your journey with us, offering training and support at all times.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you want to increase your admin or customer service skills? Then we have the perfect volunteering opportunity for you...
We are are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who want to support our members and join our friendly team of staff and volunteers. In this role, you will be assisting with the incoming calls coming into the National Helpline. Our members get in touch for a whole host of reasons - no day is the same! Some knowledge or experience of sight and or hearing loss would be an advantage in this particular role and confidence in speaking with people of all ages and backgrounds over the phone.
Duties would be varied ranging from dealing with basic incoming contact and referring any complex issues to our Membership Services team, updating our information library or carrying out research to support our work helping those with sight and hearing loss. You’ll receive full one to one training and gain a range of new skills and the confidence to use them. Although this is a remote role, there will always be a member of the team available to support you in your role.
We are looking for volunteers who would be available to support us in a slot between 10.00am – 12.00pm Mondays and Tuesdays.
Volunteering is a great way of improving you own skills and supporting others - why not join the team and make a difference to real people's lives......
Join our amazing team and make a real difference to people living with sight loss. Help create a welcoming and safe environment for people to share their experiences, ask questions and support each other and connect with a local community in a group setting via Facebook.
In this role you will be:
• Managing group membership – authorising Requests to Join.
• Creating a warm and welcoming environment.
• Supporting group conversations.
• Working with a Volunteer Moderator Team to create engaging content for the Group.
• Ensuring House Rules are followed and content is appropriate.
What you’ll gain from the role:
• An opportunity to give something back.
• A chance to build a strong community.
• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.
In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking for warm, friendly people who enjoy a bit of a chat!
Here at Deafblind UK, we contact our members on their special day to wish them best wishes on their birthday and are looking for confident, chatty and friendly individuals to join our amazing volunteer team to make calls on a Wednesday and a Friday.
No previous experience is necessary - You just need to be comfortable talking over the phone, engaging, able to instigate conversations and able to commit to regular weekly calls.
Full training is provided along with full support and guidance.
Yes! This is the role for me.....then apply today!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Keeping in regular contact with our members to check on their wellbeing is one of our key services.
Our Wellbeing Volunteers contact a range of different members every week to make a friendly 'check in' call and have a chat. During these calls, you'll provide the opportunity for our members to talk, offer friendly support and make them aware of the Deafblind UK services available to them.
Whatever the conversation you’ll be making a positive difference!
This is a home based role so you don't need to be 'local' and you don’t need experience to become one of our Wellbeing Volunteers. The majority of our members communicate with clear speech so no specialised skills or knowledge is required. You just need to be comfortable chatting over the phone and be able to commit to a regular weekly time slot to make calls to our members. Some knowledge or experience of sight and or hearing loss would be an advantage in this particular role and confidence in speaking with people of all ages and backgrounds.
We provide full training and ongoing support in this role and ask for a minimum commitment of three months.
We require you to have Wifi and access to a PC, tablet or mobile device. This is to allow you to complete training, have access to the Deafblind UK phone system and to submit online contact logs.
Volunteering with our charity is special because you get to hear first-hand the difference you make to people’s lives. Click on 'apply' and make a difference today!
Member of Connexional Solidarity Circles (Carers, Rural, Disability, LGBT+, Racial Justice, and Women)
Closing date: 9am on 7 May 2024
Proposed start date: 1 Sep 2024
Solidarity Circles for Disability, LGBT+, Racial Justice, and Women were launched in September 2023 as part of the Strategy for Justice, Dignity and Solidarity. We hope to start 2 new Solidarity Circles – one for Carers and one for Rural Communities in September 2024.
Solidarity Circles are online meetings for the Methodist Church to support people in different diversities of the Church’s life to meet regularly, to support one another and to raise with relevant Church leaders the concerns that need to be addressed. These circles act as consultative groups for the work of the Methodist Church and are supported and led by a volunteer coordinator.
Each Solidarity Circle is formed of up to 15 members who are appointed for one, two or three years with up to five new members recruited each year to ensure a diversity of views and experience are heard.
If you are passionate about working with others towards a fully inclusive church and meet the criteria then please consider applying to join one or more of the Solidarity Circles.
- Solidarity Circle for Disability
- Solidarity Circle for LGBT+
- Solidarity Circle for Racial Justice
- Solidarity Circle for Women
- Solidarity Circle for Carers
- Solidarity Circle for Rural Communities
For the role description and Solidarity Circle Terms of Reference, please review the Solidarity Circle Information pack. The pack also details the additional information regarding preferences and availability, which will need to be noted on your application.
The closing date for applications is 7 May 2024 by 9am.
A drop-in session has been arranged to support the recruitment for new Solidarity Circle members. The session will take place on 24 April from 7-8pm
Please view job on the Methodist Church jobs page to register your interest to attend drop-in
The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Child . org is a data-driven charity working to champion perinatal health in Kenya, where neonatal mortality rates have barely changed in the last 5 years. We're seeking a new trustee to join us in driving our strategy forward.
What will you be doing?
Child . org is a data-driven charity working to champion perinatal health in Kenya, where neonatal mortality rates have barely changed in the last 5 years. We work with parents, communities and government in Kenya to provide life-saving antenatal and postnatal health information, connect at-risk mums and babies with the healthcare services they need and work with local health authorities to advocate for and improve the quality of perinatal care.
We’re a small but ambitious organisation. We have a small team who make a big impact. We pride ourselves on our core values and the culture we have built. Our team is split between Bristol in the UK and Nairobi and Meru in Kenya. Our board of Trustees are mostly based in the South West but also in London and the US.
We are currently launching our new strategy and as part of that, we want to broaden the skills and experience of our board. We are looking for people who are passionate about the work we do, who are able to provide support, share ideas and inspire our team and our work. It doesn’t matter where in the world you are; what matters is your drive, commitment to change and what you can bring to the table.
We are especially keen to broaden the demographic of our board and to gain more contextual insight of where we work. People with a connection to Kenya, particularly those working in or with experience of maternal and neonatal health, are strongly encouraged to apply.
What are we looking for?
- Willing to devote the necessary time and effort to being an effective Trustee (and Chairperson)
- Committed to our Vision, Approach, Values and Goals
- Leaders, with demonstrable skills and experience
- High emotional intelligence with a high level of self-awareness
- Strategic in their vision, with an understanding of strategic delivery
- Balanced with an informed approach to risk
- Passionate about maternal and neonatal health
- Understanding and accepting of the legal, financial, audit and other regulatory requirements of a charity
What difference will you make?
As a Child . org Trustee, you'll play a pivotal role in driving positive change and improving perinatal health outcomes in Kenya. You will contribute to shaping and executing the newly developed strategic vision of Child . org. You will contribute to risk management and decision-making processes, ensuring effective governance and sustainability. Through collaboration, mentorship, and engagement with staff, you'll contribute to building a stronger, more resilient organisation that continues to champion perinatal health for years to come.
Before you apply
As a first step, please send your CV and expression of interest which outlines why you think you could be a good fit for Child . org. If we agree that you could be, we will send you a short questionnaire and to arrange an informal interview with the chair of our board. Please send applications via Reach in the first instance.
The next stage will be a formal interview with multiple board members and the CEO. We expect to appoint later in the year, around October, if not before.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Come and Mentor for Us!
What is Mentor Mums?
Mentor Mums exists in recognition of the fact that there is very little support for parents stepping back into the workplace after time away and it’s not always easy.
Whether parents step back reluctantly, or with huge ambition and drive, there’s no doubt that the first few months are full of bumps in the road, as they navigate everything from organizational or management changes to emergency calls from nursery requesting the collection of a sick baby!
People often feel that although their job stays largely the same, everything else about them, such as their priorities, sense of identity or capacity to work, has changed.
We help support parents through this, by providing them with a mentor who works in the same profession, but is a few steps ahead in their parenting journey and can give them advice and support as they return.
Who are you for?
We welcome parents of all kinds, inclusive of gender, sexuality, adoptive parents and those from all models of family, who have taken a period time out of work to care for their children and would like support in returning to work.
Some of our mentees are seeking emotional and pastoral support, while others are focused on career progression and getting back up to date with their professional skills or knowledge.
What do you do?
Our mentoring programme is totally free to access, and matches newly returning parents with mentors who work in a similar professional role and can help them navigate their journey as a working parent.
Mentorships usually take place virtually, or occasionally in person, and mentors offer 6 hours of their time over 6 months to help someone initially survive, but eventually to thrive.
What is the onboarding process?
All mentors and mentees book in for an initial chat with one of our team, so we can check your fit for our programme, understand your professional role, and get a sense of your own experience of becoming a parent.
In mentors, we’re looking for people who remember the challenges, are ready to support someone in a non-judgmental or prescriptive way, and who are willing to be open about the struggles they encountered in their own journey.
What is the time commitment for volunteers?
The initial onboarding call with our team takes around 20 minutes, and further to this we ask mentors to watch a short (15 minute) video and read our handbook.
We then ask for a commitment to a mentee of 6 hours across 6 months (roughly 1 hour per month), plus admin time pre-post sessions. The 6-session model is tried and tested. It helps people move from ‘survival mode’ to thinking about the longer-term future, whether that includes growing their family further and/or progressing in their career, leaving them in a position of strength when the mentoring comes to an end.
Why would you recommend volunteering as a mentor?
People generally mentor for us because they understand the challenges others are facing as they return, and often wish this service had existed when they returned themselves! This is a chance to be the lifeline that another parent needs, helping them to return to their job successfully whilst also embracing family life.
Previous participants have told us the programme has made a huge difference to their return.
Mentees have said:
“There was an opportunity for a promotion shortly after I returned. My mentor helped me remember what I was capable of doing, and taught me that I can do so much more than I thought. Friends will support you, but sometimes you need to hear from someone who can offer an impartial ear.”
“My experience with Mentor Mums has been amazing - it was exactly the support that I didn’t even realise I needed at the right time. My mentor provided me with planning strategies, and so many work-day framing exercises. She instilled confidence into me; empowering me to make the right decisions, question stakeholders and even helped me pluck up the courage to ask for a promotion and pay rise. Mentoring has benefited my life in so many ways.”
Mentors have said:
“Mentoring someone else has been a growth experience for me – through the conversations I notice more about my own approaches to certain situations, and the things I still need to work on. Mentoring also gives me the chance to consider the way I support those in my own company grappling with similar challenges.”
“Mentoring has been a really rewarding experience. My mentee and I still keep in touch and it’s become a more mutually beneficial relationship over time.”
What types of professionals/experience are you looking for?
We would welcome mentors from all areas of the business at all levels of seniority and we currently have a long waiting list for mentors! We try to match people with their professional peers, except when we feel that particular lived experience (e.g. bereavement during parenthood, life as an adoptive parent, etc) might provide better synergy between a mentee and their mentor.
Who is eligible to be a mentor?
Anyone with lived experience as a working parent or carer of a young child is eligible to mentor for us. We expect all our mentors to adopt an inclusive attitude, mentoring people regardless of any protected characteristic, offering support without judgement.
How can we can get involved?
You can apply to mentor via our website. You’ll be asked to create a login and sign up for a call. Then we’ll match you with a mentee as soon as we find one and you can get started straight away!
Where can we find out more?
You can find FAQs on our website here. If you have further questions, please email us.
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.
We are hiring! Trustee vacancy
- Time Commitment: typically, 4 hours per month, for a term of 3 years (initial 12-month period)
- Location: Board meetings are held 4 times per year, and we work to find times that are accessible for Board members, which could include evenings and weekends. We meet twice a year in person in Oxford, and twice a year via Teams
- Renumeration: this is a voluntary role and reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed
About Us
An independent charity, The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) has been leading efforts to incorporate the values of environmental sustainability into the health sector since its establishment in 2008. Our work is underpinned by CSH’s Principles of Sustainable Clinical Practice: prevention; patient empowerment; lean care systems; low carbon alternatives.
CSH has a particular focus on:
- engaging those on the front line of patient care and promoting the concept of ‘sustainable clinical practice’
- enabling the use of the natural environment at NHS settings to be used as ‘nature-based solutions’ in healthcare.
As a trustee of our charity, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in shaping our organisation's future direction. The Board culture is friendly and lively, with an openness to creative ideas and input. There is a focus on core mission and values to inform decision making processes. The meetings will be focused, effective and inspiring, and led in line with CSH’s overarching aim to transform healthcare for a sustainable future. The Board values diversity and welcomes applicants from a range of backgrounds.
About You
We particularly welcome new trustees who could bring skills and experience in financial management or legal and IP transfer. Though please do not be put off from applying if you do not have any of these skills or if you have never been a Trustee before.
How To Apply
For an informal conversation about the opportunity, please contact us.
To apply, please send an up-to-date CV (or Linkedin profile) and simple covering letter answering two questions:
- why you’re interested in supporting CSH
- what you hope to bring to the Board
Or if you prefer to record your cover letter, verbally or with video, that’s also welcomed. Please contact us if you have any other accessibility needs or if you would like help with applying.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.