Volunteer roles

Our partner provides practical support and financial assistance to people forced to travel to access abortion care, operating across Europe and beyond, whilst working towards a future where safe, legal abortion is accessible to all.

They are seeking a Treasurer with strong finance and accounting experience to join the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer will provide oversight of financial strategy, risk and compliance, review management accounts and budgets, and support the preparation of annual accounts in collaboration with the staff team and bookkeeper.

The post-holder will bring charity governance experience, commercial awareness, and the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial trustees. A commitment to the organisation’s pro-abortion, feminist and anti-oppressive values is essential.

The Board meets remotely every six weeks, with an additional monthly Governance Working Group meeting. Occasional in-person gatherings may take place every couple of years. The time commitment is approximately 5 hours per month.

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For more Trustee & Treasurer roles please visit the AfID website.

We are working in partnership with Edmund Sawyer Almshouse, a charity first established in the 17th Century for six women in need in Kettering. The building is Grade 11 star listed. It is reputed to be the oldest building in Kettering. The charity had fallen into poor condition in 2018, and the board of the Leonard Hackett Memorial Trust stepped in and took over the charity and rescued the buildings carrying out immediate refurbishment.

They are now looking to recruit Trustees to join its Board of Trustees, which sets and approves the charity’s strategy ensuring the charity's continued success and sustainability, overseeing the ongoing care of the historic buildings, and ensuring the residents feel supported, valued, and at home. 

You’ll be part of a small team responsible for protecting and enhancing a vital community asset, balancing tradition with modern needs. 

Edmund Sawyer is particularly keen to hear from people who can bring the following skills and experience:

• Finance with a charity background desirable not essential 
• Health and welfare of elderly people
• Management of social housing/Local Authority background/Regulation of social housing
• Law/Paralegal 
• Charity governance

And with the following personal qualities:

• Commitment to Edmund Sawyer values.
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort using your knowledge and skills for the benefit of the charity.
• Good judgment and the ability to think creatively.
• The willingness to speak your mind and to work effectively as a member of a team and to take collective responsibility.
• The role of Trustee can be enormously interesting, rewarding, and enjoyable.

As a trustee of Edmund Sawyer Almshouse, you will be safeguarding the legacy of this charitable institution, ensuring the buildings are properly maintained and cared for and supporting residents and making sure they feel secure and welcome in their homes.  You will also be part of the strategy to guide the future direction of the Almshouse to meet evolving community needs.

For more information, please contact Sandra Smith, Associate Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Applications should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement. 

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

Time commitment: Trustees are expected to attend a minimum of 5 meetings per year. This is four Trustee Review Meetings and one AGM. Given the size of the charity, it is likely that trustees would also be involved in the odd ad hoc meeting relating to property or resident issues.

Closing date for applications: 14th September 2025 

Interviews: TBC

The Sociological Review Foundation, a registered charity that exists to advance public education on the subject of sociology and related disciplines, is looking to appoint an individual to join the Board of Trustees during an exciting time of organisational growth and development. We are looking to appoint a trustee with experience in fundraising, partnerships and marketing/enterprise development.

What We’re Looking For

We are inviting expressions of interest from individuals who bring experience in one or more of the following:

· Fundraising, philanthropy or donor engagement

· Corporate or academic partnerships

· Social enterprise or charity income generation

· Marketing or strategic communications in the non-profit sector

Your responsibilities as a trustee will include the following:

● To work with other trustees to ensure that the Foundation complies with its articles of association, pursues and works within its mission and charitable objectives, functions within relevant legal and financial requirements, and applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives

● To provide guidance on the Foundation’s fundraising, partnership and income generation strategy in collaboration with the Deputy CEO Fundraising

● To support the development of sustainable funding models and strategic growth initiatives

● To offer insight into market positioning and audience engagement

● To be aware of, and conform to, the responsibilities of a trustee and company director

● To participate in at least three Board meetings each year, as well as the Annual General Meeting. Some of these meetings will take place on Zoom, others in person (in London or other cities in England)

● To commit up to one hour per week on average to the role, including Board meetings

● To play an ambassadorial role and promote the Foundation

● To act in the best interests of the charity and to comply at all times with its policies and procedures.

This is not a paid position; however, travel and any childcare expenses while on trustee business will be covered in line with our expenses claim policy.

Previous experience as a charity trustee is desirable but not essential. You will receive training on the duties and responsibilities of trustees at the beginning of your appointment.

To apply, please send your CV and a one-page covering letter to Operations Director Attila Szanto, outlining your interest in the role and what you feel you would bring to it. The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday 15 August 2025.

What will you be doing? 

• Carrying out horticultural tasks for designated gardens to agreed maintence standards.
• Weeding all areas of the grounds, including our sensory garden and 'Thank you' Garden.
• General maintenance of all garden areas including pruning, shrubs, digging and hoeing. 
• Maintaining good access: Path maintenance 
• Comply with health and safety guidelines when using tools. 

What skills would be useful? 

• Previous gardening experience
• Keen interest in gardening 
• Willingness to help
• Ability to work in a team
• Reliable

Are you a creative, friendly, open-minded person who wants to gain experience working with Children? Caudwell Children are looking for volunteers to help with our Short Break Activity Sessions!

Our Short Break Activity Sessions enable disabled children to access fun, inspirational and challenging leisure activities that build life skills and promote independence whilst providing carers with vital short break respite.

With our support, disabled children and young people get to explore their interests, talents and develop vital life skills. Activities can lead to ASDAN accreditation. Short break activities build future hopes and aspirations and provide children with the confidence to achieve their full potential.

Roles and Responsibilities:

- Assist Caudwell Children staff member(s) in running the short break activity sessions

- Help to ensure all children are safe during the activity sessions

- Support staff members with planned activities

- Participate in setting up an activity and helping with the set down

- Communicate and work with the children to ensure they have fun

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria

- Friendly and approachable personality

- Punctual and reliable

- Experience of working/ volunteering with children

- Creative personality

Desirable Criteria

- Experience of working/ volunteering with children with an additional need

- Experience of working/ volunteering in a charity/ third sector

- Experience of education or an educational setting

This role takes place on weekends only. We suggest a minimum commitment of 6 months for this role – full training and support will be provided.

Join South Gloucestershire & Stroud College and play an important role in the continued success and growth of an exceptionally good college with outstanding features.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Friday 5th September 2025

Location: Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire and Bristol

Time commitment: c.15 hours per year

About South Gloucestershire & Stroud College

SGS has three main campuses, Stroud, Filton and WISE, as well as many local community venues. We also have venues in Berkeley, the centre of Bristol, at the West of England Academy of Art and Bristol Zoo Gardens. We welcome around 10,000 full-time and part-time students of all ages each year, with our largest cohort being almost 4,100 16–18-year-olds.

As a regional college, we offer a diverse range of vocational and academic courses in a broad spectrum of subjects, from business to sport, performing arts to media. Whatever our students want to study, there is bound to be a course that suits their needs. Furthermore, SGS has an excellent reputation for delivering work-based programmes, such as apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships, and professional training. If it is a practical course for a chosen career, it is likely that we have a solution.

We are committed to giving every one of our students the best possible education.

Our experienced and professional staff work hard to help our students achieve the right qualifications and develop the skills necessary to move into employment or further study, including into our own higher education provision delivered in partnership with the University of Gloucestershire. We are proud of SGS and committed to making the college the best it can be.

About the roles

South Gloucestershire & Stroud College is seeking to appoint additional Governors who will bring their experience and expertise to the Board, providing constructive challenge and support to help drive the college forward.

Being a Governor in the FE sector is like no other voluntary role. With South Gloucestershire & Stroud College (SGS), you will work as part of the Corporation, led by our experienced Chair, Matt Atkinson, in overseeing the strategic direction and pace of the college. Our Governors ensure effective oversight of a high-quality and economically focused curriculum offer, while ensuring organisational finances are well-planned and risk is well mitigated.

The role offers a fantastic opportunity to join an ambitious and committed Corporation and genuinely have an impact on the future success of the college, its students, and its communities.

Who we are looking for

We are looking to engage professional individuals who care about the role skills play in delivering economic growth and social cohesion, and who can demonstrate a track record of significant and impactful strategic leadership that should underpin this passion and commitment.

This experience can be drawn from a variety of sectors, with individuals bringing different areas of expertise. What matters most is the ability to proactively engage with the Board, contributing to its work through effective challenge, scrutiny, and support in all discussions.

Peridot Partners and South Gloucestershire & Stroud College are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Friday 5th September 2025.

We’re seeking a strategic Chairperson to guide our Board and champion our mission. Candidates should have senior leadership experience, strong communication skills, charity governance knowledge, a passion for wildlife conservation.

Objective​

The Chair will provide supportive and inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, the Chief Operating Director, staff, and volunteers—helping everyone stay aligned with the charity’s mission and vision. They’ll work to ensure that each trustee feels confident in fulfilling their responsibilities and that the Board operates as a cohesive and effective team.

The Chair will also collaborate closely with the Chief Operating Director, supporting them in their role and fostering strong relationships across the organisation. Together, they’ll help the charity achieve its goals, with the Chair also serving as an ambassador and public representative of the charity.

Key Skills

• ​Proven senior leadership and governance experience
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Understanding of charity governance and trustee duties
• Passion for wildlife conservation

Principle Responsibilities: Chair Role

The Chair provides strategic leadership to ensure the charity delivers maximum impact in conserving birds of prey. They guide the Board in fulfilling governance duties, setting clear direction, managing risks and opportunities, and ensuring financial accountability.

The Chair also oversees effective governance practices, supports Board development, encourages positive change, manages conflict, leads annual performance appraisals, and ensures the Board has the right balance of skills and experience to lead the charity effectively, all while operating within agreed policies

​Location

• Sculthorpe, Fakenham, Norfolk (UK Administrative Centre
• Flexible and remote-friendly – most meetings held virtually
• Some in-person attendance required in London, Sculthorpe, or Shapwick (Somerset)

Remuneration

• ​Voluntary position
• All reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed

Term

​The charity’s Chair (and board members) will serve a three-year term to be eligible for reappointment for one additional term. ​

Closing date: 09:00 Tuesday 12th August 2025

Location: Oxfordshire Discovery College, Didcot
Commitment: To be confirmed with the volunteer – expected minimum 4 hours per month
Reports to: Volunteer Manager

Role Overview

We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented volunteer to assist our charity with essential administrative tasks. Your contribution will help maintain efficient operations and support our team in delivering vital services to the community.

Key Tasks

As an Administrative Support Volunteer, your activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting Facilitators: Assist in preparing programs for delivery, including printing and organising resources.

• Office Organization: Help maintain a tidy and well-organised office environment.

• Document Management: Organise and file physical and electronic documents, ensuring easy access.

• Data Inputting: Accurately input data into our systems and databases.

• Database Creation: Assist in creating and maintaining new databases, ensuring data is up-to-date and organised.

• General Administrative Support:

  • Answering emails and assisting with routine communications.

  • Preparing for events by managing logistics and resources.

  • Completing stock takes and keeping inventory organised.

Skills and Experience

• Attention to Detail: Ensure accuracy and precision in all administrative tasks, especially data inputting.

• Organisational Skills: Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively.

• Basic IT Skills: Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and basic database management (training provided if needed).

• Communication Skills: Ability to work well within a team, including collaborating with staff and other volunteers.

• Previous Experience (Optional): Any prior experience in administration, data entry, or office work would be beneficial but is not essential.

What We Offer

• Training: Full training provided for all tasks.

• Flexible Schedule: Volunteer hours can be arranged to suit your availability.

• Regular Supervisions: Supportive check-ins to review your role and tasks.

• Wellness Action Plan: We prioritise volunteer well-being through personalised wellness plans.

• Make an Impact: Your involvement will significantly enhance our ability to provide services effectively.

Location: Oxfordshire Discovery College, Didcot 
Commitment: To be confirmed with the volunteer  - Expected minimum 3 hours a week for a period of 6 weeks.
Reports to: Volunteer Manager

Role Overview

We are seeking a confident and compassionate volunteer to co-facilitate our mental health and wellbeing programmes for adults who care for or support young people struggling with their mental health. Working alongside an ODC staff facilitator, you'll help create safe, inclusive spaces that encourage open conversation, emotional safety, and mutual respect. 

This role is ideal for someone with lived or professional experience of mental health who is confident working with groups and interested in supporting others. You’ll contribute to meaningful sessions that empower adults and indirectly benefit young people across Oxfordshire.

We ask all volunteers to be open, honest, and reflective about the skills they already bring, the areas they’d like to develop, and their current mental health and wellbeing so that we can support you to facilitate safely and sustainably.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people, while being part of a collaborative, values-driven team. It’s also a great chance to develop your facilitation skills and gain hands-on experience in mental health psychoeducation. We provide full training, regular supervision, and ongoing support and we welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Key Tasks

As a facilitator, your activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Being reliability, committing to agreed dates and tasks

• Co-facilitate engaging, structured group sessions for supportive adults in a community setting, alongside one of our staff facilitators

• Create a safe, inclusive and supportive group environment, encouraging participation, emotional safety, and mutual respect

• Managing the group alone for short periods and engaging in sensitive 1:1 conversations if the staff facilitator is briefly otherwise engaged.

• Undertake appropriate safeguarding training, be alert to safeguarding concerns, follow ODC’s safeguarding procedures, and report any concerns promptly to the designated safeguarding lead.

• Assist with setting up and packing down sessions, and help manage session resources as needed

• Take part in session debriefs, offering insights and feedback to support ongoing programme improvement

• Participate in relevant training and supervision, including safeguarding, ODC  policies, programme orientation, and ongoing reflective practice

• Work alongside ODC staff, upholding our values around co-production, youth voice, and mental health support

Optional Activities

• Support with session planning and preparation, contributing ideas and helping shape delivery in line with programme aims

• Support with programme administration and data entry, such as attendance logs, feedback forms or basic evaluation tasks

• Where appropriate and possible to share parts of your own lived experience journey

• Carry out 1:1 learning and support meetings with participants prior to programme delivery. 

Skills and Experience

We’re looking for volunteers who can bring some of the following skills and experience to the role. We don’t expect that you will meet every point — we value both professional and lived experience, and we offer training and support to help you grow and develop your skills.

• Working with adults in group settings

• Experience as a supportive adult to a young person struggling with their mental health

• Knowledge of mental health, emotional wellbeing, and youth voice

• Planning, organising and basic admin tasks

• Computer literate

• Working as part of a team and ability to reflect on your own practice

• Awareness of safeguarding principles 

• Lived experience of mental health challenges (this may include your own experience or supporting others)

• Professional expertise eg mental health, education, youth work 

What We Offer

• Training: Full training provided.

• Opportunities for development: We will support you to build confidence, grow your skills and gain valuable experience with this role.

• Regular Supervisions: Supportive check-ins to review your role and tasks.

• Wellness Action Plan: We prioritise volunteer well-being through personalised wellness plans.

• Make an Impact: Your involvement will significantly enhance our ability to provide services effectively and make a difference to the lives of young people in Oxfordshire.

Hardwick Trust is recruiting for charity Trustees

Hardwick Estate is a 900 acre organically-managed Estate and thriving rural community in the South Chilterns near Whitchurch-on-Thames, which is in the process of becoming England's first community-led Estate.

We have recently elected seven Interim Trustees from the Hardwick community and are now seeking three further external Trustees to co-opt onto the Interim board. This Board will steer Hardwick Estate through the transition and into the Charitable Company (Hardwick Trust) including setting up policies and procedures and doing due diligence on the Estate as a 'going concern' in order to receive the gift of land and assets.

We are seeking Trustees with good knowledge and experience in any of these areas:

• Setting up and/or running a complex charity.

• Legal, regulatory and policy issues affecting us as a Charitable Company.

• Good networks with relevant people and organisations that could support us.

• Financial auditing.

In addition it would be desirable if Co-opted Trustees also had any experience in:

• The main fields of the Trust’s charitable objectives: organic land management and environmental protection; public education; and/or delivering affordable housing

• Regulatory and/or policy issues in Estate Management.

The role entails attending 12 meetings per year, with a strong preference for in person attendance. There is no minimum or maximum term but we would expect co-opted Trustees to serve for at least a year.

Please contact us to request an application pack or further information. Applications to be received by 1st September 2025 for interviews in mid September.

Chair of the English Schools' FA's Inclusion Advisory Network (IAN)

Salary & benefits: This is a voluntary post although reasonable expenses will be
reimbursed
Role: Chair of Inclusion Advisory Network (IAN)
· To chair meetings of the national Inclusion Advisory Network (IAN) of the English Schools'
FA in accordance with its terms of reference. In so doing, prepare agendas and work with
the committee secretary to compile papers;
Responsible to: Chair of the Board of Trustees
Responsible for: Members of the IAN
Main responsibilities: To lead the IAN to fulfil their responsibilities to support the ESFA
with embedding inclusion into its everyday business and plans
· To support the recruitment, induction, retention and development of talented volunteers
on the IAN;
· Support the IAN to consider specific or other strategies to achieve inclusion aims, and
recommend such strategies to the Board via the Nominated Trustee;
· Lead the IAN in monitoring the progress of the EDI strategy including the Diversity and
Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) and advise on strategies to further its aims;
· Ensure that meetings are action-focused and an accurate meeting record is maintained;
· Attend FA inclusion events (where possible and relevant);
· Fulfil any financial responsibilities of the role as prescribed in the Financial Regulations;
· To comply with the requirements of the governance handbook.
· Support the ESFA Council and Board to fulfil their responsibilities;
· To act with high standards of professionalism, business integrity and personal conduct at
all times;
· Attend other occasional ESFA meetings (where possible and relevant);
· Support the Association to achieve external equality/inclusion accreditation;
· Participate in training, development and review processes necessary to fulfil the role;
· Lead the IAN in acting as a consultation group for key plans, policies and procedures
developed by the ESFA to conduct equality impact assessments (where possible) and
advise on strategies to improve inclusion;
· Follow up actions agreed at previous meetings to ensure completion;
· To act as an ambassador for the ESFA in the conduct of all business;

Role: Committee member of Inclusion Advisory Network (IAN)
Salary & benefits: This is a voluntary post although reasonable expenses will be
reimbursed
Responsible to: N/A
Inclusion Advisory Network (IAN)
Main responsibilities: Contribute to the IAN to fulfil their responsibilities to support the
ESFA with embedding inclusion into its everyday business and plans
· To attend meetings of the national Inclusion Advisory Network (IAN) of the English
Schools' FA in accordance with its terms of reference.
· Support the IAN to consider specific or other strategies to achieve inclusion aims, and
recommend such strategies to the Board via the Nominated Trustee;
· Contribute to monitoring the progress of the EDI strategy including the Diversity and
Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) and advise on strategies to further its aims;
· Support the IAN in acting as a consultation group for key plans, policies and procedures
developed by the ESFA to conduct equality impact assessments (where possible) and
advise on strategies to improve inclusion;
· Follow up actions agreed at previous meetings to ensure completion;
· To comply with the requirements of the governance handbook.
· Participate in training, development and review processes necessary to fulfil the role;
· Support the ESFA Council and Board to fulfil their responsibilities;
· Attend other occasional ESFA meetings (where possible and relevant);
· Ensure that contributions to meetings are action-focused;
· Support the Association to achieve external equality/inclusion accreditation;
· Attend FA inclusion events (where possible and relevant);
· Fulfil any financial responsibilities of the role as prescribed in the Financial Regulations;
· To act with high standards of professionalism, business integrity and personal conduct at
all times;
· To act as an ambassador for the ESFA in the conduct of all business;

Application & Recruitment Process

Selection shall be by open recruitment including interview and assessment, in accordance
with the ESFA's Safer Recruitment policy.

Candidates should apply by submitting a completed application form, along with a CV
which should demonstrate their suitability for the role. Documents must be submitted to
the CEO, Andrea Chilton no later than 9am on 31st July.
Interviews are expected to take place in mid August and shortlisted candidates will be
contacted during w/c 11th August.

Candidates are invited to submit the equality monitoring form. The information on this form
will be removed from you application prior to selection, only noting any declared
disabilities to meet the commitment to first interviews for such candidates. The information
you provide will be anonymized and otherwise only used for statistical monitoring
purposes.

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Volunteer Car Drivers to join our team based in Bristol. 

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in your community? Join us as a Patient Transport Volunteer Driver and become a vital part of our Patient Transport Service in your local area. Your commitment will ensure that vulnerable patients can access essential medical appointments on time with ease and comfort.

Our volunteer team is a diverse blend of individuals united by a shared desire to make a positive difference in their communities.

As a volunteer, you'll be the friendly face that patients rely on during their journey to appointments. Your role is simple yet profoundly impactful: providing safe and reliable transportation, while offering reassurance and support during a challenging time in their lives.

No prior experience is necessary - just bring your caring attitude, a 4-5 door car, and some spare time. Whether you're available from the crack of dawn or prefer flexible hours that fit around your schedule, every contribution counts.

By volunteering, you will experience the fulfilment of giving back to your community and supporting the NHS. Join our growing team of compassionate volunteers who are dedicated to enhancing patient care and making a real difference in people's lives.

What benefits can you expect?

·50p per mile with reimbursement for approved expenses

·The chance to make a tangible difference in your local community

·Be a part of our excellent EMED Volunteer Team

·Comprehensive induction, training, and ongoing support

·Opportunities to connect with new people

Other duties include:

·Drive patients to non-emergency appointments

·Assist individuals in accessing vital hospital services

·Coordinate with our dispatch teams for seamless operations

·Foster positive relationships within the community

·Enjoy the autonomy of volunteering independently while knowing you have the backing of a supportive team

What we're looking for:

·A valid driving licence with (no more than 6 penalty points)

·A friendly and empathetic demeanour

·Access to a 4 door (minimum) car

·Alignment with our organization's values

·Basic IT skills (like the use of smartphone)

Please note that this role will be subject to several regulatory pre-employment checks, and you will be asked to provide details of your full employment history should you be invited to an interview. Your HMRC record, available to download from the Government Gateway may help you in preparing this information when required.

Our Values

Collaborative – we work as one team with a shared purpose to meet the needs of our patients, passengers, colleagues, customers, communities, and the planet.

Agile – We listen, learn and adapt to improve the business, each other, and ourselves.

Reliable – We do what we say we will do, we take responsibility and we behave with integrity.

Empowered – We are confident and committed to taking responsibility to deliver the highest quality service.

About Us

The exciting merger of ERS Medical and E-Zec Medical has enabled us to rebrand, therefore as a combined business we are now known as EMED Group. We are the largest Patient Transport and Care Partner to the NHS with circa 4,000 colleagues across 60 depots. Our ambition is to continue developing patient care transport services that improve the health and wellbeing for people across our local communities by providing transport that supports patient care, community support, secure mental health and medical courier services.

EMED Group are committed to providing services for our patients, service users, clients, and community and is supported by employees with an increasing variety of backgrounds. To do this effectively it is essential that we promote equality and embrace diversity and inclusion and treat all of our employees, patients, service users and clients with dignity and respect.

EMED Group is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination, with our aim being to be truly representative of all sections of society and our clients, and for each employee to feel respected, valued and able to give their best.

EMED Group are committed to providing equal opportunities and we endeavour to provide an inclusive and safe working culture for all.

Location: Oxfordshire Discovery College, Didcot / Oxfordshire-based Primary School
Commitment: To be confirmed with the volunteer  - Expected minimum 3 hours a week for a period of 10 -12 weeks.
Reports to: Volunteer Manager

Role Overview

We are seeking a confident and compassionate volunteer to co-facilitate our mental health and wellbeing programmes for young people in school settings. This role involves working with small groups of students to support emotional learning and create safe, engaging spaces to deliver the Discovery Colleges evidence based psychoeducation programmes. You will work alongside one of our core facilitators to deliver sessions and support programme planning. 

Experience in facilitation, teaching, youth work or similar settings is beneficial. We welcome both lived experience and professional expertise in mental health and wellbeing, and value the unique perspective each volunteer brings.

You’ll need to feel comfortable working in schools and be confident engaging with young people in a supportive, structured environment. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in young lives while being part of a collaborative and values-led team. It’s also a great chance to build your facilitation skills, gain hands-on experience in mental health education, and grow your confidence working with young people.

Key Tasks

As a facilitator, your activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Being reliable — committing to agreed dates and tasks

• Co-facilitate engaging, structured group sessions for young people (age 7 - 11) in school settings, alongside one of our staff facilitators

• Create a safe, inclusive and supportive group environment, encouraging participation, emotional safety, and mutual respect

• Managing the group alone for short periods and engaging in sensitive 1:1 conversations with young people, if staff facilitator is otherwise engaged for brief periods

• Undertake appropriate safeguarding training, be alert to safeguarding concerns, follow ODC’s safeguarding procedures, and report any concerns promptly to the designated safeguarding lead

• Assist with setting up and packing down sessions, and help manage session resources as needed

• Take part in session debriefs, offering insights and feedback to support ongoing programme improvement

• Participate in relevant training and supervision, including safeguarding, ODC policies, programme orientation, and ongoing reflective practice

• Work alongside ODC staff, upholding our values around co-production, youth voice, and mental health support

Optional Activities

• Support with session planning and preparation, contributing ideas and helping shape delivery in line with programme aims

• Support with programme administration and data entry, such as attendance logs, feedback forms or basic evaluation tasks

• Where appropriate and comfortable, to share parts of your own lived experience and recovery journey 

• Conduct Parent Information calls to support our work before the programme starts and when it has been completed

Skills and Experience

We’re looking for volunteers who can bring some of the following skills and experience to the role. We don’t expect that you will meet every point — we value both professional and lived experience, and we offer training and support to help you grow and develop your skills.

• Working with young people, particularly in group settings (e.g. teaching, youth work, mentoring, facilitation, or similar)

• Knowledge of mental health, emotional wellbeing, and youth voice

• Planning, organising and basic admin tasks

• Computer literacy 

• Working as part of a team and ability to reflect on your own practice

• Awareness of safeguarding principles

• Lived experience of mental health challenges (this may include your own experience or supporting others)

• Professional expertise e.g. mental health, education, youth work

What We Offer

• Training: Full training provided.

• Opportunities for Development: We’ll support you to build confidence, grow your skills, and gain valuable experience with this role.

• Regular Supervisions: Supportive check-ins to review your role and tasks.

• Wellness Action Plan: We prioritise volunteer well-being through personalised wellness plans.

• Make an Impact: Your involvement will significantly enhance our ability to provide services effectively and make a difference to the lives of young people in Oxfordshire.

Role: Welcome volunteer

Team: Tooting Hub – CARAS ESOL (Youth/Adult)

Supervised by: Team Project Coordinator

Location: Tooting Hub site

Activity times: Monday or Wednesday

Time commitment: 2 hour shifts on a rolling basis.

We ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 4 months

About CARAS:

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.

Our values are at the centre of all our work:

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests.

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.

About the Role:

We are currently recruiting a team of volunteers to join our new Welcome team at Tooting Hub. This is a new role. Welcome volunteers will provide a friendly face to existing community members attending our regular projects. They will also be the important ‘face of CARAS and our welcome at the door’ to people attending projects for the first time, to visitors and to people dropping in unannounced to enquire about CARAS’s service. Volunteers will meet and greet, and ensure all visitors are responded to appropriately and introduced to the relevant member of staff, activity, project, or meeting. There will be an administrative element to the role (updating registers and emailing enquiries to CARAS staff, for example).

Who will you be?

We work hard to ensure our services feel welcoming and inclusive. It is important that this new team is representative of our diverse local and internal CARAS community. Whether you are new to volunteering with CARAS or are a regular volunteer looking to vary your role or a community member wanting to develop some leadership skills or volunteering experience, this might be the exact project for you.

Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities: 

· Signing up to a shift/s on the Tooting HUB welcome team rota

· Able to be at Tooting Hub in person to complete agreed shifts

· Welcoming staff, volunteers, existing and potential new community members and visitors

· Ensuring all visitors are responded to appropriately and introduced to the relevant member of staff, activity, project, or meeting

· Ensuring everyone completes the onsite register on arrival to comply with safeguarding, health and safety and fire evacuation policies

· Taking agreed initial intake information for new / drop in visitors wanting to attend a taster activity

· Conducting induction tours of the building and introductions to facilities, key staff, and partners

Requirements (all experience can be from paid or voluntary roles): 

Essential: 

· A calm, friendly, kind, and patient approach

· Happy and confident to meet new people and put them at their ease

· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English

· To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds

· Confidence in using one’s own judgement to follow agreed policy

· Good IT admin skills in using Microsoft office, outlook, Google search, online forms etc

· A commitment to confidentiality and data protection

· Punctual and reliable

· To be able to volunteer on Mondays or Wednesdays for a minimum of four months

Desirable:

· Lived experience of seeking sanctuary and/ or the UK immigration system.

· Personal experience of working with people seeking asylum.

· Proficiency in one or more of the following community languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu, or Vietnamese.

We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process.

Benefits to Volunteering:

· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum.

· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team.

· Develop your skills and competencies.

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

· Obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering

· All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. *

· You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.