Volunteer roles

Philosophy of Post

Independent Members of Appropriate Skills are members of the Guild’s formal Committees and bring external, professional expertise to the Committee to support decision making. Independent members are not Trustees but work alongside and with the Trustee Board and other associated Committees.

Responsibilities

1. To actively contribute, together with the other Committee members, Trustees, Officer Team, and Chief Executive to ensure that the Guild of Students has a clear strategic direction that meets the needs of its members and is focused on achieving these.

2. To be an ambassador of the Guild of Students, safeguarding and developing the reputation and values of the Guild of Students.

3. To ensure the long-term financial stability of the organisation.

4. To protect and manage the assets of the Guild of Students taking all due care over their security, ensuring that they are used exclusively in pursuance of the agreed objectives.

5. To contribute actively to the Committee, using any specific skills, knowledge or experience to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve, but is not limited to:

a. Scrutinising board papers

b. Leading discussions

c. Focusing on key issues

d. Providing guidance on new initiatives

e. Hearing specific HR and/or membership discipline cases

f. Other issues in which the Independent Member has special expertise.

We are looking for volunteers who can spend some time with our clients  in and around Central London, specifically Chelsea, Pimlico, Barnes, Tower Hamlets. and other areas.  Locations change often as new referrals come in, so if this is something that interests you, please get in touch and tell us where you are based as we may have other clients in your area. 

 Meetings are regular weekly or fortnightly, for at least 6 months although most of our volunteers stay involved for much longer than this, only because they enjoy what they do! 

Befriending is a simple way to make a positive difference to someone who spends a lot of time alone or is socially isolated.  Your gift of time and companionship will give them, and you, something to look forward to. As one of our volunteers once said,“this is an easy, very meaningful way to help someone and is immensely rewarding and fun!”  

Your meetings could be in the local community, having a chat in a coffee shop, visiting places of interest together, or in our client’s home.Our clients are older Scots, aged 60  plus who simply want to do the activities that most of us take for granted.

We provide training before you start, ongoing support once you are matched, out of pocket expenses, references, social events and newsletters. 

This could be the ideal opportunity  for you to gain practical experience of working with adults in a health and social care setting, or for anyonewho simply enjoys meeting new people and making their lives a little brighter. 

Please note, this is an unpaid voluntary role and applicants must be living in the London area. 

Please contact us for more information, and a very warm welcome!

Skills & characteristics required for befriending are:

• English speaking, clear communication for coversation
• Listening skills
• Friendly, warm and non-judgemental 
• Honest, reliable and committed
• Empathy 
• Understanding of the need to maintain confidentiality (covered in training) 

A DBS check will be processed  for successful applicants and two references are required. 

We are seeking an enthusiastic volunteer to assist our Client Service Administrator on Reception in hosting our busy reception area and friendly waiting room. In this role, you will use your excellent interpersonal skills to welcome clients and visiting professionals and other volunteers to the Helen Bamber Foundation, making them feel comfortable, attending to any immediate needs they may have, assisting them with their queries and notifying clinicians and other staff of their arrival.

You will be at the heart of an exciting, team of experts working as a representative of the Helen Bamber Foundation and the first point of contact for our diverse range of clients and visitors.  You will be a self-motivating team player, organised, efficient and have a compassionate mind-set. 

Main tasks and activities

• Greeting clients and ensuring that clients are having their immediate needs met;
• Ensuring the reception is well-presented;
• Answering the phone and responding to a wide range of enquiries;
• Maintaining the shared Outlook calendar and co-ordinating room allocations;
• Ensuring the smooth running of the day-to-day activities;
• General office administration including: ordering of office supplies, entering data, filing and organising office supplies storage etc;
• Reception cover when needed.
• Handling reimbursement of expenses for clients and fellow volunteers

Skills and experience needed

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a high standard of written and spoken English;
• Excellent telephone manner; Empathetic and understanding.
• Computer literate with experience of Microsoft packages;
• High attention to detail and accuracy;
• Punctual, reliable and self-motivated with a positive, ’can-do’ attitude;
• Ability to deal sensitively and in a warm, friendly and appropriate manner with clients who have specific needs;
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise tasks within a time-pressured environment;
• A high level of discretion and confidentiality given the sensitivity of the information and nature of the work;
• Understanding of, and commitment to, the objectives of the Helen Bamber Foundation.

What you will get out of the role:

• A better understanding of asylum seeker and refugee processes in the UK;
• Stronger administrative skills;
• An ability to multi-task between competing priorities;
• Experience of working with a multi-disciplinary team in a Human Rights charity;
• Ability to process large amounts of data and prioritise or categorise it;
• Ability to manage multiple busy calendars at the same time.

Become a Remote Text Service Volunteer 

Self Injury Support has been supporting people affected by self-harm, trauma, and distress for almost 40 years. Our wonderful team of Listening Service Volunteers provide valuable, non-judgemental support that makes an important impact on the lives of those who contact us. 

We’re currently recruiting home-based remote volunteers across the UK for our text service, with the likelihood of the role extending to helpline support in the future, and to become part of our friendly, like-minded community. 

Our next training block will take place remotely over four days: 28th Feb, 1st March, 7th March & 8th March from 10am til 4pm each day. Please note that attendance on all four dates is required to complete the training.

Please carefully read the information below and fill in our short application form to apply. There are limited places available for this round of volunteer recruitment and training, so we recommend getting applications in as soon as possible and before 20th February. If you have any questions about the role, please contact our team, however please note that only applications through our online form will be considered and we are not accepting CV’s via email.

Why volunteer?  

• Develop valuable skills and knowledge in active listening, self-harm, trauma, mental health, and other related areas.  

• Meet supportive, like-minded peers on shift, as well as at our quarterly Volunteer Days where you'll receive additional relevant training.  

• Access support from our coordinators and volunteer team through supervision and reflective practice. 

• Develop a gentle, transformative approach to mental health that can be applied elsewhere in life. 

• Transform the lives of an often overlooked and misunderstood community. 

What's it like being a volunteer?  

When you join our team, you’ll take part in our four-day online training course. The training is an opportunity to meet new people and learn the valuable skills you’ll take with you into the work.  

Working on the service, you’ll answer calls, texts and emails from people impacted by self-harm and offer them confidential, emotional support to understand their own experiences and make decisions that are right for them. 

Every quarter, you’ll meet a group of your peers to discuss volunteering and have a safe and confidential space to reflect on the work. 

Who can volunteer?  

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds and life experiences. You may have your own experiences of self-harm or mental health challenges or be keen to learn more about how to support others through these experiences.  

You don’t need previous listening or counselling experience, just an open mind, a commitment to the role, and a willingness to learn.  

We're looking for anyone who wants to offer meaningful support, who can listen with empathy and an understanding that everyone’s situation is unique. We're keen to recruit volunteers who are flexible, adaptable, and open to new learning experiences.  

What happens now?  

After you submit the short form, we'll get in touch to arrange a chat if we feel you'd be the right fit for our services. Due to a high number of applications and limited resources, we are unable to provide feedback and may only be able to respond if your application is successful. There are only 8 places available and we won’t be able to recruit everyone that applies, but do follow us on LinkedIn to look out for future training opportunities later this year.

Practical details:  

• An Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check will be required for this role, which will be paid for by Self Injury Support.  

• We ask that volunteers commit to a year on the service after completion of training. If you're looking for a shorter commitment, this may not be the role for you. 

• You'll require access to a laptop, internet and an uninterrupted space during training and all the shifts you attend with us. 

• You must be available on the training dates mentioned above, and available for one evening shift per week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays. 

Help us empower the next generation of lifesavers.

We offer a range of popular youth programmes for young people aged 5-25. This essential service is only possible with the support of our dedicated volunteers. They help young people to learn first aid and other important life skills in a fun, inclusive, and engaging environment.

As a volunteer, you can get involved with Badgers (ages 5-10) and Cadets (ages 11-17).

Volunteering with our Youth Team is an incredibly varied and rewarding role. One day you could be designing and delivering a game to teach first aid, the next you could be supporting a youth camp-out. No two days are the same!

Benefits of volunteering with us:

- Make a real difference to the lives of young people – you'll play an important role in empowering young people to become the next generation lifesavers.

- Gain new experiences for your CV – there are lots of opportunities to get involved with events and activities outside of your Group or Sett meetings.

- Learn new skills – build your personal and professional skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork and self-confidence.

- Be part of a thriving volunteer network – you’ll get to meet new people and connect with other St John Ambulance volunteers.

CSR and Corporate Engagement Coordinator

Time commitment: 3 to 4 hours per week (flexible)
Location: Remote, UK-based
Team: Fundraising Team
Contract type: Volunteer
Start: As soon as you are available

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and highly professional CSR and Corporate Engagement Coordinator to help us build meaningful relationships with companies that share our values.

This role is ideal for someone who understands corporate social responsibility and corporate partnerships, and who enjoys creating a clear plan, prospecting the right organisations, and making warm, well-targeted approaches that lead to long-term supporters.

What you will do

• Create a simple, realistic CSR and corporate engagement plan aligned to our charity’s priorities
• Research and prospect companies that are a strong fit (values, location, ESG and CSR themes, staff networks, giving mechanisms)
• Identify the best route in (decision makers, community teams, CSR leads, foundations, staff networks)
• Prepare outreach messages and partnership propositions (for example: sponsorship, staff fundraising, payroll giving, match funding, volunteering, in-kind support)
• Working with our Operational Director, you will make and manage initial approaches, follow-ups, and relationship building in a professional way
• Keep clear records of activity, contacts, and next steps in a tracker
• Work with the Operational Director to shape partnership offers and ensure a consistent voice and messaging

Who we’re looking for

Essential

• Strong experience in CSR, corporate partnerships, business development, or corporate fundraising
• Confident in creating and delivering a prospecting and engagement plan
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with a professional and warm approach
• Able to represent a charity well with senior stakeholders
• Organised, proactive, and comfortable working independently
• Able to commit to 3 to 4 hours per week on an ongoing basis (flexible hours)

Desirable

• Experience securing sponsorships, strategic partnerships, or multi-channel corporate support
• Familiarity with UK corporate giving tools (for example payroll giving, match funding platforms, employee volunteering)
• Experience creating simple corporate partnership materials (one-pagers, decks, proposals)

What you’ll get in return

• A chance to shape and grow a key income stream for our charity
• Support from our Fundraising Team and access to core messaging and impact information
• Flexibility to fit around your schedule
• A reference after an agreed period of consistent volunteering (where appropriate)

Eligibility

This role is open only to applicants who are currently based in the UK and have the right to volunteer in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to consider applicants living outside the UK at this time.

How to apply

Please send:

• A short statement outlining your relevant experience in CSR or corporate engagement
• Examples of corporate engagement work you have led (bullet points are fine)

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. 

A charity  based in  Croydon, Surrey, London, UK is looking for volunteer Charity Volunteer Assistants; to volunteer 30 unpaid hours per week. The Charity serves a multi ethnic community especially people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds. 

Responsibilities:

• To assist in the delivery of events (ours and those we are invited to), projects and our yearly summer community event.
• To assist in the daily collection and drop off of Greggs after day produce to various soup kitchens
• To assist in promotion of organisations services. eg flyer distribution, school workshops, etc.
• To assist in the delivery of essential services 
• To assist in our soup kitchen projects

Person Specification:

• Someone enthusiastic and passionate about charity work and committed to working towards the achievements of the charities objectives.
• Knowledege of Black and ethnic minority tradition/culture is preferable however not essential.
• Experience is desirable.

This is a non-paid one year temporary position however accommodation and maintenance will be provided.

All interested candidates are required to send us a letter of application, a resume, and contact to the email provided. If your application is accepted, you will be invited for a telephone interview. Any applications received after the closing date will not be considered unless we have been unable to find a suitable candidate for this vacancy.

Successful candidates will require a DBS/POLICE check and references prior to commencement.

Would you like to help blind and partially sighted people in your community? Do you enjoy driving and meeting new people and live in the Edinburgh and Lothian area? If so, we want you to come and join us as a Volunteer Driver.

Our volunteers provide a friendly face and that personal touch to brighten the days for the people they drive. Our drivers can become a regular part of someone’s life and for some their journeys together may be the only chance an RNIB customer has had to get out of their home for some time.

If you are friendly, courteous and reliable then this is the opportunity for you.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• This role requires membership of the PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) Scheme (Children and Adults) and 2 references.

Location

Region

• Scotland

Additional location information

• Edinburgh & Lothian

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• Reliable and punctual
• Willingness to work independently

Would you like to help blind and partially sighted people in your local area? Do you enjoy driving and meeting new people? RNIB wants you to be a Volunteer Driver.

For the people they help, our volunteer drivers provide a friendly face and that personal touch to brighten their day and help get them to where they need to be.

Our drivers can become a regular part of someone’s life and for some their journeys together may be the only chance an RNIB customer has had to get out of their home for some time.
If you are friendly, courteous and reliable then this is the opportunity for you.

Transporting blind and partially sighted people from weekly support group-weekly on Fridays to Newtownabbey and monthly to Greenisland.

How often will I be needed?

• 3 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• Clean Driving licence Enhanced Access NI 2 references

Location

Region

• Northern Ireland

Additional location information

• Covering Newtownabbey/Carrickfergus & Greenisland area

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• Good Interpersonal Skills
• Reliability, enthusiasm and patience
• Willingness to work independently.

Are you a good listener? Are you able to manage group conversations and ensure people feel comfortable together and that groups run smoothly? We need you to facilitate our Talk and Support weekly telephone groups that offer blind and partially sighted people the opportunity to socialise with others when the regular group facilitator is unavailable. This is a telephone-based role that you can do from home. You will need access to a landline or mobile phone We ask you to commit to covering up to 3 groups per week, although this will vary on a week by week basis. Each group you cover will last for one hour.

Home based

• This role is home based

Additional location information

• Home Based: over the telephone (this role requires you to have a landline or mobile telephone)

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• Effective listening skills;
• Good verbal communication skills;
• Work with wide range of people

Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You will give talks in person or virtually, sharing your own story to improve understanding of sight loss to local service providers and community groups. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to improve accessibility and inclusivity, creating a world without barriers.

What you’ll be doing:
• Giving talks to groups of people to raise awareness of sight loss in your local community by sharing your story to audiences, for example, local businesses, community and voluntary groups.
• Delivering Talks to raise awareness of RNIB services as a trusted source of support for blind and partially sighted people

• Representing RNIB as an Ambassador for the Community Connection service

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 supportive route to building your confidence in presenting and sharing your story with an audience.
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Month

Key requirements

• 1 reference

Location

Region

• Northern Ireland

Additional location information

• Currently looking for applicants within the Belfast Area only!

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • Lived experience of issues affecting blind and partially sighted people • Be comfortable speaking to different audiences to share your story, or a willingness to try with our support. • Able to communicate effectively. • Have an outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people.

Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You will give talks in person or virtually, sharing your own story to improve understanding of sight loss to local service providers and community groups. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to improve accessibility and inclusivity, creating a world without barriers.

What you’ll be doing:
• Giving talks to groups of people to raise awareness of sight loss in your local community by sharing your story to audiences, for example, local businesses, community and voluntary groups.
• Delivering Talks to raise awareness of RNIB services as a trusted source of support for blind and partially sighted people

• Representing RNIB as an Ambassador for the Community Connection service

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 supportive route to building your confidence in presenting and sharing your story with an audience.
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Month

Key requirements

• 1 reference

Location

Region

• Scotland

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • Lived experience of issues affecting blind and partially sighted people • Be comfortable speaking to different audiences to share your story, or a willingness to try with our support. • Able to communicate effectively. • Have an outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people.

Join our amazing volunteer team to make a real difference to people living with sight loss. You’ll be supporting people to come together in a group setting, to benefit from each other’s company, knowledge and encouragement, leading to reduced isolation, stronger networks of support, and new friendships. You can support with either local and regional telephone groups or face-to-face groups.

What you’ll be doing:
• Meeting and greeting group members on arrival or joining virtually.
• Creating a warm and welcoming environment.
• Supporting group conversations.
• Assisting with group activities (if 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.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• 1 reference Criminal record check

Location

Region

• Scotland

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • An interest in group or community work. • A sociable personality. • A commitment to working towards a society where people with sight loss are equal participants.

Are you a good listener? Are you able to manage group conversations and ensure people feel comfortable together and that groups run smoothly? We need you to facilitate our weekly telephone groups that offer blind and partially sighted people the opportunity to socialise with others.

This is a telephone-based role that you can do from home. You will need access to a landline or mobile phone We ask you to commit to between 1 and 3 hours per week to facilitate Talk and Support befriending groups which will be at the same day and time each week. Each group runs for an hour.

How often will I be needed?

• 1 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• This role requires 2 references

Location

Region

• North East, South East, Northern Ireland, Yorkshire and the Humber, Greater London, East of England, South West, North West, Wales, West Midlands, East Midlands, Scotland

Home based

• This role is home based

Additional location information

• Home Based: over the telephone (this role requires you to have a landline or mobile telephone) The groups meet during the day from Monday to Friday.

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• Effective listening skills;Good verbal communication skills;Work with wide range of people