Social Welfare Volunteer Roles in Greater London

***This is an unpaid voluntary role***

Mornings couldn’t be more fun! You’ll be part of a wonderful team of dedicated staff gaining excellent experience in childcare and family support.

Our Children's Services runs creative, fun sessions for under 5s and their parents/carers which offer a nurturing and supportive environment for all children. In these roles you could be assisting with activities like crafts, storytime and songtime, helping children develop skills inline with Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, setting up and clearing away equipment, greeting parents and carers and building relationships with them.

Qualities you need for this role

• Reliable, dependable, and great at timekeeping
• Honest, committed and patient with a good sense of humour!
• Open-minded, respectful, and an excellent team player
• All Children's Service volunteers undergo a DBS check and induction with their manager; they must also submit two references.

When you'll be needed
Drop-ins: Mondays -Thursdays 9.30 am – 12.30 pm and/or 
Creche: Volunteering Monday – Thursdays 12.45pm – 3.15 pm

***This is an unpaid voluntary role***

Tech Buddies is a project with a huge positive impact on social connectedness and mental health among our older neighbours. The aim of Tech Buddies is to inspire and then support older people to get digitally connected and confident, to stay safe online and to use the internet regularly until they are happy to do so on their own. Together, the Tech Buddy volunteer and learner explore what technology can offer.

Wednesdays and/or Saturdays you’ll be helping members aged 60+ get savvy using their smart phones, tablets, and laptops. You could be helping with anything from sending emails to installing apps.

Qualities you need for this role

• Tech Buddy volunteers need to be regular users of technology (e.g. computers/tablets/smartphones) with a genuine desire to share your skills and help older people use technology. 
• Warm and friendly, a good listener
• Reliable and dependable (good timekeeper)
• Non-judgmental, patient with a good sense of humour!
• A good communicator who knows their boundaries and has good spoken English 

When you'll be needed

• Wednesdays 2-4pm (30-60 min sessions) and/or
• 1st Saturday of each month 10:00am – 12:00pm (30-60 min sessions)

Do you have good listening skills?

Are you friendly and caring?

Can you offer 2-4 hrs a month to support  people living with and affected by MND?

Then you could become a Support Volunteer (Association Visitor).

We are looking for volunteers who can provide friendship, information and support to people living with and affected by MND.

Volunteers play an important role in the MND Association. They help to ensure that people with MND and their families receive the support and services they need.

This rewarding role is flexible and can fit in around your other commitments. Full training is provided and all out of pocket expenses are reimbursed.

About us

MND is a fatal, rapidly progressive disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It attacks the nerves that control movement so muscles refuse to work. It can leave people locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk and eventually breath. It kills a third of people within a year and more than half within two years of diagnosis, and it has no cure. 

The MND Association was founded in 1979. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We also fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND.

***This is an unpaid voluntary role***

Our data entry and admin volunteers keep all the Abbey cogs turning, keeping our various databases and systems up to date which is vital for our monitoring, fundraising and project management. Gain valuable office experience while making a difference to a local community organisation. Help us once a week for up to 2 hours max between 11am and 1pm (minimum 2 month commitment) and we'll shower you with gratitude, cuppas and biscuits! 

Qualities you need for this role 

• This role is suited to you if you enjoy working with data, are meticulous with a good eye for detail 
• Basic IT skills and ability to learn new software 
• Reliability and punctuality 

When you'll be needed
Two hours a week for a minimum of six months.

We are looking for individuals with professional or lived experience of working with children in our Haringey Refuges. Our volunteer playworkers are passionate about play and providing a welcoming and safe space for all children.

About the Role

As a volunteer play worker, you will work in partnership with the Sessional Play Worker and Family Support Worker in the planning and delivery of play sessions. Most children will be between the ages of 2-5 years.

Playworker volunteers will lead and assist a variety of activities such as arts and crafts, games, etc. to engage and support the children’s emotional wellbeing and enhance their confidence and resilience. Activity sessions will be carried out in the refuges, supported by the Sessional Play worker.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking volunteers who have:

• Shared vision, mission and values of Solace Women’s Aid
• Professional and/or lived experience of working with children
• Understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people
• Ability to communicate effectively with children aged 0-5, parents and staff
• Basic knowledge of child development
• Organisation and time management skills

Although not essential, we would welcome applications from volunteers who have a formal qualification in working with children, young people and families, or who have knowledge of trauma-informed approaches to working with children and young people.

What can you gain from this opportunity?

Volunteers will gain:

• Experience of facilitating play sessions for children in recovery from domestic abuse
• An insight into the experiences of children in recovery from domestic abuse.
• Experience in working in partnership with Sessional Play Workers in the planning, delivery and evaluation of play sessions in a refuge/community setting.
• Opportunity to attend training and social events with other Solace Women’s Aid volunteers.
• Being part of a supportive team who aim to build on the strengths and skills of all our members.

We offer great volunteer induction training, where you will be fully supported to understand, and carry put every aspect of the role. Training includes CPD accredited courses, and the opportunity to apply to complete the level 3 Understanding Domestic Abuse Award (DAPA), which is recognized by the Home Office.

At Solace we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for our volunteers. The Service Users we support come from all backgrounds and we want to reflect that in our volunteering team. We are happy to consider any adjustments you might need to support you in your role. If you would like to discuss this further with the volunteer team, please let us know. This will not affect your application.

Solace recognises the expertise and perspective that women with lived experience bring to their volunteering roles. We also recognise the potential for re-traumatisation that may occur whilst volunteering. We will therefore consider each volunteer opportunity on a case by case basis, with a focus on the suitability of that individual for that specific role. Suitability for the role will be determined by the Service Manager at the point of interview and will not be solely based on the length of time elapsed since receiving a service. Women cannot volunteer for a service in the same borough as where they received Solace services.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

***This is an unpaid voluntary role***

Make an amazing difference in someone’s life through being a friendly face connecting them with the outside world, reducing isolation and loneliness and bringing a much-needed smile to their day.

Our award-winning Kilburn Good Neighbours scheme has been a lifeline for over 60s in Kilburn and West Hampstead for almost 25 years. Volunteers visit members regularly in their homes, building a relationship with them and working with the Kilburn Good Neighbours lead to communicate any additional needs they have. Some volunteers also support with odd jobs like shopping, escorting the member to the centre or DIY tasks. Training and induction is provided. 

Qualities you need for this role

• Chatty, friendly, open-minded people, preferably living locally
• Able to maintain good boundaries
• Reliable, dependable and great at timekeeping
• This role requires an enhanced DBS check, which we will organise

When you'll be needed

• A minimum of 1 hour per week, for a minimum of 6-12 month

At Staying Well we run a Telephone Befriending Scheme.

If you have up to an hour free once a week for 6 months then this could be the volunteer role for you!

This is what the Befriending Network say about befriending:

“Everyone needs other people, but not everyone has someone. 

Befriending offers supportive, reliable relationships through volunteer befrienders to people who would otherwise be socially isolated. Around the UK, there are befriending projects which organise effective support for children and young people, families, people with mental ill-health, people with learning disabilities and older people, amongst many others.

The results of befriending can be very significant. Befriending often provides people with a new direction in life, opens up a range of activities and leads to increased self-esteem and self confidence. Befriending can also reduce the burden on other services which people may use inappropriately as they seek social contact.”

Are you passionate about supporting people in your community?  Would you enjoy supporting our service users by giving them an opportunity for social connections?

If so, we could do with your help.  We are looking for friendly and enthusiastic Face to Face Befriender Volunteers for the Kensington and Chelsea area and would like to hear from you.

What you will be doing

• Agree a mutual time and frequency to meet in the local community
• To develop and promote a positive relationship with your befriendee
• To encourage your befriendee to engage in social activities and support them in doing so whilst building their confidence
• To support your befriendee in developing their goals and social skills
• Encourage your befriendee to make links with community services, based on their identified goals

The skills you need

• Good listening and communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere which motivates and inspires others
• Willingness to engage in activities in the community
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow professional boundaries

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Do you have a passion for IT or learning new technology? Know your uploads from your downloads or consider yourself a ‘techie’?  Then we are looking for you! But whatever your background, the most important skill you have will be enthusiasm – about being online, technology, willingness to learn and communicate that knowledge to the people Age UK Devon support.

A Digital champion volunteer,  helps older people learn IT skills in a safe and supportive way.

You will help provide support and guidance, to build their digital skills and confidence, enabling them to live a more digitally inclusive and independent life.

The role involves providing personalised support to an older person through one-to-one sessions in their home, or through group coaching in a community setting.

And in return you will gain new skills, be part of your local community, make new friends, and be proud to support Age UK Devon enable older people to get the most out of life!

Age UK Devon will repay any agreed travel expenses

More information about this volunteering role on our website. For an informal chat about this role please call us 

Age UK Bromley & Greenwich are the leading older persons organisation in both boroughs.  We are a local charity with over 80 staff and 250 volunteers we are seeking to add to the expertise of our experienced, professional Board of Trustees.

We are seeking individuals with experience of developing strategy in a leadership role in the public, private or charity sector; areas of experience including Health and Social Care, marketing and social media; charity finance and fundraising would all be of particular interest. Applicants are welcome from all backgrounds.

Please download the job pack for full role description.

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? We are looking for a new trustee to join our board of trustees, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of volunteering and community projects in Kensington and Chelsea, one of London’s most diverse boroughs.

Established in 1969, we are the oldest Volunteer Centre in the country and are deeply rooted in the local community, empowering individuals to contribute positively through volunteering. Our programs support diverse groups, including those living with disabilities and mental health challenges, ex-offenders, as well as marginalised residents seeking employment opportunities.

As a trustee, you will play a pivotal role in guiding the Volunteer Centre towards its mission of fostering positive change in Kensington & Chelsea. Responsibilities include:

• Attend and actively participate in board meetings, promoting constructive dialogue and decision-making.
• Uphold the best interests of VCKC, maintaining positive public representation and adhering to confidentiality standards.
• Possess enthusiasm for volunteering, willingness to commit time and effort, and desirable knowledge of Kensington & Chelsea and the voluntary sector.
• Demonstrate strong communication, analytical, and collaborative skills.

Join us in shaping the future of volunteering in Kensington & Chelsea. Become a trustee and make a meaningful impact today. If you are ready to make a difference, apply now and be part of something meaningful.

FrameWorks UK - Board Director

FrameWorks UK collaborates with charities and other mission driven organisations to communicate about social issues in ways that will create social progress.

The Board wish to appoint a 5th Director to strengthen its ability to exercise financial oversight of FrameWorks UK. This means the new Director is likely to have a background in finance or similar.

Our Trustees are a team of volunteers who use their diverse skills, experience, and perspectives to set the strategic direction of the charity and make sure it’s doing what it was set up to do in the best possible way. 

For families facing tough times, a holiday is a much-needed break from the day to day, as well as giving space and time to breathe, think differently. A holiday is essential for building wellbeing and hope for the future, especially when the present is challenging.

About you

You'll have the energy, integrity, passion, and skills to work with the Board of Trustees, our CEO and staff team, and our community, to drive forward a successful and dynamic future for our charity and the families we support.

We’re particularly looking to add the following professional skills and experiences to our team.

• Developing digital products, tools and/or services.
• Directly supporting children and/or families on an ongoing professional basis.
• Fundraising in a charity through voluntary donations or commercial income.

You don’t need to have been a Trustee before, but you do need to be willing to do some training to help you understand the role and the responsibilities that come with it.

We actively encourage applications from under-represented, marginalised and racialised groups, and those with lived experience of any of the barriers families face to having time away together. That’s things like mental or physical ill health, disability, domestic abuse, being a young carer or living on a low income.

We will make adjustments to our schedule and processes to ensure new trustees can be included and supported in the role.

More diverse perspectives on our Board help us make better decisions for families.

What we offer you

The biggest thing we have to offer is the chance to put your skills and experience to good use making the lives of families who are having a tough time better.

You’ll join a team who really care about making a difference and approach it with real openness and drive. Right off the bat we’ll connect you with the other Trustees and staff so you can get to know everyone, and we’ll buddy you up with another Trustee, so you’ve got someone to help you navigate it all as you settle in.

Expenses

You won’t get paid for your time, but we’ll make sure you aren’t out of pocket by covering the cost of your travel to meetings, childcare or other care if you need it, and a range of other expenses you might have while doing the role. We’ll book and/or pay for these in advance if you prefer.

How to apply

When you click 'Quick Apply' you'll find a link to upload your CV and answer a couple of screening questions.

We will make adjustments to the recruitment process wherever possible to ensure that no applicant is disadvantaged for any reason. 

• Monday 20th May - Applications close at 9am
• w/c 3rd June and w/c 10th June  -  First interviews with a panel of current trustees 
• w/c 17th June - Second interviews with Jackie our Vice Chair of Trustees

After the interviews we’ll contact anyone we’d like to join the Board with an offer subject to references and checks.

If you accept, we’ll take up your references, do a DBS check and confirm your eligibility to act as a Trustee. If that’s all ok, you’re in! We’ll introduce you to the rest of the Trustees and get started with your induction.

Formal appointment happens at the next Board meeting which is on Thursday 5th August.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Solace’s Counselling Team.

About the role

The successful candidate will provide a wrap around, weekly one to one therapeutic support, which can be accessed online, over the phone and in person. You will work within a modal that consists of trauma focused, multi-modal interventions with an objective of optimising resilience, facilitating sustainable recovery and support survivors in their journey in post-traumatic recovery.

Who are we looking for?

The ideal candidate will be a fully qualified dynamic counsellor who has 150 clinical hours, ideally with prior experience in providing direct and dedicated therapeutic support to women (and all genders for LBI counselling) who have experienced domestic abuse, and other forms of VAWG.

What can you gain from this opportunity?

As part of this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Enable service users to access valuable support that assists in their journey towards safe, independent lives, free from abuse.
• Contribute and support a busy and diverse team.
• Play a pivotal role in delivering services.
• Gain hands on experience in a dynamic charity working in the Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Sector.
• Work as part of a feminist organisation.

We offer great volunteer induction training, where you will be fully supported to understand, and carry put every aspect of the role. Training includes CPD accredited courses, and the opportunity to apply to complete the level 2 Understanding Domestic Abuse Award (DAPA), which is recognized by the Home Office. A volunteering role often leads to some opportunity of applying for a paid employment role within Solace.

Interviews will be arranged on a rolling basis.

Solace Women’s Aid values diversity promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applicants from black minority and ethnic communities.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment, we require all successful candidates will be required to complete a satisfactory DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) disclosure.