Volunteer roles

This role is for people who already have some previous experience in people facing roles. We are looking for people who have empathy, are good listeners and are non-judgemental. You will be supporting a small number of clients who have more complex needs and require extra support to get through difficult situations. We are looking for people who have two to four hours a week to spare. You will be offered support in this role by the Partnership.

Support clients by:

• Providing moral support in meetings and making sure the client understands.
• Making phone calls or supporting a client to make calls.
• Helping with form filling and letter writing
• Working with clients on solutions to more complex issues e.g. debt.

Benefits for you:

• Support from a Case Worker Co-ordinator

• Increasing your knowledge of the asylum process and immigration law
• Improving your knowledge of community resources and how to support clients to access them

• Establishing relationship with clients who appreciate someone walking alongside them

If you are interested in becoming a Caseworker please submit your CV and someone from the Partnership will contact you. 

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.

New College Worcester is a unique education provider with big ambitions. They seek new Governors who can help to shape and support the future of their organisation.

Applications for this role close at9 a.m. Friday 26th September.

Time commitment: 10 – 15 hours per term

Who we are

New College Worcester is a unique college, delivering education to young people who are blind or vision-impaired (VI) in a beautiful, rural setting to the southwest of Worcester. We pride ourselves on providing a caring, safe, supportive and aspirational environment for students to develop their knowledge, skills and personal qualities.

About the role

We are seeking to appoint three new Governors to join our Board as well as having a role on a relevant committee.

As a Governor, you will support our organisational aspirations and ensure that the College can continue to offer high-quality education in a setting where our learners are safe and well cared for. Safeguarding and wellbeing are paramount to us for our learners.

We are looking for Governors with the following expertise:

• Finance, Resources & Safeguarding Committee

Our Finance, Resources and Safeguarding Committee (FRSC) is a space where we discuss a broad range of issues relating to the wider functions of our college, not just finance. Therefore, we seek candidates with expertise that will complement the existing skill sets on the Board, such as health and safety, cyber security, marketing and student recruitment. We would also be keen to hear from those with strategic expertise in finance in an educational context.

• Education Services & Safeguarding Committee

We have a broad range of expertise on our Education Services and Safeguarding Committee (ESSC) and find great value in having a diverse range of experience on our Board to offer guidance, advice and challenge with the decisions we make in relation to our curriculum and care. We seek candidates with strategic experience in the cross-section of the education sector, including secondary, further and specialist provision. Candidates with additional experience in safeguarding in an educational context will be very much welcomed.

• Residential Care & Safeguarding Committee

As a member of our Residential Care & Safeguarding Committee (RCSC), we seek candidates with knowledge and experience of safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults, along with an up-to-date knowledge of relevant policies and practice. This does not need to have been in a formal education setting. We are open to candidates with experience in the residential care sector, especially where this relates to young people.

Peridot Partners and New College Worcester 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 candidate 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 26th September.

Join Elleray Community Association as Chair and lead an exciting new chapter as we move into a new purpose-built centre in Teddington. Help shape strategy, support staff and volunteers, and expand our valued services for older adults and the wider community. We are seeking an inclusive leader with strategic vision, governance experience, and a passion for local impact.

Chair Role Description

• Provide strategic leadership to the charity and the Board, ensuring that ECA achieves its mission.

• Work in partnership with the Centre Manager and team to achieve ECA’s mission.

• Lead the board in ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation.

• Optimise the relationship between the board and ECA’s staff and volunteers.

• Plan and chair the board meetings and the AGM, with others as appropriate.

• Act as a spokesperson and figurehead for ECA.  

What we are looking for  

• Ideally previous experience of being a trustee. 

• A keen sense of strategic purpose.

• Governance and committee experience in a charity or business setting.

• Strong in execution and managing transformation projects, including leading the charity in the new ECA building setting. 

• Experience in stakeholder engagement and ability to constructively negotiate and collaborate with various institutions, entities, and personnel.

• Affinity with and commitment to the local SW London and Teddington area.

• Business experience and awareness across finance, risk, IT, and people management, would be desirable.

• An inclusive leadership style, able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing. 

• The ability to listen and engage effectively, comfortable with challenge and debate and able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment. 

• In advocation, be able and willing to champion ECA’s work through personal networks, social media, and other channels.

• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. 

• Be available, responsive and flexible to advise, support or give consent to, as needed.   

Terms of office  

• Trustees are appointed for a 3-year term of office, renewal for 2 further terms to a maximum of 9 years.

• This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.  

Time commitment 

• Attending [6] Board meetings annually. Currently meetings are generally held in person at the ECA building.

• Periodic meetings with the Centre Manager and management team, with flexibility to respond swiftly to the occasional ad-hoc issues.

• Other meetings, including on potential strategy and other charity-related issues. 

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system  
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.  

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbally.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered. 

Friends Provident Foundation is looking for new Trustees to help guide its programmes of giving and investment, which aim to build a fair and sustainable economy in the UK. We are working toward this aim through supporting action, building knowledge, and using our endowment as a tool for change.

We are particularly seeking perspectives that may challenge conventional thinking and would like to hear from people with an active interest in how the economy works and who have a drive to shape society.

You will need to be committed to our ambitious mission of using all our assets to bring about the change we wish to see. We are seeking to appoint more than one Trustee and are particularly interested to hear from people with one or more of the following areas of experience: financial management; social investment and/or capital market investment; organisational development; systems change.

All Trustees work closely with the Foundation’s staff to achieve our objectives and you will need to commit on average one day a month to the Foundation’s business. We are seeking diversity of perspective, background, physical abilities, ethnicities and class background and welcome applicants from all age groups and all nations in the UK.

For more information and how to apply please visit our website.

If you are interested in becoming a Trustee of Friends Provident Foundation but anticipate barriers to your participation, we would still like to hear from you. Please get in touch with us to discuss your situation.

Deadline for applications: Monday 29 September, 9am

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.

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system  
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.  

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbally.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.

Could you coordinate the training for the local SSAFA volunteers in your area? You don’t need a military background, just some basic I.T and admin skills, the ability to get on with a wide range of people and good written and spoken English. Get in touch with us to find out more.

What is a Training Coordinator?

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas. Each one has a Training Coordinator to make sure that all volunteers get all the training they need for their role and that training events are organised and run for the branch. This is a key role involving administration and coordinating people.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.

Our SSAFA branches support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

To offer the best possible service to our clients SSAFA volunteers need training appropriate to their role. It’s important that we keep records of all the training completed by volunteers and provide local training to meet their needs, whilst also being interesting, fun and varied. We’d love to hear from you if think you could help with this important role.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home. The role would suit someone looking to offer a regular commitment to the branch, but days and times could vary to suit you.

What would you be doing?

• Coordinating induction and training for new volunteers
• Completing the admin needed for new volunteer to attend local and national training.
• Running interesting and relevant annual branch training days (minimum of one per year)
• Maintaining an accurate list of all volunteers and the dates when training was completed.
• Working with the Regional Trainer, branch volunteers and the Learning and Development team to identify local training needs and arrange for the required courses to be delivered.
• Supporting and encouraging any volunteers facing barriers to completing their training
• Providing reports to the local SSAFA branch and to SSAFA’s Central Office
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area
• Use your skills, knowledge, and experience to benefit others.
• Appreciate that your role has a positive impact on the quality of service we can provide to clients as well as providing development opportunities for our volunteers.
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range of e-learning courses
• Support from the branch secretary, Regional Trainer and the Learning and Development Team based at our central office.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people, possibly with some experience of teaching/training and admin
• Good written and spoken English.
• Ability to be respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues.
• Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address.
• Ability to encourage and motivate all volunteers to undertake training.
• Willingness to use spreadsheets/records of volunteer training.
• Reliable attitude, contact clients and volunteers promptly, keep appointments etc.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to meetings, events etc.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No

Could you help your local SSAFA branch recruit volunteers in your area? You just some basic I.T and admin skills, patience, the ability to get on with a wide range of people and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Recruitment Coordinator?

Recruitment Coordinators help us find local people interested in supporting SSAFA and take them through our recruitment and selection process.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our beneficiaries come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

To offer the best possible service to our clients we need to match the right volunteers to the right role. Could you spare a few hours a week to help recruit new volunteers and welcome them to SSAFA by supporting them through their induction phase? We’d love to hear from you if think you could help with this important role.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The role is about recruitment and so will involve attending local recruitment fairs a few times a year as well as meeting volunteers both face-to-face and virtually. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but the administration part of the ole can be done form home.

What would you be doing?

• Be the first point of contact for all volunteering enquiries, ensuring that all potential volunteers receive a timely response.
• Supporting volunteers through the recruitment and induction process and ensuring volunteers are communicated with throughout.
• Arranging informal interviews for new volunteers conducted in-line with SSAFA policies.
• Conducting ID checks (where relevant) so the volunteer can begin the vetting process
• Supporting volunteers to book onto role specific training and ensuring they complete their mandatory training.
• Working with the VDM to ensure branch vacancies are advertised on the branch website and national websites and support any national recruitment campaigns
• Maintaining good relationships with local Volunteer Centres and other local sources of volunteer promotion and attend local recruitment fairs.
• Evaluating volunteer recruitment activity, experimenting with creative ways to recruit volunteers from a variety of sources to create a diverse network of volunteers.
• Treating all potential volunteers inclusively with respect and sensitivity, regardless of age or background
• Supporting any volunteers facing barriers to find a suitable role.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and experience to benefit others.
• Appreciate that your role has a positive impact on the quality of service we can provide to beneficiaries as well as providing volunteering opportunities.
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role - volunteer management – attracting, recruiting, and inducting volunteers. This training would take approx. 3 hours.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.  
• Access to a range of e-learning courses.
• Support from the Volunteer Development Manager and Trainer (per region)
• Access to the Volunteer Experience Team based at our central office.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people, with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude  
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal
• Good written and spoken English.
• Respectful and non-judgemental with potential volunteers, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and during the role, including accessing and responding to emails and using Microsoft offices software.
• Ability to encourage and motivate all volunteers to undertake training.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely., in line with SSAFA policies.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to meetings and events and t meet volunteers.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No

Would you like to coordinate the local SSAFA service in your area? Do you enjoy working as part of a team? You don’t need a military background, just good communication and I.T. skills. If so, this could be the role for you!

What is a Divisional Secretary?

The is a key role involving administration and coordinating people. As the first point of contact for the division you will play a key part in promoting SSAFA locally, matching clients to volunteer caseworkers and supporting volunteers to get the best outcomes for their clients.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

We aim to provide financial, practical, and emotional support when it’s needed most. More people than ever before are coming to us for help, and you will be one of the people contacting new clients and getting them the support, they need.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role is about coordination and administration. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home. The role would suit someone looking to offer a regular time commitment each week.

What would you be doing?

• Acting as the first point of contact for SSAFA in the local area
• Taking enquiries from potential clients and potential volunteers
• Matching new clients to available caseworkers
• Supporting caseworkers, particularly new volunteers
• Working with the local publicity officer to promote SSAFA locally.
• Providing reports to the local SSAFA branch and to SSAFA’s Central Office
• Maintaining accurate records on our on-line case management system
• Coordinating SSAFA Visitors and Helpers (if applicable)
• Organising local meetings to keep all volunteers up to date with the latest training and information.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area
• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker course, caseworker IT system training, volunteer management – case management and quality. The caseworker course takes 3 days and please allow a further day for the other training.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range of e-learning courses
• Local induction
• Support from the branch secretary.
• Access to the Welfare Team and Volunteer Support Team based at our central office.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people with some experience of coordinating people and admin
• Good written and spoken English.
• Ability to be respectful and non-judgemental with clients, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues.
• Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address.
• Ability to coordinate a team of people volunteering.
• Willingness to use our on-line case management system (this is covered in the training course)
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to reporting any safety concerns etc
• Reliable attitude, contact clients and volunteers promptly, keep appointments etc.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to meetings, events etc.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No*

*Where volunteers are both divisional secretaries and caseworkers a disclosure check will be required.

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.

Could you spare four hours a week to support young cancer patients and their families?

When a child is diagnosed with cancer it threatens everything, for them and their family. At a time when they should be busy being children, enjoying their rollercoaster teenage years or finding their feet at university, life becomes full of fear. Fear of treatment, but also of families being torn apart, of overwhelming money worries, mental health stretched to breaking point, of having nowhere to turn, no one to talk to.

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we get that. We are the charity that helps children and young people (0-25) and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them.

There are many small organisations that help families with a child that has a life threatening illness, by providing grants, holidays or wishes. We want our families to take advantage of this but applying for this extra support can often be overwhelming or another thing on the to do list at a stressful time in their lives. That’s where you come in. Could you give 4 hours a week to support our families to apply for grants, holidays and wishes?

What you’ll be doing

You’ll be working directly with our families who are known to the Young Lives vs Cancer Service at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham to help them apply to organisations which can offer grants, treats, wishes or holidays to make the cancer journey more manageable. Your role will be both researching and identifying organisations offering additional practical support (such as additional grants) and practical opportunities for joy (wish granting and special offers), and then supporting families to apply to these organisations.

There is scope and opportunity in this role for development into liaising with other charities.

About you

• You’ll need to be super organised in managing information and communicating with different audiences
• You’ll need to be confident in approaching conversations with new people, that includes speaking directly with children and families about their needs, and approaching potential sources of support on their behalf
• You’ll have strong relationship management skills, the ability to make people you are talking to feel at ease and supported

Experience working with families with a child with a life threatening or limiting illness, or working with a family support organisation is desirable but not essential.

You’ll receive a full induction to the Young Lives vs Cancer BCH and QEHB social work team, learn about the service we provide and the impact of cancer on the children, young people and families we support.

4 hours a week during office hours (9am to 5pm, Tuesday to Thursday)

From your own home but you do need to be based in the Birmingham area to attend occasional team meetings and supervision.

How to apply

Complete the application form on our website

Could you help to raise vital funds for SSAFA in your local area? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to get on with all kinds of people and some occasional free time.

What is a Branch Fundraiser?

As part of a local team, our fundraisers represent SSAFA at events, and in public. The role includes helping at fayres, street collections, concerts, quizzes, raffles, sporting events etc.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

SSAFA branches rely on regular charitable income to fund all the necessities behind our support for clients. This includes volunteer travel expenses, phone bills, publicity, and grants for clients in urgent need. A varied programme of fundraising also keeps the SSAFA profile high in the local community, so everyone knows who we are and how we can help.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role involves being out and about at public events and would suit someone looking to give the occasional day, half day or evening to support SSAFA; when and where would be flexible to suit you.

What would you be doing?

• Be part of a team with collection/buckets tins at events, supermarkets, shopping centres, etc.
• Acting as a marshal at a public event e.g., handing out water to runners, supervising parking etc.
• Being part of a team running a stall at an event, Armed Forces Day, fayre, county show etc.
• Helping with putting up posters, building gazebos, serving refreshments, packing/unpacking cars etc.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA, engaging people of all backgrounds and interests
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising funds used directly to support clients.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role - fundraising workshops.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range of e-learning courses, fundraising guidance, and marketing materials
• Local Fundraising Coordinator
• Fundraising Manager (per region)
• Access to the Fundraising and Marketing teams based at our central office.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people
• Confident people who feel happy to engage with the public, potential clients, volunteers and SSAFA colleagues face-to-face.
• Reliable attitude, staying connected the Fundraising Coordinator about your availability.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely.
• Access to public transport or a car to get to events.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 16

Please note: If you are under 18 you are not allowed by law to volunteer at a street collection, raffle or an event serving alcohol. If you are under 16, please contact us, you will need to volunteer with a parent or adult responsible for your safety.

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No