Voluntary Housing And Homelessness Volunteer Roles

The Quality of Life Foundation is looking for a new Trustee with financial expertise to join our existing board.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced professional to join the board of a growing and impactful organisation that is bridging the gap between health and wellbeing and the built environment.

The Quality of Life Foundation

The Quality of Life Foundation was established in 2019 by Prof. Sadie Morgan OBE. Its vision is for a housing system that improves people’s quality of life in their homes and neighbourhoods over the long term.

Our activities include research, thought leadership, training and strategy development, based on the organisation's Quality of Life Framework. Working with organisations in the public, private and third sectors, we are instigating practical projects to support more long-term thinking in industry and government. We are a small but influential organisation and have ambitious plans for growth over the coming years.

We were formally registered as a charity in 2022 and operate a wholly-owned commercial trading subsidiary.

The Role

The role of the Trustees is to set the organisation’s strategic direction, monitor the delivery of its objectives, and uphold its values and governance. The board will also guide, advise and support the Chair, who leads the delivery team towards achieving the Foundation’s vision and purpose.

For this role, we are specifically looking for someone with a finance background and existing or previous experience in charity finance and governance to work with existing trustees to oversee the financial matters of the charity in line with good practice and the legal obligations of the Charities Act.

The appointed trustee will sit on the Finance, Governance and Risk sub-committee and work with the Foundation’s Director and other trustees to update the board at regular intervals about the financial position of the Quality of Life Foundation and its trading subsidiary, QOLF Trading Ltd. NB all trustees are jointly and severally responsible for the administration of the charity.

Key responsibilities of the trustee include:

General

• Overseeing the creation and implementation of the Quality of Life Foundation’s strategy and business plan.

• Ensuring that the Foundation complies with all legal, regulatory and charitable requirements.

• Ensuring that the Foundation’s governance and performance is of the highest possible standard.

• Representing the Foundation at external events and sharing its aims and achievements with a wide variety of stakeholders to further establish its profile.

• Working in partnership with other Trustees and the Chair.

Financial

• Supporting the Director and board to oversee the financial matters of the charity, and to ensure appropriate presentation of budgets, accounts, management accounts and financial statements.

• Ensuring that financial resources are spent in accordance with the Charity’s objectives, good governance, legal and regulatory requirements.

Main duties:

In addition to the general duties of a trustee, your time will be spent:

• Liaising with the Director and/or Business Manager and supporting on financial matters.

• Supporting the board to monitor the financial viability of the Quality of Life Foundation and its trading subsidiary, QOLF Trading Ltd.

• Creating, in conjunction with relevant senior staff, a set of sound financial processes and procedures for the control of the charity’s assets.

• Advising on the financial implications of the Quality of Life Foundation’s Strategic Plan.

• Reviewing the annual accounts and, where applicable, liaising with the Foundation’s external accountants to ensure the accounts are compliant with the current Charities’ statement of recommended practice (SORP).

• Ensuring that sound financial management is maintained and ensuring expenditure is in line with the Foundation’s charitable objectives.

You

You are a leading professional in your industry with the time and commitment to help accelerate our growth and impact. You will be able to demonstrate:

General:

• A commitment to the Quality of Life Foundation’s mission and vision.

• Knowledge and understanding of current financial practice relevant to charities and relevant duties under the Charities Act.

• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and responsibilities of trusteeship.

Strategic Leadership:

• An ability to quickly understand, explore and resolve strategic issues, and to set and prioritise objectives.

• An ability to make your views known and make decisions in a group environment and in line with strategic objectives.

• Integrity and good independent judgement.

• Agility and the ability to think creatively.

Communication:

• Confidence in persuading and in communicating clearly and sensitively.

• Ability to listen intently, carefully and objectively.

• Ability to convey ideas, information and opinions clearly and concisely including a preparedness to make unpopular recommendations to the Board.

Teamwork:

• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to make decisions for the good of the Foundation.

• Support of the Chair, fellow board members and the Director.

• An ability to challenge the views of others appropriately.

Trustees should also have a good network and be able to combine various specialisms, with an understanding or appreciation of issues around design quality or health and wellbeing.

We are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive board, containing a broad range of skills, experience and backgrounds.

Commitment

The board meets formally four to six times per year. In addition, you will be expected to join the Finance, Governance and Risk sub-committee of the board and to represent the Foundation at external events.

Board meetings are held online and once a year at a location in central London. They are generally held midweek during the working day.

Trustees report to the Chair of the board. The position is unpaid, but reasonable expenses will be covered.

How to Apply

Please send a CV and covering letter outlining your experience, why you would be suited for the role and why you want to join the Quality of Life Foundation board.

If you require further information, or would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact us via our contact form on our website. 

Applications will be considered by the Chair and Trustees of the Quality of Life Foundation.

Suitable candidates will be invited to interview.

Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness (KCAH) has been working tirelessly to help people who are homeless, or are at risk of homelessness since 1983. We believe everyone deserves a safe home, however, with ever rising costs a fresh surge of people are reaching out for our help.

To join the KCAH Board of Trustees you should have a passion to help the homeless and the drive and desire to help lead KCAH forward. [This is an unpaid role]

We are especially looking for people with some of the following skills to volunteer as Trustees:

Experience in professional fundraising and/or knowledge of sources of funding and the ability to advise the Board on our strategy

Professional experience in a mental health setting such as in counselling/therapy to help our Board to support our staff and clients

Experience of property management

Experience of running a small/medium size business

Other skills that would be beneficial to the operation of our Board.

We welcome & encourage applications from all communities, faiths (and those of none), all ethnicities and all walks of life.

It would be helpful if you could include a one page summarised c.v. and a paragraph saying what you could bring to KCAH and why you might like to work with us.

Role Summary

We are looking for a new Chair of Trustees who will offer strategic and supportive leadership to our highly effective, collaborative and committed Board.  The Chair leads the board, ensuring that it governs the charity effectively, in service of the charity's vision and mission.  The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the Board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive.  The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity.

Chair role & responsibilities 

Provide strategic leadership to the charity and the Board, ensuring that Glass Door achieves its mission with the interests of Glass Door's guests at its centre.

Work collaboratively with the CEO, staff and volunteers to achieve our mission and optimise the relationship between the Board and Glass Doors's staff and volunteers.

Provide leadership within the Board, ensuring that it fulfills its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation and promoting governance among fellow Trustees, providing clarity around boundaries between governance, management and operations.

Plan and chair the bi-monthly board meetings and the AGM, with colleagues as appropriate and liaise with the CEO, Company Secretary and Governance Trustee with regard to setting up meetings, agenda items and annual report content.

Facilitate meetings ensuring all have equal involvement in discussions, clarifying any uncertainties, confirming decisions made and actions to be taken and ensuring effective time management of meetings whilst providing appropriate periods of discussion and reflection.

Act as a spokesperson and figurehead for Glass Door when required.

Support Glass Door functions and events eg attendance at supporter events.

Support the Head of Fundraising & Major Donors with the cultivation of high-level donors, occassionally attending meetings where value can be added.

Represent the Board at staff Town Hall meetings.

Support the team liaising with partner churches and statutory authorities as required and be the public face of Glass Door in the local community.

Liaise with the CEO and he Board to keep an overview of the charity's affairs.

Provide supervision and support to the CEO as necessary in addition to planned monthly/bi-monthly 'catch up' meetings and, with the People Trustee, lead the CEO's annual performance review.

To act as final stage adjudicator for disciplinary and grievance procedures if required.

What we are looking for

Experience of being a Trustee, ideally in the third sector, and an understanding of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of a Trustee/Director.

A keen sense of strategic purpose.

Strong leadership skills, able to foster and promote a collaborative team environment and an inclusive and collaborative leadership style; able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing.

An ability to facilitate, mediate, influence and respect the confidences of colleagues.  The ability to listen and engage effectively.  You are comfortable with challenge and debate and are able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment.

Excellent presentation and communication skills.

Advocate and ambassador - possess gravitas to lead the organisation and be able and willing to champion Glass Door.

Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to Glass Door's guests and ensure that the interests of our guests drive the decisions of the Board.

A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

A willingness to devote necessary time and effort to your duties as Chair and be available and responsive (e.g. when things sometimes 'come up' that require the Chair to advise, support or give consent to).

What's in it for the new Chair?

Our vision is a world where no one has to sleep on the streets of London and we're working every day to achieve this.  Your role as Chair will offer you an incredibly reqarding experience to use your skills and collaborate with the rest of the Board and staff members for the benefit of people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness.

For more information please see the full role description and Glass Door information pack attached,

Project Overview:

The Z House is an overnight accommodation for young people (18-25) at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The project aims to provide stable overnight accommodation for young people as they work towards a move-on goal. The project will work with the young people staying there to help them build skills necessary for maintaining independence beyond the project.

Specifics of the role

Hours: 20.00 - 08.00

Responsible to: Z House Project Coordinators

Location: 3 Pritchard St, St Paul's, Bristol BS2 8RH

Conditions: Happy interacting with guests Please note: This is a voluntary role

Role description:

This role is key in maintaining a safe and welcoming environment overnight at the Z House. Overnight duties involve interacting with the young people in the communal space if they want to, doing any necessary house duties, and responding to any emergencies should they occur (guidance will be given and you will never be left alone to deal with incidents!). It also includes providing a hand-over to the staff at the end of the shift. You will form part of a pair of volunteers, and there will always be a Caring it Bristol staff member on-call. A typical shift runs: · Arrive at the house at 20.00

· Letting in any guests who arrive late (before the 22.00 curfew)

· Checking in with the guests

· Conducting any house duties

· The shift is a sleep-in shift - You are allowed to sleep in the volunteer area during this shift, though remaining available to respond to incidents and emergencies should they occur

· Record any incidents or safeguarding concerns and include this in your handover – you will be trained in the procedure of what to do if this occurs

· Create a comprehensive handover for next the set of volunteers on shift and for the Z House project coordinators.

Person Specification:

· Be a good communicator.

· Be friendly and have an open demeanour

· Be Reliable and good at timekeeping

· Be expected to undertake one volunteer shift every month

· Have a willingness to learn about safeguarding, record keeping etc.

· Have a willingness to uphold CiB values and work towards its overall mission · Be committed to ongoing/in house training which will be organised by CiB

• ROLE TITLE:             Trustee of the Board of Directors
• SPECIALISM:            Finance / Treasurer  
• LOCATION:               Grimsby 
• HOURS OF WORK:4 - 6 hours per month.
• MEETINGS:               6 Board Meetings and 6 Sub-Committee Meetings per year.   

All Trustees are expected to make an active and dynamic contribution to the Board, the organisation and to supporting our work. Trustees have wide-ranging skills, knowledge, and experience appropriate to governance and strategy.

The overall role of the Treasurer is to maintain an overview of the Charity’s affairs, our strategic planning and to provide guidance to help ensure financial viability and support the requirements underpinning proper financial governance and procedures.

This key role will provide assurance to the Board that the financial resources of YMCA Humber meet its present and future needs, working with the CEO to ensure the Charity complies with relevant legislations, through efficient administration and best practice in good governance.

The ideal candidate will possess: 

• Strategic vision, and a solid understanding and acceptance of the legal responsibilities of Trusteeship.
• Financial or accountancy experience. 
• Good independent judgment, and a high level of credibility within the community.
• Strong leadership skills and a commitment to the work of the Charity.
• Open and transparent approach.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Knowledge of Charity finance or housing association finance.
• Skills to analyse proposals and examine the financial consequences.

It should be noted that the focus of this Trustee role is strategic, and the Treasurer will not be managing the organisation’s finances on a day-to-day basis; however, regular contact and liaison with the Chief Executive Officer and Head of Finance is expected.

VOLUNTEER MAN/WOMAN WITH A VAN

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, family circumstances, mental health issues, substance misuse, care leavers, learning disability, age, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Can you be the link between us and our clients, dropping of food and furniture where it’s needed?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to give to vulnerable clients needing food, help with a move or furniture picked up, loaded, and dropped off?

• Can we rely and depend on you to commit to a period of up to 12 weeks?

• Can you create and maintain positive, professional, and trusting relationships with a non-judgmental approach?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

• Drivers will need be able to take apart large items of furniture for packing and removal, loading them into your vehicle, securing them safely and driving to a new location to unload them

• Collecting food from food banks and dropping to clients’ homes

• Collecting furniture for clients and dropping to their accommodation

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Could you prevent loneliness and isolation in your community and become a befriender?

• Do you have 2-3 hours a week to give to a client suffering from loneliness or mental health? (For a mutual agreement of time and locations that meet clients’ needs)
• Can you offer support, through a listening ear and be a positive influence in a client’s life to help build self-esteem and confidence?
• Will you enable our clients to benefit from knowing someone is there to listen, be a friend, and check in on their wellbeing?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include, but is not restricted to the following tasks:

• Carry out weekly checks with the clients you are supporting. This can be in a variety of settings, e.g., family home, support home, or in the community (via face-to-face meetings, phone or video calls)
• Have fun, take clients on outings, and maybe share a hobby, sport, or an interest
• Collect prescriptions for clients and assist with their weekly shop
• Help clients rediscover social skills and confidence by building up and maintaining a close relationship
• Report any concerns to the Volunteer Coordinator

Skills required

No qualifications or volunteering experience is required; however, the below skills are essential:

• A non-judgemental approach
• Good listening and communication skills
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Be able to work on own initiative
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

VOLUNTEER MAN/WOMAN WITH A VAN

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, family circumstances, mental health issues, substance misuse, care leavers, learning disability, age, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Can you be the link between us and our clients, dropping of food and furniture where it’s needed?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to give to vulnerable clients needing food, help with a move or furniture picked up, loaded, and dropped off?

• Can we rely and depend on you to commit to a period of up to 12 weeks?

• Can you create and maintain positive, professional, and trusting relationships with a non-judgmental approach?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

• Drivers will need be able to take apart large items of furniture for packing and removal, loading them into your vehicle, securing them safely and driving to a new location to unload them

• Collecting food from food banks and dropping to clients’ homes

• Collecting furniture for clients and dropping to their accommodation

Role summary:

To encourage and support clients on a one-to-one basis to find suitable employment or volunteering.

To assess each individual and help prepare them for meaningful and suitable employment.

Key Responsibilities

• To support clients to identify their skills and readiness for employment and training
• To communicate with clients to understand their strengths and assisting with personal barriers
• To research and match suitable employment, work placements, volunteering or training opportunities based on client preferences
• To identify any initial support needs/adjustments that the service user may need to work successfully
• To assist with CV’s, applications and support for interviews

Skills required

• Good communication and IT skills

• Excellent people skills to enable you to work with a range of individuals with complex backgrounds

• An understanding of the challenges faced by those unemployed

• Cultural Awareness

• Reliable and trustworthy

• Ability to inspire and motivate others

• Respect Confidentiality

• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team

• Ability to operate within Connection Support’s policies and procedures

Volunteer Role Description

Connection Support provides a breadth of specialist support services to a range of people facing complex life challenges.  The support covers housing support, homelessness, isolation, money management, mental health and drug and alcohol abuse. Often service users have multiple issues which means our work with them is all encompassing.

Volunteer Befriender/supporter

Role Summary:  To provide continuation of support for a defined period following closure of clients from our mental health services in Oxfordshire. This is where the client has expressed a need for ongoing support but the planned tasks with the support worker have been completed.  Volunteers will provide a range of support including an agreed programme of telephone contact, support and attending appointments with clients, and other tasks relevant to that individual’s needs.  This may include helping to develop and maintain social networks which for many were negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Outline of Duties:

1. To assist clients to meet their support needs, including:

• Supporting clients for a period of time and regularity based on mutual agreement, at times and locations that meet clients’ needs
• Providing information and assistance to clients to enable them to develop their social network and participate in the community
• To provide company and friendship, assist with shopping, go for a walk, and share activities of common interest – anything which makes life more enjoyable.
• Support to manage appointments including attendance with clients where appropriate.
• Other tasks relevant to the client’s needs as agreed with Connection Support.

Volunteer Role Description

Connection Support provides a breadth of specialist support services to a range of people facing complex life challenges.  The support covers housing support, homelessness, isolation, money management, mental health and drug and alcohol abuse. Often service users have multiple issues which means our work with them is all encompassing.

Volunteer Befriender/supporter

Role Summary:  To provide continuation of support for a defined period following closure of clients from our mental health services in Oxfordshire. This is where the client has expressed a need for ongoing support but the planned tasks with the support worker have been completed.  Volunteers will provide a range of support including an agreed programme of telephone contact, support and attending appointments with clients, and other tasks relevant to that individual’s needs.  This may include helping to develop and maintain social networks which for many were negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Outline of Duties:

1. To assist clients to meet their support needs, including:

• Supporting clients for a period of time and regularity based on mutual agreement, at times and locations that meet clients’ needs
• Providing information and assistance to clients to enable them to develop their social network and participate in the community
• To provide company and friendship, assist with shopping, go for a walk, and share activities of common interest – anything which makes life more enjoyable.
• Support to manage appointments including attendance with clients where appropriate.
• Other tasks relevant to the client’s needs as agreed with Connection Support.

EMPLOYMENT COACH

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, family circumstances, mental health issues, substance misuse, care leavers, learning disability, age, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients f

Would you like the opportunity to apply your experience in a meaningful role to help vulnerable clients?

· Do you have 1 hour a week to give to a vulnerable client

· Can we rely and depend on you to commit to a period of up to 12 weeks?

· Can you create and maintain positive, professional, and trusting relationships with a non-judgmental approach?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Role summary:

To encourage and support clients on a one-to-one basis to find suitable employment or volunteering.

To assess each individual and help prepare them for meaningful and suitable employment.

Key Responsibilities

· To support clients to identify their skills and readiness for employment and training

· To communicate with clients to understand their strengths and assisting with personal barriers

· To research and match suitable employment, work placements, volunteering or training opportunities based on client preferences

· To identify any initial support needs/adjustments that the service user may need to work successfully

· To assist with CV’s, applications and support for interviews

VOLUNTEER HANDYPERSON

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Are you a reliable handyperson who can undertake, upkeep, and repair a range of tasks for our housing support clients?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to make basic home improvements to client’s accommodation?
• Are you a dab hand at DIY and want to put your handyperson skills to good use?
• Do you have an interest in motivating people to make positive changes in their lives through acquiring new skills?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include carrying out basic household repairs and alterations such as:

• Gardening work
• Flat pack furniture assembly
• Putting up curtain rails/blinds
• Hanging pictures and shelves

Skills required

No volunteering experience is required however the below skills are essential:

• Practical skills in DIY and/or gardening
• Good listening and communication skills
• Excellent people skills to enable you to work with a range of individuals with complex backgrounds

• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

VOLUNTEER HANDYPERSON

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Are you a reliable handyperson who can undertake, upkeep, and repair a range of tasks for our housing support clients?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to make basic home improvements to client’s accommodation?
• Are you a dab hand at DIY and want to put your handyperson skills to good use?
• Do you have an interest in motivating people to make positive changes in their lives through acquiring new skills?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include carrying out basic household repairs and alterations such as:

• Gardening work
• Flat pack furniture assembly
• Putting up curtain rails/blinds
• Hanging pictures and shelves

Skills required

No volunteering experience is required however the below skills are essential:

• Practical skills in DIY and/or gardening
• Good listening and communication skills
• Excellent people skills to enable you to work with a range of individuals with complex backgrounds

• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way