Volunteer Roles in Lancashire

We are a volunteer-run organisation whose aim is to ensure that everybody impacted by borderline personality disorder is supported in their recovery. 

Peer support is about sharing your lived experience of mental health struggles with other people with the hope of providing, support, encouragement, and validation that you understand what they are going through, that they are not alone in their feelings and circumstance. We believe that peer support is an important part of the recovery journey, as it provides a space for support, shared understanding, helps reduce stigma and fosters motivation and hope. 

We run several online peer support groups each month for people living with borderline personality disorder and are seeking compassionate and empathetic people to co-facilitate the groups. All groups are facilitated by two peer support workers, and follow a semi-structured pattern. Our groups include:

• Women-only
• Men-only
• 18 to 25s
• LGBTQIA+
• Mixed
• Family

As a volunteer, you will receive comprehensive training, accessible online. We also provide ongoing supervision, support to ensure that you can effectively support others while prioritizing your own recovery. The training covers various areas such as peer support, communication, safeguarding, and facilitation skills.

Role description

• to co-facilitate a support group of 10-15 people on a fortnightly/monthly basis
• to provide support in a group peer support setting
• to share own experiences without taking away from the others persons current feelings and situation
• to use active listening and personal experiences to reassure and validate group members
• to enable and encourage service users to find out resources and local services
• to encourage wellbeing and recovery

Person specification

• Lived experience of mental health 
• Able to use own experiences openly while maintaining strong boundaries
• Access to a reliable internet connection, a computer with webcam, and a confidential space.
• Commitment to our aims and mission

Availability and Committment

We ask that you have availability 2-3 hours per month for a minimum of 6 months. Our groups are held on mid-week evenings and Sunday evenings. 

How to apply

Please submit a cover letter with your application, detailing your relevant experience. Please also indicate which specific group you are interested in co-facilitating if you have a preference. 

Diversity Statement

We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills and views. The more inclusive we are, the more people we can support. We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds. 

Please note that you must be a UK resident with the right to live and work in the UK. This role is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

We provide peer support to people living with borderline personality disorder, through our online groups which are run throughout the month. As well as general support groups, we also have specialist groups for men-only, women-only, LGBTQIA+, young people and families. Our team of volunteer peer support workers, many with lived experience, co-facilitate the groups. 

We are looking for a friendly and compassionate counsellor to provide monthly group supervision sessions, and 1:1 sessions where necessary, to ensure our team of peer support workers are fully supported throughout their time volunteering with us. 

Main duties

• To provide monthly group supervision (online, via Teams) for the peer support workers
• To provide 1:1 support if needed (online, via Teams)
• To regularly check in with the peer support workers by email
• Highlight any areas of concern to the leadership team
• Maintain and record accurate and up to date records

Personal specification

• a minimum of level 4 in counselling/psychotherapy or equivalent
• registered with a professional body such as BACP or UKCP
• a minimum of 100 client contact hours
• experience of safeguarding and confidentiality
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• able to work independently
• confident working with people from diverse backgrounds/cultures

Role title: 

Volunteer Classroom Assistant (Online) – English, Maths, Science  

Where: 

Online (Zoom) / Nova New Opportunities, 2 Thorpe Close, W10 5XL

When: 

Immediately, minimum commitment of 3 months. 

Support 1-2 classes a week (45 minutes per class). 

English classes are currently held on Mondays and Wednesday between 16:30 and 19:15. 

Maths and Science classes are currently held on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 16:15 and 19:45.

About Nova:  

Based in North Kensington since 1983 and serving its poorest wards & those of surrounding London boroughs, Nova works with individuals from marginalised and disadvantaged communities who are looking to develop their potential and achieve a better future for themselves. Nova brings about real and lasting change in people’s lives by addressing every person as an individual and seeking out ways to best support that person to reach their goals. We endeavour to help every person that comes to us who is motivated and committed to improving his or her life.   

Reaching 2,500+ people each year, we believe in improving people’s lives one person at a time, helping committed and motivated individuals to achieve their potential by:  

• Developing knowledge, education and confidence 

• Connecting diverse groups

• Providing opportunities 

Our work, operates on 2 levels:

• Grassroots Community Support – including responsive actions (e.g. Grenfell, COVID-19), education, IAG, family programme and volunteering  

• Wider Reaching Dialogue Events and Influencing – focussing on challenging stigma, prejudice and inequality – working with individuals, organisations, networks and decision makers to move through conversation to action 

Purpose of role: 

Support the Nova Family Programme tutors in facilitating online home school sessions.

Role Description: 

This role will be to act as a teaching assistant to tutors delivering online English, maths and science classes (for young people at Key Stage 2 and 3). With the disruption of Covid-19, many families have been thrown into the unknown world of home schooling – made even more challenging when your own education isn’t up to scratch or English is your second language. We are delivering a free programme of online home school support to those who have been most negatively impacted by being out of school. Now that Schools have reopened, we will be continuing these sessions to ensure that learners do not fall behind as Schools focus on catching up on lost learning. The aim is to support children who may be falling behind with their studies and mitigating as far as possible the widening attainment gap. 

You will: 

• Enjoy working in a team 

• Provide tutorial support 

• Position yourself as a resource for learners 

• Work one-on-one or with breakout groups of learners who need additional help 

• Facilitate the zoom classroom as required 

You need to be: 

• DBS Checked 

• Confident in the use of IT 

• Some experience of supporting learners with Maths/ English 

• Experience of working with young people 

• Committed

• Competent 

• Reliable

• Honest 

• Punctual 

• Patient 

• Fair 

• Open minded 

• Learners may come from various cultural backgrounds and face different learning challenges. You will need to be at ease whether supervising an entire class or working one-on-one with students.

• Comfortable following Nova staff directions and working independently 

Further information: 

• Induction and appropriate training will be provided.

• Teaching or coaching experience would be desirable but not essential. 

Main point of contact/supervisor: 

Matthew Barnett 

IMPORTANT: An enhanced DBS check is required for this role, and so we are unfortunately only able to accept applications from UK-based applicants or British nationals living abroad.

The Walk21 Foundation is a UK charity that works internationally. Our vision is a world where everyone can walk in a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

We are seeking a UK-based trustee to join the board and act as honorary treasurer. This is a voluntary position to work alongside a friendly and passionate group of international trustees to provide governance and strategic direction for the charity.

The board meets 3 or 4 times a year online, with some additional work conducted via email – so you can be based anywhere in the UK. The role requires 5-7 hours of your time per quarter.

You will work with the charity’s Chief Executive to provide easy-to-understand financial information to the other trustees.

You should have a good working knowledge and experience of financial management. You do not need to be knowledgeable about the charity’s mission.

Make a lasting impact on future generations and your community, by becoming a governor for your local college.

Peridot Partners have partnered with the Department of Education to revolutionise the education governance sector, by appointing 137 new governors to college boards across England.

Education governors come from all backgrounds and sectors with either professional or lived experience that can help the board to make their decisions. A passion for education and future generations is a must, but you don’t need to have any experience in the education sector to become a governor.

Being an education governor or trustee is a rewarding and fulfilling venture for any of us. You don’t need to be a Chief Executive, a senior leader or even an educationalist to join the ever-growing pool of people who regularly attend board and committee meetings to influence and impact the quality of education delivered by our schools, sixth forms, further education colleges and universities. 

As an education governor, you will draw on the professional experience of your working career and your own life experiences to support and challenge the strategic direction of the organisation. You will reflect on the lessons that you have learnt through education, work and life to ask questions and understand how decisions being made on an operational level will and could impact the students and their potential for achievement.

Peridot Partners and the Department of Education are, together, 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(s) will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can see the available opportunities and register your interest. 

Role Description
As a Fundraising Volunteer, you will play a vital part, in organising and assisting with our fundraising activities. All the proceeds from these activities go directly towards helping care for the pets of those experiencing homelessness. StreetVet are looking for a volunteer Fundraising Assistant to work with the Head of Fundraising to help with varied fundraising/administrative activities.
You will help support StreetVet’s patients and their owners by strengthening StreetVet’s fundraising capability.

What can you expect to be doing?
The volunteer Fundraising Assistant will work with the Head of Fundraising to deliver on the fundraising strategy and plan for StreetVet. There will also be a close working relationship with the marketing team to deliver fundraising events, campaigns and social media posts.

The main responsibilities for this role:
The Fundraising Assistant will work with the Head of Fundraising to provide support to the department on a wide range of tasks including but not limited to:
• Administration and support - provide support to the department on a range of administrative tasks including fundraising enquires (postal, email, online)
• Work with the Head of Fundraising to ensure donations are processed correctly and supporters are thanked
• Ensure the CRM/database is kept accurate and up-to-date/help with reporting as required
• Support the Head of Fundraising with Trusts & Grants to search for/record grant applications and finance information
• Support Head of Fundraising to explore new opportunities and help organise specific fundraising events as required
• Work with local fundraising volunteers, arranging work for them and supporting them as needed
• Support campaigning work, e.g. data selections for internal and external campaigns, pulling together content as directed for social media/specific campaigns, etc.
• Ensure tasks are correctly prioritised and deadlines are met

What we are looking for in a Fundraising Volunteer
• Someone who is flexible and can offer an ongoing commitment
• Data savvy – high level data management and numeracy skills
• Good attention to detail and high levels of accuracy
• Excellent knowledge/skills with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook)
• Excellent organisation and interpersonal skills
• Positive, proactive approach with lots of enthusiasm to help us raise much needed funds
• Friendly and approachable to work alongside other volunteers, staff, and members of the public, ensuring excellent customer service at all times
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Ensure best practice/compliance in fundraising activities, in line with our code of conduct and the Fundraising Regulator
• Commitment to the vision, mission and values of StreetVet

What we can offer you as a Fundraising Volunteer
• You will be making a massive difference to StreetVet patients and their owners.
• Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new contacts.
• Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

Desirable
• Some understanding of charity fundraising landscape

Time Commitment
StreetVet employs a Head of Fundraising, but as the charity stands this role strengthens the Charity’s efficiency and strengthens their ability to create lasting impact on the communities we support. We’d love you to be able to give us 2-4 hours a week. More hours may be required at certain times, such as around events, but there will always be flexibility.

Treasurer, L'Arche in the UK

ABOUT L'ARCHE 

L’Arche is a worldwide federation of people with and without learning disabilities, working together for a world where all belong. We believe in the transforming impact of genuinely mutual relationships between people with and without disabilities. We are looking for a new Treasurer and Trustee with professional financial experience to support L’Arche in an ongoing financial transformation project.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Treasurer’s responsibilities:

• Providing financial accountability and supporting the Finance Director.
• Helping other trustees to carry out their financial responsibilities by presenting reports in an accessible way.
• Signing the accounts and receiving the audit report.
• Presenting the accounts to the AGM.
• Chairing the Finance Sub-Committee, which leads the Board on financial accountability and strategy.

Jointly with other trustees:

• Ensure that L’Arche in the UK has a clear vision, mission, and strategy and is focused on achieving them.
• Be responsible for the performance of the Charity and its corporate behaviour.
• Ensure the L’Arche UK Charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Be a guardian of the Charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security and proper use.
• Ensure the charity fulfils its purpose and aims.
• Use your specific skills, knowledge, and professional and lived experience in support of L’Arche.
• Inform yourself of the key responsibilities, expectations, and best practice for Charity Trustees as set out by the Charity Commission and others, and stay up to date with best practice in the sector.

Time Commitment

The Board typically meets five times a year, including the AGM. Some of the meetings are on video call, and others in person. Routine meetings are on a weekday afternoon, interspersed with full day sessions for strategy, and for meeting the L’Arche National Speaking Council (made up of members with learning disabilities). The Treasurer also chairs the Finance Sub-Committee which meets online for two hours four or five times a year. Board members are asked to cultivate some contact with L’Arche community life, and to find ways to build relationships in one or more of our local L’Arche Communities.

A full role description and person specification can be found in the Recruitment Pack.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 2 June.

To apply, please answer the questions on our online application form. 

Please also read our privacy notice for job applicants.

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.

Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

We’re looking for volunteers who are:

• Reliable and friendly
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Passionate about customer service
• Interested in learning about and supporting the work of Sense

Volunteering in one of our Sense Shops will involve a variety of tasks that you can get involved with. These include:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health, safety and social distancing measures to ensure the safety of everyone

We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world. This is why it is important to us that our volunteers feel supported and rewarded. Here is what we can offer you as a volunteer:

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Do you speak Sudanese Arabic?

It’s fantastic that you would like to find out more about volunteering at St Mungo’s. Would you like to provide vital support to vulnerable adults who need help translating important documents for whom English is not their first language? As a Language Translation Microvolunteer, you will be providing an extremely valuable service to our clients and staff; helping to translate important documents to increase the accessibility of our resources, as well as providing – if you are available when asked, language translation support via the phone. You will be helping people who have experienced homelessness, who may be experiencing addiction, mental health issues, physical or mental disabilities or who may be refugees, asylum seekers or have no recourse to public funds.

Please see all locations and the time commitments we are currently recruiting for in this role:

• Remote – We will be contacting you as and when we receive translation support requests from our clients and our local services.

Do I need to have any specific skills? 

• Be fluent in a language other than English (both written and verbal communication) 

• An understanding of the causes of homelessness and its impact. 

• Genuine interest in and commitment to St Mungo’s work and client group. 

• An understanding of and commitment to diversity & equality.

Location: London / Online

£5,000 per annum, plus expenses

Quarterly Board Meetings take place in London in person, with the ability to join online for those unable to make an in-person meeting

The Innovation Unit is a dynamic, not for profit social enterprise. With an expert team and board we endeavour to grow and scale the boldest and best innovations, that deliver long term impact for people, address persistent inequalities and transform the systems around them.

We design and deliver innovation programmes that develop new ideas, working with local places, systems and partners to help adoption and adaptation to different contexts and different needs. We also pass on tools and techniques to inspire people to keep innovating, learning and iterating.

Collaboration is at the heart of our work. We value everyone’s lived experience, facilitate co-production and we help to reimagine and transform systems. Our approach is intersectional, and we share a core set of beliefs about enabling change that is owned and driven by the people it affects.

About the role

This role offers you the opportunity to sit together with people who are committed to using the power of social innovation to address the most persistent problems we face. The Board and executive have a strong sense of mission and are ambitious and focused on continuing to extend and amplify Innovation Unit’s impact.

Open, generative and productive, the Board brings together diverse experiences that contribute to rich conversations and offers high quality strategic advice, guidance and challenge. As Innovation Unit expands into current and new areas of work, we are looking for different experiences to continue to evolve our business model, deepen our impact and become more embedded in the systems that can affect change.

Who are we looking for?

We value all forms of diversity and thrive on new perspectives and constructive challenge, and we welcome individuals who are ambitious, optimistic and who are inspired to contribute to our future development.  In particular we, are looking for individuals who have expertise in the following areas:

●  Financial Strategy - IU starts 2024/25 in a strong financial position with a positive pipeline of contracts. We welcome someone who can analyse and understand our organisation through a strategic finance lens. Someone who is able to interrogate financial statements and reports to quickly identify core questions about organisational performance, priorities, and developments.

● Philanthropy and generating investment - we would welcome someone who has deep knowledge, strategic experience and credibility of generating investment from trusts and foundations. Expanding this aspect of our portfolio is central to our ability to drive, proactively, the change we want to see in the world.

● A ‘door opener’ - someone who can connect us and our work into public debate, thought leaders, and policy-makers - enabling us to contribute our learning to national conversations, as well as to our partners on the ground.

● Equity, diversity and inclusion - in the context of becoming an anti-racist organisation we are looking for someone who can offer strategic guidance and new perspectives on tackling inequalities within our organisation and through our work.

Please click 'Apply via website’ 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. Tuesday 28th May.

Do you speak Hindi/Punjabi/any Indian dialect?

It’s fantastic that you would like to find out more about volunteering at St Mungo’s. Would you like to provide vital support to vulnerable adults who need help translating important documents for whom English is not their first language? As a Language Translation Microvolunteer, you will be providing an extremely valuable service to our clients and staff; helping to translate important documents to increase the accessibility of our resources, as well as providing – if you are available when asked, language translation support via the phone. You will be helping people who have experienced homelessness, who may be experiencing addiction, mental health issues, physical or mental disabilities or who may be refugees, asylum seekers or have no recourse to public funds.

Please see all locations and the time commitments we are currently recruiting for in this role:

• Remote – We will be contacting you as and when we receive translation support requests from our clients and our local services.

Do I need to have any specific skills? 

• Be fluent in a language other than English (both written and verbal communication) 
• An understanding of the causes of homelessness and its impact. 
• Genuine interest in and commitment to St Mungo’s work and client group. 
• An understanding of and commitment to diversity & equality.

Do you speak Polish?

It’s fantastic that you would like to find out more about volunteering at St Mungo’s. Would you like to provide vital support to vulnerable adults who need help translating important documents for whom English is not their first language? As a Language Translation Microvolunteer, you will be providing an extremely valuable service to our clients and staff; helping to translate important documents to increase the accessibility of our resources, as well as providing – if you are available when asked, language translation support via the phone. You will be helping people who have experienced homelessness, who may be experiencing addiction, mental health issues, physical or mental disabilities or who may be refugees, asylum seekers or have no recourse to public funds.

Please see all locations and the time commitments we are currently recruiting for in this role:

• Remote – We will be contacting you as and when we receive translation support requests from our clients and our local services.

Do I need to have any specific skills? 

• Be fluent in a language other than English (both written and verbal communication) 

• An understanding of the causes of homelessness and its impact. 

• Genuine interest in and commitment to St Mungo’s work and client group. 

• An understanding of and commitment to diversity & equality.

Do you speak Amharic?

It’s fantastic that you would like to find out more about volunteering at St Mungo’s. Would you like to provide vital support to vulnerable adults who need help translating important documents for whom English is not their first language? As a Language Translation Microvolunteer, you will be providing an extremely valuable service to our clients and staff; helping to translate important documents to increase the accessibility of our resources, as well as providing – if you are available when asked, language translation support via the phone. You will be helping people who have experienced homelessness, who may be experiencing addiction, mental health issues, physical or mental disabilities or who may be refugees, asylum seekers or have no recourse to public funds.

Please see all locations and the time commitments we are currently recruiting for in this role:

• Remote – We will be contacting you as and when we receive translation support requests from our clients and our local services.

Do I need to have any specific skills? 

• Be fluent in a language other than English (both written and verbal communication) 

• An understanding of the causes of homelessness and its impact. 

• Genuine interest in and commitment to St Mungo’s work and client group. 

• An understanding of and commitment to diversity & equality.

Do you speak Bulgarian?

It’s fantastic that you would like to find out more about volunteering at St Mungo’s. Would you like to provide vital support to vulnerable adults who need help translating important documents for whom English is not their first language? As a Language Translation Microvolunteer, you will be providing an extremely valuable service to our clients and staff; helping to translate important documents to increase the accessibility of our resources, as well as providing – if you are available when asked, language translation support via the phone. You will be helping people who have experienced homelessness, who may be experiencing addiction, mental health issues, physical or mental disabilities or who may be refugees, asylum seekers or have no recourse to public funds.

Please see all locations and the time commitments we are currently recruiting for in this role:

• Remote – We will be contacting you as and when we receive translation support requests from our clients and our local services.

Do I need to have any specific skills? 

• Be fluent in a language other than English (both written and verbal communication) 

• An understanding of the causes of homelessness and its impact. 

• Genuine interest in and commitment to St Mungo’s work and client group. 

• An understanding of and commitment to diversity & equality.