Social Care/Development Volunteer Roles

Volunteer - Homeline’s tele-befriending service!

Do you have an hour to spare each week? Want a simple remote volunteer role you can fit around your busy life?

Look no further! Homeline is a befriending project for older people in Hammersmith and Fulham.

We are looking for volunteers to remotely call a few isolated older adults per week. These calls make such a difference and are often the only phone call a person will receive all week!

A flexible role ideal for volunteers who work during the week and have less time to commit. Join our friendly team and enjoy the benefits of full role training, DBS and continued support.

Get in touch, join our friendly team and enjoy the benefits of full role training, DBS and continued support.

Location: London

Salary: Unpaid 

Commitment: 10 to 15 hours per week, planning and strategy work can be done at times to suit you with occasional time bound interviews and team meetings scheduled to suit your schedule (corporate speak for: ‘we’ll ask when works for you first!), events would require your attendance.

Role length: 12 months +

About us

Go Inspire International C.I.C. is a women founded charity with the purpose of bringing women together to grow and thrive as a community. We believe that the world will be a better place when all women are supported to become the best versions of ourselves, and that this will allow us to better challenge the discrimination we face.

We do this by creating community centres for women, delivering wellbeing education through our events and media platform and creating a resource hub to connect women to all the information and support they need. 

Our core values are equality, intersectionality, sustainability, social connection, excellence and fun. These values permeate everything we do here at Go Inspire UK. 

If you’ve ever wanted to experience working in a place where you and your ambition are fully seen, appreciated and supported, and you want to join a really fun, high energy, full of laughs and mega supportive team then this is the opportunity for you. 

Job Description 

You will work alongside our CEO and Managing Director throughout 2024/5 to:

• Create our events calendar for 2022 in line with our purpose, including workshops, classes, talks, fairs, festivals and anything else you can think of! 

• Build and manage our events team 

• Take ownership of managing the events

• Build systems and processed to plan, execute and review all events

• Report on plans and past events to the leadership team and trustee board

Note: This role has been designed for a year to support in building and managing our events  but we would love to have you longer if it works for us both. 
 

About you 

• Be a rogue thinker, willing to come up with bold and innovative ideas. We love creativity and ridiculousness here. 

• Leadership skills are important as you’ll be building a team to work with, so you need to be able to organise, engage and support a team. 

• Time management and delegation skills are vital to make sure you’re keeping to the agreed hours! 

• Organisation nerds are wanted :D that and any events management and planning experience.

• Above all, to thrive in this role you need to be energetic, enthusiastic and willing to work in a fast paced environment as it’s a hectic but exciting one. 

Note: please do apply if you don’t tick all the above boxes. More than experience, we make decisions on team fit, willingness to grow and ambition

What we can give you 

We care deeply about creating a team and environment that people love to be a part of, and not just so we can say that in our marketing! As such, we work hard to make sure that you:

• Are part of a connected team with regular meet ups and social events.

• Get the support to achieve your personal and professional goals.

• Get regular feedback to make sure you’re on track and growing. 

• Have the opportunity to flex your creativity and propose and drive ideas forward.

• Be part of building an organisation that creates real positive impact in empowering women to not just survive, but to thrive.

• Work in a way that suits you and your unique needs, with support to identify your needs and implement solutions to meet them.

• And more than anything else, a team that sees you for who you are, and works to make sure you are reaching your true potential, your way.

• Amazing references.

And of course it goes without saying that fellow neurodiversies and those who think differently are so very welcome and celebrated in this space! 
 

How to apply and what happens next

Please fill in the following application form, no need to attach a CV. If we think you could be a good fit we will invite you for an interview with the relevant member of the leadership team.

We will do our best to get back to you if we don’t think this role is for you but due to the high number of applications this isn’t always possible. If you don’t hear from us for two weeks do feel free to reach out, but often this means you didn’t get through to interviews this time. 

Please don’t let this put you off from applying for other roles with us in the future though :) We love to hear from you and appreciate the time you put into the applications.

Any questions?

Get in touch with us!

Looking forward to hearing from you, 

Marina (CEO)

We hope to provide our placement students with an insight into the daily internal workings of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation. The student will have access to relevant in-house training and development opportunities during their placement. There also may be ad hoc opportunities to get involved in other areas of work where appropriate. You will be responsible for achieving specific work objectives, agreed with you, in a set length of time within one of the various departments across the UK. As you are recruited to support or complete particular objectives, you will have a real responsibility and place in the department, bringing some of your skills and experience to the role; you will also have the chance to develop workplace skills.

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants? You could help them to draw on their own strengths to cope with crisis and to rebuild their lives.

The British Red Cross is a volunteer-led humanitarian organisation that helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We enable vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities and when the crisis is over, we help people recover and move on with their lives.

Placement Volunteers at the British Red Cross are highly valued for the skills and energy they bring. We aim to provide our placement volunteers with an insight into the daily workings of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation. The successful candidate will have access to relevant in-house training and development opportunities during their placement. There may be some ad hoc opportunities to get involved in other areas of activity.

Your role as a placement volunteer will help make a great contribution to the work of the British Red Cross. You will take responsibility for achieving specific objectives that are agreed with you within one of the various departments across the UK. You will have a real responsibility and place in the department, bringing some of your skills and experience to the role; you will also have the chance to develop workplace skills.

While we don’t offer voluntary internships, we are happy for you to describe yourself as an intern on your CV, if you feel that would be helpful.

PLEASE STATE YOUR EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE IN YOUR APPLICATION.

HOURS: This placement will be over 21 hours per week; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Tuesday and Thursday will be in the Sheffield office. The role will involve outreach support in Sheffield City Centre on alternate Wednesdays with some remote working. The volunteering hours are negotiable to balance your needs and what can be achieved in the role.

Bursary Scheme The British Red Cross offers a bursary scheme to those placement volunteers from low-income households. Eligibility will be determined through a separate application process open to all short-listed candidates. All British Red Cross volunteers are entitled to out-of-pocket reasonable expenses.

For this scheme we are defining low-income households as:

• Inside London: Living with family or partner £25,000 or under. Living independently £22.500 or under
• Outside London: Living with family or partner £18,500 or under. Living independently £16,500 or under

Young People and this role Our placement volunteer opportunities are open to people at different stages of their career, aged 15 or above. Whether you’re student, a recent graduate or someone with more experience looking for a career change, we would be happy to hear from you.

Anyone can volunteer with the Red Cross from the age of 15. An individual risk assessment, parental consent and safeguarding considerations will be required for those aged 15 – 17. Due to the nature of the activities specific to this placement opportunity you need to be 18 years or older.

**Diversity **We welcome applications from people of different backgrounds, experience and circumstances. We seek to ensure that our organisation and our services are relevant and accessible to all, with equality, diversity and fairness at the core of what we do. We invite applications from individuals regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or political belief and are committed to promoting fair participation and equality of opportunity for all of our applicants.

The British Red Cross is committed to being inclusive, with a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences – including disabled and ethnic minority candidates. We value fresh perspectives and insights gained by involving and welcoming people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture and experience. This is to contribute to the breadth of experience we need to respond to people in crisis.

Our Casework volunteers work one-to-one with refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants at a time which many will find difficult and distressing. We help to make sure people have choices and opportunities available to them to move forward with their lives in a new country. Diversity is something we celebrate. We want you to be able to bring your authentic self to the Red Cross and feel that you belong. We want to create an inclusive environment, and promote and spread the power of kindness.

Why we want you

The casework placement volunteer will work one-to-one with vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees to help them access suitable services. It will include but not limited to, undertaking sensitive and comprehensive interviews with service users to assess their needs and agreeing a plan of action with the beneficiary.

What you will be doing

• Support the beneficiary to access other services, for example from the NHS, legal representatives, and Social Services
• Maintaining effective client records using our data capture system including communicating effectively with the Home Office case owner
• Working effectively with interpreters
• Offering onward referral to relevant bodies as appropriate
• Providing one to one support to beneficiaries
• Undertaking sensitive and comprehensive interviews with service users to assess their needs
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding and protection issues with vulnerable clients, including children and vulnerable adults.

The skills you need

• A good communicator and empathetic about the situation and needs of refugees
• Able to use emotional support skills in a calm and responsible manner
• Aware of conflict and migration issues and sensitive to cultural issues, including those relating to gender
• Personally resilient as you may need to deal with difficult or challenging situations
• Understanding of face-to-face client work and/or casework, demonstrating excellent communication and proven listening skills
• Able to speak good English; plus knowledge of a foreign language would be useful (particularly one used in the current local refugee population)
• Able to use emotional support skills in a calm and responsible manner
• Able to keep the beneficiary at the heart of what you do, supporting the Red Cross to understand service user needs and the difference our role makes
• Willing to adhere to BRC Casework Good Practice Standards
• Able to work alone with minimum supervision as well as part of a team
• Willing to uphold the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and adhere to the Society’s Equal Opportunities Policy
• Willing to complete a criminal record check

What's in it for you

• A full induction, with ongoing support and supervision throughout your placement
• Access to relevant in-house training and development opportunities, including British Red Cross intranet site, e-learning facility and one-to-one career sessions or career development workshops
• Valuable exposure to the work of the Red Cross in the UK and around the world
• A great opportunity to develop your existing skills and to gain new ones
• Reasonable travel and lunch expenses paid
• Being a volunteer for the British Red Cross means that you can proudly say you are part of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, and one of our 13 million volunteers across the world.

We have a new volunteer opportunity based at Coventry Probation Office supporting the Change Grow Live Dependency & Recovery team. You will be making a real difference to the lives of others and gaining experience of working with the Dependency & Recovery service and the Prison and Probation service.

We are looking for motivated people who have an understanding of the issues faced by the people we support. You'll be passionate about supporting people to change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.

As a Criminal Justice Dependency & Recovery Volunteer, you will work closely with Dependency and Recovery Coordinators to deliver a range of tailored activities to adult males who are on probation.

You will support in delivering psychosocial interventions to help the person on probation to achieve their goals around their substance misuse and offending behaviour.

As a Change Grow Live volunteer you will be part of a supportive team, you will have a dedicated member of staff to support and supervise you.  All our volunteers receive comprehensive training and guidance to develop within the role.

Please note before applying

• The volunteer role is based at Coventry Probation office on either Mon/Tue/Wed/Thur (office hrs are 9 - 5pm)
• Some of the training for this role is elearning and so access to a laptop in order to complete this will be helpful
• This post is subject to a DBS check at an enhanced level and vetting enhanced level 1 by HMPPS 
• Please remember to complete the Personal Statement part of the application as this forms part of the shortlisting process

To find out more about this exciting opportunity please read the attached role description.

Ref VPW-243

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join us as a Volunteer Pantry Worker to support the daily running of our Pantry in Colwyn Bay.

The postholder will play a key role in the day to day running of the Pantry, learning key aspects of the Pantry which includes welcoming customers, stock rotation, placing deliveries away effectively in colour co-ordinated sections.

Welcoming clients in a polite and friendly manner will be an essential part of the role, as well as understanding the challenges they face in attending a social supermarket.

You will be expected to work closely with the Pantry team to ensure a full person-centred approach is available to all customers.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Set up/Set down, includes recording temperatures of fridge and freezer, completing paperwork to coincide with Health and safety records. Including Van temperatures when delivery arrives.
• Applicants will be required to accept deliveries into the Pantry and ensuring all relevant paperwork is collected from the delivery company and filed correctly.
• Once delivery has been accepted applicants will be required to participate in putting the delivery away, this will include stock rotation and cleaning duties following policies and procedures.
• Ensure delivery is put away, corresponding with the colour coded system always following all food hygiene processes.
• Cleaning duties as required in line with health and safety and food hygiene regulations.
• This is a customer facing post, and you will be required to operate our till system, using your own login details, and record information accurately in relation to client attendance and payment within the Pantry. Talk with customers, help them with nutritional advice, and offer ideas on recipes. You must know or seek knowledge of all food products, as we sometimes have exotic fruits/veg delivered.
• Training will be accessible via our skills centre. This will include mandatory training within our organisation. Food hygiene, Manual Handling and Health and Safety will be mandatory within this setting and will be provided. You will be offered training for our intranet system, where you can access the skills centre, and other great features.

You will have:

• Understanding or Experience of working positively with people affected by poverty and the local issues people face.
• Knowledge of the challenges and issues facing the client group using the Pantry (A).
• Understanding and demonstration of professional standards and accountability.
• Empathetic and understanding attitude toward customers' needs (A).
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and active listening skills (A).
• Commitment to promoting inclusivity and equity.
• Outstanding organisational skills (A).
• Total commitment to excellent safeguarding practice and understanding of professional boundaries (A).
• Understanding of health and food safety legislation (A).
• Emotionally resilient.
• Commitment to upholding St Giles core values.

In your application, please demonstrate how you meet the person specification criteria marked with (A).

To apply visit our website via the apply button.

St Giles is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all. We prohibit discrimination throughout all stages of the recruitment and compliance with this policy should be aligned with our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Please note this role requires that successful candidates must undergo a Basic DBS check, on the basis that the post involves contact with vulnerable participants and colleagues.

Closing date: 05/05/2024, 11:00pm

Do you have a passion to make a difference to the lives of children and families? Spurgeons Family Charity is seeking three or four new trustees to join our current Board in bringing prayerful wisdom and strategic guidance over the coming years.

Spurgeons is one of the UK’s leading children’s charities, supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families for 150 years. Inspired by Christian faith and our founder Charles Spurgeon, we’re here for all families. Together, we create Family Hubs in communities where we’re needed most, with counselling, early years and family support. We partner with local councils and churches to care for every family, putting children and young people first in everything we do. Our services also include helping young carers, providing parenting advice and working with families affected by domestic abuse, and imprisonment.

These services are needed more than ever, particularly as local authorities with tight budgets make difficult choices on where to spend their limited resources. As we prepare for the launch of our new five-year plan in 2025, we are ambitious and hopeful about how we can use our strong financial position and robust level of assets to make a significant impact on many more children’s lives in the future.

To support Board succession planning, we are seeking to appoint new trustees with experience and skills such as:

· Lived experience: we are particularly looking to hear the voice of young people on our Board and especially those with lived experience of children and young people’s support services. We will provide the necessary training, mentoring and support to fulfil the role.

· Fundraising/marketing: this trustee will bring a clear understanding of best practice in fundraising and/or marketing.

· Children’s services: we are looking for someone with senior management or leadership experience in the children’s services sector e.g. within social services/ the care sector, health, education, local authorities or charitable contexts.

· Counselling: this trustee will have understanding and/or experience in counselling, bringing wisdom and insight at a governance level.

· Digital: we seek a leader with experience of digital transformations and entrepreneurship, to provide a strategic view of how Spurgeons can thrive in a digital, audience-focused context.

Given an occupational requirement for these roles to be filled by Christians, we are seeking candidates with a personal and active Christian faith who are comfortable and aligned with the statement of faith outlined on our website.

Spurgeons values diversity, promotes inclusion, and encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates, including those with lived experience of children’s support services. We recognise the need to increase the diversity of the Board, for example in terms of age, ethnicity, disability, gender and LGBTQ+ representation. Our goal, and a key priority in this recruitment process, is for the Board to become more closely representative of our service user community.

The time commitment required of a trustee is likely to equate to approximately 12 days per year.

This is a hybrid role: at present, Board meetings take place in London and committee meetings take place virtually via Teams.

For further information, including full details of how to apply, please see our Appointment Details Pack which can be downloaded in the Application Resources section of this advert.

Application is by submission of CV and cover letter to Laura Bagley at Macaulay Search by the closing date of Friday 24th May 2024. Please contact Laura if you have any questions about this opportunity (please see appointment details pack for contact details).

The Tavistock Institute of Medical Psychology (TIMP), trading at Tavistock Relationships (TR) is looking to recruit a Chair of the Board of Trustees.
 
The Chair of Trustees is a key role in our organisation. Your leadership and commitment will ensure we continue to meet our aims and objectives. Please see the job description for full role details. 

Tavistock Relationships has been helping individuals, couples and families since 1948, and now provides more than 20,000 therapy sessions to individuals and couples every year, online and in person. 

As the Chair you should take control of meetings, ensuring that everyone who wishes to has a reasonable chance to speak and take part. The Chair should ensure any reasonable adjustments are made for Trustees with learning disabilities or other disabilities. You should be able to listen to and understand a wide range of views, present information clearly and concisely and get clarification of relevant points, thus enabling the board to make effective decisions. The board must demonstrate its leadership of the organisation. It is the chair's role to enable the board to do that.

Personal skills and qualities

● leadership skills

● experience in chairing meetings and committee work

● facilitation skills

● tact and diplomacy

● excellent communication and interpersonal skills

● impartiality, fairness, and the ability to respect confidences

● Knowledge or experience of learning disability, including the issues that impact on the lives of people with learning disabilities

● Good knowledge of the third sector

 It is desirable for the chair to have knowledge of the type of work undertaken by Speak Out and a commitment to keeping ahead of the changes in the organisation that take place.

Volunteer Opportunity: Head of Youth Work at REMIX

About Us: 

REMIX is a newly established youth charity based in London. We are dedicated to empowering young people by providing essential life skills, employability skills, personal development, mentoring, and other youth work activities. Our mission is to equip young people with the tools they need to navigate life successfully and contribute positively to their communities.

Role: Head of Youth Work

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage the delivery of our youth work activities.
• Develop and implement strategies to engage young people in our programmes.
• Mentor and guide young people, helping them to develop essential life and employability skills.
• Collaborate with other team members and stakeholders to ensure the effectiveness of our programmes.
• Evaluate the impact of our work and make necessary adjustments to improve our services.

Requirements:

• Passionate about youth development and empowerment.
• Previous experience in youth work, mentoring, or a related field.
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to volunteer flexibly, including evenings and weekends.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of young people.
• Gain valuable experience in youth work and charity management.
• Be part of a passionate and dedicated team.
• Training and development opportunities.

How to Apply: 

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people and have the skills and experience for this role, we would love to hear from you. Please send your CV and a cover letter explaining why you are interested in this role.

REMIX is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

REMIX

EMPOWER | INSPIRE | TRANSFORM

Caudwell Children are looking for volunteers to help with our family workshops!

 Caudwell Children offer a range of parent and family workshops that provide tips and strategies on many of the common difficulties associated with raising a child with disabilities or autism:

Meeting Sensory needs, Language and communication, forming relationships, supporting positive behaviour, Autism and well-being, Change and transition, Eating and nutrition, and Sleep.

Volunteer Responsibilities include:

• Processing applications completing a range of administration tasks such as data entry, emailing families, checking financial documentation, scanning.
• Preparing resource packs to be used during the workshops
•  Responding to telephone enquiries and booking families on to workshops
• Researching and contacting organisations and networks whose beneficiaries may be interested in attending the workshops.
• ·Supporting staff with the delivery of the workshop sessions and activities, engaging with and supporting both the parents and the children who attend.

This role takes place on weekdays only between 9 till 5. We suggest a time commitment of 4 hours a week, with a minimum commitment of 6 months for this role – full training and support will be provided.

Over 18’s only can apply for this role.

Are you a creative, friendly, open-minded person who wants to gain experience working with Children? Caudwell Children are looking for volunteers to help with our Short Break Activity Sessions!

Our Short Break Activity Sessions enable disabled children to access fun, inspirational and challenging leisure activities that build life skills and promote independence whilst providing carers with vital short break respite.

With our support, disabled children and young people get to explore their interests, talents and develop vital life skills. Activities can lead to ASDAN accreditation. Short break activities build future hopes and aspirations and provide children with the confidence to achieve their full potential.

Roles and Responsibilities:

- Assist Caudwell Children staff member(s) in running the short break activity sessions

- Help to ensure all children are safe during the activity sessions

- Support staff members with planned activities

- Participate in setting up an activity and helping with the set down

- Communicate and work with the children to ensure they have fun

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria

- Friendly and approachable personality

- Punctual and reliable

- Experience of working/ volunteering with children

- Creative personality

Desirable Criteria

- Experience of working/ volunteering with children with an additional need

- Experience of working/ volunteering in a charity/ third sector

- Experience of education or an educational setting

This role takes place on weekends only. We suggest a minimum commitment of 6 months for this role – full training and support will be provided.

Are you a creative, friendly, open-minded person who wants to gain experience working with Children? Caudwell Children are looking for volunteers to help with our Short Break Activity Sessions!

Our Short Break Activity Sessions enable disabled children to access fun, inspirational and challenging leisure activities that build life skills and promote independence whilst providing carers with vital short break respite.

With our support, disabled children and young people get to explore their interests, talents and develop vital life skills. Activities can lead to ASDAN accreditation. Short break activities build future hopes and aspirations and provide children with the confidence to achieve their full potential.

Roles and Responsibilities:

- Assist Caudwell Children staff member(s) in running the short break activity sessions

- Help to ensure all children are safe during the activity sessions

- Support staff members with planned activities

- Participate in setting up an activity and helping with the set down

- Communicate and work with the children to ensure they have fun

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria

- Friendly and approachable personality

- Punctual and reliable

- Experience of working/ volunteering with children

- Creative personality

Desirable Criteria

- Experience of working/ volunteering with children with an additional need

- Experience of working/ volunteering in a charity/ third sector

- Experience of education or an educational setting

This role takes place on weekends only. We suggest a minimum commitment of 6 months for this role – full training and support will be provided.

You will be supporting older people through weekly visits to their home. The role involves providing short term (6-8 weeks only) practical support (no personal care) to vulnerable adults.

· Support can include low level support such as having a cup of tea and a chat, light shopping, light snacks.  

· Support with companionship and support to rebuild confidence to regain or develop independence.   

Some clients may require additional support for tasks such as digital inclusion which volunteers (if they want to be) can be trained to provide.

A Wellbeing Buddy is a volunteer who is matched with someone who has been referred to us for support for a period of 12 weeks and volunteers with them in person.

Face-to-face Wellbeing Buddies meet their match each week with an overall aim of helping them to build confidence and improve their quality of life. This might involve going for walks with the person, going on public transport with them, assisting them with food shopping or just offering some company in their normal routine.

The time you give to volunteering can be decided by you, as long as you can commit to at least once a week for 12 weeks with one person.

Please note that at the moment, to become a volunteer with us you will need to have some availability during the working week (9-5 Monday-Friday). Wellbeing Volunteers are not able to do this role during evenings and weekends. This is so that there are staff members available for support. 

What do you need to become a Wellbeing Buddy?

You don't necessarily need to have experience in a role like this, but any experience in offering objective support to people would be beneficial. We are mainly looking for kind-hearted, personable, reliable individuals who love to chat and can give a small amount of time each week to help someone who needs it. You will be given training and support from the volunteer coordinator whenever needed.

To volunteer, you must:

- Be over the age of 18
- Be able to travel within your local area, whether by public transport, Beryl bike or driving
- Have access to the internet to use our volunteer database
- Undergo a DBS check (free to you)
- Complete the necessary training

What do you get out of it? 

Volunteering with us will give you a chance to develop your skills and experience in empathy and active listening, as well as supporting and safeguarding people. We can offer you a rewarding opportunity to help empower people to live their best possible lives, a way of meeting other volunteers and likeminded people and social events for volunteers. We also offer reimbursement for expenses, access to schemes such as free Beryl Bike minutes and opportunities to attend personalised and tailored training and workshops.

How to join us:

To become a Wellbeing Buddy you will need to complete the application form attached to this opportunity (you can also find this on our website). You will then be invited to a an informal meeting with the volunteer coordinator (in person or online). If successful, you will need to attend a short training session at Beech House in Poole. This opportunity requires you to undergo a DBS check (free of charge to you).