Social Care/Development Volunteer Roles

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).

Interested in volunteering with Cumbria Wildlife Trust on the ‘The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery’ project? The Bay is a nature and wellbeing programme of events, offering people living around Morecambe Bay area, the opportunity to get outdoors, connect with nature, and take part in a range of activities. Barrow-in-Furness is at the northernmost point of the Bay project area.

Do you love wildlife? Experience and share the joy of the rich variety of habitats and wild plants and animals that live in The Bay, with event visitors.

Are you a people person? An approachable and friendly manner. Have confidence in talking to members of public, of varying ages and backgrounds.

Becoming a community events volunteer, is a unique opportunity to learn new conservation and people skills. Community event volunteers help to connect people to nature and also help people take action to protect wildlife.

We are looking for volunteers to help set up and support the delivery of events which may include coastal stargazing, UV rock pooling, guided walks, codebreaking, egg case hunts, and craft activities. We also go into organisations such as care homes with our ‘portable rockpool’ to bring a little bit of nature to people who would struggle to get outdoors.

You don’t need to be a wading bird or starfish expert, just have a natural enthusiasm for the all the wildlife that you and event visitors will encounter.

This community focused role is based indoors or outdoors.

This is a very flexible role.

You can choose the events you’d like to help with.

Training, hot brews and support will be provided.

Travel costs will be reimbursed and lift sharing can often be arranged on request.

 Please note DBS (paid by Cumbria Wildlife Trust) may be required. Safeguarding training will also be provided.

Is this for you? Want to learn more about this role? We'd love to hear from you.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The role of the Volunteer Barber is an important one to the charity as part of our confidence-building and resettlement efforts.

The role will suit someone who is a trainee or qualified barber or hairdresser, who can commit to 6 hours per month at our Health and Wellbeing days across South West London.

The volunteer will be mindful of how much a new appearance can increase the self-esteem of someone who is experiencing homelessness or is being resettled by SPEAR. They will enjoy developing positive relationships with new people and will be willing to work outside of their own comfort zone providing haircuts at no charge to SPEAR clients.

LOCATION/S: Our Health and Wellbeing days are held across Richmond, Kingston, Wandsworth, Merton and Sutton Boroughs. We hold approximately one Health and Well-being day per month in one of the above locations.

The volunteer must have an enhanced DBS background check (SPEAR will apply for this on your behalf.)

For more information about this volunteering opportunity, please see the role description.

SPEAR welcomes and encourages applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.

Purpose and Aims of the role: 

We are looking for volunteers who can provide a strong foundation to help strengthen their communities by helping Care Experienced children and young people engage in activities to build their skills and confidence and to be included, understood, respected, and valued in their communities.

The Group Work Volunteer role will work alongside our innovative and energetic Edinburgh project team, supporting to raise awareness of Care Experience and supporting activities for young people, providing supportive adults to ensure all children and young people can thrive, bringing communities together.

This role will involve interacting with young people aged 5-17 through supporting and leading on a variety of activities e.g. arts/crafts/sports/general youth work at our fortnightly/monthly sessions as well as at our National events that happen throughout the year. This role will help build community strengths for Care Experienced people and provide social networks to help build resilience and positive outcomes for children and young people.

Who Cares? Scotland is a people organisation. We invest in our people, our relationships and in a positive working culture. It’s important to us that our volunteer team is included, involved and motivated to change society. 

We aim to recruit people with excellent qualities from a wide variety of backgrounds who share in our mission. We particularly welcome applications from individuals with care experience. 

What will I be doing? 

• Supporting staff to undertake activities 

• Leading on activities 

• Supporting young people’s sense of belonging and connection 

• Building community ties, ensuring Care Experienced people are welcomed within communities.

• Helping children and young people to have fun 

• Building children and young people’s confidence and self esteem 

• Being a positive role model 

What skills can I bring to this role? 

• A knowledge and understanding of issues affecting Care Experienced people. 

• Ability to work well in a team. 

• Good communication and listening skills. 

• Ability to encourage and motivate others to participate in activities. 

What qualities do I need? 

• To have a non-judgemental approach to people, have empathy. 

• Be enthusiastic, flexible and committed. 

• Reliable and approachable. 

• Friendly, helpful and understanding. 

• A commitment to treat all information in a confidential manner. 

• To have a good value base, be open minded and level-headed. 

MHA’s mission is to inspire the best care and wellbeing at every stage of later life. At MHA Lauriston, we provide residential, nursing, and residential dementia care for 60 residents.

Our care home is a busy environment with a variety of activity happening every day.  As a General Care Home Assistant, you’ll support the team with a variety of tasks that vary each week.

Main tasks and responsibilities: 

• Support residents with activities
• Support residents to access gardens
• Spend time with residents – playing games or chatting
• Delivering laundry to residents’ rooms
• Serve meals
• Set up activity sessions and general tidy after
• Basic admin– filing, photocopying, and updating noticeboards etc.
• Joining in with events or fundraising
• You must ensure that residents needs are put first, whilst respecting their privacy and independence
• You’ll maintain confidentiality
• You will be familiar with and adhere to MHA’s Health and Safety Policies and policies relating to your volunteering role.

Benefits for you:

• Help improve the quality of life for older people
• Support your community
• Keep socially active
• Be part of a friendly team
• Gain experience
• Learn new skills

Skills and qualities desired:

• Friendly
• Trustworthy
• Good communication and people skills
• Able to use your own initiative, but also able to ask for help when you need.
• You’ll be reliable and punctual
• You’ll be able to maintain confidentiality

Training, support, and requirements:

• You must be at least 16 years old
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two character references are required
• Induction and training on safeguarding, health and safety and other training relevant to the role
• Ongoing support from a named contact

Times and Commitment:

• Monday-Sunday-11am-1pm. At least two hours a week.
• We ask you to be able to commit on a regular basis for a minimum of six months

*Please note- we can only accept applications from UK residents*

We are looking for volunteers who can provide a strong foundation to help strengthen their communities by helping Care Experienced children and young people engage in activities to build their skills and confidence and to be included, understood, respected, and valued in their communities.

The Youth Work Support Volunteer role will work alongside our innovative and energetic Clackmannanshire project team, supporting to raise awareness of Care Experience and supporting activities for young people, providing supportive adults to ensure all children and young people can thrive, bringing communities together.

This role will involve interacting with young people aged 5-17 through supporting and leading on a variety of activities e.g. arts/crafts/sports/general youth work at our weekly/fortnightly sessions as well as at our National events that happen throughout the year (Participation). This role will help build community strengths for Care Experienced people and provide social networks to help build resilience and positive outcomes for children and young people.

Who Cares? Scotland is a people organisation. We invest in our people, our relationships and in a positive working culture. It’s important to us that our volunteer team is included, involved and motivated to change society.

We aim to recruit people with excellent qualities from a wide variety of backgrounds who share in our mission. We particularly welcome applications from individuals with care experience.

What will I be doing?

· Supporting staff to undertake activities

· Leading on activities

· Supporting young people’s sense of belonging and connection

· Building community ties, ensuring Care Experienced people are welcomed within communities.

· Building relationships with local schools through delivering this work.

· Helping children and young people to have fun

· Building children and young people’s confidence and self esteem

· Being a positive role model.

What skills can I bring to this role?

· A knowledge and understanding of issues affecting Care Experienced people.

· Ability to work well in a team.

· Ability to work in a school setting.

· Good communication and listening skills.

· Ability to encourage and motivate others to participate in activities.

· Strong presentation and facilitation skills.

What qualities do I need?

· To have a non-judgemental approach to people, have empathy.

· Be enthusiastic, flexible and committed.

· Reliable and approachable.

· Friendly, helpful and understanding.

· A commitment to treat all information in a confidential manner.

· To have a good value base, be open minded and level-headed.

When will I be needed?

· Groups will range between weekly/fortnightly (there is flexibility here to suit you)

· Approximately 2 hours per week/fortnight in the early evening

What will I gain from the role?

· Experience of working alongside an influencing team.

· Knowledge of Government/ Corporate Parenting roles and policies.

· Practical experience of working in a team.

· Experience working with children and young people.

· Youth work skills.

· Have fun!

What support will I be given?

· Induction

· Role specific training and information

· Expenses – all out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed

· Supervision and support from your manager / coordinator

· Group supervision/peer support sessions with other volunteers and staff

Central England Law Centre provides specialist legal support to clients in Coventry and Birmingham. We use our legal expertise to improve the lives of those who are often vulnerable and socially excluded due to poverty, illness or disability.

What will you be doing?

We are looking for up to three Trustees to join our Board. We are seeking applications from individuals who represent a range of backgrounds, and especially those with an interest in how embedding a knowledge of rights within communities can help reduce inequalities and challenge unfair systems, ultimately empowering people to live better lives.

As a member of our Board, your purpose is to work with other Trustees to form an effective governing body which holds the Law Centre senior leadership team to account for its work, providing leadership for all activities and performance of the organisation.

Alongside your fellow Trustees, your responsibilities will consist of:

• Shaping and agreeing the strategic direction of the organisation
• Monitoring and evaluating performance with the objective of fulfilling the Law Centre’s vision, mission and aims
• Safeguarding the Law Centre’s reputation, vision and mission
• Ensuring that the Law Centre remains financially stable, and is managing its assets effectively in pursuance of its objectives
• Overseeing compliance with all relevant legislation including employment, company, charity and health and safety law
• Ensuring all work is conducted within the framework of the Law Centre’s Memorandum and Articles of Association
• Assuming legal responsibility for the Law Centre’s staff and volunteers
• Acting as employer of the Law Centre’s staff

In undertaking these responsibilities, we would look to you to: 

• Prepare for and attend trustee meetings (1 main Board meeting per month, plus any meetings of sub-committees which you opt to join) 
• Understand and be fully committed to the vision, mission and aims of the Law Centre
• Lend your specific expertise either for one-off advice and projects or to work on a sub-committee
• Support all decisions following agreement by the Board
• Maintain the highest levels of confidentiality on all Law Centre matters

What are we looking for?

Our ideal Trustee would have: 

• A strong commitment to reducing inequalities and advancing social justice
• An understanding of the strategic, policy and political environments that affect the Law Centre’s work
• An understanding of the role of a Trustee, or a demonstrable willingness to learn
• A broad knowledge of leadership, management and charity governance
• An awareness of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• An ability to think strategically and challenge where necessary
• An effective and responsive communicator who is willing to speak their mind
• A team player who respects different views and can work with others
• An ability to build strong relationships and champion the Law Centre
• Willingness to devote sufficient time, preparation and effort require of a Trustee

We welcome interest from individuals who demonstrate a range of the above interests, skills and experiences. In addition, we would be particularly interested if you have any of specific expertise or knowledge of:

• HR and workforce development
• Governance and finance
• Legal Aid
• The voluntary and community sector

We are keen to diversify our Board membership and actively encourage applicants that will continue to build a Trustee Board that accurately reflects the diversity of communities the Law Centre serves. In keeping with our charitable objectives. Trustee roles are unremunerated.

What difference will you make?

You will have the opportunity to shape the current and future strategy of one of the Midland's largest and most influential advice charities. You will see first hand how the work of a committed group of staff and volunteers can change the lives not only of individual clients but also, of communities across the UK as a whole through the work we undertake in influencing policy makers and challenging legal decisions. We will look to you to guide us as we realise our strategic ambitions, bringing your unique set of skills, experience and knowledge to our table to valued trustees. We also offer opportunities for development - facilitating your learning should you have specific areas of charity governance that you are interested in exploring further. 

Before you apply

Please apply through Reach in the first instance. We will then get in touch to arrange a time to discuss your interest in the role and answer any questions you may have.

At Doorstep Library, we’re dedicated to bringing the magic of books and the joy of reading directly into the homes of children who need our support.

With 1 in 4 children in the UK leaving primary school unable to read or write properly, we recruit and train in-person and online volunteers to introduce children from under-resourced areas to the pleasure of reading.

What’s Involved?

As a Doorstep Library reading volunteer, you’ll visit the same families via Zoom every week with eBooks to share with the children and encourage their love of reading.

You will:

• Handpick eBooks from our online portals based on the children’s age, interests, and reading level
• Join families via Zoom with your volunteer partner for 20-minute reading sessions  
• Make notes after the session to keep track of how the child/ren are progressing

Our unique home-based approach allows our volunteers to build trusting relationships with families, helping them to connect with the community and equip them with the skills they need to succeed later in life.

When and Where?

You can be based anywhere in the UK to become a Doorstep Library online volunteer.

• Time commitment: One evening a week, or once every 3 weeks as a Stand-In Volunteer
• Hours per week: 2
• Days: Our projects run on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays from 4:30pm – 6:30pm

Skills/Experience Needed

• Be able to make a regular weekly commitment or once every 3 weeks for a Stand-In Volunteer during school term time
• Be compliant with our safeguarding procedures, complete an Enhanced DBS, Child Barred List check, and provide 2 references
• Enjoy spending time with children and believe in education for all
• Have comfortable fluency in English
• Be non-judgmental and respectful of a variety of lifestyles and children’s learning
• Have excellent communication skills – be able to listen to families and communicate effectively with Project Leaders (including via text/emails/calls with Doorstep Library staff)
• Be confident using technology – for connecting with families via Zoom and completing records
• Be organised – be able to multi-task in a multi-faceted role comprising of much more than solely reading to children
• Be reliable – always attending a pre-agreed session and giving plenty of notice in advance of absences
• Be friendly – to build good relationships with families, your volunteer partner and the rest of the team
• Be confident – to lead the session or mentor a new volunteer
• Be patient, persistent and flexible – tailoring your approach to each family’s needs

Doorstep Library is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and all those it comes into contact with. All volunteers undergo rigorous safer recruitment processes including specified interview questions, a DBS check, and the collection of written and/or verbal references.  Safeguarding training is a mandatory part of the induction process for all volunteers, and they are expected to always adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures.