Social Work Volunteer Roles

We are looking for volunteers to join our Complementary Therapy team and donate their time and professional skills as a therapist to support our hospice patients. This role will make a huge difference to the lives of those requiring end-of-life care. Massage or reflexology qualification essential

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

• Provide a rounded approach to patients and their families to ensure the highest quality of care is given
• Be aware of patients’ diagnosis, treatment and care before giving complementary therapies 
• Able to adapt a therapy, when required
• Keep to the code of ethics and practice laid down by the governing body of the therapy and to Marie Curie’s policy for complementary therapists
• Continue your professional development to refine or learn new skills
• Attend any relevant or training sessions held by the Day Care Unit or Hospice

We are looking for a volunteer to help the kitchen catering team provide tasty meals and snacks for patients, relatives, staff and other volunteers in the hospice wards and cafeteria.

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

• Wash dishes and keep kitchen areas clean
• Clean dining room tables and restock cutlery and crockery
• Simple food preparation after basic training
• Carry out all kitchen tasks in line with health and safety regulations 
• Help with other related tasks when necessary

Our Enfield team is looking for reliable and enthusiastic volunteers to help support children in our refuges.

About the role

Solace’s refuges provide safe accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. Volunteer CYP Playworkers will lead and assist a variety of activities such as arts and crafts, games, etc. to engage and support the children’s emotional wellbeing and enhance their confidence and resilience. Activity sessions will be carried out in the refuges, supported by the Sessional Play worker.

Who are we looking for?

The ideal volunteer will:

• Have direct experience of working with children and young people is desirable.
• Be reliable and committed to promoting the enjoyment and wellbeing of children and young people.
• Be understanding of domestic violence issues and a discretion in handling confidential and/or sensitive information.
• Be approachable and empathetic
• Be non-judgemental.
• Have the ability to maintain confidentiality.

What can you gain from this opportunity?

As part of this role you will have the opportunity to:

• Gain experience and understanding of working with children using a trauma-informed approach.
• Contribute and support a busy and diverse team.
• Gain hands on experience in a dynamic charity working in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Sector.
• Work as part of a feminist organisation.

We offer great volunteer induction training, where you will be fully supported to understand, and carry put every aspect of the role. Training includes CPD accredited courses, and the opportunity to apply to complete the level 3 Understanding Domestic Abuse Award (DAPA), which is recognized by the Home Office.

Solace Women’s Aid values diversity promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applicants from black minority and ethnic communities.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment, we require all successful candidates will be required to complete a satisfactory DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) disclosure.

Role summary:

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

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

Key Responsibilities

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

Skills required

• Good communication and IT skills

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

• An understanding of the challenges faced by those unemployed

• Cultural Awareness

• Reliable and trustworthy

• Ability to inspire and motivate others

• Respect Confidentiality

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

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

Volunteer Role Description

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

Volunteer Befriender/supporter

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

Outline of Duties:

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

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

Volunteer Role Description

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

Volunteer Befriender/supporter

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

Outline of Duties:

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

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

VOLUNTEER HANDYPERSON

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

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

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

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

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

Key responsibilities

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

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

Skills required

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

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

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

VOLUNTEER HANDYPERSON

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

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

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

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

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

Key responsibilities

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

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

Skills required

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

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

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

VOLUNTEER HANDYPERSON

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

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

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

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

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

Key responsibilities

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

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

Skills required

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

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

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

VOLUNTEER HANDYPERSON

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

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

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

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

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

Key responsibilities

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

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

Skills required

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

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

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

Role: Support at the drop-in centre on either a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday (12.30-4.30pm) or a Friday (either 10-1pm or 1-4.00pm), either weekly or fortnightly.

We also have a selection of other days open for volunteer opportunitities. 

Purpose: To support adults with a learning disability and/or autism in a social situation to increase confidence and self-esteem, to build independence and to reduce social isolation.

Activities: We provide a range of activities that our members can choose to be involved with, or simply attend to socialise with friends. Volunteers and staff are there to provide support where needed. Please note that this is not a support role and that members who need extra care will attend sessions with their own support/care workers.

Examples of Activities:

• Encourage and support individuals to access and/or engage with activities
• Help facilitate arts and crafts, quizzes, bingo, and other games and activities
• Encourage independence and social skills amongst members by engaging and socialising with them (in accordance with The Hive’s boundaries policy)
• Help in the kitchen to provide refreshments (teas and coffees) as needed

Skills Required: Skills in listening and the ability to communicate with diverse types of people are essential. Patience, enthusiasm, and a non-judgemental mindset are a must. Experience with learning disabilities and/or autism is not a requirement, and full training will be provided to new volunteers.

Hours and Timescale: One session at the drop-in either weekly or fortnightly,, ideally for a minimum of six months. Flexible volunteering can be offered; however, it is essential that volunteers attend sessions that they are scheduled for and notify the session leader if they are unable to attend. This is to ensure the safe running of the drop-in.

Supervision: Volunteers will be supported by their Session Leader, who will provide informal supervision on a regular basis. The Volunteer Coordinator can always be contacted via email if there are any issues.

Benefits: All volunteers receive induction and awareness training on learning disabilities and autism within the first three months of volunteering and have the option to attend additional training offered by The Hive. Full liability insurance is in place. Mileage and out-of-pocket expenses can be claimed if needed. A work record will be kept for each volunteer so that we are able to provide references if requested. Social events, such as skittles, are held regularly for volunteers.

Would you like to play a key role in supporting blind and partially sighted people in your local area? Are you great at communicating, love meeting others and enjoy using your admin and organisational skills? If this sounds like you, you’re the person we’re looking for to support our Solihull Social group meeting. The Solihull Social is a meet up for working age visually impaired people in Solihull and the surrounding area. The aim of the group is to bring together local, like minded visually impaired people who can relate to each other’s local issues around being visually impaired in Solihull, but mainly to have a good time getting to know each other. The group meet once a month in a relaxed informal setting for a drink or bite to eat. We would like your help with: • planning and organising group meetings; • liaising with the venue; • sighted guiding; • helping to ensure that participants feel comfortable and facilitate discussion; • looking after participants welfare within the group and flagging any welfare or safeguarding concerns.

• This role requires an enhanced criminal record check and 2 references.
• The group meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month, 6pm – 7.30pm at the Beech House, 727 Warwick Rd, Solihull, B91 3DA
• Effective listening skills
• Good communication skills
• An understanding of issues affecting blind / partially sighted people
• Ability to digest information

Are you a warm and friendly face?

Are you looking for a rewarding way to spend your time?

Can you volunteer at Lewisham Warm Hub?

We are looking for volunteers to:
• offer a warm welcome
• befriend community members
• Share teas and coffees
• Support with food distribution
• Support activity sessions

InFocus Charity is looking for trustees to shape its vital work in transforming the lives of young people with vision impairment & complex needs.

We are looking for new trustees who care deeply about transforming the lives of young people with vision impairment and other complex needs. Ideally, you will have a background in SEND, adult care services or experience in charity management or governance.

The role 
As a member of the board of trustees you will oversee the strategic direction of the charity and ensure its effective management. You will also ensure that InFocus Charity has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, you will support and challenge the executive team to enable InFocus Charity to grow and thrive, and through this, to transform the lives of young people with vision impairment and complex needs.

We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board. You do not need previous governance experience – we will provide a full induction and training.

Personal skills and qualities:

• A passion for our cause. Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation. Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member. Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion. A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Enthusiasm for our vision and mission. Willingness to lead according to our values InFocus Charity. Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. Some knowledge of Special Educational Needs (SEN) and adult care would be useful but not essential.

How to apply

In the first instance, please contact us to arrange an informal conversation with Jane Bell, Chief Executive Officer. Details can be found on our website.

You may also click on the 'Apply Now' button and we'll be in touch soon.