Social Care/Development Volunteer Roles

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

Cintre provides, residential care and supported living for adults with complex mental health needs, learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. 

We are looking for new Trustees to join our already very talented board.

What will you be doing?

Cintre are a local charity with over 40 years’ experience providing, residential care, supported living and community-based support for adults with complex mental health needs, learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. Cintre delivers services primarily in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.  

Cintre is a value-based organisation that prides itself on creating a person-centred service where we work in partnership with our service users to offer choice, control and active participation in the service they receive both now and in the future

What we are looking for…

We are looking for a Trustee with Health and Social experience and expertise to join our Board of Trustees. 

You will be required:

• To advise and guide the Board on health and social care issues. 

Ideally you should have:

• Knowledge and understanding to maintain an oversight on the charity's activities at a strategic level with an interest in advising on health and social care.
• A good current understanding of charity framework in the UK;
• An interest and commitment to Cintre’s mission and objectives; and,
• A willingness to act as the charity’s ambassador to external bodies, charities and companies. 

What are we looking for?

• Experience in a Health and Social Care setting would be ideal, specifically in providing guidance to ensure that services can be compliant. 
• Experience with working with the Care Quality Commission and an understanding of the regulations. 
• Safeguarding Adults experience would be greatly valued, with the ability to share knowledge and provide support to ensure that the vulnerable adults we are responsible for are fully protected. 
• Knowledge to assist the charity in delivering Outstanding Care to our Service Users
• An understanding of the challenges faced by our service users who live with Autism or a Learning Disability. 

What difference will you make?

This is a voluntary position but by joining the Board at Cintre you will be part of an inclusive and user-led organisation. Your support will help enable us to grow and continue to provide the invaluable support we give to our service users across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Serving as a trustee is an excellent way to support a cause you’re passionate about. Volunteering as a trustee for Cintre will give you the opportunity to make a difference for people living with Autism and Mental Health challenges at a strategic level, using the charity's resources to effectively to tackle the challenges faced by these people. 

Before you apply

Please provide a cover letter detailing why you are interested in this role and your relevant experience.

We would welcome a confidential discussion to discuss the role and what would be involved and how your skills would add value to the Board and any other information that you feel is relevant.

Would you like to support people from within the serving community? You just need a friendly demeanour, and an ability to get on with people from different backgrounds and age groups. If so, please get in touch.

What is a Community Volunteer?

Community Volunteers provide practical help to serving people and their families. Whilst a friendly chat is an important aspect of the role you will also be providing some hands-on support like a lift to a medical appointment or help with shopping.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community for more than 130 years. Armed Forces life can bring its challenges when a loved-one is deployed overseas, or a family must move to a new location. Some people find themselves facing illness, bereavement or unexpected financial problems. Day-to-day activities can become difficult without a little help. That’s where you come in. Could you spare a few hours a week to lend a helping hand to a family in your serving community?

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The essential part of the role is visiting beneficiaries, so you will be expected to travel to meet people at home or elsewhere.

Some volunteers will visit more people than others. Whilst you may visit a beneficiary, or family, on a regular basis support is always time-limited.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at their home or in a suitable place depending on their needs
• Providing practical help like lifts to appointments, going to the shops, washing-up, running errands etc.
• Providing time limited, relief care for children (additional training is required for those undertaking this type of support).
• Helping people to think about how to access other support if needed and signposting as required
• Reporting any safeguarding concerns in line with SSAFA’s safeguarding policy and procedures.
• Keeping in touch with your Community Volunteer Coordinator, attending supervision and keeping a record of your visits.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support beneficiaries
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFA’s policies and procedures at all times, including SSAFA’s: safeguarding; equality, diversity and inclusion; health & safety; data protection; confidentiality

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Give back to the serving community
• Support people in your local serving community using your patience, time and life experience
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA Serving Community Team and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What about training and support?

• One day training course for Community Volunteers. The option to pursue this course further and gain an accredited qualification in community volunteering. Additional training is required for those wishing to undertake the Relief Care Service for Children.
• Support from a local Community Volunteer Coordinator
• Support from SSAFA’s Welfare Team and Volunteer Experience Team based at our Central Office
• Online training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date with how to keep clients, their families and personal information safe
• Refresher training to keep your knowledge and skills up to date
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFA's Public Liability insurance while carrying out their role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people with good listening skills, patience and empathy
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Understanding of the need to remain within the boundaries of the role with regards to friendship, finances etc.
• Practice confidentiality and data protection in line with SSAFA’s policies
• Good IT skills e.g. ability to use Outlook – you will receive your own SSAFA email address.
• Ability to travel to meet beneficiaries
• A willingness to adhere to all relevant organisational policies and procedures.

Depending on the needs of the team, this role would suit someone who would like to volunteer a few hours each week.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities to have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Please note this is a volunteer role and does not form part of any contract of employment.

Minimum Age: 18

Are references required? Yes. Two-character references from people who know you well (not family members).

Is a criminal record check required? Yes* (the cost of this will be covered by SSAFA)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands or other information should not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, if required and where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered. 

***This is an unpaid volunteer role***

A crucial volunteer role at the centre, volunteer Centre Assistants help out at least one morning per week to warmly welcome members to the centre, help with queries (in person, by email and over the phone) and direct people to our various activities. This is an active and varied way to volunteer where no two days are the same!

Qualities you need for this role

• Confidence and communication skills in person and over the phone

• Reliable, dependable and a good sense of humour

• Flexibility, happy to support staff as needed

• Able to think on your feet 

• Basic IT skills

When you'll be needed

• A morning per week: volunteers must commit for at least six months

• Monday-Friday between the hours 9:30am – 1:00pm

Are you passionate about singing and would like to empower others to use their voices in a choir?

We are recruiting for a Choir Support and Engagement Volunteer at our Dame Gertrude Young House which supports men who have mental health needs. Choirs have shown to reduce stress levels and depression as well as creating a sense of togetherness. We are looking for a volunteer who loves singing and is willing to get involved, whilst also encouraging our service users to participate and sing together! Your role will also involve supporting service users getting to and from the venue.

Volunteering with Hestia will mean that you will play a key role in promoting strategies for positive wellbeing and recovery through music and singing! 

What you will be doing

• Encourage service users to get involved in the choir and sing together.
• Participating in the choir
• Supporting service users with getting to and from the venue

The skills you need

• Good communication skills
• Interest in singing
• Fun and friendly personality to be able to engage our service users

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

We are looking for active individuals that will engage with parents/carers at our Little Love baby bank in Southend, Your role will support this wonderiful iniaitive available to all families that have a child aged under 4 or who are expecting a baby and reaches the most vulnerable. Duties may require setting up and packing away and sorting of donations, depending on how many hours you can offer on a Thursday, supporting the YourFamily programme which is funded by A Better Start Southend. 

City Family CIC will seek an Enhanced DBS check at no cost to the volunteer and will reimburse all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses such as public transport fares and car mileage. We ask that you reside no further than 10 miles from Southend. Full induction and training will be provided as well as ongoing support and development.

Your Family is a community-based programme combining peer volunteers and paid staff who provide support, connection and advice to early years families - connecting and enabling them to access local activities, support and clinical services.

Could you be a star baker, master chef or perhaps you simply enjoy baking or cooking! We are recruiting for a volunteer to join our team supporting individuals to learn new recipes together as a group.

Baking and cooking helps to relax, get creative and indulge in our senses. Often, it can spark nostalgia and helps us to recreate positive experiences or memories. Inspire and motivate people in our services to do something that brings joy, an opportunity to learn new skills whilst connecting with others over sharing baked goods and delicious meals.

What you will be doing

• Research and plan new recipes for cooking/baking sessions in collaboration with the group each week
• Encourage individuals to participate in the sessions and delegate cooking tasks
• Support individuals to shop for ingredients needed for the session
• Support individuals each week in setting up for the sessions and tidying away afterwards
• Encourage individuals to participate in all aspects of the planning and attendance
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• Food Safety Certificate/knowledge or willingness to complete relevant training
• Passion and knowledge of healthy eating and cooking
• Ability to engage, encourage and motivate individuals to participate in sessions
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!

Would you like to get involved in helping us improve our volunteers’ experience? If so, we have a perfect role for you! The aim of this role is to give our volunteers a voice and the chance to talk about their experience whilst volunteering with Hestia. Your role will involve gathering feedback from our current or recently departed volunteers and feeding back to the team. Our volunteers are a fundamental part of what we do. Their feedback is really important to us and enables us to set targets to improve!

What you will be doing

• Contact recently departed volunteers to collect feedback on their volunteering experience and their reasons for departing.
• Contact new volunteers regarding the process of becoming a volunteer and gather feedback on how they are finding it so far.
• Contact volunteers who have been with us for 8 months and then once a year after that, checking in with how their volunteering is going.
• Contact volunteers who are on hold, find out whether they would like support in finding a role, or if they want to stop volunteering altogether.
• Input data onto a spreadsheet and feedback to the volunteering team

The skills you need

• Good communication skills
• Basic IT skills
• Kind and patient nature
• Good organisational skills

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Are you an experienced and qualified nutritionist and would like to inspire others by sharing your knowledge? We are looking for a Nutrition and Exercise Volunteer to share with others their knowledge of how to make healthy meals on a budget and simple exercises. Having a healthy diet has shown to have positive effects on mental health and can reduce inflammation as well as alter neurotransmitters to reduce symptoms of depression.

What you will be doing

• Providing nutritional advise on how to prepare quick healthy meals on a budget
• Answering nutrition-based questions and promoting the benefits of eating healthily
• Providing quick and easy exercise sessions to a small group of people

The skills you need

• Qualified nutritionist/ relevant fitness qualification
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Do you have a music therapy background and would like to support individuals experiencing crisis and find alternative ways to express themselves through music?

You will be working with people who may struggle with communicating their feelings, thoughts, may require support looking at a problem, situation in a new way, explore a difficult or painful experience.

What you will be doing

• Develop and coordinate music therapy sessions weekly, through one to one or small group sessions
• Inspire and motivate individuals to take part in the sessions and take a role in planning/designing upcoming sessions
• Create a safe space and session plans for individuals to express themselves
• In group workshops, encourage members of the group to connect and relate to each other through expression of music
• Work alongside our staff team to set therapeutic objectives, goals and provide feedback on progress
• Encourage individuals to continue independent activities beyond the session

The skills you need

• A qualified music therapist/ relevant qualifications
• A strong knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of psychotherapy and the role art can play in recovery
• Calm and patient approach
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Are you a qualified Yoga Instructor who would enjoy facilitating weekly sessions to help individuals with their general well-being. This is an opportunity for you to share techniques with others.

Practicing yoga has been shown to increase mindfulness not just in class session, but in other areas of a person's life.

What you will be doing

• Design session plans enabling all group members to increase fitness, suppleness and help them relax
• Teach the group yoga postures and breathing techniques which allow a range of mixed ages and abilities to participate
• Inspire and motivate people to attend and get involved in the group activities where possible and encourage the group to help design future sessions
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• Skilled and qualified Yoga Instructor
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Do you have an art therapy background and would like to support individuals experiencing crisis and find alternative ways to express themselves through art?

You will be working with small groups of people who may struggle with communicating their feelings, thoughts, may require support looking at a problem, situation in a new way, explore a difficult or painful experience.

What you will be doing

• Develop and coordinate art therapy sessions weekly, through one to one or group sessions
• Inspire and motivate individuals to take part in the sessions and take a role in planning/designing upcoming sessions
• Create a safe space and session plans for individuals to express themselves
• In group workshops, encourage members of the group to connect and relate to each other through expression of art
• Work alongside our staff team to set therapeutic objectives, goals and provide feedback on progress
• Encourage individuals to continue independent activities beyond the session

The skills you need

• A qualified art therapist with relevant qualifications
• A strong knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of psychotherapy and the role art can play in recovery
• Calm and patient approach
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

We are recruiting for a volunteer who would like to play a role in helping others to express themselves through writing. Would you like to support others to use their imagination to portray a message?

What you will be doing

• To prepare creative writing sessions, involving individuals in the planning process where possible
• Inspire and motivate individuals to develop and expand their capacity to think creatively, improve their ability to put their thoughts and feelings into writing and allowing others to find their voice
• Encourage individuals to continue independent activities
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• Experience of creative writing either in a professional, educational or personal level
• Able to collaborate with individuals to plan creative writing sessions
• A calm and patient manner
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Good communication skills

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Do you enjoy singing and listening to all genres of music? We have an exciting volunteering role for someone who would like to give back to the community by facilitating a music and singing group!

Research suggests that music can stimulate the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. It can help energise our mood and provide an outlet for us to take control of our feelings. Singing is a powerful tool for bringing people together, reducing stress, and having fun.

Volunteering with Hestia will mean that you will play a key role in promoting strategies for positive wellbeing through music and singing! 

What you will be doing:

• Facilitate a weekly singing group
• Provide opportunities for the group to collaborate on agreed themes/ songs for future sessions
• Coordinate and plan group sessions
• Inspire and motivate people to attend and get involved in the sessions
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need:

• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach

What's in it for you:

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.