Social care development volunteer roles

Freeways and Freeways Trust, as part of their business plan for expansion, have an exciting opportunity for new Trustees to join our Board/s based at Abbots Leigh, Bristol.  This is a voluntary role and will require commitment for approximately 8 hours each month.

About us:

Freeways is a local charity that supports adults with learning disabilities. We are a highly regarded provider of supported living services and residential care. The aim of our services is to support people to become as independent as possible by helping them make choices, learn new skills and make links with their local community.  We fundamentally believe that all individuals should be treated with respect and supported to be valued members of our communities irrespective of their ability. 

Freeways Trust own, manage and maintain the majority of properties that Freeways use.

The role of Trustee:

As a Trustee, you will be instrumental in shaping the future of Freeways and/or Freeways Trust. You will play a vital role in ensuring our charities continue to evolve. You will be part of a team that is not just providing care but actively campaigning for the rights and inclusion of people with learning disabilities, helping them to live fulfilling and happy lives. Your skills and passion would directly contribute to a cause that is both essential and deeply rewarding.

As part of the Board of Trustees you will provide sound governance, strategic oversight, guidance and support to further the charitable aims and objectives.  See role description for further details. 

We are looking for a range of skills and experience particularly in the following areas (but not limited to):

- Finance (at a senior management/director level)

- Property development and/or construction

- Care or health sector experience (including psychology/psychiatry)

We would also welcome applicants with skills and experience in:

- IT/systems
- Marketing/PR/communications

- Commissioning experience

- Local government experience (including social work)

- Charity sector experience

- Business development

Other skills and abilities we are looking for in our Trustee:

- A commitment to the charities and their business aims and values.
- A commitment to devote the necessary time and effort.
- Strategic vision.
- Good, independent judgment and decision-making skills.
- An ability to think creatively.
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
- An ability to work effectively as a team member.

In return for your commitment, as a Trustee you will have the opportunity to:

- Make a positive difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities.

- Extend your network and enhance your influencing and leadership skills.
- Demonstrate your leadership skills to future employers.

- Work alongside highly experienced board professionals.
- Receive training and development in areas such as governance, leadership and safeguarding.
- Benefit from a tailored induction.
- Be reimbursed reasonable travel expenses. 

We recognise that a diverse board brings new perspectives, improves governance and demonstrates a genuine commitment to inclusion, therefore we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. 

To support working applicants the Trustee meetings are generally held every two months via zoom in the early evenings; with two per year being in-person meetings.  There may be a requirement to provide some additional support outside these meetings which can also be done virtually and should not exceed more than 8 hours per month. 

Closing date: 31 October 2025

Initial interview date: TBC

All Trustees must complete a range of statutory and regulatory background checks including enhanced DBS with Adults Barred List check.

For more information about Freeways and the valuable work we do, please visit our website.

If you have the requirements listed to become our Trustee, please apply today. We would love to hear from you!

Do you speak Farsi and are looking to give back to the local community? By joining our team of befrienders, you will support us to reach some of the most isolated adults in the community to reduce their feelings of loneliness, build friendships and provide support for mental wellbeing.

You will support individuals who struggle to communicate with others and help them to reconnect with their local community. You will support to relight a spark in a hobby, interest or encourage individuals to explore and participate in new social activities.

Loneliness and isolation can affect anyone in life, whatever their age or family situation. Official data from the Office for National Statistics shows that rates of depression doubled during the COVID pandemic, and one of the major causes of depression is isolation.

What you will be doing

• Agree a mutual time and frequency to meet in the local community
• To develop and promote a positive relationship with your befriendee
• To encourage your befriendee to engage in social activities and support them in doing so whilst building their confidence
• To support your befriendee in developing their goals and social skills
• Encourage your befriendee to make links with community services, based on their identified goals
• To engage in conversation in Farsi

The skills you need

• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere which motivates and inspires others
• Willingness to engage in activities in the community
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow professional boundaries
• To be consistent in attendance
• Able to communicate confidently in Farsi and english

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 experience or interest in Screenwriting/the Film Industry and are passionate about helping women build their lives beyond crisis? We are recruiting for volunteers to support survivors of Domestic Abuse on a 1 to 1 basis. This is a chance to empower other inspirational women by building their confidence and teaching them new skills in order to achieve their ambitions and goals. You will be supporting women to rebuild their lives free from fear

What you will be doing

• Agree a mutual time and frequency to meet in the local community
• To develop and promote a positive relationship with your befriendee
• To encourage your befriendee to engage in social activities and support them in doing so whilst building their confidence
• To support your befriendee in developing their goals and social skills
• Encourage your befriendee to make links with community services, based on their identified goals

The skills you need

• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere which motivates and inspires others
• Willingness to engage in activities in the community
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow professional boundaries
• To be consistent in attendance
• Experience or interest in Screenwriting/the Film Industry

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

Would you like to support our exciting new Legal Hub Project? The Hub will be a central resource for Hestia colleagues who support people affected by domestic abuse and modern slavery, by connecting them up with lawyers who are offering support on a pro bono basis. We are looking for a volunteer to assist our Legal Hub Project Co-ordinator by engaging with the pro bono lawyers and keeping them engaged in the project, as well as supporting with general tasks involved in the running of the project.

What you will be doing

• Engage with the lawyers on the directory, keeping them up to date on any updates within the project
• Support the team with maintaining and updating the information on the volunteer and pro bono lawyers
• General admin tasks to support the hub

The skills you need

• Good communication skills
• Good organisational skills
• Reasonable digital skills – use of Word, Excel and Emails
• Confidence talking and engaging with new people

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

Are you musical? Would you like to support others to express their emotions through music?

Music plays a valuable role in mental wellbeing with research showing that it can boost your mood, self-confidence and reduce stress overall. Taking part in music-based activities increases our resilience and engages us in the here and now.

You will be supporting people to express their emotions, provide a time for people to relax and feel proud of their final music pieces!

We are recruiting for a volunteer to support and facilitate a Music Group.

What you will be doing

• To prepare music sessions, involving individuals in the planning process where possible
• Inspire and motivate individuals to develop their musical skills, assisting them in the creation of their projects and supporting them to brainstorm and use their own initiative
• Encourage individuals to continue independent activities

The skills you need

• Experience of Music either in a professional, educational, or personal level
• Able to collaborate with individuals to plan a music group session and facilitate confidently
• A calm and patient manner
• Ability to provide a trusting, open, kind-hearted atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• An effective communicator with a patient and sympathetic nature
• Ability to handle individuals with complex needs and work with a person-centred 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

Join our team of befrienders! You will support us to reach some of the most isolated adults in your community to reduce their feelings of loneliness, build friendships and provide support for mental wellbeing. You will support people to relight a spark to continue a hobby, interest or encourage them to explore and participate in new social activities.

You will support individuals to rebuild their lives beyond crisis.

Loneliness and isolation can affect anyone in life, whatever their age or family situation. Official data from the Office for National Statistics shows that rates of depression doubled during the COVID pandemic, and one of the major causes of depression is isolation.

What you will be doing

• Agree a mutual time and frequency to meet in the local community
• To develop and promote a positive relationship with your befriendee
• To encourage your befriendee to engage in social activities and support them in doing so whilst building their confidence
• To support your befriendee in developing their goals and social skills
• Encourage your befriendee to make links with community services, based on their identified goals

The skills you need

• Good listening and communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere which motivates and inspires others
• Willingness to engage in activities in the community
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow professional boundaries

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 looking for a fulfilling opportunity to volunteer in East or West Kent local or nearby to where you live, directly supporting those who may be lonely or struggling to cope with daily tasks while living with Cancer and other long term health conditions? The Crossroads Macmillan Volunteer Service can offer flexible, rewarding volunteering avenues for you to explore; get in touch today and make an immediate, positive impact on someone's life - a little bit of time can truly make a huge difference.

HOURS: Minimum 1 - 2 hours / week, Flexible

LOCATION: Opportunities across East & West Kent & Medway, flexible / based on volunteer’s home location.

DESCRIPTION: 

Available volunteer opportunities include;

Regular visits to a person or couple navigating cancer to offer company and a friendly, listening ear at a difficult time.

Providing transport to a person or couple navigating cancer from their home to healthcare appointments including but not limited to Chemotherapy / Radiology sessions and GP appointments.

Light gardening support.

Subject to the volunteers wishes, some volunteer placements can include support with light housework, shopping support, accompanying a client on a walk or short external trips, and enjoying shared hobbies that bring both the client and volunteer a great sense of wellbeing.

PLEASE NOTE: All volunteer roles listed above involve visiting a client at their home in some capacity. We currently do not have any volunteer roles that involve working from your home / online.

SKILLS REQUIRED: Good communication, empathy, and the ability to be non-judgmental.

Full Training provided by Crossroads Care Kent.

WHAT WE OFFER: An enormous sense of wellbeing and purpose and an increased understanding of those living with cancer and comparable conditions; just giving an hour or more a week’s companionship and practical help can make a huge difference to an unpaid carer and who they care for.

Travel expenses from volunteers’ home to clients home reimbursed.

Other Travel expenses reimbursed where applicable.

Other volunteering expenses, such as costs of shopping, also reimbursed.

Volunteer References also available where applicable.

Additional CPD accredited Training opportunities available including but not limited to First Aid, Cancer awareness, Dementia awareness, Mental Health.

Ride High Children’s Volunteer

Children's team seeking friendly, encouraging, supportive volunteers that are open to working with horses. No experience necessary.

At Ride High MK, our charity helps over 120 children a week. These local children are referred to us for many reasons and could face serious challenges including poverty, mental health issues, and social isolation or be tackling issues such as grief, young carer responsibilities and bullying. With referrals from over 40 local agencies, including CAMHS, schools, and social services, Ride High plays a critical role in Milton Keynes’ social care and wellbeing landscape. We do this through a unique combination of equine-assisted learning and education. 

Every two-hour session for the children consists of one hour riding and horse care and one hour of clubroom work. The instructors at the riding school run the hour on the yard with our volunteers supporting the children and our skilled club leaders run the clubroom sessions. These include various projects and creative activities to work on personal and life skills.

The Children’s volunteer role involves welcoming the children, helping to find their equipment, getting them out into the stable yard for their lesson on time, assisting with riding lessons where appropriate (no experience necessary) and clubroom activities, giving the children refreshments and helping to see that they get their transport home.

We are looking for volunteers, aged 18 or over, who can commit to a regular weekly time to work with the children; helping to build their confidence, encouraging them to participate in sessions. Our greatest need is for volunteers who can help in the yard sessions, donating an hour of their time each week for the first hour of the session to help us keep the children safe and giving reassurance and encouragement so they get the most out of their session with the horses. The volunteers lead our horses while the children hone their skills and help them to understand and process directions from their riding instructors.

Timings: 

Monday to Friday (term-time only). 10:30am - 12:30pm 1:30pm-2:30pm or 2:30pm-3:30pm

***Please note that this is an opportunity based in Nottingham (shire) in the United Kingdom and we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

Age UK Notts are seeking individuals who would like to be considered as a volunteer for our Companion Service.

Volunteers will be supporting people in their own homes and in the community within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and ideally, we ask all applicants to provide a minimum of 1 hour volunteering a week.

The companion service volunteer can choose to be:                                                           

• A companion within the person’s home

• A companion outside the person’s home

Examples of the type of support the service offers include:

• Supporting an older person/s hobbies and interests or simply chatting with them in their own home on a regular basis.

• Supporting with digital access & building confidence skills & motivation to access the opportunities of the internet.

• Supporting the person outside of their home e.g., by accompanying them on a walk, to the shops, to a café, garden centre, theatre or cinema or other social activities / community groups. 

• Where appropriate, supporting the older person to access other services through information and signposting or referring to the Companion Service Coordinator for support.

We are looking for the following skills/interests:

• Individuals with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of older people who are committed to volunteering on a regular basis.

• Commitment to complete our Volunteer Report Form accurately and regularly. 

• Ability to travel for visits in the local community either by car or public transport for those volunteers who choose to participate in this type of activity.

• Digital literacy for those volunteers who choose to participate in this type of activity.

We are looking for volunteers with good daytime availability in specific areas of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Please contact the volunteering team for further information on where specifically in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Are you passionate about making a difference and shaping the future for young lives? Are you a professional interested in developing your own mentoring skills? Mentoring can be a rewarding way to ‘give back’ and share your experiences with someone who could really benefit from hearing an informed, consistent and fresh perspective…possibly something they haven’t had before.

We’re delivering ‘Developing Futures’ a funded 12-week e-mentoring programme for young people aged between 18-24 years from ethnic minority backgrounds and facing mental health challenges, in the London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow and Haringey.

What you will be doing

• Motivate, guide and support service users towards the achievement of positive goals.
• Support service users with exploring careers, identifying and setting goals, developing contacts, and identifying resources.
• Promote and develop a positive relationship

The skills you need

• Good listening and communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere which motivates and inspires others
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow professional boundaries
• To be consistent in attendance

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 speak Farsi and are looking to give back to the local community? By joining our team of befrienders, you will support us to reach some of the most isolated adults in the community to reduce their feelings of loneliness, build friendships and provide support for mental wellbeing.

You will support individuals who struggle to communicate with others and help them to reconnect with their local community. You will support to relight a spark in a hobby, interest or encourage individuals to explore and participate in new social activities.

Loneliness and isolation can affect anyone in life, whatever their age or family situation. Official data from the Office for National Statistics shows that rates of depression doubled during the COVID pandemic, and one of the major causes of depression is isolation.

What you will be doing

• Agree a mutual time and frequency to meet in the local community
• To develop and promote a positive relationship with your befriendee
• To engage in conversation in Kurdish
• To encourage your befriendee to engage in social activities and support them in doing so whilst building their confidence
• To support your befriendee in developing their goals and social skills
• Encourage your befriendee to make links with community services, based on their identified goals

The skills you need

• Able to communicate confidently in Kurdish
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere which motivates and inspires others
• Willingness to engage in activities in the community
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow professional boundaries
• To be consistent in attendance

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 green fingered and have a passion for gardens and outdoor spaces?

We are recruiting for a female only volunteer to motivate and inspire our service user to explore their passion for Gardening.

What you will be doing

• To provide tips on how to maintain and grow the garden - sowing seeds, planting bulbs, taking cuttings
• Lead in planting and nurturing new trees, flowers, and various plants
• Provide best practice on how to use the correct gardening tools
• Advise on the costs of plants and garden necessities

The skills you need

• A basic knowledge/ experience of plant care and use of gardening tools7
• Calm and patient approach
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Experience in working with people with mental health/complex needs is desirable

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 love Bollywood dance? Would you like to inspire others to find their rhythm and get moving? If so, we have the perfect role for you! Through dance you will be helping others to boost their mood, releases endorphins and get active whilst socialising! Dance and movement have many positive benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing and allows us to express ourselves and let loose!
We are recruiting for a volunteer to facilitate a group for women to come together and have fun each week!

What you will be doing

• Coordinate and set up a weekly dance class
• Inspire and motivate individuals to participate in the sessions and take a role in planning/designing upcoming sessions
• Create a safe space for individuals to express themselves
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback and report any concerns to the staff team
• Support with beginner, first stage, gentle Bollywood dancing, using basic dance moves

The skills you need

• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach
• Experience in teaching dance classes desirable but not essential

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.