Social Care/Development Volunteer Roles

Join our amazing volunteer team to make a real difference to people living with sight loss. You’ll be supporting people to come together in a group setting, to benefit from each other’s company, knowledge and encouragement, leading to reduced isolation, stronger networks of support, and new friendships. You can support with either local and regional telephone groups or face-to-face groups. 

What you’ll be doing: 

• Meeting and greeting group members on arrival or joining virtually. 

• Creating a warm and welcoming environment. 

• Supporting group conversations. 

• Assisting with group activities (if appropriate). 

What you’ll gain from the role:

• An opportunity to give something back. 

• A chance to build a strong community. 

• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.

• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people 

• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. 

In return for donating your time we will provide: 

• A rewarding experience. 

• A great Induction and training. 

• A supportive manager. 

• Regular updates and catchups. 

• Expenses. 

• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers. 

Role Title:

Volunteer Activity Assistant

Location:

Ipswich Opportunities Without Limits

Day/Time required:

Flexible hours and days between Monday and Saturday 09.00 to 21:00

Organisation overview:

Papworth Trust is a leading disability charity. Our vision is a world where disabled people are seen for what they can do, and our mission is for disabled people to have equality, choice and independence.

Service overview:

We offer a rich and diverse programme of recreational, learning and employment opportunities from our centre’s facilities in Ipswich and the wider communities of Suffolk.

Situated close to the town centre, we benefit from excellent links to local transport and neighbouring community projects.

We’re a super friendly and welcoming service with enthusiastic, skilled and experienced staff and volunteers who support individuals to achieve their personal goals and aspirations.

Description of role:

To support customers with higher needs and communication difficulties one-to-one in a group sessions.

Key tasks:

· Support Activities Facilitators to deliver sessions for adults requiring support with physical and learning needs

· Support individuals to communicate and interact.

· To take part in various activities that are meaningful and of interest to customers and to you.

· Become part of a passionate and supportive team.

· Learn new skills.

· Be socialable and have fun.

Volunteers will not be engaged in “Regulated Activity” as defined by Schedule 4 to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (as amended). This includes assisting people with personal or health care, and undertaking activities with children that are not supervised by staff.

A DBS check will be required as part of this role and will be carried out during the vetting checks of successful applicants.

Personal qualities required:

Within this role you:

· Supportive nature

· Outgoing and friendly

· Polite and respectful

· Patient and kind

· Good communicator

· Empathetic

· Calm, can do approach to tasks

· Able to work on own initiative as well as a team.

Benefits of volunteering:

· Become part of a passionate and supportive team.

· Help make a real difference to the lives of disabled and disadvantaged people.

· Gain new experiences and develop skills and confidence.

· Meet new people.

· Spend your time doing something that is worthwhile and rewarding

· Reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses

· Certificated training provided to prepare you for your role

· Day to day support from a designated member of staff

· Have fun!

Training available:

1. Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

2. Child Protection in Health and Social Care

3. Equality and Diversity

4. Data Protection in Health and Social Care

5. Local induction

6. Health & Safety

Job Type: Volunteer

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Role Title:

Volunteer Activity Assistant

Location:

Cambridge Day Opportunities 

Day/Time required:

Flexible hours and days between Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 3.30pm (start and finish times can be flexible for parents / carers) 

Organisation overview:

Papworth Trust is a leading disability charity. Our vision is a world where disabled people are seen for what they can do, and our mission is for disabled people to have equality, choice and independence.

Service overview:

We offer a rich and diverse programme of recreational, learning and employment opportunities from our centre’s facilities in Cambridge.

We’re a super friendly and welcoming service with enthusiastic, skilled and experienced staff and volunteers who support individuals to achieve their personal goals and aspirations.

Description of role:

• To support customers with higher needs and communication difficulties one-to-one in a group sessions.
• Work alongside our Activities Facilitators to support the delivery of sessions. 

Key tasks:

• To work at the individual customer’s pace in a group, ensuring they can take part in sessions (for example cooking, baking, dance).
• Help the individual customer communicate and interact with the team and their peers.
• To help with confidence building by encouraging and empowering customer to engage, be creative and stay safe.
• Ensure that the individual is included in various aspects of sessions, and during breaks and lunchtime.
• Volunteers will not be engaged in “Regulated Activity” as defined by Schedule 4 to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (as amended). This includes assisting people with personal or health care, and undertaking activities with children that are not supervised by staff. 

Personal qualities required:

Within this role you will:

• · Have a supportive nature
• · You are outgoing and friendly
• · You will be polite and respectful
• · You are patient and kind
• · You take a calm measured approach to tasks
• · You are a good communicator
• · You are empathetic and resilient

Benefits of volunteering:

• · Become part of a passionate and supportive team.
• · Help make a real difference to the lives of disabled and disadvantaged people.
• · Gain new experiences and develop skills and confidence.
• · Meet new people.
• · Spend your time doing something that is worthwhile and rewarding
• · Reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses
• · Certificated training provided to prepare you for your role
• · Day to day support from a designated member of staff
• · Have fun!

Training available:

• 1. Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
• 2. Child Protection in Health and Social Care
• 3. Equality and Diversity
• 4. Data Protection in Health and Social Care
• 5. Local induction
• 6. Health & Safety

Role Title:

Activity Assistant  

Location:

Basildon Day Opportunities

Day/Time required:

Monday to Friday, 9.15am to 3.30pm (start and finish times can be flexible for parents / carers)

Organisation overview:

Papworth Trust is a leading disability charity. Our vision is a world where disabled people are seen for what they can do, and our mission is for disabled people to have equality, choice and independence.

Service overview:

We offer a rich and diverse programme of recreational, learning and employment opportunities from our centre’s facilities in Basildon and the wider communities of Essex.

Situated close to the town centre, we benefit from excellent links to local transport and neighbouring community projects.

We’re a super friendly and welcoming service with enthusiastic, skilled and experienced staff and volunteers who support individuals to achieve their personal goals and aspirations.

Description of role:

To support customers with higher needs and communication difficulties one-to-one in a group sessions.

Work alongside our Activities Facilitators to support the delivery of sessions. 

Key tasks:

To work at the individual customer’s pace in a group, ensuring they can take part in sessions (for example cooking, baking, dance).

Help the individual customer communicate and interact with the team and their peers.

To help with confidence building by encouraging and empowering customer to engage, be creative and stay safe.

Ensure that the individual is included in various aspects of sessions, and during breaks and lunchtime.

Volunteers will not be engaged in “Regulated Activity” as defined by Schedule 4 to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (as amended). This includes assisting people with personal or health care, and undertaking activities with children that are not supervised by staff. 

A DBS check will be required as part of this role and will be carried out during the vetting checks of successful applicants.  

Personal qualities required:

Within this role you:

• Will have a supportive nature
• Are outgoing and friendly
• Will be polite and respectful
• Are patient and kind
• Take a calm measured approach to tasks
• Are a good communicator
• Are empathetic and resilient

Benefits of volunteering:

• Become part of a passionate and supportive team.
• Help make a real difference to the lives of disabled and disadvantaged people.
• Gain new experiences and develop skills and confidence.
• Meet new people.
• Spend your time doing something that is worthwhile and rewarding
• Reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses
• Certificated training provided to prepare you for your role
• Day to day support from a designated member of staff
• Have fun!

Training available:

1. Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
2. Child Protection in Health and Social Care
3. Equality and Diversity
4. Data Protection in Health and Social Care
5. Local induction
6. Health & Safety

Do you have a passion for cooking and enjoy spending time in the kitchen? We are looking for volunteers to support our service in Folkstone Haven to prepare and serve food.

You will be giving back to your community by assisting our staff from preparing the kitchen, cooking hot food recipes, chopping vegetables, dishing up food and serving people who use our services!

What you will be doing

• Support the staff to manage budgets and purchase ingredients alongside the people who use our services
• Support the staff in the kitchen with food and meal preparation
• Support the staff with maintaining hygiene food standard levels in the kitchen
• Serving food to our Service Users.

The skills you need

• Food Safety Certificate/knowledge or willingness to complete relevant training
• Knowledge regarding cooking, food hygiene and allergies
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere.
• 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

Music has long been held as an effective and soothing way to help relieve stress and improve mental health. Do you have a passion for playing the keyboard and would like to teach others?

Learning the keyboard in a group allows for time to focus on the here and now, providing total mindfulness. This enables us to forget about the past or our future worries for a while, providing time without any distractions!

What you will be doing

• To facilitate keyboard lessons for beginners on a 1:1 basis for approximately 30 minutes or in a small group
• Plan each session, in collaboration with those you are supporting
• Lead on logistics and organisation of the sessions alongside the staff team
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• Experience teaching playing the keyboard and the ability to teach at beginner level
• 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 use technology on a regular basis for work, study, or daily life? If so, it is likely that you have the needed skills for this role! Help people to stay connected, improve their financial health, employability, and learn how to access much needed services and resources online! You will make a positive difference to bridging the digital divide, empowering others to gain knowledge and confidence in using technology!

What you will be doing

• Supporting older people to gain digital skills and knowledge on a computer, tablet and smart phone via one to one or in small group sessions
• Supporting older people to use digital apps, emails, search the internet, online shopping and set up online accounts
• Supporting older people to learn the skills to keep in touch with family and friends, such a video call and messaging
• Support individuals to agree and aspire on the steps/ goals they would like to achieve in the sessions
• Lead on the logistics and organisation of the sessions alongside the staff team
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• Confident using digital skills
• Willingness and interest in facilitating one to one and group session on basic digital skills
• 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

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 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.

Volunteer your time at Hestia to make our gardens a beautiful place for adults and children to enjoy all year through! Are you green fingered and have a passion for gardens and outdoor spaces?

At Hestia we have gardens and outdoor spaces which require your support to bring these back to life by keeping them maintained. We are recruiting for volunteers to motivate and inspire staff and people living in our services to get involved in gardening.

What you will be doing

• Inspire and motivate staff and people in the services to get involved in maintaining and growing the garden
• To provide tips on how to maintain and grow the garden - sowing seeds, planting bulbs, taking cuttings
• Provide basic maintenance such as cutting the grass, emptying bins, managing weed control and leaf raking
• Lead in planting and nurturing new trees, flowers, and various plants
• Provide best practice on how to use the correct gardening tools
• Inspire people in our services and staff to maintain a clean garden
• Advise staff 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

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 passionate about helping women build their lives beyond crisis? We are recruiting for volunteers to support victims 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 life skills in order to achieve their ambitions and goals. You will be supporting women and children to rebuild their lives free from fear!

What you will be doing

• To develop and promote a positive relationship with the service user through regular meetings
• To encourage service users to engage in social activities and supporting them in doing so
• 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 support and help the service user to get familiar with their new environment/area/community and show them where the local shops, GP, etc are located
• To plan activities with your befriendee, such as a walk, visiting museums
• Manage appropriate boundaries

The skills you need

• Have good listening and communication skills
• Be non-judgmental and motivational in approach
• Willingness to engage in activities in the community
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow operating guidelines
• To be consistent and dependable when working with a service user
• Lived in experience and ability to speak another language such as Hindu, Urdu, Farsi, etc would be desirable but not required

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.

Are you a qualified in hair braiding/styling hair and would like to share your skills with others? We have an exciting opportunity to teach young people the skills needed to braid hair. Hair care is an essential to looking after oneself and providing confidence.

What you will be doing

• Planning hair braiding/styling workshops on a 1:1 basis or in a small group
• Sharing skills and techniques
• Encouraging others to get involved in learning and discussions about hair care

The skills you need

• A skilled and qualified Hair stylist
• 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 - 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 a qualified nail technician and looking for a way to give back to the community? People in our services would benefit from social engagement, relaxation, and joy from learning about simple treatments they could use for themselves such as manicures and pedicures.

We have an exciting opportunity for a volunteer to coordinate workshops on manicures/pedicures to promote confidence within oneself and positive wellbeing.

What you will be doing

• Encourage discussions on nails and aftercare
• Inspire and motivate the group to be involved in future planning/designing of the session.
• Share basic tips and routines with group members.
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback and report any concerns to the staff team.

The skills you need

• A skilled and qualified nail technician
• 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 - 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

The role of the Health Link Event Volunteer is an important one to the charity as we support very entrenched, institutionalised and isolated clients to access services in their borough.

The volunteer will enjoy developing positive relationships with new people and will be willing to work outside of their own comfort zone. The volunteer must have an enhanced DBS background check (SPEAR will apply for this on your behalf.)

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.