Voluntary Volunteer Roles in South East

• To deliver complementary therapies to patients, their carers and people who are bereaved
• To provide therapy within an outpatient setting in a fit for purpose clinic room
• To provide therapy on the inpatient ward at ellenor

As an Challenge Events Volunteer, you will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth and successful running of ellenor's busy events calendar.

Key tasks may include:

• Welcoming, signing in and registering participants
• Serving refreshments
• Preparing equipment
• Promoting ellenor campaigns and events
• Clearing away equipment
• Cheering on participants 

Some key traits you will need as an Challenge Events Volunteer:

• Lots of enthusiasm
• Good communicator
• Knowledge of ellenor's services and initiatives 
• Vibrant and cheery character
• Passion for ellenor

What you will receive in return:

• Training will be provided, including health and safety
• Reasonable travel expenses covered (to be pre-agreed with event fundraiser)
• Updates to ensure that volunteers are informed of ellenor services and initiatives
• Opportunity to meet new people and build friendships
• Being part of a fantastic volunteer group
• Raising money and the profile for an important local cause

For anyone looking to get into events management or the charity sector, this is a great way to get an insight as to what’s involved at sports events and also develop your experience.

Key details:

• Volunteer role

• Time required 1 day per week (can be split across 2 half days)

• Flexibility: Flexible hours, remote working

Overview:

• Zero Hour is searching for 2x volunteer Press & Comms Officers to help support grassroots campaigners maximise communication and local press coverage of any progress in their constituency.

• This role will support the existing Grassroots Manager and Political Communications Manager in ensuring that all campaigners have the local support they may require. 

• Volunteer or paid experience working for an environmental NGO or charity is preferable but isn’t essential. What we’re looking for is someone who has experience or understanding of drafting press releases and liaising with local media.
   

Key purpose:

• We’re looking for someone to help Zero Hour support local grassroots campaigners with local press at key milestones in their constituency pages ahead of the general election.

• Tasks include drafting, proofing and supporting distribution of local press releases.

• Support in building local press contacts and relationships that can be utilised at future dates.

• Researching and sharing any press pick up that happens in regions with relevant grassroots campaigners and group chats.

Personal specification: 

• Experience in copywriting, drafting press releases

• Experience working with local media

• Confident and professional written and verbal communications skills, with an ability to engage and activate a range of people

• A keen eye for detail and an ability to manage projects and prioritise tasks

• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to find creative solutions

• The ability to work independently and prioritise tasks

• An interest in the key issues surrounding the climate-nature crisis (globally and at a UK level)

• Knowledge about the interconnections between social and racial justice and the environmental emergency

Competency of IT systems, such as Google and Microsoft applications, and particularly Excel, as well as, ideally, knowledge of how to build, inspire and activate a campaign database

As an Ambassador, you will identify opportunities within your local community that can support ellenor.

Key tasks may include:

• Accepting cheques and doing talks on behalf of ellenor
• Supporting with campaigns and planning
• Supporting volunteer recruitment events
• Promoting ellenor through your network of contacts and making meaningful connections
• Arranging talks with local community groups
• Speaking about ellenor services and initiatives

Some key traits you will need as an Ambassador:

• Good communicator
• Knowledge of ellenor's services and initiatives 
• Passion for ellenor

What you will receive in return:

• Full training will be provided, including health and safety
• Regular updates to ensure that volunteers are informed of ellenor services and initiatives
• Opportunity to meet new people and build friendships
• Being part of a fantastic volunteer group
• Raising money and the profile for an important local cause

We are excited to announce an outstanding volunteer opportunity at HavenWeb, a dynamic and innovative organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable and eco-friendly living. Our mission is to empower people to grow their own food at home or in a community environment. We are on the lookout for a passionate and creative Marketing Manager to volunteer with us. This individual will play a pivotal role in launching our newest initiative, Seedlings of HavenWeb, aimed at introducing our community to the joys and benefits of home-grown food. The ideal candidate will be instrumental in crafting and implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy to attract new customers and spread our message far and wide.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and Implement Marketing Strategies: Craft a strategic marketing plan that encompasses various channels and approaches, including local markets, social media, partnerships, and more, to maximize our outreach and impact.
•  
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with the HavenWeb team, providing clear and detailed instructions and updates to ensure cohesive efforts and shared success.
• Engagement and Outreach: Engage with our community and potential customers through innovative and compelling campaigns, fostering a deep connection with our mission and offerings.
• Budget Management: Efficiently manage and allocate a limited budget to ensure the most effective use of resources in achieving marketing goals.
• Performance Analysis: Monitor and analyze the performance of marketing initiatives, adapting strategies as needed to ensure continuous improvement and growth.
• Explore New Avenues: Continuously seek out and evaluate new marketing opportunities and platforms that could enhance our visibility and attract a broader audience.

Ideal Candidate:

• Proven experience in marketing, with the ability to devise and execute effective strategies. We will consider people new to this profession when showning enthusiasm and out-of-the-box thinking. 
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex ideas in a clear and engaging manner.
• A creative thinker with a flair for innovative marketing approaches.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A team player with a collaborative spirit, eager to work with a diverse group of individuals.
• Passionate about sustainability, gardening, and promoting eco-friendly living.
• Previous experience in working with limited budgets and maximizing resource efficiency.

What We Offer:

• A chance to be a part of a meaningful project that makes a real difference in promoting sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
• The opportunity to enhance your marketing portfolio with a unique and impactful initiative.
• A platform to unleash your creativity and marketing skills in a supportive and vibrant environment.
• The ability to work remotely and flexibly, accommodating your schedule and commitments.

Join us in planting the seeds of change with HavenWeb. Together, we can grow a greener, more sustainable future.

As an Administration Volunteer, you will support the Fundraising Team with vital administration tasks. 

Key tasks will include:

• Researching and making contact with potential supporters in the community.
• Data Entry
• Filing

Some key traits you will need as an Administration Volunteer:

• Good communicator
• Vibrant and cheery character
• Understanding of confidentially
• Good understanding of Microsoft excel
• Passion for ellenor

What you will receive in return:

• Full training will be provided, including health and safety
• Regular updates to ensure that volunteers are informed of ellenor services and initiatives
• Opportunity to meet new people and build friendships
• Being part of a fantastic volunteer group
• Raising money and the profile for an important local cause

ROLE SUMMARY:

• To support artists and the Zest Whitstable Coordinator in the delivery of creative sessions for people living with dementia, their family, friends and carers.
• To work directly with participants with complex needs, enabling them to engage with each session.

ABOUT US:

Bright Shadow’s mission is to enable people living with dementia, and those affected by it, to live well and to thrive. We are experts in creative activities designed specifically for people with dementia to enable self-expression, social interaction and active participation. We do this in a number of ways, including our trademark Zest sessions for people living with dementia in the community.

We offer a range of volunteer opportunities, and are particularly looking for someone to work with our Zest group in Whitstable. This role is a wonderful opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of our participants by enabling those with more complex needs to continue engaging with this close-knit group. 

You will become part of a friendly team offering support and guidance, so your positive attitude is more important to us than specific experience. We offer all volunteers dementia awareness and safeguarding training, as well as requiring an enhanced DBS certificate.

Established in 2009, Bright Shadow is passionate about a brighter quality of care, which is invigorating, mood boosting and enhances relationships. We are adamant that life and fun shouldn’t stop once you reach a certain age or receive a diagnosis of dementia. In all of our work we celebrate the here and now, ensuring that people with dementia enjoy a bright today and a bright tomorrow.

POST REPORTS TO: Project & Admin Coordinator and Zest Whitstable Coordinator 

LOCATION: Whitstable Umbrella Centre, Oxford Street, Whitstable, CT5 1DD

POSITION TYPE: Volunteer

HOURS REQUIRED: Tuesdays 1:45-4:15pm

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Understanding of or willingness to learn about living with dementia, including completing provided dementia awareness training

2. Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy

3. Enthusiasm to join in with performance and arts activities such as singing, movement and story making wherever possible and assisting participants to engage fully

4. Work closely with Zest Whitstable Coordinator to deliver a safe and high quality experience

5. Help Zest Whitstable Coordinator to prepare the room before sessions and clear up at the end where necessary

6. Help Zest Whitstable Coordinator to prepare refreshments for participants

7. Help the Zest Whitstable Coordinator with the collection of evaluation information 

8. Assist in documenting the sessions using photography, recording and/or film on equipment provided where necessary 

9. Work within all Bright Shadow policies, including Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Covid-19, Equality and GDPR compliance. This role is subject to the volunteer having an up to date enhanced DBS check carried out.

Person Specification

Zest Communities Session Volunteer

The person specification states the knowledge; skills and experience helpful in volunteering with us and is used for both short-listing volunteers for informal interview and to identify the areas to explore in this interview. 

Competencies

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy

• Sensitive to people’s needs and the safeguarding of vulnerable adults

• Good initiative and ability to work independently

• To undertake an enhanced DBS check

Desirable

• Previous experience working with older adults

• Experience of working for an arts organisation

• Competent IT skills, including social media

• Knowledge/understanding of dementia

• Greet patients as they arrive and help them to get settled – make them feel welcome by engaging in conversation
• Help to welcome and integrate new patients by ‘showing them the ropes’
• Refreshment provision to patients throughout the day as required – hot and cold drinks
• Keep the kitchen area clean and tidy throughout the day, including use of the dishwasher (training provided)
• Encourage patient involvement in Therapeutic Activity Groups, social, and recreational activities, and assist the person in participating in these
• Work with patients in a 1 to 1 setting as directed by the Therapy Team
• Conversations with patients and carers
• Share information with ellenor staff relating to patients wellbeing

• Be available for a pre-shift briefing from the Therapy staff – discuss any special needs of patients and the day’s proposed programme
• Act as a ‘buddy’ for new volunteers, familiarising them with the daily routine and local procedures

As a facilities admin volunteer, you will be at the heart of our facilities team, dealing with all the maintenance, compliance and health and safety works for our Hospice and retail stores. This job is a varied role where no day is ever the same.

Some key traits you will need as a Facilities Admin Volunteer:

• Are you, sociable, approachable, calm, cheerful, courteous, observant, and welcoming?
• If you feel you this is something for you, fill in our application form.
• In return we offer a supportive working environment with on-going training and personal development opportunities.

As a driver support volunteer, you will be part of our distribution team, dealing with all the general deliveries and collections from the general public.

Some key traits you will need as a Drivers support Volunteer:

• Are you, sociable, approachable, calm, cheerful, courteous, observant, and welcoming?
• Are you fit and able to lift boxes and furniture items? 
• If you feel you this is something for you, fill in our application form.
• In return we offer a supportive working environment with on-going training and personal development opportunities.

Do you enjoy preparing meals and drinks and have a few hours to spare to your local hospice? 

As a restaurant volunteer, you will be at the heart of our hospice team, dealing with all the food preparation, delivered and meal preparation of meals for our staff and patience within the Hospice.

Some key traits you will need as a Restaurant Volunteer:

• Are you, sociable, approachable, calm, cheerful, courteous, observant, and welcoming?
• If you feel you this is something for you, fill in our application form. 
• In return we offer a supportive working environment with on-going training and personal development opportunities.

As a grounds volunteer, you will be at the heart of our facilities team, dealing with all the general maintenance in and around the hospice facility. These tasks can involve grass cutting, weeding, grass watering, general maintenance, painting and much more.

Some key traits you will need as a Facilities Volunteer:

• Are you, sociable, approachable, calm, cheerful, courteous, observant, and welcoming?
• Do you enjoy gardening and general handy work?
• If you feel you this is something for you, fill in our application form.
• In return we offer a supportive working environment with on-going training and personal development opportunities.

We're setting up a new youth charity called REMIX and looking for a volunteer to join us in the role of Website Designer who can help us get REMIX by creating a visually appealing vibrant one page website that we can add pages too once we are fully registered as a charity.

REMIX aims to be a dynamic youth-focused charity passionate and committed to empowering young people from deprived areas and disadvantaged backgrounds across London and beyond by creating opportunities and experiences that address the holistic needs of young people, that EMPOWER young people and INSPIRE change that puts them on a path to TRANSFORM their lives for the better. Our evidence-based programmes will focus on developing essential life skills, fostering healthy lifestyles, and unlocking personal growth by experienced and dedicated positive role models in a safe and non judgemental environment, helping young people discover themselves and the world around them.

We're looking for volunteer Website Designer:

We're searching for a visionary Website Designer to lay the foundation of our online presence with a stunning one-page website that captures our essence and mission. We want a website that can be added too and launched once we are fully launched with our charity number. The one page wesbite will initially give us online presence and help us raise awareness of REMIX to people across London and beyond.

Together, let’s REMIX the narrative of our world!

REMIX

EMPOWER | INSPIRE | TRANSFORM

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

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

What’s Involved?

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

You will:

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

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

When and Where?

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

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

Skills/Experience Needed

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

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