Students / School Volunteer Roles

Are you passionate about using your skills and expertise to help support and develop a UK-wide relationships and sex education charity?

Sexpression:UK provides high quality, comprehensive relationships and sex education workshops to young people between the ages of 11-18 in schools and youth groups. We operate across the UK through our unique network of affiliated branches and volunteers based at universities and students’ unions in 18 towns and cities.

You will have strong empathy with our mission to educate and empower young people to make individual, informed decisions about their bodies and their health. You will be committed to using your expertise to contribute to the future development of the charity and ensuring high quality governance of the organisation.

We particularly welcome applicants with experience in any of the following: monitoring and evaluation, working in schools in the United Kingdom, devolved nation experience, or corporate experience.

This is an exciting time to join our charity with the opportunity to contribute to a unique youth-led charity playing a leading role in some of today’s biggest issues.

Are you passionate about using your skills and expertise to help support and develop a UK-wide relationships and sex education charity?

Sexpression:UK provides high quality, comprehensive relationships and sex education workshops to young people between the ages of 11-18 in schools and youth groups. We operate across the UK through our unique network of affiliated branches and volunteers based at universities and students’ unions in 18 towns and cities.

You will have strong empathy with our mission to educate and empower young people to make individual, informed decisions about their bodies and their health. You will be committed to using your expertise to contribute to the future development of the charity and ensuring high quality governance of the organisation.

We are looking for an individual with financial experience to join our board of trustees.This is an exciting time to join our charity with the opportunity to contribute to a unique youth-led charity playing a leading role in some of today’s biggest issues.

The Great Learners Trust, a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) based in Buckinghamshire, comprises 11 primary schools and serves nearly 3,000 pupils. The Trust is seeking an Educationalist to join their board in guiding the Trust through its next exciting phase of development. The Trust comprises seven primary schools, one infant school, and three junior schools, and is a mixed MAT meaning that it has both Church of England schools as well as community (secular) schools.

After the retirement of the founding CEO, a new CEO was appointed who has a strong track record for driving standards and outcomes. The Trust is now looking to further develop the Trust’s medium- and long-term strategic plans and drive forward a renewed 'GLT Brand'. Trustees, Governors and staff are passionate about the Trust's redefined Scheme of Delegation and refreshed vision and values. The Trust is has undergone a review of governance (Autumn 2024) to further develop and strengthen strategic operations within the Trust. The Trust has made a strong appointment to the role of CFO who is new to the Trust in September 2024 and they, alongside the CEO, are keen that the Board drive forward a strategic plan to further develop central operations and support to further increase impact for all the Trust's pupils and staff.

The Trust has two ASD (Autism Spectrum Diagnosis) provisions set across two of its schools and serves some communities with high levels of EAL (English as an Additional Language). The Trust faces some challenges with there being an increase in families moving to the area and sending their children to private education, however the Trust is passionate about the mission to inspire and empower all and is now looking to be ‘Brave, Bold, and Ambitious’ in plans. The Trust is currently leading the way on DfE Digital Strategy and has a number of ongoing initiatives to support pupils' wider development such as their school bank initiative which teaches students valuable financial literacy skills, promoting responsible money management and savings habits from an early age.

The ideal candidate

Great Learners Trust is looking for an experienced Educationalist to join, the Board and help bring their strategic vision to life. The ideal candidate will have strategic leadership experience within the MAT sector or working in a strategic capacity with a large number of schools.

Trust Board meetings are held six times a year, typically running 6pm-8pm. Times for the 2024-2025 academic year are open to review in consultation with the Board but will likely remain broadly the same/similar. 

Board meetings are planned in advance and are usually held on Wednesdays. Board meetings are held face to face though remote options are available to Trustees in exceptional circumstances. There are also three sub-committees: Education Standards, Finance Audit & Risk, and Personnel. These committees each meet three times a year and also meet 6pm-8pm. Most Trustees sit on one committee and committee meetings tend to occur 1-2 weeks before the Trust Board meeting.

Induction for the new trustee will be developed based on the candidate's previous experience. The Trust Board also has access to NGA (National Governance Association), Confederation of School Trusts (CST) and Bucks Education Partnership to support its governance. Candidates will also receive access to 'The First 100 Days as a Trustee' immersive eLearning, through Governors for Schools (developed in partnership with CST).

Altus Education Partnership is seeking two educationalists with specialisms in primary and secondary (including post-16) education to join the board of Trustees. The candidate/s should have a strong understanding of school improvement, and an understanding of the latest Ofsted framework would be an advantage. The Trust welcomes applications from all backgrounds but would particularly welcome applications from those from traditionally under-represented backgrounds.

Trust Board meetings are held four times a year on a Wednesday, typically 5pm-7pm. Meetings are held in-person at the Trust’s Headquarters in Rochdale centre, although the option to join remotely can be facilitated in exceptional circumstances. Occasionally meetings will be held at one of the schools to align with Trustee site visits. The Trust board also have the following committees:

• Finance & Resources (x3 meetings per year)
• Audit & Risk (x3 meetings per year)
• Education Standards (x5 meetings per year)

It is expected that the new Trustee will bring their expertise to the Education Standards committee. The new Trustee would not be expected to Chair the committee.

A full induction programme with meetings with the CEO, CFO and Chair of the Board along with a full training package will be available online and via local providers for the new Trustees joining the board. Successful applicants will also receive access to Governors for Schools ‘The First 100 Days as a Trustee’ eLearning, devised in partnership with CST.

About Altus Education Partnership

Altus Education Partnership is a four school Trust based in Rochdale (two secondary schools, one primary and Rochdale Sixth Form College). The Trust aims to build a family of inclusive academies from early years to 18 in Rochdale and its surrounds, with the memorandum between Rochdale Sixth Form College and Hopwood Hall College forming the cornerstone of the Trust’s strategy. The Trust has an ‘all-through’ strategy, with the vision of there being one 'level three' provider (Rochdale Sixth Form College) with a number of secondary and primary schools operating as main feeder schools. The Trust has formed an eligibility criteria to assess schools waiting to the join the Trust against and are mindful that educational and economic efficiency remain a priority. 
 
The Trust has a commitment to working with Rochdale schools, regularly working with local schools in various supporting capacities. The Trust is due to expand to five schools in 2025 with an Outstanding primary school joining, and a further two schools in current talks about joining Altus. Altus also enjoy good relationships with Rochdale Local Authority. 
 
Current priorities for the Trust include focused support for it’s secondary schools, one of which is currently graded ‘Requires Improvement’ by Ofsted and another is overdue it’s inspection and both schools serve areas of considerable deprivation. The Trust has a dedicated school improvement team to provide additional support alongside the Education and Standards Committee. 

What difference will you make? What’s in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering on an academy trust board is deeply rewarding and impacts the lives of hundreds, even thousands, of young people. Academy trusts support schools to give children a better future. For young people to have the best possible opportunities in later life, it’s vital we have individuals with the right expertise leading schools and holding executive teams accountable. Becoming a Trustee is a fantastic opportunity to give back to communities by strengthening education.

Becoming a Trustee is also an opportunity for you to build your experience in strategic decision-making at senior level or demonstrate your ability to perform in a non-executive position as part of a portfolio career. 

All roles are volunteer/pro bono in nature.

Governing boards should represent the communities they serve, as well as wider society. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply to ensure academy trust boards are diverse in background, skillset, and thought.

Diversity is a powerful instrument for effective governance. Trustees are required to make choices that impact the daily lives of students, from school finance all the way through to staff recruitment and pupil admissions. We believe that true representation at board level enables all students to fulfil their potential.

Further Information

We strongly recommend that you review information about the trust both via their website, and also on Companies House, Get Information About Schools and the Schools Financial Benchmarking Service.

For essential reading, please visit the resources for academy trustees section of Governors for Schools website, where you will find the Academy Trust Governance Guide, Academy Trust Handbook and the free eLearning, ‘Becoming a Trustee’.

Role: Welcome volunteer

Team: Tooting Hub – CARAS ESOL (Youth/Adult)

Supervised by: Team Project Coordinator

Location: Tooting Hub site

Activity times: Monday or Wednesday

Time commitment: 2 hour shifts on a rolling basis.

We ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 4 months

About CARAS:

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.

Our values are at the centre of all our work:

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests.

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.

About the Role:

We are currently recruiting a team of volunteers to join our new Welcome team at Tooting Hub. This is a new role. Welcome volunteers will provide a friendly face to existing community members attending our regular projects. They will also be the important ‘face of CARAS and our welcome at the door’ to people attending projects for the first time, to visitors and to people dropping in unannounced to enquire about CARAS’s service. Volunteers will meet and greet, and ensure all visitors are responded to appropriately and introduced to the relevant member of staff, activity, project, or meeting. There will be an administrative element to the role (updating registers and emailing enquiries to CARAS staff, for example).

Who will you be?

We work hard to ensure our services feel welcoming and inclusive. It is important that this new team is representative of our diverse local and internal CARAS community. Whether you are new to volunteering with CARAS or are a regular volunteer looking to vary your role or a community member wanting to develop some leadership skills or volunteering experience, this might be the exact project for you.

Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities: 

· Signing up to a shift/s on the Tooting HUB welcome team rota

· Able to be at Tooting Hub in person to complete agreed shifts

· Welcoming staff, volunteers, existing and potential new community members and visitors

· Ensuring all visitors are responded to appropriately and introduced to the relevant member of staff, activity, project, or meeting

· Ensuring everyone completes the onsite register on arrival to comply with safeguarding, health and safety and fire evacuation policies

· Taking agreed initial intake information for new / drop in visitors wanting to attend a taster activity

· Conducting induction tours of the building and introductions to facilities, key staff, and partners

Requirements (all experience can be from paid or voluntary roles): 

Essential: 

· A calm, friendly, kind, and patient approach

· Happy and confident to meet new people and put them at their ease

· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English

· To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds

· Confidence in using one’s own judgement to follow agreed policy

· Good IT admin skills in using Microsoft office, outlook, Google search, online forms etc

· A commitment to confidentiality and data protection

· Punctual and reliable

· To be able to volunteer on Mondays or Wednesdays for a minimum of four months

Desirable:

· Lived experience of seeking sanctuary and/ or the UK immigration system.

· Personal experience of working with people seeking asylum.

· Proficiency in one or more of the following community languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu, or Vietnamese.

We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process.

Benefits to Volunteering:

· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum.

· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team.

· Develop your skills and competencies.

· Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.

· Obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering

· All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. *

· You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.

The role of Preventative Mental Health Project Worker will support the Project Lead in the preparation for, and delivery of, One-Eighty’s preventative mental health projects including Make Me Smile, Kick Start and the Summer Project.  

There is also the opportunity of assisting with the marketing of projects, particularly Make Me Smile and processing of feedback from young people attending the project.

Overseen by One-Eighty’s Project Lead and supported by the Volunteer Coordinator, this role involves:

• preparing the resources to take to project sessions
• creating, maintaining, and developing impact/outcomes data collected pre- and post-sessions,
• supporting the delivery of the sessions to young people themselves - taking a lead role in this is part of the development roles associated with this volunteering opportunity

We are looking for volunteers 18 years and over to help us sort through donations, pick out the best items and prepare and sell them to our customers.

Why volunteer with us?

• Get hands-on retail experience
• Be part of a friendly, welcoming team
• Your time helps us support families and individuals facing terminal illness.
• Get involved with exciting tasks like creating window displays and arranging stock.
• Whether you're great with people, love organising, or are a whizz at working the till, there’s a role for you!

Key tasks might include:

• Sorting and organising donations, spotting those hidden gems.
• Getting items ready for sale by steaming and pricing.
• Offering top-notch customer service and working the till.
• Helping with fun shop tasks like window displays, stock replenishment, and general tidying.
• Housekeeping duties

Skills & Qualities

No prior experience in retail necessary. Full training and ongoing support is provided

• Friendly and kind manner
• Able to work well as part of a team
• Able to follow instructions
• Knowledge of popular and quality brands would be useful

Be part of something special and make a difference.

We are looking for up to ten UK university students to join our volunteer Student Ambassadors team and help Ygam achieve its social purpose by reaching out to students at university. This will be achieved by advising Ygam on the needs of students, supporting with content development, organising activities at your campus, and join us at events to raise awareness of gaming and gambling harms.

We are seeking individuals who are outgoing, with a confident personality. You will enjoy engaging with other students and be able to advise us on the experiences of students with regards to gaming and gambling.We’d love to hear from students with an interest in mental health, psychology, content development, and gaming. 

“Eco Club” is a fun group for home schooled children and their families to learn and connect through exercise, play and creative art projects. The group uses natural materials and environmental issues as their inspiration for activities. We're looking for a volunteer to support the smooth running of this session, every Wednesday 2-5pm.

Role and responsibilities:

- Creating a friendly and inclusive space through giving attendees a warm welcome and providing excellent customer service;

- Supporting the staff member running the session in developing child-friendly eco activities including planting seeds, using recycled materials for craft and nature walks;

- Support with the set up and clear up of the space;

- Reporting any concerns you have about attendees to your staff contact.

Benefits of volunteering with us:

- Access to Cardiff Council's training;

- Travel expenses paid;

- Awarded Tempo Time Credits which can be spent on tickets to tourist attractions, events, leisure facilities and much more;

- Support of a Volunteer Mentor;

- A reference after 10 hours of volunteering.

Make a lasting impact on future generations and your community, by becoming a governor for your local college.

Peridot Partners have partnered with the Department of Education to revolutionise the education governance sector, by appointing 137 new governors to college boards across England.

Education governors come from all backgrounds and sectors with either professional or lived experience that can help the board to make their decisions. A passion for education and future generations is a must, but you don’t need to have any experience in the education sector to become a governor.

Being an education governor or trustee is a rewarding and fulfilling venture for any of us. You don’t need to be a Chief Executive, a senior leader or even an educationalist to join the ever-growing pool of people who regularly attend board and committee meetings to influence and impact the quality of education delivered by our schools, sixth forms, further education colleges and universities. 

As an education governor, you will draw on the professional experience of your working career and your own life experiences to support and challenge the strategic direction of the organisation. You will reflect on the lessons that you have learnt through education, work and life to ask questions and understand how decisions being made on an operational level will and could impact the students and their potential for achievement.

Peridot Partners and the Department of Education are, together, committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate(s) will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can see the available opportunities and register your interest. 

We are currently recruiting volunteer trustees who are passionate about supporting young people.

Gospel Oak Action Link Youth Club (GOALYC) is a Camden based Charity providing at no cost to our users, a rich variety of sports, music, education and other activities to mostly disadvantaged young people in the Gospel Oak area. We offer training and employment opportunities for older teenage members, helping to boost their skills, self-confidence and aspirations, regardless of background or learning abilities. Our Trustees will guide the charity's direction, upkeep, and policies, making key decisions that create a positive difference to our youth. This involves: • Overall strategy decisions. • Organise fundraising. • Liaising with our partner organisation, QCCA. • Reviewing grant applications and reports to funders. • Board Meetings three to four times a year.

If you are based in London / Camden area, please join our Board of Trustees to help our local youths.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Whether you're someone with a few extra hours to spare, a student, or you’ve got retail know-how to share, we’d love to have you on board!

Why volunteer with us?

• Get hands-on retail experience
• Be part of a friendly, welcoming team
• Your time helps us support families and individuals facing terminal illness.
• Get involved with exciting tasks like creating stunning window displays and arranging stock.
• Whether you're great with people, love organising, or are a whizz at working the till, there’s a role for you!

Key tasks might include:

• Sorting and organising donations, spotting those hidden gems.
• Getting items ready for sale by steaming and pricing.
• Offering top-notch customer service and working the till.
• Helping with fun shop tasks like window displays, stock replenishment, and general tidying.
• Housekeeping duties

Skills & Qualities

No prior experience in retail necessary. Full training and ongoing support is provided

• Friendly and kind manner
• Able to work well as part of a team
• Able to follow instructions
• Knowledge of popular and quality brands would be useful

Be part of something special and make a difference!

* Young Volunteers - Please note: A signed Parent/Guardian Consent Form is required for all volunteers aged 14-17 years.

Do you have a natural ability to engage with young people, especially those who are facing disadvantage?

At Insightful Families we take a whole family approach to working with everyone in the family impacted by substance use. We offer a free confidential friendly service for children, young people, parents and carers in Haringey. We focus on strengthening resilience, family cohesion, reducing conflict to improve wellbeing at home and in the community.

We would love to involve a volunteer who will be able to engage and relate with young people in Haringey affected by substance use, particularly young black men.  Having some insight into the impact of substance use on young people (whether directly or indirectly) would be beneficial.  Through this engagement, you will help young people to be aware of the support available to them, and to feel confident to access this support.

Details of the role:

• Joining staff at co-locations in the community, such as family hubs, the young adults service, and schools to engage with young people
• Speaking positively and without judgement with young people, empowering them to access support
• Helping share information about the service in the community
• Supporting the team with workshops in the community
• Signposting young people to other support and resources in the community

We would love you to bring to this role:

• A confident and friendly approach
• Ability to engage with young men in particular
• Some insight or understanding of the impact of substance use on families and / or young people
• Moderate confidence at using IT – we can help you build on skills
• An understanding of the importance of guidelines and procedures relating to key areas such as safeguarding and information governance
• Be respectful and non-judgemental
• Willingness to attend and complete relevant training
• To participate in regular supervision sessions with your supervisor

What Volunteers can expect from us:

•  Regular supervision and support
•  Induction and access to training
•  To learn and practice new skills within a teamwork setting
•  To feel part of a team and the wider organisation
•  Reasonable travel expenses reimbursed with proof of journey
•  Opportunities to progress and experience other areas our work in the region

Our workplace values are:

• Kindness: be generous, caring and understanding.
• Courage: be bold, trust, commit.
• Respect: everyone deserves dignity.

About Roots Academy

At Roots Academy, we’ve built a learning experience that’s changing the lives of the ummah’s future leaders, change-makers and visionaries.

Our vision is enabling university students to live God-centred lives, so we teach structured, engaging and transformative face-to-face foundational Islamic education to over 1,800 students across the UK.

Role Summary

The Safeguarding Officer will work with the People Team Lead and the Trustee Board in ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place for keeping students, volunteers and team members safe at Roots Academy.

You will promote the safety and welfare of young people involved in Roots Academy’s activities at all times.

Key tasks

• Support with developing, reviewing and implementing Roots Academy’s safeguarding policies and procedures: ensuring all safeguarding issues concerning students and volunteers who take part in Roots Academy’s activities are responded to appropriately.
• Make sure that everyone working or volunteering at Roots Academy, including the board of trustees, understands the safeguarding policy and procedures and knows what to do if they have concerns about a student or volunteer’s welfare.
• Develop and deliver safeguarding training.
• Make sure students and young people who are involved in activities at Roots Academy know who they can talk to if they have a welfare concern and understand what action the organisation will take in response.
• Receive and record information from anyone who has concerns about a student or volunteer who takes part in Roots Academy’s activities.
• Responding to information that may constitute a safeguarding concern, including a concern that an adult involved with Roots Academy may present a risk to children or young people. This includes:

a. assessing and clarifying the information

b. making referrals to statutory organisations as appropriate

c. consulting with and informing the relevant members of the organisation’s management

d. following the organisation’s safeguarding policy and procedures.

• Liaise with, pass on information to and receive information from statutory agencies such as the police. This includes making formal referrals to agencies when necessary.
• Store and retain safeguarding records according to legal requirements and the organisation’s safeguarding policy and procedures.
• Work closely with the board of trustees the People Team Lead to ensure they are kept up to date with safeguarding issues and are fully informed of any concerns about organisational safeguarding practice.
• Report regularly to the board of trustees on issues relating to safeguarding, to ensure that safeguarding is seen as an ongoing priority issue and that safeguarding requirements are being followed at all levels of the organisation.

What we’re looking for

• The Safeguarding Officer must have received relevant safeguarding training
• Experience as a qualified social worker or safeguarding lead desirable
• Understanding of safeguarding in further education desirable
• Strong understanding of Islam and the Muslim community essential

What we have to offer

• Be part of a team of 40+ dedicated volunteers from across the country.
• Receive continuous rewards for those that seek Islamic knowledge from the Roots platform.
• Be a part of a growing organisation that aims to revive and educate Muslims from a grassroots perspective.
• Receive in-house tarbiyah sessions to develop your deen.

Please note this is an unpaid volunteer position.

Volunteers are entitled to claim expenses incurred for food, travel and equipment, in line with our Expenses policy.