Volunteer roles for the Housing and Homelessness sector

Join Our Board – Shape Futures, Change Lives

Could your skills or lived experience help reduce homelessness and support young people across Leicestershire?

If so, now is the time to step up.

YMCA Leicestershire is seeking new Trustees to join our dynamic Board as we drive forward our ambitious 2022–2027 Strategy. We’re tackling youth homelessness, expanding trauma-informed housing, and creating spaces where young people can belong, contribute and thrive.

We’re looking for passionate individuals who share our values of Community, Compassion and Empowerment, and who want to make a real difference.

We’re especially interested in hearing from people with (current) experience in:

• Legal
• Social Care
• Housing Development
• Or those with lived experience of homelessness

We’re also actively seeking applications from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) individuals to better reflect the communities we serve.

Why join us?

• Help address one of the biggest social issues of our time: youth homelessness.
• Shape services that support over 100 young people in supported accommodation.
• Be part of a charity with deep local roots and national influence.
• Gain leadership experience in a high-impact, values-driven organisation.

You don’t need previous board experience — just the right mindset, commitment, and relevant knowledge. Personal or professional experience of leadership and community development is desirable.

Sound like you?

If you would like the opportunity to have an informal conservation with the CEO, please email Gemma Winters, Executive Assistant to CEO.

Together, we can create lasting change - for more information please visit our website.

Support and Outreach Office Volunteer - Bournemouth

Location: Bournemouth
Department: Big Issue Frontline
Contract type: Volunteer
Hours: 5-7 hours a week
Salary: Volunteer Position

BE A CHANGE MAKER - Help support those in poverty.

The Big Issue office in Bournemouth is a hub for our vendors and the focal point for our work in the South West and we are looking for someone to help in the running of the office and supporting our vendors. In doing so you will be making a real difference to our South West Team and people in poverty.

While in the office, you will promote to our existing vendors the Big Issue Changing Lives service offer, including opportunities like My Pitch, mentoring and volunteering and Specsavers vouchers. You will help them book onto pitches when the office is busy and direct them to relevant services if they have a concern. You will also take phone calls, provide admin support and support the local team to create a welcoming office environment where vendors feel motivated, supported, and encouraged.

You will be someone who is aware of and champions the campaigns of the Big Issue and our work, who is compassionate and empathetic towards our vending community and someone with admin and basic data entry experience.

We are flexible as to which days you can volunteer with us and as to the pattern of hours you can be with us.

If this sounds like a positive impact you would like to make then we would love to hear from you. Please click the Apply link. You can can also see the fact sheet below for more details.

On the application form you will have the opportunity to provide a personal statement to let us know why you would like to volunteer with us and why you would be a great fit for this opportunity. We will mostly base our selection on this but you will also have the opportunity to upload a CV if you feel this would be helpful to your application. Equally we will not discredit any application that does not include a CV.

We will be reviewing application as they come in and we may interview before the closing date so if you are interested please apply asap.

REF-221741

Ensure the financial soundness of St-Martin-in-the-Fields Charity, one of the UK’s leading charities working to support people experiencing homelessness, as their new Trustee Treasurer.

Location: London

Closing date: 9 a.m. Wednesday 25th June

Time commitment: Equivalent to one day a month

Who we are

St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity exists so that everyone has a place to call home. We help people in vulnerable situations to find and keep a home.

With the help of our supporters, we support frontline workers and organisations across the UK to ensure that everyone experiencing homelessness can secure – and keep – a safe place to live.

About the role

The Board of Trustees is the governing body that takes overall responsibility for the Charity’s work, making sure that all processes and practices are in place to run the Charity effectively.

Trustees provide St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity with vital expertise, experience, insights and commitment essential to the governance of the Charity. It is not an expectation that any one Trustee have all the skills, we seek a Board that as a whole has the right combination of skills, experience and knowledge.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a qualified financial professional to become our new Trustee Treasurer and Chair for the Charity’s Budget, Audit and Risk Committee (BARC). You ensure the financial soundness of the Charity by maintaining effective governance of the organisation’s affairs, and that proper processes and procedures exist for assuring all financial records, decisions and delegations are maintained.

As part of an excellent Board, you will be helping to shape the Charity’s overall strategy for delivering its mission.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Wednesday 25th June.

As an Enhanced First Response Volunteer, you will drive our hire car and go out with a partner volunteer to look for referrals made by StreetLink, engaging with those found sleeping rough, and passing on information to the Outreach team. Enhanced First Responders play a crucial role in ensuring people sleeping rough receive vital support from the Outreach team to move away from the streets and get connected to other local services. Please note, you have to be 25 years old or over to drive the hire car, but if you don't meet this criteria, please still apply as you can support with note taking and navigation between referrals.

A Peer Mentor is a volunteer who has experienced similar challenges and experiences as the person they are supporting. Being a peer mentor is seen as a positive and secure way to progress towards education, work, or employment.

Volunteers who take on peer support roles can feel empowered, have a greater confidence and a more positive sense of identity.

Could you provide an authentic voice that our clients can relate to?

· Do you have 1-2 hours a week to support a client

· Can you inspire others, give them hope through self-disclosure and by being an example of recovery?

· Build relationships based on trust, acceptance, understanding and an empathy from a shared lived experience?

· Can we rely on you to tap into your own experiences to help us identify barriers and gaps in our services and how we can be improving and identify good practice?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

· Inspiring service users by using your own life experiences and by being a positive role model

· Providing a safe sounding space, listen in a non-judgemental way

· Helping to improve wellbeing, confidence, and independence by exploring activities that promote this

· Assist service users to engage with formalised support

· Attend appropriate training and development opportunities as required

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Could you prevent loneliness and isolation in your community and become a befriender?

• Do you have 2-3 hours a week to give to a client suffering from loneliness or mental health? (For a mutual agreement of time and locations that meet clients’ needs)
• Can you offer support, through a listening ear and be a positive influence in a client’s life to help build self-esteem and confidence?
• Will you enable our clients to benefit from knowing someone is there to listen, be a friend, and check in on their wellbeing?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include, but is not restricted to the following tasks:

• Carry out weekly checks with the clients you are supporting. This can be in a variety of settings, e.g., family home, support home, or in the community (via face-to-face meetings, phone or video calls)
• Have fun, take clients on outings, and maybe share a hobby, sport, or an interest
• Collect prescriptions for clients and assist with their weekly shop
• Help clients rediscover social skills and confidence by building up and maintaining a close relationship
• Report any concerns to the Volunteer Coordinator

Skills required

No qualifications or volunteering experience is required; however, the below skills are essential:

• A non-judgemental approach
• Good listening and communication skills
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Be able to work on own initiative
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Could you prevent loneliness and isolation in your community and become a befriender?

• Do you have 2-3 hours a week to give to a client suffering from loneliness or mental health? (For a mutual agreement of time and locations that meet clients’ needs)
• Can you offer support, through a listening ear and be a positive influence in a client’s life to help build self-esteem and confidence?
• Will you enable our clients to benefit from knowing someone is there to listen, be a friend, and check in on their wellbeing?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include, but is not restricted to the following tasks:

• Carry out weekly checks with the clients you are supporting. This can be in a variety of settings, e.g., family home, support home, or in the community (via face-to-face meetings, phone or video calls)
• Have fun, take clients on outings, and maybe share a hobby, sport, or an interest
• Collect prescriptions for clients and assist with their weekly shop
• Help clients rediscover social skills and confidence by building up and maintaining a close relationship
• Report any concerns to the Volunteer Coordinator

Skills required

No qualifications or volunteering experience is required; however, the below skills are essential:

• A non-judgemental approach
• Good listening and communication skills
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Be able to work on own initiative
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Could you prevent loneliness and isolation in your community and become a befriender?

• Do you have 2-3 hours a week to give to a client suffering from loneliness or mental health? (For a mutual agreement of time and locations that meet clients’ needs)
• Can you offer support, through a listening ear and be a positive influence in a client’s life to help build self-esteem and confidence?
• Will you enable our clients to benefit from knowing someone is there to listen, be a friend, and check in on their wellbeing?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include, but is not restricted to the following tasks:

• Carry out weekly checks with the clients you are supporting. This can be in a variety of settings, e.g., family home, support home, or in the community (via face-to-face meetings, phone or video calls)
• Have fun, take clients on outings, and maybe share a hobby, sport, or an interest
• Collect prescriptions for clients and assist with their weekly shop
• Help clients rediscover social skills and confidence by building up and maintaining a close relationship
• Report any concerns to the Volunteer Coordinator

Skills required

No qualifications or volunteering experience is required; however, the below skills are essential:

• A non-judgemental approach
• Good listening and communication skills
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Be able to work on own initiative
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Could you prevent loneliness and isolation in your community and become a befriender?

• Do you have 2-3 hours a week to give to a client suffering from loneliness or mental health? (For a mutual agreement of time and locations that meet clients’ needs)
• Can you offer support, through a listening ear and be a positive influence in a client’s life to help build self-esteem and confidence?
• Will you enable our clients to benefit from knowing someone is there to listen, be a friend, and check in on their wellbeing?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include, but is not restricted to the following tasks:

• Carry out weekly checks with the clients you are supporting. This can be in a variety of settings, e.g., family home, support home, or in the community (via face-to-face meetings, phone or video calls)
• Have fun, take clients on outings, and maybe share a hobby, sport, or an interest
• Collect prescriptions for clients and assist with their weekly shop
• Help clients rediscover social skills and confidence by building up and maintaining a close relationship
• Report any concerns to the Volunteer Coordinator

Skills required

No qualifications or volunteering experience is required; however, the below skills are essential:

• A non-judgemental approach
• Good listening and communication skills
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Be able to work on own initiative
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Are you a reliable handyperson who can undertake, upkeep, and repair a range of tasks for our housing support clients?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to make basic home improvements to client’s accommodation?
• Are you a dab hand at DIY and want to put your handyperson skills to good use?
• Do you have an interest in motivating people to make positive changes in their lives through acquiring new skills?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include carrying out basic household repairs and alterations such as:

• Gardening work
• Flat pack furniture assembly
• Putting up curtain rails/blinds
• Hanging pictures and shelves

Skills required

No volunteering experience is required however the below skills are essential:

• Practical skills in DIY and/or gardening
• Good listening and communication skills
• Excellent people skills to enable you to work with a range of individuals with complex backgrounds

• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

EMPLOYMENT COACH

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, family circumstances, mental health issues, substance misuse, care leavers, learning disability, age, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients f

Would you like the opportunity to apply your experience in a meaningful role to help vulnerable clients?

· Do you have 1 hour a week to give to a vulnerable client

· Can we rely and depend on you to commit to a period of up to 12 weeks?

· Can you create and maintain positive, professional, and trusting relationships with a non-judgmental approach?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Role summary:

To encourage and support clients on a one-to-one basis to find suitable employment or volunteering.

To assess each individual and help prepare them for meaningful and suitable employment.

Key Responsibilities

· To support clients to identify their skills and readiness for employment and training

· To communicate with clients to understand their strengths and assisting with personal barriers

· To research and match suitable employment, work placements, volunteering or training opportunities based on client preferences

· To identify any initial support needs/adjustments that the service user may need to work successfully

· To assist with CV’s, applications and support for interviews

This is an exciting opportunity to delve into the world of social media, using social media platforms to enhance the online presence of Shelter Birmingham. You’ll be providing information, promoting our services, and increasing engagement with local and national campaigns. This role gives you the chance to volunteer across diverse and friendly teams, gain valuable experience in online communications, and put your own creative stamp onto projects. 

This is a great opportunity for someone looking to develop skills and experience within social media and who has an interest in social welfare. This may include personal experience of bad housing or homelessness which will enrich your knowledge, empathy, and authenticity within the role. 

Suggested time commitment:        

Location: This a flexible role, that can be undertaken from home or the office at times to suit you. During planned events, we may need a visible presence, but this will be arranged in advance. 

Supervised by: Volunteer coordinator

Why volunteer with Shelter? 

A home is a fundamental human right, as vital as education or healthcare. But in Britain today, that right is denied to millions of people whose lives are blighted by homelessness, unsuitable housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. The time for change is now. Together with individuals, in communities and across society, we will lead the way for a safe home for all. But we need your help to do it. 

Main Tasks can include: 

• Establishing and/or maintaining active social media accounts.

• Researching and creating creative content for different social media channels, starting with Twitter and Instagram, with view to expansion (you will have the opportunity to shape the role as you develop). 

• Helping to develop social media communication plans for sharing information that can help and support the local community.

• Liaising with the team in the Birmingham hub including to plan and promote national and local Shelter campaigns. 

• Identifying current news and issues affecting people locally around housing and benefits 

• Identifying target audiences and being up to date with current trends. 

• Attending events organised by Shelter Birmingham to provide updates on social media and making reels for Instagram going live on our Instagram account during live events. 

Skills and Experiences Required: 

• Confident in using technology. 

• Be familiar with some of the social media platforms and if needed learn how to use others use of various social media platforms including Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram. 

• Good communication skills. 

• A flexible and organised approach. 

• Creative. 

• Ability to write about relevant issues in an informed and non-bias manner. 

• Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies, including Volunteering, Safeguarding, Data Protection and Health & Safety. 

Induction, Learning and Development: 

To enable you to take part in this opportunity, Shelter will: 

• Provide you with a Volunteer Handbook and all Policies and Procedures. 

• Provide learning on topics including Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Data Protection. 

• Provide an induction to the role and other relevant training. 

• Reimburse "out of pocket" expenses in line with Shelter's volunteer expenses policy. 

Benefits of Volunteering with Shelter 

• Being part of Shelter’s Fight for Home. 

• Gaining valuable skills and experience and confidence that may be beneficial for future volunteering or employment opportunities. 

• Learning more about social media by volunteering alongside the social media team, including how to support a campaign using social media platforms. 

• Being part of a great team. 

• Learning about housing and homelessness issues 

As a Welcome volunteer, you will be an invaluable part of the Birmingham team, supporting the hub to deliver vital frontline services. You'll be the first point of contact for clients and visitors, assisting the hub team with duties, and supporting the operation of the Shelter office in their day-to-day business 

You’ll act as the first point of contact for our clients, helping to understand their needs and help them access necessary advice and assistance through the duty or appointment services. Being a positive presence in the hub to ensure visitors feel comfortable and welcomed.

This role is an opportunity to make a real difference to the households we assist. You’ll be developing your own knowledge and skills to assist local people with a range of housing issues as well as providing practical guidance and providing a friendly, listening ear. You will gain experience of volunteering within a recognised national housing charity, while supporting your local community.

Suggested Involvement: Approximately one day per week (can be more & can be flexible around your commitments) 

Availability: This volunteering opportunity will take place within our working hours, Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm 

Location: Shelter Birmingham, 38 The Priory Queensway, Maple House, Birmingham, B4 7LA 

Supervised by: Volunteer Coordinator

Why volunteer with Shelter? 

A home is a fundamental human need, as vital as education or healthcare. But in Britain today, that right is denied to millions of people whose lives are blighted by homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. The time for change is now.

As a Welcome Volunteer, you’ll be supporting the day-to-day work of Shelter’s Advice Team as they provide advice and guidance to the people visiting the Birmingham hub. 

Volunteers are essential to Shelter’s mission to end housing injustice. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. The insights and life experience our volunteers bring to Shelter are valued as much as their contribution through volunteering. 

We aim to provide our volunteers with a positive experience. This is by prioritising accessibility and tailoring the advice we provide to the needs of the individual. We make sure our policies and processes are equitable, which means that no-one is unfairly disadvantaged while volunteering because of their background or identity.

Main Tasks include:

• Greeting people who come to the office and aiding in Reception 

• Communicating with clients via phone and email to share updates on their case and to gather information. 

• To obtain feedback and service user consents 

• Signposting clients to relevant services and providing useful information. 

• General tasks (e.g. photocopying, scanning, and filing).

Skills and experience required:

• Good communication skills and the ability to understand the needs of our clients.

• The ability to speak Somalian or Arabic would be helpful, but certainly not essential 

• Interest in housing issues; welfare benefits; debt; community care 

• The ability to work as part of a team and value and communicate effectively with others

• Confident using Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, Teams and PDF documents to a good standard 

• Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies, including volunteering, health & safety, equality & diversity, confidentiality & data protection 

To enable you take part in this opportunity Shelter will:

• Provide a volunteer pack including a Handbook and all Policies and Procedures. 

• Provide an induction into your role

• Provide access to our learning on data protection, safeguarding and screen wellness as well as other appropriate role specific training. 

• Reimburse “out of pocket” expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy.

Benefits of Volunteering with Shelter

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness. 

• Gain valuable work experience and enhance your CV. 

• Meet new people and be part of a great team. 

• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills. 

As a Community Workshop Assistant volunteer, you will be an invaluable part of the Birmingham team, supporting the hub to deliver frontline services. This role is an exciting and new opportunity to make a real difference within the wider community.

The accessible workshops are delivered primarily out in the community to Shelter clients and professionals however we may also deliver these by Microsoft Teams. The aim is to help empower clients to understand their rights and provide necessary support and signposting in areas such as temporary accommodation and budgeting. You will play a supportive role, helping the Housing Rights Worker deliver these workshops and being part of the development of future workshops. 

In addition, you’ll be developing your own knowledge and skills to support local people with a range of housing issues as well as providing practical support within the workshop. You will gain experience of volunteering within a recognised national housing charity, while supporting your local community. 

Suggested Involvement: Approximately one day per month (can be more & can be flexible around your commitments) 

Availability: This volunteering opportunity will take place within our working hours, Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm. 

Location: Shelter Birmingham 38 Priory Queensway, Maple House, Birmingham, B4 7LA but this role will be within the local community. 

Supervised by: Birmingham Volunteer Coordinator

Why volunteer with Shelter? 

A home is a fundamental human need, as vital as education or healthcare. But in Britain today, that right is denied to millions of people whose lives are blighted by homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. The time for change is now.

Volunteers are essential to Shelter’s mission to end housing injustice. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. The insights and life experience our volunteers bring to Shelter are valued as much as their contribution through volunteering. 

We aim to provide our volunteers with a positive experience. This is by prioritising accessibility and tailoring the support we provide to the needs of the individual. We make sure our policies and processes are equitable, which means that no-one is unfairly disadvantaged while volunteering because of their background or identity. 

Main Tasks include 

• Ensuring equipment is ready such as laptops and projectors 

• General administrative tasks (e.g. photocopying, scanning and filing).

• Help create a welcoming environment and being a welcoming face for clients attending the workshops 

• Handing out feedback forms & uploading feedback forms once the session is over 

• Supporting the Housing Rights Worker to facilitate the workshop

Skills and experience required 

• An interest in social welfare e.g. housing, welfare benefits, debt. 

• Good communication skills (this may be through experience of working with the public) 

• Ability to collaborate with a team. 

• Confident using IT including Microsoft Office programmes 

• Willingness to follow Shelter’s policies, including Volunteering, Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Confidentiality and Data Protection. 

Induction, learning & development 

To enable you take part in this opportunity Shelter will

• Provide a volunteer pack including a Handbook and all Policies and Procedures. 

• Provide an induction into your role

• Provide access to our learning on data protection, safeguarding and screen wellness as well as other appropriate role specific training. 

• Reimburse “out of pocket” expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy. 

Benefits of Volunteering with Shelter 

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness. 

• Gain valuable work experience and enhance your CV. 

• Meet new people and be part of a great team. 

• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills.