Volunteer roles

Enthusiastic, hands-on volunteers needed to help provide food to the community. A key role, you will work at the main hub of the food bank and help the food service run as smoothly as possible. An exciting opportunity to make a real, immediate impact to those in need of support. 

Hours: Tuesdays and/or Thursdays, 10:00-12:30, 12.30-15:00 or 14:45-17:00. 

Book shifts to suit your own schedule!

Location: St Michaels Church Hall, 37 Bounds Green Rd, London, N22 8SD

About Bounds Green Food Bank: 

Open since June 2020, we serve over 1,500 children and adults in the community. We are committed to improving lives by providing food and essential household items to build a healthy, hunger-free tomorrow. We strive to promote social inclusion by supporting people who find themselves in a crisis situation where they need assistance to feed themselves and their families.

The role: 

• Help with setting up the food service and replenishing goods when needed, including decanting and repacking items.

• Warmly welcome guests, serving them the appropriate number of items depending on their household size and needs.

• Follow food bank policies including Health and Safety procedures e.g. wearing gloves when handling fresh food and lifting boxes safely. 

• Keep the hall tidy throughout the food service e.g. tidying away boxes and neatly restocking items. 

Person specification: 

• Patient and flexible

• A team player 

• Understands and is sensitive to the challenges and difficulties faced by guests accessing the food bank e.g. food and fuel poverty, feelings of shame and embarrassment, language barriers.

Benefits:

• Flexible - book shifts to suit your own schedule!

• Give back to the community - one of the NHS’ 5 Ways to Wellbeing!

• Gain access to free workshops for volunteers and upskill on a range of topics (conflict resolution, mental health first aid, arts and crafts, and more)

• Join free social events for volunteers (such as picnics, walks, games nights and celebration events)

• Gain a sense of community and meet the huge team of volunteers

Lead the Board of Via, the charity delivering vital substance use, mental health and well-being services across the UK, and help provide high-quality, person-centred care to the people and communities affected.

Location: Flexible (Via has services across London, NW England and SW England)

Closing date: Tuesday 27th May

Who we are.

Via is an exceptional charity that puts people at the heart of everything we do. Over three decades, we’ve evolved from our origins as Westminster Drug Project, with a new now award-winning name and brand, into a dynamic, multi-service organisation delivering vital support across substance use, mental health, employment, sexual health, smoking cessation and youth services. With a turnover of £36m for 24/25 and remarkable growth of over a third in 2023/24, we’re now supporting over 12,500 service users annually across an expanding geographical footprint from London to Gloucestershire.

Our commitment to excellence and innovation is evident in our industry-leading services, which consistently perform significantly above the national average. We’re particularly proud to be pioneering the development of the UK’s first women-only detox facility, demonstrating our commitment to addressing crucial gaps in service provision.

Our Approach Makes Us Different

At Via, we believe in doing things differently. This starts with our commitment to staff well-being, including up to six months of full sick pay – a policy that exemplifies our trust in our people and our understanding that supporting our staff enables them to better support our service users. We achieved Investors in People Gold certification and were nominated for UK Employer of the Year and Third Sector Employer of the Year at the Investors in People Awards 2024, recognising our dedication to creating an outstanding workplace culture.

Our active Diversity, Equity and Inclusion group drives real organisational change, ensuring our services are accessible and effective for all communities. These aren’t just initiatives – they’re expressions of our core values: Care, Be Human, and Do the Right Thing, which guides everything we do.

The opportunity.

As we have experienced growth and are launching our new strategy, we had new Trustees join our Board as others have come to the end of their terms. As our current Chair, Yasmin Batliwala MBE comes to the end of her term later this year, we are looking to appoint a new Chair.

What Makes a Great Via Chair

• A Strategic Leader with proven experience operating at a senior level with a successful track record of achievement. You’ll have the personal gravitas to lead a significant, complex, national organisation, alongside the ability to lead a newly evolving and forming Board.
• Passionate About Our Cause: You will bring your expertise and passion for improving lives and reducing inequality. You’ll be someone who understands the complexity of our work yet can think strategically about our future. Your genuine enthusiasm will inspire others and strengthen our impact.
• Governance Experience: you will bring the experience of being on Boards and will work to lead the board to ensure sound financial health and accountability while effectively managing risk and continuing to innovate in service development and delivery.
• An Inclusive Champion committed to fostering diversity that reflects the communities we serve, promoting DEI training and growth, and holding staff and trustees accountable to these practices.
• A Relationship Builder with excellent interpersonal skills and diplomatic tact. You’ll develop a strong working relationship with the Chief Executive, maintain connections with key stakeholders, and represent Via as an effective ambassador.
• A Collaborative Leader who can bring people together, foster a team environment, and work in partnership with our board and team to drive our ambitious strategy.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Diversity in governance isn’t just a goal for Via – it’s a necessity. Our services support people from every part of society, and we want our Board to reflect this diversity. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of addiction/recovery (whether personal or as family members/carers), and people from communities currently underrepresented at board level.

Time Commitment

The Board meets quarterly, usually in person. Including preparation time, representation at events, and strategic input, we estimate a commitment of the equivalent of 2-3 days per month. This includes:

• Four Board meetings per year
• Quarterly committee meetings
• Annual strategy and away day
• Ad hoc conversations with fellow board members and the Executive
• Occasional representation at events and meetings with key stakeholders, including at services.

Making a Difference Together

This is an extraordinary time to join Via. As we implement our new 2025-29 strategy and expand our geographical reach, innovate our evidence-based offer and increase access to more people. We’re not just growing – we’re evolving. You’ll help shape innovative services like our women’s detox facility while ensuring we maintain our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and person-centred care

Please click 'Apply via website’ 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 on Tuesday 27th May. 

Safeguarding Lead Trustee
Location: London (Hybrid)
Remuneration: This is an unremunerated role. However, expenses such as childcare, care for other dependants, and travel will be covered to support attendance at board meetings.

Our client is a registered Charity Incorporated Organisation that aims to support and invest in young people (predominantly 18-25 years old) through their adolescent years which can be difficult because of both personal circumstances and the injustices in society. They fund work nationally, as well as having a specific focus on several counties in the South East of England. The grants they make total c. £3 million per year.

The Trust has evolved a lot over the years and is very much values driven around their mission “to bring lasting change to the lives of young people; investing in them as powerful forces for change and acting upon their right to be heard in pursuit of a fair and just society.” They really want to be a foundation that listens well and gives young people power to change and improve society whilst staying responsible, trusting and progressive. They do this primarily by providing grants to organisations working with young people, influencing youth policy alongside them and investing directly in young changemakers.

The Trust is looking for a new Safeguarding Lead Trustee to join their inclusive, inspiring and professional Board. You will be the champion for safeguarding throughout the organisation and Board and will bring excellent experience around safeguarding young people, with support from the Safeguarding Committee. Our client encourages applications from younger candidates for those who feel they have similar and relevant experience even though this may be your first time board/trustee role.

Most importantly, this individual will be motivated to live the Trust’s values and share their vision of a world where all young people have hope, access to the support they need, a stake in society and influence over their futures. Our client are committed to centering the voices of those they seek to serve. Their board and staff team have relevant lived and learnt experiences to help us fulfil their mission. They listen to the communities they seek to serve both directly and broadly to have as accurate of an understanding as possible about the issues that those they’re here to serve are facing.

For further details about this exciting opportunity, please refer to the full appointment brief attached below. To apply, please click ‘Redirect to Recruiter’.

Deadline for applications: 18th May
Interviews with client: w/c 26th May or 2nd June

Would you like to be part of our future?  After a period of growth Grassroots Suicide Prevention are seeking to recruit further trustees.

We are a national suicide prevention charity, and our vision is a future where more lives are saved from suicide. We empower people to help saves lives from suicide through connecting, educating, and campaigning nationally:

· Connecting: We listen and connect people to support through our Stay Alive app, tools, and resources to help keep people safe from suicide.

· Educating: We offer bespoke and evidence-based consultation and training, co-designed to empower individuals, organisations, and communities to develop the skills and confidence to help save lives.

· Campaigning: We help remove the stigma around suicide. We know that most suicides are preventable with timely intervention and the right support. We raise awareness through campaigning on the ground and influencing at a strategic level.

As a Trustee, you will be joining a charity in a strong position with an ambition to build on our successes.  We will be looking to build on existing activities and developing new innovative projects.

Trustees are our most senior leaders. They set our strategic direction, make sure we’re using our resources effectively and ensure we’re having the greatest possible impact in the communities in which we work. Trustees are expected to undertake duties in a manner that reflects GSP’s values and ethos.

We are particularly looking for Trustees with skills and experience in one of the following areas:

•  charity experience, ideally a CEO or former CEO who has grown a local charity into a national

• fundraising and/or someone who sits across marketing, comms and fundraising but with more experience on fundraising than comms 

• frontline support both online/digital and face to face in health and social care 

• business development and networking

We are a friendly and welcoming organisation and are passionate about what we do. You’ll be joining our Board of Trustees at an exciting time with lots of opportunities to build on our success over the next few years. If you have the time and enthusiasm to be part of something amazing, please get in touch.

We welcome applications from those with lived experience.

If you would like to apply and/or find out more about this position, please see the job description attached.

Vice Chair
Location: London (Hybrid)
Remuneration: This is an unremunerated role. However, expenses such as childcare, care for other dependants, and travel will be covered to support attendance at board meetings.

Our client is a registered Charity Incorporated Organisation that aims to support and invest in young people (predominantly 18-25 years old) through their adolescent years which can be difficult because of both personal circumstances and the injustices in society. They fund work nationally, as well as having a specific focus on several counties in the South East of England. The grants they make total c. £3 million per year.

The Trust has evolved a lot over the years and is very much values driven around their mission “to bring lasting change to the lives of young people; investing in them as powerful forces for change and acting upon their right to be heard in pursuit of a fair and just society.” They really want to be a foundation that listens well and gives young people power to change and improve society whilst staying responsible, trusting and progressive. They do this primarily by providing grants to organisations working with young people, influencing youth policy alongside them and investing directly in young changemakers.

Our client is looking for a new Vice Chair to join their inclusive, inspiring and professional Board. The Vice Chair will provide support to the current Chair and additional leadership to the Board. You will bring experience of working with young people or within/around youth led organisations. This individual will be able to be an effective ambassador and will bring an understanding of boards and charity governance, ideally though a previous board role or experience in an aligned role. The Trust provides training and ongoing support, and they looking for someone committed both to the role and to continuous learning.

Most importantly, this individual will be motivated to live the Trust’s values and share their vision of a world where all young people have hope, access to the support they need, a stake in society and influence over their futures. They are committed to centering the voices of those thet seek to serve. The board and staff team have relevant lived and learnt experiences to help us fulfil the Trust’s mission. They listen to the communities they seek to serve both directly and broadly to have as accurate of an understanding as possible about the issues that those they’re here to serve are facing. Our client encourages applications from younger candidates and for those who may not have previously held a Chair or Vice Chair role.

For further details about this exciting opportunity, please refer to the full appointment brief attached below. To apply, please click ‘Redirect to Recruiter’

Deadline for applications: 18th May
Interviews with client: w/c 26th May or 2nd June

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

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITY AND IS NOT OPEN TO STUDENT VOLUNTEERS

What is the purpose of this role?

The Sybil Levin Day Service is a specialist SPECAL-Led day service supporting people with dementia and their carers using the SPECAL method.

What activities might you be involved in?

• Assisting centre attendees to engage in activities.
• Serving meals and drinks.
• Helping to set up and clear away activities.
• Engaging in conversation with centre attendees.
• Volunteering in line with the Charity’s policies and procedures and adhering to the Volunteer Code of Conduct

What are we looking for?

• People with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of people with dementia.
• A friendly, sensitive and kind approach.
• Being comfortable in small groups or on a one to one basis.
• People with a commitment to using the SPECAL method at all times whilst at the centre.

When would you be needed to volunteer?

The centre is open from Monday to Friday and would like volunteers to commit to a morning or afternoon at least once a week as a minimum.

What training will you be given?

You will be given all the training you need to enable you to carry out your role.  This will include a thorough Charity induction and a departmental induction to provide further information about the role.  You will also be given access to our online training library to complete the training modules that are mandatory for your role.

You will receive SPECAL training prior to commencing your role.

What can you gain from this opportunity?

• The chance to make a difference to the lives of people with dementia.
• Ongoing support, ensuring your volunteering experience is a fulfilling and positive one.
• A comprehensive training programme.
• The opportunity to learn new skills.
• Experience to add to your CV.
• The opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
• Reimbursement of out of pocket expenses as defined in the Age UK Notts Volunteer Handbook

***Please note that we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

Communications Board Member

YAF’s Communications Team underpin all of the organisation's outputs by managing our communication channels and brand identity. They are instrumental in providing a voice for our Board, our members and our industry peers. 

This position offers an exciting opportunity to work as part of a creative and proactive team, with the autonomy to devise innovative content plans and company-wide messaging. It’s a great opportunity to develop a combined fundraising, marketing and digital skill-set, offering tangible and versatile professional experience. 

What you’ll gain:

• Fantastic opportunity to develop new skills and experience outside of your work and boost your CV

• Chance to work with a friendly team and like-minded people that are passionate about transforming the landscape of voluntary professional development in arts fundraising

• Develop your network with leaders in arts fundraising and in the cultural sector

• Attend all YAF’s events and networking opportunities

About Us:

The Orpheus Centre is a specialist further education college and charity working to support young disabled adults, who are passionate about the arts, to achieve their potential and lead independent lives.

Set up by musician and songwriter Sir Richard Stilgoe, Orpheus offers learning, supported housing and personal care on the same site in Godstone, Surrey.

Volunteer Role:

Collection Box Coordinator – 2 hours a week

Why volunteer:

Through volunteering with us you will gain a greater sense of purpose and help with fundraising for Orpheus. You will coordinate the regular collection and replacement of Orpheus donation boxes within the local area and liaise with other volunteers to inform them which boxes need collecting. You will also need to maintain our database, inputting current and new locations, reporting stolen or broken boxes, researching new locations to distribute boxes and inform the Community Fundraiser.

This role would suite someone who is self-motivated, have a confident manner and experience of dealing with the public face-to-face. Experience using excel spreadsheets or databases would be beneficial, however we can provide training if necessary. You’ll need to be reliable, an excellent communicator, have a friendly and enthusiastic personality and committed to helping. Being a car driver will help you within this role.

You will have a mentor who will help and guide you when you first start volunteering at Orpheus.

Training:

Role relevant training, including Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Safeguarding will be given prior to start date. There is also the opportunity to attend our Learning Support training.

On-going support will be available throughout your time at Orpheus.

Benefits/What you’ll get:

• Experience of volunteering in an education setting.
• Working within a team as well as independently.
• The opportunity to meet new people and having fun.
• Develop confidence, empathy, listening and communication skills through working with our students.
• Gain experience in the charity sector.
• Opportunities to volunteer at other fundraising or on site events at Orpheus.
• Free on-site parking and expenses claimed back.
• Discounted lunches.
• Volunteer social events, like our Volunteer Tea Party.

Safeguarding:

Orpheus is committed to safeguarding and promotes the welfare of all service users. We are committed to the promotion of equal opportunities.

This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  It is therefore subject to an Enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS).

Equality & Diversity:

• To enforce the zero tolerance policy of all forms of victimisation, discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
• To be tolerant of differences and use respectful language.
• Ensure professional standards and boundaries are clear.
• To treat everyone respectfully.

Application Process:

Once your application has been received it will be reviewed, you may then be invited in for an informal interview.

Your references will be checked and you will need to complete the online DBS application before bringing the relevant documents in to be checked.

You will then need to attend all of our training. This can all take 3-4 weeks to be completed before you start volunteering with us.

We look forward to hearing from you.

FareShare Midlands is the region’s largest food redistribution charity, tackling food inequality and transforming lives. In partnership with FareShare UK, we rescue good-quality surplus food and redistribute it to over 800 local charities and community organisations, reaching 83,000 people weekly. Beyond fighting hunger, we empower individuals through education, training and volunteering, helping over 730 people to date build brighter, more secure futures. Together, we’re fighting hunger, reducing food waste and creating opportunities across the Midlands:

• Our Mission is to maximise the social value of surplus food. 
• Our Vision is a Midlands region where no-one goes hungry when there is food being wasted, no child goes to school on an empty stomach, and where vulnerable people are supported to join​ or re-join the workforce. 
• Our Values are Passion, Ambition, Respect, Collaboration and Accountability – they run through everything we do and provide a clear framework for how we approach our work.

Help distribute food to thousands of people in your area! 

Join our warehouse teams in the vital role of Volunteer Warehouse Assistant, to help handle food deliveries and prepare orders for charities and community groups.

Duties may include:

• Picking & packing food items ready for dispatch or collection.
• Performing physical tasks including lifting, loading, moving and storing goods.
• Recording quantities and types of food.
• Checking labels and dates on food.
• Following instructions - adhering to Health & Safety and Food Safety procedures.
• Keeping work areas clean & tidy.

You will need to be

• Adaptable - managing surplus food can be unpredictable.
• Positive, friendly and enthusiastic about tackling food waste and food poverty.
• Numerate and literate.

If you are interested in becoming a Warehouse Assistant Volunteer please contact us through CharityJobs or our website. 

Herts Disability Sports Foundation is where everyone (absolutely everyone!) is empowered to experience the joys of belonging, achieving and physical activity. Through our diverse activities, individuals become functionally fitter, but also develop self-esteem, confidence and life skills as they connect with and belong to a safe community of others like them.  And we have a lot of fun!  

The Board would like to appoint a Trustee with Human Resources skills and experience to challenge and support the Board and Senior Management Team.  We plan to expand our services across the county over the coming years and are looking for a Trustee who will share their skills to support and drive our strategy.  Above all, our Trustees should be passionate about what HDSF is striving to achieve.

We operate in Hertfordshire and are now being recognised across the county as a source of expertise for disability sport and physical activity - from our track record, the skills of our staff and our open commitment to ‘practise what we preach’ on a daily basis.HDSF believes that quality of life can be improved through involvement in sports and physical activity opportunities - and that everyone should have access to these benefits.  The Charity exists to provide support, education, training and the opportunity to take part in sporting activities for individuals who struggle to access sport and physical activity - to improve physical health and wellbeing.

We aim to be an inclusive organisation, and welcome applications from anyone interested in supporting our purpose, particularly from those who have lived experience of disability (either personally or through their role as a parent/carer) and/or the sectors of our community which are often under-represented on charity boards.

In return, we offer the opportunity to join a diverse and lively Board of Trustees.  We are passionate about HDSF and have a keen interest in the disability community and physical activity.  We each bring a different set of skills to the Board (which we think is a real positive) and we try to ensure that each Trustee has the opportunity to make a difference to HDSF, using their personal and professional skills in a way that is both enjoyable and personally rewarding. 

FareShare Midlands is the region’s largest food redistribution charity, tackling food inequality and transforming lives. In partnership with FareShare UK, we rescue good-quality surplus food and redistribute it to over 800 local charities and community organisations, reaching 83,000 people weekly. Beyond fighting hunger, we empower individuals through education, training and volunteering, helping over 730 people to date build brighter, more secure futures. Together, we’re fighting hunger, reducing food waste and creating opportunities across the Midlands:

• Our Mission is to maximise the social value of surplus food. 
• Our Vision is a Midlands region where no-one goes hungry when there is food being wasted, no child goes to school on an empty stomach, and where vulnerable people are supported to join​ or re-join the workforce. 
• Our Values are Passion, Ambition, Respect, Collaboration and Accountability – they run through everything we do and provide a clear framework for how we approach our work.

Be at the heart of our operations! 

Help ensure food is successfully collected from our suppliers and delivered safely to charities and community groups.

Duties may include:

• Safely driving our vans to deliver food to charities and community groups.
• Loading and unloading food.
• Completing paperwork.
• Assisting with routine van checks & vehicle maintenance.
• Reporting any accidents or damage.
• Representing the Company in a courteous and professional manner.

You will need to be:

• You must be confident driving and handling vans (Sprinter & Ford Transits) and feel comfortable driving them, we’d love to hear from you.
• You must be over 18, have a full licence and be confident driving a van.
• Able to read maps/ use Sat Nav.
• Able to commit to a shift pattern.
• Numerate and literate.

Ready to make a difference to a young person's life? Team Up is seeking dynamic volunteers to help transform the lives of disadvantaged pupils by building confidence, resilience and doubling their expected progress in English or maths.

We are looking for inspirational role models who will tutor Maths or English on one of our school programmes across London. You will be matched with a small number of pupils and provide them with the academic support, encouragement and inspiration they need to get back on track. All our volunteer tutors receive full training, lesson resources and support from a qualified teacher/facilitator throughout their placement.

Practical Considerations:

• You can choose a programme that suits your timetable and location.
• Sessions are between 60-90 minutes and will take place on a fixed day of the week, normally at the end of the school day (between 3-5pm).
• Each programme runs across a 12 week period, usually during term time. You will be expected to volunteer for at least one programme (10-12 weeks). 
• Team Up provides full lesson plans and teaching resources.
• This role requires you to undergo a free of charge DBS check, which will be arranged by Team Up.
• Travel expenses up to £15 per session are covered.

If you are looking to make a difference in a local community and find a fulfilling role whilst building your professional skillset, then look no further!

Our volunteers love building a rapport with each pupil, seeing pupil growth, and personal confidence increase across the 12 week programme. By the end of the programme, you will see how the support you give has enabled a young person to not only double their expected progress, but also build long term resilience. 

Alongside this meaningful experience, you will also be able to gain access to our career mentorship scheme and attend our employability seminars, as well as receiving a personalised reference upon completion.

This is an opportunity to enhance your CV and improve your employability skills - all whilst supporting young people from low-income backgrounds! 

You will receive:

• Full tutor-training, including safeguarding training. 
• Ongoing coaching, training and support from an experienced teacher during your placement. 
• Lesson observations alongside personalised developmental feedback and logged classroom hours.
• Opportunities to attend employability workshops incl. cover letter writing skills and coding.

We are looking for:

• Enthusiasm and strong grades in English/maths. 
• Committed and organised individuals who are keen to develop new skills.
• Individuals who are passionate about social mobility and helping to reduce the education attainment gap. 
• Good interpersonal skills when dealing with pupils. 

We are seeking a Trustee with experience and understanding around women’s rehabilitation and recovery needs, as we expand our work to support women in recovery.

About Hope and Vision Communities

Hope and Vision Communities provides supported, move-on accommodation in the Reading area for individuals who have successfully completed residential rehabilitation.

The charity was founded in 2020 by Tony Attwood, a former offender who broke free from the cycle of addiction, and the very judge who sentenced him, Peter Ross. Together, they recognized the urgent need for stable housing and a supportive community for men leaving addiction treatment. Having witnessed firsthand how many relapse at this critical stage, Tony developed a plan - one shaped by his own experiences and those of the men around him and who remain an integral part of the charity today.

What will you be doing?

As part of our three-year strategy, we are expanding our work to support women in recovery. We recognise that women’s support and accommodation requirements are different to those of men.

We are developing a response that reflects their unique experiences. We are in the early stages of planning this next phase of our journey and are seeking a Trustee to help bring this exciting vision to life.

We are seeking someone who can bring experience of women’s rehabilitation and recovery, or insight from the women’s sector more broadly. We value wisdom gained through both professional roles and lived experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to help us expand our work to provide vital support to women in recovery.

What are we looking for?

· Experience and understanding around women’s rehabilitation and recovery needs (e.g., addiction support, criminal justice system, mental health, trauma-informed care). This may have been acquired via professional roles or lived experience.

· Understanding of the unique challenges faced by women in recovery, particularly regarding domestic abuse, sexual violence, family relationships, motherhood / maternity and societal stigma.

· Understanding of the impact of trauma upon women, and a commitment to developing services that are trauma responsive.

· Passionate about championing the voices and needs of women in recovery, both within Hope and Vision and beyond.

· Commitment to co-production. A working understanding of how to embed it throughout all stages of service design and delivery.

· Commitment to Hope and Vision Communities’ mission and a passion for supporting people in recovery.

· Ability to provide strategic guidance and contribute to high-level decision-making.

· Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage constructively with other trustees and staff.

· Experience working in or with charities, particularly in governance or advisory roles.

Time Commitment

· Monthly Board Meetings (general catchup): 1-hour virtual meeting via Teams

· Quarterly Board Meetings (formal): 3-hour in-person meeting (remote attendance can be accommodated if needed)

· Annual Strategy Day: In-person meeting to discuss long-term planning and goals

· Occasional email or ad-hoc discussions to provide advice and insight as needed

For further details, please request a copy of the candidate pack.

Amazing, giving, and inspiring are just a few words we would use to describe our volunteers.

Our volunteers are integral to the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will make a difference while gaining experience along the way, then join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.

About the role 

We are looking for a Community Engagement and Co-Production Volunteer to support our Connect and Offload (CandO) Helpline in Gloucestershire. You will be based within the county of Gloucestershire and, ideally, you will be able to commit 5 hours every two weeks to volunteering. 

This is very much a ‘hands on’ promotional volunteering opportunity. You will be volunteering within our Community Engagement and Co Production team attending local events and attending key stakeholder meetings, with a view to promoting the Helpline and encouraging people to access support. You will also be interacting directly with service users to help identify ways in which we can improve the support we provide within Gloucestershire. 

You will receive training and regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role. You can read more about the benefits of volunteering on the full advert on our website.

About the service 

Our service provides emotional support, information and signposting for any adult, living in Gloucestershire who would like support with their mental wellbeing.  The service is available every day of the year between 2pm and 9pm.  The service is confidential and promises a safe space in which people can talk freely about their mental wellbeing. 

What you will be doing as a Community Engagement and Co-production Volunteer: 

• Attending external events in order to promote the CandO Helpline. 

• Connecting and liaising with key stakeholders within the county to raise the profile of the Helpline. 

• Engaging with Gloucestershire stakeholders, to identify ways in which we can reach more marginalised members of the community. 

What will make you a great fit for this role?

• Experience in mental health support services 

• Experience working or volunteering with people from diverse backgrounds 

• Good communication, organisation, and facilitation skills 

• Experience of organising events 

• A flexible and inclusive approach to volunteering 

• Understanding of the barriers faced by individuals with serious mental illness  

Who are we? 

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”     

It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.     

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion   

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.   

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation   

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.   

We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.