Accommodation Concern

The only dedicated, independent, anti-poverty, housing advice and homelessness prevention charity based in Kettering, Northamptonshire. 

Can you bring your fundraising expertise to our board and help us in our vital work with people affected by homelessness?  You will be part of a regenerating charity with a key role in the town focused on alleviating poverty locally. 

Main responsibilities of the Fundraising Trustee

We have identified that our organisation will particularly benefit from a trustee on the board having fundraising skills and you will also contribute to strengthening the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, our financial health and developing our aims, objectives and goals.

• Assist the Board to see the bigger picture and bring a fresh perspective to fundraising plans and strategy.
• Advise in the development and implementation of an integrated fundraising plan that is of high quality.
• Support staff to broaden awareness of the charity’s values, priorities and impact to contribute to the sustainability of the charity.

​What are we looking for?

Essential

• Fundraising/income-generation knowledge.
• Commitment to Accommodation Concern’s objects, aims and values and willingness to devote time to carry out responsibilities.
• Strategic and forward looking vision in relation to the charity’s objects and aims.
• Excellent networking skills, influencing and communication skills.

Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship and adhering to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Desirable

• An understanding of the challenges facing small to medium UK charities in maximising income streams & donor cultivation.
• Knowledge around the issue of homelessness.
• Experience of working within the charity, voluntary or public sector
• An understanding of the Code of Fundraising Practice.

• We are fully committed to increasing the diversity of our board and to this end we want to recruit people with different skills, life experiences and from different backgrounds. We would especially welcome applications from those who have experienced homelessness in any form or are from an ethnic minority background.

  A more diverse board will:

• understand better the needs of all sections of the community
• offer a broader range of perspectives about issues
• be more creative in generating ideas and solutions
• improve decision making

Time Commitment

The board currently meets monthly but will shortly change to every other month. Meetings are held on Wednesdays at 6pm.

How to apply

Applications should be made via Reach TrusteeWorks in the first instance. To apply please submit your CV along with a covering letter stating why you wish to join the organisation and how your skills would add value to the board.

We are an independent charity and Housing Association working to improve the lives of women who have faced inequalities. Our work is focused on the provision of good quality, affordable homes and related support services across London, ensuring a stable foundation to enable women to live independently. 

Can you help us?

We are looking for two enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our Older Tenants Support Team to provide a supportive and confidential telephone befriending service to our older clients. 

This is a great opportunity for somebody looking to gain experience in social care, working with mature adults and or providing one to one support to vulnerable individuals. This role will suit empathetic and patient people wanting to put to practice their communication and active listening skills.

What do we need you for?

As an Older Tenants Telephone Befriender you will help us not only to combat isolation and loneliness by promoting wellbeing and confidence in our older residents, but also to assess and address older people’s needs so they can continue living independently in their homes.

What’s in it for you?

If you are looking to gain hands on experience in supporting older people, under the guidance, support and supervision of our experienced Older Tenants Worker this is the perfect opportunity for you as we will provide relevant training and help you to identify career development opportunities.

Some additional benefits are:

• Experience of working in a supportive and professional environment
• Full induction, support and supervision
• Opportunity to develop new skills
• Relevant training opportunities (i.e. health and Safety, Data Protection, Confidentiality,DV,etc.)
• We reimburse genuine out of pocket travel and lunch expenses.

When do we need you?

We are looking for someone who ideally can dedicate 1-2 days a week with us for at least 6 months.  Volunteering days and hours can be negotiated as long as they are compatible with our service operation hours

Our Telephone Befriending Services operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday from 10:00am to -4:00pm.   

Additional Information

• Core training and induction will be provided prior commencing the role.
• We reimburse genuine out of pocket travel expenses (London zones 1- 6) to and from the place of work and up to £5 for lunch expenses.
• Housing for Women will conduct a full DBS Check.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and sections of the community and we particularly encourage applications from senior citizens, ex-offenders and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as they are currently under-represented in our Volunteering Programme.

What are some of the skills we are looking for?

• Good Command of English
• Experience dealing with clients over the telephone (desirable)
• Understanding of the needs of older people
• Resilience and ability to handle conflict
• Patience
• Reliability and flexibility
• Non-judgemental attitude and person centred approach

AMAT UK is a charity providing supported accommodation and community hub services to people who experience homelessness in Medway and Kent.  We are now looking to expand our board of trustees.  We welcome applications from all sections of the community.  We are particularly interested in applications from people with experience in Legal; Human Resources; Health and Safety and people with lived experience. 

The minimum board participation is attendance at 2 meetings a year, roughly 3 hours each meeting taking place in the evening.  This is an unpaid voluntary role however reasonable expenses can be reclaimed.

Volunteer Resettlement Mentor - Lancashire

We are looking for volunteers to support the work being carried out in Shelters Offender services. The community integrated service provides vital supervision and support to offenders recently released from custody or on community orders to help reduce the cycle of re-offending.  Volunteers will work closely with our Advice, Support and Guidance Workers to deliver a holistic support package, offering housing, finance and debt and welfare benefit interventions via group and 1-2-1 appointments. 

Suggested involvement: 3 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months (flexible)

Location: Various locations across Lancashire, normally within 10 miles of your home address

Supervised by: Mentoring Volunteer Coordinator

We’d like you to meet a mentee on a weekly basis, supporting them to access housing, benefits, health and similar services. This involves listening to problems, making plans and providing encouragement & guidance to achieve their goals. You may also conduct shorter, back-to-back appointments with several mentees with one-off concerns. Meetings will take place in public and office-based settings, usually lasting around one hour. After each meeting or workshop, we’ll need you to provide a report outlining what’s been achieved and future goals you’ve set. You will also need to log your hours on our volunteer management system. 

You will also be expected to attend a minimum of 2 volunteering meetings per year, these provide an opportunity to share experiences, provide feedback and be updated on Shelters strategic progress.

This role is ideal for those interested in or studying law, social services, health, politics, society, housing, the prison or probation service, policing or working with vulnerable people.

Main tasks can include:

• Provide an advocacy service for service users in areas such as: homelessness and housing, tenancy support, welfare, debt, employment and health.
• Support service users in accessing a range of services including health services, positive activity and substance misuse services
• Support service users with basic functional skills such as budgeting and time management
• Support service users to complete relevant applications such as, housing bidding, PIP forms, Universal Credit etc.
• Liaise with other agencies i.e. Probation, Drug and Alcohol Services who the service user may be involved with to ensure consistency of approach
• After care for service users following support through our offender service

Skills and Experiences Required:

• Have experience or a passion for supporting vulnerable people and/or offenders
• Work safely within Shelter’s safeguarding framework, processes and policies 
• Able to use Microsoft Office apps, the internet & emails and a mobile phone
• Have use of a car or an ability to effectively use public transport
• Manage your time, providing punctual and reliable appointments 
• Stay on track during meetings, focusing on individuals needs and being a positive influence
• Understanding of the barriers and needs facing ex-offenders
• In certain sessions, have a good knowledge of housing and debt issues
• Work collaboratively with others, valuing & respecting their opinions & feelings, whilst working towards a constructive outcome

Induction, Learning & Development

To enable you take part in this opportunity Shelter will: 

• Provide a volunteer pack & training including Handbook, Policies & Procedures and an induction pack containing helpful website, contacts, agencies etc.
• Devise a volunteering plan, covering your support and development
• Provide shadowing opportunities with members of staff
• Provide E-Learning: Equality & Diversity, Health & Safety, Data Protection, Environmental Awareness and Safeguarding
• Reimburse “out of pocket” expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy

Next Steps

Please complete an online application for this role. After you have applied we will invite successful candidates to an interview to discuss the role further.

• You will be involved in regulated activity for this role, and for this reason we require you to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

This is a voluntary position that supports the work of our services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff. This role description does not form part of any contract of employment.

 About Browns Community Services

Browns Community Services is a registered Community Interest Company (CIC) that provides support and advice to socially excluded, disadvantaged and vulnerable people aged 18 and over with complex and multiple needs. We work in various locations across South East England.

Our service has individuals at its heart. We work with service users 1:1 to identify their specific needs and set achievable goals. We then provide service users with tailored, holistic and flexible support, empowering them and providing the tools, techniques and self-confidence necessary for increased independence and improved well-being.

Homeless Support Volunteer

Our Intensive Support Service is working in conjunction with The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Council to support clients in a small first stage homeless resettlement unit based in Maidenhead.

This role entails supporting eight men in a resettlement unit, that will provide specialist support to clients with multiple disadvantages and a variety of support needs including substance use, mental health difficulties, rough sleeping, criminal justice contact and self-care issues. The service aims to deliver a high quality accommodation-based support service. During their stay, residents are supported by an Intensive Support Worker to address their needs and work towards independence.

We are looking for passionate, committed and insightful volunteers. You will have a passion for working with clients with complex needs, as well as a dynamic and solution-oriented approach to supporting vulnerable people make positive changes in their lives.

We are seeking volunteers from mid-December – March. The resettlement unit will be open seven days a week, and we are seeking volunteers across the following patterns:

Monday – Friday 7.30am – 1pm
Monday – Friday 4.00pm – 9.30pm
Saturday – Sunday 10.00am – 2.00pm

Health & Safety
Browns Community Services is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of its
employees and volunteers. It will, so far as is reasonably practicable, establish procedures and
systems necessary to implement this commitment and to comply with its statutory obligations
on health and safety. It is the responsibility of each employee to familiarise themselves and
comply with the organisation’s procedures and systems on health and safety. Primary
responsibilities are:
• To report all Health & Safety occurrences including potential hazards to line manager
• To comply with Browns Community Services Health & Safety Policy and Regulations
• To adhere to the Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults Policy and Procedures.
• To adhere to the Safer Recruitment & Selection Policy & Procedure.
• To report any safeguarding incidents or concerns immediately to your Designated
Safeguarding Officer or Lead Designated Safeguarding Officer.
• To complete any Safeguarding Awareness training as required by Browns Community
Services CIC
• If required for your post, undertake an enhanced DBS check and maintain annual
membership through the update service.

It is a requirement for this post that an enhanced DBS disclosure check will be undertaken for the successful candidate.

Travel expenses will be paid.

Having just celebrated our 10th anniversary we have been looking back on how things have changed but also looking forward to our plans for the future. We have agreed that we need to strengthen and diversify our Board. Currently our Trustees are predominantly Northern based and this is no longer representative of our organisation. We plan now to establish a Board which can represent both localities and govern the organisation as a whole. In order to achieve this we are seeking to appoint outstanding individuals who can commit to serve on the national board, meeting twice each year in London and supporting either the northern or southern operational team in a regional sub group. Each area will have a regional strategy and clearly defined devolved decision making powers. We are looking for individuals with a wide range of skills and experiences which are detailed later in our recruitment pack.

Good listener seeking a befriending role? Look no further and join us in this engaging one to one befriending role with the over 60s.

Cyrenians OPAL (Older People, Active Lives) service aims to maintain or increase older people’s independence and well-being across the West Lothian Council area for those typically aged 60+. We are looking for volunteer befrienders who can continue to support us with the growing need for the service. Befriending can be face to face or by telephone.

Our volunteers provide a wide variety of support including identifying and helping to connect to local community activities and companionship particularly after bereavement, hospitalisation, or a fall, for example, when building confidence is key to getting out and about again. Volunteers may also just chat and share experiences, helping older people to remain socially connected.

This opportunity covers all of West Lothian.

Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Services, based in Norwich, Norfolk, are looking to recruit a Volunteer for the position of Treasurer who can oversee & support the Management Committee, CEO & the Business & Central Services Manager on the financial management aspects of Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Services, from supporting with the financial forecasting, budgets & management account analysis, as well as all other financial related tasks and duties that the charity needs.

You must have previous experience in a financial role such as in Accounting and a good understanding of charities. You must be committed and dedicated to the role and the charity, ensuring any deadlines are met.

Job Type: Volunteer Treasurer

Experience:

• Charity Accounting: 2 years (Preferred)
• Accounting: 2 years (Desirable)

Location meeting base - Norwich

Volunteer Treasurer Role Description

The responsibilities of the Treasurer at board level are to:

• Liaise with finance staff and with the organisation’s independent examiner or auditor, in order to ensure that the organisation keeps proper accounts, in compliance with Companies House and Charity Commission regulations.

• Chair the finance sub-committee meetings, who are responsible for: -

• Reviewing the organisation’s financial performance.

• Reviewing policies for finance and investment.

• Ensuring that the organisation has robust and effective financial controls in place.

• Report on financial matters to the management committee.

The treasurer will share these responsibilities with the finance sub-committee, and staff will carry out day to day finance functions.