Victim Support Volunteer Roles
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Last year 786,574 people were offered information and support from Victim Support. As a Service Delivery Volunteer you will provide specialist support services for people affected by crime.
Why volunteer with us?
- Make a difference - you will volunteer directly with victims and/or alongside staff.
- Gain skills and experience - you will receive training on how to provide specialist support.
- Join our community - you will be part of a large community of over 1,500 volunteers and staff.
- Beyond your role – attend one or our many events/webinars and join one of our six Equality, Diversity & Inclusion networks.
Volunteering with Victim Support in Devon and Cornwall
As a Volunteer in Devon and Cornwall your role will include:
- Supporting clients on a one-to-one basis who have been affected by crime.
- Working closely alongside our Multi-Crime Independent Victim Advocate team.
- Using motivational interview and coaching techniques to help clients work towards their goals.
- Working with clients to access our wide range of resources to help them manage after crime.
What do we ask of you?
In order to join us as a Service Delivery Volunteer, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or over.
- Be able to volunteer for at least 3 hours per week, for at least 12 months.
- Undertake training over a 10-week period – this includes five virtual training days as well as completing a workbook and online learning modules.
- Undertake a DBS check & be part of the DBS update service.
- Be able to provide two satisfactory references.
- Have an active email address that you are comfortable using in order to engage with VS communications.
Expenses
- All Victim Support volunteers are entitled to out-of-pocket expenses incurred whilst volunteering, including travel and lunch.
Diversity Matters
- VS strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.
- VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.
- We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to support you through the application process.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you passionate about helping women build their lives beyond crisis? We are recruiting for volunteers to support victims of Domestic Abuse on a 1 to 1 basis. This is a chance to empower other inspirational women by building their confidence and teaching them new life skills in order to achieve their ambitions and goals. You will be supporting women and children to rebuild their lives free from fear!
What you will be doing
- To develop and promote a positive relationship with the service user through regular meetings
- To encourage service users to engage in social activities and supporting them in doing so
- To support your befriendee in developing their goals and social skills
- Encourage your befriendee to make links with community services, based on their identified goals
- To support and help the service user to get familiar with their new environment/area/community and show them where the local shops, GP, etc are located
- To plan activities with your befriendee, such as a walk, visiting museums
- Manage appropriate boundaries
The skills you need
- Have good listening and communication skills
- Be non-judgmental and motivational in approach
- Willingness to engage in activities in the community
- Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow operating guidelines
- To be consistent and dependable when working with a service user
- Lived in experience and ability to speak another language such as Hindu, Urdu, Farsi, etc would be desirable but not required
What's in it for you
- Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
- Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
- Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.
SLDAS OCN Accredited Volunteer Training Programme
SLDAS is a local organisation working in South Liverpool. We support women who have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse. We are a small team and are busier than ever and we need volunteers to help us reach all the women who we support. Have you got some time to give us?
All volunteers complete our Open College Network training programme that is accredited with Open Awards. Our aim is to provide trainee volunteers with the skills, knowledge and confidence necessary to enable them to work with women who are currently experiencing domestic abuse or have experienced it in the past.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
RoadPeace is seeking a Treasurer to work with the Board and oversee all financial aspects of the charity’s operation to help secure its financial stability and future sustainability of the organisation.
This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with financial or accountancy experience and an understanding of the not-for-profit sector.
Who we are
RoadPeace was established in 1992 by Brigitte Chaudry, a mother whose son was violently killed by a van driver who ignored red traffic lights. We are a membership organisation whose work is informed by the needs and experiences of road crash victims. RoadPeace is governed by a Board of Trustees and has a small staff team, who work in partnership with a vibrant network of members and volunteers. RoadPeace provides information and support services to people bereaved or seriously injured in road crashes and engages in campaigning work to fight for justice for victims and reduce road danger.
The role
RoadPeace has a vision for a world where road danger is not tolerated and where road crash victims receive justice and compassion.
We exist to support and empower those bereaved and injured by road crashes and their families; to improve the justice system’s post-crash response and to spare future generations from preventable death and injury. As a membership charity, we put victims at the heart of our work, equipping them to support themselves and others, campaign for change and shape RoadPeace’s work.
Following its 30th anniversary, Roadpeace is looking towards the next chapter and after reviewing how to develop and strengthen the charity, is in the process of creating a new strategy.
We are seeking to appoint a dynamic and compassionate Treasurer to provide financial insight and leadership to the Board, assist with the new strategy and ensure that the organisation has long-term sustainability and delivers its charitable objectives in close cooperation with the Board of Trustees, Chair and CEO.
We would like to work with a Treasurer who has strong empathy with the organisation’s objectives and has some understanding or interest in what it means to be bereaved or seriously injured in a road crash.
We would like to hear from you if you have the financial skills or expertise for this role, whether in the public or private sectors. Fundraising experience is desirable.
Applications should include a cover letter and CV, as well as two references.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About Circles South East
Circles South East, based in Oxfordshire, is an award-winning charity which works to reduce the impact and instances of sexual harm through prevention, rehabilitation, education and safeguarding.
We have a long record of working within the field of reducing impact of sexual harm. We work with Survivors and others impacted by sexual violence to help them heal and perpetrators to help them to avoid re-offending.
We are organisational members of the BACP, and take referrals from organisations such as Victim Support, Children’s and Social Services, Rape Crisis, Probation Victim Liaison Units, GP Surgeries etc as well as from potential clients themselves.
Volunteers are at the core of what we do, and operate across all aspects of our work.
What will you be doing?
Trustees ensure their charity has a clear strategy and that all decisions put the needs of the service users first. They safeguard the charity’s assets – both physical assets, including property, and intangible ones, such as its reputation. They make sure these are used well and that the charity is run sustainably. They hold the CEO to account and provide support and encouragement to them and the team. Trustees are jointly responsible for all their decisions and work together to ensure the charity delivers it’s aims.
A full list of duties can be found in the candidate pack attached.
This role is mainly home-based.
What are we looking for?
We are particularly, but not exclusively, interested from hearing from people with the following skills/experience:
· Legal
· Business
· Marketing & Branding
· London communities. We work in a lot of London communities and have no one on our board with knowledge of this part of the UK
We would especially welcome applicants who are from Black, Asian or other minoritised ethnic groups, people with a disability, and young people under the age of 35’ who are all under-represented on our board. We strongly value the contribution that people with these characteristics would bring to our board discussions.
What difference will you make?
We are looking for a Trustees to contribute to our plans for an exciting future. While continuing to provide Circles across the South East we aim to further develop our complementary services of counselling, victim support and training. We are constantly innovating new methods to deliver our goals and currently have two funded pilot projects which we hope to further develop. We have recently secured sustainable funding for our core Circles work providing trustees with a fabulous opportunity to be part of the charity as we build on this.
Commitment:
Estimate of time needed: up to five hours per month.
The board normally meets 5 times a year. The board meetings are quarterly and usually take place 4-6pm on a weekday. We are currently meeting remotely.
How to apply:
The Reach Volunteering TrusteeWorks Team is supporting Circles South East with their Board recruitment. Please return applications to the TrusteeWorks Team at the email address provided.
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.
For an informal chat with Circles South East, please contact the Reach TrusteeWorks team who will be able to arrange this.
Please contact the Reach TrusteeWorks team for any queries.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Survivors Trust is keen to find someone with a finance background to join our active and highly motivated Trustee Board.We really welcome the insight and drive that survivors can bring to our work and are keen to promote diversity on the Board.
The Survivors Trust is a national membership organisation for specialist voluntary sector rape and sexual abuse support services in the UK and Ireland. We have 120+ member agencies who are all independent charities providing a range of counselling, support and advocacy services for women, men, children and young people, partners and family members who have been affected by sexual violence of any kind at any time in their lives.
The impact of sexual violence of any form, whether experienced as an adult or as a child, can be devastating and can last a lifetime. Survivors may experience a wide range of physical and mental health problems as a result of being sexually violated, affecting every aspect of their health, lives, relationships, education and work. We aim to raise awareness of the support survivors need and the work of our Member Agencies in providing this crucial help.
TST is in the unique position of having member agencies that are working with all victims and survivors of sexual violence and sexual abuse. We are well aware of the issues facing organisations that are delivering trauma informed services and can support them and policy makers and commissioners to understand how services need to be developed and provided. TST is an independent inspection body for our UKAS accredited service standards for specialist sexual violence organisations.
We provide an accredited Diploma for Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and CPD accredited workshops. We have also established a quality mark for educational establishments and corporate organisations, our Trauma Informed Educator and Trauma Informed Employer Quality Marks (TIE).
The right candidate will need to make a pesonal commitment to our work and to support our vision and values with compassion and empathy. They will need to be willing to work with the other Trustees, the Chief Executive and staff team, acting as an ambassador for TST and helping to support our collaboration with partners and secure funds to deliver our objectives.
Our vision is for a society where services for all survivors are trauma-informed and accessible according to need.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
South West Advocacy Network (SWAN) want to strengthen their Board of Trustees with up to 4 new Trustee appointments, including a Treasurer. These are voluntary positions and provide opportunity to help SWAN to develop its strategic direction and sustain innovative services to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, primarily, but not solely, in counties across the South of England.
SWAN began life in Wiltshire and over the past 25 years has expanded into Somerset, Bristol, Dorset, Isle of Wight, West Berkshire and Portsmouth. We deliver high quality, independent advocacy services supporting a diverse range of vulnerable people. We have developed a model of advocacy which ensures everyone, including the most marginalised, have the same rights and opportunities as their fellow citizens. Our services are free at the point of delivery, confidential and non-judgemental.
We work with people from all walks of life and have already supported thousands of the most disadvantaged people to have their voice heard and their choices respected by those that are making decisions about their future.
We are looking for dynamic and empathetic people to become trustees within our organisation, people who have the passion and drive to support SWAN and help us to ensure that the voices around our Board table reflect and understand the communities we work in. We would encourage people from all sections of our communities to apply , but particularly Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, disabled, and LGBTQ+ applicants because these groups are currently under-represented on our Board. We are happy to accept applications from people without prior Board experience but who can evidence their commitment to our purpose, values and ambitions and show a willingness to learn in the role.
The organisation is led and managed by the Chief Executive and the Executive Team who oversee the delivery of our services and the infrastructure that underpins them, and we believe that this, coupled with sound governance, will help us to achieve our vision and maximise our reach and impact.
We are looking for individuals who can demonstrate some of the following:
• Experiences that will bring different perspectives to our organisation i.e. being a member of , or working in, diverse or minority communities.
• Having direct experience of using advocacy or support services
• An understanding of, or interest in, the lives of vulnerable adults including those who have been victims of hate crime
• An understanding of, or interest in, the wider voluntary sector
• A commitment and willingness to improving the lives of vulnerable people
• Integrity, strategic vision and relationship building skills
• Governance, finance, and/or entrepreneurial experience
• Good communication skills and knowing how to work as part of a team
· For the treasurer role some experience of managing and understanding budgets and financial reports would also be required.
Time commitment averages 1 day a month, meeting locations are flexible and either face to face or virtual. Trustee expenses, including travel are paid.
Please note that for safeguarding purposes, all our roles require a current DBS check.
If you believe you would add value to our Board we would love to hear from you. Please contact Sarah Gibson for further information on how to apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
South West Advocacy Network (SWAN) want to strengthen their Board of Trustees with up to 4 new Trustee appointments, including a Treasurer. These are voluntary positions and provide opportunity to help SWAN to develop its strategic direction and sustain innovative services to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, primarily, but not solely, in counties across the South of England.
SWAN began life in Wiltshire and over the past 25 years has expanded into Somerset, Bristol, Dorset, Isle of Wight, West Berkshire and Portsmouth. We deliver high quality, independent advocacy services supporting a diverse range of vulnerable people. We have developed a model of advocacy which ensures everyone, including the most marginalised, have the same rights and opportunities as their fellow citizens. Our services are free at the point of delivery, confidential and non-judgemental.
We work with people from all walks of life and have already supported thousands of the most disadvantaged people to have their voice heard and their choices respected by those that are making decisions about their future.
We are looking for dynamic and empathetic people to become trustees within our organisation, people who have the passion and drive to support SWAN and help us to ensure that the voices around our Board table reflect and understand the communities we work in. We would encourage people from all sections of our communities to apply , but particularly Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, disabled, and LGBTQ+ applicants because these groups are currently under-represented on our Board. We are happy to accept applications from people without prior Board experience but who can evidence their commitment to our purpose, values and ambitions and show a willingness to learn in the role.
The organisation is led and managed by the Chief Executive and the Executive Team who oversee the delivery of our services and the infrastructure that underpins them, and we believe that this, coupled with sound governance, will help us to achieve our vision and maximise our reach and impact.
We are looking for individuals who can demonstrate some of the following:
• Experiences that will bring different perspectives to our organisation i.e. being a member of , or working in, diverse or minority communities.
• Having direct experience of using advocacy or support services
• An understanding of, or interest in, the lives of vulnerable adults including those who have been victims of hate crime
• An understanding of, or interest in, the wider voluntary sector
• A commitment and willingness to improving the lives of vulnerable people
• Integrity, strategic vision and relationship building skills
• Governance, finance, and/or entrepreneurial experience
• Good communication skills and knowing how to work as part of a team
· For the treasurer role some experience of managing and understanding budgets and financial reports would also be required.
Time commitment averages 1 day a month, meeting locations are flexible and either face to face or virtual. Trustee expenses, including travel are paid.
Please note that for safeguarding purposes, all our roles require a current DBS check.
If you believe you would add value to our Board we would love to hear from you. Please contact Sarah Gibson for further information on how to apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Belong is an established, award-winning criminal justice charity with a vision of hope, rehabilitation and recovery for survivors and perpetrators of crime. We work with multiple stakeholder organisations to develop a more humane and effective criminal justice system. Through engaging with our mentoring, restorative justice, psychotherapy and training interventions, individuals and communities achieve positive, lasting change.
Belong wishes to appoint a new Chairperson to our Board of Trustees. We invite applications from individuals experienced in criminal justice and organisational leadership, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
As the Chairperson of our Board you will be passionate about Belong’s vision and motivated to help drive Belong forward on its mission. An organised, energetic and reliable leader, you will support the Board of Trustees and CEO to realise the highest vision for Belong’s success. A fluent and persuasive communicator, you will represent the organisation publicly as well as internally and build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. You will be familiar with financial and risk management processes for medium to large organisations.
The role of Chairperson is a voluntary, non-executive appointment. The role requires a commitment of approximately two days per month, with the capacity to flex upwards should the need arise.
Belong fosters an inclusive and welcoming culture where all aspects of diversity are key to the charity’s success. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, lived experience of the criminal justice system and from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.
Belong’s Values
Inspiration - Genuinely believing that people can change, heal, and rehabilitate. Focusing on individual’s strengths and abilities. Role modelling evidence-based practice amongst other professionals.
Respect - Accepting people as they are. Being consistent, open and honest with people. Challenging harmful beliefs and behaviour.
Empowerment - Giving people the skills to move forward and take ownership of the future. Enabling people to talk about their experiences. Encouraging people to voice their needs and set goals.
Perseverance - Providing long term support when this is needed. Working through setbacks with people. Understanding that lasting change takes time.
Restoration - Restoring hope and self-worth Re-building relationships. Promoting a culture of hope within criminal justice systems.
Chairperson Role, Responsibilities and Attributes
The Chairperson leads the Board of Trustees and sets its agenda in consultation with the CEO. Their role is to enable Trustees to fulfil their responsibilities for overall governance, risk management and strategic direction. The Trustee Board is responsible for proactively engaging with and understanding Belong, its service users and the wider criminal justice landscape. Trustees must always uphold the best interests of Belong’s service users, ensuring that the charity achieves its charitable aims whilst abiding by charity law and other relevant regulations. The Chairperson supports and empowers the CEO to lead the organisation so that it achieves its vision, mission and aims, whilst remaining sustainable and ethical.
In supporting the trustee board and CEO, the Chairperson is responsible for:
- Acting as an ambassador and spokesperson for Belong when appropriate.
- Creating meaningful and productive working relationships with the CEO, senior leadership team and trustees.
- Providing empowering, supportive line management to the CEO.
- Chair and facilitate trustee board meetings effectively, ensuring that decisions are made fairly and in the best interests of Belong’s service users.
- Supporting the trustees to have a sound understanding and oversight of the organisations finances, including reviewing annual budgets and financial policies.
- Facilitating annual performance reviews for each trustee and for the CEO.
- Leading and developing the board of trustees and CEO including inductions, training and succession planning as appropriate.
- Supporting other trustees to arrange and effectively chair quarterly subcommittees on risk and resilience, finance and fundraising and communications.
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact us via the details on our website. To apply for this role, please submit a CV and covering letter using the link below. Please note that we are not able to consider applications submitted without a CV or covering letter.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Description: ATMS International are looking to recruit an International Research Volunteer to support two research / evaluation projects.
Project 1 – Small Projects Review - ATMS International have supported and funded numerous MSHT projects whereby the value of these projects can range anywhere from £1,000 to £350,000. However, within the past five years, there has been a growing number of small projects (maximum value of £15,000 and usually a yearlong) that ATMS International have funded. We would like to understand 1) impact of small projects, 2) whether we should continue investing in small projects. The review will be desk-based, mainly evaluating the small projects ATMS International have funded. It will also include interviewing key persons within TSA and involve collecting both primary and secondary data.
Project 2 - Critical success factors of income generation activities for survivors of trafficking - several MSHT projects that we have supported have included an income generation activity (IGA) component for survivors of trafficking. However, once a survivor exits from our support and decides to start their own enterprise, it is unknown how well or how successful they are. As such, we would like to explore the success factors of IGAs and explore different models of vocational training and what works well. This research will be desk-based and will include support in conducting lit review, developing the research questions, methodology, collecting data, analysing findings, and writing the report.
Location: Remote, but with weekly supervision
Accountable to: International Projects Advisor
What you will do:
• Evaluate the small projects that TSA have funded & detail your findings to understand the impact the projects have made
• Interview key TSA personnel & external organisations
• Collect both primary and secondary data
• Transcribe, analyse findings, and produce reports
• Conduct literature reviews
Skills / Experience needed:
• Research / evaluation experience, preferably at Masters level
• A requirement of an undergraduate degree
• Experience interviewing people to obtain information (desirable)
• Knowledge of modern slavery and human trafficking (will be asked at interview)
• Someone with a passion for research and effecting change within the human trafficking and modern slavery sector
What you will get from us:
• Volunteer induction and e-learning courses
• Hands on experience of volunteering with a high-profile International organisation
• Full support and welcome as part of the International team for the duration of the project
• Valuable development experience for use on CV’s and future career option
• Chance to make a difference to the international departments Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking work
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Could you help someone change their life and avoid reoffending?
Belong’s vision is of hope, rehabilitation and recovery for victims and perpetrators of crime. We inspire change by providing long term, individualised responses to conflict and crime through restorative Justice, psychotherapy, mentoring, and training for criminal justice professionals.
We have exciting opportunities available for committed, compassionate people to volunteer as one to one mentors with us as part of Amplify, a new, specialised project working with young people in contact with the Criminal Justice System from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic backgrounds. Through reduce reoffending, improving wellbeing and increasing a sense of identity in participants, the service will Amplify the voices and the participation of people of colour from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds in their communities.
People from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds experience disadvantages at every stage of the Criminal Justice System, from over-representation, unequal treatment, and a lack of specific, relevant interventions.
The programme will work with mainly females (and a small number of males), aged 18-25 (and 17 year olds transitioning from youth services to adult probation), from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds in contact with the Criminal Justice System in the West Midlands. Participants will either be serving a sentence in the community, on licence, or in custody. Through Amplify, participants will access three strands of support concurrently: Family support, Mentoring and Creative Psychotherapy. The service will uniquely offer intersectional, gender-specific, and culturally appropriate support. The service will celebrate and nurture service users’ identity.
Mentors will work with young people either on licence in the community, on a suspended sentence in the community, or serving a prison sentence in a West Midlands or Derbyshire prison. Upon successful recrutiment, we will work with mentors to match them to a mentee in their local area.
One to one mentors will build a professional working relationship with young people as they serve their prison or community sentence and work towards a crime free future. Mentoring sessions will take place once per week or fortnight, for one to two hours per session. During the sessions volunteers will offer support to individuals to assist them to explore their identity; access education, training and employment; develop life skills; work through previous traumas and build positive relationships, for example with peers, family and within their community. Volunteers need to be able to commit to the role for at least one year. Mentoring sessions will take place during weekdays or weekends.
Interviews for the role will take place via zoom or phone call prior to the training dates and selection for the role confirmed after participation in training.
Successful applicants will be invited to participate in an initial two-day training course in the West Midlands (location to be confirmed) from 9:30am-4pm on Saturday 15th June and Saturday 22nd June. Please note: spaces on the training course are limited and we may close the recruitment before the closing date if spaces become full.
Prison security vetting and/or an enhanced DBS check are required for this role and all volunteers will be supported to undergo this. After vetting processes are complete, further training will be provided at the prison in which mentors are volunteering, with a range of dates available.
Full support and supervision will be provided to volunteers. We particularly encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
To apply, please send us your CV and covering letter as soon as possible, and by 16th May 2024 at 11.30pm.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We would like to hear from anyone who would be interested in joining the CARA Board of Trustees. Please see our CARA Trustee Role Description below for details of what is involved, and the qualities, skills and expertise we are looking for. If you would be interested in becoming a CARA Trustee, please contact us explaining why you would like to become a CARA Trustee, and providing a brief summary of the skills you would bring to the CARA Board.
Please note that this is an unpaid role. Trustees' travel and other expenses will be covered.
Role Description
CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs. CARA works with adults of all genders, young people (aged 12-19) and children aged under 12 from across mid and north Essex.
Over the last 8 years, CARA has grown significantly. Our client numbers have more than quadrupled and we now offer a wide range of services to victims and survivors of all ages and genders. We currently have a team of 40 full and part-time staff and over 20 sessional counsellors.
CARA is interested in hearing from people who might like to join our Board. As a CARA Board member, you will have an opportunity to be actively involved in the running of a forward-thinking and fastdeveloping feminist charity. Our Board of trustees provide strategic direction and governance to CARA, supporting the management team and overseeing all aspects of our work. CARA’s Board of Trustees are also registered as our directors for the purposes of company law.
CARA trustees have the following statutory duties and responsibilities:
• To set and maintain vision, mission and values.
• To develop strategy.
• To establish and monitor policies.
• To set up employment procedures.
• To ensure compliance with CARA’s governing document (constitution).
• To ensure accountability.
• To ensure compliance with the law.
• To maintain proper financial oversight.
• To respect the role of staff.
• To maintain effective Trustees performance.
• To promote CARA.
Other duties:
In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the Board reach sound decisions. This may involve:
• Scrutinising board papers.
• Leading and contributing to discussions.
• Focusing on key issues.
• Providing guidance on new initiatives.
A CARA trustee should have the following qualities:
• Integrity
• The skills and experience to make informed decisions on governance of a charity.
• A commitment to CARA and our vision, mission, aims and values.
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.
• Strategic vision.
• Good, independent judgement.
• Ability to think creatively.
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship. Please refer to the Charity Commission guidance
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
Our current Board have a wide range of skills, and we regularly conduct skills audits to ensure our Board has the expertise needed to ensure CARA’s effective governance. To enhance our existing Board of Trustees, we are particularly seeking applications from people with the following skills and experiences:
• Business acumen
• Income generation
• Knowledge of the Women’s Sector
• Property and premises management.
People from Black and minority ethnic groups are currently under-represented on CARA’s Board of Trustees, and we particularly welcome applications from people from these groups. Applications from survivors of sexual violence or child sexual abuse are always welcome.
All members of CARA’s Board of Trustees are required to make a minimum commitment to the organisation. This includes attendance at Trustees meetings, which are held every other month, starting at 7.30pm. Meetings are usually held on Zoom, but occasional travel to Colchester for face-to-face meetings is also required.
All trustee appointments will be conditional on an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check, and satisfactory references.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Description
A contracted Ministry of Justice Approved Premises and Housing Charity working with released offenders on prison licenses and ex-offenders, to break the revolving door of re-offending, homelessness, and prison. Trustees will use their knowledge, experience, and skills in an environment they may not have previously encountered.
What will you be doing?
Trustees meet every two months with the Senior Management Team (SMT) at the Charity offices to monitor activities, finances, and development of the organisation, giving advice to the SMT and making such decisions as required to ensure the organisation is acting appropriately to meet the requirements of our stakeholders; Ministry of Justice, National Probation Service, Leeds Local Authority and within Charity Commission regulations.
The Organisation has grown rapidly, and it is essential that the Board of Trustees develops to meet the broad needs of this Charity.
New Trustees will contribute to the stability and support, advice, and opportunity that the Charity provides to enable vulnerable ex-offenders to do things differently and by offering their experience and specialist knowledge in the areas identified will add depth and breadth to the existing Board of Trustees.
Additional time and specialist advice given as and when required, will enable the SMT to respond effectively to new challenges and external changes as they occur whilst the SMT concentrate on the day-to-day work of the Charity and its staff.
New Trustees must want to make a difference to individual lives and wider society by supporting the SMT and staff to help those vulnerable ex-offenders with very specific and high-risk offending histories, who are being released from long or repeated prison sentences, to believe that they can live positive fulfilling lifestyles. It is essential that Trustees can view our service users with an open mind.
What are we looking for?
New Trustees are being sought with experience of Accounting and Auditing, Housing and Private Letting Legislation, accessing Funding opportunities, Police or Probation work, Mental Health, or Substance misuse fields.
It is vital that new Trustees have an affinity with the aims of the Charity and appreciate the value of giving individuals a chance to change their future and leave their offending lifestyle behind and the important role that stable accommodation plays in enabling individuals to turn their goals into reality.
Not all skills need to be specialist and an understanding of the barriers to prison release re-settlement, housing, employment, and stable relationships that many disadvantaged or vulnerable people in society face on a day-to-day basis is helpful.
Being able to work within a small team of Trustees and provide good interpersonal, supportive, and positive contributions is important.
If you feel you have valuable experience and skills to contribute and would like a new challenge, we'd love to hear from you.
What difference will you make?
The development and success of the organisation needs to be supported by maintaining the number of trustees and the range of expertise available to provide effective and sustainable governance going forward. In an environment where government policies and funding strategies are susceptible to change, a robust Board of Trustees will help to maintain the Charity's ability to provide and sustain an effective service.
This will thereby continue to increase the availability of stable accommodation with support; service user's ability to secure and maintain stable employment; build new relationships and increase access to healthcare and wellbeing support. As a result, this can lead to reduced reoffending, reduced prison population and cost to the taxpayer and therefore has potential to actively achieve public protection, reduce the impact of offending on victims, families and children of both victims and perpetrators and local communities.
Before you apply
Previous experience of Charity Governance would be useful but not necessary. Please contact us via Reach with any questions you may have, and we will be pleased to discuss the opportunity on offer.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are recruiting for a Peer Mentor Volunteer to join our team in Athena Lewisham; the scope on this job involves….
Job Title: Peer Mentor Volunteer
Location: Athena Lewisham
Contract type: Voluntary, minimum of 6 months
Hours: 6-12 hours per week. Working pattern of 10am to 4pm once or twice a week from Monday to Friday. (Hours can be negotiated)
We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.
This is an opportunity to volunteer with Refuge as a Peer Mentor, supporting women and children who are impacted by domestic abuse. You will work closely with victims of domestic abuse from the point of crisis to provide emotional and practical support whilst helping them to reduce levels of isolation.
Closing date: 9am on 15 March 2024
Interview date: 28 March 2024
Benefits
Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Would you consider bringing your skills to be a trustee of a charity that is passionate about supporting women and their children to make positive changes in their lives? The opportunity to be a Trustee is open to both those who wish to take their first step into a non-operational strategic management and those with experience of governance. As well as developing the Charity it will provide personal development opportunities and enhance any CV.
Stepping Stones (Luton) is a charity based in Luton which meet the needs of vulnerable women and their children. Our practitioners deliver community-based, frontline support to women suffering from drug addiction and substance abuse, who may have offended or re-offended or be victims of domestic abuse including those in contact with the criminal justice system. Services include women’s group programmes, 1:1 support and counselling and the provision of an Ofsted approved childcare facility.
Our current trustees bring a range of skills and experience to the Board and share their expertise to oversee the development and implementation of our strategic and business plans and the charity’s finances. We are looking for trustees for the board of Stepping Stones (Luton) board and would welcome either someone who has experience of being a trustee or someone who wants to take their first Trustee role. We are particularly interested in people with a background in finance, fundraising or social media. We are keen to improve the balance of diversity and perspective on our board which would reflect both our diverse work force and service users. Stepping Stones values diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds in the skill areas/knowledge highlighted
The board meets 6 times per year with meetings in hybrid form – online and in person from our Luton office. Any ad hoc issues which may arise are dealt with by email correspondence or online meetings
CV or contact via trustee email address for more information
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.