Volunteer roles

UK (Various Locations)

Closing Date: 12 November 2025

Ref 7193

Save the Children UK is looking for an individual with People, Culture and Organisational change/Transformation experience to join us as our Trustee and Chair of the People Committee.

You will work closely with the Board of Trustees, the Chief Executive, and the Executive Leadership Team to help shape and champion our transformation journey, ensuring our people, culture, and organisational design enable us to deliver lasting impact for children.

About Us

Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. Together with partners, supporters and communities, we deliver lasting results for millions of children — including those hardest to reach.

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional individual to serve as the lead Trustee on our Board for all things People, Culture, Change and Business Transformation.

Save the Children UK is in the middle of a revised organisational strategy reshaping how we work to drive deeper, lasting outcomes for children. We are undoing internal bureaucracy, reimagining partnerships, clarifying our service offers and flattening our internal layers. We are keen on unlocking Agile as a philosophy to become more autonomous, accountable, and human-centred. Over the coming years, we aim to embed meaningful child participation, raise more flexible funding for local leaders, and champion greater power and resources for communities. And we will develop as an organisation that is lighter, more joyful, and more human-centric to create deeper impact.

All of the above is already underway through programmes and plans. We are looking for a Board member to champion the transformation work that is happening within the organisation and within the People team. You will be a trusted sounding board, a challenger who helps us raise our game, and a “lighthouse” for our vision for change.

You could be a current or former Chief People, Transformation, Effectiveness or Innovation Officer, a consultant, or an academic in management thinking - someone with deep expertise in helping organisations make positive, sustainable, and long-lasting change so that they deliver better on their purpose.

As Trustee, you will:

• Provide strategic oversight and governance on People, Culture, and Organisational Effectiveness matters as Chair of the People Committee.

• Champion our transformation agenda, bringing insight and challenge on how to build a more agile, empowered, and joyful organisation.

• Act as a sounding board to the Chief Executive and Executive Team, providing constructive challenge and support on people and culture priorities.

• Ensure alignment between SCUK's transformation goals and our broader strategic ambition to deliver deeper outcomes for children.

• Uphold the highest standards of governance, compliance, safeguarding, and accountability as a member of the Board of Trustees.

• Represent SCUK at key events and act as an ambassador for our values and mission.

About You

We are seeking a Trustee who:

• Is engaged with, and excited by, SCUK's vision, mission and values.

• Is a strategic thinker, with demonstrable and deep expertise in People and Culture matters and organisational management.

• Has a strong track record in successfully designing and delivering strategic and holistic organisational change.

• Has experience leading multi-phased people, culture and effectiveness programmes that have delivered measurable results for the organisation.

• Has deep understanding of, and can champion, Agile and agile ways of working.

• Chairs meetings effectively, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Will work to guarantee the highest standards of integrity and governance, and help ensure statutory requirements are met.

• Is able and willing to devote the necessary time to the role (see below).

• A demonstrable commitment to championing diversity and inclusion, and a clear understanding of power, privilege, and how this affects everyone, particularly the children and communities with which we work.

• An understanding of, or willingness to learn about, the duties, liabilities and responsibilities of Trustees, and of the difference between governance and management functions; and corporate governance issues, especially those that might affect a large international not-for-profit organisation.

Other highly desirable experience

• A good understanding of child poverty in the UK, and an interest in international affairs.

• Experience with digital innovation and technology-enabled transformation.

• Willingness to build and use networks to make introductions for SCUK, for example to explore best practice in or facilitate fundraising, or advocacy and campaigning.

The knowledge and skills listed above represent “the ideal candidate”. Please do not be deterred from applying if you do not fulfil every highly desirable capability.

We warmly welcome applications from candidates across the UK, particularly from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and regions of England outside London. Previous Trustee experience is not required — we welcome first-time Trustees and will provide induction and support.

Additional Information / Terms of Appointment

• This is a voluntary position, with reasonable expenses covered. We want to do what we can to remove barriers for Trustees on low incomes or with little spare. Please let us know during the application process if this could be an issue for you, so that we can explore options together.

• Trustees are required to attend all Board meetings (four Board meetings and one or more Board calls per year), and for this role, quarterly People Committee meetings. You may also be asked to join an additional committee. Trustees may also be asked to participate in Board strategy days, telephone conferences, or travel on behalf of SCUK.

• Meetings are held at SCUK's Head Office in Farringdon, London, with hybrid participation possible.

• Trustees are appointed for an initial term of 2 years, after which Trustees can be reappointed for two further terms of 3 years each, up to a maximum of 8 years.

To learn more about the position, please review the Role Profile on our website. 

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: 

Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think. 

We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here. 

Every year, millions of phone calls made by people who stammer are mishandled. Callers are misunderstood, laughed at or hung up on. Voice recognition systems don’t recognise their speech. 

This can leave them being locked out of bank accounts, or unable to book GP appointments and get the help they need. It makes phone calls a nightmare. We’re here to stop this. 

Between November 2025 and October 2026, we will be providing free Zoom workshops to companies and organisations, where we will outline the steps needed to end the phone call nightmares. We are looking for volunteers who stammer to talk directly to businesses and help them understand how and why these changes are needed. Our Workshop Volunteers will be at the very front of our national Space to Stammer strategy, which forms part of our National Lottery work. It’s an exciting opportunity to join STAMMA as we grow and launch our new Phone Call Nightmares Campaign. 

We're looking for volunteers who can commit to at least 5 workshops over the next year. Please see the full role description on our website for current dates,

About the role

Working with our Training & Outreach team, we’re hoping that, following training, you’ll feel comfortable to: 

• Work within a pair to deliver pre-prepared workshops to a diverse audience of organisations. 

• Answer questions and facilitate discussion. The workshops will roughly comprise of 30mins of presentation, and 30mins open forum for discussion.

• Share and answer questions about your own experiences on phone calls. 

• Facilitate training with Zoom: taking turns in a pair to manage Zoom administrative functions such as switching on the captions, keeping an eye on questions in the chat box, allowing visitors into the session, muting/unmuting.

• Act as an ambassador for STAMMA, helping us to build good relationships with organisations, to help enact real change.

Who are we looking for?

You’re likely to enjoy volunteering in the Training & Outreach Service if you: 

• Enjoy public speaking and chatting with groups or would like to develop these skills. 

• Have or are interested in developing presentation skills. 

• Are comfortable both speaking and using the chat function in Zoom (or are happy to learn more about the platforms functionality). 

• Are comfortable sharing your personal experiences in relation to phone calls. 

• Have good time management skills – sessions will only last an hour, and every second counts! 

• Are passionate about making the world a better place for people who stammer. 

• Can commit to at least five sessions in advance.

For this role, it’s essential that you have a stammer. We think our message is best delivered directly from people who stammer, and your lived experiences will help make them sit up and listen.

You will need a quiet place where you can work in relative privacy and not be overheard during Zoom calls or telephone calls. You also need to have access to your own computer or laptop.

As a volunteer you can, of course, step back from the role at any time. However, both you and the service are likely to get most out of the opportunity if you’re able to volunteer with us for 12 months or more. By gradually learning and developing your confidence in the role, you can have the biggest impact. 

What can you gain from this opportunity?

This is a wonderful opportunity to join a small and friendly team! We'll make sure you're supported in every step of your journey, and you'll get to meet some inspiring people. You'll gain skills that you'll be able to use in all areas of your life and build experiences for your CV. Most importantly, you will make a real difference in the lives of people who stammer.

How to apply

To apply, please click 'apply' to fill in the volunteer form that is on our website. 

We are dedicated to making sure our roles are accessible and open to all. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

A bit more information about this role and the team

A full driving licence is desirable in order to take cats or kittens to the vet.

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Across the UK our cats and kittens looking for new homes are cared for by volunteer fosterers in their homes or purpose-built pens in their gardens. Our fosterer support volunteers are members of the same household, creating a fostering team, who provide vital assistance and support to our volunteer fosterers. Fosterer support volunteers spend time directly with cats, cleaning their pens, feeding, grooming and enriching their play time.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Supporting the fosterer and taking responsibility for cats in care when the main fosterer is absent
• Meeting the needs of cats and kittens in care
• Maintaining minimum veterinary and cat care standards
• Supporting the cleaning and maintenance of the cats environment and equipment
• Undertake any requirements for feeding, grooming and administering medication (such as flea and worming treatments)
• Assist with enriching the cats experience in care, including; play, exercise and stroking
• Undertake relevant training provided by Cats Protection to support you in your role

Role Overview:
We are seeking a proactive and organised Fundraising Admin Intern to support our fundraising initiatives. This role will primarily assist with the logistical and administrative aspects of challenges, events, and online campaigns. The intern will also have the opportunity to specialise in projects focused on East Africa.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative support for fundraising challenges and events
• Assist with logistics planning and coordination for campaigns
• Support the delivery of online fundraising initiatives
• Collaborate with teams working on East Africa-focused projects
• Attend events as required (travel within London/South region)

We are looking for a new governor with strong financial expertise, likely qualified as an accountant or with similar experience. You’ll be excited by delivering an excellent education for our students and keen to engage with our school’s development.

What will you be doing?

About You

We are looking for a new governor with professional experience accounting or financial management. The successful candidate will become part of a Governing Body comprising 18 members, all of whom are representatives of the school, and join the school’s Finance & Resources Committee. 

Time Commitment

Governors usually spend ~20 hours per term on core governing duties.

The Governing Body meets four times a year to undertake its regular duties, with occasional meetings for urgent or time critical decisions. Regular meetings currently take place on Wednesdays during term time, usually at 5/5.30pm. Governors also need to allow time to read papers and prepare for meetings.

The Girls’ School Governing Body has three sub-committees – Finance & Resources, Curriculum, and Health & Safety and Personnel. These meet at least termly.

We encourage governors to attend one governors' day per term when specific topics central to educational outcomes are highlighted for discussion with staff and students. Governors are also invited to attend public events such school play performances, music concerts and prize-giving ceremonies.

Skills and Background

Following a recent skills audit, we are particularly interested in individuals who have had experience in finance. We encourage applications from all members of society, regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, disability, or age.

Being a Foundation Governor

Governors come from a wide range of backgrounds and professions and include some appointed by the staff of the school, parents and the Tower Hamlets Local Authority.  A majority of the governors are appointed by the Central Foundation Schools of London. As an Educational Charity we support two schools in inner London, the Girls' School and also Central Foundation Boys' School in Islington. This appointment will be a joint appointment by the Foundation and the Girls' School governing body.

Training on the of role of governor will be provided for successful candidates.

Becoming a Girls’ School Foundation Governor

The governing body has three core functions:

1. Ensure clarity of vision, ethos, and strategic direction of our school;
2. Hold the executive leaders to account for the educational performance of our school and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
3. Oversee the financial performance of our school and make sure its money is well spent.

The successful candidates will join the governing body in Spring 2026 and will receive a full induction which is supported by ongoing training and development for all governors. 

What are we looking for?

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a new governor excited by and committed to the delivery of an excellent education for our students. We encourage applications from all members of society, regardless of background, gender, ethnicity, disability, or age.

Applicants need to have a keen interest in the school and are prepared to play an active part in the governing body’s work to  improve opportunities and outcomes for students. We are particularly interested in individuals who have had skilled and professional experience in accounting or finance. 

More widely, we are keen that new governors add a breadth of skills, perspectives, and experience to enhance our work. We want people who are good verbal communicators, will ask insightful questions, are able to build strong relationships and have good analytical skills. It would be beneficial to also have local knowledge. Most important, you would have a keen interest in the school and be prepared to play an active part in the governing body’s work to help improve outcomes for our students. 

What difference will you make?

Your impact matters

As a Foundation Governor you will play a critical role in fulfilling our vision that through an exceptional Central Foundation education, every student learns, develops, and grows so they can reach their full potential. 

The Girls' School provides a high-quality education for girls from 11 to 19 years old. A school that is rightfully proud to continue a long tradition of excellence in education as well as caring for the welfare of our students. A Central Foundation education involves providing students with a wide range of educational experiences not available to many state schools or students from the communities and backgrounds we serve.

As a governor at Central Foundation Girls' School, you will

• help to create an inclusive and empowering environment where every student thrives.
• help to transform lives through an unwavering commitment to high expectations and standards for all.
• be part of a school with a passion for learning which drives us to challenge and support each other, fostering excellence in every endeavour.
• value and celebrate the achievements of all community members, recognising the unique contributions each person brings.
• nurture positivity, creativity, innovation, and inspiration, to help cultivate a vibrant community where every individual feels empowered to succeed and make a difference. 

Central Foundation Girls’ School is rightfully proud to continue a long tradition of excellence in education as well as caring for the welfare of our students. The school was originally established in 1726 and is now one of the largest schools in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. As a Foundation Governor you will ensure that tradition of excellence continues while keeping pace with the modern, changing world.

Before you apply

Please apply through Reach in the first instance. 

Please send your CV with a short covering statement telling us why you are interested in joining the Central Foundation Girls' School Governing Body and what you think you would bring. 

Interviews will take place in December and January with the Chair of Governors, Hilary Evenett. An appointment confirmation meeting will take place with the Chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees.

There will be the opportunity to visit the school as part of the interview process. 

New governors will be invited to join the Governing Body at their Spring Term meeting.

Please contact us via Reach with any questions.

Volunteer at Cockpit Open Studios

Become part of the Cockpit volunteer team! Our Open Studio events are a busy time at Cockpit Bloomsbury and Cockpit Deptford; the events occur twice a year and it is an invaluable opportunity to meet a diverse body of makers that create and sell their craft directly to the public. The volunteer team are key and help Cockpit to deliver a smooth and enriching experience to all our partners and visitors. What is Cockpit? Cockpit is a centre of excellence in contemporary craft. Spanning a wide range of craft disciplines, Cockpit makers are united by their extraordinary skill and imagination. Bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, our mission is to equip makers to succeed on their own terms, creatively and commercially.

A charity and UK top 100 social enterprise, Cockpit gives makers tools to build their businesses so they can focus on what they do best: making. We provide funded studio space, in-house business training and coaching, and exhibition opportunities for 176 makers practicing 23 different disciplines. Beyond Cockpit we work with makers throughout the United Kingdom and internationally.

Cockpit as we know it today began in 1986 when Camden Recycling created five starter units in Cockpit Yard for young, unemployed makers. In the early 2000s we opened our second location in Deptford and launched our pioneering business support programme. From there, Cockpit’s reputation grew to become the destination for makers starting up in practice. Highly sought-after, a place at Cockpit is a mark of quality.

The Role: Open Studios Volunteer

What will you do?
By joining the Cockpit team as a volunteer, you help us by being an on-site presence at our Open Studios events, and you will actively engage with those running the event, offer help, talk to and guide visitors around the building and pass any problems/issues back to the event manager.

Key Qualities:
• Ideal for someone with a genuine interest in craft and the creative sector and keen to learn from interactions with the core team and makers.
• Good communication skills, friendly and with a natural ability to engage with the public,
• Confidently share some knowledge with visitors about Cockpit and what it does as a charity.
• Possess a calm and measured presence to assist with the smooth delivery of the events.

Who are we looking for?
• Presentable, confident and enthusiastic individuals who have a keen interest in craft, design and the visual arts.
• Have some experience of working at events, customer service and/or invigilating exhibitions
• Can confidently and clearly give directions and assist the public with queries.
• Able to attend on-site training/orientation sessions w/c 28 October.

Cockpit Event Dates:

Bloomsbury:
Thursday 27 November, 2 - 5pm - Press, Trade, Tours
Thursday 27 November, 5 - 9pm - VIP event
Friday 28 November, 12 - 6pm - Public
Saturday 29 November, 12 - 6pm - Public
Sunday 30 November, 12 - 6pm - Public

Deptford:
Friday 5 December, 2 - 5pm - Press, Trade, Tours, VIP
Friday 5 December, 5 - 9pm - Public
Saturday 6 December, 12 - 6pm - Public
Sunday 7 December, 12 - 6pm - Public

Hours of Work:
• You would be expected to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the public opening times.
• The shifts are usually in 3-hour blocks with ½ hour break unless specified.
• You will not need to be available for all the days/times, but should be able to offer shifts equivalent to two full days.

Expenses
• A stipend of £25 is allocated to cover daily travel expenses and food allowance. Please provide receipts with your claim form.
• You will also be able to redeem a lunch voucher at the onsite café, if you working a full day.
• Refreshments and light snacks will be provided for breaks.

How to apply and get involved If you would like to get involved, please send your CV by Tuesday 28 October, 6pm. Please include ‘Volunteer’ in the Subject line.

• Please let us know how many days you would like to do and any availability restrictions you are already aware of.
• We will review all applications following the deadline, and notify you via email.
• Those who are selected will be given a schedule that is tailored to the number of days and hours you can offer.
• There will be orientation and training sessions held at each site, attendance is required as it will be opportunity to ask questions and meet the core team and understand the landscape of each site.

• A great opportunity to volunteer as Cafe Assistant at a unique heritage site, London Museum of Water and Steam
• Based at the historic Kew Bridge Waterworks the museum tells the story of London's water supply, the site, its people and the amazing pumping engines that helped to make London the city it is today
• Cafe Assistants provide a warm and friendly greeting for all our visitors                                              
•  They should work collaboratively with Visitor Welcome volunteers and Duty Managers
•  Help to prepare hot drinks and snacks and to take responsibility for money handling
• There is an opportunity to gain a Level 1 Certificate in Food Hygiene  

Would you like to use your skills and experience to help some of the most vulnerable children in the UK? And to help a small user-led charity that has become reputationally successful and punches way above its weight to grow sustainably, yet at speed, into its next iteration and be able to serve more families?

Founded in June 2020, The Belay Foundation was created to fill an urgent need for practical ‘in-home’ support to families whose children have previously been in local authority care. We were awarded charity registration in December 2020 and were soon working with families and Local Authorities across the UK. Our main areas of focus are: finding, training and supporting people who can offer trauma-responsive childcare and respite; disability benefits advice to families and young people; training professionals and parents to understand and respond to the impact of early-life trauma. 

Currently, The Belay Foundation has an income of £120k and has supported over 400 families. Feedback from those families is very positive and reflects the change from crisis to coping. We are currently conducting a major review of our services and business model to enable us to relaunch services which can be scaled to the next level and respond to an ever-expanding need. This review is being led by our new CEO, Libby McVeigh, who looks forward to working with our new Trustees to ensure that our strategy, systems and processes match our ambition.

Role Description

As a trustee you will:

• Meet regularly (mostly online and in the evening) with the other trustees to shape, drive and monitor the charity’s strategy
• Scrutinise the proper management and administration of the charity
• Champion the charity’s core values
• Help develop the financial sustainability of the charity
• Consider further service delivery in line with the charity’s aims
• Promote the work of the charity and develop contacts externally

Person specification

Essential:

• An interest in good governance and strategy
• Ability to scrutinise organisational systems and outputs, and a willingness and ability to support with operational tasks.
• Experience of providing oversight of operations in an organisation
• Excellent communication skills
• Collaborative, enthusiastic and empathetic
• Able to offer 4+ hours per month in Trustee and other meetings and in small group/1:1 support; and attend one in-person away day each year.

Preferable but not essential: 

• Experience of a trustee role
• Personal or professional interest in adoption, special guardianship and/or kinship care
• Experience in supporting the growth of a small organisation from its origins to its next stage 

In accordance with our commitment to equal opportunities and improving the diversity of our Board, we particularly  welcome applications from people from Black, Asian, and other minority ethnic backgrounds, who are currently under-represented in our governance structure.

Click on the 'How to Apply' link for more information, including on how to apply by the deadline of midnight on Sunday 9th November

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Across Cats Protection some of our cats looking for new and loving homes might be shy, nervous or aggressive depending on their past or if they are struggling to adapt to the rescue environment. Our kitten socialisation volunteers help the kittens in our care by spending time enriching each kittens experience through play, exercise and handling until they are happy and confident enough to find their perfect forever homes.

You can expect us to

· Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours

· Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection

· Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy

· Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· Spending time with kittens so they become fully socialised

· Making sure infectious disease control measures are in place

· Recording socialisation tasks and keeping information about the kittens up to date

· Determining the needs and requirements of the kittens

· Following cat care standards and procedures

Time expectation

Our kitten socialisation volunteers spend 1 to 2 hours a week in this role which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. We request that volunteers spend time with a particular litter of kittens on a weekly basis, as this will be more beneficial for the kittens.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to

· Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours

· Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection

· Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food

· Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy

· Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

● A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us

● Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction

● A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare

● Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home ● You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

Can you commit to volunteering for a minimum of 2 years? 

Do you have 2 to 4 hours spare a month? 

Do you live in South Gloucestershire?

Would you like to befriend a child or young person in care and make a long-term friendship with them? 

If yes, then volunteering for Reconstruct may suit you.

An Independent Visitor is an adult volunteer who befriends a young person in care and develops a long-term friendship with them. This often involves helping young people develop new interests, skills and hobbies or going on outings such as to the cinema, bowling or just a walk in the park.

You must be 21+, available for flexible working and able to commit to a minimum of 2 years. As a volunteer, you would spend about 2-4 hours every month with your allocated child.

Each volunteer is carefully matched with a child or young person in care in their local area who shares similar interests.

WHAT DO INDEPENDENT VISITORS DO?

• Visit a child monthly and becomes a trusted adult friend to them.
• Provide a consistent and reliable adult with a view to building a trusting and positive relationship with the child.
• Provide a child with the opportunity to try new activities and spend time with them away from their placement. This in turn can enhance progress and resilience of children, by building self-esteem, strengthening mental health, and opening new social relationships outside of the care system.

WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE DO YOU NEED?

• Interpersonal Skills – Ability to easily build rapport an identify with children and young people.
• Communication – Excellent communication skills, good report writing skills.
• Committed – Willing to commit to a child for at least one year and preferably two years.
• Role Model – A good role model for a child or young person who may have experienced difficult times during their childhood.
• DBS Check – We will carry out safer recruitment checks and you will be required to have an Enhanced DBS check.

Examples of activities can include:

• Sports
• Play football 
• Cinema
• Bowling
• Go to the library

You will be allocated a budget for each visit for your activity, and payment of your expenses, are paid so you are not out of pocket. These include, travel costs, and parking.

As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to attend necessary training for the role. Interviews will be arranged in due course thereafter.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for! 

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Volunteer befrienders offer the older, housebound people in our community a chance to connect socially, have a cup of tea, and a chat.  Could you be a much-needed social visitor to one of them this year? Training and support is provided.  Time and Talents is a welcoming community space and volunteering with us provides fantastic opportunities to connect with your community, build your skills, and even make new friends! We provide induction, training and continuous support, alongside opportunities to meet other volunteers.  We work hard to match you with a Befriendee who matches with your availability, personality, and ideally lives walking distance from you within Southwark!

In the first instance, please get in touch here and we will send you our online application form!