Volunteer occupational therapy support jobs

About UP

Unlocking Potential deliver high performing therapeutic programmes and education provision for children and young people with SEMH needs. We work in collaboration with families, communities, and other partners to ensure that children and young people access the interventions they need to thrive.

Mission

We work collaboratively with communities to enable children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs to unlock their full potential

Values

Trust

We build trust by being honest, transparent, and accountable in the way we work with children and young people, staff, and partners and by providing services and programmes whose outcomes are measurable and evidenced based.

Collaborative

Relationships are at the heart of our work. We prioritise communication and collaboration with partners, families, and communities, believing that by working together we create more effective and holistic outcomes for children and young people.

Empowering

We co-create opportunities for our children, young people, parents/carers and staff to actively participate in decision-making that influences change. We promote the voices of children and young people in our organisation and the wider community.

Nurturing

We provide a nurturing approach based on safety and space for creativity, exploration, and growth. We support and care for our children, young people, and staff to realise their potential.

Impact

We are committed to measuring our impact through a data driven method to develop our programmes and make a greater difference to the lives of children, young people, and their parents and carers.

Overview

We will be launching our new programme from September 2025, initially as a pilot working with families across Wandsworth, with aims to be able to expand and continue beyond this.

As a Family Support Worker, you will deliver flexible, hands-on, and therapeutically minded support to families facing multiple and complex challenges. You will build trusted relationships through home visits, school meetings, and practical support—empowering parents and carers to strengthen routines, manage behaviour, improve attendance, and access services. Your role will be guided by detailed needs assessments and focused on achieving meaningful outcomes with each family.

The Learning and Skills Development Co-Ordinator will lead on developing a program of training, learning, volunteering and work experience for the residents of Homeless Oxfordshire that increase self esteem, engagement and motivation. You will work collaboratively and creatively across the organisation, as well as with partners, stake-holders, and the wider community. Improving community relations and help us secure support from local training providers and employers where resident participation in the wider community will help break down stigmas surrounding homelessness and addiction.

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Devise and deliver a structured programme of training and education (both formal and informal) to improve our residents' skills and confidence which prepares them for the next stage of their lives.
• As part of the LEAP team work closely with the Activities Co-Ordinator to deliver a comprehensive programme of engagement, developing skills to move away from homelessness.
• Work with partners and residents to design training that is tailored to the needs of our residents.
• Develop and maintain external relationships with local training providers, organisations and employers to find various opportunities and maintain those relationships.
• Support on design of the peer mentoring training and traineeship programmes.
• Identify and support volunteering opportunities.
• Take a strengths-based approach to facilitate teams and residents identifying their talents, skills and build their self-esteem.
• Comply with Homeless Oxfordshire’s policies and procedures
• Contribute to a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are valued and staff are enabled to do their best.
• Contribute to the work of the broader team.

About LEAP

LEAP is built on the foundation of strong, supportive relationships that empower residents to move towards stable, independent living. Through one-to-one key worker support, trauma-informed care, and community engagement, residents rebuild trust, form friendships, and gain confidence. Activities like gardening, arts and crafts, and creative writing foster connection and personal growth, while group involvement helps residents feel part of a wider community. LEAP also supports residents to take steps into peer mentoring, volunteering, and training, helping them build positive networks beyond their immediate circle and develop the skills and confidence to thrive independently.

At LEAP, community involvement is at the heart of their work. Empowering residents through co-production is a key organisational goal. LEAP offer a range of inclusive engagement methods—from informal gatherings like group breakfasts and creative activities, to structured sessions such as support needs mapping and Residents’ Forums. These forums provide regular opportunities for feedback and co-design, with input reaching senior management and trustees. They are enhancing resident engagement by developing a mutual support network for staff with lived experience of homelessness and/or addiction. This group will shape services and policies, and guide resident outreach. LEAP also collaborates with local partners like RAW, a social enterprise offering training and employment to those with lived experience, and strengthens ties with adult education providers such as Abingdon and Witney College. We also create pathways to volunteer with cultural institutions like the University of Oxford Museums.

LEAP empowers people with lived experience of homelessness and/or addiction, helping them build the confidence and skills needed to move towards independent living and employment. Over three years, the project aims to support 750 individuals. Through a wide range of engaging and meaningful activities, residents will experience positive outcomes such as increased confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of inclusion. They will build supportive networks, learn key life skills and access training, volunteering, and employment opportunities. Many will gain qualifications and secure long-term accommodation. The project strengthens peer support and enables residents to shape services through formalised Residents’ Forums, ensuring their voices influence senior decision-making. For Homeless Oxfordshire, LEAP enhances our capacity to deliver peer-led support, builds staff knowledge, and informs service improvement. Wider community benefits include reduced stigma around homelessness, stronger partnerships with employers and organisations, and improved understanding of the issues faced by our residents—ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate society.

The Resident Engagement Manager will be the organisational lead in a new and exciting lottery funded project leading a small team and overseeing the design and delivery of the LEAP service at Homeless Oxfordshire and with wider partners.

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Provide leadership across the organisation on resident engagement, learning and skills, co-production and activities.
• To promote the active involvement of the resident’s experience and voice in the delivery, development and monitoring of LEAP service.
• To provide support and line management supervision to the engagement team, ensuring they meet all aims, objectives and outcomes, according to the lottery bid.
• Lead on monitoring, data collection and impact measures for all resident engagement work.
• Lead on the design of the peer mentoring training and traineeship programmes.
• Develop and maintain key relationships with key stakeholders including education, employment and third sector partners.
• Develop and maintain strong internal working relationships to ensure managers and teams deliver high quality services that are reflective of Homeless Oxfordshire’s values and address local needs.
• Lead on the development of a mutual support network for staff with lived experience
• Comply with Homeless Oxfordshire’s policies and procedures
• Contribute to a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are valued and staff are enabled to do their best.
• Contribute to the work of the broader team.

About LEAP

LEAP is built on the foundation of strong, supportive relationships that empower residents to move towards stable, independent living. Through one-to-one key worker support, trauma-informed care, and community engagement, residents rebuild trust, form friendships, and gain confidence. Activities like gardening, arts and crafts, and creative writing foster connection and personal growth, while group involvement helps residents feel part of a wider community. LEAP also supports residents to take steps into peer mentoring, volunteering, and training, helping them build positive networks beyond their immediate circle and develop the skills and confidence to thrive independently.

At LEAP, community involvement is at the heart of their work. Empowering residents through co-production is a key organisational goal. LEAP offer a range of inclusive engagement methods—from informal gatherings like group breakfasts and creative activities, to structured sessions such as support needs mapping and Residents’ Forums. These forums provide regular opportunities for feedback and co-design, with input reaching senior management and trustees. They are enhancing resident engagement by developing a mutual support network for staff with lived experience of homelessness and/or addiction. This group will shape services and policies, and guide resident outreach. LEAP also collaborates with local partners like RAW, a social enterprise offering training and employment to those with lived experience, and strengthens ties with adult education providers such as Abingdon and Witney College. We also create pathways to volunteer with cultural institutions like the University of Oxford Museums.

LEAP empowers people with lived experience of homelessness and/or addiction, helping them build the confidence and skills needed to move towards independent living and employment. Over three years, the project aims to support 750 individuals. Through a wide range of engaging and meaningful activities, residents will experience positive outcomes such as increased confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of inclusion. They will build supportive networks, learn key life skills and access training, volunteering, and employment opportunities. Many will gain qualifications and secure long-term accommodation. The project strengthens peer support and enables residents to shape services through formalised Residents’ Forums, ensuring their voices influence senior decision-making. For Homeless Oxfordshire, LEAP enhances our capacity to deliver peer-led support, builds staff knowledge, and informs service improvement. Wider community benefits include reduced stigma around homelessness, stronger partnerships with employers and organisations, and improved understanding of the issues faced by our residents—ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate society.

The Snowdrop Project is the first organisation in the UK to provide long-term, community based support to survivors of modern slavery and exploitation. We aim to empower survivors of modern slavery and exploitation to recover from their experiences and thrive. We aim to reduce the risk of re-exploitation, to create and implement models of best practice and to share this knowledge with other agencies and individuals nationally and beyond.

We are looking for a passionate advocate who is committed to ensuring survivors of modern slavery are able to access their rights and entitlements in the UK with a trauma-informed approach. This role provides support to clients referred to Snowdrop’s Reach-In provision. Reach-In provides long-term support to survivors leaving the UK Modern Slavery and Victim Care Contract (MSVCC) following a positive conclusive grounds National Referral Mechanism (NRM) decision.

Snowdrop supports Reach-In clients across South Yorkshire both from our offices in Sheffield and in the local community within the MSVCC Reach-In framework.

Position: Reach-In Caseworker

Salary: £26,200 per annum, pro rata (.6FTE)

Benefits:

• Monthly independent therapeutic supervision,
• Cycle to Work Scheme,
• Holiday Salary Sacrifice Scheme,
• Employee Life Insurance and ancillary benefits,

Holidays: 6.6 weeks (pro-rata, including bank holidays) + your birthday off!

Contract Type: Fixed-term to January 2027

Hours: 22.5 hours p/w (.6 FTE)

Working Pattern: takes place between Monday-Friday 9-5 ; In-person.

Location: Snowdrop Project Offices, Castle Green, 7 Castle Street, Sheffield, S3 8LT

Reporting to: Casework Manager

Collaborating with: Casework Team

Direct reports: None

You'll be responsible to: 

• Work with the team of caseworkers and IMSAs to  deliver empowering, person-centred support to survivors of modern slavery and exploitation
• Carry a caseload of clients to support directly and report in line with the Reach-In contract requirements
• Attend regular case management meetings and contribute to the development of the service 

Please see the Job Description document for full details and the Person Specification 

How to apply: Click the CharityJob Apply button below. You’ll be asked to submit a CV and cover letter (please read the instructions for completing the cover letter carefully) and answer a question about your right to work in the UK. CVs and cover letters will be screened and candidates will be shortlisted for interview based on these. 

We welcome every applicant and strive to create and promote inclusive teams. We celebrate difference and encourage everyone to join us, and to be themselves at work. 

Applications close on Wednesday, 7th July, 2025 and interviews will take place on Friday, 18th July 2025. 

Please note- we will not be working with recruiters for this post. 

ST ALDATES and ACT CHARITY

St Aldates’ vision is to invite people to encounter Jesus, equip people to follow Jesus in every area of their lives, and envision people to transform their communities. We are pioneering new ways of discipling people to make a difference in every area of their lives. A vibrant church with a congregation of 1200+, we are passionate about connecting with and supporting people who are street homeless and those in or leaving local prisons.

As a city centre church, working alongside people who are poor or marginalised is a key part of our ministry and is carried out largely through Aldates Community Transformation Initiatives (ACT). ACT’s welcoming community offers support designed to help people find belonging, purpose and hope, which is carefully shaped to fit each individual’s needs. This includes street and prison outreach, community meals, mentoring and supported housing. 

ACT is a registered charity with a board of trustees drawn from within the church, including the Rector. We are a growing charity with seven salaried staff, and over 65 local volunteers. Staff are employed by St Aldates PCC and seconded to the ACT Charity.

At the heart of the charity is our ACT Family, a group of individuals living in our supported houses, and at varying stages of journeying towards independent living. We engage with these individuals on a relational basis through three main areas of support:

A community: regular opportunities to gather including a weekly breakfast and Bible study, small groups, social and vocational events, and an annual retreat.

A home: a safe, stable place in one of 11 ACT-managed properties in the city, and sustained 1:1 support from the team.

A mentor: regular sessions with a trained mentor to enable people to grow in confidence, skills and aspiration, including support to volunteer, study or find employment.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Progression Coordinator is responsible for engaging directly with our core ACT Family residents of supported ACT houses and inspiring their ongoing development. A large part of this will be helping them develop the skills needed so they can move towards living independently. 

 Key Duties

The role is split into two key areas:

Support, coaching and progression for individuals living in our ACT houses:

• Working alongside the Housing Manager to build relationships with the ACT Family
• Inspiring residents to explore a pathway towards independent living
• Establishing Personal Development Plans (PDPs) in response to the needs of each individual
• Administratively holding and monitoring the progress of the PDPs
• Conducting regular reviews with each resident and updating PDPs accordingly
• Giving regular progress reports to the Housing Manager and Head of ACT 
• Managing relationships with all mentors, including monitoring their engagement with the ACT Family and identifying any opportunities or risks
• Organising mentor training and events as required
• Identifying training and deploying new mentors as required
• Maintaining relationships with ACT Family members who are moving out of ACT houses, ensuring they are equipped and supported as they move on
• Providing ad-hoc cover and support for the Housing Manager as required (e.g. holiday and sickness cover, as well as picking up some day-to-day tasks if required)

Outward engagement into the wider community:

• Ongoing engagement and relationship-building with the wider housing and charity sector in and around Oxford
• Creating strategic industry connections that help implement the PDPs, including but not limited to private landlords and agencies able to support progression out of ACT houses 
• Building connections with local employers willing and able to train or employ the residents
• Developing connections with local educational and vocational organisations able to support the residents
• Managing relevant existing relationships with local agencies as required
• Developing an active understanding of issues related to housing in Oxford 
• Exploring and communicating any new initiatives or practices to support the role, or the wider activities of the charity

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Professional qualifications or professional experience in an area directly relevant to the role, e.g. Social Work, Occupational Health, Probation, Housing, Nursing/Mental Health, Therapy, Coaching
• Understanding of and experience working with marginalised adults, particularly former prisoners or homeless people
• Experience of managing projects and organising events
• Willingness to learn about housing, safeguarding, homelessness, rehabilitation of offenders, probation, state benefits, substance abuse, mental health and other relevant topics
• Experience of MS Office including One-Note, Teams or similar system
• Active Christian faith, willing to intercede for others and share your faith when appropriate
• Love and empathy for those who face poverty, hardship and other life challenges whilst maintaining essential boundaries
• Demonstrable ability to manage a varied workload and occasional remote work
• Ability to build relationships with people from all walks of life
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Able to maintain healthy boundaries whilst working as part of a close-knit team
• Resilient, able to adhere to a positive routine of mental self-care
• A full UK driving license or right to drive in the UK (regular local trips are part of the role)

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience of one or more of housing, safeguarding, homelessness, rehabilitation of offenders, probation, benefits, substance abuse, mental health and other relevant topics
• Experience of teaching life skills, stress and anger management, and other relevant subjects
• Experience of front-line work with those who face poverty, hardship and other life challenges that are marginalising
• Experience of risk assessment and risk management
• Experience of networking and/or public speaking
• Able to lead prayer meetings and/or worship
• Ability to lead Bible study groups and to develop one-to-one discipleship relationships
• Attends or would be willing to attend St Aldates Church
• Open to continue personal and spiritual development and training

OTHER ASPECTS OF THE ROLE

Due to the nature of the role and the ACT charity, there is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder be a practising Christian.

We value diversity and recognise that some candidates may not feel they have all the skills, experience, and qualifications set out above. Please do not be deterred and rest assured that we believe God will equip the person he is calling to serve in this role. 

The post will be subject to a satisfactory DBS check and references.

We are currently recruiting a trauma-informed, person-centred Counsellor to deliver essential and life-saving counselling for survivors of rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse. The Counsellor will be employed by TRC Sexual Abuse & Rape Support Greater Manchester, working 24 hours a week over 3 days, and will be based at our office space in Trafford. The Counsellor will have a counselling caseload as well as completing additional tasks such as conducting initial assessments, triaging clients, and establishing next steps for each client in line with TRC's safeguarding policies.

Job Title: Deputy Director of Care – Quality, Governance and Patient Safety

Salary: £76,681.64 - £81,823.59

Team: Care Directorate

Hours: 37.5hrs per week

Location: Christopher’s Hospice Guildford (main base) and Shooting Star House Hampton

About Shooting Star Children’s Hospices

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced nurse to join our team at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices provides specialist care and support to families who have a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting condition, or who have been bereaved. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, we support families across Surrey, north-west London and south-west London from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.

At the heart of what we do are our dedicated staff; their exceptional commitment and professionalism means every family has the opportunity to make every moment count.

It’s a great time to join Shooting Star Children’s Hospices as we have recently increased our inpatient capacity for end of life care and expanded our bereavement offer to support all families in Surrey and to the West of London whose child has died.

About the role

The Deputy Director of Care will provide knowledgeable, professional, and inspirational leadership to our clinical teams. The role will ensure the provision and strategic development of our clinical services.

We are looking for someone who has a clear passion and strong commitment to our mission and values and will support and challenge their team to do the same. Holding the position of Deputy Director of Care will further the culture of quality improvement, patient safety and governance across clinical services and ensure the experiences and voices of the children, and their families influence our service delivery and strategies.

As a member of the Organisational Leadership Team (OLT), the Deputy Director of Care will also develop good working relationships within all areas of the hospice, as well as with external stakeholders.

What we offer

In return you will receive a competitive salary along with a range of benefits, which include:

Pension scheme

• NHS Pension Scheme (for eligible employees) or our stakeholder pension scheme, with up to 7% employer contributions.
• Stakeholder pension scheme
•  Employee contribution 3.5% 
• Shooting Star Children’s Hospices contribution 4.5%
•  Additional contributions – we will pay 1% above the contribution up to a limit of 7%

Annual leave

• 27 days plus Bank Holidays rising with length of service
• 2 weeks paid sabbatical leave after 5, 10 and 15 years’ service
  
  Contractual benefits
• Generous sick pay scheme
• Enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity leave pay
• Flexible working arrangements
• Death in service benefits
• Reimbursed professional membership fees
• Eye care
• Employee referral scheme
• Blue Light discount card

Health and wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational Health
• Eye care
• Cycle to work scheme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Nutritionally balanced meals at Christopher’s (free for employees) and free fruit at our Hampton site

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Employment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS Check.

Our recruitment checks, induction and ongoing support and supervision reflect our commitment to safeguarding the families we support.
 

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Shooting Star Children’s Hospice is committed to inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that getting things right is critical for us to live our organisation’s values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence.

We are always trying to improve our way of working to be more inclusive and equal. Our vision is for Shooting Star Children’s Hospice to be a place where people of all backgrounds, groups and communities feel welcomed to work and volunteer.

Together we make a difference, develop and learn, and support each other.Every day with us is different, but our mission remains the same: To champion the rights, needs and ambitions of the people we support - they are at the heart of everything we do. We stand by them and we work together for change.

We believe that everyone deserves a chance to learn and space to thrive and that the right education can change lives. You’ll help break down barriers to education for young people, helping them learn and grow at their own pace. 

Location: Bridge College, Whitworth Street, Openshaw, M11 2GR

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Working Pattern: Term time  – 43 weeks per year

Salary: £27,814.31 (pro-rated) full time equivalent £29,108

Aim of the Role

We are seeking an enthusiastic Hair and Beauty Facilitator to create engaging learning experiences for small groups of students with a range of complex needs. This role involves planning and delivering practical, hands-on sessions in hair and beauty, as well as developing students’ independence and work-readiness skills.

You will help students contribute to the development of the college’s outdoor and internal environments, creating meaningful work-based learning opportunities that align with their interests and aspirations.

Key responsibilities

Design and deliver a differentiated Hair and Beauty curriculum tailored to a wide range of learning needs.

• Lead practical sessions in hair styling, self-care, and basic beauty routines.
• Model and teach hygiene routines, such as: Hair washing, drying, and brushing Oral care and toothbrushing, Facial cleansing and skincare Nail care and grooming
• Support learners to develop independence using visual aids, social stories, and step-by-step guidance.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with learners to support their emotional and social development.
• Plan and prepare classroom activities and resources to promote work-based learning.
• Develop and facilitate work experience opportunities in line with the college’s work 
• Track and record learner progress in accordance with internal procedures.

About You

You will be passionate about supporting young people with additional needs and bring creativity and structure to vocational learning. Ideally, you will have:

• A Level 3 qualification in a relevant vocational area (e.g. Hair & Beauty Therapy)
• Experience working in an education setting with learners with additional needs
• Ability to plan and deliver vocational activities in a learning environment
• Understanding of Health and Safety legislation.
• Level 2 or higher in English and Maths.
• Knowledge of how to track learner achievement and follow internal monitoring systems

Benefits

• Generous pension scheme and death in service benefit, up to 7% company pension contributions initially rising with length of service and up to 6 x basic salary death in service benefit
• Occupational sick pay and family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Reward and Discount platform offering discounts at high street shops, travel, insurances etc.
• Eligibility to apply for Blue Light card
• Proud to be a real living wage employer
• Refer a friend scheme, be rewarded for recommending a friend to work with us
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including apprenticeship qualifications
• Long service awards including cash gifts and extra holiday.
• Promotion of Wellbeing across the organisation including Mental Health First Aiders offering wellbeing support from trained colleague and free weekly yoga session in person or online
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for you and adults at your home

Applications are very welcome from all regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socio-economic background. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled people. We positively encourage applications from those with lived experience. 

If there is any part of your lived experience you want to keep confidential in some way please talk to the Recruitment or HR shared service teams and we will do what we can to support you

The Together Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support and expects all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Please apply early as we reserve the right to close the role prior to the closing date.

Application closes 11th July

Safeguarding checks will be undertaken for the successful candidate in line with our safer recruitment policy, including an Enhanced DBS check (at no cost to yourself).

This role will involve regulated activity.