Volunteer teaching english volunteer roles in london, england

Job description

Are you passionate about education and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential? If you’re knowledgeable in the field of Digital Skills and able to facilitate engaging, in-person sessions for adult learners, we’d love to hear from you! 

Purpose of role

We are looking for a highly motivated, experienced and creative tutor with excellent interpersonal, numeracy and digital skills; excellent written English and efficient organisational skills. 

The aim is to support adult learners who need to improve their Digital skills, working both individually and as part of the Adult Education team to plan and deliver an agreed number of Digital skills courses.

Day/time – Monday  & Friday – 10:30am – 12:30

Start – 20/06/25

End - 28/07/25

Course description:

This class is specifically aimed at learners (ESOL Entry 2 +) who want to develop their basic digital skills. We work a lot on essential computer functions such as turning devices on and off, using the mouse and navigating applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Lessons are based on a wide range of different topics, but will have a particular focus on practising their digital literacy skills.

You need to:

- Be passionate about helping people achieve their potential

- Be a qualified/experienced Digital Skills practitioner

- Be knowledgeable in your subject field

- Be able to carry out effective planning, monitoring and evaluation of courses

- Demonstrate a high level of computer literacy

- Be able to use your own initiative, and to organise and prioritise your workload

- Be able to meet deadlines and work under pressure

- Be able to identify and implement changes in existing systems

- Be able to maintain excellent working relationships with colleagues and students

- Demonstrate awareness of and commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of welfare of vulnerable adults, according to the charity’s ethos

- Be committed to the provision of a quality service and the implementation of quality improvements

- Demonstrate awareness of and commitment to valuing equal opportunities and diversity

- Be committed to taking a full and active role in the life of the charity and be committed to its aims and values

- Have a flexible approach to work and be able to work flexibly throughout the week/over the year by prior agreement

 - All applicants must have the right to work in the UK

About Nova 
Based in North Kensington since 1983 and serving its poorest wards and those of surrounding London boroughs, Nova works with individuals from marginalised and disadvantaged communities who are looking to develop their potential and achieve a better future for themselves. Nova brings about real and lasting change in people’s lives by addressing every person as an individual and seeking out ways to best support that person to reach their goals. We endeavour to help every person that comes to us who is motivated and committed to improving his or her life.   
  
Reaching 2,000+ people each year, we: 
• Develop knowledge, education and confidence  
• Connect diverse groups   
• Provide opportunities  
  
Our work, operates on 2 levels:  

• Grassroots Community Support – including responsive actions (e.g. Grenfell, COVID-19), adult education, IAG, family programme and volunteering  
• Wider Reaching Dialogue Events and Influencing – focussing on challenging stigma, prejudice and inequality – working with individuals, organisations, networks and decision makers to move through conversation to action  ​

InterVol is a student volunteering charity in the United Kingdom that connects students with volunteering opportunities locally and overseas. InterVol supports students to develop their skills with community projects in the UK and then use those skills to support the work of charitable partners overseas on health, education, refugee support, and conservation placements. Our project placements and volunteering opportunities are designed by our local partners with the long-term needs of beneficiaries and communities in mind. InterVol supports a network of four student societies at English universities with around one hundred volunteers annually.

InterVol is looking to increase its presence on university campuses around England and Wales, and therefore we are accepting applications from university students interested in setting up a student committee.As a committee member, you will be responsible for recruiting students to volunteer locally and abroad, liaising between the board of trustees and the committee, and recruiting committee members for the next academic year. The student committees will be supported by the trustee board, who are drawn from past student committees. 

Setting up a student committee is an excellent opportunity to gain leadership experience, gain a developed insight into the charity sector and international development, and create positive change in your community and abroad. All student committees are supported by the trustee board, and there will be training provided. 

As a committee member you will:

·Work with the student union at your university to establish an InterVol committee. 

·Recruit students to volunteer locally and abroad. This will involve attending freshers’ fair, hosting information evenings, and running team-building days. 

·Organise local volunteering opportunities and liaise with our international project partners. 

·Recruit committee members for the following academic year. 

·Oversee volunteer fundraising. 

·Commit to being involved with the student committee for two years. 

·Be based in the United Kingdom to allow travel to meetings.

Person Specification:

·Experience of volunteering in the UK or abroad. 

·Strong teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills. 

·Capable of leading teams and working under pressure. 

·Well-versed at time management and staying organised. 

About UK Reads

UK Reads is the UK-based charity of the global non-profit World Literacy Foundation, which works to eradicate illiteracy and promote equitable access to education worldwide. In the UK, we focus on closing the literacy gap for children from underserved communities, ensuring that every child has access to the literacy support they need to thrive academically and personally.

We deliver high-impact literacy programmes, distribute free books, and partner with schools, libraries, and community organisations to foster a lifelong love of reading. 

About the Pen Pal Project

The Pen Pal Project empowers children aged 7–16 to become confident communicators by engaging them in creative, meaningful letter writing. UK pupils are matched with peers in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries to exchange letters over six structured sessions throughout the academic year.

The project supports pupils in:

• Developing core literacy skills (reading, writing, sentence structure, vocabulary)

• Strengthening confidence, empathy, and communication through storytelling

• Learning about different cultures, family structures, traditions, and daily life in another part of the world

• Practising both written and spoken English in an encouraging, low-pressure environment

Each school cohort follows a themed session plan exploring topics such as identity, youth culture, food, heritage, health, and hobbies.

Sessions are delivered by trained volunteers, with support from teachers and UK Reads staff.

Role Overview

As a Writing Session Coordinator, you’ll play a key role in supporting literacy, creativity, and inclusion in schools. You’ll work directly with students to help them explore personal expression, read incoming pen pal letters, and craft thoughtful responses.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about education, communication, cultural exchange, and making a difference at a grassroots level.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate six themed writing sessions at a primary or secondary school in London (sessions take place during school hours)

• Create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere where all students feel safe to write and express themselves

• Support pupils with varied literacy levels, including those with special educational needs (SEND), English as an additional language (EAL), or lower confidence in reading/writing

• Guide pupils in reading and responding to letters received from international pen pals

• Encourage vocabulary development, sentence structure, and narrative skills using the provided facilitator resources

• Use creativity and cultural awareness to promote engagement and curiosity

• Complete light administrative tasks (~1 hour per session), including:

  • Reviewing students’ letters for safeguarding

  • Submitting short post-session reflections or feedback forms

• Attend a short online training session and stay in communication with the UK Reads team

Time Commitment

• Approx. 6-8 hours/month over the academic year

• Each session includes:

  • ~1 hour in-school delivery time

  • ~1 hour admin/reflection time

• Plus training, planning, and communication time as needed

• Sessions are typically spaced two per academic term (six total)

Volunteers are matched with one school and are expected to complete the full six-session cycle to ensure continuity and build rapport with pupils.

Who We're Looking For

We welcome volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds. You don’t need formal teaching experience — just commitment, empathy, and a passion for helping young people thrive.

Essential:

• Strong spoken and written English

• Comfortable working with children and young people in a school setting

• Reliable, organised, and able to follow session plans

• Open-minded, culturally sensitive, and adaptable to different learning styles

• Able to commit to a minimum of 6 sessions over the academic year (during school hours)

• Based in London or able to travel to schools across the city

• Willing to complete a DBS check and safeguarding training

Desirable (but not required):

• Experience in education, youth work, creative writing, literacy support, or mentoring

What You’ll Gain

• A highly rewarding volunteer experience with visible impact on young learners

• Full training and a ready-to-use facilitation guide

• Support from a dedicated project coordinator throughout your placement

• Reimbursement of reasonable travel costs

• A reference upon successful completion

• The opportunity to be part of a meaningful international exchange project

• Connection to a network of volunteers and educators working toward literacy equity

Safeguarding & Inclusion

We are committed to child protection, safeguarding, and inclusive learning environments. All letters are reviewed by facilitators before being exchanged. Volunteers must complete a DBS check and basic safeguarding training before beginning their placement.

We value lived experience and encourage applications from those who reflect the communities we serve, including volunteers from Black, African, Caribbean, and diaspora backgrounds.

Role title: Trustee

Location: Flexible (travel to London will be required at least three times a year for in person board meetings)

Salary: N/A (Volunteer role)

Time commitment: Attend 3 in person board meetings annually and 3 online sub committees. Exceptional board or sub-committee meetings may be scheduled when necessary.

Contract: The Trustee is appointed for an initial 3-year term with the option of renewal for up to 3 terms. The maximum term for all trustees (including the Chair) is 9 years. 

Purpose of the role:

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to join an impact-focused and ambitious charity supporting refugees to access meaningful employment and build a new life.

The board’s role is to govern Breaking Barriers effectively, in service of our vision and mission. Trustees provide support and challenge to the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and are ambassadors for the charity.   

Essential Duties of the Trustee Role:

• Ensure Breaking Barriers is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit
• Comply with Breaking Barriers' governing document and other laws that apply
• Act in Breaking Barriers' best interests: prioritise Breaking Barriers' objectives, avoid conflicts of interest, and follow procedures to manage any conflicts
• Ensure Breaking Barriers is accountable: meeting legal, accounting and reporting requirements
• Manage Breaking Barriers' resources responsibly: managing risks, protecting assets and people, getting the resources we need, having appropriate controls and procedures
• Act with reasonable care and skill using your skills and experience, deciding when you need professional advice, ensure Breaking Barriers remains solvent

Other Responsibilities:

• Understanding the vision, mission, goals and values of Breaking Barriers together with a good grasp of the operational context and the expectations of partners
• Strategic leadership and vision: help to guide the organisation with a strategic vision, aligning the board and staff's efforts with the mission. Ensure that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
• Facilitating discussions: Lead conversations when necessary, ensuring focus on key issues and decisions
• Leveraging opportunities: Support and participate in fundraising strategies, leveraging networks, and engaging with donors and stakeholders to secure necessary resources for the organisation's work
• CEO and SLT support: Maintain a constructive relationship with the CEO and SLT, creating a positive and strong working relationship to jointly set and achieve appropriate targets, staying in regular contact and acting as a sounding board to discuss strategic or staffing related matters, issues - coaching, supporting and challenging as necessary
• Ambassadorship: Act as an ambassador, representing and promoting the organisation's mission, values, and interests to external stakeholders, enhancing its reputation, and fostering collaboration, fundraising and promotional opportunities

Person Specification: 

We are seeking board members with a passion for the mission, vision and values of Breaking Barriers, and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience which we define as people from a refugee background, with first hand experience of seeking sanctuary or migration to the UK.

In addition, we actively seek candidates who bring any of the following:

• Prior fundraising expertise: focusing on corporate and high-end individual funding to generate leads, ability to contribute to active fundraising efforts, introductions to relevant networks and relationships
• Leadership experience at a senior level within corporate organisations and a commitment to actively making introductions to relevant networks and contacts
• Refugee/forced migration sector experience: leading or developing initiatives/programmes in areas relevant to the mission, such as employability or recruitment

To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack.

Other considerations

• As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.
• Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully considered when deciding action.   

How to apply

If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. To apply, please submit a CV and statement (up to approximately 500 words/1 A4 page) outlining:

• Why you are interested in the role
• What skills you would bring to be successful in this role
• Any experience you would like to highlight
• Any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process

Please note that applications without a covering letter will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is 11:30pm on Tuesday 09 September. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. 

Join the board of the national charity dedicated to supporting disabled children, young people and their families.

Trustee

Employer – Kids

Location – London (Meetings in Person)

Salary - Voluntary (Reasonable expenses reimbursed)

Hours - Approx. 1 day per month

Trustees also take part in at least one committee—such as the Finance and Audit Committee, Services and Safeguarding Committee, or People, Culture and Governance Committee—which typically meet online up to four times a year

Who we are:

Kids is on a mission to create a world where all kinds of kids have all kinds of opportunities.

Founded in 1970, we have grown into a national organisation supporting over 22,000 children, young people and families each year across England.

We are on an ambitious journey to reach at least 120,000 disabled children, young people and their families each year by 2027. Our vision is bold yet achievable: a society where disabled children, young people and their families enjoy equal rights and opportunities.

Now in the fourth year of an ambitious five-year strategy, we’re pursuing four bold goals:

• Support – Delivering impactful, sustainable services
• Innovate – Designing new models to transform lives
• Speak Up – Empowering young people to be agents of change
• Sustain – Building the financial and structural strength to grow

The Role

As our next Trustee, you’ll play a vital leadership role in bringing our vision to life. Working closely with our Chair, CEO, and Executive Leadership Team, you will provide strategic oversight, guide our governance, and help scale our impact.

Time Commitment

This role is about more than simply being available—it’s about being genuinely engaged. We're hoping to find someone who feels inspired to make this a meaningful part of their journey. It may be your primary board or leadership role, given the depth of involvement, but it also offers the opportunity to contribute in a truly rewarding way.

Who You Are

We’re looking for four passionate individuals who bring compassion, curiosity, and credibility. People who value respectful dialogue, champion inclusion, and lead with integrity.

You’ll bring your unique perspective to enhance our culture—not just fit into it. You’ll contribute to a dynamic board that balances strategic scrutiny, inclusive leadership, and good governance with genuine care and collaboration.

You don’t need to have all the answers, but you should bring:

• Experience in governance or senior leadership
• A passion for disability rights, equity, and inclusion
• A commitment to empowering diverse voices
• A collaborative spirit and systems-thinking mindset

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of disability, those from underrepresented communities, and individuals who reflect the diversity of the families and children we serve.

Our Culture

At Kids, we celebrate what makes each of us unique. Our culture is rooted in care, collaboration, creativity, and professionalism. We actively listen and strive to ensure everyone we work with feels heard, respected, and included.

We are committed to breaking down systemic barriers, including racism, ableism, sexism, and other forms of injustice. This is an ongoing journey, and we’re dedicated to learning and growing together.

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible. If you need information in an alternative format or adjustments at any stage, please contact us —we’d love to hear how we can support you.

In Closing

You’ll be joining a brilliant team of Trustees, a passionate leadership team, and an organisation ready for change. Together, we’ll help build a world where disabled children and young people are celebrated for who they are and supported to reach their full potential.

This isn’t just a role. It’s a chance to reimagine what’s possible.

Join us. Lead with us. Grow with us.

For more information about this role, please visit our careers page

Application & Recruitment Process

• Closing date: 30th September 2025
• Online Interview and Face-to-Face meeting: October 2025
• If you’re inspired to join our Board, please complete our online application and upload an up-to-date CV, with a 2-page limit on an A4 document. Shortlisted candidates will have the chance to showcase their strengths and discuss important topics alongside our leadership team.