Volunteer team assistant volunteer roles in romford, essex

Events Volunteer

We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers. Our volunteers are a key part of achieving our goals and their support is vital. Join us. 

About this opportunity
We are looking to recruit a Regional Development Event Volunteer for the London area. As an Event Volunteer, you will be participating in events and promoting them locally. 
We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.
This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones.

About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally.
You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. 
You’ll be friendly and welcoming and able to work as part of a team, with flexibility to travel across London.

Apply 
- Read through the role description and project brief carefully
- Apply by clicking the ‘Apply’ link provided.

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

Our Friends Ageing Better (FAB) project is looking for volunteer hosts for our FAB cafés around Bristol. In this volunteer role, you’ll be part of creating vibrant, welcoming community spaces that build relationships and connect people with activities in their local community.

At Age UK Bristol, we want to change the way we age. We aim to keep people aged 55+ well and active, encouraging Bristol to be an Age Friendly city. We do this in 3 ways - through providing practical help and supporting people’s emotional and physical wellbeing in a range of ways depending on their needs.  In addition, we want to prevent people from needing our help wherever possible.  We do this in our strategic work, where we aim to create the conditions for older adults to remain healthy and independent.

We are looking for FAB Cafe Host Volunteers for the following cafes

• Avonmouth - Mondays, 2:30-4:30
• Southville - Tuesdays 10:00-2:30
• Withywood - Tuesdays 11:00-1:00
• St Werburghs LGBT+ - Thursdays, 10:00-12:00
• Fishponds - Fridays 2:00-4:00

The role involves

• Welcoming older people who are new to the FAB café
• Facilitating conversation and activities in the group
• Promoting your local FAB café and the FAB membership card scheme
• Keeping sign-up sheets for attendees at cafes
• Providing information about events and activities happening in the local area with the support of the FAB team

The qualities and skills required for this role are

• Welcoming and friendly disposition, with the ability to include people.
• Reliability.
• Ability to communicate well with a diverse range of people.
• Ability to respond to people’s varied access needs (such as hearing loss) to make sure each individual can participate well.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a busy community setting.
• An understanding of the needs of older people.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

CHARITY SHOP ASSISTANT

Charity Shop Assistant (North Finchley - RSPCA Finchley & District Branch)

Our charity shop in the heart of North Finchley is looking for a friendly volunteer to join our team and help make our shop a huge success. Make new friends, have fun, and help us help more animals!

Overview of opportunity

As a volunteer Charity Shop Assistant, you would join a small team working with the shop managers and other volunteers to help make it a success and raise vital funds for animal welfare.

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

About Our Charity Shop in North Finchley

The shop is part of the RSPCA Finchley, Golders Green, Hendon & District Branch and plays an essential role in raising the profile of the RSPCA in our local community and funds for our branch so that we can continue our vital animal welfare work. Our shops sell a mixture of donated items, including clothes & accessories, books, bric-a-brac, electricals and collectables.

We have positions available on the shop floor and in our stock room or you could

volunteer to do a mixture of both.

Volunteer Charity Shop Assistant responsibilities

•  Helping customers in the shop find what they need.
•  Accepting donations of items and money from the public.
• Processing sales through the till and card machine, including Gift Aid.
• Sorting through donated items to determine what we can sell.
•  Preparing donated items for sale by steaming and hanging items.
• Merchandising stock on the shop floor.
• Creating attractive shop window displays.

What we are looking for in a volunteer Charity Shop Assistant

•  Friendly volunteers who are confident talking to people.
• Retail experience would be ideal but is not necessary as full training will be given.
• We are ideally aiming for someone who is flexible and can offer an ongoing commitment predominately on set days each week based on your availability.
• Good communication and numeracy skills.
•  You will need to be aged 18 or over.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Charity Shop Assistant

•   A way to meet new people and make new friends in your local area.
• A place where you will learn excellent new skills to add to your CV, such as customer service, multi-tasking, merchandising, and many more.
• An excellent induction and training programme relevant to your role.
•  The opportunity to make a huge difference to the welfare of animals.
•  Reimbursement for any reasonable travel expenses you may incur whilst volunteering with us.

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

Join our amazing team and make a real difference to people living with sight loss. Help create a welcoming and safe environment for people to share their experiences, ask questions and support each other and connect with a local community in a group setting via Facebook.

In this role you will be:
• Creating a warm and welcoming environment – Welcoming new members to the group and encouraging participation.
• Supporting group conversations – Instigating dialogue based on eye health related days/events or more interest-based topics.
• Working with a Volunteer Moderator and engagement Team to create engaging content for the Group.

What you’ll gain from the role:
• A chance to build a strong community; by engaging with the people with sight loss and local and national organisations.
•  A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people, sharing information and working as a team to create and share content.
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups, both with your manager and your fellow moderators and engagement volunteers.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers through regular moderator meetings.

How often will I be needed?

• 5 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• This role requires 1 reference

Location

Region

• North East, West Midlands, South West, Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber, Greater London, South East, Northern Ireland, Scotland, East Midlands, North West

Home based

• This role is home based

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• An understanding and interest in maximising the benefits of social media platforms. A willingness to learn about local services and activities to inform the community as appropriate. Interested in helping people get the information they need. Good communication skills.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

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

The branch are looking for indoor fosterers so applicants would need to have a suitable spare room.

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

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind
• Access to Sense discounts and advice, including cashback and discounts on hight street brands, as well as 10% off at Sense charity shops.

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

At CPRE, we’re passionate about making the countryside a better place for everyone to enjoy. This flexible, micro-volunteering role is a great way to stand up for the countryside if you don’t have much time to spare! You’ll take quick and easy online actions to support our campaigns from home (or wherever you have internet access!) at a time that suits you.

We're particularly keen to recruit people aged 18 - 30 (although this role is open to everyone!) as we want to being younger voices into our campaigning work.

This is an excellent opportunity for those looking explore a career in environmental campaigning and advocacy. By taking easy online actions, you’ll help us to champion environmental issues such as the climate emergency, renewable energy, biodiversity and sustainable transport.

We’ll ask you to take and feedback on England based campaigning actions, to inform what we do in the future. Your ideas will shape the way we do our campaigns in the future.

We’re looking to build our team of activists for a series of actions over the next few months. You’ll actively shape the future of this work, and you’ll be testing an exciting new way to volunteer with CPRE! Interested in taking part? Find out more below.

Why we want you

We want to gain the support of people with many different experiences of the countryside to inform what we do so we can work towards a thriving countryside for everyone.

You'll join a group of enthusiastic volunteers taking actions and giving feedback that directly supports our campaigning work. Some actions will take as little as 5 minutes!

Sign up is easy - we just need a few details and then you'll join our activist pool. Please note you must be 18 or over to sign up for this role.

What you will be doing

The types of actions we’ll ask you to take part may include:

• Build our understanding of what motivates you to support our campaigns, what you’d like to see us do in the future and how best you’d like to take part through surveys and feedback
• Sign a petition, send a letter to your MP using a template or take a survey
• Read / share articles & like / share posts / blogs
• Attend an online session / webinar / training eg on lobbying
• Feedback on campaigns content (reports, website, podcasts)

The skills you need

• An interest in the countryside and environmental issues
• Willing to give feedback as part of the role
• Access to a computer, tablet or smartphone with internet
• No experience necessary!

What's in it for you

• Use your enthusiasm, skills and experience to make a positive difference to the countryside
• Opportunity to influence future campaigning asks, and feedback on what works
• Access to online campaigning training and webinars
• Learn new advocacy and campaigning skills

We're seeking a volunteer who can take up the challenge of being our first ever Project Manager at URBAN YOUTH. A brand new youth work organisation in London.

Who Are We?

We're setting up a new youth project in London called Urban Youth. Our aim is to create a positive community for young people, offering a number of activities and programmes that forge connections by getting young people together and away from their phones and social media. We want them to actively take part in fun and engaging interactive activities that create memories, boost confidence and resilience, and teach key skills for life – skills that young people can take with them into adulthood, helping to build their future.

Why We Are Doing This?

In a city grappling with the cost of living crisis, rising crime rates, and pervasive worry, it's easy to feel helpless. London is a city of dreams, but for many young people, it can also present unique challenges. Access to positive spaces, mentorship, and opportunities to develop crucial life skills can be limited. We saw a need for a fresh, vibrant approach to youth work – a place where young voices are heard, and potential is unleashed.

Can You Help Us Achieve This?

We need a dedicated and experienced volunteer to join us as our Project Manager. This pivotal role will lead the entire setup and operational running of Urban Youth, transforming our vision into a tangible, thriving youth project. You'll be instrumental in bringing our programmes to life, ensuring everything runs smoothly from concept to delivery.

We know you're busy. We know you have choices. So, why dedicate your precious time to Urban Youth in this crucial role? Because this isn't just volunteering; it's an unparalleled opportunity to:

• Lead from the Front: You'll be the driving force behind Urban Youth, responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing all aspects of our project's launch and ongoing activities.

• Build Something from the Ground Up: Take ownership of shaping our operational framework, implementing systems, and ensuring our activities are delivered effectively and safely for young people.

• Apply Your Project Management Prowess: Utilise your expertise in project planning, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder coordination within a dynamic, impactful setting.

• Be a Strategic Operator: Work closely with our management committee and volunteer coordinator to ensure our programmes align with our mission and deliver maximum benefit to young Londoners.

• Experience Unrivalled Satisfaction: Feel the profound satisfaction of knowing your leadership directly creates a positive impact on the lives of young people, fostering their growth and potential.

• Join a Dynamic Community: Become part of a passionate, supportive, and fun-loving team of like-minded individuals. Forge new friendships and find your own sense of belonging.

We Need You!

If you have a proven track record in project management, a keen eye for detail, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and a passion for youth empowerment, then we would love to have you join us in this exciting adventure. We're seeking someone with enthusiasm, a willingness to get hands-on, and a desire to help a new charity get set up and thrive, ultimately shaping and changing young people's lives.

Ready to Ignite Young People's Future by Leading Our Project?

This is your chance to be part of something extraordinary. To turn worry into hope, isolation into connection, and potential into reality, by directly leading the charge in bringing Urban Youth to life.

Don't just watch Young People's future unfold. Help build it!

URBAN YOUTH

Forging Connections | Creating Memories | Building Futures

A cancer diagnosis brings extra expense from day one. Every child or young person with a cancer diagnosis has a short-term disability and needs to apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP). The forms are long and complex and sometimes families need advice or support to ensure they include enough information to receive the correct level of financial support.

Your empathy, understanding and ability to identify the key information to enable families and young people to claim financial assistance will have a tremendous impact easing stress and allowing them to concentrate on supporting themselves physically and emotionally.

You will be an important part of the team and provide practical support to young people and families completing DLA and PIP forms which can seem lengthy and daunting to young people, and families. Each family’s needs are different, however support via benefits such as DLA and PIP are usually one of the first recommendations made to families seeking financial advice.

What you’ll be doing:

• Providing face to face to support to families of children and young people with a diagnosis of cancer
• Actively listening to families and asking relevant questions to enable them to identify specific support needs
• Supporting families to complete complex forms to enable them to claim DLA or PIP
• As a key part of the team recognise when to ask for other team members for advice or support

This will include:

• Looking at the DLA/PIP form with the family or young person
• Explaining the information Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) needs
• Coaching the family to include as much detail in their answers as necessary

The practical support required for this role will vary from taking the time to read through an application with a young person or family, who require a second opinion.  Others may require questions to be re-phrased to simplify them and make them more applicable to their lived experience.

You will be providing guidance on how to answer the questions on the forms and useful information to include. It may occasionally include filling in the form with the family/young person when they are not able to complete it themselves

Booking slots will be flexible to meet the individual need (30 minutes up to 2 hours)

There is scope and opportunity in this role for development into supporting families or young people with appeals.

What we’ll give you:

• The satisfaction of using your skills and talents to make a tangible difference in the lives of young cancer patients
• A solid introduction and first-hand experience of working in the charity sector with the opportunity to meet other Teams across the organisation and gain a clear insight into the day-to-day work of Young Lives vs Cancer
• Full induction and training with support from a dedicated volunteer manager
• The support of a friendly and knowledgeable team
• Experience of working with a social care team and opportunity to develop communication and planning skills and advocating for families
• Experience of working with and directly supporting children and young people with cancer and their families
• And of course, we’ll cover any out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Volunteering Policy!

You should be able to volunteer for 2 hours per week during Monday to Friday between 10am and 3pm at our Home from Home in London WC1.  We are flexible as to days or times to fit in with your other commitments.

We may close applications for this role early depending on applications

IAPWA was founded in 2009 and aims to provide protection and improve the welfare of animals in need. We exist for the benefit of the animals who need our help and are driven by those who are passionate about providing this lifeline. Our achievements have and continue to be possible through the combined dedication of everyone within the IAPWA team who enable us to make an impact through the collective action we take.

THE ROLE

In February this year, we launched the pilot for our Youth Ambassador Programme, encouraging students between 11-18 to sign up and work towards becoming a Youth Ambassador for the charity through fundraising, raising awareness and animal welfare advocacy. We received a significant interest and are now in a position to have a super successful first full run out of the programme starting in September 2025.

As the Education Partnerships Assistant, you will be aiding the Partnerships Manager in running and growing this year’s programme, while also developing a new programme aimed at schools rather than individuals called the Educator Partner Programme, where schools and education institutions work towards being recognized as an IAPWA Educator Partner.

The role will involve:

• Youth Ambassador Programme Support: Assisting with the day-to-day coordination of the IAPWA Youth Ambassador Programme, including supporting young people aged 11–18 as they complete their activities and challenges to achieve ambassador status.
• Event and Presentation Assistance: Helping to organise and attend school visits, presentations, and award ceremonies, including communicating with schools and coordinating with community supporters.
• Volunteer Engagement: Communicating with Youth Ambassadors and their families, celebrating their achievements, and maintaining positive and inspiring engagement throughout their journey with the programme
• Content Creation: Supporting the creation of Youth Ambassador Programme resources, certificates, welcome packs, and promotional content.
• Educator Partner Programme Development: Assisting in the development of the new Educator Partner Programme for schools and educational institutions, including planning activities, recognition criteria, and outreach strategies.
• Promotion and Outreach: Supporting the promotion of both education programmes through social media, email campaigns, and direct communication with schools, students, and local communities.
• Administration: Maintaining accurate records of participants, communications, and achievements, and ensuring timely responses to enquiries.
• Feedback and Reporting: Gathering feedback from participants and schools to help improve the programmes and compiling monthly updates to share progress with the Partnerships Manager.

THE PERSON

• A passion for animal welfare (essential)
• Knowledge of the education sector, either as a former teacher or a parent with involvement in school proceedings (desired, but not essential)
• Non-profit experience (desired, but not essential)
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Resourcefulness
• Effective team player
• Ability to multi-task and manage time effectively
• Excellent attention to detail
• Proactive approach
• Problem solving skills

About CARAS: 

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community. 

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives. 

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests. 

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society. 

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes. 

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do. 

About Youth ESOL: 

Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.

About the Role: 

CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our face-to-face study programme called ‘Get Ready for School.’ 

This programme is attended by young people out of education and is based in Tooting on Mondays and Wednesdays. Core delivery of the programme includes English, Maths, Digital skills, complemented by Reading and Writing for Pleasure.

Volunteers in this role are required to commit to at least one 2-hour session per week, during these times:

• Monday 10am - 3pm
• Tuesday 2pm - 6pm
• Wednesday 11am - 6pm

Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

Volunteer  Tasks and Responsibilities: 

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes;

• Help young people to build confidence in digital literacy;

• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources;

• Engaging learners in informal conversations or games during breaks to help them practice their conversational English.

• Checking the session plan aims with the lead teacher and assisting learners achieve them;

• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;

• Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class;

• Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project;

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential;

• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements: 

Essential 

• To be 18 years or older;

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (travel and food expenses can be reimbursed);

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;

• To be reliable and punctual;

• Excellent communication skills, especially with people who are new to English;

• The ability to volunteer on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons/evenings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months;

• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum seeker or refugee status

• Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check (DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a Caras community member who is more recently arrived in the UK);

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role 

Desirable 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• Meet new members of your local community; 

• Learn about different cultures; 

• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum; 

• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 

• Develop your skills and competencies; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering 

To Apply: 

To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form from the CARAS website using this volunteer role description to inform your answers with email subject header “Youth ESOL Teaching Assistant Volunteer”. 

Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with a member of the CARAS learning staff team and a community member. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP! 

 All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.