Volunteer volunteer roles in leatherhead, surrey

CAT FOSTERER

Cat Fosterer (Guildford & Epsom)

We’re looking for cat-loving volunteers to play a vital role in helping us improve the wellbeing of the cats in our care whilst they wait to be rehomed. Can you help them by providing a calm and caring home whilst we find their purrfect forever home?

Overview of the opportunity

As a cat fosterer, you would be supporting the RSPCA in providing our cats with the safety of your home whilst tending to their welfare needs such as feeding and grooming. In addition to this, by providing a temporary loving environment, you will play a crucial role in a cat’s wellbeing and socialisation, which will significantly improve their chances of successful rehoming.

Once everything is in place, the Guildford & Epsom Branch will guide you through the fostering process and ensure that you have all the necessary equipment, food, and veterinary care for your fostered cat. The RSPCA is also happy to reimburse any other pre-agreed expenses that you may incur through volunteering for us.

Whilst our cats are in your foster care, you will: 

• Provide them with care, suitable housing, and a safe environment as per our policies and guidelines.
•  Feed, water, and groom them in line with our advice.
•  Transport them to any veterinary appointments if required.
•  Provide them with your time and patience.
• Help us spread the word about the cats in your care so they might find their forever home quicker.
•  Playing and cuddles are also a must!

What we are looking for in a volunteer Cat Fosterer

•  Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had plenty of experience caring for cats.
•  Fostering experience is beneficial but not essential as training is provided.
•  For their wellbeing, our cats need to be kept in a separate room, so the whole family should be on board.
•  Any existing pets or animals need to have been spayed/neutered (some medical reasons may mean they cannot be so, please let us know if this is the case).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

What we can offer you as a volunteer Cat Fosterer

•  You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the cats in your care.
• Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
•  Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and fostering training programme.
•  Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

It is worth mentioning that our cats do have different needs as whilst some are ready for rehoming others may require rehabilitation or ongoing medication. Therefore, we also aim to understand your situation and circumstances to ensure that we match you with your perfect foster cat.

PLEASE ONLY APPLY FOR THE ABOVE VACANCY IF YOU LIVE IN THE UK

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

meditation can give us a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit both our emotional wellbeing and overall health. Do you have experience in delivering meditation sessions and would like to give back your time to support people in crisis?

We are recruiting for a volunteer to run meditation sessions.

The hustle and bustle of everyday life can leave us feeling tired and burnt out. People in our services are feeling this more than ever and would benefit from learning mindfulness techniques and strategies. It is important for us to pay more attention to the present moment, our own thoughts, feelings and the world around us as it is known to support and improve our mental wellbeing, sleep, and increase our overall happiness.

What you will be doing

• Facilitate a meditation sessions, one to one or in a small group over video call
• Plan each session and identify any items needed for the Meditation sessions
• Lead on the logistics and set up of the session alongside the staff team
• Inspire and motivate people using the services to attend
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• Experience delivering Meditation group sessions
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital funds for our work and act as incredible advocates for the rights of children both in the UK and around the world.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. 

Volunteering in the shop

Mary's Living & Giving for Save the Children is unique - a vibrant result of the generous gifts of local individuals and companies being turned around by the skills and passions of volunteer teams, to create a destination retail experience. Selling womenswear, menswear, shoes, and bags to household goods, our shops can be found in the London villages and bring in vital funds for Save the Children.

Our Barnes Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied.

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick.

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children. 

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related). 

How to apply

Express your interest on email via the apply button. 

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. 

BFUK are seeking enthusiastic, compassionate volunteers to support the delivery of our creative and educational hospital workshops. These sessions not only offer children and young people the opportunity to be imaginative, learn something new, and socialise, but also serve as a welcome distraction from time spent in the hospital. There is always something new to experience; previous workshops have included various crafts, make-up artistry, indoor gardening, hands-on VR demonstrations and mocktail making!

Our workshops take place in Great Ormond Street Hospital on Tuesdays and University College Hospital on Wednesdays.

As a Workshop Volunteer, you will:

• Assist with the preparation of workshop activities and support the sessions to run smoothly
• Chat and engage warmly with children, young people and their families during activities, offering encouragement and support
• Adhere to safeguarding policies and report concerns to the BFUK Team
• Have the opportunity to plan and lead your own workshop, if you wish

What do we look for in our Workshop Volunteers?

• A desire to work with children (age 5-12) or young people (age 13-18)
• A passion for inspiring creativity and learning
• Commitment to BFUK’s core values: equity, empathy, empowerment, connection and advocacy

What do our Workshop Volunteers gain?

• Enhanced DBS will be provided
• Safeguarding Level One Training
• Direct experience working with children and young people
• Opportunities to develop teaching and facilitation skills
• Experience working within a hospital setting
• Opportunities to socialise with other members of our volunteer community

As a charity that supports children and young people, we make safeguarding individuals our top priority. For this reason, all volunteers are subject to an enhanced criminal record and disclosures check. We also ask all volunteers to adhere to our Safeguarding, Equality and Confidentiality policies. These are nothing to worry about and if you have any questions, our team are happy to support you.

HEKIMA

HEKIMA promotes children rights and the well-being of the children and youth. We work under the guidance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Hekima is a Tanzanian organization dedicated to promoting child rights and protecting youth from violence.

They achieve this through community accountability, empowering children and young people to demand their rights and re-strengthening child protection systems. Their focus areas include street children, child labor, and child trafficking.

Welcome for contributing your effort and being open-minded to learning in a small organization that matters to helping children and youth.

Develop Monitoring Plan

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

We are seeking a volunteer to help develop a Monitoring Plan for our 2025–2027 Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan is finalized, and we now need support in designing a practical framework to track progress and measure impact.

Weekly Time Commitment

7-9 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

3-4 weeks

Meditation can give us a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit both our emotional wellbeing and overall health. Do you have experience in delivering meditation sessions and would like to give back your time to support people in crisis?

The hustle and bustle of everyday life can leave us feeling tired and burnt out. People in our services are feeling this more than ever and would benefit from learning mindfulness techniques and strategies. It is important for us to pay more attention to the present moment, our own thoughts, feelings and the world around us as it is known to support and improve our mental wellbeing, sleep, and increase our overall happiness.

What you will be doing

• Facilitate a weekly online meditation session in a small group
• Plan each session and identify any items needed for the Meditation sessions.
• Lead on the logistics and set up of the session alongside the staff team.
• Inspire and motivate people using the services to attend.
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team.

The skills you need

• Have an interest in quizzes
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Good communication skills
• Calm and patient approach

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

The role of Volunteer Clerk

The Clerk attends board meetings, provides effective administrative support to the Council, ensures the Council is properly constituted, and manages information and document control effectively in accordance with legal requirements. This is a flexible role which for the most part can fit around the existing commitments of a volunteer.

Do you enjoy multi-tasking and coordinating events? Is attention to detail one of your strengths? If so, we’d love to hear from you. You don’t need an Armed Forces background, just good organisation, and IT skills.

What is an Administration Coordinator?

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas, each delivering support to serving personnel, veterans, and their families. Every branch has a team of volunteers who make this possible.

The Administrator Coordinator is a key member of the team, ensuring the smooth running of the branch and supporting day to day operations. This role is at the heart of the branch, overseeing the group inbox, organising meetings, and liaising with volunteers and external stakeholders.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

We aim to provide financial, practical, and emotional support when it’s needed most. To do this we need excellent administrators to keep things running efficiently behind the scenes.

What would you be doing?

• Every SSAFA Branch has different needs, however, below are the main activities of a Branch Administration Coordinator.
• Overseeing enquiries: Overseeing the administration of the branch shared inbox and post, ensuring queries are answered.
• Getting people together: Organising internal meetings, both virtually and face to face
• Planning and organising: Liaising with internal and external stakeholders to arrange events such as the Branch Annual General Meeting
• Note taking and recording: Maintaining accurate records of meetings and decisions.
• Communicating: Supporting the Branch Chair with internal communications, keeping other volunteers up to date and informed
• Tracking and ordering: Keeping a record of branch assets, ordering stationery, and ensuring maintenance of equipment
• Supporting health and safety: Supporting the Branch Chair with administration of personal, office and event risk assessments where required

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Give back to the Armed Forces community.
• Become part of the SSAFA community and build networks across your local area.
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would I receive?

• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Local induction and support, from other branch volunteers
• Access to a range of e-learning courses as well as local opportunities to keep your knowledge and skills up to date.
• Support from regional volunteering and operations employees
• Regular meetings and events to learn and share information.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people with good written and verbal communication skills.
• Some experience of coordinating people or events is beneficial.
• Good IT skills e.g., confident using email and online diaries– you will receive your own SSAFA email address.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach.
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and boundaries.
• This role would suit someone who would like to volunteer regularly, each week.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA takes the utmost care at every step of volunteer recruitment to ensure that the people we involve are suitable and appropriate. All measures taken are to help make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

Are references required? Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No

Shout is the UK’s only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. When people text 'Shout' to 85258, they are connected to a Shout Volunteer for a text conversation. Our volunteers provide a safe space for people to share what's causing them distress, while showing warmth and compassion.

Tasks and Responsibilities

If your application is successful, you’ll be enrolled in a training group. New groups start every two weeks.

Shout Volunteers receive 25 hours of free training in communication, listening, managing and assessing risk, and problem solving. The training is self-paced and done online. You’ll learn how to bring people in distress to a place of calm and practice skills that will be useful to you throughout life.

As we are investing in you throughout your time with us, our hope is that you will complete the training in a timely manner and look at this as a longer term commitment. The experience you gain over time is valuable and our goal is to have volunteers commit to 200 hours on the platform, which can take up to two years to complete, as we ask you to take one 2-4 hour shift per week. 

Our Volunteer Training Support team is here to support you, answer any questions and provide feedback during training and throughout your time with Shout. You’ll be joining an incredibly supportive volunteer community and have access to the resources you need to do your role.

As a volunteer, you’ll be supporting people in distress, so it’s important we see the skills required to do that while you are in training. While most trainees complete the training and go on to volunteer, not everyone will pass the training. If this happens, there are other ways you can still support us.

Selection Criteria

A Shout Volunteer is kind and compassionate, a good listener, and has the ability to remain calm when supporting people in crisis. You will also:

• Understand the difference between being friendly and being a friend

• Be aware of your own mental health and wellbeing

• Be open-minded

• Be supportive

• Be reliable

• Be discreet and able to respect confidentiality at all times

• Be accepting and non-judgemental

• Be passionate about contributing some of your time to a cause such as Shout

• Adopt a growth mindset, and be willing to accept feedback

Requirements

• You must live in the United Kingdom or New Zealand while volunteering. 
• You must be over 18 years of age.
• You will need a reliable internet connection and a private place to take your shift.
• All of your volunteering must be done using a laptop or desktop computer and Google Chrome.

It’s worth spending time thinking about the nature of the role, and whether it’s right for you. We support all texters, regardless of race, religion, sexual identity or issue. You will need to be comfortable addressing topics frequently discussed with texters (suicide, self-harm, depression, etc.) without compromising your own mental health. 

Before you apply, please consider whether either of the following applies to you:

• Have you recently experienced grief, loss or change issue/s? For example; someone close to you has been ill or has died, you’ve lost your job, your relationship has ended.

• Is your current mental health and wellbeing in a place such that the stress and pressure of listening to the challenges of others would bring additional burden to you personally?

Benefits to Volunteers

The role is rewarding and can save lives. Shout Volunteers tell us they gain a sense of pride, satisfaction and purpose from taking conversations. They also tell us that their own wellbeing increases, they learn valuable skills and gain experience they can use at work and in their personal lives.

Volunteering can also be a great addition to your CV. You do not need to have any past experience in mental health to be a Shout Volunteer - we’ll provide you with all the training and support you need to do the role.

Application Process

You will need to create your account and fill in the application using a laptop or desktop computer and in a Google Chrome browser. This is a standard requirement for all of our systems at Shout, from the application through to the platform.

You should leave up to an hour to complete the form. As Shout is a text based service and we do not conduct in person interviews for our volunteer candidates what you write in your application and the strength of your references are how we get to know you. 

We appreciate when candidates take the time to write thoughtful, considered answers. We recommend you review your application with an eye toward things like spelling, grammar and punctuation. While some of our texters will occasionally reach out using more informal text speak, our volunteers respond in full sentences and double check their messages for accuracy before hitting send. 

Your application will be reviewed once we have received responses from both of your references. We ask for a personal reference and a professional reference. The personal reference can be a friend or colleague but the other must be someone who knows you professionally or has supervised you in some way. 

This could be a manager or supervisor from where you work or a teacher or educator from where you study. We recommend you choose references who are able to speak to your ability to fulfil the selection criteria outlined above.

We do not accept references from family members. This includes your partner or their relatives, your children, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents or godparents. 

Please allow up to a month for us to review your application and return a decision. 

If your application is approved, you can book your place on training. Training groups usually start every two weeks and spaces are available to book a couple of months ahead. While you are in training and before you are allowed on the platform we will carry out a background check.

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital funds for our work and act as incredible advocates for the rights of children both in the UK and around the world.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. 

Volunteering in the shop

Mary's Living & Giving for Save the Children is unique - a vibrant result of the generous gifts of local individuals and companies being turned around by the skills and passions of volunteer teams, to create a destination retail experience. Selling womenswear, menswear, shoes, and bags to household goods, our shops can be found in the London villages and bring in vital funds for Save the Children.

Our Blackheath Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied.

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick.

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children. 

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related). 

How to apply

Express your interest on email via the apply button. 

Please note, that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this post. 

Do you want to see more happiness and kindness in the world? We’re looking for dynamic Volunteers to be part of creating exactly that!

About the Role:

Our volunteers bring people together for shared online learning experiences, based on positive psychology, that boost the wellbeing of everyone involved.

Our groups and courses can be run online or in-person in your local area.

- The amazing 6-week Happiness Habits Course is designed to be run by pairs of volunteers.  It features expert videos, science-backed exercises and the chance to form meaningful connections. Our course has been specially designed to gather the insights of the world's leading experts on six fundamental aspects of a happy and meaningful life: Gratitude, Self-Care, Relationships, Resilience, Kindness, and Meaning. It is a very impactful (many say life-changing) experience.

- Alternatively, you can get involved by supporting a Monthly Group, bringing like-minded people together to learn evidence-based tools for creating a happier and more meaningful life. Explore the monthly themes and encourage people to set personal actions towards happiness, that support both themselves and others.

Volunteering with Action for Happiness is a path of action that consistently feels like you are making a difference in the world. You don’t have to be an expert - or be happy all the time. If you are a warm and enthusiastic person that is more than enough to get started.

Why Volunteer with Us?

Do something that matters: spreading happiness and witnessing people transform for the better is a huge source of meaning.

Grow your skills: inspiring others, learning together and reinforcing your own happiness skills all contribute to personal growth.

Build community: meeting like-minded people, building lasting friendships and belonging to a global community contributing to a better future for all.

How do I know it’s right for me?

Try out free VOLUNTEER TRAINING via the Action For Happiness website and decide for yourself.

We've designed it especially to help you answer questions like this as it explains thoroughly what being a volunteer involves and helps you reflect on your readiness.

What is the time commitment?

You'll need to set aside a couple of hours for the training initially and a few more for planning your course or group and connecting with your co-volunteer. Then you'll need a couple of hours per session for facilitating (x6 weekly sessions for a course, or x1 session per month for a group). 

- Apply today! Together, we can inspire change that ripples out through people’s lives, communities and the world.
 

RSBC are looking for volunteers to get involved with our range of online clubs for children and young people with visual impairments. 

Role: Online Activities Volunteer

Commitment: Currently, sessions are run both during the week (mostly in the afternoon) and at weekends (usually on a Saturday). Activity volunteering is a flexible commitment, and you will be able to sign up for the session you like and when you have time. It really is up to you and your availability. 

Location: Remote

Availability: RSBC Events · https://lu.ma/rsbc

Age:  18+ 

Our Mission Statement: 

RSBC believes that every blind young person should have the chance to live life without limits. 

By giving young people the essential skills and confidence to take control of their life, they can unleash their true potential.

Our success depends on our values 

Underpinning all RSBC’s work are values embedded in trust and excellence: 

TRUST: Respect and accountability 

ENERGY: Straight talking and constantly learning 

AMBITION: Confronting reality and driving results 

MOTIVATION: Vision impaired children and young people are our number one priority, and we look for solutions, not problems 

What will I be doing?

Our amazing Activity Volunteers play a key role in supporting blind children and young people to take part in a variety of activities. These range from sports, creative (singing, performing, art), audiobook club and day trips. Our activities are designed for blind young people to meet new friends, gain confidence, learn new skills/sports, and become more independent. The skills you have developed in your career and personal life will be invaluable to our young people. 

Key Tasks and Main Duties 

Online activities: 

• support the session timetable 

• facilitate the communication and social interaction between participants 

• encourage members of the group to participate and share their opinions 

Who are you?

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need to have volunteered or worked before as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and willing to follow RSBC’s policies and can be an excellent ambassador for RSBC. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of sight problems. 

What’s in it for me?

RSBC offers the opportunity to gain insight and experience into helping others with sight issues. As part of your volunteering, you will have access to Sighted Guide training, a training session designed to help you understand the issues and complexities of sight problems and give you the ability to help others navigate the world.

RSBC also provides paid expenses for your volunteering experience, you can claim up to £10 per day.

RSBC can also provide references and impact reports from your volunteering if required. 

You will be fully supported in your role by our team of expert and compassionate service delivery team.

Develop or utilise your skills – As a volunteer, you’ll be given plenty of opportunities to develop new skills or use those you already have, which can help to build your CV, boost your employability and give you a sense of satisfaction. 

What's in it for the Community? 

Make a difference to people’s lives

Help in your community

Help deliver creative services to help people with sighted issues feel included in the world around them.

Make a direct and tangible difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted children and young people. 

Safeguarding:

Due to the nature of the role, before you can begin volunteering with RSBC there are some required safeguarding checks which will need to be completed.

All RSBC volunteers undergo an Enhanced DBS check (paid for by RSBC) and must provide two references.

All volunteers will also be booked onto safeguarding training.

RSBC risk assesses all its services and activities.

Next Steps: 

If this sounds like you, please fill out an expression of interest, and one of our volunteer team members will get back to you!

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. 

A bit about this role

This role is based in the Canterbury area covering postcodes CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT6, ME13.

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers
• Planning fundraising events and activities with your team
• Allocating tasks before and during fundraising events
• Keeping financial records from fundraising events
• Encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 
• Following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events