Volunteering projects volunteer volunteer roles in sydenham, greater london

A charity  based in  Croydon, Surrey, London, UK is looking for volunteer Charity Volunteer Assistants; to volunteer 30 unpaid hours per week. The Charity serves a multi ethnic community especially people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds. 

Responsibilities:

• To assist in the delivery of events (ours and those we are invited to), projects and our yearly summer community event.
• To assist in the daily collection and drop off of Greggs after day produce to various soup kitchens
• To assist in promotion of organisations services. eg flyer distribution, school workshops, etc.
• To assist in the delivery of essential services 
• To assist in our soup kitchen projects

Person Specification:

• Someone enthusiastic and passionate about charity work and committed to working towards the achievements of the charities objectives.
• Knowledege of Black and ethnic minority tradition/culture is preferable however not essential.
• Experience is desirable.

This is a non-paid one year temporary position however accommodation and maintenance will be provided.

All interested candidates are required to send us a letter of application, a resume, and contact to the email provided. If your application is accepted, you will be invited for a telephone interview. Any applications received after the closing date will not be considered unless we have been unable to find a suitable candidate for this vacancy.

Successful candidates will require a DBS/POLICE check and references prior to commencement.

A charity  based in  Croydon, Surrey, London, UK is looking for volunteer Charity Volunteer Assistants; to volunteer 30 unpaid hours per week. The Charity serves a multi ethnic community especially people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds. 

Responsibilities:

• To assist in the delivery of events (ours and those we are invited to), projects and our yearly summer community event.
• To assist in the daily collection and drop off of Greggs after day produce to various soup kitchens
• To assist in promotion of organisations services. eg flyer distribution, school workshops, etc.
• To assist in the delivery of essential services 
• To assist in our soup kitchen projects

Person Specification:

• Someone enthusiastic and passionate about charity work and committed to working towards the achievements of the charities objectives.
• Knowledege of Black and ethnic minority tradition/culture is preferable however not essential.
• Experience is desirable.

This is a non-paid one year temporary position however accommodation and maintenance will be provided.

All interested candidates are required to send us a letter of application, a resume, and contact to the email provided. If your application is accepted, you will be invited for a telephone interview. Any applications received after the closing date will not be considered unless we have been unable to find a suitable candidate for this vacancy.

Successful candidates will require a DBS/POLICE check and references prior to commencement.

Welcome to Unlock YOUR Potential, a dynamic new start-up charity dedicated to transforming lives and empowering individuals from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. We are passionately committed to creating new pathways for positive change through our comprehensive programmes and holistic support.

We are currently a not-for-profit organisation, going through charity registration. 

Our Vision: We envision a world where every individual has the opportunity to unlock their full potential and make meaningful contributions to society.

Our Mission: Our mission is to empower, inspire, and support those facing barriers and challenges. We deliver tailored programmes that foster skills, confidence, and networks, paving the way for success.

Our Values:

• Passion: Our work is fuelled by a deep care for the communities we serve.

• Results: We are driven by the tangible outcomes and achievements of our beneficiaries.

• Innovation: We constantly seek innovative methods to enhance our programmes.

• Collaboration: We believe in the power of partnership and inclusivity.

• Integrity: Our operations are marked by professionalism, ethics, and transparency.

At Unlock YOUR Potential, we will be offering a suite of transformative programmes and services designed to empower individuals from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Our holistic approach will address key areas such as employment, education, life skills, mentoring, and personal development.

It's an exciting time to launch our new charity with the new government's focus on getting people back to work or in training and development. There will be plenty of opportunities for us to make a huge impact, but we need to set the foundations and get ourselves ready to launch.

HR and Volunteering Manager:

We are looking for an HR and Volunteering Manager who can join our new charity start-up and help us build a solid foundation. You will be responsible for setting up and managing all aspects of our HR and volunteering programmes at Unlock YOUR Potential.

You will be responsible for:

• HR Programme Development and Management: Set up, develop, and manage the HR programme. Design and implement initiatives that enhance HR practices and volunteer management.

• Volunteer Recruitment and Retention: Develop strategies to recruit, train, and retain volunteers. Ensure volunteers are engaged and supported.

• Partnership Building: Collaborate with local businesses, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to create partnerships and opportunities.

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the HR and volunteering programmes, making adjustments as needed.

• Team Leadership: Lead and support a team of dedicated volunteers and staff.

• Fundraising and Outreach: Contribute to fundraising, grant applications, and community outreach efforts.

• Communication and Collaboration: Ensure effective communication and collaboration within the organisation.

Volunteering in this role can be incredibly rewarding, as you'll be making a significant impact on the charity's ability to achieve its mission while gaining valuable experience in the non-profit sector.

Join us in making a difference and unlocking the potential of disadvantaged people in our community!

Unlock YOUR Potential

• BREAKING BARRIERS
• UNLOCKING POTENTIAL

Stepping Stones Learning and Leisure is a small, friendly charity based in Southwark, providing inclusive activities for adults with learning disabilities. We believe everyone should have the chance to express themselves, connect with others, and take part in activities that bring joy, confidence, and new skills.

We’re currently looking for a Drama Volunteer to support our weekly drama group on Friday afternoons, held at St Faith’s Centre, Red Post Hill, SE24 9JQ (close to North Dulwich and Herne Hill stations).

About the Role

This role is ideal for someone with a background or strong interest in drama, theatre or performance. You’ll support our Drama Tutor to deliver inclusive and engaging drama sessions for a small group of adults with learning disabilities. Each year, the group works towards a production which is performed at our end-of-year Summer Show, making this a fun, creative, and rewarding volunteering opportunity.

As a Drama Volunteer, you will:

• Assist the tutor in planning and running weekly drama activities
• Encourage and support learners during rehearsals and performances
• Help with setting up props, costumes and resources for sessions
• Offer 1:1 or small group support where needed to help participants engage
• Help build a warm, inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels safe to express themselves

What You’ll Gain

Volunteering with us is a chance to:

• Gain hands-on experience in drama facilitation and inclusive practice
• Contribute to a creative and meaningful community project
• Feel the joy of supporting learners to grow in confidence and express themselves
• Experience working with adults with learning disabilities in a supportive setting
• Develop skills in teamwork, adaptability, communication, and creative problem-solving
• Have a place in a welcoming and friendly team of tutors, staff and volunteers

What We’re Looking For

You don’t need to be a professional actor or drama teacher, just someone who is enthusiastic about drama and passionate about inclusion. We especially value:

• A background or interest in drama, theatre, or performance
• Good communication and a warm, encouraging approach
• Enthusiasm, patience, and a willingness to get involved
• A non-judgemental and inclusive mindset
• Reliability and commitment, especially in the lead-up to the summer show
• Flexibility to support a creative, sometimes unpredictable environment

Prior to volunteering, we ask all volunteers to:

• Attend an induction meeting
• Provide two references
• Complete a DBS check (we will arrange this)
• Commit to volunteering one session per week for 3 x 10 week terms throughout the year. For continuity for our service users, we ask that you commit to volunteer for a minimum of a year with us.

Do you want your work to have an impact? Use your skills in a meaningful way? Professors Without Borders is growing and is looking for talented volunteers with a passion for education to join our community. 

Summary

Professors Without Borders is a UK and Luxembourg registered charity with a mission to improve access to quality education (SDG4) for all. 

We are always looking for volunteers to contribute to our fast growth and help us reach communities around the world.

This is a voluntary, remote opportunity with flexible responsibilities. It’s an ideal position for those looking to learn new skills, grow their network, and give back by contributing their expertise to a meaningful cause. You will align with our core values, believe passionately in the power of education, and uphold our ethical standards.

We are particularly looking for individuals with experience in one or more of the following roles:

• Monitoring and Evaluation

• Grant Writing and Fundraising

• Project Management and Logistics

• Content Writing/Copywriting

• Marketing and Communications

• SEO expertise

• French Localiser 

• Web Design/Developer

• Graphic Designer

This is not a teaching role and we cannot assist with visas.

We look forward to hearing from you!

About CARAS:

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for young people currently include: ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), study group, youth club, swimming lessons and football.

About Youth Club:

Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14-19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games. We also work in partnership with a range of organisations to run a rich programme of workshops within our youth club. Some of these have included creative visual arts, drama, music and workshops on rights and entitlements of young asylum seekers. We also cook a hot meal from time to time and offer a range of snacks each week. Our casework team are also on-site to support young people with a range of advice and signposting needs, usually by-appointment.

Youth club takes place at Tooting Hub- Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7BU

About the role:

As a Youth Club volunteer, you would be helping young people to feel welcome, join in with activities and be a great role model.

Youth Club takes place every Wednesday at 6.00-8.30pm. We ask for a commitment of at least 2 sessions per month for a minimum of 6 months.

Tasks and responsibilities:

· To attend and contribute to volunteer de-briefs which occur 15 minutes after each session.

· To act as a positive role model and set standards of behaviour when volunteering with young people.

· To encourage and inspire young people to reach their full potential.

· To assist young people to both recognise and celebrate their achievements.

· To challenge young peoples’ negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manner.

· To adhere to CARAS Child Protection procedures, Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.

Requirements:

To be 18 years or older;

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

· To be reliable and punctual;

· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;

· The ability to volunteer on Wednesday evenings for a minimum of six months;

· Current resident of the UK;

· Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;

· Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to the start of role

Volunteer induction training currently takes place online once a month on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 6pm - 8pm. we offer the same trainings on Tuesday and Wednesday daytimes online between 12noon - 2pm once every 3 months.

Your availability to attend 1 general and 1 safeguarding online training session at these times within 3 months of your application would be a prerequisite of being accepted as a volunteer at CARAS.

Desirable:

· Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).

Through volunteering with us you will:

· 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;

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

Who Are We?

We're setting up a brand new youth work project in London called Urban Youth, that aims to create a positive community for young people that will offer a number of youth work activities and programmes that forge connections by getting young people together and away from their phones and social media to active take part in fun and engaginging interactive activities that create memories, boost confidence and resilence and teach key skills for life 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 volunteer with a passion for people and volunteering to join us as our first ever Volunteer Coordinator who is passionate about building strong teams and creating positive experiences for people, to lead from the front set up our volunteering programme from the ground up and recruit, induct and train our volunteers.

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

• Build the Backbone of Impact: You'll be instrumental in creating the systems and support structures that ensure our frontline youth workers and volunteers are recruited, trained, supported, and retained effectively. Your work directly enables their success, which directly impacts young lives.

• Shape a Thriving Culture: Help us develop policies and practices that foster a positive, inclusive, and highly motivated environment for every person who contributes to Urban Youth.

• Gain Hands-On Experience: Apply your HR/volunteer management knowledge or develop new skills in volunteer recruitment, onboarding, training, policy development, and retention strategies within a dynamic startup environment.

• Be a Strategic Partner: Work closely with our team to ensure we have the right people in the right places, all aligned with our mission to empower young Londoners.

• Experience Unrivalled Satisfaction: Feel the profound satisfaction of knowing your behind-the-scenes expertise directly contributes to the laughter, breakthroughs, and blossoming confidence of young people across London.

• 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 keen eye for detail, experience in HR or volunteer management or a key understanding of setting up a volunteer programme, and the ability to translate a vibrant mission into compelling culture of team spirit with lots of enthusiasm, a willingness to get hands-on, and a desire to help a new charity get set up by creating a pool of talented volunteers ready to shape and change young people lives, then we would really love to have you join us in this exciting adventure.

Ready to Ignite Young People's Future by Empowering our People?

This is your chance to be part of something extraordinary. To turn worry into hope, isolation into connection, and potential into reality,by ensuring Urban Youth has the incredible team it needs to thrive and shine.

Don't just watch Young People's future unfold. Help build the team that builds it!

URBAN YOUTH

Forging Connections | Creating Memories | Building Futures 

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 Club:

Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14-19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games.

Youth club takes place at Tooting Hub- Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7B

About the Role:

CARAS is looking for volunteer Football Assistants to support our Football sessions on Mondays, 5.30-7pm in Balham.

Football coaching sessions are led by Fulham FC Kicks programme weekly, supported by CARAS volunteers to offer welcome to young people.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities

· Welcoming young people to the session;

· Helping young people to register for sessions;

· Join in and be role model for young refugees and asylum seekers;

· Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;

· Following FULHAM FC safeguarding policy and CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management, online communications and all other policies as relevant.

Requirements:

Essential

· To be 18 years or older;

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

· To be reliable and punctual;

· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;

· The ability to volunteer on Monday evenings for a minimum of four months;

· Currently resident in the UK;

- A love of football, and wanting to encourage others to play.

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

· Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to start of role

Desirable

· Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).

Through volunteering with us you will:

· Meet new members of your local community;

· Learn about different cultures;

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

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

· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;

· Develop your skills and competencies;

· Be able to access relevant training;

We are looking for up to ten UK university students to join our volunteer Student Ambassadors team and help Ygam achieve its social purpose by reaching out to students at university. This will be achieved by advising Ygam on the needs of students, supporting with content development, organising activities at your campus, and join us at events to raise awareness of gaming and gambling harms.

We are seeking individuals who are outgoing, with a confident personality. You will enjoy engaging with other students and be able to advise us on the experiences of students with regards to gaming and gambling.We’d love to hear from students with an interest in mental health, psychology, content development, and gaming. 

The Children's Book Project is a national charity on a mission to tackle book poverty. We passionately believe that every child should have the opportunity to own a book and have, in the last year, celebrated gifting our 1 millionth book! We are looking for some wonderful volunteers to help us in managing book sorting and packing with a range of amazing corporate volunteers at our three HQs in Birmingham, Leeds and London.

We gift beautiful pre-loved and new books to schools and we gift within prison settings in order to reach children who may not otherwise have access to book ownership.

We are looking for volunteers in Birmingham, Leeds and London able to help us in the running of our book sorting days at each of our three HQs.  Ideally you will be able to commit to 2-3 days per half term.  (We work term-times only).  Our hours are 10am - 2:30pm.

We work with a range of amazing corporate volunteer teams who come to organise, sort and then pack our books in preparation for delivery. These corporate days are always full of energy and fun and we are looking for energetic and passionate people to support these events as Volunteer Coordinators - helping to make sure that there is a warm welcome, a clear plan for the day and that our one-off visitors can contribute productively.

What is required:

• On average, a commitment to 2 days per half term 
• Flexibility to travel to your local HQ for sorting and corporate volunteering days
• A can-do attitude and enjoyment of working as part of a team.

In return, you’ll get to be part of an extraordinary family of volunteers as we make a real and lasting difference to young lives – there is almost an immeasurable benefit to empowering a child to read for pleasure and we believe that no child should be denied access to a book through poverty. We would love your support!

About us

The Maudsley Hospital in Camberwell first opened in 1915, initially as a military hospital and then in 1923 as a psychiatric hospital. The hospital is home to both inpatient and outpatient services for children and adults. We provide more than 240 services to people in our local communities as well as being the UK's leading provider of national and specialist services.

About the role

We run a Clothes Bank for service users who are on the wards and may not have access to multiple items of clothing. The Clothes Bank currently relies on donations from staff at the Trust, and volunteers who sort the donated stock and bring it to service users on the wards. For this project, we need 2-4 volunteers who can commit each week on Wednesdays to help with this.

The role involves going up to the wards, speaking to ward staff to ask what items of clothing their service users need this week, and returning to the Community Link Centre where the donated clothes are kept and sorting the stock. This involves good organisational skills and teamworking ability, as you'll be working with other volunteers to make this happen. It's a really fun way to do a lot of good in a few hours, meet likeminded people and develop some new skills.

About you

This is an ideal role for anybody interested in building skills in administration, communication, organisation, and teamwork, and for anyone interested in fashion, sustainability, and mental health. There is a lot of scope for the volunteer to shape the future of the clothes bank and bring new ideas to improve its efficiency and drive donations, as well as potentially offer a more bespoke dressing service. Ultimately, if you believe in the power clothes can have in helping one feel their best, this role could be for you.

Key details

This role is available on Wednesdays between 9:00am-1:00pm and 2:00pm-5:00pm. The expected commitment is 2-3 hours a week, for a minimum of 9 months. This role is suitable for volunteers who are 18 years or older. People with lived experience of mental health conditions are encouraged to apply.

• Support onboarding, training of new volunteers

• Development, updating of training materials for volunteers

• Co-ordinate deployment of volunteers to specific projects 

• Development of LRC volunteer charter

• Advising Trustees of volunteer needs

• Liaising with team members, Trustees

• Taking part in relevant meetings

• Oversee operations

  • Project materials, equipment

  • Volunteer expenses approval

  • Contribution to website, social media content

Key competencies 

• Training / volunteer experience 

• IT competent

• Team working

• Good intuition, initiative

• Good communication – verbal & written

• Attention to detail

Role: Welcome volunteer

Team: Tooting Hub – CARAS ESOL (Youth/Adult)

Supervised by: Team Project Coordinator

Location: Tooting Hub site

Activity times: Monday or Wednesday

Time commitment: 2 hour shifts on a rolling basis.

We ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 4 months

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 the Role:

We are currently recruiting a team of volunteers to join our new Welcome team at Tooting Hub. This is a new role. Welcome volunteers will provide a friendly face to existing community members attending our regular projects. They will also be the important ‘face of CARAS and our welcome at the door’ to people attending projects for the first time, to visitors and to people dropping in unannounced to enquire about CARAS’s service. Volunteers will meet and greet, and ensure all visitors are responded to appropriately and introduced to the relevant member of staff, activity, project, or meeting. There will be an administrative element to the role (updating registers and emailing enquiries to CARAS staff, for example).

Who will you be?

We work hard to ensure our services feel welcoming and inclusive. It is important that this new team is representative of our diverse local and internal CARAS community. Whether you are new to volunteering with CARAS or are a regular volunteer looking to vary your role or a community member wanting to develop some leadership skills or volunteering experience, this might be the exact project for you.

Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities: 

· Signing up to a shift/s on the Tooting HUB welcome team rota

· Able to be at Tooting Hub in person to complete agreed shifts

· Welcoming staff, volunteers, existing and potential new community members and visitors

· Ensuring all visitors are responded to appropriately and introduced to the relevant member of staff, activity, project, or meeting

· Ensuring everyone completes the onsite register on arrival to comply with safeguarding, health and safety and fire evacuation policies

· Taking agreed initial intake information for new / drop in visitors wanting to attend a taster activity

· Conducting induction tours of the building and introductions to facilities, key staff, and partners

Requirements (all experience can be from paid or voluntary roles): 

Essential: 

· A calm, friendly, kind, and patient approach

· Happy and confident to meet new people and put them at their ease

· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English

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

· Confidence in using one’s own judgement to follow agreed policy

· Good IT admin skills in using Microsoft office, outlook, Google search, online forms etc

· A commitment to confidentiality and data protection

· Punctual and reliable

· To be able to volunteer on Mondays or Wednesdays for a minimum of four months

Desirable:

· Lived experience of seeking sanctuary and/ or the UK immigration system.

· Personal experience of working with people seeking asylum.

· Proficiency in one or more of the following community languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu, or Vietnamese.

We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process.

Benefits to Volunteering:

· 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.

· Obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering

· 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.

Bromley Experts by Experience runs different events for our members, and for the wider local Deaf and Disabled Community. Most events are monthly – apart from our annual Disability Pride. Events offer opportunities for Deaf and Disabled people to share ideas, feedback on local issues and get to know each other. Each event has two members of staff present, organising the agenda, setting up the room and supporting the tech to include online attendees. 

Welcome Volunteers help event attendees have a comfortable, accessible experience. They greet attendees arriving by taxi, direct people around the venue, pop the kettle on, and say hello to those coming along for the first time. Right before, and right after the event can get busy, having someone to specifically welcome attendees, and get them settled in, makes a big difference! 

What is involved:

Our Community Events include monthly Coffee & Chats – where members can socialise and meet new people and Forums – where members can share their lived experience and feedback on local services. 

• We send event dates, regularly in advance, and ask you to indicate which you can do. We’ll then check shortly before if anything has changed – we understand it sometimes does! 
• On the day – attend the relevant venue, for the events you are supporting. 

Staff will ask you to support attendees, by doing one or more of the following: 

• Meeting attendees from taxis and show them into the venue. 
• Greeting attendees as they come into the event space. 
• Helping attendees find a seat. 
• Making new or nervous attendees feel comfortable and welcome. 
• Introducing new attendees to each other or to staff at the event. 
• Asking if attendees would like a drink and popping the kettle on. 
• Letting people know where the toilets and other facilities are. 
• Handing out and collecting feedback forms. 
• Taking attendees back to taxis after the event closes. 

IMPORTANT: As a Deaf and Disabled People’s organisation, our regulations require that our staff, trustees and volunteers bring with them lived experience of disability (self-identified or otherwise). See how we define this below.

When / Where / How often?:

• We ask Welcome Volunteers to help at a minimum of two events each year. 
• Monthly events (Coffee & Chat and Forums) happen at Community House, South Street, Bromley, BR1 1RH on selected Thursday afternoons between 2pm to 4pm. Check the events page of our website for dates. 
• For monthly events, you will usually be needed at the start and end. 
• We ask Welcome Volunteers to arrive by 1.30pm. 
• You are welcome to stay for refreshments, or to go and come back. (You need to return by 3.55pm ready to help attendees leaving).

What you will get out of it:

• Receive a Volunteer Welcome and ongoing support from X by X.  
• Meet new people and be part of a team.  
• Experience of inclusive and accessible events. 
• Practice your interpersonal and communication skills. 
• Out of pocket travel expenses and free refreshments during the event. 
• Know you are part of creating a more accessible experience for attendees.

What we ask of you:

• Attend the events and meetings that you agree you are available for, and if something changes in your availability, let us know as soon as you can.
• Treat everyone with respect and in an inclusive way.  
• Follow event staff instructions on the day. 
• Volunteer at a minimum of two events each year. 
• Be on time and let us know if you’re running late. 
• Be available for the duration of the event, unless otherwise agreed. 

Key skills and qualities

• A belief that Disabled People can and should be actively welcomed and included in our communities. An understanding that it is barriers in society that make that harder. This is called the Social Model of Disability. 
• Lived Experience of disability (can be self-identified)
• An inclusive, non-judgemental attitude. 
• Able to make people feel included and relaxed. 
• Comfortable with people and communicating in a way that is accessible to you. 

What we mean by lived experience of disability:

As we follow the Social Model of Disability, our definition of Disabled person includes anyone who is being discriminated against or disabled by barriers in society, including:

• People with physical impairment
• People with visual impairment
• Deaf people
• People with hearing impairment
• People who are neurodivergent
• People with learning difficulties/disabilities
• People who experience mental health conditions/mental distress
• People with long-term health conditions

We recognise that a lot of these impairments are invisible and many people have more than one impairment.