Volunteers volunteer roles in bristol city centre, bristol

Are you passionate about supporting and managing volunteers in a small charity? Our Volunteer Coordinators will recruit, support & develop a team of volunteers, to enhance our work supporting people impacted by a chronic pain condition

What will you be doing?

We are looking for 2 volunteer coordinators to join the coordinators team who will volunteer to support our volunteers in various roles. The volunteer coordinators will 

• Help to assess organisational and programme needs to determine number and range of volunteers needed for particular projects
• Help to recruit, and assure the adequate training of suitable, reliable volunteers
• Co-ordinate the volunteers to ensure that there is always someone available to support all our services 
• Help to create and distribute information regarding volunteer policies and procedures
• Monitor volunteers during their appointments to retain or replace candidates
• Meet with volunteers to assess their progress and satisfaction, as well as to conduct evaluations or skills audits
• Help to induct new volunteers
• Maintain regular communication among volunteers and between an organisation and its volunteers, in order to share news, progress, and available positions
• Maintains a database of volunteers and projects and track metrics
• Help to promote the charity and its volunteer accomplishments 
• Set up and arrange any relevant training required for volunteers

What are we looking for?

The Volunteer Co-ordinators role requires proactive and detail orientated individuals with an organised approach and an interest in supporting small charities. They will have good communication skills. The Volunteer Co-ordinators are responsible for the volunteer aspects of Burning Nights CRPS Support to ensure the smooth running of the charity’s services and ensuring that the volunteers are used optimally.

Our Volunteer Co-ordinators are also responsible for ensuring that suitable volunteers have DBS checks where needed and they are adequately trained to do their role working with our Charity Administrator.

Essential

• Experience in volunteering or HR and recruitment
• Managing and supporting volunteers
• Time manage effectively
• Supporting and advising others on policies and procedures
• Ability to motivate and encourage
• Working knowledge of databases
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organisation and team building skills

Desirable

• Facilitation and/or training skills
• Personal experience of volunteering

What difference will you make?

You most likely will not have heard of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and you wouldn’t be alone in this! But we see and know first hand the impact it has on those living with it and on those caring for someone with the condition. We know the huge challenges they face even with simply getting a correct diagnosis, let alone the appropriate treatment and relevant support. 

You will join the charity during a challenging period and your expert knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our success. You will have a key role in ensuring we can maintain our support services and become a sustainable charity to allow us to fulfil our aims. 

What's in it for the volunteer?

This role is a fantastic opportunity to volunteer with a small but ambitious charity, developing and honing your skills.

You could gain experience in the charity sector, a broader C.V, or a sense of accomplishment from using your skills to help people affected by a very painful condition.

You would be a part of our small, friendly, forward-thinking charity team, focused on reaching people who may not have heard about the charity or the condition. You would have a key role in developing a volunteering team. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a real difference to a rare condition.

A few more details

If you don't have the exact experience, but are interested to volunteer with us, please apply! We would be thrilled to find out about how your interests and experience match with our needs or what we are doing. 

This role is done remotely using Zoom, phone and email. You would be working closely with the volunteers and trustees. However we would have regular updates and remote meetings with the Chair and/or Trustees.

We have an induction process to help successful applicant to understand how our Charity operates.

This collections volunteer role involves managing all static collection tins within your local area including identifying opportunities to place a collection tin, emptying the tin and banking the money.

There is no minimum time commitment, but the role requires a level of regular commitment to ensure that tasks are completed.

Canine Partners is a registered charity that transforms the lives of people with physical disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs. Our amazing dogs bring a greater independence and quality of life to their partners, offering support, security, companionship, and practical help with everyday household tasks.

By volunteering at Canine Partners, you contribute to something incredibly special - ‘transforming the lives of people with physical disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs’

By volunteering you will:

• Be a valued member of our Charity
• Can work with dogs without lifelong commitment or costs associated with dog ownership
• Be able to meet like-minded people
• Gain practical experience in the field of canine care and welfare.

‘With out the continued hard work and support from our volunteers, we would not be able to provide our clients with our life changing dogs’

What we require from you

• Age 18 or over
• Access to your own transport with flexibility to visit different locations
• Polite, confident and personable manner
• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent record keeping skills

Support and Training

• Public Liability Insurance
• Payment of expenditure such as mileage to and from a talk.
• Volunteer clothing and ID badge
• Dedicated point of contact in the fundraising team
• Guidance on cash handling
• Income monitoring sheet provided
• Access to our volunteer portal with many resources for your use.
• Invitation to join our Official Canine Partners Community Facebook Group

Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do and we'd love you to join us. We have a huge number of exciting and rewarding roles from directly supporting an animal in your home, or one of our centres across the UK, to supporting our shops and educational services. You may even wish to belong to our Pet Loss Support line. Find out more about the ideal role for you. Volunteering is fun and rewarding. We have centres and shops across England and Wales where you can get involved. Just search Blue Cross Volunteering for more info. Thank you. 

Joining this role means you'll be at the heart of providing essential support to families facing the unimaginable; caring for their child who's life will be short.

Many families in Wales are unfortunately facing this challenge alone, without support from others.

As a Practical Family Support Volunteer for Tŷ Hafan, you will assist families in need with various light tasks such as cleaning, tidying up and laundry.

Your contribution will go beyond housekeeping; it's about taking some of the pressure off and giving families the breathing space they need to spend more precious time together.

This role offers the satisfaction of knowing you are making a positive impact on families with a child with a life-shortening condition, by helping them create a tidy, clean and safe home environment that reduces their daily stress and worries.

Most importantly, you will be helping us to ensure that no family faces this challenge, alone.

Considerations:

Age requirement: 21+

Location: Across South & West Wales (in your local area)

Time commitment: Flexible and can be adjusted to accommodate your personal schedule. The support plans designed for referred families are typically structured to span a period of six weeks.

Background checks: Enhanced DBS check, 2 references and induction/training course required before starting.

Due to the nature of the role, we are looking for volunteers with some skills, experience and knowledge of gardening, either as a profession or as a hobby.

Activities include:

Activities include helping families with light housekeeping tasks such as; cleaning, dusting, vacuuming and laundry, giving them the space they need to be there for their child who needs them.

We are looking for volunteers who:

•Can empathise with the families you are helping and show them kindness and respect;

•Are reliable and flexible and committed to volunteering on a longer term basis;

•Will follow our health and safety guidelines, policies and procedures and report any issues or concerns to the Family Support Volunteer Manager;

•Are respectful of the privacy, preferences and needs of the families you are supporting;

•Are polite and friendly;

•Can adapt to different situations and challenges;

•Enjoy making a difference in the lives of others

At Tŷ Hafan our people values are working together, demonstrating compassion, providing excellent service and taking ownership.

We expect all colleagues and volunteers to behave with high levels of integrity and to represent our values as a core part of their role. 

Training you will receive:

You will receive a comprehensive introduction to Tŷ Hafan and your role, to include an in-person Induction and Training Programme as well as additional e-learning.

You will be a part of a friendly and supportive team who will assist you with any queries or concerns through regular and ongoing meetings.

Other role and organisation specific training is available including both supplementary and mandatory training.

All volunteers must maintain their mandatory training to continue in their role.

The benefits of becoming a Practical Family Support Volunteer in Family Homes:

•Make a positive difference in the lives of children with life-shortening conditions and their families, by helping them to maintain clean spaces for them to enjoy;

•Attend Volunteer Celebration Events throughout the year;

•Meet new people and join a friendly community of volunteers, passionate about helping others;

•Expenses will be provided following discussion about the role.

This role is purely voluntary and this arrangement is not meant to be a legally binding one or an employment contract.

We are looking for friendly and organised volunteers to assist with sorting, washing and drying laundry, as well as keeping our laundry room tidy. This is an important role as the supply of clean bedding, towels and toys is essential for the welfare of our animals. You will be helping us keep them comfortable, warm and entertained.

In addition to making a difference to the animals in our care, you will get to know our friendly team and gain further insight into how the Home runs.

Our volunteer requirement is on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday between the hours of 09:00-16:00. A weekly commitment of 2-3 hours is preferred. 

Role Profile

As a laundry room assistant, you will support our staff and animals by washing towels, blankets and animal bedding. In addition to this, you will sort through the donated bedding and towels we receive and decide what items we can keep, what can be recycled and what we need to throw away, endeavouring to waste as little as possible. You will also be ensuring that the laundry room is always kept clean and tidy and checking that machines are in proper working order.

Your activities will include:

• Cleaning and drying any laundry that is generated during the daily running of the centre
• Folding and storing clean laundry which will include bedding and towels, toys and vet beds from our recovery suite
• Sorting donated bedding and towels, deciding which can be used, recycled or disposed of
• Keeping the laundry room tidy
• Reporting any issues with the washing machines or tumble dryers to our site maintenance team

About You

This can sometimes be a messy task, so a willingness to get your hands dirty is essential as you will sometimes be cleaning soiled blankets, towels and vet beds used in our recovery suite. There is a manual handling element of the role, so this should be considered upon application.

You don’t need to have any prior experience, you will be given full onsite training on how to use our machines and where everything goes.

All volunteers are required to complete online Health & Safety training prior to their start date. Due to insurance restrictions, all volunteers must be over the age of 18.

About the role

The County Lead Volunteer is a key volunteer role within local Scouting with responsibility for providing outstanding leadership and support for the Districts within the County. The primary focus for the County Lead Volunteer is to ensure that Scouting is able to reach every young person in the County; open to all regardless of faith, colour or social background, because we believe Scouting has the ability to change lives. This is achieved by leading the team of District Lead Volunteers, and other County volunteers as well as working with the Growth & Communities Teams (employed staff) to provide enough places to meet the demand for Scouting, and by ensuring that every youth member has access to a high-quality balanced programme that is challenging, relevant and rewarding.

We appreciate any volunteering help that you can offer YBTC and want to make sure that our

volunteers have a positive experience with us. We pledge to support you as much as we can.

We want to ensure that volunteering with us does not feel too daunting, so the exact tasks might

vary depending on your circumstances. However, some typical tasks may include:

· Asking people you know who might be willing to have a collection box in their business

· Approaching local businesses to display the boxes and collect loose change from their customers

· Building and maintaining relationships with your box holders to inspire loyalty and encourage people to continue giving year after year

· Collecting the boxes in your area as and when required and taking to your YBTC contact

We are looking for people who are:

· Have a warm, friendly and confident outlook

· Willing to learn about the work of YBTC

· Able to communicate with a range of different groups

· Are creative and imaginative – spotting opportunities to boost your distribution

· Are well organised and enjoy meeting new people

· Reliable and able to commit to agreed requirements

We can offer you:

· Induction and ongoing training

· Ongoing support and supervision in your role

· The opportunity to learn new skills

· YBTC commitment to health and safety

Founded in 2003 and originally named Andrea’s Gift and later Brain Tumour Research and Support

Across Yorkshire, Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity (YBTC) is Yorkshire and Humber’s leading

brain tumour charity. Offering practical, financial and emotional support to both adult and child

brain tumour patients, together with their families.

We fund brain tumour research in Yorkshire; we hope this research, dedicated to identifying new

approaches to the discovery and treatment of brain tumours, will improve outcomes for patients.

At YBTC we are a small team who are growing to meet the needs of those affected by a brain

tumour in Yorkshire. Around 15 new cases of primary brain tumour are diagnosed in the region

every week.

Our charity values are Integrity, Compassion, Community, & Ambition.

Our Vision/Mission

To improve the lives of people impacted by a brain tumour in Yorkshire, through local support and

research.

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.

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. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.

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.

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system  
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.  

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• 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 you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
• 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.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
• 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 with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbally.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.

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 undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

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? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered. 

Are you passionate about sustainability and community engagement?

Join us as a Volunteer Repair Café Lead and be a catalyst for positive change! As a Repair Café Lead, you’ll organise and oversee monthly community repair events.

Responsibilities:

– Schedule and coordinate monthly events (once a month, 10 per year)

– Manage volunteers, logistics, and data

Support and Resources:

– Comprehensive support, knowledge, and organisation resources

– Marketing assistance

– Volunteer training opportunities

– Insurance coverage and safety guidance

Qualifications: Strong organisational and leadership skills are ideal, and excellent communication and people skills will help you connect with our volunteers and the community. Previous experience in event management or volunteer coordination is a big plus, and a passion for environmental sustainability and community empowerment would be a perfect match! But don’t worry if you don’t have all of this—what’s most important is your motivation to learn and make a difference.

Time2Share@WECIL’s Befriending Service links volunteers 1:1 with a Disabled child / young person. Links are based on shared interests and activities which the volunteer and young person can enjoy doing together either in the child/family home or out in the community.

What experience do I need?

You do not need any previous experience with disabled children or young people, but we ask that volunteers are friendly, caring, reliable and able to make a commitment to visit a young person regularly.

What will I be doing?

You will volunteer within Time2Share@WECIL’s befriending service for disabled children/young people (aged 5-18 yrs) and their families. This involves spending time regularly with a disabled child or young person in their home or supporting the young person to take part in social and leisure activities in their local community. You will not be asked to administer medication or deliver personal care in this role.

Who am I responsible for?

You are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the child or young person you are linked with. All links are risk-assessed and carefully monitored by your co-ordinator.

Who am I responsible to?

The parent / carer. You must ensure that the parent / carer’s reasonable instructions and guidance regarding the welfare of their child are adhered to and that clear communication is maintained. Feedback must be given to the parent/carer following a visit.

How often will I be needed?

Time2Share@WECIL typically ask for volunteers to commit to 2-4 hours a week and the days / times are agreed between the volunteer and the family. We ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months to ensure the child and their family are able to benefit fully from the relationship.

Are you a HR professional? Could you give an hour a week to tackle pregnancy and maternity discrimination? Then we need you!

We’re not going to sugar-coat it, things aren’t great for working parents and pregnant women. It can feel frustrating and a bit depressing at times, but by being part of the Pregnant Then Screwed volunteer team, you get to turn that frustration into something positive. In the last year the fantastic volunteers on our Advice Line have spoken to over 5000 women and parents, collectively providing around 40 hours of free support and advice every week. Hundreds of women and parents call our Advice Line every day, but with a small team of volunteers we are only able to answer a fraction of those calls—this is where you come in.

We are looking for brilliant HR professionals who want to help Pregnant Then Screwed tackle the Motherhood Penalty by becoming a Volunteer HR Advisor.

Our Volunteer Advisors give around 1-2 hours a week of their time to the Advice Line. They use their HR knowledge to offer a kind, empathetic support and advice to help people to identify and challenge pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace.

About the role

Role Title: Volunteer HR Advisor 
Location: Home-based (UK)
Reporting To: Head of Support Services

Time Commitment

The Advice Line is open Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm, with various available shifts during those times. We ask volunteers to give 1-2 hours per week on the Advice Line for a minimum of three months. 

Alternative time commitments can be considered and discussed as part of your application, so please do include any information that might be useful in your application form.

Main Role Purpose

The Advice Line HR Advisors play a vital role in providing support and guidance to working parents facing unfair treatment or discrimination in the workplace via our advice line. Volunteers will offer advice, listen empathetically, and provide information about employee rights and available resources. This role is critical in empowering parents to make informed decisions and navigate workplace challenges effectively.

Essential requirements

• Minimum CIPD level 5 Diploma in People Management with one professional reference.
• Knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and policies related to pregnancy, maternity leave, and discrimination.
• Access to a mobile phone/laptop/tablet to receive calls. You will not be charged for calls and your number will not be shared.
• Access to a reliable and secure WIFI connection. Public WIFI is not suitable for this role.
• Excellent active and empathetic listening skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey information clearly and concisely.
• A kind and welcoming telephone manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Comfortable using online communication tools.

Key Responsibilities

• Answer incoming phone calls to the PTS Advice Line from individuals seeking support and advice.
• Listen actively, empathise, and provide HR advice and guidance to support callers with their enquiries.
• Signpost to further information and other support organisations if necessary.
• Make referrals to our legal partner if required.
• Record all details of the call on our CRM system.
• Maintain professionalism in all interactions, adhering to all Pregnant Then Screwed guidelines and policies.

What you can expect from PTS

• The opportunity to use your skill set to tackle the Motherhood Penalty and make a meaningful impact.
• An onboarding and induction period which can be completed at your own pace.
• Support from the PTS staff team and volunteer network.
• Access to our Volunteer Training Hub.
• Opportunities to help us further develop and shape our Support Services.

Are you passionate about sustainability and community engagement?

Join us as a Volunteer Repair Café Lead and be a catalyst for positive change! As a Repair Café Lead, you’ll organise and oversee monthly community repair events.

Responsibilities:

– Schedule and coordinate monthly events (once a month, 10 per year)

– Manage volunteers, logistics, and data

Support and Resources:

– Comprehensive support, knowledge, and organisation resources

– Marketing assistance

– Volunteer training opportunities

– Insurance coverage and safety guidance

Qualifications: Strong organisational and leadership skills are ideal, and excellent communication and people skills will help you connect with our volunteers and the community. Previous experience in event management or volunteer coordination is a big plus, and a passion for environmental sustainability and community empowerment would be a perfect match! But don’t worry if you don’t have all of this—what’s most important is your motivation to learn and make a difference.

Bring Our Vision to Life: Volunteer Graphic Designer at SUNSHINE

Are you a creative visionary with a passion for social impact? At SUNSHINE—a dynamic start-up charity on the verge of official registration—we’re looking for an inspired Volunteer Graphic Designer to help us SHINE. Your imaginative designs will promote our values, raise our profile, and rally the community’s support around our mission.

About SUNSHINE

At SUNSHINE, we believe that every connection has the power to transform lives. Our mission is to combat loneliness by creating environments where everyone feels seen and supported. As we build our charity from the ground up, we’re dedicated to igniting vibrant community spirit through innovative initiatives, events, and projects.

Your Role as Volunteer Graphic Designer

In this exciting volunteer position, you’ll be the creative force behind our visual identity, producing designs that capture the essence of our cause. You will collaborate closely with our team to craft impactful graphics that promote our brand and tell our story across various platforms. You can volunteer as a one off or help us on a regular basis if you prefer.

Key design projects include:

• Roller Banners: Create striking, large-scale designs for use at events and public spaces that instantly communicate our mission and who we are.

• A5 Booklets: Develop engaging, informative booklets that introduce SUNSHINE, outline our vision, and invite community support.

• Social Media Posts: Produce dynamic, shareable content that drives online engagement and spreads our message far and wide.

• Motion Graphics: Design lively animations that bring our story to life, perfect for digital campaigns and event promotions.

• Concept Images: Craft creative visuals for our events or office spaces that embody the warmth and ethos of our charity.

• Posters: Design eye-catching posters to promote our fundraisers, community initiatives, and volunteer opportunities.

What We’re Looking For

We need a design enthusiast who is passionate about both art and social change. The ideal candidate will have:

• A Strong Portfolio: Demonstrated experience in graphic design, with examples that showcase your creativity and versatility.

• Technical Expertise: Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (or equivalent tools) and a knack for innovative visual expression.

• A Heart for Impact: A genuine passion for using design to drive social change, elevate community spirit, and tell compelling stories.

• Collaborative Energy: Excellent communication skills and the ability to work closely with our team, translating ideas into powerful visual narratives.

• Flexibility & Initiative: A proactive approach to tackling diverse design challenges in a start-up environment where every design matters.

Why Join SUNSHINE as Our Graphic Designer?

Stepping into this role means more than volunteering your design skills—it’s about becoming a key part of a movement for change. By joining SUNSHINE, you will:

• Shape Our Identity: Create visual materials that define our brand and inspire support for our innovative approach to tackling loneliness.

• Expand Your Creative Horizons: Build your portfolio with projects that challenge and inspire you while making a tangible impact in the community.

• Drive Social Change: See firsthand how your designs can spark engagement, boost our profile, and empower individuals and communities.

• Be a Part of Our Story: Collaborate with passionate individuals committed to transforming lives and creating a more connected, compassionate society.

Ready to Design a Brighter Future?

If you’re excited to use your creative talents to help raise SUNSHINE’s profile and promote our transformative mission, we want to hear from you. Join our team as a Volunteer Graphic Designer and help us build a visual identity that lights up lives and inspires collective change.

Welcome to SUNSHINE—where every design brings us one step closer to a London filled with connection, compassion, and creativity.

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.

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. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.

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.

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system  
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.  

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• 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 you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
• 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.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
• 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 with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbally.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.

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 undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

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? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.