Volunteers volunteer roles in tiverton, devon
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
RNIB's Sight Loss Counselling Team is an established team of telephone counsellors. Accredited by the BACP, we offer free and confidential counselling and emotional support to people affected by sight loss. Volunteers will either be qualified counsellors/psychotherapists; having completed a BACP accredited training or equivalent OR be students in the final stages of counselling or psychotherapy.
How often will I be needed?
- 4 Hours per Week
Key requirements
- This role requires 2 references and a criminal record check: DBS Enhanced PVG Scotland Adults Access NI Enhanced
Location
Region
- West Midlands, Wales, Northern Ireland, North West, North East, East Midlands, East of England, South East, Scotland, Greater London, Yorkshire and the Humber, South West
Home based
- This role is home based
Additional location information
-
Our service is completely remote and therefore home based. You will be able to gain clinical hours towards your counselling qualification;
Who this opportunity will suit
Minimum age
- You must be at least 16 years old to apply
What skills and experience are needed?
- Ability to communicate clearly;Approachable & empathetic nature;Effective listening skills;Friendliness, enthusiasm and reliability;Work with wide range of people
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you enjoy cooking and sharing your skills?
We are a looking for friendly volunteers with a passion for cooking to join us in the kitchen! The people we support in Taunton would love your help to develop their skills, follow recipes and have fun while sharing the enjoyment of cooking.
If you would like to make a difference and make friends along the way, we would love to hear from you!
Activities will include:
-
Helping the people we support to cook, follow recipes, make healthy meals, chose ingredients and feel confident in the kitchen
-
Giving guidance on various kitchen skills, including safety and hygiene
-
Supporting with meal planning and learning about healthy meals and snacks.
-
Being there for company, friendship and fun
We are looking for someone who is:
-
Friendly and enthusiastic
-
Confident in the kitchen and happy to share skills and advice
-
Comfortable chatting with people with learning disabilities and autism.
-
Reliable and willing to commit to volunteer regularly (exact times/days can be agreed)
A DBS check and two-character references will be required for this role.
What you’ll gain from being a Discovery volunteer:
Discovery supports people with learning disabilities and autism, helping them to live more independently at home and in the community.
Our volunteers play a vital role in our work and in return, we support them with:
-
Access to free online training (with access to 800 plus courses)
-
Comprehensive support from professional, friendly and trained Dimensions staff
-
Reasonable expenses may be reimbursed as agreed
-
An opportunity to gain real experience in the social care sector
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you have a coaching qualification, or are you working towards one? Would you like to help managers across our organisation develop their skills and confidence? As a coach, you will support managers to improve their leadership abilities, build confidence, and enhance their effectiveness in their roles. Your coaching will help them tackle challenges such as personal effectiveness, leadership credibility, career development, and conflict resolution. By providing guidance and encouragement, you will play a key role in helping managers grow, develop new skills, and lead their teams more effectively.
What you will be doing
- Deliver coaching sessions for managers at various levels, from team leads to department heads.
- Provide a safe, open, and confidential space for coaching conversations focused on leadership, communication, conflict resolution, managing change, and interpersonal skills.
- Use clear and effective coaching methods and models.
- Maintain confidentiality and follow Hestia’s coaching programme guidelines.
- Define clear roles for both the coach and coachee, ensuring there are no conflicts of interest.
The skills you need
- A recognised coaching qualification (or currently studying towards one), such as ICF or EMCC, or significant coaching experience at a management level.
- Experience in the social care sector (desirable but not essential).
- Strong communication and listening skills.
- Willingness to participate in supervision and continuous learning.
- A friendly, approachable, and supportive manner.
- Understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries.
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 - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.




Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Fundraising volunteer
Our vision for volunteering
Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.
The difference you will make to cats and people
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 volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you!
You can expect us to
- Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
- Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
- Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
- Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities
What we need from you
This is a really flexible role, you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example:
- face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins
- online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations
- marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press
- completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork
● championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement
● photography. Capturing images of cats in care, cats we are helping, events and all things Cats Protection
Time expectation
This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!
You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!
We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats
Applicants will be asked to complete and application and provide details for two references
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About us: GT Scholars is a charitable social enterprise that tackles educational inequality by giving ambitious young people the support, skills and strategies they need to achieve aspirations. We run a wide range of programmes that help young people achieve their academic and career aspirations, particularly those from less-privileged backgrounds.
What makes us different? We run tutoring, mentoring & career insight programmes that help our scholars, aged 11-18, discover their strengths, develop their mindsets and design their own futures.
There are many charitable organisations and social enterprises offering programmes to improve the life chances of young people.
However, our programmes use a unique 3:1 model which means that we’re able to sustainably use our profits to provide additional places on our programmes, to young people from low income homes.
We believe that all young people are gifted and talented, regardless of their background.
Our mission is to empower and develop the next generation of leaders and change-makers and we’re looking for volunteer tutors that are passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives!
If you are an undergraduate or graduate, you could make a difference by joining us as a volunteer tutor. As a volunteer tutor, you’ll need to:
-
Have a passion for helping children and young people
-
Provide online one-to-one tutoring support for 1 hour week
-
Build pupil confidence in Maths.
-
Have strong subject knowledge (confident enough to tutor up to GCSE)
-
Work collaboratively with other tutors and mentors
-
Have a minimum of an undergraduate degree or be working towards this
Volunteer tutoring can be extremely rewarding and volunteers with GT Scholars benefit from:
-
A flexible schedule - you can choose online tutoring hours to suit your schedule
-
The chance to grow your contacts and meet like-minded volunteers
-
The chance to make a real difference in the life of a young person.
Additional information: We’re looking for tutors that can commit to a minimum of 2 academic terms of volunteering.
We will need to conduct reference checks and you will need an Enhanced DBS for this role as you will be working directly with children. We can process this for you or you may submit one if this is less than 3 years old.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About us: GT Scholars is a charitable social enterprise that tackles educational inequality by giving ambitious young people the support, skills and strategies they need to achieve aspirations. We run a wide range of programmes that help young people achieve their academic and career aspirations, particularly those from less-privileged backgrounds.
What makes us different? We run tutoring, mentoring & career insight programmes that help our scholars, aged 11-18, discover their strengths, develop their mindsets and design their own futures.
There are many charitable organisations and social enterprises offering programmes to improve the life chances of young people.
However, our programmes use a unique 3:1 model which means that we’re able to sustainably use our profits to provide additional places on our programmes, to young people from low income homes.
We believe that all young people are gifted and talented, regardless of their background.
Our mission is to empower and develop the next generation of leaders and change-makers and we’re looking for volunteer tutors that are passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives!
If you are an undergraduate or graduate, you could make a difference by joining us as a volunteer tutor. As a volunteer tutor, you’ll need to:
-
Have a passion for helping children and young people
-
Provide online one-to-one tutoring support for 1 hour week
-
Build pupil confidence in Maths.
-
Have strong subject knowledge (confident enough to tutor up to GCSE)
-
Work collaboratively with other tutors and mentors
-
Have a minimum of an undergraduate degree or be working towards this
Volunteer tutoring can be extremely rewarding and volunteers with GT Scholars benefit from:
-
A flexible schedule - you can choose online tutoring hours to suit your schedule
-
The chance to grow your contacts and meet like-minded volunteers
-
The chance to make a real difference in the life of a young person.
Additional information: We’re looking for tutors that can commit to a minimum of 2 academic terms of volunteering.
We will need to conduct reference checks and you will need an Enhanced DBS for this role as you will be working directly with children. We can process this for you or you may submit one if this is less than 3 years old.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are seeking individuals who can empower those aged between 4 and 16, to support and share our mission within their current school or youth provision setting (Brownies, Guides, Cubs, Scouts and Youth Groups).
You will encourage your group to share the mission of Mary's Meals, raise awareness of our work and fundraise.
What support and resources will i receive?
- Support, encouragement, and guidance from your local Supporter Engagement Officer
- A comprehensive induction to Mary’s Meals
- Opportunities to join online or in person volunteer meetings and briefings
- Resources to fulfil your role
- A regular volunteer update e-mail
What are the benefits of volunteering for Mary's Meals?
- Feeling part of the global Mary’s Meals movement to end world hunger
- Learning new skills and gaining experience as part of a growing and vibrant organisation
- Meeting new like-minded people
- Increasing confidence and team-working skills
- Developing communication skills (verbal and written)
- Feeling empowered to have your voice heard, knowing that you are playing an active role in changing the lives of those who need it the most.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thirtyone:eight, the UK’s leading Independent Christian Safeguarding charity, is looking for an IT volunteer to assist our System Support. They will support the IT team by enhancing and supporting existing PowerApps for reliability and performance, conducting unit testing and end-to-end testing, coordinating with end users for User Acceptance Testing and user training, and writing documentation such as user guides.
Specific Responsibilities
- Triage support calls in internal ticketing system
- Provide first line of support including answering customer support calls
- Work to functional specifications provided by the Senior Developers
- Integrate PowerApps with other Microsoft services (e.g., SharePoint, Teams) and third-party tools where applicable.
- Write and follow test plans
- Monitor PowerApps processes and report any anomalies
- Report generation
Person Specification
We are looking for someone who will not only suit the role, but who also fits our culture. Although this role does not require the volunteer to be a Christian, Thirtyone:eight are a Christian charity.
Essential Personal Characteristics and Qualities:
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Openness
- Collaborative
- Solution-focused
- Learning
- Creative
- Fair
- Committed
- Passionate
Skills, Experience and Motivation:
- Experience of software development required.
- Experience with PowerApps an advantage but training will be given if required.
- Thorough approach to work and a good attention to detail
- Ability to remain motivated during repetitive tasks
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality
- Please note that this position is not deemed to meet eligibility for an enhanced level DBS check. However, the post-holder will be expected to supply a self-declaration and a Basic Criminal Records Disclosure Certificate prior to commencement of employment as part of our Safer Recruitment Policy.
Closing date of 10th Aug. Teams interview date of 14 August with a start date of 1st September. Please note that this job could be home-based, office-based, or hybrid. This position is not deemed to meet eligibility for an enhanced level DBS check. However, the post-holder will be expected to supply a self-declaration and a Basic Criminal Records Disclosure Certificate prior to commencement of employment as part of our Safer Recruitment Policy.
Independent and thought-leading, we equip organisations, churches, other faith groups, individuals and government with safeguarding tools they need




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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.
Shout is the UK’s only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Can you build a rapport with people over the telephone and put them at ease? As a ‘Counselling Evaluation and Feedback Volunteer’ you will be calling people who have recently completed a course of telephone counselling sessions with RNIB’s Sight Loss Counselling Team. Your role will be to conduct a scripted evaluation with them, helping us to understand the impact and improve the delivery of our services to blind and partially sighted people.
We are looking for a volunteer who can carry out this role between 9 and 5 weekdays. You can choose whether to break the four hours up over a couple of days during the week or to volunteer on one day.
How often will I be needed?
- 4 Hours per Week
Key requirements
- This role requires one reference.
Location
Region
- North West, Scotland, Wales, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East of England, East Midlands, North East, Northern Ireland, South East, Greater London, West Midlands
Home based
- This role is home based
Additional location information
-
You will need a laptop or PC and Microsoft Word.
Who this opportunity will suit
Minimum age
- You must be at least 18 years old to apply
What skills and experience are needed?
- Ability to support and respond sensitively Ability to use IT equipment and systems
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.
- 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.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you have skills in social media, comms and marketing, or digital and graphic design you want to put to use for a great cause?
We are recruiting a self-motivated and creative Digital Marketing Volunteer with experience in a creative sector to support our Communications & Marketing Coordinator.
If you could use your expertise to help us increase the reach and impact of our social media accounts, website, and comms strategy as we run fundraisers, engage with the community, and promote our services and volunteering opportunities, apply today.
(This post is only open to women and is exempt under Schedule 9 Part 1 Equalities Act 2010)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
At MS Society all our activities and services are shaped by our MS community – people affected by MS, volunteers, staff and other experts. We aim to raise as much awareness as possible about MS, to ensure that people with MS have the support and information they need.
We've been successful in securing funding from Wales and West Utilities for a 'test and learn' Community Connections project (covering Wales and the South West of England) which will run until March 2026.
Community Connections aims to:
- Connect people with, and affected by, MS across Wales and the South West of England (Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire) with services, activities and resources to enable them to live well with MS.
- Develop links with local service providers which enable people with, and affected by, MS to access support and activities in their local areas, whilst improving connections within the community
- Provide information and guidance on a range of subjects, including advice about finances, cost of living-related information, energy efficiency information, carbon monoxide awareness and the Priority Service Register.
As part of the project, we’re looking for volunteers to deliver MS Awareness sessions to partner organisations that the project will signpost to (such as Citizens Advice Bureau). MS Awareness volunteers will help us to ensure that these partner organisations are equipped to support people with MS (who will be accessing their activities and services). To help people to understand how people with MS feel.
Here’s an overview of what will be involved -
• Delivering talks (via Zoom/Teams) to organisations to increase their understanding of MS and its symptoms.
• Signposting to the relevant MS Society team for further information and practical support, as required.
• Note taking and helping us understand how effective sessions were
• Attending regular volunteer support groups, where you will debrief and share experiences with other volunteers, as well as receive support from your supervisor.
We will support you to develop the skills you need for this role which will include an induction into all the areas outlined. You will have a chance to discuss your role and any additional needs you may have with us.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Events Volunteer
We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers. Our volunteers are a key part of achieving our goals and their support is vital. Join us.
About this opportunity
We are looking to recruit Fundraising Event Volunteers for the Taunton and District Group to take part in an Event at Taunton Racecourse on 10th March 2025. As a Fundraising Event Volunteer, you will be participating in events and promoting them locally.
We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.
This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones.
About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally.
You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers.
You’ll be friendly and welcoming and able to work as part of a team.
Apply
- Read through the role description and project brief carefully
- Apply by clicking the ‘Apply’ link provided.
The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.
Womankind is recruiting reliable and resilient women, who are able to commit to 1-2 daytime hours each week for six months, to join our Volunteer Befriending Service. Befrienders encourage and support vulnerable women who have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse, empowering them to make their own decisions and improve their mental health and wellbeing so that they can lead more fulfilling lives.
Training:
Befrienders attend an initial online meet & greet session and then receive 4 taught sessions of comprehensive training over Zoom. These sessions will take place over 4 weeks, starting in Autumn 2025 (DATES AND TIMES TBC). Befrienders will be expected to complete homestudy in between sessions. You will be part of a team of trainees and benefit from peer support as well as help and guidance from the Volunteer Coordinator. Our training comes with over 30 years of experience working in women’s mental health, giving volunteers the very best preparation for the role, and a support network of like-minded women.
The Role:
Upon the completion of training, each volunteer is matched with one woman who has experienced childhood abuse, trauma, sexual violence and/or domestic abuse, and will be experiencing mental ill health and social isolation.
As a befriender you would be expected to commit 1-2 hours on a weekly basis for 6 months and attend monthly group and individual supervision. Many of our volunteers decide they would like to be matched with another woman after the completion of their first match and continue volunteering with us for another 6 months.
You and your befriendee would start by getting to know each other gradually. Once you have built up your relationship, you would support her emotionally, using active listening skills and providing her with a space to express her feelings and feel heard. You would help her to believe that she can achieve her goals and have safer relationships. Part of your role would be demonstrating what a healthy and boundaried relationship looks like.
You:
You will be enthusiastic and interested in helping another woman improve her mental health and wellbeing so that she can lead a more fulfilling life. You will be friendly and non-judgemental, have good communication skills and be a reliable and patient listener.
The befriending role can be challenging and emotionally overwhelming at times. Therefore, we need befrienders who have adequate life experience and feel emotionally robust and resilient enough to take on the role. We welcome volunteers with personal experience of mental health and other relevant issues but will require you to have at least a one-year period of stability and ideally to have received professional help like counselling in your recovery.
As this is a remote service, we welcome applications from women who are based across the UK.
Please note, there is very limited availability for women who can only volunteer during the evenings and weekends.
Because of the nature of this role, it is only open to women applicants and is exempt under Schedule 9 Part 1 Equalities Act 2010.
At Womankind we recognise that while women share many characteristics and experiences as a result of living within a patriarchal society, women belonging to marginalised groups experience discrimination on multiple fronts. It is really important to us that the women who use our services feel represented amongst our volunteers. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life, especially from groups which are marginalised and underrepresented in our organisation, such as working-class women and Black and Minoritised women.
What Past Befrienders Say:
“I loved the training, that was possibly one of my favourite things about this whole experience...it was really thorough. I loved being in a space with like-minded women – and it was also challenging, which I liked.”
“In terms of supervision and knowledge, how to prepare the role – it was much more prepared, much more in depth than other places I’ve volunteered.”
“It’s been a pleasure, I love volunteering with you guys. It’s special being part of this – in a world where are so few spaces where you can have a direct impact on someone’s life, doing this role is really special.”
Closing Date: 31/08/2025
Job Type: Volunteer
Work Location: Remote, must be UK-based