Well being volunteer volunteer roles in chigwell, essex
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!
Befriending Volunteer
You can make a difference…Age UK Wandsworth is a small, local, independent charity that has been working with older people in the area since 1963. We rely on your support to keep serving the older residents with in the Wamdsworth community. We have a dedicated team of experienced staff and a large network of dedicated local volunteers. Our aim is to enable everyone to age well in Wandsworth. We would love your help to be able to continue to support older Wandsworth residents.
Our Be-a-Friend service is one of our longest running services, matching people over 65, who live alone and have limited social contact, with a friendly local volunteer with similar hobbies and interests. The volunteer and their new friend set up a suitable time for them to meet each week for a chat and a cup of tea, which could be during the day, in the evening on the way home from work or even on the weekends . If you would prefer to volunteer from home, you can also be matched with an older person for telephone befriending. For many of our matched pairs, this is the beginning of a firm friendship.
Befriending Plus
Befriending Plus is an extended version of the Be-a-Friend programme, for individulas needing help with life admin and small tasks as well as companionship. For Befriending Plus pairs, time spent together can include helping to use a phone or tablet, helping the client to organise their file, going out for a coffee or popping to the post office together. This support can help older people to stay independent at home for longer, as well as increasing their confidence to do these tasks when the volunteer is not there.
Our mission is to help older people to age well in Wandsworth.


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!
Travel expenses reimbursed only!
Location: 81 Brigstock Road, CR7 7JH or other areas within Croydon
Duration: Ongoing, flexible commitment
Reports To: Volunteer Coordinator
About Age UK Croydon
At Age UK Croydon, our mission is to reach, involve, support, and connect older people so they can age well in Croydon. We work to reduce loneliness, promote well-being, and ensure older residents have access to the resources and support they need to enjoy a fulfilling later life.
Purpose
As a Volunteer with Age UK Croydon, you will play a vital role in helping us achieve our mission by engaging with the community and providing support. Your contribution will directly impact the well-being of older residents and help foster an inclusive, caring community.
Key Responsibilities
− Reach out to older adults through phone calls, home visits, or community events to reduce loneliness and promote social inclusion.
− Assist in organising and supporting local events, activities, and outreach initiatives.
− Help coordinate and promote access to services such as information and advice, health and wellbeing programs, and social activities.
− Support with data entry, maintaining volunteer and participant records, and administrative tasks as needed.
− Help distribute newsletters, flyers, and promotional materials.
− Assist in raising awareness about Age UK Croydon’s services through community engagement.
− Respect client confidentiality and uphold the dignity and independence of older people.
Essential Skills and Qualities:
- Compassionate, patient, and empathetic nature
- Good communication and active listening skills
- Reliable, respectful, and sensitive to diversity and individual needs
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Basic computer skills (for administrative tasks) are desirable but not essential
Commitment
- Flexible hours, typically ranging from a few hours a week to a regular schedule, to fit your availability
- Commitment to safeguarding policies and confidentiality
Benefits of Volunteering
- Make a positive difference in the lives of older people
- Develop new skills and gain valuable experience
- Meet new people and become part of a supportive community
- Receive training and ongoing support from our team
Age UK Croydon is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all volunteers and clients. All volunteers will be required to undertake relevant background DBS checks and training.
Thank you for considering volunteering with Age UK Croydon—together, we can help older people age well in Croydon!
Our mission is to reach, involve, support and connect people so they can age well in Croydon.
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!
The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.
We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.
We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.
New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.
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 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:
· Helping with event preparation
· Manning checkpoints
· Walking support
· First-aid support
· Marshals
· Support drivers
· Helping with community stalls
We are looking for people who are:
· Warm and non-judgemental
· Willing to learn about the work of YBTC
· Able to communicate with a range of different groups
· Good team players, able to work with other staff/volunteers
· Reliable and able to commit to agreed requirements
We can offer you the following:
· Induction and ongoing training
· Ongoing support and supervision in your role
· The opportunity to learn new skills
· YBTC commitment to health and safety
About Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity
Background
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.
To improve the lives of people impacted by a brain tumour in Yorkshire, through local support and research.



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!
The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) is a registered Charity whose trained volunteers give emotional and practical support to bereaved families and other witnesses attending an inquest.
We need volunteers to provide emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending Inquests at Coroners' Court. Our volunteers at court also provide help and assistance to the Coroners' Officers, as and when required.
We are looking for reliable, supportive people with excellent communication skills. A mature and calm attitude is needed in order to be able to talk to people during a sometimes bewildering and emotional experience. Volunteers must be willing to undergo a period of observations and shadowing, as well as attend a 3 day training course. A minimum commitment of one day (9:00am - 5:00pm) per fortnight is asked for. Training and mentoring is provided and travel expenses to the court are reimbursed.
New volunteers should possess good communication and listening skills and the ability to empathise with people they support.
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 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 provide firm foundations for new-arrival asylum seekers to build happy and successful lives.


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!
You can make a difference…Age UK Wandsworth is a small, local, independent charity that has been working with older people in the area since 1963. We rely on your support to keep serving the older residents with in the Wandsworth community. We have a dedicated team of experienced staff and a large network of dedicated local volunteers. Our aim is to enable everyone to age well in Wandsworth. We would love your help to be able to continue to support older Wandsworth residents
Joining our amazing team of volunteers is a fantastic way to give back to the community by providing company and support to an older person in your area.
About the role
You will be volunteering alongside our Community Engagement team, where activities will change and adapt based on client feedback and their evolving needs. Volunteers will help to facilitate activities and events across the borough, including but not limited to our digital inclusion drop-in sessions, coffee mornings, LGBTQ+ group and future activities which will include a gardening club and walking group. Most of our activities run for an hour or two, and we require volunteers to commit to attending at least one session a month.
About the service
Various opportunities are available based on our event schedule, which runs weekdays between the hours of 9am-4pm for 1–2 hours..
What will make you a great fit for this role?
- Friendly
- Patient
- Great listening skills
Our mission is to help older people to age well in Wandsworth.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
If you are passionate about improving the environment and helping create spaces for community engagement, this role would be perfect for you! Come join us at CPRE London - a charity that fights to protect London's green spaces.
Part time/flexible opportunity at CPRE London who are seeking a volunteer with a passion for the environment, good organisational and administrative skills to join our Hedgerow Heroes project.
You’ll make a real difference and be a central part of a friendly and passionate team in a charity that makes a difference.
Job Description - What you will be doing
Our Hedgerow Heroes project is an ongoing project focused on planting and restoring hedgerows in green spaces across London. The goal of the project is to help reinforce and enhance London’s green belt, and use hedgerows and related engagement activities to help people in greenspace-deprived areas - which also have indicators of social deprivation, mental health issues and poor air quality - to connect with nature. All activities will be designed to be inclusive, allowing a wide range of people the opportunity to engage in hands-on conservation work and gain appreciation of the natural world in their local area. In summary: help us to introduce, restore and maintain hedgerows in London’s green belt, in cooperation with Friends-of groups and community-level volunteers.
The role of the Hedgerow Heroes Coordinator will be to:
- Help research new project opportunities (planting sites, partners etc)
- Work in a friendly team to help co-ordinate the planting / restoration of hedgerows all over London
- Administration and organisation of people and teams to meet planting session requirements
- Work alongside more experienced volunteers to learn project management skills to help you in your future career
- As you continue to volunteer with CPRE you're free to find the perfect role that suits your needs - we have lots of volunteer work available in fundraising, campaigning, and project management.
The project will be run in partnership with London’s Friends of Greenspace Network – which supports community groups aiming to enhance their local green-spaces, and with whom CPRE have a strong and continuous relationship providing them with regular newsletters; corporate volunteering opportunities; events; and by facilitating capacity building and directly providing bespoke support and advice.
For more information on the project you'd be working on, please check out CPRE London's website under What we care about. This will be the third year of the project and we've seen successful planting around London!
Benefits for you:
- Use your skills to help our charity and make a positive difference to London’s green spaces
- Meet like-minded people and enjoy being part of a team
- Enhance your CV by developing new skills and gaining valuable experience
- We will support you in your role and provide you with relevant training
- We can give you a reference for your future work or volunteering
- Get involved with social events and workshops on a local and national level, including the annual CPRE conference
- The opportunity to attend a volunteer induction run by CPRE’s national office
- We provide out-of-pocket travel expense
What are we looking for?
Are you passionate about hedgerows and community engagement? Can you help us introduce, restore and maintain hedgerows in London’s green belt, in cooperation with Friends-of groups and community-level volunteers?
Time requirement: It is anticipated that this role would require 2 - 3 days per week, hybrid working, some onsite. However, this is flexible and can be discussed at interview.
The skills you need - our ideal volunteer will demonstrate the following skills and experience:
- Attention to detail and determination
- Skilled communicator who can demonstrate a passion for connecting people and the environment and inspiring communities to take local action.
- Conservation work or hedgerow planting and management would be an advantage
- Competent IT skills and organisation/admin experience
- A flexible and ‘can-do’ attitude
- An ability to work both as part of a team and independently with minimum supervision
- An interest in environmental issues and enthusiasm for helping further CPRE London’s work
Please download Role Description details for some further information
Deadline: 21st July
Scheduled Interview date: Tuesday 29th July (online or in person)
Start Date: Early September
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!
Hours: Variable – depending on individual circumstances and what people can do
Location: Variable – we are looking to extend our reach of peer support walks throughout Yorkshire
Main Tasks:
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:
· Support our regular wellbeing/peer support walks
· Welcome participants and help them feel comfortable, fostering a friendly and inclusive atmosphere
· Encourage conversations among participants, offering a listening ear
· Be attentive to the well-being of all participants during the walk
· Offer information on YBTC services
· Attending occasional training sessions or volunteer meetings organised by YBTC
We are looking for people who are:
· Are warm and non-judgemental
· Reliability – are punctual and committed to scheduled walks
· Collaborative mindset to work effectively with staff and volunteers
· Basic physical fitness to complete the walks, awareness of the needs of participants with
different mobility/health conditions
We can offer you the following:
· Full induction and ongoing training
· Ongoing support and supervision in your role
· Opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people
· The satisfaction of making a positive impact on those affected by brain tumours
Background
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 tumours 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.
To improve the lives of people impacted by a brain tumour in Yorkshire, through local support and research.



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!
Would you like to support suicidal people in their time of need?
At our sanctuary (Finsbury Park, North London) for those in suicidal crisis, we offer a potentially transformative experience with a once-only 4-night stay at our non-medical, family-style house. Through respite, time and space for reflection and compassionate and nurturing care, our Volunteer Befrienders and Lead Befrienders support an opportunity for the revival of hope and resilience.
Volunteer Befrienders are key to Maytree and work alongside Lead Befrienders to provide an open and containing space for people who are feeling suicidal. Befriending is as it sounds: sitting alongside our guests as a compassionate, confidential, and non-judgemental friend. Through active listening and human warmth our volunteers enable our guests to explore their feelings and their options in their own way and in their own time. This face-to-face support is not therapy; it is about being calm and committed and not afraid of difficult subjects, including suicide.
To fill a gap in services for the acutely suicidal. Offering brief stay crisis support and engagement with non-medical, compassionate Befrienders.
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 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.
To improve the lives of people impacted by a brain tumour in Yorkshire, through local support and research.



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!
Volunteer to drive for KNA's beneficiaries who are Kew, TW9 residents. Our clients are generally older people (average age 82 years old) with mobility difficulties. We take people to medical and social appointments. Volunteering for KNA is very flexible. It can be for as little as half an hour a month or multiple times a week. It's entirely up to you. You only offer to do jobs when it suits you. KNA connects Kew residents who need a helping hand with volunteers who drive, shop, offer companionship or carry out light gardening.
Whilst we have a good number of Driving Volunteers - we like to spread volunteering over many people so that no one feels they are doing too much. Our drivers help people with limited mobility get to their medical appointments and go to their exercise , knit & stitch classes as well as hairdressing and chiropody appointments. By becoming a volunteer driver you can help someone stay connected within their community and get to important appointments.
Volunteer to drive for Kew residents, who are generally older with mobility difficulties, for as little as an hour a month. KNA connects Kew residents who need a helping hand with volunteers. KNA Volunteer Drivers take Kew residents who have mobility difficulties to medical appointments, regular social events or classes or to visit family.
We organise a DBS check and request two references. We can pay petrol expenses up to 45p / mile which is calculated by KNA on a quarterly basis.
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!
Amy’s Place is a partnership between the Amy Winehouse Foundation and Clarion Housing, providing supported living accommodation for young women aged 18-30 in recovery from drugs, alcohol and other addictive behaviors.
With training in alternative therapies such as Reiki and Sound Healing, you will support young women to improve their physical and emotional well-being in a group setting or on an individual basis.
Activities
- Delivering Sound Healing sessions in a 1-2-1 or group basis.
- Providing a safe, relaxing, therapeutic environment for the activity to take place.
Experience and requirements:
- Suitable candidates need to be qualified or nearing the end of a substantial training.
- Volunteers may be asked to have professional liability insurance.
- This role will require us to carry out an enhanced check through the disclosure and barring service.
Commitment
Commitment can be flexible to suit your availability, from about 1-2 hours per week. Ideally this volunteer will commit to a minimum of 3 months
Support
- Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training
- Reasonable travel and lunch expenses will be reimbursed
- The role is based at the service in East London. The exact address cannot be given until the volunteer starts due to safety and privacy reasons
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!
The Listening Place is a volunteer-led charity aiming to transform how we support people who feel suicidal. Our trained volunteers are part of a team delivering face-to-face, confidential, ongoing support to thousands of people each year. They help create the warm and welcoming environment that encourages people struggling with suicidal thoughts and feelings to talk openly without being judged or given advice.
Listening volunteers provide ongoing face-to-face support to visitors on regular, fortnightly 4-hour shifts during which they meet with up to 3 visitors (for up to 50 minutes each). In order to ensure continuity for our visitors we require a one-year minimum commitment from our LVs, as well as three months’ notice of intention to leave.
No experience or qualifications are necessary – we provide full training in active listening. We look for warmth, empathy and resilience in our volunteers and the ability to be non-judgemental and avoid giving advice.
We are primarily recruiting Listening Volunteers for our new site near Liverpool Street. We also have limited vacancies available at our other sites in Hammersmith, Pimlico and Kings Cross.
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!
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.
We provide firm foundations for new-arrival asylum seekers to build happy and successful lives.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.