Women Support Worker Volunteer Roles in London

Bromley & Croydon Women’s Aid provides support services to women fleeing domestic abuse. We are expanding our counselling service which provides therapeutic support to individuals impacted by domestic abuse. We are recruiting for qualified and trainee volunteer counsellors to join our growing counselling service. We take registered student counsellors/psychotherapists who are who are working toward qualifying or accreditation and offer placements for face to face counselling work. The placements will start in March 2024.

Our counselling placements are a great opportunity for trainee and qualified counsellors who are passionate about ending violence against women and girls, and who want to work in a supportive therapeutic environment. This is challenging and rewarding trauma-related work that has a significant impact for the communities we support. You will be required to attend regular group supervision and have access to one-to-one support with our Counselling Services Manager.

If you are interested in applying for one of our placements then please apply via our BCWA Website.

Requirements :   

- You must be at the very minimum on a level 4 counselling/psychotherapy course and you will already have completed at least one year's training

- BACP, UKCP or equivalent membership 

- Experience of one-to-one counselling.

- Some experience and understanding of working with VAWG and domestic violence sector is desirable. 

- You will need to have some understanding of trauma and culturally informed working and supporting clients who have experienced gender-based violence.

- Enhanced DBS clearance will be required. 

- You will be required to attend 3 days of induction and training. Training dates to be confirmed.

- Two to four hours' time commitment each week; with a minimum of 1 year's commitment to the counselling service.

- You will be counselling 3-4 pre-assessed clients each week, times to be arranged between Monday-Thursday and between 9.00am to 4.00pm, at BCWA locations across Bromley & Croydon boroughs.

If you have any questions about our counselling placements, please contact our Counselling Services Manager via the BCWA website.

Female applicants only. In light of the nature of work, the candidate’s gender is considered to be an occupational requirement in accordance with Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010.

BCWA is committed to supporting and promoting equality & diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. To achieve this, we seek to employ a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds to better represent the communities we serve.

BCWA are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Reg. Charity No.1068007.

Haringey Migrant Support Centre is recruiting Community Volunteers.

Haringey Migrant Support Centre (HMSC) is a charity set up in 2012, staffed by volunteers and a small number of paid workers, to run a weekly service offering advice and support to migrants in Haringey and its neighboring boroughs. HMSC works with migrants, often with insecure immigration status who have been affected by hostile environment policies. They include migrants who have overstayed or are undocumented, individuals with significant health problems, refugees and asylum seekers, those with strong family ties to the UK, those with limited leave to remain but no recourse to public funds, etc. Around two thirds of the people we support are women, most of whom have children. HMSC assists visitors (clients) on issues ranging from immigration to housing, welfare or health.

Since the pandemic, we have reorganised our services and we are excited to soon be opening our new Community Wellbeing space for visitors at St John Vianney Parish Centre in Haringey, North London. In the space we will be running morning and afternoon activities designed to support visitors’ wellbeing, help foster connections and build on the existing sense of community amongst visitors at HMSC. We will also be providing a free hot meal for everyone who visits.

We are looking for Community volunteers to support with the running of this space, including setting up and closing down each session, supporting visitors to engage with activities, and generally creating a welcoming environment for all! This role is suited to those volunteers who would like to have direct contact with visitors and connect in-person to supports visitors’ wellbeing. You will need be welcoming and empathetic and have excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility and initiative. An understanding of the UK’s immigration system and the impact it can have on migrants physical and mental health would be an advantage but is not essential. Most important is a desire to create a welcoming and social space that supports the wellbeing needs of our visitors. 

About CARAS:

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and asylum-seekers living in south-west London. We work primarily with people who are newly arrived in the UK, most of whom are living in temporary Home Office accommodation. Arriving as a refugee in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language barriers, accessing services, financial insecurity and ongoing uncertainty are extremely challenging and disempowering. CARAS is here to work collaboratively with community members to support them to build skills, connect meaningfully with their local community, and to build positive futures in the UK. 

CARAS offers a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a forced displacement background. For adults this currently includes: ESOL, digital skills and employability sessions; social and recreational activities and casework. All programs are interlinked and work hand-in-hand with one another. For example, community members can practice their spoken English in Coffee Afternoon, and casework issues might be picked up and referred into the team during an ESOL class. We design and develop our programs through consultation and ongoing conversations with our community members. We aim to have a strong volunteer presence across all our programs, fostering connections between asylum seekers and other Londoners! 

About CARAS’s Adult Programming and Coffee Afternoon:

CARAS has been providing support to adult refugee women since 2005, promoting skills and confidence development that helps women gain more power in their lives. In the aftermath of COVID, we have been able to expand our adult programmes, responding to the shifting demographics of those seeking asylum in the UK. We now run a range of mixed programmes for all genders, as well as some women-only spaces. Our coffee afternoon is a mixed group. 

Our coffee afternoon has been running since May 2022 and is one of our most popular groups. It takes place at TARA Theatre in Earlsfield from 1-2.30PM every Friday. Its primary aim is to reduce isolation amongst those we work with by providing a safe, friendly and welcoming space for people to have fun, learn about themselves and each other, and build connections.

In 2023, we have been running creative sessions during Coffee Afternoon, facilitated by freelance creative practitioners in partnership with TARA Theatre. These range from dance to drama, poetry to puppetry. For sessions without a creative practitioner, we sometimes host workshops on important topics such as healthcare rights or have an open and informal space for games and a chat. There is always coffee and a selection of baked goods! 

For more information on TARA Theatre, our partner and host, please visit their website.

Tasks and Responsibilities: 

• To attend CARAS coffee afternoon’s, every Friday between 1-2.30PM in Earlsfield, South-west London. They take place at TARA Theatre, right opposite Earlsfield Station. Location here- https://maps.app.goo.gl/rXwJiKHRj93YFtLG9 (356 Garratt Ln, London SW18 4ES). 
• If there is a week this is not possible, to tell CARAS staff as far in advance as you are able. 
• To welcome and connect with community members attending, working to ensure everyone at the group feels included. 

• To take part if there is a creative activity happening in that session, and help liaise with CARAS staff and the creative practitioner to ensure the activity runs smoothly. 
• To encourage and inspire community members to feel confident and reach their full potential. 
• To share conversation, and chat informally with our community members.
• To assist community members to both recognise and celebrate their achievements. 
• To challenge negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manor. 
• To adhere to CARAS Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant. 

Requirements:

• To have interest in working with refugees and asylum seekers. 
• To be non-judgemental, and able and willing to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and differing levels of English. 
• To be reliable and punctual. 
• To be a current resident in the UK. 
• To provide five years’ worth of addresses and be willing to undergo a UK DBS check.
• To attend CARAS General and Safeguarding Training, and any further training as necessary. 
• To be 18 years or older. 

Through volunteering with us you will:

• Meet new members of your local community 
• Learn about different cultures and life experiences from across the world 
• Learn about issues relating to refugee and asylum seekers 
• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team 
• Develop your skills and competencies 
• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding 

To Apply:

Please fill in the volunteer application form and email it to us. Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with the Head of Adult Inclusion and Adult Program Coordinator these meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP! 

Details for this role are in the description and not mentioned in the application form but please fill in your details in the Volunteer application form attached and send it back to us 

 Unfold: Would you love to be more connected with children and young people and understand life through their eyes? Or perhaps you would love to support a mother to focus on what matters to them, can you share 1-2 hours a week? If you answered yes, then becoming a mentor with Unfold could be for you. Delivered by amazing volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and a range of life experiences, our mentoring programmes empower communities in Westminster and the surrounding boroughs to get them where they want to be, offering support for lasting change. 

Your Role

Unfold are currently looking for volunteers who can mentor on either our Mentoring for Mothers programme, suppoting a mother with a child/children age 5+ or on our Mentoring for Children and young people’s programme (aged 10-25) both of which have an adaptive programme to support asylum seekers. Being trained to use a psychological approach, you will empower our mentees to get to where they want to be, through achieving our aims of boosting Confidence, building lasting Independence and Connecting mentees with 1 or more organisation.

What will I be doing?

On both programmes you will:

• Empower your mentee to help them achieve and identify goals to get them where they want to be, through encouraging your mentee to consider future options and assist them in developing strategies to attain their goals.
• Develop a trusting, supportive and non-judgemental relationship, to support them through their challanges by providing emotional, social and practical support to boost confidence and independence.
• Support your mentee to make social connections with their local community, services or groups and refer and signpost them to other organisations providing more specialist support if needed.

What impact will this have?

• By becoming a mentor with Unfold, you will be supporting those who often face exclusion, this as, although we are open to everyone, 93% of our service users are from racialised groups, 60% of our referrals come from other supporting service and we have also adapted our services to support Afghan evacuees. You will be joining an organisation with mentoring that works, 100% of our mentees felt that having a mentor had changed their lives and would recommend Unfold to their friends and family.

Commitment

• We ask volunteers to commit to a 1–2-hour weekly support session, over a period of six months (24 sessions in total). You will need to be able to meet your mentee in person at least twice a month, with 2 further sessions online.
• Attend monthly online group supervisions held weekday evenings. Supervisions are a great place to meet other mentors, share skills and ideas around mentoring, hear from organisation who can enhance your mentoring experience as well get support with the challenges you may face.

Training

• We priovide trainig based in postive psycholgy building skills that are transferrable, such as empathic leadership, coaching-style approaches, the growth mindset, mentoring, inclusion and more. 
• Throughout your mentoring journey, we’re always on hand to help, with ongoing support from a designated Programme Officer, as well as a range of tailored resources

What else do I need to know?

Unfold is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Our Mentoring for Mother opportunity however is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Background checks

• A DBS check is required.

Come join our volunteering team to help change the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society. Ranked 2023 Q3 by Best Companies as the 6th best charity to work for in the UK, Medaille Trust is one of the UK’s leading charities in the fight against modern slavery. Our innovative model is based on three principles: Prevent, Protect and Pursue.  We are one of the UK’s largest providers of survivor services, with ten safehouses and six outreach hubs, staffed round the clock by specialist staff, working with more than 600 men, women and dependent children each year.  We work to raise awareness in the UK and to provide preventive work in source countries. Our Pursue work helps survivors to engage with police and within the legal  system to seek justice and to secure convictions against their perpetrators.

We are looking for a Volunteer to help support us with administrative tasks which will include:

•Researching relevant essential services across all London boroughs, collating and maintaining upkeep of service contact information.

•Supporting Case Workers and the Local Coordinator with admin tasks as required.

•Supporting with awareness raising and promotion of the London Moving on Project.

•Supporting with researching and booking activities, talks and workshops to be delivered to clients at the London Hub.

•Facilitating the organisation of weekly Drop-In services at the London Hub.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and have a wide range of experience and motivations. Whatever your reason for deciding to volunteer, we want to make sure you enjoy your time with us and know just how much we value your support.

This role requires maturity, and an ability to engage with female adults in a trauma informed way, while working alongside staff members to deliver the service in line with agreed procedures and systems.

Volunteers need to:

•Be at least 18 years old

•Be female as this role is restricted for females under the Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010

•Be willing to show regular commitment weekly which may involve travelling to different hub locations in London

•Be computer literate and have a good standard of spoken and written English

•Be willing to have an enhanced DBS check

•Have the ability to work in a sensitive and sometimes challenging environment with an awareness of our clients’ vulnerabilities and awareness of confidentiality procedures

•Have knowledge and understanding of human trafficking issues or willingness to learn

•Have knowledge of mental health issues and the challenges faced or a willingness to learn

•Have an understanding of the importance of professional boundaries in the role

To apply please complete an application form.

Come join our volunteering team to help change the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society. Ranked 2023 Q3 by Best Companies as the 6th best charity to work for in the UK, Medaille Trust is one of the UK’s leading charities in the fight against modern slavery. Our innovative model is based on three principles: Prevent, Protect and Pursue.  We are one of the UK’s largest providers of survivor services, with ten safehouses and six outreach hubs, staffed round the clock by specialist staff, working with more than 600 men, women and dependent children each year.  We work to raise awareness in the UK and to provide preventive work in source countries. Our Pursue work helps survivors to engage with police and within the legal  system to seek justice and to secure convictions against their perpetrators.

We are looking for a Volunteer to help support us with facilitating drop ins and tasks will include:

•Providing support, signposting and guidance to clients attending the weekly drop in service

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•Providing support in a range of practical areas, including but not limited to housing, finances, form filling, accessing other services

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•Holding supervised one to one sessions with drop in clients

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•Updating and developing essential admin systems and research signposting options for our drop in clients

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•Supporting Case Workers and the Local Coordinator with admin tasks as required

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This role would suit someone who has experience of navigating statutory systems and detailed understanding of the social sector, however this is not essential as it can be learnt and developed within the role.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and have a wide range of experience and motivations. Whatever your reason for deciding to volunteer, we want to make sure you enjoy your time with us and know just how much we value your support.

This role requires maturity, and an ability to engage with female adults in a trauma informed way, while working alongside staff members to deliver the service in line with agreed procedures and systems.

Volunteers need to:

•Be at least 18 years old

•Be female as this role is restricted for females under the Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010

•Be willing to show regular commitment weekly which may involve travelling to different hub locations in London

•Be computer literate and have a good standard of spoken and written English

•Be willing to have an enhanced DBS check

•Have the ability to work in a sensitive and sometimes challenging environment with an awareness of our clients’ vulnerabilities and awareness of confidentiality procedures

•Have knowledge and understanding of human trafficking issues or willingness to learn

•Have an understanding of the importance of professional boundaries in the role

To apply please complete an application form.

We are the UK's youth movement for refugees and asylum seekers, and we need a new Chair for our Board of Trustees.

Set up in 2018, Our Second Home is the UK’s young refugee youth movement; we act as a catalyst to enable displaced young people to flourish into adulthood.

Our simple idea applies a model of peer leadership and regular activity, to create a participant-led social movement. By providing the infrastructure and tools that they lack, we are unlocking the confidence and potential of hundreds of displaced young people who desperately want to integrate and succeed in their new country AND building the next generation of refugee leaders.

The enthusiasm and demand for our work is huge and growing, with over 330 young people from 36 countries participating and leading, having been referred by 31 referring organisations across London, Essex, Bristol & Newcastle. After having guided the movement through our founding period, our Chair will be stepping down, and we are looking for the next person to take the reins.

We are searching for an accomplished and forward-thinking individual to serve as the Chair of our Board of Trustees. This pivotal role will play a central part in steering the governance and strategic direction of our charity. As Chair, you will collaborate closely with the board, working in tandem with the CEO to propel our mission forward and effect transformative change in the lives of young refugees and asylum seekers.

About You:

• Proven leadership experience at a senior level, preferably within the charity or nonprofit sector.

• A comprehensive understanding of governance principles and best practices.

• Being approachable and proactive, with exceptional communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.

• Wholehearted commitment to OSH's mission and values.

• Ability to allocate the necessary time and dedication to fulfil the role's responsibilities.

Our Second Home is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. We particularly welcome applications from women, those with disabilities, and those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, and those who have lived experience of the asylum system.

Join us on our journey to empower and uplift young refugees and asylum seekers. Together, we can make a profound difference in their lives, creating a brighter and more promising future

Young Humanists are the voice for non-religious young people. Two-thirds of young people are non-religious. We provide them with the community and platform that their voices deserve. We think young people have a right to be heard and that more should be done to ensure policy reflects their views.

Young Humanists is led by a committee that drives national and regional events throughout the year. They are supported by a team of local Ambassadors, who are the ‘on the ground’ representatives, working as part of local humanist or other community groups. We also have a team of volunteers specialising in areas like social media, design and research, who support the committee and individual Ambassadors.

We are seeking a dedicated and driven Northern Ireland-based individual to join our network of Ambassadors, to assist the committee by:

• Sitting on the Northern Ireland Humanists committee, providing a formal link to Young Humanists by championing issues that are particularly relevant to young people in Northern Ireland.
• Putting on events with a view to getting younger people involved (e.g. pub quizzes, campaign work, family-friendly events like coffee mornings or Sunday brunches, litter picks or picnics)
• Be a contact point for other Young Humanists who want to attend nearby groups/events and an ambassador for Young Humanists at regional events.
• Provide local knowledge to make sure we promote relevant local opportunities to our members and, equally, promote Humanists UK and Young Humanist events or campaigns locally.

Please read the full Application Pack for more information.

While there are no set hours we expect that up to three hours per week on average may be spent on the role, with this possibly increasing in the run-up to Young Humanists’ events.

All Young Humanists volunteers should be aged 18 to 35 (with eligibility ending the day before the applicant’s 36th birthday). Much of the work can be done remotely, but it is required that the post holder be based in Northern Ireland. 

If this sounds like you send your CV and cover letter, with the subject ‘Young Humanists Ambassador for Northern Ireland’ 

Trustee (Chair of Audit and Finance Committee and knowledge of global south)

Join the Board of Amref Health Africa UK to support the work of the African continent’s leading health charity, working with women and girls to secure the right to health and break the cycle of poverty.

Applications close at  9 a.m. Monday 8th January 2024.

Who we are

Amref Health Africa is Africa’s leading health charity. We work with women and girls to secure the right to health and break the cycle of poverty. Headquartered in Nairobi, we are truly an African organisation, partnering with communities in 35 countries to create lasting change.

Amref Health Africa UK is one of nine offices in Europe and North America whose primary role is to raise funds and broker partnerships to support and further our work in Africa.

Amref UK’s primary role is income generation from a range of donors, including individuals, institutions, trusts, foundations, and corporate partners. Our fundraising supports four crucial and complementary themed programmes:

• Maternal, newborn and child health.
• Sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• Water, sanitation and hygiene.
• Training of health workers.

We have entered a new and exciting phase of growth and development at Amref Health Africa UK, and we are searching for people to join our board who will embrace and support our vision and ambition.

The UK Board

Amref Health Africa UK is a registered charity, and a company limited by guarantee. Trustees will become part of the Board of Directors and will advise and guide the charity in the accomplishment of its strategic aims.

About the role

Trustees are unpaid volunteers who are part of the Board of Directors. Board Members will:

• Contribute to the good governance of the charity and advise and guide the charity in the delivery of its strategic aims and direction.
• Be prepared to serve on one of the committees depending on your skills.
• Be willing to offer advice at a strategic level to the senior staff of the charity.
• Act as ambassadors on behalf of Amref Health Africa UK, attending its key events and networking on its behalf where feasible and appropriate.
• Be ready on an occasional basis to work directly with the management team to offer practical support in areas where the Board member has specialist knowledge, skills or experience to contribute to a specific issue or project.
• Willingness to draw on professional and personal networks to support fundraising capacity.
• A strong interest in global healthcare and/or Africa.

Who we are looking for

To complement the skills and experience of the existing Trustees, we are looking for two Trustees with specific skills.

One Trustee will be a qualified accountant and hold a senior strategic leadership position to be our new Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee. They will need to attend all full Board and all Finance Committee meetings.

Additionally, we seek a Trustee with knowledge of global south business models and transformative funding and/or technical knowledge and thought leadership of current health issues in Africa. This Trustee will join either the Audit and Finance or Governance Committee.

Amref Health Africa welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. As individuals from our countries of operation are

currently under-represented on the Board, applications from African candidates would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process.

Amref Health Africa UK believes that everyone we come into contact with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation. We will include safeguarding as part of our reference process for successful candidates.

Time Commitment:

Members of the Board are asked to give approximately 8-10 days per year to work flexibly around Board and Committee meetings and other events or projects.  Meetings are held in London and attendance is preferably in person.

Trustees are expected to commit to the following:

• To undertake a three-year term which may be extended up to a maximum of nine years.
• To attend all four Board Meetings in London, and to be prepared to attend all four Committee Meetings per year as assigned.
• Attend other events when relevant and feasible, as well as training when required.
• To contribute specialist knowledge, skills or experience to specific issues or projects on an occasional basis.

We are looking for our new Trustees to join in Spring 2024. Our Current Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee reaches the end of term in Autumn 2024 so we aim to offer a long handover during the financial cycle of the charity. 

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications close at9 a.m. Monday 8th January 2024.

Come join our volunteering team to help change the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society. Ranked 2023 Q3 by Best Companies as the 6th best charity to work for in the UK, Medaille Trust is one of the UK’s leading charities in the fight against modern slavery. Our innovative model is based on three principles: Prevent, Protect and Pursue.  We are one of the UK’s largest providers of survivor services, with ten safehouses and six outreach hubs, staffed round the clock by specialist staff, working with more than 600 men, women and dependent children each year.  We work to raise awareness in the UK and to provide preventive work in source countries. Our Pursue work helps survivors to engage with police and within the legal  system to seek justice and to secure convictions against their perpetrators.

We know that wellbeing is hugely important for our service users therefore, we are looking for volunteers who can deliver ad-hoc sessions in wellbeing such as yoga, pilates, meditation, facials, arts & crafts etc. This would suit someone who wants to gain volunteer experience in this sector but is unable to commit to something on a more regular basis.

Tasks will include:

•Delivering wellbeing activities for service user participation.

•Helping service users to engage within a group setting.

•To offer a safe and comfortable experience for all service users, showing awareness of service users’ varying physical and mental well-being needs.

You must have relevant qualifications and experience in activities that you will be delivering, such as yoga, facials etc.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and have a wide range of experience and motivations. Whatever your reason for deciding to volunteer, we want to make sure you enjoy your time with us and know just how much we value your support.

This role requires maturity, and an ability to engage with female adults in a trauma informed way, while working alongside staff members to deliver the activities in line with agreed procedures and systems.

Volunteers need to:

•Be at least 18 years old

•Be female as this role is restricted for females under the Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010

•Be able to get to the venue which is based in Hillingdon.

•Be computer literate and have a good standard of spoken and written English

•Be willing to have an enhanced DBS check

•Have knowledge and understanding of human trafficking issues or willingness to learn

•Have knowledge and understanding of mental health conditions or willingness to learn

•Have an understanding of the importance of professional boundaries in the role

•Have the ability to maintain confidentiality

For full details and how to apply please visit our website and complete an application form.