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Public Relation/Marketing Trustee- Join Us in Transforming Children’s Lives!

At School-Home Support, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to be in school and ready to learn – no matter the obstacles they face. Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to ensure that every child is in school, every day, by 2050. We are looking for a passionate individual with PR/Marketing knowledge to help us make this vision a reality and have a lasting impact on children and families across the country. 

We’re seeking an individual who shares our passion for improving children’s lives. If you have experience as a trustee and are ready to take the next step in your governance journey, we would love to hear from you. 

Who We're Looking For:

We are looking to recruit a PR/Marketing Trustee who is passionate about the work of School-Home Support and brings energy, commitment and leadership combined with a willingness to advocate for the work we do and the cause we serve. 

As a PR/Marketing Trustee, You Will: 

• Contribute to setting goals, targets, and overall policy for the organisation

• Share your expertise and networks to support the development and growth of the charity. 

• Help ensure compliance with our legal obligations and the organisation’s core purpose. 

• Provide oversight of the budget to guarantee School-Home Support’s financial sustainability. 

• Support the Safeguarding Lead to ensure measures are in place for safeguarding for the children and families we support and the staff team

• Act as a champion and ambassador for School-Home Support, enhancing our reputation, representing us at key events, and supporting fundraising efforts. 

What We Offer: 

• Impactful Role: By joining our Board of Trustees, you will play a key role in shaping our national impact and supporting our mission to transform the lives of children in need. 

• Training & Development: You will receive tailored training specific to your role and access to additional learning opportunities through our staff-led EDI networks. 

• Networking Opportunities: You’ll have the chance to expand your professional network and make valuable connections within the education and charity sectors.

• Support Throughout Your Journey: We will buddy you with a more experienced trustee or corporate volunteer to ensure you feel supported and confident throughout your time with us.

Expectations:

• Commitment: A commitment of three years to this voluntary role

• Meetings: Attend four half-day board meetings and one AGM each year, which are typically held in Stratford, London, or remotely. 

• Sub-Committees: Participate in one of our sub-committees to help guide specific areas of our work. 

• External Events: Attend 2-3 fundraising events each year (usually evenings) and make at least one school visit annually. 

• Inclusion & Diversity: A strong commitment to inclusion, equal opportunities, and the promotion of diversity in all aspects of your work.  

If you’re ready to make a difference and contribute to creating brighter futures for children and their families, we want to hear from you! 

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please review the Trustee Pack and submit your application today!

Fundraising team leader 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 team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

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

You’ll be:

· supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers

· planning fundraising events and activities with your team

· allocating tasks before and during fundraising events

· keeping financial records from fundraising events

· encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 

· following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

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.

Fundraising team leader 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 team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

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

You’ll be:

· supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers

· planning fundraising events and activities with your team

· allocating tasks before and during fundraising events

· keeping financial records from fundraising events

· encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 

· following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

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.

Are you an enthusiastic and skilled funding grant writer? Be a part of our small but committed team as a pro-active grant writer volunteer for a small national charity supporting people affected by a debilitating pain condition.

We are looking for 2 skilled grant writer volunteers who can take the lead in researching appropriate funds and writing grant bids to help us continue offering our support services and resources and helping us create new programmes and services to support patients and their families who have been affected by a poorly understood chronic condition; Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

As our Grant Writer you will be responsible for identifying appropriate grant opportunities, and managing the grant development and proposal process from research to submitting grant applications with any supporting documents.

As our grant writer, you will:

• Identify appropriate sources of funding where we fit their criteria 
• Write appropriately tailored grant/funding bids that meet funders’ interests and requirements and to write any additional documents in support of funding bids
• Help develop a Trusts and Foundations strategy to help create and maintain strong and diverse income that meets Burning Nights CRPS Support’s funding needs
• Create a calendar of grant deadlines and track submitted funding proposals
• Help us develop a case for support 
• Report on grant usage and impact
• Review all grant/bid feedback and ensure knowledge is shared, so that learning informs us for future approaches to grants

If you are an experienced grant writer or you just enjoy researching and persuasive writing then we would love to hear from you.

We are looking for a volunteer who has:

• Experience of being a grant writer, project proposal writer and editing skills
• Excellent writing, analytical, and research skills are essential
• Creative and persuasive written and spoken communication skills 
• Self-motivated and highly-organised
• Ability to work remotely
• Ability to search online databases and other sources to identify appropriate funds
• Ability to understand and appeal to funders’ differing needs
• Ability to organise your own work, track and report back regularly 
• Experience setting up funding email templates (desirable)
• Ability to quickly understand the needs of our organisation  and our service users
• Understands the resource constraints of a small charity and can work with these
• Open to feedback
• Ideally have good network with people, organisations and charities which can help us to support our projects
• Determination to get the job done

Skills

• Project proposal writing
• Grant writing and knowledge of charity grant giving culture
• Good networking skills and contacts with grant giving organisation
• Marketing and communications
• Content writing and story-telling
• Good online fundraising skills
• Good editing and proof reading skills and attention to detail
• Team player who is comfortable working with various volunteers within Burning Nights CRPS Support to collate information required to write funding applications

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

Other Information

This role is done remotely using Zoom, Slack and email. You would be working closely with the charity’s Chair and with other trustees. However we would have regular updates and remote meetings as needed so we know you are getting the support you need.

We have an induction process that will help successful applicant to understand how our Charity operates and full support of all our volunteers.

Minimum of 3-6 hours per week for this role

Ideal commitment of 3 months or more (but not specific)

Fundraising team leader 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 team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

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

You’ll be:

· supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers

· planning fundraising events and activities with your team

· allocating tasks before and during fundraising events

· keeping financial records from fundraising events

· encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 

· following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

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.

Volunteer Lead for Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership.

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact?

We are seeking an enthusiastic Volunteer Lead to support our charity, managing and supporting part-time staff that are involved in the recruitment,  retention and development of volunteers, and being part of a team that develops our strategy and volunteer roles as we evolve as a charity.

Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership (WTRRP) provides practical and emotional support, advice and befriending to refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum living in the Watford and Three Rivers area. We are a growing charity serving an increasing number of clients. We have been able to secure some funding which has enabled us to employ three members of staff, one full time Caseworker and a part time Office Manager and a part time Volunteer Coordinator.  We are based in St. Mary’s Church, Watford in the heart of the City Centre. For over 20 years we have had a strong volunteer base and as we grow,  we are navigating the change of continuing to work with a strong volunteer base as well as staff. We have over 70 volunteers currently, that engage in a number of roles ranging from Caseworkers, ESOL teachers, Social Hub volunteers and Fundraisers.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with some experience of managing staff and working with volunteers, to provide supervision to our Office Manager and our Volunteer Co-ordinator.  You will also help us develop our volunteers.

You will work closely with our HR Lead reviewing and updating our policies and guidance for volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

· Line manage and support two members of staff who are part time and are involved in the recruitment and support of volunteers.

· Have a strategic focus on Volunteer development

· Develop our training, support and retention of volunteers

· Identify gaps in roles in our organisation and develop new roles

· Foster a positive and productive culture within our charity

· Be part of a team to resolve issues with staff and volunteers using clear processes

· Become a Trustee of the Charity and attend meetings which are held in the evenings in Watford

Do you have these?

· Some experience of managing staff

· Understanding of working in a organisation with volunteers

· Some experience of managing volunteers (desirable)

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team

· Desire to support the Charity grow and develop

· Experience of providing training and support  (desirable)

· Some occasional availability on Tuesdays for part of the period 11.00-14.00, when most of our volunteers are present (highly desirable).

Time Commitment

The hours would vary but at least 3-5 hours a week.

Committee meetings are on varying weekday evenings, currently 6 per year.

What you will gain:

· Satisfaction from being part of bringing positive change to migrants and asylum seekers in the local community

· Valuable experience in a charitable organisation – both strategic and practical

· Access to training with NCVO

· Being part of a team of trustees

Interested in the role?

If you would like to have an informal chat initially, please contact us, or you can apply via Charity Jobs.

Canopi Foundation carries out two main charitable activities, that of Canopi and Education Saves Lives. They together form a small group, with Canopi Foundation overseeing the two activities.

• Canopi is a not-for-profit organisation offering flexible and affordable workspace for charities and other Social Sector organisations in a central London location. Our mission is to support the Social Sector by providing modern, flexible work environments, support services, and events tailored to a like-minded community of changemakers.
• Education Saves Lives is is dedicated to improving health and well-being in vulnerable communities around the world by providing life-saving health education through simple, engaging video lessons. These educational resources are delivered in local languages and tailored to the needs of each community, empowering individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and lead healthier lives. 

Canopi Foundation is seeking 3 new Trustees to join their Board - Use your expertise to create positive social impact both locally and globally as a Trustee of Canopi Foundation.

What will you be doing?

As a Trustee of Canopi Foundation, you’ll help provide strategic direction, ensure good governance, and support financial oversight. Key responsibilities include:

• Governance & Leadership: Ensure legal and regulatory compliance, uphold the charity’s mission and values, contribute to Board decisions, and promote integrity and transparency.
• Strategy & Planning: Shape and monitor strategic plans, assess risks and opportunities, and stay informed on sector trends.
• Financial Stewardship: Approve budgets and reports, oversee resource management and risk, and support income generation and fundraising initiatives.

You will be part of a team of committed individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact in the world. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute your skills, knowledge, and experience to drive Canopi Foundation’s mission forward.

There is a full role description in the candidate pack.

Time commitment: Approximately one day a month on average, comprised of preparation for and attending: Four Board meetings a year (usually via Zoom), one annual strategy day (in person), and 1hr monthly informal catch ups (via Zoom) Ad hoc support for Chief Executive of Canopi and Education Saves Lives. While most meetings are virtual, occasional in-person sessions occur (82 Tanner Street, London) 

What are we looking for?

Skills and qualifications:

We are seeking Trustees with the following skills / experience to take lead oversight for these areas:

• Social Sector Experience: someone with a solid understanding of the charity and third sector, and strong experience in strategy and leadership. You’ll offer insights that help us respond to sector challenges and increase our impact
• Fundraising and Income Generation: someone with a background in fundraising and income generation to support the team with ideas, insight, and a fresh perspective on our income strategy
• Legal (Charity Law and Regulation): someone with legal expertise - especially in charity law and regulation - to guide the Board in making sound and compliant decisions

As part of our longer-term succession planning, we would welcome interest from candidates who may be open to taking on additional Board leadership responsibilities in the future, eg Chair or Committee roles.

We are committed to creating a board of trustees that reflects the rich diversity of our community. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences - regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or socio‑economic status. We believe that varied perspectives strengthen our governance and help us serve better.

There is a full description in the candidate pack.

What difference will you make?

As a Trustee, your expertise and guidance will directly shape the future of Canopi Foundation and its two impactful initiatives: Canopi, supporting social change organisations with affordable workspaces, and Education Saves Lives, delivering vital health education globally. Your input will strengthen our strategy, governance, and sustainability - helping us reach more people, respond effectively to sector challenges, and grow our impact. This is a meaningful opportunity to use your skills to support a mission-driven organisation making a real difference in people’s lives.

We are looking for a Volunteer Fundraiser to support our fundraising activities with the initial focus on Corporate Partnerships. 

This role will play a key part in achieving our Vision where disabled children and young adults along with their families can together enjoy a rewarding life, which is fun, beneficial and above all fulfilling.   

This post is subject to an enhanced disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring Services. 

Volunteer with Stepping Stones Learning and Leisure

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

We’re currently looking for volunteers to support our sessions in:

• Art (Friday mornings)
• Dance Fit (Thursday mornings and/or afternoons)
• Music (Tuesday mornings and/or afternoons)
• Social Club (Thursday afternoons)

These weekly groups offer creative, social, and wellbeing-focused opportunities for our learners, led by experienced tutors in a relaxed, supportive setting.

All sessions take place at St Faith’s Centre, Red Post Hill, SE24 9JQ (close to North Dulwich and Herne Hill stations)

What You’ll Do

As a volunteer, you’ll be supporting adults with learning disabilities to participate fully in the sessions, connect with others, and enjoy meaningful activities. Your role might include:

• Setting up and packing away equipment and materials
• Welcoming students and their carers or support workers
• Offering encouragement and practical support in one-to-one or small group settings
• Helping tutors to deliver fun, engaging activities

All sessions are led by experienced tutors, and you’ll be part of a warm and supportive staff and volunteer team who are committed to inclusion, creativity and care.

What You’ll Gain

Volunteering with us is a chance to:

• Build experience working with adults with learning disabilities
• Gain hands on involvement in creative, wellbeing and social activities
• Be part of a welcoming and friendly team
• Develop your confidence, communication and teamwork skills
• Make a meaningful contribution to your local community
• Learn from people with diverse experiences 

Whether you’re exploring a career in social care or looking to give back and become a stronger link in your community, we’d love to hear from you.

Who We’re Looking For

You don’t need to be an expert! We’re looking for people with the right attitude, values, and willingness to support others. Even if you don’t have experience of working with adults with learning disabilities, the following qualities are especially helpful:

• Enthusiasm and positivity. Your energy can set the tone for the group. A cheerful presence helps create a welcoming and encouraging environment.
• Patience. Some learners may take time to engage or communicate. Patience helps build trust and ensures everyone feels supported.
• Reliable and punctual. Many of our learners value consistency and routine. Being dependable helps build rapport and ensures the session runs smoothly.
• Inclusive communication skills. You should feel confident listening carefully, offering clear instructions or encouragement, and adapting your communication to meet individual needs.
• Inclusive and non-judgemental. We welcome people from all walks of life. An open-minded approach helps every learner feel accepted and valued.
• Adaptable and flexible. Things don’t always go to plan. A calm, flexible approach helps maintain a relaxed and safe environment for our sessions to run.
• Ready to get stuck in! Many sessions involve art, music or movement. You don’t need to be an expert, but a willingness to join in and get involved makes a big difference.

Prior to volunteering, we ask all volunteers to:

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

How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV and answer the following questions (these will come up when you hit "Apply"):

• What session(s) would you like to volunteer in?
• Why you would like to volunteer with Stepping Stones?
• What are the strongest attributes and values you feel you will bring to your volunteering role?

Letchworth Foodbank is seeking an inspiring and strategic Chair of the Board to lead the next chapter of our growth.

We have a clear mission: the prevention or relief of poverty in Letchworth, Hitchin and Baldock in particular, but not exclusively, by providing emergency food supplies and financial support to individuals in need and/or charities or other organisations working to relieve poverty.

Receiving donations and grants of over £200,000 per annum, the Foodbank distributes over 40 tonnes of food and £50,000 of food vouchers every year to those that need it most.

Our strategy is not to stand still, but to increase our reach and impact, and we require a Chair that shares our ambitions and will help drive a clear strategy forwards with the Trustees, working closely with the Foodbank Director.

What are we looking for?

• A Chair with knowledge of and commitment to tackling and relieving poverty.

• Experience in leadership, governance, and board-level roles (charity or voluntary sector preferred).

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and unite people.

• An understanding of the challenges faced by small charities and grassroots organisations.

• A strategic thinker with sound judgment and an inclusive leadership style.

• An understanding of safeguarding, equality, and community engagement principles.

• Experience of financial management and a broad understanding of charity finance issues.

At Letchworth Foodbank, we champion diversity. We welcome applicants from all walks of life, valuing diverse perspectives that enrich our work.

#Chair #Leadership #Endfoodpoverty #Chair of the Board of Trustees 

Become an Independent Visitor to be matched one to one with a young person in care. You will meet once or twice a month to take them out to do fun activities together. This is an opportunity for our young people to develop a healthy relationship with a trusted adult, have fun and share their worries and feelings if they are ready to do so.

We'll provide full training, all your expenses and ongoing support from dedicated staff. 

This is an opportunity for you to build skills and knowledge within social care and test yourself with real life experience of a young person in care.

We're looking for enthusiastic, committed people to bring their experience, skills and positivity to the lives of young people who have been through tough times. We will be providing training on the following subjects.

Session 1 Introduction to IV and the Care system
Session 2 Trauma, Attachment and Growth
Session 3 Safeguarding
Session 4 Communications and Boundaries
Session 5 The Role Of The IV

A bit about this role

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!

What can you expect to be doing?

This is a really flexible role – you can choose what you’d like to get involved with:

• 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, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised
• 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

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping raise vital funds through fundraising activities. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated group of volunteers. Whether you’d rather be out and about, or volunteering from your own home, there are so many ways to fundraise.

We’re looking for someone with

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to be part of a team
• Good organisational skills
• Flexible approach
• Knowledge of local community networks (would be an advantage)

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments. You’ll be part of a team all working together to raise vital funds while having fun in the process!

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

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!

Amazing, giving, and inspiring are a few words we would use to describe our volunteers.

Our volunteers play an integral part in the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will really make a difference whilst gaining experience along the way, then join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.

About the role

We are looking for Volunteer Befrienders to support our Brent Mental Health service in the London Borough of Brent. 

As a Volunteer Befriender, you will be required to travel across Brent to meet with service users and carry out your role. Ideally, you will be able to commit a minimum of 2 hours per week to volunteering. 

You will be supported by Befriending Volunteer Coordinators who will provide regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role. You can read more about the benefits of volunteering on the full advert on our website.

About the service

Our Brent Mental Health service provides support to people aged 18 and above who live in the Borough of Brent, and who have a mental illness and are known to the local NHS trust, Central and North West London (CNWL).

The aim of the Befriending Service is to;

• Reduce social isolation of service users
• Increase the confidence of service users in accessing community resources independently
• Provide meaningful activities and peer support for service users 
• Help service users to live happier, healthier, independent lives
• Provide volunteering opportunities for people with mental health issues
• Reduce stigma and raise mental health awareness

What you will be doing as a Volunteer Befriender:

• Meeting with service users in locations and times which meet their needs (including evenings and weekends)
• Provide befriending support to a maximum of 2 service users at any one time
• Provide emotional support based on your own lived experience
• Support service users to access and build social and community networks and activities
• Act as a community connector to local services

What will make you a great fit for this role?

• You will have good communication skills
• You will be flexible in order to meet the needs of the service users

If you would like to express an interest in this opportunity, please complete an application as soon as possible, as the advert may close early if we receive a high level of interest.

Who are we?

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”    

It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.    

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion  

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.  

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation  

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.  

We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.