Youth advocate volunteer roles

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 Youth ESOL: 

Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.

About the Role: 

CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our face-to-face study programme called ‘Get Ready for School.’ 

This programme is attended by young people out of education and is based in Tooting on Mondays and Wednesdays. Core delivery of the programme includes English, Maths, Digital skills, complemented by Reading and Writing for Pleasure.

Volunteers in this role are required to commit to at least one 2-hour session per week, during these times:

• Monday 10am - 3pm
• Tuesday 2pm - 6pm
• Wednesday 11am - 6pm

Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

Volunteer  Tasks and Responsibilities: 

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes;

• Help young people to build confidence in digital literacy;

• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources;

• Engaging learners in informal conversations or games during breaks to help them practice their conversational English.

• Checking the session plan aims with the lead teacher and assisting learners achieve them;

• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session;

• Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class;

• Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project;

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential;

• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements;

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements: 

Essential 

• To be 18 years or older;

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (travel and food expenses can be reimbursed);

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;

• To be reliable and punctual;

• Excellent communication skills, especially with people who are new to English;

• The ability to volunteer on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons/evenings during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months;

• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum seeker or refugee status

• Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check (DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a Caras community member who is more recently arrived in the UK);

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role 

Desirable 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• 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, including safeguarding training. 

• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering 

To Apply: 

To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form from the CARAS website using this volunteer role description to inform your answers with email subject header “Youth ESOL Teaching Assistant Volunteer”. 

Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with a member of the CARAS learning staff team and a community member. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP! 

 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. 

Safeguarding Lead Trustee
Location: London (Hybrid)
Remuneration: This is an unremunerated role. However, expenses such as childcare, care for other dependants, and travel will be covered to support attendance at board meetings.

Our client is a registered Charity Incorporated Organisation that aims to support and invest in young people (predominantly 18-25 years old) through their adolescent years which can be difficult because of both personal circumstances and the injustices in society. They fund work nationally, as well as having a specific focus on several counties in the South East of England. The grants they make total c. £3 million per year.

The Trust has evolved a lot over the years and is very much values driven around their mission “to bring lasting change to the lives of young people; investing in them as powerful forces for change and acting upon their right to be heard in pursuit of a fair and just society.” They really want to be a foundation that listens well and gives young people power to change and improve society whilst staying responsible, trusting and progressive. They do this primarily by providing grants to organisations working with young people, influencing youth policy alongside them and investing directly in young changemakers.

The Trust is looking for a new Safeguarding Lead Trustee to join their inclusive, inspiring and professional Board. You will be the champion for safeguarding throughout the organisation and Board and will bring excellent experience around safeguarding young people, with support from the Safeguarding Committee. Our client encourages applications from younger candidates for those who feel they have similar and relevant experience even though this may be your first time board/trustee role.

Most importantly, this individual will be motivated to live the Trust’s values and share their vision of a world where all young people have hope, access to the support they need, a stake in society and influence over their futures. Our client are committed to centering the voices of those they seek to serve. Their board and staff team have relevant lived and learnt experiences to help us fulfil their mission. They listen to the communities they seek to serve both directly and broadly to have as accurate of an understanding as possible about the issues that those they’re here to serve are facing.

For further details about this exciting opportunity, please refer to the full appointment brief attached below. To apply, please click ‘Redirect to Recruiter’.

Deadline for applications: 18th May
Interviews with client: w/c 26th May or 2nd June

Vice Chair
Location: London (Hybrid)
Remuneration: This is an unremunerated role. However, expenses such as childcare, care for other dependants, and travel will be covered to support attendance at board meetings.

Our client is a registered Charity Incorporated Organisation that aims to support and invest in young people (predominantly 18-25 years old) through their adolescent years which can be difficult because of both personal circumstances and the injustices in society. They fund work nationally, as well as having a specific focus on several counties in the South East of England. The grants they make total c. £3 million per year.

The Trust has evolved a lot over the years and is very much values driven around their mission “to bring lasting change to the lives of young people; investing in them as powerful forces for change and acting upon their right to be heard in pursuit of a fair and just society.” They really want to be a foundation that listens well and gives young people power to change and improve society whilst staying responsible, trusting and progressive. They do this primarily by providing grants to organisations working with young people, influencing youth policy alongside them and investing directly in young changemakers.

Our client is looking for a new Vice Chair to join their inclusive, inspiring and professional Board. The Vice Chair will provide support to the current Chair and additional leadership to the Board. You will bring experience of working with young people or within/around youth led organisations. This individual will be able to be an effective ambassador and will bring an understanding of boards and charity governance, ideally though a previous board role or experience in an aligned role. The Trust provides training and ongoing support, and they looking for someone committed both to the role and to continuous learning.

Most importantly, this individual will be motivated to live the Trust’s values and share their vision of a world where all young people have hope, access to the support they need, a stake in society and influence over their futures. They are committed to centering the voices of those thet seek to serve. The board and staff team have relevant lived and learnt experiences to help us fulfil the Trust’s mission. They listen to the communities they seek to serve both directly and broadly to have as accurate of an understanding as possible about the issues that those they’re here to serve are facing. Our client encourages applications from younger candidates and for those who may not have previously held a Chair or Vice Chair role.

For further details about this exciting opportunity, please refer to the full appointment brief attached below. To apply, please click ‘Redirect to Recruiter’

Deadline for applications: 18th May
Interviews with client: w/c 26th May or 2nd June

Join us our Chair of the Board of Trustees

 We are seeking an inspiring Chair who will play a vital role in shaping our future.

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in the community? Do you have a strong desire to contribute your skills to a cause that matters? We invite you to become the new Chair of our Board of Trustees and be a driving force for change!

Who we are

CAYSH is a purpose driven charity, dedicated to making a difference to the lives of young people. We believe in the power of community, collaboration and transparency to create lasting change. We provide supported housing, advice and guidance to more than 100 vulnerable, homeless young people.

Our Community Interest Company has a separate board and exists to provide 24/7 concierge services to young people at CAYSH and externally to vulnerable adults with complex needs.

What we are looking for: An individual who will provide strategic guidance, support our growth and provide governance leadership. You will also support us in making a difference to the lives of young people and vulnerable adults.

While working collaboratively with our CEO, dedicated team of staff, trustees and directors you will support and oversee the activities of our organisation and have oversight of board and committee activity and decision making.

 Why you should join us as our Chair:

Impact: Be part of an organisation making a real difference to the lives of homeless young people. Leadership: Support our strategic decision-making and shape the future direction of the organisation. Fulfilment: Experience the satisfaction of knowing that your efforts contribute to positive change.

We want to work with a Chair who is an experienced trustee or director, with a career background that will raise the work of the CAYSH Group and champion our vision and mission. We endeavour to grow our organisation and particularly welcome applications from anyone who will support our business growth strategy. Commitment to safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults is essential, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities and eliminating discriminatory practice.

Time commitment:

Our Trustees and Directors provide a valuable and positive contribution, building on our strengths and ensuring our results are sustained. There are currently 9 Trustees / Directors within the Group who bring a wide range of skills, knowledge and experience to the organisation.

You will attend an average of 4 Board meetings and up to 4 Committee meetings a year, plus Trustee / Director away-days & other events, such as AGM. Meetings are held outside regular business hours and are mostly online. Events (including strategy days, AGM and service user get-togethers) usually take place at our offices in Croydon.

How to Apply: If you are ready to embark on a rewarding journey and to become the Chair of Board of Trustees with CAYSH, we would love to hear from you! Please submit a brief statement outlining your interest and the skills you bring to our organisation.

Apply now and become a catalyst for positive change! Together, let's build a better future.

Background to the Role

We are currently creating a brand new three-year strategy, setting out an exciting vision to support, promote and defend the mental health, rights and social position of young people. This follows a period of organisational growth, where expanding services into the North Somerset region, and working in partnership with the local statutory mental health provider, has increased our staffing to over 100 employees.

Our new Chair will be an experienced Trustee or Board member who is skilled in effectively managing meetings for productive discussions. We are looking for someone with energy and drive and who will ensure robust governance, aligning strategy and operations. A number of our Trustees have been with us for less than a year and we also have a new CEO and a fairly new SLT, we are therefore looking for an experienced hand who is a skilled relationship manager and a decisive leader, capable of listening to all sides and finding compromise to make difficult decisions.

Main Responsibilities

• To be responsible for providing effective strategic leadership and management to the Board of Trustees, enabling them to fulfil their responsibilities for the overall governance and strategic direction of OTR.
• To chair meetings of the Board of Trustees effectively and efficiently, bringing impartiality and objectivity to the decision-making process.
• To plan the annual cycle of Board meetings.
• To set agendas for Board meetings and review minutes.
• To ensure the Scheme of Delegation to the CEO is reviewed and updated.
• To be knowledgeable about, and abide by, the Articles of Association and Charitable Purpose.
• To represent OTR at functions and meetings, and act as a spokesperson as appropriate.

Person Specification

• Strong leadership skills and a collaborative team member.
• Strategic vision.
• Able to display impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidences.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship from the Charity Commission and Companies House.
• Excellent people management skills, and an ability to build trusting relationships with Trustees, senior staff, external partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to make measured and fair judgements and decisions.
• A regard for Nolan's 7 principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Diversity and inclusion 

At OTR, whatever your role or professional background, you will be expected to work in a way that is anti-oppressive and inclusive. A key focus for OTR is to develop an organisation that is inclusive for all. We do not claim to be experts in this, but we are committed to continuous learning and improvement in these areas and invite you to join us on this journey. 

OTR recognises the benefits to individual practice and organisational credibility of having a diverse community of staff and volunteers and to this end, is continually working towards building and maintaining an environment which values and pursues diversity accordingly. 

We recognise that tackling systemic inequality, prejudice, racism, and oppressive practice requires each of us to actively engage, self-examine and make changes where necessary in order to improve access and ensure an equitable experience for all in society and all of those who come through our doors at OTR. 

How to apply

Eastside People is supporting Off the Record (Bristol) in the recruitment of this role. Please click here to apply by submitting a CV and a cover letter both in Word doc. format. Please use the cover letter (max 2 pages) as an opportunity to add to the information you have shared in your CV and ensure that you cover the following:

• Why is OTR’s work important to you and how can you contribute as our Chair?
• Your experience of working at a strategic level and of effective governance.
• How would you go about ensuring that our many stakeholders are heard and represented at Board level

Having a call of this kind will not influence the success or otherwise of your application. 

The closing date for applications is Friday, 16th May. Longlisting interviews with Eastside People will take place shortly after and shortlisted candidates will have an interview with the panel at OTR during the week beginning 2nd June.

About VoiceAbility

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations. 

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.

Why Volunteer with VoiceAbility

Volunteering with VoiceAbility gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your community by helping others ensure their voices are heard and valued. The roles we offer are deeply rewarding and may challenge you in new ways. You’ll develop your communication skills, meet new people, and gain a greater understanding of others, while enjoying a sense of personal fulfilment along the way!

Whether you're looking to give back to your community, learn something new, or simply enjoy connecting with others, we’d love to have you on board!

Volunteer positions currently available in Wakefield

Independent Visitor Volunteer

Our Independent Visitor Volunteers provide consistent and supportive relationships to children ad young people in care, offering emotional support, companionship, and guidance through shared activities and time together.  The Independent Visitor plays a vital role in helping the young people build confidence and feel secure while enhancing their personal, social, and cultural development.

As an Independent Visitor Volunteer in England, you might:

• support the child/young person to experience enriching activities that contribute to their personal and cultural development

• engage in activities such as pursuing hobbies, meeting for meals, or socialising in a community setting

• listen to and support the young person, fostering a sense of safety and trust

• help the young person develop social skills and increase their involvement in their community

• develop a positive and lasting relationship, ensuring the young person feels valued and supported

You will need to be over 18 years old and be living in the UK. Please note that the Independent Visitor Volunteers generally volunteer at evening and weekends due to the children’s and young person’s availability.

Safeguarding Commitment Statement

VoiceAbility are committed to safeguarding all clients who access our services. All Volunteers will be required to undertake a DBS check at the appropriate level and provide contact details for a minimum of two referees in line with our safer recruitment practice.

ED&I Statement

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact the Volunteering team for further options.

To find out more click “Apply Now”. 

Independent Visitor: Mentor a young person for 2 – 4 hours per month for at least 1 year.

An Independent Visitor is usually an adult volunteer who befriends a young person in care and develops a long-term friendship with them. This often involves helping young people develop new interests, skills and hobbies or going on outings such as going to the cinema, bowling or just walking in the park.
The aim is to provide support, confidence, and fun experiences outside of the young person’s daily environment. If you are looking for a rewarding role with an organisation that makes a difference in young people’s lives, we want to hear from you.

About the role:
•Visit a young person monthly and become a trusted adult friend to them.
•Build a trusting, consistent and positive relationship with the child.
•Provide a child with the opportunity to try new activities (e.g., cinema, bowling, museums, nature walks, or simply having a chat) and spend time with them away from their placement. 
•Provide visit reports and feedback after visits to help us monitor and improve the service.

In return, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Make a real difference – be a positive, stable influence in a young person’s life.

• Have fun and create memories – enjoy activities while building a meaningful bond.

• Gain valuable experience – develop skills in mentoring, communication and young people’s support.

• Access to training and job opportunities – acquire knowledge and experience in a fun setting. 

• Flexible and rewarding – just a few hours a month can change a life!

You will be allocated a budget for each visit for your travel and activity.

Skills:

• Interpersonal Skills – Ability to easily build rapport and identify with young people from diverse backgrounds.

• Communication – Excellent communication skills and good report writing skills.

• Committed – Willing to commit to a child for at least one year. 

• DBS Check – We will carry out safer recruitment checks, and you will be required to have an Enhanced DBS check.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with VoiceAbility,

About VoiceAbility

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations. 

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.

Why Volunteer with VoiceAbility

Volunteering with VoiceAbility gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your community by helping others ensure their voices are heard and valued. The roles we offer are deeply rewarding and may challenge you in new ways. You’ll develop your communication skills, meet new people, and gain a greater understanding of others, while enjoying a sense of personal fulfilment along the way!

Whether you're looking to give back to your community, learn something new, or simply enjoy connecting with others, we’d love to have you on board!

Volunteer positions currently available in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin

Independent Visitor Volunteer

Our Independent Visitor Volunteers provide consistent and supportive relationships to children ad young people in care, offering emotional support, companionship, and guidance through shared activities and time together.  The Independent Visitor plays a vital role in helping the young people build confidence and feel secure while enhancing their personal, social, and cultural development.

As an Independent Visitor Volunteer in England, you might:

• support the child/young person to experience enriching activities that contribute to their personal and cultural development 
• engage in activities such as pursuing hobbies, meeting for meals, or socialising in a community setting 
• listen to and support the young person, fostering a sense of safety and trust 
• help the young person develop social skills and increase their involvement in their community 
• develop a positive and lasting relationship, ensuring the young person feels valued and supported

You will need to be over 18 years old and be living in the UK. Please note that the Independent Visitor Volunteers generally volunteer at evening and weekends due to the children’s and young person’s availability.

Safeguarding Commitment Statement

VoiceAbility are committed to safeguarding all clients who access our services. All Volunteers will be required to undertake a DBS check at the appropriate level and provide contact details for a minimum of two referees in line with our safer recruitment practice.

ED&I Statement

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact the Volunteering team for further options.

To find out more click “Apply Now”. 

We are recruiting volunteers to oversee and help at Pride stalls across the UK.  

It Gets Better UK is making the world a better place for LGBTQ+ youth. LGBTQ+ youth in the UK face serious mental health challenges, worsened by societal stigma, discrimination, and a lack of support: 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ young people have experienced suicidal thoughts, and 33% have self-harmed.​

In a world which often tells LGBTQ+ young people not to be themselves, we're providing LGBTQ+ youth with the tools, resources, and support they need to navigate their identities safely, and know they are not alone and that their futures are filled with possibility. We collect and share the stories of LGBTQ+ adults who've been there themselves, to help LGBTQ+ young people find a community where they can see themselves reflected and envisage a future worth experiencing.

At Pride, we share positive stories from members of the LGBTQ+ community. We encourage attendees to share their story, message to their younger self, or message of support. The conversations we have are uplifting and often emotional. 

What will I be doing? 

• Choose one or more Pride events which you commit to attending with us. 

• Help set up and tidy up stand at beginning/end of event. 

• Welcome people to the stall, invite them to learn about stories from others in the community, and share their own stories.

• Support fundraising and raising awareness with our branded badges. 

• Engage event participants in positive messaging opportunities and story-collecting via our whiteboards: “a message to my younger self”. 

• Get photo consent from participants so that we can share their messages on our platforms. 

• Help produce video messages, recording participants' stories of hope. 

• Promote volunteering roles within It Gets Better and let people know to how to get involved. 

• Signpost people to our resources and how we can support them. 

• Listen to stall attendees’ stories with warmth and respect. 

What skills / experience do I need? 

• A personable and friendly manner 

• Confidence in crowds, speaking to strangers and members of the public

• Sensitivity to, awareness of LGBTQ+ issues 

Which Pride events will It Gets Better UK be at?  

• Stockport Pride, Saturday 1 June
• Wolverhampton Pride, Saturday 7 June
• Edinburgh Pride, Saturday 21 June
• Cardiff Pride, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June
• London Pride, Saturday 5 July
• Bristol Pride, Saturday 12 July
• London Trans+ Pride March, Saturday 26 July
• Black Pride London, Sunday 10 August
• Crawley Pride, Saturday 16 August
• Glasgow Pride, Saturday 19 July

• Don’t see us at a Pride near you? Contact us about running a stall with our support!

Time commitment: Pride events are usually Saturdays in June, July, August. Full-day or half-day. 

Support for you: You’ll receive our Volunteer Handbook and attend a briefing. Each stall will have multiple volunteers so nobody is alone.

What will I gain? 

• The satisfaction that you are helping to inspire and empower LGBTQ+ youth 

• Being part of an international movement 

• The opportunity to use your existing skills as well as develop and learn new ones 

• It Gets Better UK will act as a referee for you after your successful participation 

• Reimbursement of expenses incurred (with prior agreement) 

How do I apply?  

Please contact us via Charityjob or our website - We’ll then meet online for an introductory conversation, seek a reference, and share our resources for you to read. 

IvybridgeLink the charity for the BridgeLink Community Centre is looking for trustees with a passion for social justice, a concern for under represented groups and the willingness to support our staff in developing activities and services for our diverse local community.  Useful previous experience would be: fundraising, governance and compliance, community work, education, human resources, IT, buildings management, food and catering.

JOB DESCRIPTION FOR CHARITY TRUSTEES

Overall Purpose

The Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity Ivybridgelink, supporting its values and developing the organisation's aime and objectives.

Main Responsibilities

• To ensure that the charity and its representatives function within the legal and regulatory framework of the sector continually striving for best practice in governance.
• To uphold the aims and objectives of the charity IvybridgeLink:
  • To promote learning and educational achievement
  • To encourage pathways into employment
  • To support healthy lifestyles and emotional wellbeing
  •  To offer opportunities for recreation / leisure activities
  • To build a positive sense of community
• To determine the overall direction and development of the charity through good governance and clear strategic planning.
• To follow non-discriminatory and non-judgemental practice, and adhere to the confidentiality policies and procedures.
• To ensure the charity complies with regulatory requirements, as laid out in the governing document. 

 Main Duties

• Acting in the best interest of the charity, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times.
• Promoting and developing the charity in order for it to meet the needs of local residents. 
• Overseeing sound financial management of the charity’s resources, ensuring expenditure is in line with the organisation’s objectives, and investment activities meet accepted standards.
• Overseeing recruitment processes following safer recruitment procedures.
• Monitoring the effective and efficient administration of the charity and its resources.
• To follow the IvybridgeLink confidentiality policy and maintain absolute confidentiality regarding all information shared or received.
• An understanding and commitment to equalities issues in relations to working in the community.
•  Support the centre’s management team to deliver projects and run events

Accountable to:

As the board are responsible and liable for the governance and functioning of the charity,they are accountable in varying degrees to a variety of stakeholders, including: service users, members, funders, the Charity Commission, and Companies House. Close attention must be given to the governing document to ascertain the type of organisational structure and the range of interested parties.

Do you have the interest, expertise, time and enthusiasm to devote to conserving the wild fish of the River Tweed and its catchment? If so, we would like to hear from you.

We are a Scottish registered Charity, established in 1983, which supports the fish of the Tweed in every way possible. The bulk of our work is scientific, but it extends to education, advocacy and the promotion of angling amongst young people. We aim to engage and involve everybody from local schoolchildren to international bodies in the importance of aquatic ecosystems, the value of healthy rivers and their flora and fauna, and the economic and social benefits of sustainable river management. Our science is essential to this work and to the understanding and protection of the water environments that fish depend on.

The Tweed is one of the world’s great Salmon rivers. Its iconic species, the Atlantic Salmon, our greatest concern, is now an endangered species (and defined as such by the IUCN), and the entire ecosystem is under increasing threat from global warming and other, catchment wide, pressures. We urgently need to expand our work, especially in research, advocacy and education. This is where you come in…

We are looking for new trustees to strengthen our board and increase our impact. We are especially looking for the following skills and experience:

• Environmental and ecological management
• Monitoring and conservation of freshwater fish and aquatic environments
• Advocacy, Communications and PR
• Science and Education
• Fundraising and income generation

Are you skilled in any of these areas? The Board of Trustees meet 6 times a year, generally at our office near Melrose in the Scottish Borders, though online attendance is possible. We have additional meetings as required and Trustees are encouraged to get involved with our work and support events up and down the river.

The Tweed Foundation is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland under number SC366380. Registered Charity No SC011055

Would you like to join us? We would (especially) welcome applications from across all ages, communities, and backgrounds. The overriding qualification we are looking for is a passion for wild fish and a determination to ensure their future.

To apply, please send a short CV and a letter saying why you are interested and what you believe you can offer.

Applications close on 18th May 2025. Online interviews will be arranged shortly after. We hope to complete the process by the end of May.

Are you passionate about standing in support of a fairer, more compassionate system for refugees - and want to be a part of making real, lasting change?

SolidariTee is inviting new volunteers to join our regional and central teams for the 2025/26 academic year!

Whether you're a current student, have recently graduated, on a year abroad, or you’re a self-identifying young person who didn’t go to university, we want to hear from you! We offer a range of flexible, meaningful roles (some remote and some in-person) where you can gain skills, build confidence, and help create real change.

Our current opportunities include:

Regional Teams:

• Team Lead
• Team Member

Central Teams:

• Events Officer
• Partnerships Officer (remote)
• Social Media Publicity Officer (remote)
• Social Media Digital Education Officer (remote)
• T-shirts and Logistics Officer

You can find full role descriptions and more information in our recruitment pack.

Who are SolidariTee?

SolidariTee is an entirely volunteer-run movement led by students and self-identifying young people who share a commitment to standing in solidarity with displaced people.

We support refugees and asylum seekers through advocacy, awareness-raising, and fundraising to provide grants to NGOs in Greece delivering vital legal aid and psychological support. We believe in the power of grassroots action - and in the ability of young people to drive real, systemic change.

Who are we looking for?

• Our applications are primarily designed for current students and self-identifying young people, but we warmly welcome recent graduates to apply too.
• You don’t need any prior experience to volunteer with SolidariTee - just passion, commitment, and a willingness to learn. Our goal is to empower individuals to develop the skills, confidence, and knowledge to make a tangible difference.

Volunteering with SolidariTee is a chance to:

• Build leadership, advocacy, teamwork, and event organisation skills.
• Join an international community which supports and upholds the rights of all those forced to flee their homes globally.

Our commitment to inclusivity

• We don’t want anyone to feel excluded from supporting a cause they care about, which is why we offer a range of roles with different levels of commitment - more details can be found in the role descriptions.
• We are dedicated to building an inclusive and accessible volunteering community. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during (or beyond) the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to contact us - there is also a space to disclose this in the application form.
• We especially encourage applications from individuals with lived experience of displacement.

MUSLIM VOLUNTEER MENTOR

Can you offer your support to a young person via mentoring?

FCCT are looking for volunteers to play a supportive role by actively mentoring young offenders (aged 15-30 in HMP/YOI Feltham) and to offer support under the ‘7 pathways to Reducing Reoffending’:

FCCT offer support under the seven pathways to reducing reoffending including signposting to relevant organisations:

• Accommodation
• Education, Training and Employment (ETE)
• Health
• Drug and Alcohol Misuse
• Finance, Benefits and Debts
• Children & Families
• Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour.

Our aim is to help young people overcome hardships and make the positive transition back into wider society and to help to reduce reoffending rates.

Scope of Volunteer Main Role and Duties (not exhaustive):

Mentoring Arm:

1. Work through a ‘Discharge List’ systematically, cross referencing with the Operations Manager, so as not to duplicate any work or contact with the young people (primarily of Muslim faith).
2. Hand out and (where needed) help complete ‘Survey Questionnaires’ given to young people from the ‘Discharge List’, in order to ascertain what type of job or education sector the young person would be interested in going into. Forms to be given to the Operations Manager afterwards.
3. Follow up with a one-to-one session – register the young person to the FCCT programme and completing relevant paperwork, which will include our ‘Client Profile Form’ and ‘Consent Form’.
4. Update a shared ‘Client Spreadsheet’ which will be used to capture data information, as to the young people that FCCT are engaging with.
5. Identify relevant Mosques etc for the young people to attend post release and contact said religious establishments, to understand their referral criteria and then make relevant referrals, where required.
6. Collect testimonials from the young people in relation to the support FCCT have offered them.
7. Mentoring of young people 
8. Make or facilitate family contacts for resettlement purposes, in relation to the young people.

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate the following attributes:

• Commitment: Shows commitment to the organisation, its values and its clients, understanding that the building of trust and consistency is key, in terms of the clientele FCCT work with.
• Communication: Communicates well both verbally and in writing. An ability to communicate effectively with young people would also be an added benefit.
• Resilience: Demonstrates patience and understanding in the face of challenges.
• Professionalism: Complies with all FCCT policies and procedures, particularly regarding Safeguarding, GDPR etc.
• Non-judgemental: Demonstrates empathy and openness and does not impose personal values or conscious or unconscious bias.
• Solution focused: Can help to identify issues and meets challenges with optimism and offers solutions, seeing them as an opportunity to learn.

Training and Support

We will provide all the necessary training. Training will be provided on an ongoing basis and volunteers will be given a full induction of the organisation and how the projects run. Volunteer expenses will be paid.

Time Required

FCCT ask for a minimum of 8 hours a month. Due to the flexibility of the role, the hours can be distributed over different days between the core hours of 9am - 5pm, including Sundays.

Benefits for Mentors Include

Volunteer Expenses will be paid

Training given, which includes modules such as an Introduction to Mentoring, The Criminal Justice System, Communication Skills etc

FCCT staff can provide references for other job/opportunities

Client front-facing work with people with complex needs

Liaison with statutory agencies within the prison

Liaison with community organisations

Liaison with other volunteers

Student Placements

FCCT are looking for volunteer mentors to play a supportive role by actively mentoring young offenders (aged 15-30 in HMP/YOI Feltham) and to offer support under the ‘7 pathways to Reducing Reoffending’:

FCCT offer support under the seven pathways to reducing reoffending, including signposting to relevant organisations:

• Accommodation
• Education, Training and Employment (ETE)
• Health
• Drug and Alcohol Misuse
• Finance, Benefits and Debts
• Children & Families
• Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour
• Faith

Our aim is to help young people overcome hardships and make the positive transition back into wider society and to help to reduce reoffending rates.

Scope of Volunteer Main Role and Duties (not exhaustive):

Mentoring Arm:

1. Work through a ‘Discharge List’ systematically, cross referencing with the Operations Manager, so as not to duplicate any work or contact with the young people.
2. Hand out and (where needed) help complete ‘Questionnaires’ given to young people from the ‘Discharge List’, in order to ascertain what type of job or education sector the young person would be interested in going into. Forms to be given to the Operations Manager afterwards.
3. Follow up with a one-to-one session – register the young person to the FCCT programme and completing relevant paperwork, which will include our ‘Client Profile Form’ and ‘Consent Form’.
4. Update a shared ‘Client Spreadsheet’ which will be used to capture data information, as to the young people that FCCT are engaging with.
5. If required, identify relevant community organisations for the young people to attend post release and contact said establishments, to understand their referral criteria and then make relevant referrals, where required.
6. Collect testimonials from the young people in relation to the support FCCT have offered them.
7. Mentoring of young people 
8. Make or facilitate family contacts for resettlement purposes, in relation to the young people.

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate the following attributes:

• Commitment: Shows commitment to the organisation, its values and its clients, understanding that the building of trust and consistency is key, in terms of the clientele FCCT work with.
• Communication: Communicates well both verbally and in writing. An ability to communicate effectively with young people would also be an added benefit.
• Resilience: Demonstrates patience and understanding in the face of challenges.
• Professionalism: Complies with all FCCT policies and procedures, particularly regarding Safeguarding, GDPR etc.
• Non-judgemental: Demonstrates empathy and openness and does not impose personal values or conscious or unconscious bias.
• Solution focused: Can help to identify issues and meets challenges with optimism and offers solutions, seeing them as an opportunity to learn.

Training and Support

We will provide all the necessary training. Training will be provided on an ongoing basis and volunteers will be given a full induction of the organisation and how the projects run.

Time Required

FCCT ask for a minimum of 8 hours a month. Due to the flexibility of the role, the hours can be distributed over different days between the core hours of 9am - 5pm, including Sundays. We are for a commitment of at least a year with the project, due to the flexibility of the role.

Benefits for Mentors Include

Volunteer Expenses will be paid

Training given, which includes modules such as an Introduction to Mentoring, The Criminal Justice System, Communication Skills etc

FCCT staff can provide references for other job/opportunities

Client front-facing work with people with complex needs

Liaison with statutory agencies within the prison

Liaison with community organisations

Liaison with other volunteers

Student Placements