Youth services manager volunteer roles in slough, berkshire

As a Youth Support Officer, you will play a crucial role in supporting the development of young people in our community programmes. You will provide guidance, mentorship, and assistance to participants, helping them navigate through the Degrees of Opportunity (DOFO) framework, and encourage their personal growth, well-being, and skill development. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide one-on-one and group support to youth participants in the Degrees of Opportunity program. 

• Assist in the delivery of personal development, leadership, and skills-building workshops. 

• Foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive environment for all young people involved in the program. 

• Act as a mentor to guide youth participants in setting and achieving personal goals. 

• Monitor and assess youth progress, offering support and feedback as needed. 

• Provide emotional and social support, helping young people manage challenges in a positive manner. 

• Encourage active participation in group activities, team-building exercises, and community projects. 

• Promote well-being and positive mental health practices among youth participants. 

Skills & Qualifications 

• Previous experience working with young people in a support or mentoring role. 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Ability to work effectively in both individual and group settings. 

• Empathy and patience in supporting youth through challenges. 

• Experience with community programs or social services (desirable). 

• A passion for youth development and empowerment. 

• DBS check (desirable). 

Commitment 

• Minimum 15 hours per week, with flexible hours. 

Benefits 

• Gain valuable experience in youth development and support. 

• Develop skills in mentoring, coaching, and program facilitation. 

• Make a positive impact on the lives of young people in the community. 

• Access to professional development and training in youth support. 

• Work within a dynamic and inclusive team of like-minded individuals. 

Independent Visitor Role Description
Purpose: To appoint a volunteer to visit, advise, and befriend a young person in the care of the Local Authority, providing contact with someone independent of their professional network.

Accountable to: Independent Visitors/Mentors and Peer Mentoring Coordinator

Main Tasks

• Visit a young person monthly and build a positive relationship as an adult friend.
• Encourage participation in activities for social, emotional, and educational development.
• Provide timely written reports on visits.
• Maintain contact with responsible adults for the young person.
• Ensure the young person’s views are heard.
• Ensure the young person knows their rights and is encouraged to participate in decisions.
• Promote the young person’s unique needs related to their race, culture, language, religion, disability, gender, or sexual orientation, challenging discrimination.
• Abide by the confidentiality policy and report any safeguarding concerns.
• Keep secure records of visits and significant events.
• Safely destroy documents once no longer part of the scheme.

RBKC Values and Behaviour

• Putting Communities First: Inclusive, quality service.
• Respect: Value personal experiences and a fair approach.
• Integrity: Open, honest, and responsible communication.
• Work Together: Collaborate for better community impact.

Personal Attributes, Skills, and Abilities
Attributes:

• Committed - Ideally, relationships should last at least two years.
• Resilient - Building trust takes time and patience.
• Consistent - Develop trust through consistency.

Skills:

• Sensitivity to young people's needs.
• Ability to build positive relationships.
• Initiative and time management.
• Ability to travel.

Equal Opportunities
Independent Visitors/Mentors are recruited from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. We actively recruit male and female volunteers from all religious faiths and socio-economic backgrounds. Independent visitors/mentors with disabilities are also welcome to apply.

Volunteers are expected to adhere to RBKC’s policies on diversity, equal opportunities, and anti-discriminatory practice. Training provided includes equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices to ensure that all Independent Visitors/Mentors are knowledgeable and can apply these in their role.

The Independent Visitor/Mentors Role is a valuable one, and if you choose to apply and are accepted onto the scheme, you could be a positive influence in a young person’s life.

A Little About Us!
Youth Advantage UK is a research-led, un incorporated un registered charitable organisation. We use a research-led approach to protect the rights and interests of young people through positive action such as projects, policy work, research, services, events. We promote and empower change.

Why we need you!
Youth Advantage UK are in our early stages but are growing and looking for volunteers to help achieve our aims to become a registered charitable organisation. Your skills and expertise are what we need to continue to grow. Without our volunteers we cannot grow and appreciate those who apply with us!

Responsibilities:

Actively contribute to the development and implementation of HR strategy in collaboration with the Chief People Officer, ensuring alignment with the charity’s mission and organisational goals.

Design and implement people-centric solutions to address key HR challenges, driving both strategic initiatives and practical, operational results.

Lead the development and execution of HR policies, ensuring they are in line with the organisation's objectives and reflect best practices in a volunteer-driven environment.

Manage and mentor a team of HR Managers and HR Business Partners, fostering their growth and ensuring they meet key deliverables.

Provide both high-level strategic support and hands-on, operational assistance when required, including driving recruitment, retention, L&D and engagement initiatives.

Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief People Officer, offering strategic insights and designing solutions to resolve HR challenges and enhance organisational effectiveness.

Act as a key liaison between management and volunteers, addressing inquiries, escalating issues, and resolving work-related concerns with a solution-focused approach.

Produce and present insightful reports, surveys, and analytics to C-level Executives, delivering key HR metrics and analysis to inform decision-making.

The Head of HR reports directly to the Chief People Officer, working closely to set HR strategies, design solutions, and ensure the effective delivery of people initiatives across the charity.

You will have:

• At least 3 years' experience in an HR managerial position.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Though we do not require you to be a native English speaker, you must be Fluent in English.
• Ability to work within organisational targets.
• IT Literacy, including Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• An understanding of HR-related processes and legislation.
• A CIPD qualification would be advantageous but is not essential depending on relevant experience.

Benefits:

• This is a UK based, 100% Fully remote and flexible role
• Supportive Team and Management to enhance your skills and build on your experience.
• Your work will help transform and empower many young people’s lives, rights and interests and assist in promoting equality for all young people.

What we offer!
Anybody who wishes to help and contribute to a good cause are welcome to apply for one of our volunteering positions. We will speak to you about what your aims are to ensure that the volunteering position you are applying for is suitable. By volunteering you have the chance to learn something new and contribute to a successful organisation who is looking to help young people in the UK.

The Senior Researcher in an Initial Research Team is the operational lead for one
particular project at a time, they will work with the Research Manager and within
the Initial Research Framework in order to plan and execute the research. At the
conclusion of research projects the Senior Researcher is responsible for providing
an accurate research report which allows for consideration as to what happens
next with the research inline with our organisation's purpose.The role of Senior
Researcher is key in our organisation's progress and overall positive output as it is
the starting point for all of our work. It is therefore important Senior Researchers
are committed and capable.

Responsibilities may include:

• To oversee and take part in the planning and execution of initial research projects

• To supervise a team of approximately 4 research volunteers, delegating and creating tasks according to the research plan

• To work with and support the Research Manager, ensuring task coordination across platforms such as ClickUp and a high level of communication across the team 

• To ensure outputs such as literature reviews and surveys are completed to the highest standard possible, in line with ethical considerations if relevant

• To comply with and advise on using the OSCOLA referencing system

• To organise analysis of Freedom of Information request data sets

• To collaborate with the rest of the team and the RM to provide an internal research report at the end of the research project, including a summary and key recommendations for next steps

• To conduct 1-1s and lead team meetings where necessary

• To regularly communicate with team members about their task progress, welfare and support needs

Required experience and qualifications:

• To have experience in supervising or managing a group of people

• Clear communication skills and a demonstrable level of academic writing to a high standard 

• In depth knowledge of qualitative research methods and secondary data analysis, quantitative experience a plus

• To have knowledge on children’s human rights in the UK and other related areas

• To have an undergraduate degree, master’s degree a plus, in a related subject

A Little About Us!

Youth Advantage UK is a research-led, un incorporated un registered charitable organization. We use a research-led approach to protect the rights and interests of young people through positive action such as projects, policy work, research, services, events. We promote and empower change.

Why we need you!

Youth Advantage UK are in our early stages but are growing and looking for volunteers to help achieve our aims to become a registered charitable organization. Your skills and expertise are what we need to continue to grow. Without our volunteers we cannot grow and appreciate those who apply with us!

What we offer!

Anybody who wishes to help and contribute to a good cause are welcome to apply for one of our volunteering positions. We will speak to you about what your aims are to ensure that the volunteering position you are applying for is suitable. By volunteering you have the chance to learn something new and contribute to a successful organization who is looking to help young people in the UK.

Nabweru Community Initiative for Youth Empowerment

We empower youth in Uganda through entrepreneurship, child advocacy, HIV/AIDS awareness, climate action, sports, culture, and capacity building.

While NCIYE promotes good agricultural practices and empowers youth in farming, there is a significant challenge in providing adequate resources, training, and tools for youth to fully implement sustainable and effective farming methods. Many youth lack access to modern farming technology and knowledge about advanced agricultural practices that could help them increase productivity and improve income. Health Awareness and Accessibility:

Despite efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and other diseases through community sensitization, many youth still face barriers in accessing reliable healthcare services and preventive resources. The ongoing stigma surrounding diseases like HIV/AIDS and limited access to treatment continue to hinder the effectiveness of awareness campaigns. Limited Opportunities for Youth Engagement in Sports and Culture:

Although sports competitions and environmental conservation activities are part of NCIYE’s current offerings, the organization faces challenges in scaling up these programs. The lack of adequate facilities, funding, and structured opportunities for youth to engage in sports and culture means that these initiatives do not reach their full potential for personal and community development. Barriers to Youth Entrepreneurship:

NCIYE strives to provide entrepreneurial skills to youth, but the challenge remains in connecting these young entrepreneurs with the resources they need to start and grow successful businesses. Issues such as limited access to capital, markets, and mentorship programs hinder the ability of youth to translate entrepreneurial training into successful ventures.

At Nabweru Community Initiative for Youth Empowerment Ltd (NCIYE), we believe in the power of collective action and the incredible impact that volunteers can have in transforming communities. We are always open to passionate and dedicated individuals, as well as organizations, who share our vision and goals for creating lasting change in the lives of youth, women, and communities at large.

Grant Writer

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

Research and Identification

• Identify potential grant opportunities from government agencies, foundations, and private entities.
• Evaluate funding sources for alignment with the organization's mission, goals, and programs.

Proposal Development

• Write and edit grant proposals tailored to specific funders’ requirements.
• Develop narratives that clearly describe the need for funding, project objectives, methods, evaluation plans, and budget justifications.
• Gather supporting documentation, such as financial statements, staff bios, and letters of support.

Project and Budget Coordination

• Work with program staff to outline project details, goals, timelines, and deliverables.
• Collaborate with finance teams to develop accurate and persuasive budgets.

Compliance and Submission

• Ensure proposals comply with funder guidelines and deadlines.
• Submit applications through various platforms (e.g., Grants, foundation portals).

Grant Management Support

• Track proposal submissions and funding status.
• Assist with reporting requirements, including progress reports and financial updates to funders.

Relationship Management

• Communicate with grant officers and funders.
• Help maintain long-term relationships with funding agencies by ensuring transparency and delivering outcomes.

Capacity Building

• Train or support staff in grant-related processes.
• Stay updated on funding trends and share insights with the organization.

Weekly Time Commitment

4-6 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

1-2 weeks

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. 

Shout is the UK’s only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. When people text 'Shout' to 85258, they are connected to a Shout Volunteer for a text conversation. Our volunteers provide a safe space for people to share what's causing them distress, while showing warmth and compassion.

Tasks and Responsibilities

If your application is successful, you’ll be enrolled in a training group. New groups start every two weeks.

Shout Volunteers receive 25 hours of free training in communication, listening, managing and assessing risk, and problem solving. The training is self-paced and done online. You’ll learn how to bring people in distress to a place of calm and practice skills that will be useful to you throughout life.

As we are investing in you throughout your time with us, our hope is that you will complete the training in a timely manner and look at this as a longer term commitment. The experience you gain over time is valuable and our goal is to have volunteers commit to 200 hours on the platform, which can take up to two years to complete, as we ask you to take one 2-4 hour shift per week. 

Our Volunteer Training Support team is here to support you, answer any questions and provide feedback during training and throughout your time with Shout. You’ll be joining an incredibly supportive volunteer community and have access to the resources you need to do your role.

As a volunteer, you’ll be supporting people in distress, so it’s important we see the skills required to do that while you are in training. While most trainees complete the training and go on to volunteer, not everyone will pass the training. If this happens, there are other ways you can still support us.

Selection Criteria

A Shout Volunteer is kind and compassionate, a good listener, and has the ability to remain calm when supporting people in crisis. You will also:

• Understand the difference between being friendly and being a friend

• Be aware of your own mental health and wellbeing

• Be open-minded

• Be supportive

• Be reliable

• Be discreet and able to respect confidentiality at all times

• Be accepting and non-judgemental

• Be passionate about contributing some of your time to a cause such as Shout

• Adopt a growth mindset, and be willing to accept feedback

Requirements

• You must live in the United Kingdom or New Zealand while volunteering. 
• You must be over 18 years of age.
• You will need a reliable internet connection and a private place to take your shift.
• All of your volunteering must be done using a laptop or desktop computer and Google Chrome.

It’s worth spending time thinking about the nature of the role, and whether it’s right for you. We support all texters, regardless of race, religion, sexual identity or issue. You will need to be comfortable addressing topics frequently discussed with texters (suicide, self-harm, depression, etc.) without compromising your own mental health. 

Before you apply, please consider whether either of the following applies to you:

• Have you recently experienced grief, loss or change issue/s? For example; someone close to you has been ill or has died, you’ve lost your job, your relationship has ended.

• Is your current mental health and wellbeing in a place such that the stress and pressure of listening to the challenges of others would bring additional burden to you personally?

Benefits to Volunteers

The role is rewarding and can save lives. Shout Volunteers tell us they gain a sense of pride, satisfaction and purpose from taking conversations. They also tell us that their own wellbeing increases, they learn valuable skills and gain experience they can use at work and in their personal lives.

Volunteering can also be a great addition to your CV. You do not need to have any past experience in mental health to be a Shout Volunteer - we’ll provide you with all the training and support you need to do the role.

Application Process

You will need to create your account and fill in the application using a laptop or desktop computer and in a Google Chrome browser. This is a standard requirement for all of our systems at Shout, from the application through to the platform.

You should leave up to an hour to complete the form. As Shout is a text based service and we do not conduct in person interviews for our volunteer candidates what you write in your application and the strength of your references are how we get to know you. 

We appreciate when candidates take the time to write thoughtful, considered answers. We recommend you review your application with an eye toward things like spelling, grammar and punctuation. While some of our texters will occasionally reach out using more informal text speak, our volunteers respond in full sentences and double check their messages for accuracy before hitting send. 

Your application will be reviewed once we have received responses from both of your references. We ask for a personal reference and a professional reference. The personal reference can be a friend or colleague but the other must be someone who knows you professionally or has supervised you in some way. 

This could be a manager or supervisor from where you work or a teacher or educator from where you study. We recommend you choose references who are able to speak to your ability to fulfil the selection criteria outlined above.

We do not accept references from family members. This includes your partner or their relatives, your children, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents or godparents. 

Please allow up to a month for us to review your application and return a decision. 

If your application is approved, you can book your place on training. Training groups usually start every two weeks and spaces are available to book a couple of months ahead. While you are in training and before you are allowed on the platform we will carry out a background check.

Independent Director
Voluntary (reasonable expenses reimbursed)
Remote, with occasional in-person meetings (typically in London)
Time commitment: Around 1–2 days per month

Our client is a mission-led organisation dedicated to creating thriving futures for children and young people. They harness the power of evidence, experience and design to address complex challenges with and for children and young people.

They are currently seeking an Independent Director to join the Board of their trading subsidiary. This is a critical governance role, providing strategic insight, external perspective, and constructive challenge. The successful candidate will contribute to informed decision-making, robust risk management, and ensure that the client’s work remains closely aligned with their charitable mission and long-term objectives.

The client's vision is a world where people, communities, and services collaborate to shape effective systems that offer every child and young person a fair chance to grow up happy, safe, healthy and thriving. Their work spans a variety of vital areas, including early years support, mental health systems, child protection, and increasing opportunities for young people - driving systemic change where it’s needed most.

They’re particularly interested in hearing from individuals who bring:

• Board-level or senior leadership experience, ideally in a socially focused or purpose-led setting—this could include consultancy, social enterprise, or commercial organisations with strong values

• An independent and thoughtful mindset, comfortable asking critical questions, providing both support and challenge, and collaborating effectively

• Financial and strategic confidence, with a sound understanding of governance, organisational risk, and operating a business with a social impact mission

• A real commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people, and a belief in more equitable, inclusive systems

The client is especially keen to bring new and diverse perspectives to their Board. You might have experience in areas such as public service transformation, youth leadership, community organising, philanthropy, research and evaluation or you may bring insights from another relevant discipline.

Becoming an Independent Director with this client offers an opportunity to help steer an organisation that’s at the forefront of social change. You’ll be part of a thoughtful, inclusive, and committed team, playing an important role in building a fairer future for children and young people across the UK.

For further information, including how to apply, please refer to the appointment brief on the Prospectus website by clicking 'Redirect to recruiter'

Recruitment Timeline

• Deadline for applications: Wednesday 12th June 2025

• Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 16th June

• Interviews with the client: w/c 23rd June

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.

Role: Welcome volunteer

Team: Tooting Hub – CARAS ESOL (Youth/Adult)

Supervised by: Team Project Coordinator

Location: Tooting Hub site

Activity times: Monday or Wednesday

Time commitment: 2 hour shifts on a rolling basis.

We ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 4 months

About CARAS:

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.

Our values are at the centre of all our work:

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests.

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.

About the Role:

We are currently recruiting a team of volunteers to join our new Welcome team at Tooting Hub. This is a new role. Welcome volunteers will provide a friendly face to existing community members attending our regular projects. They will also be the important ‘face of CARAS and our welcome at the door’ to people attending projects for the first time, to visitors and to people dropping in unannounced to enquire about CARAS’s service. Volunteers will meet and greet, and ensure all visitors are responded to appropriately and introduced to the relevant member of staff, activity, project, or meeting. There will be an administrative element to the role (updating registers and emailing enquiries to CARAS staff, for example).

Who will you be?

We work hard to ensure our services feel welcoming and inclusive. It is important that this new team is representative of our diverse local and internal CARAS community. Whether you are new to volunteering with CARAS or are a regular volunteer looking to vary your role or a community member wanting to develop some leadership skills or volunteering experience, this might be the exact project for you.

Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities: 

· Signing up to a shift/s on the Tooting HUB welcome team rota

· Able to be at Tooting Hub in person to complete agreed shifts

· Welcoming staff, volunteers, existing and potential new community members and visitors

· Ensuring all visitors are responded to appropriately and introduced to the relevant member of staff, activity, project, or meeting

· Ensuring everyone completes the onsite register on arrival to comply with safeguarding, health and safety and fire evacuation policies

· Taking agreed initial intake information for new / drop in visitors wanting to attend a taster activity

· Conducting induction tours of the building and introductions to facilities, key staff, and partners

Requirements (all experience can be from paid or voluntary roles): 

Essential: 

· A calm, friendly, kind, and patient approach

· Happy and confident to meet new people and put them at their ease

· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English

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

· Confidence in using one’s own judgement to follow agreed policy

· Good IT admin skills in using Microsoft office, outlook, Google search, online forms etc

· A commitment to confidentiality and data protection

· Punctual and reliable

· To be able to volunteer on Mondays or Wednesdays for a minimum of four months

Desirable:

· Lived experience of seeking sanctuary and/ or the UK immigration system.

· Personal experience of working with people seeking asylum.

· Proficiency in one or more of the following community languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu, or Vietnamese.

We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process.

Benefits to Volunteering:

· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum.

· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team.

· Develop your skills and competencies.

· Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.

· Obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering

· All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. *

· You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.

INDEPENDENT READING GROUP VOLUNTEER (FACE-TO-FACE) 

CARAS Youth ESOL Programme – Monday, Wednesday mornings  

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 Reading Group Volunteer to support our face-to-face study programme for young people.
• The reading group is in Tooting and is an important element of a study programme for young people aged 14 to 18 who are out of formal education.
• Students will be supported to read at length and complete challenges that are adapted to their ability level.
• The reading group aims to foster independence and a joy of reading among the young people and requires volunteers to learn about the young peoples' interests in order to help them select an appropriate text.
• The ESOL teacher will provide volunteers with tips to support reading and understanding for emerging learners of English, such as phonics and elicitation strategies.
• Volunteers will work with 1-5 students, mostly reading out loud with them or helping them to decode unfamiliar language.
• 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 the Reading Group sessions; 

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

• Contributing to debriefs to inform the ESOL teacher how each student found the lesson/task and the students’ areas of greatest challenge and success;  

• 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; 

• Listening and supporting students to select, read and understand a text; Showing flexibility to the wide range of ability levels in the classroom; 

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

Requirements: 

Essential

• To be 18 years or older; 

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

• 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 

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

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

• To be reliable and punctual; 

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

• An interest in books and stories, writing and poetry 

• The ability to volunteer on Wednesday during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months; 

Desirable: 

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

• Experience of reading with young people or learners of English, or teaching ESOL or phonics. 

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 such as literacy and phonics strategies for emerging learners of English; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

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

About CARAS:

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community. 

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives. 

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support. 

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests. 

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society. 

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes. 

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do. 

About the CARAS ESOL Team:

Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to adults at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling people to attend college and access other services in the future.

About the Role:

CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our face-to-face adult ESOL classes in Tooting. Volunteers in this role are required to commit to at least one 2-hour session every Wednesday during these times: 

• Mondays ESOL 9:30 to 13:30

• Tuesday 9:30 to 11:30

• Tuesday One-to-one employability and language learning support 15:00 to 17:00 

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; 

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

• 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 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 Mondays or Wednesdays during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of three 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; 

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

 *DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK. 

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 obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

Volunteer Helpline Advisor – Role Description 

Purpose of role:

As a Volunteer Helpline Advisor, responding to Helpline enquiries from parents and carers, you will be playing a part in helping ERIC to achieve its key goal of reaching even more families.

You will work remotely, with equipment and training provided.

If you are passionate about helping to improve the lives of families whose children are affected by continence issues, and can commit your time on a regular basis, we’d love to hear from you.

Terms:

Due to the nature of the work, our helpline volunteers are continence nurses or qualified healthcare professsionals.Volunteer sessions are a full day of 5 hours, on the same day each week, please note that currently we need more volunteers on Mondays & Tuesdays only. We ask volunteers to commit to this regular weekly pattern, ideally for a period of one year or more. This helps to maintain consistency and a high standard of professional practice. 

Expenses may be paid, subject to agreement in advance . 

Tasks could include:  

· Answering calls on the Helpline

· Signposting to information on our website

· Responding to & following up enquiries by email  

· Entering information onto our IT system

Skills and qualities:

· Professional qualification and/or clinical experience

· Enjoy working as part of a team

· Friendly and positive with a can-do attitude

· Well organised with good time management skills

· Empathetic and non-judgmental

· Able to use standard IT packages including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and Outlook)

· Able to follow ERIC’s policies, including safeguarding and confidentiality 

· Willing to continuously develop professional practice.

Job Title: Trust and Foundations Researcher
Department: Fundraising
Line Manager: Trust and Foundations Manager
Remuneration: Reasonable travel and subsistence
Location: Remote (Office in Camden, London)
Training will be offered in-person (lasting roughly 6 weeks).
Contract: Temporary
Time commitment / Working Hours: at least 7 hours a week, for at least three months.

Variety, The Children’s Charity provides practical, life-changing support to disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK.

There are currently 4.3 million children living in poverty in the U.K, with 600,000 children both disabled and living in poverty. Variety’s programmes make an immediate and lasting difference to disabled and disadvantaged children and young people by directly improving their wellbeing and quality of life.

The opportunity

Are you an enthusiastic, willing learner with an interest in Trusts fundraising at high-profile international children’s charity?

Variety, the Children’s Charity are offering a chance for a volunteer to gain valuable experience within our Trusts and Foundations Fundraising team. This is a great learning opportunity to join an international children’s charity that’s globally renowned.

We are developing into a successful national programme. This is a fantastic opportunity for a pro-active volunteer to learn and develop key research, bid-writing and fundraising skills to be a successful Trust Fundraiser.

This is an excellent CV enhancing opportunity with a Charity that is committed to improving the lives of disabled and disadvantaged children and young people.

Working with the Trust and Foundations Manager, you will provide high quality, reliable research and logistical support to research and qualify our planned approaches to new Trust and Foundations. You must be IT literate, with a strong attention to detail.

Roles and responsibilities

1. Researching Prospects

• Finding suitable new Trusts and Foundations prospects. You’ll have access to a workbook, fundraising database and grants bulletin to trawl through.
• Reviewing Trust and Foundation Accounts. You’ll undertake research using online platforms, such as the Charity Commission website.
• Assessing whether prospects are a suitable fit.

2. Administrative support

• Updating our fundraising database and Excel workbook, as you progress. This will involve deciding whether the fundraising team should make an application for each prospect.
• Supporting with fundraising related tasks, on an ad hoc basis, as is required within the Trusts and Foundations team.

Skills and qualities

Essential

• Strong IT proficiency. You will be confident in using Microsoft Office, especially Excel. With a willingness to learn about our fundraising database.
• A methodical and orderly approach. You will be comfortable with online research and working through a workbook of contacts.
• Good verbal and written communication skills. You will have the ability to clearly and concisely summarise information from readily available sources.
• Analytical skills. You will be comfortable with independently conducting research and will be happy with conducting desk-based research.
• Administrative skills. You will be organised and methodical

Desirable

• Experience of conducting research.
• Understanding and interest in the charity or not-for-profit sector
• Past fundraising volunteer experience

Applications should reach us by 11.59 on 16th May 2025. 
Interviews will be held on a rolling basis until this date. We look forward to hearing from you.

Interested?

More information can be found by downloading our Trust and Foundations Volunteer pack, under 'supporting documents'. If you would like to apply, then please submit the following:

• An up-to-date CV
• cover letter (max 1 page) on why you are interested and are a good fit

No agencies please.