Youth Volunteer Recruitment Manager Volunteer Roles
Change young lives: Join Speech and Language UK’s Education Committee
Do you have a passion for education and a heart for children facing challenges?
Speech and Language UK, a leading charity supporting the 1.9 million children with speech and language challenges, seeks dedicated volunteers for its Education Committee. This committee acts as the governing body for our two special schools.
Make a real difference:
- Strategic impact: Contribute to shaping the educational future of children with complex speech and language challenges.
- Direct influence: Provide guidance and support, acting as a critical friend, to ensure our schools deliver the highest quality education.
- Flexible commitment: Meetings are held online, 5-6 times a year for 2 hours each, allowing you to volunteer around your schedule.
We value diversity:
We actively encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds, particularly those, disabled, working class, LGBTQ+, or from the Midlands, North, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
We especially welcome those with personal or family experience of speech and language challenges.
Your skills matter:
- Prior experience in education leadership (schools/multi-academy trusts) is a plus.
- Knowledge of Health & Safety or Facilities Management is also valuable.
- Most importantly, we seek your passion, fresh perspective, and willingness to learn.
Leave a lasting legacy:
Join a dedicated team shaping the lives of children with speech and language challenges.
Contact:
For more information, please contact Neil Maslen, Director of Education (please see attached pack for contact details)
Who are Speech and Language UK?
For at least 1.9 million children in the UK, learning to talk and understand words feels like an impossible hurdle. We work to give every child the skills they need to face the future with confidence. We design innovative tools and training for thousands of nursery assistants and teachers to use in their classrooms. We give families the confidence and skills to help their children. And we put pressure on politicians to prioritise help for speech and language challenges.
We demand a country in which every child with challenges in talking and understanding words has the skills they need to face the future with confidence. Together we can achieve it.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and asylum-seekers living in South West London, and helps them to play their full part in the community. Arriving as an asylum seeker in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. We exist to help people seeking asylum overcome those challenges, and to help them rebuild their lives.
We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a forced displacement background, providing them the tools they need to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for adults include currently include: ESOL classes; sports; women’s creative writing; women’s coffee morning, and casework.
About the CARAS Adult Team:
In the post-pandemic environment, CARAS is responding to the role of digital literacies in our programme delivery to learners of asylum-seeking and refugee background. In contrast to the UK essential Digital skills framework, we have built in language inclusion to create a participatory learning course for Essential Digital Literacies for learners who are new to reading and writing in English. The individuals joining CARAS are highly diverse, with different countries of origin, linguistic and educational backgrounds. We have observed over the last year that many CARAS community members have limited digital skills, particularly in regard to using computers. Community members have highlighted that computers are important for many individuals to achieve their educational and employment goals, whilst increasing confidence and independence. We have co-designed a digital skills program in partnership with CARAS community members to improve computer literacy and skills, focusing on basic computer literacy.
About the Role:
We are seeking two volunteers based in London to teach our lively computer classes in Tooting every Monday 9:00-11:00. Volunteers will lead the sessions with guidance from the CARAS ESOL Teacher and will work closely with our community members to build their skills and confidence using computers. The Digital Literacies course at CARAS is built around Pre-entry to Entry 2 levels in English. Volunteers will be supporting individuals with tasks such as: getting to know how to use a computer, using the internet, setting up an email address, and using Microsoft office. We intend to fold employability sessions, including CV writing and job searching, into these sessions.
Volunteer Tasks and responsibilities:
· Lead on the delivery of sessions with support from CARAS’s Essential Digital Skills Teacher.
· Assist with the logistical set up of the sessions, supporting CARAS staff where needed.
· Work collaboratively as a team and assisting to shape the project.
· Create class registers and records as required.
· To attend and contribute to volunteer pre- and de-briefs at each session.
· To act as a positive role model and set standards of behaviour when volunteering.
· Support people to develop their knowledge and skills and encourage and inspire participants to reach their full potential.
· To assist participants to both, recognise and celebrate their achievements.
· To challenge negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manor.
· Advocate for the rights of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants with not for them.
· Adhering to CARAS Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
· To be non-judgemental, and able and willing to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
· To be female identifying.
· Have a good understanding of how to use a computer.
· To be reliable and punctual.
· Excellent presentation and communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English.
· Commitment to support people seeking asylum to take control of their asylum journey.
· Ability to volunteer every Friday for a minimum of three months.
· Current resident in the UK.
· Ability to work in Tooting SW17.
· To provide five years’ worth of addresses and be willing to undergo a DBS check.
· To attend CARAS General and Safeguarding Training sessions.
· To be 18 years or older.
Through volunteering with us you will:
· Meet new members of your local community
· Learn about different cultures
· Learn about issues relating to refugee and asylum seekers
· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team
· Develop your skills and competencies
· Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding
To Apply:
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.
Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with a member of the CARAS staff team. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP!
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and asylum-seekers living in south-west London. We work primarily with people who are newly arrived in the UK, most of whom are living in temporary Home Office accommodation. Arriving as a refugee in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language barriers, accessing services, financial insecurity and ongoing uncertainty are extremely challenging and disempowering. CARAS is here to work collaboratively with community members to support them to build skills, connect meaningfully with their local community, and to build positive futures in the UK.
CARAS offers a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a forced displacement background. For adults this currently includes: ESOL, digital skills and employability sessions; social and recreational activities and casework. All programs are interlinked and work hand-in-hand with one another. For example, community members can practice their spoken English in Coffee Afternoon, and casework issues might be picked up and referred into the team during an ESOL class. We design and develop our programs through consultation and ongoing conversations with our community members. We aim to have a strong volunteer presence across all our programs, fostering connections between asylum seekers and other Londoners!
About CARAS’s Adult Programming and Coffee Afternoon:
CARAS has been providing support to adult refugee women since 2005, promoting skills and confidence development that helps women gain more power in their lives. In the aftermath of COVID, we have been able to expand our adult programmes, responding to the shifting demographics of those seeking asylum in the UK. We now run a range of mixed programmes for all genders, as well as some women-only spaces. Our coffee afternoon is a mixed group.
Our coffee afternoon has been running since May 2022 and is one of our most popular groups. It takes place at TARA Theatre in Earlsfield from 1-2.30PM every Friday. Its primary aim is to reduce isolation amongst those we work with by providing a safe, friendly and welcoming space for people to have fun, learn about themselves and each other, and build connections.
In 2023, we have been running creative sessions during Coffee Afternoon, facilitated by freelance creative practitioners in partnership with TARA Theatre. These range from dance to drama, poetry to puppetry. For sessions without a creative practitioner, we sometimes host workshops on important topics such as healthcare rights or have an open and informal space for games and a chat. There is always coffee and a selection of baked goods!
For more information on TARA Theatre, our partner and host, please visit their website.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- To attend CARAS coffee afternoon’s, every Friday between 1-2.30PM in Earlsfield, South-west London. They take place at TARA Theatre, right opposite Earlsfield Station. Location here- https://maps.app.goo.gl/rXwJiKHRj93YFtLG9 (356 Garratt Ln, London SW18 4ES).
- If there is a week this is not possible, to tell CARAS staff as far in advance as you are able.
- To welcome and connect with community members attending, working to ensure everyone at the group feels included.
- To take part if there is a creative activity happening in that session, and help liaise with CARAS staff and the creative practitioner to ensure the activity runs smoothly.
- To encourage and inspire community members to feel confident and reach their full potential.
- To share conversation, and chat informally with our community members.
- To assist community members to both recognise and celebrate their achievements.
- To challenge negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manor.
- To adhere to CARAS Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
- To have interest in working with refugees and asylum seekers.
- To be non-judgemental, and able and willing to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and differing levels of English.
- To be reliable and punctual.
- To be a current resident in the UK.
- To provide five years’ worth of addresses and be willing to undergo a UK DBS check.
- To attend CARAS General and Safeguarding Training, and any further training as necessary.
- To be 18 years or older.
Through volunteering with us you will:
- Meet new members of your local community
- Learn about different cultures and life experiences from across the world
- Learn about issues relating to refugee and asylum seekers
- Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team
- Develop your skills and competencies
- Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding
To Apply:
Please fill in the volunteer application form and email it to us. Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with the Head of Adult Inclusion and Adult Program Coordinator these meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP!
Details for this role are in the description and not mentioned in the application form but please fill in your details in the Volunteer application form attached and send it back to us
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Change young lives: Join Speech and Language UK's Education Committee
Do you have a passion for education and a heart for children facing challenges?
Speech and Language UK, a leading charity supporting the 1.9 million children with speech and language challenges, seeks dedicated volunteers for its Education Committee. This committee acts as the governing body for our two special schools.
Make a real difference:
- Strategic impact: Contribute to shaping the educational future of children with complex speech and language challenges.
- Direct influence: Provide guidance and support, acting as a critical friend, to ensure our schools deliver the highest quality education.
- Flexible commitment: Meetings are held online, 5-6 times a year for 2 hours each, allowing you to volunteer around your schedule.
We value diversity:
We actively encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds, particularly those, disabled, working class, LGBTQ+, or from the Midlands, North, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
We especially welcome those with personal or family experience of speech and language challenges.
Your skills matter:
Prior experience in education leadership (schools/multi-academy trusts) is a plus.
Knowledge of Health & Safety or Facilities Management is also valuable.
Most importantly, we seek your passion, fresh perspective, and willingness to learn.
Leave a lasting legacy:
Join a dedicated team shaping the lives of children with speech and language challenges.
Contact:
For more information, please contact Neil Maslen, Director of Education.
Who are Speech and Language UK?
For at least 1.9 million children in the UK, learning to talk and understand words feels like an impossible hurdle. We work to give every child the skills they need to face the future with confidence. We design innovative tools and training for thousands of nursery assistants and teachers to use in their classrooms. We give families the confidence and skills to help their children. And we put pressure on politicians to prioritise help for speech and language challenges.
We demand a country in which every child with challenges in talking and understanding words has the skills they need to face the future with confidence. Together we can achieve it.
This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.
Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!
We are looking for a x 10 Volunteer Peer Mentor
Salary: Unpaid
Location: Hammersmith/Finsbury Park/Stratford
Hours: 2-3 Hours per week (Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Contract: Voluntary
This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.
About us
Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.
We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.
Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
About the role:
The Maia Service works with young women and girls living in Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Camden, Islington and Westminster. We enable young women and girls to escape harm and to thrive in their lives and aspirations. We support young women and girls to build confidence, self-esteem and resilience, manage their health and wellbeing, and access and engage with other support services. The support we provide is delivered through a range of activities, including 1-2-1 advocacy and a programme of group-work and workshops delivered by specially trained members of staff.
About You:
Advance recognises that women and girls’ journeys to recovery after experiencing trauma are not always linear. Volunteer Mentors must be in a place in their own lives where they are not currently facing risk of harm or have ongoing support needs in relation to experience of violence and abuse, current or alcohol use and/or contact with the criminal justice system, see our Person Specification (within the job description) to understand if you are the best person for this role.
How to apply:
Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.
· Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 12 May 2024 @23:59
· Interviews are taking place on 22,23, 29 and 30 May 2024
*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.
What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:
· An initial in-person & online induction training covering key topics, including the dynamics of domestic abuse, safeguarding, trauma-informed approaches to working with women and girls, active listening, boundary setting and maintaining relationships
· Ongoing training updates and ‘refresher’ sessions throughout the time in role
· Invitations to Advance Away Days, events and team meetings where appropriate
· Team awards and acknowledgement days
· Access to individual and group supervision
· Opportunities to shape the development and expansion of Advance’s programme of support for young women and girls, including through feedback, evaluation and participation in research and focus groups
· Opportunities for progression at Advance and within the Volunteer Mentor programme
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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.
Safeguarding
Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.
Spark! are a growing youth employment charity and are seeking to strengthen our Board through the appointment of 5 new trustees with a passion for supporting young people in to pathways towards meaningful and sustained employment and rewarding careers.
We are particularly looking for trustees who can demonstrate skills or experience in one or more of the following areas to enhance our Governance.
- Finance and accounting
- Local authority
- Education sector
- HR and training
- Central Government and campaigning
We are also seeking Young Trustees (under 25 years old) to represent youth voice on our Board. Ideally this will be someone with relevant lived experience and/or someone who has participated in Spark! programmes.
We also welcome candidates with links to our priority areas of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow, and from those with backgrounds that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
IHF is currently seeking pro-bono Graphic Design Firms and Individual At-Home Volunteers for our Graphic Design Team.
Overview
The International Humanity Foundation (IHF) is an International non-profit, founded in 2001. For over twenty years we have been globally successful in our two fold mission: (1) To educate marginalized children—activating their highest potential and nurturing healthy, loving communities around them. Ihf believe the happiness of our world's children rises above all political and religious differences; And equates to the quality of our world's happiness tomorrow. —(2) To educate global citizens through communication and real life experiences, (online and in person), about the realities of marginalized communities; while teaching practical skills in aiding needed efforts, thus giving voice to the voiceless.
IHF strives to offer children and adults (from young through retirement) venues for learning and safely practicing these leadership skills.
IHF is a unique organization. It believes in absolute transparency and functions almost entirely through the efforts of its hundreds of unpaid volunteers from all over the world. Our amazing volunteers give their time, skills, energy, and love.
GRAPHIC DESIGN FIRMS and INDIVIDUALS will collaborate directly with the Director of Fundraising and Marketing. IHF materials are marketed towards multiple geographies, both locally in the communities we work with and on a global platform.
An At-Home volunteer in this position will:
- Assist our Media Team in visual editing of content for social media platforms or website design.
- Develop materials for our Fundraising Team such as posters, flyers, infographics etc.
- Create original volunteer recruitment campaign materials
IHF will provide all the necessary background and support for you to be successful in this position.
in Google Suite applications helpful
- Deep empathy for impoverished children and their communities
- A commitment to our Core Values
Video editing experience (specifically Adobe Premiere Pro) is a plus though not required.
In addition to making a notable difference in the lives of the children we serve, you will also be joining a global network of IHF volunteers and enhancing your graphics CV with practical experience working with an international organization encompassing many cultures and norms.
Eligibility
IHF is looking for individuals who can commit to a minimum 2-4 hours per month with a passion for visual communication and ‘out of the box’ creativity.
At-Home Volunteers accepted to this position will also have:
-Experience with Canvas, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator is helpful.
-Confidence using the English language (both spoken and written)
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Adult Casework Volunteer - Role description
Role: Adult Casework Volunteer
Team: Casework
Supervised by: Adult caseworker
Location: Tooting office on a Thursday afternoon (2-5.30pm)
Time commitment: 3.5 hours a week, we ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 6 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 CARAS casework:
CARAS works with adults and young people of a refugee and asylum seeker background to find solutions to their problems. There are two separate sub-teams within the Casework team; young people and adults. We support adults to navigate the asylum system, understand their options, access benefits, connect with services and realise their goals. We are a non-specialist casework and advocacy service, so we work in close partnership with other local organisations to whom we refer people with more complex issues.
Using the empowerment model, our casework service embodies CARAS’ values of ‘with not for’, always striving to ensure people are armed with the information and resources they need to make decisions and take action for themselves.
About the Role:
We are currently recruiting for 2 volunteers to join our Adult Casework team.
The purpose of the Adult Casework volunteer role is to support adults with a refugee or asylum seeking background to understand their rights, access information and services, and ultimately, take control of their own lives. You will work with individuals to address problems they may face relating to, among other issues, asylum support, accessing healthcare and education, access to legal advice and finding activities and opportunities.
You will start from an understanding that individuals are always best placed to solve their own problems, and often need nothing more than to talk out a problem and find the solution themselves. When helpful, you will provide information to clarify and support to take action.
The Adult Casework team hold a support session at our office in Tooting on Thursday afternoons from 2-5.30pm. Volunteer caseworkers have 1:1 appointments, either in person or by phone, with CARAS members. These can be related to a range of topics. Currently our biggest areas of work are around housing for people seeking asylum, access to college, nursery/school places for children, referrals to mental health providers, searches and signposting to activities, finding solicitors and supporting people to apply for bus passes and ID cards. Volunteers also support with administrative tasks such as updating our databases, collating resources and creating information guides.
Adult Casework Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities:
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Working in an empowering way with individuals and promoting their independence through goal-setting.
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Supporting people to develop their knowledge of rights and entitlements.
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Assisting with filling out forms
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Signposting and referring onto other services and organisations.
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Gathering information from experts and disseminating information to people in an accessible manner.
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Engaging in collaborative internet and phone research on services, organisations and grants.
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Flagging safeguarding concerns and other issues where further support is required.
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Keeping accurate casenotes
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Supporting to maintain our signposting database
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Researching and collating resources
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Working collaboratively as a team and assisting to shape the Adult Casework project.
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Adhering to CARAS Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.
Requirements:
Essential
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Experience of doing 1:1 advice work/casework.
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Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English.
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Confidence in using IT (Microsft office, outlook, zoom, Google search, online forms)
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To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;
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A commitment to confidentiality and data protection
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Thorough with good attention to detail
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Reliable
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A high level of spoken and written English
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Ability to gather information from people in a sensitive way
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A calm, friendly, kind and patient approach
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Enjoyment in speaking to new people
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A commitment to working in an empowering way
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Able to maintain boundaries
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Able to work autonomously
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Currently resident in the UK
Desirable
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Working knowledge or experience of relevant law and policy around asylum support, the asylum process, rights and entitlements for people seeking asylum
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Experience of working with interpreters
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Direct experience of the UK immigration system.
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Past experience of working with people seeking asylum
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Proficiency in one or more of the following 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:
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Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;
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Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;
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Develop your skills and competencies;
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Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.
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Obtain a reference from us relating to your volunteering
All volunteers must complete a basic DBS check for volunteers working with adults and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.
To Apply:
To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form, using this volunteer role description to inform your answers.
Applicants will have an informal meeting with the Adult caseworker, and one with community members, to assess compatibility to the role. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP.
Successful applicants will undergo training and induction with our team.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role: Referral volunteer (laptops)
Team: Casework
Supervised by: Adult caseworker
Location: Tooting office on a Thursday afternoon (2-5pm) for period of training/induction. Remote or in person once induction is complete.
Time commitment: 3 hours a week, we ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 6 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:
CARAS offers advocacy casework integrated into all of its projects, ensuring that people who attend our groups can access support to address issues in a friendly and timely manner. A key part of the casework service is to help connect people to resources and activities that they need.
A key areas of need is digital access, either by smart phone or laptop.
People living in asylum accommodation receive £9/week making saving for items impossible.
Whilst many activities have returned to face-to-face delivery many have stayed online, not having a laptop impedes people’s ability to join English classes and social activities. People attending college face difficulties in completing college work without access to computers in the evenings, access to a laptop means people are able to take greater control over their independent learning. Smart phones make a huge difference in people’s ability to have contact with family and community across the world.
To meet this need we have built a partnership with a grant giving organisation, Acts435, to support people to get personal laptops.
We are able to refer 5 people at a time for grants to buy new laptops/phones. Once the grant money is received we purchase the devices for community members to collect.
We are looking for a volunteer to do these referrals each month and support people to purchase and receive their laptops and phones. This is an extremely rewarding role, interacting with lots of the CARAS community members and making a very tangible positive impact on people’s lives.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- contacting community members who are on our waiting lists by phone to explain the scheme to them
- complete grant applications with community members
- monitoring the grant platform to see when grants have been made
- purchasing laptops online and liaising with community members to arrange collection
- completing monitoring forms with community members once grants are recieved and uploading to grant platform
- recording all referrals and work done on our case management system (lamplight)
Person specification:
Essential
· Confidence in using IT (online forms, online shopping, google maps, email, DocuSign)
· To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;
· A commitment to confidentiality and data protection
· Thorough with good attention to detail
· Reliable
· A high level of spoken and written English
· Excellent communication skills, especially with people who are new to English;
· Ability to gather information from people in a sensitive way
· A calm, friendly, kind and patient approach
· Enjoyment in speaking to new people
· A commitment to working in an empowering way
· Able to maintain boundaries
· Able to work autonomously
· Currently resident in the UK
Desirable
· Experience working with refugees and asylum seekers
· Fluent in one or more of: Pashtu, Farsi, Tigrinya, Somali, Arabic or Dari, Russian, Ukrainian, Albanian, Amharic, Kurdish Sorani, Spanish, French
· Experience of working with interpreters
Benefits to Volunteering:
Through volunteering with us you will:
· 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.
All volunteers must complete a DBS check and attend training with us before starting. You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.
To Apply:
To Apply To apply for this opportunity, download and complete the CARAS volunteer application form, using this volunteer role description to inform your answers.
Successful applicants will have an informal meeting with the Adult caseworker, and one with community members, to assess compatibility to the role. These meetings will be on a rolling basis so apply ASAP.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
West Kirby School & College is seeking to appoint a Trustee with Responsibility for Human Resources
Commitment: Around 12 days per year
Role Overview: A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for a high calibre and committed Trustee with responsibility for Human Resources to join our Governing Board and vibrant School community.
To excel in this role, you will have proven experience of working within HR management / employment law, perhaps in a HR leadership role, or as a solicitor practising in employment law.
You will contribute to the work of the Board in ensuring high standards of achievement for all children and young people in the School by ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction, holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, the performance management of staff, and overseeing the financial performance of the School and making sure its money is well spent.
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to rigorous recruitment checks, an Enhanced DBS check and Section 128 Check. Applicants must be 18 or older, eligibility criteria apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is a hugely exciting opportunity for the right people to be part of a new team, designed to offer guidance to our local communications volunteers.
The Local Communications Support strand is currently a small team of 4 people. We have have huge ambitions to support local teams all the way around the UK to share all the brilliant work being done in communities.
The right support could have a really significant impact on elevating how a group is perceived at a local level – and in turn help with recruitment of adults and young people and in building advocacy.
We’re looking for people who understand the power of strong, clear communication and are passionate about helping local teams with this. You’ll have experience in identifying and communicating a good story and an understanding of the processes that need to be put in place to be able to share them far and wide.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
About CARAS:
CARAS is a leading refugee charity in Southwest London, providing firm foundations for new-arrival asylum seekers to build happy and successful lives. Arriving as an asylum seeker in the UK can be a terrifying and disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. We exist to help people seeking asylum overcome those challenges, and to help them rebuild their lives.
We provide person-centred educational, social and casework support to over 600 young people and adults across South London each year, recognising the moment of arrival as one of opportunity. Our work provides individuals with essential support to build language and employability skills, develop social networks and friendships, and access essential services such as legal and mental health services. Our work has multi-generational impact, providing forced migrants with early interventions to support language and skill acquisition, tackling the root causes of socio-economic marginalisation by supporting social inclusion and future labour market access.
Volunteering with CARAS – our Community of Welcome:
CARAS has a proud history of volunteers helping us deliver our charitable aims. Volunteers are an essential part of the CARAS community, bringing skills, insights, experience, different languages, and enthusiasm to the roles. Community members tell us the welcome by volunteers is so important in an often hostile world. It helps them feel safe and wanted. Community is at the heart of all we do, and we could not deliver the projects we do without the enormous contribution that volunteers bring.
About CARAS Adult Programme:
Alongside educational and casework support, CARAS has a thriving social program of weekly activities, from women’s yoga, to creative coffee afternoons, sports sessions and workshops, designed and built in collaboration with our community, volunteers and local partners. Most people we work with in the adult team are waiting for a decision on their asylum claim, are accommodated in cramped and inadequate hotels contracted by the Home Office for up to – and sometimes more than – 2 years whilst they wait for a decision on their asylum claim. During this time, they are eligible for only £8.86 per week and are prohibited from working. This is an incredibly stressful and disempowering period for those seeking asylum. Against this backdrop, our social activities exist as spaces of welcome, for people to come and make meaningful connections, build confidence and importantly – have fun!
About the Trips and Holiday Activities Project:
Alongside our weekly timetable of term time activities, we run trips across London during the school holidays. These are always chosen and planned together with our community members, and so far have included trips to famous parks, museums, galleries, and the theatre. We know from our community members how important these trips are; they are a chance to explore parts of the city that would otherwise be inaccessible, and to feel more at home in the city. As one community member told us, ‘to discover new places…this makes us feel included’. They are an opportunity to learn something new with others, to meet new people, relax and have fun.
About the Role:
To support us with these trips and holiday activities, we are looking for friendly, welcoming, enthusiastic and proactive volunteers. You will support us practically to ensure the trips run smoothly and on time, but also will be an essential part of our community of welcome – to chat and get to know our community members, and make sure everyone feels included and is having a good time.
We intend to hold 2 trips in the Easter holidays, and up to 5 trips in the summer holidays. These will all be in locations across London, most likely during daytime hours. We will also run a combination of adult-only and child-friendly trips across the year – this is what our community have told us they want! We usually have a group of 10-20 community members and will always have at least one CARAS staff member present too.
Ideally, we are looking for volunteers who are flexible during school holidays and can attend at least 3 trips throughout the year, though we may consider those who might only be able to volunteer on a one-off basis.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
To attend CARAS trips as and when you are available to do so.
To support with the logistics of travelling to and from the trip location.
To keep an eye on the general health and wellbeing of our Community Members and report any concerns to the CARAS staff member present.
To encourage positive connections between people and the places we are visiting, opening up conversations to learn about each other.
On family-friendly trips, to assist where needed with the supervision of children present (alongside parents)
Requirements – Essential:
To be 18 years or older;
To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;
To be reliable and punctual;
To be welcoming, friendly part of the group, and to make sure our community members have the best and most fruitful time possible at the locations we visit.
Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;
Current resident of the UK;
Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;
Able to complete compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding via 2 self-paced induction training webinars prior to the start of role;
Requirements – Desirable:
Knowledge of community languages, such as Farsi, Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Somali and Spanish.
Through volunteering with us you will gain:
An opportunity to connect with and learn from a vibrant and diverse community of people who are new to the city;
A chance to share your knowledge of the city and places of interest with our community;
A deeper understanding of the experiences, challenges, and strengths of those seeking asylum here;
A deeper understanding of language-inclusive practices in multi-lingual groups;
Develop your skills and competencies;
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Mynshull’s Educational Foundation is committed to improving the life-chances of young people from Manchester and Salford, so they can grow up to fulfil their potential. Through the provision of small grants, we aim to reduce the barriers that young people face to education, skills and training.
We provide funding for young people aged 25 or under to help them obtain equipment, uniforms or experiences that support them in starting or continuing their education or training. Some examples include grants towards the cost of school trips and residentials, text books, stationery, apprenticeship equipment such as tools, and musical instruments.
We are currently recruiting for trustees to join our board. The right candidate will understand the challenges faced by young people in Manchester and Salford; this may be through their own lived experiences or through professional experience, for example in education or health and social care. The successful candidate will be passionate about improving outcomes for young people. Previous experience of being a trustee is not essential to this role.
A full role description and person specification can be found in the attached Recruitment Pack.
As a trustee you would be expected to attend a minimum of 4 board meetings (2 hours each) per year, as well as commit approximately 1 to 2 hours per month to reviewing applications for funding (this can be done remotely, online).
Mynshull’s Educational Foundation is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, where all trustees feel valued and empowered to contribute. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from people who have experience of using charity services or delivering services in Manchester.
For an informal discussion of the role, the foundation’s activities and what is involved in being a trustee, please get in contact.
This role is subject to pre appointment checks including a Standard DBS Check.
Gaddum (charity number 507162) provides administrative support and data processing for Mynshull’s Educational Foundation (Charity number 532334) which is an independent charity.
If you have any questions about your personal information and data, how it is used or stored, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
ABOUT THE ROLE
As part of our Community Support team, you will play a key role in ensuring the fulfilment of our users' needs by sharing information about our services, projects, and activities; this takes place in person, through our digital channels and helpline. Additionally, you will be responsible for keeping up to date information about other services and partner organisations. The primary challenge faced by the Latin American community is the language barrier, which hinders their comprehension of the UK system and their entitlements. Taking part in the Community Interpreting service, you will support service users in navigating these obstacles, enabling them to establish a more integrated life in the UK. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to better understand the challenges faced by the Latin American community in London; use their language skills in a positive and impactful way; and develop valuable administrative and customer service skills in a multicultural, fast-paced organisation.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
● Connecting service users to our services, projects and activities in person or by answering phone calls and emails
● Supporting users with general enquiries, referring them to relevant services within our organisation as well as signposting and referring to external services
● Registering users on our database and keeping accurate records of services offered
● Monitoring internal calendars and appointments
● Sharing useful, up-to-date information with users as instructed by other team members
● Ensuring internal communications, flyers and handouts are up to date
● Interpreting calls for service users and supporting with non-official translations
● Supporting community members with basic application forms
● Liaising with staff in other departments and with external contacts
PERSON SPECIFICATION
● Good verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish and/or Portuguese
● Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and with a diverse population of service users, staff and partners
● A caring, sensitive and non-judgemental approach
● Ability to cope with stressful and emotionally challenging issues
● Professionalism to handle sensitive and confidential information
● Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to multitask
● Ability to set their own work priorities, take initiatives and work with minimal supervision
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Member of Connexional Solidarity Circles (Carers, Rural, Disability, LGBT+, Racial Justice, and Women)
Closing date: 9am on 7 May 2024
Proposed start date: 1 Sep 2024
Solidarity Circles for Disability, LGBT+, Racial Justice, and Women were launched in September 2023 as part of the Strategy for Justice, Dignity and Solidarity. We hope to start 2 new Solidarity Circles – one for Carers and one for Rural Communities in September 2024.
Solidarity Circles are online meetings for the Methodist Church to support people in different diversities of the Church’s life to meet regularly, to support one another and to raise with relevant Church leaders the concerns that need to be addressed. These circles act as consultative groups for the work of the Methodist Church and are supported and led by a volunteer coordinator.
Each Solidarity Circle is formed of up to 15 members who are appointed for one, two or three years with up to five new members recruited each year to ensure a diversity of views and experience are heard.
If you are passionate about working with others towards a fully inclusive church and meet the criteria then please consider applying to join one or more of the Solidarity Circles.
- Solidarity Circle for Disability
- Solidarity Circle for LGBT+
- Solidarity Circle for Racial Justice
- Solidarity Circle for Women
- Solidarity Circle for Carers
- Solidarity Circle for Rural Communities
For the role description and Solidarity Circle Terms of Reference, please review the Solidarity Circle Information pack. The pack also details the additional information regarding preferences and availability, which will need to be noted on your application.
The closing date for applications is 7 May 2024 by 9am.
A drop-in session has been arranged to support the recruitment for new Solidarity Circle members. The session will take place on 24 April from 7-8pm
Please view job on the Methodist Church jobs page to register your interest to attend drop-in
The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.