Access To Health Volunteer Roles in Westminster, Greater London

Volunteer your time at Hestia to make our gardens a beautiful place for adults and children to enjoy all year through! Are you green fingered and have a passion for gardens and outdoor spaces?

At Hestia we have gardens and outdoor spaces which require your support to bring these back to life by keeping them maintained. We are recruiting for volunteers to motivate and inspire staff and people living in our services to get involved in gardening.

What you will be doing

• Inspire and motivate staff and people in the services to get involved in maintaining and growing the garden
• To provide tips on how to maintain and grow the garden - sowing seeds, planting bulbs, taking cuttings
• Provide basic maintenance such as cutting the grass, emptying bins, managing weed control and leaf raking
• Lead in planting and nurturing new trees, flowers, and various plants
• Provide best practice on how to use the correct gardening tools
• Inspire people in our services and staff to maintain a clean garden
• Advise staff on the costs of plants and garden necessities

The skills you need

• A basic knowledge/ experience of plant care and use of gardening tools7
• Calm and patient approach
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Our Trustees are a team of volunteers who use their diverse skills, experience, and perspectives to set the strategic direction of the charity and make sure it’s doing what it was set up to do in the best possible way. 

For families facing tough times, a holiday is a much-needed break from the day to day, as well as giving space and time to breathe, think differently. A holiday is essential for building wellbeing and hope for the future, especially when the present is challenging.

About you

You'll have the energy, integrity, passion, and skills to work with the Board of Trustees, our CEO and staff team, and our community, to drive forward a successful and dynamic future for our charity and the families we support.

We’re particularly looking to add the following professional skills and experiences to our team.

• Developing digital products, tools and/or services.
• Directly supporting children and/or families on an ongoing professional basis.
• Fundraising in a charity through voluntary donations or commercial income.

You don’t need to have been a Trustee before, but you do need to be willing to do some training to help you understand the role and the responsibilities that come with it.

We actively encourage applications from under-represented, marginalised and racialised groups, and those with lived experience of any of the barriers families face to having time away together. That’s things like mental or physical ill health, disability, domestic abuse, being a young carer or living on a low income.

We will make adjustments to our schedule and processes to ensure new trustees can be included and supported in the role.

More diverse perspectives on our Board help us make better decisions for families.

What we offer you

The biggest thing we have to offer is the chance to put your skills and experience to good use making the lives of families who are having a tough time better.

You’ll join a team who really care about making a difference and approach it with real openness and drive. Right off the bat we’ll connect you with the other Trustees and staff so you can get to know everyone, and we’ll buddy you up with another Trustee, so you’ve got someone to help you navigate it all as you settle in.

Expenses

You won’t get paid for your time, but we’ll make sure you aren’t out of pocket by covering the cost of your travel to meetings, childcare or other care if you need it, and a range of other expenses you might have while doing the role. We’ll book and/or pay for these in advance if you prefer.

How to apply

When you click 'Quick Apply' you'll find a link to upload your CV and answer a couple of screening questions.

We will make adjustments to the recruitment process wherever possible to ensure that no applicant is disadvantaged for any reason. 

• Monday 1st July - Applications close at 9am
• w/c 8th July and w/c 15th July  -  First interviews with a panel of current trustees 
• w/c 22nd July - Second interviews with Jackie our Vice Chair of Trustees

After the interviews we’ll contact anyone we’d like to join the Board with an offer subject to references and checks.

If you accept, we’ll take up your references, do a DBS check and confirm your eligibility to act as a Trustee. If that’s all ok, you’re in! We’ll introduce you to the rest of the Trustees and get started with your induction.

Formal appointment happens at the next Board meeting which is on Thursday 5th August.

Role Summary

We are looking for a new Chair of Trustees who will offer strategic and supportive leadership to our highly effective, collaborative and committed Board.  The Chair leads the board, ensuring that it governs the charity effectively, in service of the charity's vision and mission.  The Chair leads in an inclusive way, supporting the Board to work together well, and providing support and challenge to the Chief Executive.  The Chair is also an ambassador for the charity.

Chair role & responsibilities 

Provide strategic leadership to the charity and the Board, ensuring that Glass Door achieves its mission with the interests of Glass Door's guests at its centre.

Work collaboratively with the CEO, staff and volunteers to achieve our mission and optimise the relationship between the Board and Glass Doors's staff and volunteers.

Provide leadership within the Board, ensuring that it fulfills its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation and promoting governance among fellow Trustees, providing clarity around boundaries between governance, management and operations.

Plan and chair the bi-monthly board meetings and the AGM, with colleagues as appropriate and liaise with the CEO, Company Secretary and Governance Trustee with regard to setting up meetings, agenda items and annual report content.

Facilitate meetings ensuring all have equal involvement in discussions, clarifying any uncertainties, confirming decisions made and actions to be taken and ensuring effective time management of meetings whilst providing appropriate periods of discussion and reflection.

Act as a spokesperson and figurehead for Glass Door when required.

Support Glass Door functions and events eg attendance at supporter events.

Support the Head of Fundraising & Major Donors with the cultivation of high-level donors, occassionally attending meetings where value can be added.

Represent the Board at staff Town Hall meetings.

Support the team liaising with partner churches and statutory authorities as required and be the public face of Glass Door in the local community.

Liaise with the CEO and he Board to keep an overview of the charity's affairs.

Provide supervision and support to the CEO as necessary in addition to planned monthly/bi-monthly 'catch up' meetings and, with the People Trustee, lead the CEO's annual performance review.

To act as final stage adjudicator for disciplinary and grievance procedures if required.

What we are looking for

Experience of being a Trustee, ideally in the third sector, and an understanding of the legal responsibilities and liabilities of a Trustee/Director.

A keen sense of strategic purpose.

Strong leadership skills, able to foster and promote a collaborative team environment and an inclusive and collaborative leadership style; able to inspire and support everyone to participate on an equal footing.

An ability to facilitate, mediate, influence and respect the confidences of colleagues.  The ability to listen and engage effectively.  You are comfortable with challenge and debate and are able to encourage that in others whilst fostering a collaborative board environment.

Excellent presentation and communication skills.

Advocate and ambassador - possess gravitas to lead the organisation and be able and willing to champion Glass Door.

Demonstrate a strong and visible passion and commitment to Glass Door's guests and ensure that the interests of our guests drive the decisions of the Board.

A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

A willingness to devote necessary time and effort to your duties as Chair and be available and responsive (e.g. when things sometimes 'come up' that require the Chair to advise, support or give consent to).

What's in it for the new Chair?

Our vision is a world where no one has to sleep on the streets of London and we're working every day to achieve this.  Your role as Chair will offer you an incredibly reqarding experience to use your skills and collaborate with the rest of the Board and staff members for the benefit of people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness.

For more information please see the full role description and Glass Door information pack attached,

Are you passionate and committed to supporting children and women who have fled domestic abuse? We are recruiting for volunteers to support our Children and Family Workers to get creative and involved in providing daily activities and outings for the children within our refuges during the summer holidays. We are looking for support in the following locations: Ealing, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Brent.

What you will be doing

• To help with the day to day running of the Children & Family Service throughout the summer holidays
• To assist organising and facilitating activities and outings with the Children and Family Worker
• To use a range of skills and tools to make sessions interesting and fun for a range of ages
• To create timetables, posters, maps and instructions for residents
• To offer general admin help: typing, taking meeting minutes, filing and scanning documents
• To develop positive relationships with the children and women
• Support with administrative tasks including attendance and feedback
• To gather ideas, suggestions from families, plan, collaborate and create a timetable of activities and sessions. To involve women and children in the planning and designing of the timetable
• To support in providing or purchasing resources for activities

The skills you need

• Experience working with children/childcare/play-work experience - gained formally or informally
• Willingness to learn about domestic abuse and its impact on children and women
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Good interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work with people from different backgrounds.

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Use your expertise in commercial property development and/or construction and join the board of an outstanding, high-profile provider with a national and international reputation as an innovator in end-of-life care, research and education.

Location: 51-59 Lawrie Park Road, London SE26 6DZ

Who we are.

The modern hospice movement began at St Christopher’s over 55 years ago. Our legacy is strong, and our Trustees are currently considering the future health needs of our community so we can continue to deliver the best possible care.

We currently have two vibrant sites in South East London, providing excellent multi-professional care alongside our extensive community work. Last year, we provided care and support to over 7,500 people in the local area, with over 500 inpatient admissions, over 5,000 outpatient appointments, and over 13,000 home visits. We also have 24 charity shops supporting and contributing to our work, with over 500,000 customers visiting our stores last year.

Last year, we launched our new strategy – Making Your Time Matter, 2023-2026. We want to be part of a world where all dying people and those close to them have access to equitable care and support when and wherever they need it. We want to achieve this by tackling inequalities, fulfilling a national and global leadership role, creating a sustainable business model, equipping the future workforce and tackling ethical issues. We want to continue to share cutting-edge thinking and test solutions to improve care, we want to explore assisted dying with our communities and make recommendations to policymakers.

To achieve our vision, we are undertaking a significant refurbishment of our main site and planning our estate requirements to match our future needs. Our new Trustee will play a key role in supporting us as we develop our site and plan our estate for the future to continue to innovate best practice in the hospice movement. Our new Trustee will work closely with our Board and our executive team, in particular our Director of Finance and Corporate Services, our Project Director and Estates Lead.

About the role.

Our Trustees work closely with our executive team to ensure we continue to provide outstanding care, maintain our international reputation for education and research, and remain appropriately resourced to serve our community in the future. Our Trustees provide strategic leadership and expertise from a range of backgrounds and industries, giving St Christopher’s the direction and insight to continue as a world leader in palliative care.

We are looking for a new Trustee with executive-level commercial property experience to add to our existing skilled and diverse team of Trustees as we deliver outstanding care across South East London. We are actively considering the care our community will need in the future and how our estate supports this. As a Trustee, this is an opportunity to be part of shaping St Christopher’s vision, and always keeping the needs of the community at the forefront of what the hospice does. Experience in property and/or construction will be vital in ensuring the property strategy is congruent with our care strategy. We are looking for someone with a knowledge of the property market in South East London with an affinity or passion for our work in end of life care.

Our new Trustee could come from a variety of sectors including property development and/or construction. Strategic leadership experience, ideally at board level, and experience of programme management of projects up to £100m are crucial.

Time Commitment

The board meets quarterly between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at our Sydenham site. We have an annual Board Away Day and an AGM. Trustees join one of our subcommittees, which meets quarterly for an hour and a half online. Overall, including events, preparation for board meetings, and ad hoc conversations with fellow board members and the executive team, we expect the overall time commitment to be the equivalent of up to a day a month spread across various engagements.

We welcome applicants from our underrepresented areas, which include applicants from ethnic minority groups and diverse age and socio-economic groups.

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

 This is an exciting opportunity to join our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team. As a volunteer you will play a crucial part in helping us raise awareness of different topics. You will write and develop blogs and articles to showcase different EDI related awareness days, weeks or months. You will help us to represent different parts of the MS and our staff communities and increase awareness and knowledge of different issues. For example, can you tell us more about Diwali or shine a light on mental health awareness week? 

 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are at the heart of our work. We work with volunteers, professionals and people with lived experience of MS to guide and direct our approach to EDI. An important part of this work is to discuss EDI related issues more openly and in a more authentic way. 

This role is a home-based role, which will require attending two online monthly meetings, and up to 10 hours of writing to develop the blogs and articles.

What the role involves 

• Attending two monthly, online meetings 
• Researching topics which may be outside your lived experience and writing blogs and articles 
• Being open to constructive feedback on your writing and working to deadlines 
• Representing the MS community and raising awareness of issues and topics that are important to this community 
• Regular 1:1 catch ups with our EDI programme manager 

 What you need for this role

• Excellent and engaging writing and communication skills.
• Passion for the MS Society and for EDI in our work 
• Good IT skills 
• A good understanding and awareness of the current discussions, debates and development regarding EDI 

What you may gain from this role 

• A good understanding and awareness of the current discussions, debates and development regarding EDI 
• Working in a professional environment 
• References
• Training
• Improve understanding of EDI in corporate environment 

 In order to volunteer in this role, you will need to undertake:

Must do training  Role specific training  Data protection eLearningInduction with your volunteer Manager Cyber Security training 
EDI training 

 Sources of support:

 We will ensure that whist volunteering with us you will have access to all the support you need to feel comfortable, confident with what you are doing, and able to achieve the most impact though your time with us.

 Your staff contact is here to support you, answer any questions you might have about what you’ll be doing, your learning and where you can get more information.

The Supporter Care Team is your point of contact for queries to other MS Society departments. They can signpost you to the right person:

  Additional information about our volunteering programme:

• When you volunteer with us, you join our powerful community of people
• living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers.
• Our shared commitments help keep our volunteering programme enjoyable, meaningful and safe for everyone.   

  Download Our Commitments here.   

We currently have a volunteering opportunity in the East Finchley area of North London for a Volunteer Befriender. If you have a couple of hours to spare and can commit to volunteering on a weekly basis, we’d love to hear from you.

Are you a warm and chatty person, who’s also a good listener?

Are you looking to help someone gain confidence and engage with the local community? Could you organise and source activities that align with our service-user’s interests, which include comedy and writing poetry?

Can you commit to learning Creative Support’s Safeguarding Procedure and be able to implement this if needed?

We are looking for a reliable, friendly, outgoing and supportive person who can join us as a Volunteer Befriender.

As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer’s peer support group. Together we can make a difference.

Suggested time commitment: 2 hours a week.

Creative Support is a passionate, inclusive, and anti-racist organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Disability Confident Employer who have recently received Investors in People Silver award. We actively encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and cultures.

Transport Volunteer

We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers. Our volunteers are a key part of achieving our goals and their support is vital. Join us.

About this opportunity
We are looking to recruit a Transport Volunteer for the Ayrshire Group. As a Transport Volunteer, you will help make sure people with MS can access activities and events, by setting up relationships with local transport providers.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You will understand the local area and be confident to liaise with organisations that provide local transport.

Apply 
- Read through the role description carefully

- Please apply online

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

Are you passionate about providing outstanding and compassionate support to people with palliative and end of life care needs? If so, join Saint Francis Hospice as a Trustee as they enter a new and exciting chapter.

Applications close at: 9 a.m. Tuesday 11th June

Location: Havering-atte-Bower, Romford, London/Essex border

About Saint Francis Hospice

Saint Francis Hospice is the main local provider of hospice care. The hospice has 18 specialist palliative care beds on its Ward within the Hospice. It also has an active well-being and day therapy service which provides one-to-one clinical and therapy appointments, as well as group wellbeing activities. 85% of our care is undertaken within the community.

These services are for anyone affected by advanced, progressive disease living in any of our catchment boroughs as shown on our map below. All areas are also covered by our hospice 24-hour Specialist Advice Line and by our Hospice at Home team; a team particularly supporting family and friends, and carers in the last few weeks of life.

We have a range of Well-being services including Bereavement Support for adults and Children, and our Orangeline support services for people in need of support during times of loneliness and loss.

The hospice is also the provider of specialist community and crisis support to people at home and in care homes in Barking & Dagenham, Havering and South West Essex, via a nurse-led specialist team. In Redbridge, that community specialist support is provided by the NHS and other care partners. Partnerships between our local Hospital Trusts and the hospice are well established including in the areas of end of life care services, education, out-of-hours consultant cover, shared cover for senior doctors between hospice and hospital and widening access to specialist palliative care services.

The hospice has an Education Centre on site offering a range of bespoke training and development opportunities for our staff and partner organisations. We offer junior doctor training and work closely with Southbank University providing BSc and MSc Palliative care programmes.

Our care strategy focuses on meeting growing demand whilst still delivering care tailored to each individual. It also includes an emphasis on the teaching, training and support of family, friends and our health and care partners and providers.

About the roles

This is an incredibly exciting time to join the hospice, having recently welcomed our new Chief Executive — and with many exciting priorities underway including; a renovation and major upgrade of our ward unit, a continued focus on service quality and innovation, a new people strategy and an ambition to achieve even greater financial sustainability.

To support our plans and ensure that we are embracing all future opportunities for growth and development, the board is now looking to appoint new Trustees to replace those whose terms have come (or are coming) to an end.

Who we are looking for

We seek individuals with a fundamental alignment to our charitable purpose and mission.

With exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, you will bring sound judgement, the ability to think strategically and offer constructive challenge and debate to the board and senior team.

Whilst we are open to a range of skills and experience, we are particularly keen to hear from candidates with a background in one or more of the following areas:

Digital, Strategic Marketing and Comms - For this trustee role, we are looking for an individual with experience in making sure an organisational strategy has a strong digital thread through it as we look to improve our systems and processes, look to raise our profile even more through an amplified digital marketing strategy and capitalise on technology as we develop our services.

Commercial/Business Development – For our business development trustee role, we are looking for an individual with broad business, new service development and commercial skills, who can bring new ideas and experience in scaling new service models to our charity and transferable skills to the board.

Fundraising/Income generation – Our fundraising trustee will bring senior strategic fundraising and broader income generation experience, ideally in a charity setting with a national reach.

Healthcare – For this trustee role, we are looking for someone with current knowledge of the health and social care arena – the developments, challenges, wider healthcare market and opportunities, as well as the health economy.  Whilst prior experience of end of life/palliative care would be advantageous, it isn’t essential.

For all appointments, we are looking for individuals who can provide trustee oversight on new areas and strategic priorities. Acting as a strong sounding board to the Chair, fellow trustees and the executive team, and able to provide strong strategic advice and overview.

We want to diversify the board and particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups.

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

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 11th June

Join us in making a difference in our community by ensuring everyone has access to the food they need. Your help can bring a positive change to many lives!

Role Overview:

Join our dedicated team at Abbey Community Centre to help combat food insecurity in our community. As a Community Food Club Volunteer, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that food donations are efficiently received, sorted, and distributed to local elderly people and families with young children aged 5 and under. Your efforts will directly contribute to providing much-needed support to those experiencing food insecurity.

Key Responsibilities:

Receiving Food Deliveries:

  - Welcome and assist delivery drivers.

  - Check and record the received items against delivery notes.

  - Ensure all food items are handled and stored according to safety guidelines.

Sorting and Bagging Food Donations:

  - Sort donated food items by type and ensure they meet quality standards.

  - Organize and pack food items into bags or boxes for distribution.

  - Ensure that the right quantity and variety of food is packed for each family and elderly recipient.

Distribution Preparation:

  - Help set up the distribution area.

  - Ensure all packed bags are ready for distribution days.

  - Assist in maintaining a clean and organized workspace.

Record Keeping:

  - Help maintain accurate records of food received and distributed.

  - Assist with inventory management to track stock levels.

Skills and Experience:

Essential:

  - Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

  - Ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively.

  - Physical ability to lift and carry bags/boxes of food.

  - Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and respecting the privacy of recipients.

Desirable:

  - Previous experience in a similar role or in food handling.

  - Knowledge of food safety standards.

  - Basic record-keeping skills.

Personal Qualities:

- Compassionate and empathetic attitude towards people facing food insecurity.

- Reliable and punctual.

- Willingness to follow instructions and adhere to health and safety guidelines.

- Positive and proactive approach to volunteering.

When you'll be needed:

Between 2-3 hours on Tuesday afternoons

Benefits:

- Gain valuable experience in food distribution and community service.

- Make a meaningful impact on the lives of local families and elderly individuals.

- Meet new people and become part of a supportive and friendly team.

- Receive training and ongoing support from our project coordinator.

Abbey Community Centre is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

Are you passionate about driving positive change for single parents and their children? Do you have the vision and leadership skills to help shape the future of the only national charity dedicated to supporting single parents to overcome disadvantage, inequality, and injustice? Gingerbread is looking for a dynamic and experienced leader to join as Chair.

Applications close on Monday 19th August.

About Gingerbread.

Gingerbread is the leading charity working with single parent families. With single parent families making up 25% of all families in the UK, our mission is more critical than ever. Increasingly, these parents and families face significant challenges during the cost-of-living crisis, including poverty, housing instability, high childcare costs, and an inadequate welfare system. Single parents tell us they feel forgotten by policymakers or even discriminated against, and in the run-up to the General Election, we are hearing political parties offer various solutions, but it is crucial that the voices of single parents are heard. We provide expert advice and practical support and campaign for policy changes that improve the lives of single parents. Our vision is a society where all single parents and their children can thrive.

Our strategic priorities.

Our strategy for 2022-2030 focuses on several key areas identified through extensive research and engagement with single parents. These include addressing the cost-of-living crisis and ensuring single parents can access adequate income and financial support. We want to provide mental health support and tackle issues of isolation and loneliness through wellbeing. We are advocating for flexible employment opportunities and affordable, accessible childcare. We are challenging discrimination and negative attitudes towards single parents and influencing policy changes.

Why this role matters.

Single parents face unique challenges and are disproportionately affected by poverty, discrimination, and social isolation. At Gingerbread, we are committed to addressing these issues through direct support, advocacy, and systemic change. By joining our Board as Chair, you will play a pivotal role in guiding our strategic direction and ensuring that we can continue to provide vital services and support to those who need it most whilst campaigning for change.

Key qualities we are looking for.

We are looking for a visionary leader who can inspire and guide our Board and team to achieve our goals and ensure our charity is sustainable for the future. Our new Chair will provide robust support while offering constructive challenge to drive our charity forward. Our Chair will have a proven ability to lead and manage change, adeptly guiding us through transformative periods. The Chair will bring solid knowledge and understanding of the charity sector, valuable experience in governance, ensuring organisational integrity and accountability.

We are looking for a Chair who demonstrates strong commercial acumen, balancing financial sustainability with our charitable mission. Strategic thinking is crucial, alongside a collaborative spirit and strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.

This is a unique opportunity for a leader who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of single parent families and is ready to take our organisation to new heights.

Time commitment.

The Board meets quarterly for 2-3 hours, usually in central London, with an annual strategy away day. The overall time commitment, including engagement with the CEO, Trustees, and other key stakeholders, preparation for meetings, regular conversations with the chairs of the committees, ad hoc discussions and potentially attending events is expected to be the equivalent of 2-3 days per month.

Join us at Gingerbread and help us create a world where no single parent faces disadvantage, inequality, or injustice.

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

Applications for this role close Monday 19th August.

London-based housing and homelessness charity, Fresh Horizons CNB, are seeking new Trustees to provide strategic support to their Trustee board.

Fresh Horizons CNB offers a safe and stable living environment for those who are on the journey back to independent living. We are seeking three Trustees to join our Board.

What will you be doing?

· Reflect the organisation’s vision and values, strategy and policies.

· Work closely with the Board to formulate and review the strategic aims of the organisation.

· Ensure the policy and practices of the organisation are in keeping with its aims.

· Ensure that the organisation functions within the legal and financial requirements of a charity.

· Use resources effectively and efficiently.

· Ensure best practice is developed and applied.

· Monitor and evaluate the performance of the organisation.

· Take part in training sessions.

· Contribute specific skills, interests and contacts.

Time Commitment

· The Board meets 4 times a year, meetings usually last for 2 hours.

· There are 4 other meetings a year, which usually last for 1 hour. These meetings are a chance to catch up on how things are going and complete any relevant training.

· Most meetings are held remotely.

· One away day per year.

What are we looking for?

· Commitment to our mission and values.

· Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort.

· Strategic vision and experience.

· Sound, independent judgement.

· Ability to think creatively.

· Willingness to speak one’s mind and listen to others.

· Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship.

· Ability to work effectively within a team.

· We would be interested in hearing from candidates with experience of the housing or homelessness sector.

· First time Trustees are welcome, as training is provided for all Board members.

What difference will you make?

Bringing your skills and experience to the Board enables us to continue re-housing those who have been street homeless, providing training and growth through acquiring properties and valuable resources. It is a very rewarding and fulfilling role.

Becoming a Trustee for Herts Musical Memories

Herts Musical Memories are celebrating there 8th Year of becoming a charity and we are now at last, beginning to recover from the Pandemic. We urgently need to expand our board to ensure that the charity continues to grow – the following provides some background to our work and lays out what it means to become a trustee.

Herts Musical Memories purposes are:

• To facilitate structured group sessions designed around the principles of music therapy and group singing for people with dementia and their carers.

Herts Musical Memories objectives are:

• To provide activities for people with dementia and their carers that help stimulate memories

• To provide activities that incorporate social interaction and peer support for people with dementia and their carers

• To reduce feelings of isolation for families coping with dementia and to provide access to artistic and social stimulation

What Herts Musical Memories values are:

Health, wellbeing and equality will be at the core of all Herts Musical Memories activities relating to service users, staff and volunteers and the wider public.

In relation to our service users Herts Musical Memories will actively promote equality for people with dementia.  To free them from fear and isolation and to use our services to demonstrate to the wider public that people with dementia still have a place in society and should be treated with dignity and respect.

The Singing Sessions:

‘Thank you for Bringing the sunshine into my Mum’s week.’  Carer

Herts Musical Memories provides stimulating social activities involving music, seated movement and singing for people with dementia and their carers.  The charity runs 9  groups in 4 weekly blocks across Hertfordshire with an admin and song preparation session every 5th week.  There is an average of 25 people per session with sometimes over 30 people attending.  The sessions last 90 minutes with time set aside for socialising and light refreshments. 

Most of the participants are dealing with the impact of an early diagnosis and are usually accompanied by a family member, usually a spouse.  People who live alone often come with a professional carer.

Sessions are held at fixed dates and times in community centres or church halls. The venues are chosen carefully for ease of access, to be on regular bus routes, good parking and for having good facilities. This does mean that, sometimes the venue can be expensive, but the venue plays an important part in making the sessions a positive experience.

The sessions are structured to include a range of activities that are repeated each week providing the service users with a routine that becomes familiar with regular attendance.  Songs are chosen from popular music from the 1950s going up to the 1970s. The sessions will include; songs that require movement, singing rounds where people get a chance to sing in harmony, rhythm exercises using percussion instruments and exercises in dexterity using bean bags.

The service users are taught new songs – incredibly due to the way the human brain remembers music, people with dementia can cope with this and actively enjoy learning new things – this increases their confidence and boosts their self-esteem.

The sessions are delivered by a professional group leader with the support of volunteers. 

Finances:

Herts Musical Memories has no formal funding – we raise a contribution through fees which are £6 per session, we raise up to £10,000 per year through events held on our behalf another £5,000 through donations and the rest we have to fundraise for.  To run the charity effectively we need to raise just over £10,000 per group.  To help us achieve this we have developed a 5 year fundraising strategy.  Our goals are to achieve enough funding to recruit a part time administrator, create a reserve of 6 months running costs ensuring a sustainable future.

‘I’d like to thank you, you make me feel so happy’ - guest

What Does it Involve to Become a Trustee

Trustees share formal responsibility for the charity and must act in its best interests, regardless of how they're elected or appointed. Some trustees may take on specific roles on the board, such as chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer.

Herts Musical Memories meets 4 times per year mainly on Zoom but with some face to face in West Hertfordshire.  If a trustee has particular expertise in finance, fundraising, HR we do occasionally hold one on one sub meetings with the CEO.  No experience is necessary as there is plenty of training available – it is a commitment but it is a rewarding commitment.  Becoming a trustee is about taking on a position where you can make a real difference to the people who live in your local community.

Top five traits of a good trustee

· A good trustee is ready for a challenge – running a small charity is always a challenge and supporting the CEO in facing those challenges is a vital role of a trustee.  Whether it be support, advice or helping to access the necessary expertise that can support the charities development

· They are open and listen to many voices – there are many people prepared to offer advice and many voices to be heard, from the team running the charity to the beneficiaries.  Listening and understanding enables a trustee to offer advice and help the charity seek solutions that will improve and enable it to reach its goals.

· Trustees are team players – running a charity is a team effort which is relevant from the Board through to the beneficiaries by working together as a team a charity is more likely to prosper and grow.

· Trustees have expert knowledge – this expert knowledge can be in training, marketing, fundraising, HR, Law or it could be in a first hand knowledge of the charities services and the impact it has on families and the ability to use that understanding to enhance the charities service for people living with dementia.

· They exercise good judgement and care – this is essential, working with vulnerable adults comes with a lot of responsibility. We need to be sure we work within the parameters of Charity Commission’s guidelines to ensure good practice which protects all involved from the  trustees, staff and beneficiaries.

A good trustee also knows what they are doing within the framework of their role. At a basic level, they should understand and know how to act as described by The Charity Commission.  The regulator’s ‘The essential trustee’ guidance sets out six main duties:

· Ensuring that the charity is working for the benefit of the public

· Compliance with the law

· Acting in the best interests of the charity

· Ensuring accountability

· Financial responsibility

· Acting with reasonable care and skill

It may seem overwhelming to become a trustee but it is, as mentioned so rewarding and the satisfaction, that as a trustee you are truly making a positive difference to people lives.

 Please note Herts Musical Memories is based in Bushey, Hertfordshire (Hence why this is the position location listed), however meetings with trustees are typically held in locations within West Hertfordshire or remotely via Zoom.

Would you like to support those feeling socially isolated and lonely within the local serving community? Could you spare a few hours a week to organise group activities that bring people together?

If so, we would love to hear from you!

What is a Community Connection Champion?

The aim of the role is to promote connection by developing and facilitating social groups and activities within the local serving community.

Tasks will include planning group activities that are sociable and of interest to the community. It also involves coordinating and delivering sessions. You will receive training and have support from a dedicated project officer as you establish a variety of groups.

What difference will you make?

Armed Forces life can bring its challenges when a loved-one is deployed overseas, or a family must move to a new location. Some people can find themselves feeling lonely or socially isolated, they may struggle to meet and connect with new people due to their confidence, work commitments or because they don’t live in Service Family Accommodation.

Community Connection Champions will play a vital role in tackling these challenges by creating welcoming, engaging group opportunities that bring people together.

What will you be doing?

Although every SSAFA Team has different needs, below are the main activities of a Community Connection Champion:

• Creating and Planning: Working with the Project Officer to plan, develop and organise groups and activities that are best suited to their local serving community.
• Communication and Teamwork: Keeping in touch with the local Community Volunteer Coordinator and attending s meetings.
• Networking and Engagement: Reaching out with those who are interested in attending activities, providing support and encouragement for them to attend, including those who face barriers to attending.
• Facilitating group sessions: Delivering group activities in line with agreed plans, signposting attendees to external support as required and in line with SSAFA’s safeguarding policy and procedures.
• Recording and reporting on activities: Sharing activity plans with the SSAFA Project Team, tracking attendance, and encouraging attendees to complete the relevant paperwork to support Project reporting and development.

What about training and support?

• Volunteers will need to complete E-learning courses covering topics including GDPR and safeguarding plus a 1.5hr webinar which focuses on understanding the impact of loneliness and social isolation, what helps to reduce those feelings and the skills needed to develop and facilitate groups.
• Support from a dedicated Project Officer who will work with you to plan and develop the groups and activities.
• Support from your local Community Volunteer Coordinator and SSAFA’s Regional and Central Volunteer Operations colleagues.
• Access to a range of e-learning courses, resources and local opportunities to keep your knowledge and skills up to date.
• Regular meetings and events to learn and share information.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFA's Public Liability insurance while carrying out their role.

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Give back to the serving community
• Support people in your local serving community using your patience, time and life experience, helping them to build local connections.
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA Serving Community Team and the wider SSAFA community
• Gain experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews, such as planning sessions, organising activities and group facilitation.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people with great communication skills.
• Excellent understanding of the importance of boundaries and confidentiality
• Non-judgemental approach and alignment with SSAFA’s values
• Some experience of delivering groups sessions or team leadership is beneficial but not essential as training will be provided
• A willingness to adhere to all relevant organisational policies and procedures.

This role would suit someone who would like to make a regular weekly commitment of a couple of hours.

As this is a new initiative, we are keen to understand what works to support the local serving community. We expect groups to run in the evenings and weekends, as well as during the week.

A typical group might run once weekly for a 6-week period. Face to face sessions are likely to run in community venues such as community centres but we also want to explore how virtual groups can be used to support those who can’t access face to face sessions.

Please note this is a volunteer role and does not form part of any contract of employment.