Community Facilitator Volunteer Roles in Glasgow

We are seeking compassionate and empathetic people to assist us in running online peer support groups. This is an exciting opportunity to join us, and develop existing skills and learn new ones, while supporting people in need.

About Us

We are Borderline Support UK CIC, a non-profit organisation which is entirely volunteer-run and is led by our service users who are living with, or affected by, borderline personality disorder (BPD). We provide support and information to anyone in the UK affected by BPD. Every year we support more than 2000 people through our peer support groups and support services. We support people diagnosed with BPD, those who are living with symptoms, and their loved ones.

Key responsibilities

• Co-facilitating online peer support groups
• Assist with the smooth running of the group
• Ensure the group is a welcoming, safe and supportive environment
• Chatting with group members and putting them at ease
• Encouraging open and honest conversations
• Listen to ideas and concerns to ensure the ground rules of the group are followed
• Assisting the group facilitator to develop, prepare and deliver activities
• Flag any issues with the group facilitator

Experience

We welcome applications from people with different and varied skills, for this role we are particularly looking for:

• Lived experience of BPD and/or mental health
• Compassionate and empathetic manner
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
• Positive outlook and can-do attitude
• Reliable and dependable

What will you gain as a volunteer?

• You’ll join a friendly, passionate team of volunteers and develop an understanding of how we operate.
• You will have the opportunity to network with other volunteers and play a key role in the mental health community.
• You’ll have the opportunity to utilise your existing skills, while developing and learning new ones to take forward into the future
• We will provide references after 3-months of active volunteering

Time Commitment

Time commitment is a minimum of 2 hours per month, at a pre-scheduled time. We ask all group facilitators to agree a minimum commitment of 12-months to ensure stability for our service users. All volunteers are required to complete an induction and training program (held virtually over Teams) and be happy to attend regular meetings online.

Practical Considerations

You will need a computer with webcam, reliable internet and a quiet place to attend groups. You will receive full training and ongoing support from a named key contact.

We carry out reference checks for all individuals who will be volunteering with us on a regular basis. Volunteers will be required to undergo a DBS check, and complete induction and basic training before commencing the role. Volunteers must be over 18, and have the right to live and work in the UK.

How to apply

Please submit your application through Charity Job, we will then contact you to arrange an informal interview over Teams.

Borderline Support UK CIC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for this volunteer position without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age

Employer

Ethical Trading Initiative

Location

London

Time required: 3-4 days per month; this includes ETI quarterly board meetings and other Chair duties. 

Salary

This post is not formally remunerated, but an honorarium will be offered as determined by the board remuneration committee.

Closing date

00:00 (GMT) on 1 September 2024

ETI is a leading membership organisation focused on addressing human rights impacts in supply chains.  By working with companies, trade unions and NGOs we are uniquely placed to tackle the challenges faced by workers around the world. We support businesses to identify and reduce human rights risks in supply chains, through guidance and collaboration across our membership. 

We are looking for an inspirational leader who excels in influencing and fostering a shared vision that drives collective success. The ideal candidate will possess extensive leadership experience, with a proven ability to transform strategic visions into concrete results. As a skilled communicator and facilitator, they will be adept at nurturing relationships and promoting collaborative dialogue among a diverse group of stakeholders, including top business executives, trade unions, and NGOs.

The role demands experience in governance, preferably having served as a Chair or Board Member in organizations with a notable impact. A thorough understanding of international human rights frameworks, labour standards, ethical trade issues across various sectors and geographies, and a positive history of engagement with trade unions and civil society are essential. The candidate should value the distinct contributions and viewpoints of these groups, furthering ETI's mission for ethical trade.

We know that diversity is under-represented in Chair and Non-Executive Director roles. We value and promote diversity and are committed to equality of opportunity for all. Our appointments are made on merit. We actively encourage and welcome applications from all marginalized groups.

Can you spare a few hours a week to support members of the Colostomy UK Facebook Support group?

We are looking for volunteers who can help respond to queries from group members on our closed Facebook group during the evenings (Mon – Fri, 5 - 9pm) and at weekends (Sat & Sun, 9am - 9pm).

Members of the support group are generally very positive, encouraging and kind to each other. Generally, members want to help each other, and the group has a real sense of community. The group is for anyone with a stoma or who has genuine interest in supporting someone with a stoma. 

What will you do?

You will be logged in and respond to posts as Colostomy UK. We ask that you look at the group approximately once an hour during your shift and respond to posts as and when required. This may involve giving advice (never medical advice) or signposting back to our website.

You don’t need to respond immediately if you are unsure, however we do ask that you have a basic understanding of the group guidelines and alert the office team to any concerns. We ask that you delete any posts without delay that are obviously against the rules (we’ll tell you what those are during the training).

We have a weekly rota, and you can sign up for the time slots that work best for you. Shifts can be scheduled for the same day and time each week, or vary, as suits you.

How will we support you?

You will complete two hours of comprehensive training before getting started, so you are fully aware of what you need to do and when.

We’ll buddy you with an established volunteer who can support you in the initial few weeks.

You will be part of our WhatsApp group which includes other volunteers and the office team, so if you are ever unsure on how to help someone, others can help. Members of the WhatsApp group are happy to be contacted out of hours so very available if needed. 

What qualities and skills will you need?

• Great if you are an ostomate but you don’t have to be.
• Good writing skills and able to respond to messages in a timely manner via your device or PC.
• Correspond in a supportive and person specific manner with members of the group.
• Empathy with and enthusiasm for helping people.
• Good understanding of our charity and the support we offer.

Can you help out?We’d love to hear from you!

You will need to complete the relevant training for the role. You will be asked to complete an application form, DBS check, video interview and provide 2 satisfactory references.

The Alternatives to Violence Project is a network of skilled volunteers who run workshops for anyone who wants to find ways of resolving conflict without resorting to violence. We work in the community and in prisons.

What will you be doing?

We are currently seeking an individual who will have commitment to AVPB organisation and its objectives to join us as Company Secretary.

What the Company secretary role entails: 

- The company secretary’s role is generally to make sure the charity follows company law.

- Company secretary may also produce legal documents for the charity as authorised by the board.

- Company secretary will take on a number of administrative duties to support the board – one of the most important being to take minutes of board meetings. Another one is to ensure that company records with Charity Commission and Companies House are up to date and accurate. 

What are we looking for?

Experience and expertise required:

· Senior leadership.

· Trustee experience or the ability to gain an understanding of the relevant charity and company regulations.

· An understanding of the charitable and voluntary sector and its governance will be an advantage.

Skills we are looking for:

· An understanding and acceptance of legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.

· A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as a Trustee.

· Strategic vision.

· Organised and methodical.

· An ability to think creatively with good, independent judgement.

· An ability to work effectively as a member of a team yet be willing to speak your mind.

· A commitment to abide by the code of conduct.

What difference will you make?

The Board of Trustees is ultimately responsible for directing the affairs of AVP Britain, and ensuring that it is solvent, well-run, and meeting the needs for which it has been set up. The Board is also responsible for the organisation’s governance, values, and overall strategy, and for meeting the organisation’s statutory obligations. The Terms of Reference of the Board of Trustees sets out its responsibilities in more detail. The trustees delegate responsibility for managing and developing the work programme, in accordance with the trustees strategy, to other national and regional committees and staff.

The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) serves people who want to handle conflict well without using or suffering violence, whether physical or psychological. Our trained volunteer facilitators deliver intensive, low-cost, conflict-resolution skills workshops in the community, in prisons and in other settings. We reach diverse communities, attracting people from across a wide spectrum of ages, ethnic backgrounds and socio-economic backgrounds.

Before you apply

Please submit your CV along with a short cover letter stating why you wish to join the organisation and how your skills would add value to the board.

Please note, whilst the role has been advertised as a Trustee position, there is also the option to join as an Officer. Please state in your covering letter if this would be of interest to you.

We are looking for volunteer trustees to join the board of Alternatives to Violence Project Britain charity. This is a volunteer role with expenses paid.

Introduction to Alternatives to Violence Project Britain

The Alternatives to Violence Project is a network of skilled volunteers who run workshops for anyone who wants to find ways of resolving conflict without resorting to violence. We work in the community and in prisons.

What difference will you make?

The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) serves people who want to handle conflict well without using or suffering violence, whether physical or psychological. Our trained volunteer facilitators deliver intensive, low-cost, conflict-resolution skills workshops in the community, in prisons and in other settings. We reach diverse communities, attracting people from across a wide spectrum of ages, ethnic backgrounds, and socio-economic backgrounds.

We are looking for new trustees to join our Board.

We are looking for candidates with the ability to think creatively and strategically, and exercise good, independent judgement in helping us achieve our ambitions. Whilst you do not need to have prior non-executive experience, we are looking for individuals with a good grasp of governance and strategic leadership.

Candidates should:

- Understand and accept the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a trustee

- Be committed to AVP, its purpose and its values as set out in the constitution, strategic aims and values statement

- Be willing to devote the necessary time and effort to the role of Trustee

- Possess good judgement and independence of mind

- Have good strategic vision

- Be willing to work collectively and effectively as part of a group

Specifically, we are looking for one or more of the following areas of experience and expertise in our new trustees: Safeguarding,  Fundraising.

Although you are under no obligation to do so, ideally you would volunteer within this role for a period of a three year term. This will help you get the most out of the experience and provide some consistency for the charity.

Main duties and requirements of the Trustee role

1. Act with integrity and avoid personal conflicts of interest

2. Act jointly with other Trustees

3. Agree to undertake limited projects from time to time dependant on your own specialism

4. Provide guidance on issues in which you have particular expertise

5. Accept joint responsibility for all decisions made by Trustees

6. Consider getting external professional advice on all matters where there may be material risk to the charity, or where the Trustees may be in breach of their duties

7. Act reasonably and honestly, ensuring that discussions and debates are minuted to demonstrate the reasonableness of decisions made

8. Have the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries in mind at all times

9. Attend all meetings and communicate with the Chair about necessary absences

10. Seek to inform yourself about all aspects of AVP’s work

Measures of success

1. A stable and well functioning Board of Trustees

2. Increase in workshops and Distance Learning opportunities

3. Increased funds and volunteer base

Where you will be working

Mainly at home, or remote opportunity.

All our board meetings are currently held online (4-5 meetings a year). We can occasionally gather for an annual event.

Time

Mostly outside office hours

Estimate of time needed:

1-3 hours / week

Term

 Our trustees’ roles have initial term of three years, with the possibility of renewal for further 3 years.

How to apply

To apply for the position of Trustee please send your CV and a covering letter (not more than 2 pages each) explaining why you feel you would be a good fit for AVP and what expertise you could bring to the Board of Trustees.

If you are a volunteer with AVP or any other organisation please also explain how long you have been a volunteer and your duties.  All applications will be shortlisted and then if successful invited to an interview via online video call.  We will endeavour to reply to all applicants in a reasonable amount of time (1 week is our target).