Community support worker volunteer roles in chester le street, county durham

Here at Youth4Youth, we have grown a strong, tight-knit community of individuals who are passionate about making a difference and improving the lives of young people across the UK. Our growing team of volunteers all contribute, significantly, to the impact that we have as a charity on our direct beneficiaries, regardless of the department that they work in of the level of time that they are able to commit. Our services primarily offer a peer-support network to young people right across the UK, allowing them to access a peer mentor who is of a similar age to them and somebody that they feel more comfortable speaking with.

If successful, you will be joining a growing team of diverse, but likeminded individuals, collaborating to increase the reach of the Charity and improve support provisions available to young people. All of our volunteers and employees are remote workers, but that doesn't stop us keeping in touch and maintaining a strong positive culture amongst our whole team.

About the role

This exciting role will put you at the forefront of volunteer and staff engagement. As an entirely volunteer run service, people are the heart of what we do and it's important that we are able to engage with them. As People Engagement Lead, you will lead a team of People Engagement Partners, as well as oversee policy and benefits for the Charity to ensure that we get the best out of our people and that our people get the best out of us.

Responsibilities 

• Lead a team of volunteers, including People Engagement Partners, the Volunteer Benefits & Reward Lead and the Policy Lead to ensure that the People Engagement Team deliver against their agreed objectives.
• Develop and execute a People Engagement Strategy, in partnership with the Executive Leadership Team and other People Team members to create a positive environment provide all of our volunteers with a meaningful and positive experiences.
• Partner with the Executive Leadership Team members to understand people related issues and deploy tactics to support the resolution of those issues. 
• Support workforce planning activities that allows the Charity to grow in line with its strategy.
• Ensure compliance with all policies, including policy review schedules. Identify policy gaps to update existing policies or implement new policies based on organisational need.

Skills 

• Prior experience in a HR business partner or leadership role, with at least 3 years experience.
• Understanding of organisational development models / engagement strategy development.
• Experience leading a team or desire to take a next step in your career to begin leading a team.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to understand the needs of clients and deliver against those needs.
• Strong courage of conviction to ensure that partners across the organisation are held to account and managing people as expected.

Our mission is to continue to grow towards becoming one of the best charities in the UK. Our aim is to do this by building a diverse team, rich with different backgrounds and perspectives. Therefore, even if you feel you only are a 75% match, we would still love to hear from you. Skills can be learned, but diversity cannot.

Benefits of volunteering with Youth4Youth

We recognise that you will be joining us and giving your time as an 'in-kind' donation, but there must be benefits for you too. When joining our team, you will be open to the following benefits:

• Professional and personal development opportunities in a variety of skill areas through volunteering in real roles. This may be general development or tailored to your specific needs or ambitions
• Becoming a member of a strong network of likeminded individuals, spread across the UK, who you can connect with and collaborate with both within and outside of the Charity
• Access to bespoke discounts, specifically designed for non-profit workers and Youth4Youth volunteers
• Opportunities to truly shape the future of the Charity, having a direct influence over the impact that Youth4Youth has on its direct beneficiaries

The hiring process

Our hiring process typically has two stages 

1. Video or Written Application (when applicable) 
2. Interview with the Volunteering Coordinator for that role

Some roles will have extra stages but we’ll let you know as early as possible if so.

Please let us know if you require any accommodations for the interview process, and we’ll do our best to assist.

Lead the Board of Via, the charity delivering vital substance use, mental health and well-being services across the UK, and help provide high-quality, person-centred care to the people and communities affected.

Location: Flexible (Via has services across London, NW England and SW England)

Closing date: Tuesday 27th May

Who we are.

Via is an exceptional charity that puts people at the heart of everything we do. Over three decades, we’ve evolved from our origins as Westminster Drug Project, with a new now award-winning name and brand, into a dynamic, multi-service organisation delivering vital support across substance use, mental health, employment, sexual health, smoking cessation and youth services. With a turnover of £36m for 24/25 and remarkable growth of over a third in 2023/24, we’re now supporting over 12,500 service users annually across an expanding geographical footprint from London to Gloucestershire.

Our commitment to excellence and innovation is evident in our industry-leading services, which consistently perform significantly above the national average. We’re particularly proud to be pioneering the development of the UK’s first women-only detox facility, demonstrating our commitment to addressing crucial gaps in service provision.

Our Approach Makes Us Different

At Via, we believe in doing things differently. This starts with our commitment to staff well-being, including up to six months of full sick pay – a policy that exemplifies our trust in our people and our understanding that supporting our staff enables them to better support our service users. We achieved Investors in People Gold certification and were nominated for UK Employer of the Year and Third Sector Employer of the Year at the Investors in People Awards 2024, recognising our dedication to creating an outstanding workplace culture.

Our active Diversity, Equity and Inclusion group drives real organisational change, ensuring our services are accessible and effective for all communities. These aren’t just initiatives – they’re expressions of our core values: Care, Be Human, and Do the Right Thing, which guides everything we do.

The opportunity.

As we have experienced growth and are launching our new strategy, we had new Trustees join our Board as others have come to the end of their terms. As our current Chair, Yasmin Batliwala MBE comes to the end of her term later this year, we are looking to appoint a new Chair.

What Makes a Great Via Chair

• A Strategic Leader with proven experience operating at a senior level with a successful track record of achievement. You’ll have the personal gravitas to lead a significant, complex, national organisation, alongside the ability to lead a newly evolving and forming Board.
• Passionate About Our Cause: You will bring your expertise and passion for improving lives and reducing inequality. You’ll be someone who understands the complexity of our work yet can think strategically about our future. Your genuine enthusiasm will inspire others and strengthen our impact.
• Governance Experience: you will bring the experience of being on Boards and will work to lead the board to ensure sound financial health and accountability while effectively managing risk and continuing to innovate in service development and delivery.
• An Inclusive Champion committed to fostering diversity that reflects the communities we serve, promoting DEI training and growth, and holding staff and trustees accountable to these practices.
• A Relationship Builder with excellent interpersonal skills and diplomatic tact. You’ll develop a strong working relationship with the Chief Executive, maintain connections with key stakeholders, and represent Via as an effective ambassador.
• A Collaborative Leader who can bring people together, foster a team environment, and work in partnership with our board and team to drive our ambitious strategy.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Diversity in governance isn’t just a goal for Via – it’s a necessity. Our services support people from every part of society, and we want our Board to reflect this diversity. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of addiction/recovery (whether personal or as family members/carers), and people from communities currently underrepresented at board level.

Time Commitment

The Board meets quarterly, usually in person. Including preparation time, representation at events, and strategic input, we estimate a commitment of the equivalent of 2-3 days per month. This includes:

• Four Board meetings per year
• Quarterly committee meetings
• Annual strategy and away day
• Ad hoc conversations with fellow board members and the Executive
• Occasional representation at events and meetings with key stakeholders, including at services.

Making a Difference Together

This is an extraordinary time to join Via. As we implement our new 2025-29 strategy and expand our geographical reach, innovate our evidence-based offer and increase access to more people. We’re not just growing – we’re evolving. You’ll help shape innovative services like our women’s detox facility while ensuring we maintain our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and person-centred care

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 on Tuesday 27th May. 

Here at Youth4Youth, we have grown a strong, tight-knit community of individuals who are passionate about making a difference and improving the lives of young people across the UK. Our growing team of volunteers all contribute, significantly, to the impact that we have as a charity on our direct beneficiaries, regardless of the department that they work in of the level of time that they are able to commit. Our services primarily offer a peer-support network to young people right across the UK, allowing them to access a peer mentor who is of a similar age to them and somebody that they feel more comfortable speaking with.

If successful, you will be joining a growing team of diverse, but likeminded individuals, collaborating to increase the reach of the Charity and improve support provisions available to young people. All of our volunteers and employees are remote workers, but that doesn't stop us keeping in touch and maintaining a strong positive culture amongst our whole team.

About the role

As Youth4Youth continues to grow, we are focusing on strengthening the long-term financial sustainability of the Charity. We are seeking 3 - 4 experienced individuals to join the Board of Directors of a new Commercial Trading Subsidiary (Y4Y Trading Ltd, yet to be incorporated). This is an exciting opportunity for individuals to have a material impact on the success of the wider charity by promoting and ensuring commercial excellence throughout all commercial activities. 

Responsibilities 

• Attend 4 to 6 Board Meetings per year, each up to 1.5 hours in length and will be held remotely via teams. 
• Hold ultimate authority, in line with all management agreements between Y4Y Trading Ltd and Youth4Youth Ltd, to ensure the success of all commercial activities.
• Hold legal responsibility for the subsidiary entity, ensuring that all statutory requirements are met ahead of deadlines. 
• Constructively challenge opinions and biases to ensure the right decisions are made, with the ultimate aim of delivering maximum return to the charitable group.
• Providing scrutiny of executive and business performance in meeting agreed strategy, plan, goals and objectives, as well as monitoring reporting of performance.

Skills 

• Extensive strategic or leadership experience in relevant areas, including procurement, sales, operational management, vendor management, business development and other key commercial areas.
• Strong communication skills, able to actively challenge and drive decisions forward to the right outcome.
• Ability to foresee problems arising and present solutions to solve potential problems.
• Experience in commercial planning and budgeting desired.

Our mission is to continue to grow towards becoming one of the best charities in the UK. Our aim is to do this by building a diverse team, rich with different backgrounds and perspectives. Therefore, even if you feel you only are a 75% match, we would still love to hear from you. Skills can be learned, but diversity cannot.

Benefits of volunteering with Youth4Youth

We recognise that you will be joining us and giving your time as an 'in-kind' donation, but there must be benefits for you too. When joining our team, you will be open to the following benefits:

• Professional and personal development opportunities in a variety of skill areas through volunteering in real roles. This may be general development or tailored to your specific needs or ambitions
• Becoming a member of a strong network of likeminded individuals, spread across the UK, who you can connect with and collaborate with both within and outside of the Charity
• Access to bespoke discounts, specifically designed for non-profit workers and Youth4Youth volunteers
• Opportunities to truly shape the future of the Charity, having a direct influence over the impact that Youth4Youth has on its direct beneficiaries

The hiring process

The hiring process for a Commercial Trading Subsidiary Board is slightly different to our standard process. Candidates should understand that the process entails:

• A written expression of interest for the role, including a cover letter and CV
• An initial interview, with the interview panel made up of the Group CEO & Chairperson and the Group Commercial Director (Chair of the Trading Subsidiary)
• Successful candidates will be nominated to the Board of Trustees for the Group Charity to be put to a vote

Some roles will have extra stages but we’ll let you know as early as possible if so.

Please let us know if you require any accommodations for the interview process, and we’ll do our best to assist.

Here at Youth4Youth, we have grown a strong, tight-knit community of individuals who are passionate about making a difference and improving the lives of young people across the UK. Our growing team of volunteers all contribute, significantly, to the impact that we have as a charity on our direct beneficiaries, regardless of the department that they work in of the level of time that they are able to commit. Our services primarily offer a peer-support network to young people right across the UK, allowing them to access a peer mentor who is of a similar age to them and somebody that they feel more comfortable speaking with.

If successful, you will be joining a growing team of diverse, but likeminded individuals, collaborating to increase the reach of the Charity and improve support provisions available to young people. All of our volunteers and employees are remote workers, but that doesn't stop us keeping in touch and maintaining a strong positive culture amongst our whole team.

About the role

Software engineers are responsible for ensuring best practice across development projects and working collaboratively with the Development Team and wider stakeholders. The role involves communication with other Youth4Youth team members; supporting others; developing solutions; working with a team on work items and producing development documentation.

Responsibilities 

• Work with IT Project Managers to ensure work items are forecasted, estimated, and tracked effectively. 
• Promote best practices such as adhering to the project's software development lifecycle requirements. 
• Completing development work items as part of project delivery. Documenting creation of components. 
• Reporting key updates and results to the IT Director. 
• Identify opportunities for new solutions and improvements in Youth4Youth’s IT infrastructure and operations. 
• Ensure software development best practices are upheld, documentation such as data diagrams are created, and relevant testing is completed.
• Willingness to advise on the direction of development through clear reasoning and justification.
• Collaborating with UI/UX Designers to deliver on website design.

Skills 

• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn about Youth4Youth’s IT systems and processes. 
• Passion for website and software development and how it can create value for Youth4Youth’s operations. 
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure and AWS.
• Experience working with APIs for software development. 
• Keen on solving problems and building solutions. 
• Open to learning new technologies for Youth4Youth IT projects. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 
• Organisational skills and the ability to ensure set tasks are delivered on time. 
• Ability to plan and manage time effectively. 
• Experience working collaboratively and supporting others in a team. 
• Strong IT skills and proficient use of Microsoft applications. 
• Software engineering, programming, website development and software development understanding. 
• Experience with JavaScript, CSS and HTML. 
• Familiarity with frameworks and libraries such as React and AngularJS. 
• Understanding of continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD).
• Understanding of version control systems such as Git. 
• Experience with using a headless CMS.
• Understanding of relevant software engineering and security by design principles such as the Software Development Lifecycle and OWASP.

Our mission is to continue to grow towards becoming one of the best charities in the UK. Our aim is to do this by building a diverse team, rich with different backgrounds and perspectives. Therefore, even if you feel you only are a 75% match, we would still love to hear from you. Skills can be learned, but diversity cannot.

Benefits of volunteering with Youth4Youth

We recognise that you will be joining us and giving your time as an 'in-kind' donation, but there must be benefits for you too. When joining our team, you will be open to the following benefits:

• Professional and personal development opportunities in a variety of skill areas through volunteering in real roles. This may be general development or tailored to your specific needs or ambitions
• Becoming a member of a strong network of likeminded individuals, spread across the UK, who you can connect with and collaborate with both within and outside of the Charity
• Access to bespoke discounts, specifically designed for non-profit workers and Youth4Youth volunteers
• Opportunities to truly shape the future of the Charity, having a direct influence over the impact that Teenage Helpline has on its direct beneficiaries

The hiring process

Our hiring process typically has two stages 

1. Video or Written Application (when applicable) 
2. Interview with the Volunteering Coordinator for that role

Some roles will have extra stages but we’ll let you know as early as possible if so.

Please let us know if you require any accommodations for the interview process, and we’ll do our best to assist.

Treasurer 

Closing date Midnight Sunday 27th April 2025 

We are looking for ambitious and passionate Treasurer to join our Team at Advicenow at a time of growth for the charity but also substantial social and economic challenges for our beneficiaries.

Advicenow has been providing legal support to individuals and communities since 2011. We provide routes to access to justice for people who are otherwise unable to secure basic rights and entitlements to their income, their home and to protect their families. We have a strong track record in leading technological innovation, and educational and research design to tackle legal needs at scale.

As a member of the board you will ultimately be responsible for the overall direction, vision and strategy of Law for Life. We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Treasurer to work alongside the Chair, Board, CEO and Finance Manager to ensure the charity’s financial wellbeing, accountability, and sustainability.

You will have the ability to innovate, to think strategically, while demonstrating sound judgement. You will help us to move on to the next stage of our three year strategic plan.

We are looking to appoint individuals who share our values in social justice and legal empowerment and would like to become involved. In particular, we would also like to hear from people who have experience in any of the following areas:

• People with experience in financial management, accounting, audit, or a senior finance role in a relevant sector.
• Professional experience in working with or advising Boards on financial matters, particularly in a charity context.
• Leadership or governance experience in charity & non-for-profit, justice & human rights, health, or technology sectors.
• People with lived experience of legal, social, or financial challenges similar to those faced by Advicenow’s service users, offer a first-hand perspective on their needs and barriers to access.

We are searching for people from all backgrounds and sectors but are particularly keen to enhance Board expertise from people with lived experience of discrimination, poverty or access to justice needs.

For more information and how to apply download our recruitment pack.

Springboard Youth Academy is seeking a qualified accountant to join our Board of Trustees as Treasurer. 

About Springboard 

Springboard Youth Academy supports refugee and asylum-seeking young people who have recently arrived in the UK to help them succeed in the classroom and beyond. By combining participatory learning, life skills and holistic support into action-packed weekend, half-term and summer programming, we work to bridge the gap in support for young people whose needs can't be met in mainstream schools. 

Refugee and asylum-seeking young people who have made the difficult journey to the UK – especially those who come alone – are saddled with many challenges common to starting a life somewhere new. Though they are required to enroll in school, more often than not, they aren’t provided with the language and psychological support necessary to succeed in their new circumstances. They are simply not set up to thrive. Coupled with budget cuts to tailored learning provision in schools, these young people often miss their chance to progress at a natural pace and to reach their fullest potential.

As educators, service providers and youth workers with years of experience working to offset the challenges these young people face, we launched a programme that helps develop young people’s English language skills whilst addressing their psychological and social needs, preparing them for mainstream education and helping them rebuild their lives in London.

We do this by providing interactive and engaging programming that combines English learning, life skills and practical and emotional strategies for young people on their journey to independence and adulthood. 

About the Opportunity

Role Title: Treasurer

Direct Report:Works closely with the Chair, Director and the Board of Trustees. 

Background: Finance, Strategy and Governance, Fundraising, Legal, Risk.

Role Summary

The Treasurer will be required to:

• Monitor the financial standing of the charity and report to the Board and Director regarding cash-flow forecasting, income streams, out-going expenses and the overarching strategic management of the organisation’s financial resources. 

• Oversee the charity’s financial risk-management process and report financial health to the Board of Trustees at regular intervals.

• Act as a counter signatory on cheques and applications to funders and ensure that annual accounts are submitted to all relevant regulators in a timely fashion.

• Liaise with external auditors as required on financial issues and ensure that the organisation's finances are responsibly managed/invested for the betterment of the organisation’s work and for the beneficiaries it serves.

See attached for the full role description and person specification. 

Time Commitment 

In line with all charities, Trustees are unpaid volunteers. Trustees must be able to commit to attending quarterly Board meetings and making time to read paperwork in advance of Board meetings. As a small charity, our resources are limited and Trustees are also asked to actively contribute their skills in relevant areas. As a guideline, Trustees must be prepared to offer a minimum of four hours per month to the charity, for example to be involved in fundraising, interviews and business plans, etc. We will also require new Trustees to spend one day on site during one of our programmes to get a feel for the work, as well as undertake Trustee and Safeguarding training, within the first three months of starting the role.

Board meetings are currently held virtually, and, where possible, are arranged at least two months ahead. On occasion, Trustees will be required to respond on email or phone in relation to issues that arise outside of Board meetings. Travel costs will be covered if they are a barrier.

Values

We’re looking for people who share our love of high quality and inclusive education, as well as our commitment to working with, for and alongside refugee communities. We are keen to meet people who can bring skills, knowledge and both professional and lived experience that will help us scale up. We’re looking for people who can think strategically and creatively, work collaboratively and want to make a significant contribution to Springboard Youth Academy’s future, as well as the wider education sector.

We are committed to nurturing a Board that is representative, diverse and inclusive. We are interested to hear from individuals with experience in governance, as well as those new to Trustee positions. We are particularly encouraging applications from those with personal experience of forced migration and Leaving Care.

Application Process

Please send your CV and a brief, half-page cover letter outlining why you would be a brilliant Treasurer for Springboard Youth Academy and what excites you about our work by midnight on 26th April. 

Please get in touch with us for alternative application formats if you have any accessibility requirements.