Patient Care Volunteer Roles in Edinburgh

Trustee – Sussex Cancer Fund 

Since 1991, the Sussex Cancer Fund has been working together with the NHS to help make life better for cancer patients in Sussex, by providing equipment, facilities and services that make a tangible difference for patients who are often on a difficult and stressful journey. We also selectively fund and enable Sussex based cancer research programs that contribute to the understanding of cancers and to improved outcomes for patients.

This is a wonderful opportunity to join our top-quality leadership team and to contribute to achieving our strategic goals and delivering on our annual plans to invest in the NHS cancer units across Sussex. 

This is a voluntary position, with reasonable travel expenses paid. It is expected the successful candidate will live in Sussex and bring a wealth of experience as a leader, in for example, the medical, care, retail or hospitality sectors, focusing on providing outstanding service to patients / clients / customers.

Experience in the ‘Not for Profit’ sector is welcome but not essential. We value transferable governance and leadership experience from a range of sectors. We are looking for a trustee who will bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to this key role. 

The Sussex Cancer Fund is an equal opportunity charity – all applicants will be considered without paying attention to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. 

Purpose of the Role:

To support patients transitioning from hospital to home, ensuring their discharge is safe, smooth, and successful. By providing practical assistance and emotional support, you will play a key role in helping individuals regain independence, prevent readmission, and access community resources.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist with transport, helping patients travel safely from the hospital to their homes.

• Shopping for groceries or other essentials.

• Carrying out simple home safety checks to ensure the environment is suitable for recovery.

• Offer emotional support and reassurance during the transition period.

• Support patients for a minimum of 4 weeks (maximum 6 weeks) post-discharge, either in person (at their home or in the community) or over the phone.

• Help patients connect with local services, activities, and support networks to aid recovery and prevent isolation.

• Encourage and support individuals to re-engage with their community, reducing the likelihood of hospital readmission.

• Guidance and training will be provided on using the Care For Me platform to assign patients, obtain details of patient support, record visits, and monitor attendance.

Skills and Qualities Needed:

• Empathy and the ability to build rapport with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Good communication skills and patience.

• Reliability and commitment to supporting individuals during a vulnerable time.

• Practical problem-solving skills to assist with day-to-day tasks.

• Understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding principles (this will be covered in training)

• Proficient use of the internet. 

• Access to email and a smartphone to use Care For Me. 

Time Commitment:

Flexible, depending on patient needs, with a minimum of 4 weeks (maximum 6 weeks) of support per individual. You might need to be available evenings and weekends.

What You’ll Gain:

• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact in someone’s recovery journey.

• Experience working in partnership with healthcare and community services.

• Training and ongoing support from Age UK Lambeth.

• The chance to develop new skills and connect with your local community. 

Training and Support Provided:

• Full training on hospital discharge processes, safeguarding, lone working and patient support.

• Ongoing support from the Hospital Discharge Community Support Coordinator and the Volunteer Coordinator.

Main purpose of the role

To provide telephone friendship service to veterans (and their partners) in their own homes.

Key focus

• To provide telephone friendship and companionship which is appropriate, and person centred. You will need the use of your own telephone /mobile.
• The use of a quiet safe space so you can concentrate on the call and maintain confidentiality.
• Provide telephone support to alleviate loneliness and social isolation and help to build confidence.
• Report any concerns or problems to the volunteer coordinator immediately.
• To record information about the call on the telephone log and submit this monthly.
• Read and understand the information provided as part of the induction training.
• Understand and work to the Telephone Friendship Service guidelines, boundaries and expectations.
• Adhere to Royal Star & Garter confidentiality policy.
• To take care of own Health & Safety and that of others affected by your volunteering activities.
• Promote the reputation, culture and ethos of the charity as a quality provider of excellent care and customer service.

Time commitment

Minimum of 1 hour per week. There is no time limit on the length of service, but Telephone Friends are asked to make a commitment for a minimum of 12 months.

Our Values

We are a values-based organisation and strive to demonstrate our values in all we do:

With love: We carry out our work with love, care and compassion

Living positively: We are optimistic in everything we do, supporting veterans and their partners leading happy, fulfilled lives 

As a family: We work and live as one team, one family, one community

Standing in their shoes: We show admiration and respect for people and never forget what they have done 

Take courage: We are not afraid to what is right and what is needed

What we are looking for from volunteers

Essential skills and attributes 

It is essential that you are a naturally caring character that always puts people first, shows kindness, warmth, compassion and respect at all times, and loves to embrace life to make it meaningful for yourself and those you support. Others include:

• You enjoy working as part of a team
• You understand how to operate within a confidential environment
• You are aware of the needs of older people

We are also looking for people who are willing to undertake induction and training and who will work within our guidelines and policies. The role is dependent on a DBS check.

Behaviours & characteristics

• Good listening and communication skills
• Naturally patient and able to demonstrate sensitivity
• Reliability and at the same time flexible to changing needs

Don’t worry if you are new to a role like this. We will support and train you and encourage you on your telephone friendship journey.

Pathway to becoming a volunteer

• Application Form
• Informal meeting
• References
• Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Check
• Induction Training

Other information you need to know

This is a remote role, and you will be required to attend online induction training.

You will need access to a phone to make calls and access to emails to receive information regarding your calls.

Will you share your counselling or psychotherapy skills as a counsellor or therapist to join an online counselling service for patients and families affected by a chronic pain condition (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)?

We're looking for 2 qualified counsellors, psychotherapists or psychologists volunteers ideally with some experience of working with chronic pain patients or lived experience of chronic illness, who may want to volunteer their skills supporting our adult service users (aged 18 & over) and help us to continue developing a mental health support service. 

As a Volunteer Counsellor/Therapist you’ll be providing remote counselling/therapy support services to adults aged 18 and over many of whom are isolated and in need of mental health services. You’ll be providing one-to-one counselling/therapy sessions online via Zoom or by phone. With your recognised counselling qualifications and experience you will be an asset to our small charity and to our services users.  

Depending on your qualifications, skills and experience, our volunteer counsellors / therapists provide person centred counselling (general talking counselling) or integrative counselling, or specialist services such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), ACT, CFT and EMDR for CRPS patients, or their families & close relatives.

People will be referred both by health or legal professionals as well as having patients and carers themselves referring into to the service.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your counselling and therapy skills, organisation, communication and team working skills.

Most importantly you’ll be providing essential services that help make sure no one has to face CRPS alone. Be the hope for CRPS.

What the role involves

This role may vary depending on needs, but is likely to include:

• Undertake a client assessments, followed by person-centred counselling (via Zoom or phone) to our clients, offering up to 20 sessions for each client plus 4 psychometric assessments

• Providing one-to-one counselling sessions to clients aged 18 & over

• Update our database with the client’s information, sessional notes and session attendance

• Maintain succinct, relevant session notes and store these confidentially and securely in acccordahce with GDPR

• Attending and participating in peer supervision support

• Attend CPD training to ensure your knowledge stays current

• Participating in volunteer meetings
• Maintaining client confidentiality, upholding data protection and equal opportunities principle

• Attend monthly Supervision and peer support sessions to ensure safe working practices

We can support you to develop the skills you need for this role, including a full induction. You will have a chance to discuss your role and any additional needs with us. We can offer you a supervisor as well as expenses for annual insurance and an external supervisor if required.

What you need for this role

Essential

• Be a member (including student membership) of one of the recognised membership organisations (see below)
• Level 4 Diploma level qualifications as a minimum (unfortunately no students at this time), Degree or Masters in Counselling, Counselling/Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, Art Therapy, EMDR 
• Minimum of 100 hours supervised
• Proof of professional indemnity insurance annually - we may consider paying this as an expense but commitment to the charity is required
• A valid DBS certificate (enhanced version), which is less than three years old and renewed every three years (the charity can provide where necessary)
• Able to keep people’s personal data safe

• Willing and able to provide counselling via Zoom from a private location with a stable WiFi connection

• Able to support a minimum of 3 clients a week, being three hours of your time for therapy sessions plus time for administration. We ideally hope you to offer the charity a minimum commitment of six months.

Desirable

• Knowledge of chronic pain or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Previous experience as a chronic pain or CRPS counsellor or psychologist 
• Committed to our values
• Willing to develop skills and experience
• Enjoy working as part of a team
• Effective administration skills, planning and organisation skills
• Approachable, presentable, enthusiastic

We also welcome training counsellors and counselling/clinical psychologists who are looking for placements.

Once we’ve assessed your application, you may be invited for interview. If you are successful, we will arrange for you to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service DBS or Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check.

Recognised Organisations You Must Be A Member of:

• British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP)
• British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP)
• EMDR Association UK
• Complimentary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
• British Psychological Society
• General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR)
• British Society for Clinical Hypnotherapists (BSCH)
• National Council for Hypnotherapists (NCH)
• United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
• The National Hypnotherapy Society (HS)
• National Counselling Society (NCS)
• Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• The Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy (APHP)
• National Register of Hypnotherapists & Psychotherapists (NRHP)

Making a difference

What impact will the opportunity have?

You will join the charity during a critical and challenging period where referrals are on the rise and your expert knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our success. You will have a key role in not only developing a counselling service for our clients but also ensure we provide counselling services and mental health support to our CRPS patients & their families who are in need of our support and inclusion on a regular basis. With your help we will expand our support and mental health services to ensure our service users receive mental health support that they may not have been offered.

What's in it for you as the volunteer? 

You would be a part of our small, friendly, forward-thinking charity team, focused on reaching people affected by this rare, painful and debilitating chronic pain condition and to provide them with psychological support whether they are patients, their partner, relatives, friends or carers. As this service is rapidly expanding, you would have a key role in developing our counselling and psychotherapy programme and to complement our support services that we offer. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a real difference in our clients' life which is already isolated and painful, who may not have received any psychological support.

5 x Trustee Position including one Treasurer Role

 3ST (Third Sector Together) North West London Voluntary and Community Sector Alliance

About Us

3ST is the alliance of the voluntary and community sector across North West London's Integrated Care Board (ICB) region. We support the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in influencing and engaging with our health system while supporting the delivery of meaningful services. Our mission is to increase the VCSE sector's contribution to addressing health inequalities, improving service quality, and supporting healthier lives across North West London.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced professional to join our Board of Trustees, bringing expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Financial Management and Accounting

• Procurement and Contract Management

• Human Resources

• Corporate Governance

Key Responsibilities

1. Governance

· Ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit.

· Safeguard the charity’s reputation, values, and mission.

· Ensure compliance with the Charity Commission’s regulations, the charity’s governing document, and relevant UK laws.

· Support the development and monitoring of organisational policies and procedures

2. Strategic Oversight

· Contribute to the strategic direction of 3ST, ensuring alignment with our mission and values

· Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of agreed strategies and objectives.

· Guide the development of procurement and contract management processes

3. Financial Management

· Approve budgets and ensure proper financial oversight, including adherence to charity accounting standards.

· Ensure the charity has sufficient resources to operate sustainably and responsibly.

· Assess and manage financial risks appropriately.

4. Risk Management

· Identify and evaluate potential risks, ensuring appropriate measures are in place to mitigate them.

· Maintain safeguarding practices to protect beneficiaries, staff, and the reputation of the charity.

5. Legal Compliance

· Ensure the charity meets its legal and regulatory requirements, including filing annual returns and accounts.

· Ensure adherence to data protection and equality legislation.

6. Advocacy and Representation

· Act as an ambassador for the charity, fostering positive relationships with key stakeholders and partners

· Uphold and actively promote the charity’s values and aims.

· Support the Alliance's representation and influencing work across the health system

· Champion the role of the VCSE sector in addressing health inequalities

________________________________________

Person Specification

Essential Experience and Skills

· Senior-level experience in either finance, procurement, or governance within the public, private, or voluntary sector

· Understanding of charity governance and trustee responsibilities

· Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

· Experience in strategic planning and risk management

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

· An understanding of or connection with North West London.

Desirable Experience

· Knowledge of the health and social care landscape in North West London

· Understanding of integrated care systems and NHS structures

· Previous board or trustee experience

Personal Qualities

· Commitment to reducing health inequalities and improving community wellbeing

· Strong ethical principles and commitment to public service

· Ability to work collaboratively as part of a diverse board

· Strategic thinking and ability to analyse complex information

Time Commitment

· Board meetings bi-monthly (6 per year)

· Annual Board Strategy Away Day

· Additional time for document review and strategic planning sessions

Remuneration

This is a voluntary position. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed according to our trustee expenses policy.

Will you share your counselling or psychotherapy skills as a child & young person's (CYP) counsellor or therapist to join an online counselling service for young patients with a pain condition (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)? We’re supporting patients, relatives, partners and carers affected by a debilitating condition; Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

We're looking for qualified paediatric/child & young person counsellors, psychotherapists or psychologists ideally with some experience of working with chronic pain patients, who may want to volunteer their skills supporting our young service users and help develop a psychological support service. 

As a Volunteer Child/Young Person's Counsellor/Therapist you’ll be providing remote online counselling/therapy support services to young people aged 5 to 18 who are vulnerable, many of whom are isolated and in need of mental health services. You’ll be providing one-to-one counselling sessions online or by phone. With your recognised counselling qualifications and experience you will be an asset to our small charity and to our young services users. We will also consider therapists who are in need of a placement.

Depending on your qualifications, skills and experience, volunteer child counsellors / therapists provide person centred counselling (general talking counselling), integrative, pluralistic including or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), ACT and EMDR for young CRPS patients.

We are needing to expand this service to support our young clients as it has rapidly received a high number of referrals. People can be referred both by health or legal professionals as well as having parents/guardians referring them to the service.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your paediatric counselling skills, organisation, communication and team working skills. If you have experience in younger children please do get in touch.

Most importantly you’ll be providing essential services that help make sure no one has to face CRPS alone. Be the hope for CRPS.

What the role involves

This role may vary depending on needs, but is likely to include:

• Undertake a child client assessments, followed by person-centred counselling (via Zoom or phone) to our clients, offering up to 20 one hour (or 45 mins age dependant) sessions for each client plus 4 assessments

• Providing one-to-one therapy sessions to young patients aged 5-18 (we will consider therapists who can only support primary or secondary school age)

• Update our database with the client’s basic information and session attendance

• Maintain succinct, relevant session notes and store these securely

• Attending and participating in meetings
• Project monitoring, creating, reporting and outcomes evaluation procedures

• Attend CPD training to ensure your knowledge stays current

• Participating in regular meetings with the Clinical Lead
• Maintaining client confidentiality, upholding data protection and equal opportunities principle

• Attend monthly Supervision to ensure safe working practices

We can support you to develop the skills you need for this role, including an induction. You will have a chance to discuss your role and any additional needs with us.

What you need for this role

Essential

• Be a member of one of the recognised organisations (see below)
• Level 4 Diploma level qualifications as a minimum, Degree or Masters in Paediatric Counselling, Counselling/Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, Play Therapy, Dance & Movement Psychotherapy or Art Therapy 
• Minimum of 100 hours supervised
• Proof of professional indemnity insurance annually - we may consider paying this as an expense but commitment to the charity is required
• A valid DBS certificate (enhanced version), which is less than three years old and renewed every three years (the charity can provide where necessary)
• Able to keep people’s personal data safe

• Willing and able to provide counselling via Zoom from a private location with a stable WiFi connection

• Able to support a minimum of 2 child or young clients a week, being two hours of your time for counselling sessions plus time for administration. We ideally hope you to offer the charity a commitment of six months.

Desirable

• Personal or professional Knowledge or experience of chronic pain or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Previous experience as a chronic pain or CRPS paediatric counsellor or psychologist 
• Committed to our values
• Willing to develop skills and experience
• Enjoy working as part of a team
• Effective administration skills, planning and organisation skills
• Approachable, presentable, enthusiastic

We welcome trained paediatric counsellors, child therapists and counselling/clinical psychologists who are willing to give their time to support our valuable work.

Once we’ve assessed your application, you may be invited for interview. If you are successful, we will arrange for you to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service DBS or Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check.

Recognised Organisations

• British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP)
• British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP)
• Complimentary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
• General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR)
• British Society for Clinical Hypnotherapists (BSCH)
• National Council for Hypnotherapists (NCH)
• United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
• The National Hypnotherapy Society (HS)
• National Counselling Society (NCS)
• Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• The Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy (APHP)
• National Register of Hypnotherapists & Psychotherapists (NRHP)

Making a difference

What impact will the opportunity have?

You will join the charity during a critical and challenging period as the service is rapidly expanding and your expert knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our success. You will have a key role in not only developing a counselling service for younger clients but also ensure we provide counselling services and mental health support to our young child CRPS patients who are in need of our support and inclusion on a regular basis. With your help we will expand our support and mental health services to ensure our service users receive mental health support that they may not have been offered.

What's in it for you as the volunteer? 

You would be a part of our small, friendly, forward-thinking charity team, focused on reaching people affected by this rare, painful and debilitating chronic pain condition and to provide them with psychological support whether they are patients, their partner, relatives, friends or carers. As this service is continually developing, you would have a key role in developing a young person counselling programme and to complement our support services that we offer. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a real difference in a child's life which is already isolated and painful, who may not have received any psychological support.

Volunteer Opportunity: Grant Writer & Fundraising Lead – Help Save Lives

We have a rare and urgent opportunity to make a life-changing impact—but we need your help.

At Somali Medical Aid Group (SMAG), we are a UK-registered charity, also registered in Somalia, dedicated to supporting conflict survivors, women, and children who have suffered unimaginable trauma. Our mission is simple but urgent: to provide lifesaving medical interventions to those who need them most.

Through our partnership with an internatioal NGO, we are sending Somali conflict survivors to abroad for reconstructive surgery—giving them a second chance at life. Our partner has committed to covering all medical cost,flights, and treatment, but without an additional £60,000 to cover local patient support and logistics, this lifeline will disappear.

That’s where you come in.

We need an experienced, strategic, and passionate grant writer & fundraiser to help secure these critical funds. Beyond this immediate need, we also need help with funding our core operations and several other life-changing initiatives.

What Needs Funding

Immediate Priority: Keeping the MSF Partnership Alive

• Secure £60,000 to cover local operations, logistics, and patient support.

Other Critical Projects:

• Core Funding – Ensuring SMAG remains operational and sustainable
• Physiotherapy – Training specialists to support long-term rehabilitation
• Medical Supplies & Equipment – Delivering essential resources to conflict survivors
• Vehicles – Providing transportation for medical teams and patients in remote areas
• Medical capacity building – Expanding access to healthcare in Somalia

Who We’re Looking For

We need a driven, self-motivated, and experienced fundraiser who can not only write compelling grant applications but also think strategically, research funding opportunities, and take ownership of the fundraising process.

This is not a passive role—we need someone who can lead the charge, bring ideas, and help secure the future of this essential work.

What You’ll Do

• Research and identify UK & international funding opportunities
• Write powerful, high-impact grant applications that move funders to action
• Develop and implement fundraising strategies to secure long-term funding
• Work independently with the freedom to take initiative and drive results
• Provide strategic direction to help SMAG scale and sustain its impact

Why This Role Matters

• Real Impact – This isn’t just about funding; this is about saving lives. Your work will directly provide medical care, rehabilitation, and dignity to conflict survivors.
• Unique Opportunity – You’ll be at the forefront of a backed initiative, helping to shape the future of a fast-growing humanitarian organization.
• Flexible & Remote – Work from anywhere, with the autonomy to drive results on your own schedule.
• Be Part of Something Bigger – We are small but powerful, and your expertise will help shape SMAG into a sustainable, long-term force for good.

Are You The Right Person?

• Experienced in grant writing and fundraising (UK & international applications)
• A natural storyteller who can craft compelling, fundable proposals
• A strategic thinker who can identify funding opportunities and develop long-term plans
• Self-directed and proactive—someone who doesn’t wait for instructions but drives action
• Passionate about humanitarian work, particularly in conflict zones and medical aid

This is Your Chance to Make a Real Difference,

If you’re looking for a meaningful, high-impact volunteer role where your skills directly translate into saving lives, we would love to hear from you.

Marie Curie is expanding its Community Companion service to support people at end of life in/across Bournemouth

Drawing upon their volunteer training, community knowledge and networks, Community Companions visit people identified as end of life in a place of their choosing e.g., their own home, care home, community venue or surgery etc. and empower them to decide what support if any, they would like.

Support may be a one-off activity or an ongoing engagement providing different aspects of support over a longer period of time. 

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

The support a Community Companion provides is unique to each person and their individual circumstances, but is likely to include:  

• visiting people identified as end of life in a place of their choosing and outlining the support that is available to them and to the people closest to them
• providing emotional support to people at end of life and the people closest to them
• providing practical information, support, and signposting to other local services to people at end of life and the people closest to them
• supporting and empowering people at end of life to create an advanced care plan (ACP) which considers, documents, and clearly communicates what is important to them
• providing carer support including pre and post bereavement support, ensuring the right local provision-based support is in place for people within caring roles 
• providing support around fuel poverty and accessing available resources 
• promoting the Community Companion service within the local community
• completing and returning a short report at the end of each session  
• attending and participating in regular volunteer wellbeing sessions, team meetings, and refresher training

THE SKILLS / EXPERIENCE YOU WILL NEED

• Friendly and approachable 
• Patient, empathetic and sensitive to the needs of others
• An active listener and an ability to build a rapport with others
• Self-aware and emotionally resilient
• Adaptable and open to learning and developing
• Able and willing to operate within Marie Curie’s boundaries and to follow all processes, procedures and guidelines including using a lone worker device
• Committed, reliable and trustworthy
• An understanding of confidentiality
• Inclusive and respectful  
• A mature perspective on life and death
• Access to a PC, laptop, Tablet or Phone and basic IT skills e.g. the ability to type on word and email attachments  

WHAT YOU CAN GAIN FROM THIS OPPORTUNITY

• Becoming an important part of Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity
• Making a real difference to people at end of life and to the people closest to them
• Connecting with new and interesting people with a common goal
• Building and developing your skills in a supportive environment
• Continued training, development, and support 
• Access to other opportunities within Marie Curie 
• Agreed reasonable out-of-pocket expenses

THE NEXT STEPS 

• Complete a volunteering application form or submit an expression of interest 
• Attend an informal interview with a member of the Marie Curie team either face to face or online via Microsoft Teams
• Supply the details of two people (not family members) who can provide you with a reference
• Consent to a DBS (criminal record) check and submit the appropriate documentation online for the check to be completed 
• Attend a face-to-face volunteer induction
• Complete core and role specific Marie Curie training

Marie Curie is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of patients and their families and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Marie Curie will treat all volunteers fairly and with respect. We will not discriminate on the basis of disability, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, sex (i.e. gender), sexual orientation, religion or faith, or gender reassignment. We will not discriminate on the basis of age, unless the responsibilities of a role require us to do so in order to safeguard our volunteers and/or service users. 

For more information or if you have any questions regarding this volunteer role, please us.

Chatterbox Befrienders offer one-to-one telephone support and will call a client once a week offering companionship and a listening ear for an individual who might otherwise go unheard. Chatterbox volunteers befriend a variety of people including carers, socially isolated individuals who are struggling with loneliness, people with ill health and those that have been bereaved.

This role could be for you, if you:

• Would like to make a real difference in someone’s life
• Want to challenge loneliness and can commit to a weekly phone call
• Are a good listener
• Are empathetic, patient and of a caring nature
• Have good verbal and inter-personal communication skills
• Recognise the importance of confidentiality and can uphold this in practice
• Are committed to inclusion and treating people with dignity and respect

Requirements of a Befriender include:

• Calling your client once a week for a chat of up to 45 minutes; this is a 26 week initial commitment, at the end of which each client’s needs are reviewed
• Completing an online call log record promptly after each phone call
• Ensuring immediate contact with the Chatterbox Coordinators if you feel that the client might be a risk to themselves or others
• Liaising with the Chatterbox Coordinator on a regular basis regarding the service, as well as discussing personal learning and development needs
• Respecting service standards, appropriate boundaries and recognising the range of policies and procedures that impact on befriending vulnerable adults

Benefits of this role may include:

• Knowing you are making a difference to someone’s life
• Joining the Omega Team who are taking action against loneliness and isolation
• An opportunity to enhance your CV or learn new skills
• An opportunity to engage with your community

Support and training provided:

• Omega Chatterbox induction program
• Safeguarding training
• Ongoing support from Chatterbox Coordinators for all questions, concerns, and support
• Out of pocket expenses are reimbursed and a mobile phone can be provided if appropriate
• Monthly Befriender group support meetings via the Zoom app

Location of the role:

• Home-based

When are you needed:

• Provided on enquiry

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this role. If you have a criminal record this does not automatically prevent you from being considered as an Omega Chatterbox Befriender. We will take into account the nature of the offence, when it happened and whether it is relevant to the voluntary role. If you are shortlisted, this will be discussed with you during the recruitment process.

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of those affected by Long Covid? 

Long Covid Support, a registered charity in England and Wales, is searching for a forward thinking and dedicated Chair of Trustees to lead our mission. This is a unique opportunity to drive positive change, advocate for those impacted, and shape the future of our charity to better support individuals and their families/carers.

Who are we?

Long Covid Support was registered as a charity in 2022 with a clear vision: for Long Covid to be well-defined and understood, with high-quality information, support, and healthcare services accessible across the UK. Founded by individuals with lived experience, we are committed to ensuring that patients are equal partners in decisions about their health and welfare, with fair access to investigations, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Who are we looking for?

Through our networks, we bring together diverse individuals and communities—both within and beyond the UK—to connect, share knowledge, and amplify their voices in conversations that matter. As our new Chair of Trustees, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the next exciting phase of our charity’s growth, strengthening our impact, and driving meaningful change for those affected by Long Covid.

Do you have the skills and experience to lead a growing charity making a real impact? We are looking for someone with:

✅ Leadership skills

✅ Experience of committee work

✅ Tact and diplomacy

✅ Strong communication and interpersonal skills

✅ Impartiality, fairness, and the ability to respect confidentiality

Experience in chairing a trustee board or a comparable body—such as Chair of School Governors, Parish or Town Council Chair—would be a significant advantage. A background in health or social care would also be highly beneficial.

What difference will you make?

As Chair of the Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight, ensuring that Long Covid Support remains focused on its mission and operates effectively within legal and regulatory frameworks.

This is an active and hands-on role, requiring a commitment beyond board meetings to support this small but impactful charity. Your leadership will help shape the charity’s direction, strengthen governance, and drive meaningful change for those affected by Long Covid.

Key Responsibilities:

�� Leading the organisation – Keeping the board focused on delivering our charitable objectives for the greatest public benefit.

�� Chairing and facilitating board meetings – Ensuring productive discussions and clear decision-making.

�� Setting strategic direction – Guiding policy development and overseeing the implementation of key decisions.

�� Acting as an ambassador – Representing the charity at events and speaking on its behalf when required.

�� Ensuring good governance – Upholding fairness, impartiality, and transparency in decision-making.

�� Planning board operations – Scheduling and organising trustee meetings, including the AGM.

�� Building a strong board – Supporting trustee induction, training, and succession planning.

�� Providing strategic oversight, support and challenge to our executive team.

�� Managing internal dynamics – Addressing conflict within the board and wider organisation.

��Ensuring that robust systems are in place for internal financial control and the protection of Long Covid Support's funds and assets. 

�� Ensuring legal compliance – Working closely with the board and external bodies to meet governance requirements.

Time Commitment

This role requires chairing quarterly trustee meetings alongside additional ad hoc meetings as needed. You will also play an active role in strategic planning, governance, and representing the charity at key events.

�� Approx. 12-15 days annually, including meetings, leadership duties, and advocacy work.

�� Flexibility is required for additional meetings and events as needed.

Term

This is a fixed term role. One third (or the number nearest one third) of the Trustees must retire at each AGM, those longest in office retiring first and the choice between any of equal service being made by drawing lots. Trustees can stand to be re-elected for another term.

Your Support

Long Covid Support has been instrumental in providing patient and public voices to all responses to Long Covid across the four nations of the United Kingdom. Our organisation comprises people with lived experience of Long Covid, medical researchers and other interested supporters. We are governed by a board of Trustees and have an operations committee who run our day-to-day activities, supported by the work of the Finance & Fundraising and Communications committees. Our work focuses on peer support, advocacy and research involvement. 

Our trustees are jointly and severally responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of Long Covid Support, its financial health, probity of its activities, and for setting and overseeing the delivery of the organisation’s aims and objectives. In addition to being a registered charity, the Charity is a company limited by guarantee and, as such, our trustees are also appointed as its company directors. This is an exciting time to be joining Long Covid Support as we launch our future strategy and are the appointed secretariat to the Long Covid APPG.

Application Process

We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse board and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience of Long Covid.

 Please submit your CV and a covering letter 

 Application close date - 3 April 2025

Join us in leading meaningful change for those living with Long Covid. As Chair of Trustees, you’ll play a vital role in driving our mission forward, strengthening our impact, and ensuring that those affected receive the recognition, support, and healthcare they deserve.

If you’re passionate about advocacy, collaboration, and driving positive change, we’d love to hear from you!

Disqualification

Trustees must not be disqualified from acting as a trustee. You must not: 

● Have an unspent conviction for an offence involving deception or dishonesty (such as fraud) 

● Be bankrupt or have entered into a formal arrangement (e.g., an Individual Voluntary Arrangement) 

● Have been removed as a company director or a charity trustee because of wrongdoing

● Have an unspent conviction for: 

○ Specified terrorism offences 

○ A specified money laundering offence 

○ The offence of contravening a Charity Commission Order or Direction

○ Offences of misconduct in public office, perjury, or perverting the course of justice

○ For aiding, attempting or abetting the above offences 

○ Be on the sex offender’s register 

● Have an unspent sanction for contempt of Court 

● Have disobeyed a Commission Order 

● Be a designated person (under specific anti-terrorist legislation)

Trustees must be over the age of 18.

As an awareness talk volunteer, you'll deliver awareness talks about bowel cancer symptoms, screening and our services to local organisations and community groups. We provide a standardised powerpoint presentation that can be presented either virtually (optional) or in person in your local community. 

Main duties and responsibilities
• Confident in delivering bowel cancer awareness material to a range of audiences either
online or in person
• Act as an ambassador for what we do, displaying enthusiasm and commitment
• Aim to deliver 12 talks per year. This is an aspirational and flexible target
• Ensure information in the local community is relevant and up-to-date
• Add your personal experience of bowel cancer to the presentation (where appropriate)
• Establish connections with local organisations and community groups