Social Buddy Volunteer Roles in Greater London

Family Friends carefully recruit, train, and match volunteers with families in Central-West London. Our volunteer befrienders offer practical and emotional support based on each family's unique needs and potential. We offer two volunteer opportunities - Big Buddies and Parent Buddies.

Volunteers will aim to help parents to discover their strengths, build confidence, and resolve difficulties. Volunteers meet with their match weekly for a period of 6 -12 months.

Activities might include:

• Supporting a parent to take their children on days out.
• Helping to strengthen family relationships.
• Providing a listening ear.
• Helping parents to build confidence in themselves.

Essential Criteria:

• You must be able to commit to the Parent Buddy programme for a minimum of 6 months.
• 18+
• Must have lived in the UK for the last 2 years

What we provide in return:

• Full induction training and ongoing training
• DBS check
• Weekly supervision and support
• The chance to learn new skills
• References provided after 6 months' commitment
• Reimbursement of travel and session expenses

We are an equal opportunities charity and value the principles of diversity and inclusion, which is central in providing successful support to our families. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQI+ and individuals from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds.

In the first instance, please register your interest in becoming a volunteer with us - you can do that by contacting us here for an application form.

Once we've reviewed your application, a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.

Family Friends carefully recruits, trains, and matches volunteers with families in Central-West London. Our befriending volunteers offer long-term practical and emotional support based on each family's unique needs and potential. We offer two befriending volunteer opportunities with us-, Big Buddies and Parent Buddies.

Our Big Buddies support young people, aged 10-18, for a few hours each week over a period of 6 -12 months. With encouragement and support, volunteers will aim to help young people to discover their strengths and build confidence.

Support may look like:

• Helping to strengthen family relationships.
• Providing a listening ear 
• Taking young person to the cinema, museums, libraries - broadening their horizons!

Essential Criteria:

• Can commit to the Big Buddies programme for a minimum of 6 months
• 18+
• Must have lived in the UK for the last 2 years

What we provide in return:

• Full induction training and ongoing training
• Full DBS check
• Support and supervision
• The chance to learn new skills
• References provided after 6 months' commitment
• Reimbursement of travel and session expenses

We are an equal opportunities charity and we value the principles of diversity and inclusion, which is central in providing successful support to our families. We welcome and would like to encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQI+ and individuals from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds.

In the first instance, please register your interest in becoming a volunteer with us by contacting us here for an online application form.

Once we've reviewed your application, a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.

***This is an unpaid voluntary role***

Tech Buddies is a project with a huge positive impact on social connectedness and mental health among our older neighbours. The aim of Tech Buddies is to inspire and then support older people to get digitally connected and confident, to stay safe online and to use the internet regularly until they are happy to do so on their own. Together, the Tech Buddy volunteer and learner explore what technology can offer.

Wednesdays and/or Saturdays you’ll be helping members aged 60+ get savvy using their smart phones, tablets, and laptops. You could be helping with anything from sending emails to installing apps.

Qualities you need for this role

• Tech Buddy volunteers need to be regular users of technology (e.g. computers/tablets/smartphones) with a genuine desire to share your skills and help older people use technology. 
• Warm and friendly, a good listener
• Reliable and dependable (good timekeeper)
• Non-judgmental, patient with a good sense of humour!
• A good communicator who knows their boundaries and has good spoken English 

When you'll be needed

• Wednesdays 2-4pm (30-60 min sessions) and/or
• 1st Saturday of each month 10:00am – 12:00pm (30-60 min sessions)

Trustees wanted: We are looking for four new trustees of the Social Research Association (SRA), to join a lively and positive governing group and help to guide an organisation passionately focused on the advancement of knowledge and professional best practice in the social research for the benefit of the public good.  With a new Chair of the Board and a new Chief Executive these are exciting times as we head towards our 50th anniversary in 2028. We are currently developing a new strategy to guide the expansion of activities and reach across all our social research communities. Of particular focus is our efforts to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of all aspects of the SRA’s activities and we are keen to make further progress in this area.

Who is the SRA? We promote high standards of social research through training courses, events, publications and other resources. SRA membership is open to all, and our 1,600+ members represent many sectors, research methods and approaches.

Who are we looking for? We welcome applications from across the social research community. In addition, so that the trustee body is effective, we would also like to hear applicants with expertise in Human Resources, marketing and communications or finance. We are keen to receive applications from all backgrounds, regions and career stages. You do not have to have prior trustee experience to apply. The SRA will provide an induction and are introducing a buddy system for new trustees and support trustee’s skills development through training.

What’s in it for you?  Being a trustee is rewarding and brings many benefits, especially to your professional development.  You will gain invaluable experience of strategy, governance and leadership, boosting your CV in the process.  You will work with other trustees, the Chair and Chief Executive to take decisions about the future of our organisation.  Through your membership of our Board, smaller sub-committees and working groups you will be focused on strategic issues facing our organisation and gain valuable experience of being a non-executive director to set strategy, to influence and negotiate and to understand and manage risk. You will promote transparency, accountability and fairness.  Above all you will have the satisfaction of contributing to our mission to improve knowledge and best practice in social research for the benefit of public good.

What does it involve? Trustees meet virtually six times a year, and you’ll be expected to attend these meetings, as well as our annual general meeting (usually another virtual meeting held in January). Board meetings focus on strategic rather than operational issues. Trustees are unpaid volunteers, whose positions are re-nominated every three years, to a maximum of six years. Expenses for meetings are reimbursed, where appropriate. Each trustee contributes their knowledge and experience to help the board reach sound decisions. This will involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, and providing views and advice on new initiatives or other issues. You’ll need to be aware of / learn about your legal responsibilities, and the need to act in accordance with Charity Commission guidance.

Link Age Southwark is a vibrant local charity providing support to over 800 older people in Southwark who are feeling lonely or isolated. Our vision is for friendly local communities where older people and those living with a diagnosis of dementia can thrive in their later years.

All our volunteering opportunities are within the London Borough of Southwark, predominantly south of the borough - Camberwell, Peckham, Nunhead, Dulwich and around. 

By becoming a Digital Buddy, you’ll help bridge the digital divide, ensuring everyone can stay connected and navigate the digital world confidently. Are you able to support our service users and help build their digital skills with sessions at home on their mobile phones, tablets, or laptops? Our Digital Buddies provide up to six weekly home visits, each lasting 1-2 hours.

Some examples of what a Digital Buddy can assist with:

• Accessing online services
• Setting up a new digital device
• Mobile messaging
• Sending emails 
• Picture messaging
• Problem solving
• Staying safe online

No need to be a tech expert—support with the basics so our older friends can communicate and navigate their devices. Please note that our Digital Buddies are not able to support with online banking, advice on purchases, or fixing hardware.

Becoming a volunteer with Link Age Southwark is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and get to know more about your local community.

We cover all reasonable expenses and we are happy to provide references for volunteers who have completed 6 months of volunteering with us.

Please note that all our volunteering opportunities are within the London Borough of Southwark, predominantly south of the borough - Camberwell, Peckham, Nunhead, Dulwich and around. 

Can you spare one or two hours once a week or a fortnight to spend time with a ScotsCare client?  You could be having a friendly chat in their home, going for a walk in a local park, or around the shops, or visiting museums and other places of interest together. 

Giving someone who is struggling with some aspects of life, the simple gift of time and companionship could make the world of difference to their sense of wellbeing, particularly if they feel alone, are socially isolated, or simply need someone to socialise with.  As one of our Buddies told us recently, “this is an easy, very meaningful way to help someone and is immensely rewarding and fun!”  Our clients are adults of all ages, mostly 60 or over.

You will need to commit to regular meetings for a minimum period of at least 6 months, longer if possible.

 In return, we provide training, so you feel comfortable and confident in the role, and support you once you are matched, we also reimburse out of pocket expenses for travel, refreshments and agreed activities. 

Please note, this is an unpaid voluntary role.  Two references are required and an enhanced DBS check will be processed for successful applicants.

Please contact us for more information, and a very warm welcome!

Skills & Characteristics Required for Befriending:

• Good listening and & conversation skills
•  Honest, trustworthy and committed to helping others
• A friendly, warm, non-judgemental approach
• Empathy and patience
• An understanding of the need to work within the framework of our policies and procedures.

We will process a DBS check for all successful applicants and request two references.

Are you the next Active Humber trustee?
Support us to encourage people across the Humber to benefit from an active lifestyle

We are currently looking for two trustees to join our Board to work with us to create a happier, healthier and stronger community across the Humber.  To achieve our goals, we need a board of trustees who are as diverse as the people we are trying to reach.

Active Humber is a registered charity and is one of 43 nationwide Active Partnerships who are funded by Sport England to improve lives through physical activity and sport. 

Our vision is that the Humber is a place where everyone, everyday is physically active.

Our mission is to get the most physically inactive to be active.

Our role is to help people think differently about physical inactivity.

What is it like to be a Board Member at Active Humber? 
The Board at Active Humber is integral to what we are trying to achieve in the Humber.  If you join us as a trustee you will help to lead Active Humber to achieve their mission and purpose - you might ask questions to challenge us to think differently, make suggestions to move things forward, or act as a sounding board for ideas.  To learn more about Active Humber and what we have achieved and what we are hoping to achieve, please visit our website

What we’re looking for:
We’re seeking individuals who are enthusiastic about our vision and have the time and skills to contribute to the board. You don’t need previous board experience, and we particularly welcome individuals with experience in areas such as:

• Health and social care
• Environmental sustainability matters
• An understanding of equality and inclusivity
• An ability to articulate the voice of communities that are less likely to take part in physical activity (e.g. those over 55, those living with a disability or a long-term health condition, minority ethnic groups).

Application Process
The full application pack for the trustee role is available on our website, please read this fully to support you in making a decision about whether to apply. 

We would suggest an informal chat with our CEO, David Gent or our Chair, Richard Smith as the first step in your application, or perhaps an informal visit to an Active Humber Board sub-committee meeting.  Please email us and we would be happy to arrange this.

If you then wish to go ahead and apply, please send the following information:

1. A covering letter explaining why you are interested in being an Active Humber trustee, and how your skills and experience meet the criteria set out in the role and person specification.
2. A copy of your current CV

The closing date is 22nd November 2024.

If you have any queries about the role or the application process, please do not hesitate to email HR who will be happy to help.

Help us make people’s experience of homeless temporary accommodation short, safe and healthy.

The Treasurer will support the Board to oversee the financial matters of the charity in line with good practice, the

Constitution and legal requirements, and report to the Board at regular intervals about the financial position of the charity.

The Treasurer will ensure that effective financial measures, controls and procedures are put in place and are appropriate

for the charity. (Despite this all trustees are jointly and severally responsible for the administration of the charity).

Main responsibilities:

• To support the Board to oversee and to ensure appropriate presentation of budgets, accounts, management accounts and financial statements.
• To ensure appropriate presentation of accounts and records, ensuring that financial resources are spent in accordance with the charity’s policies, good governance, legal and regulatory requirements.

Main duties:

• Liaising, where applicable with the CEO (or other appropriate member of staff).
• Supporting the Board to monitor the financial viability of the charity.
• Creating in conjunction with relevant senior staff sound financial instruments for the control of charity assets.
• Ensuring that staff create sound financial instruments for the control of charity assets.
• Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s Strategic Plan.
• Ensuring that the annual accounts are compliant with the current charities’ SORP.
• Ensuring close working relationships with the internal audit team and Committees of the Board.
• Ensuring that sound financial management is maintained and ensuring expenditure is in line with the charity’s objects.
• Acting as a counter signatory on charity cheques and any applications and receipts of funding (if necessary or mandated).

Domestic abuse has blighted women’s lives throughout history. We’ve been helping women in London recover from its effects since 1996. Our specialist counselling transforms the mental health and wellbeing of women who have suffered physical, emotional or sexual abuse, financial exploitation or coercive control, and we have assisted well over 15,000 people to date. Add your skills to our closely-knit all-female team and you can help thousands more on the road to recovery.

Trustees, as Company Directors and members of the Board, form the ultimate decision-making body for Woman’s Trust. Trustee/Directors are required to make a commitment to join the board for an initial minimum term of 3 years and serve as an active, supportive, well-informed Board member.

You will be required to attend various Trustee meetings including:

• In person full Board meetings every 2 to 3 months (at least 5 in total per year, for 2 hours),
• At least one Sub Committee meeting every 2 months (6 in total per year, for 1 hour remotely)
• The annual Board Strategy Day (an in person full day on Saturday)

We offer Trustees the opportunity to gain skills and experience, where appropriate, in areas such as fundraising, strategic planning, project management, policy development, and communications. Trustees will also have access to Woman’s Trust existing training programme on domestic abuse issues. The programme includes sessions such as the effects of domestic abuse, domestic abuse and the law, and good practice guidelines for those working with women affected by domestic abuse. Training in this area is not widely available so this is an excellent opportunity to develop new skills.

To find out more about the role and Woman’s Trust, please download the recruitment pack. 

We look forward to hearing from you and working to tackle the impact of domestic abuse on women’s mental health.

To apply, please send your CV along with a personal statement outlining your experience that is relevant to the role specification as outlined in the recruitment pack.

Closing date: 11am on 19th November 2024.

Interviews will be held w/c 25th November 2024.

This post is open to women only. The Equality Act 2010 pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1 applies. 

Carers UK is the national membership charity for the millions of people in the UK who are unpaid carers. As an organisation we provide expert advice and information for carers, campaign for greater recognition and support for carers, and use our experience and expertise to help other organisations do more for carers. Our Board of Trustees plays a vital leadership role in the work we do while ensuring the charity is equipped and governed effectively, establishing and monitoring strategy and ensuring we are true to our values and keep carers at the heart of everything we do.

We are now seeking to appoint up to two people to join our Board of Trustees, to steer us towards our vision of a world where carers are recognised, valued and supported.

It’s an exciting time to be part of Carers UK, we have set out our stake as to how we want the world to change for carers. Our Board is instrumental in ensuring we make the future really impactful for carers through our vision and strategy  while fulfilling all our obligations as a charity.

We are specifically looking for two Nations Trustees, one each for Northern Ireland and Wales. In addition to the general responsibilities of a trustee, the Nations Trustee will be expected to ensure that the Carers UK Board is informed on key issues affecting carers in the respective Nations. To find out more about this opportunity please download the Trustee recruitment pack.

Closing date: 22 January 2025 10am

Interviews:February 2025

Carers UK is committed to representing the diverse society in which we work and actively encourages applications from people with 

Opportunity to join the Young Roots Charity Board of Trustees

Young Roots are recruiting new trustees to join our Board. We are particularly interested in recruiting trustees with knowledge and experience of:

- Youth Work and/or Youth Participation

- Governance, with a willingness to act as Company Secretary.

Opportunity to be a trustee

This is a great opportunity to join a charity delivering vital services to young refugees and asylum seekers. You can apply to be a Trustee (g=generalist), Youth Work Trustee or a Governance Trustee. While trustees can have distinct areas of responsibility, all trustees are responsible for ensuring the charity fulfils its charitable purposes, and for helping to take strategic and financial decisions.

All Trustees

We are looking for trustees with:

· Enthusiasm for Young Roots’ vision and mission.

· Ability and willingness to work in line with our values.

· Willingness to commit time and energy to this voluntary role.

· Good, independent judgment.

· Ability to think strategically and creatively.

· Ability to scrutinise Young Roots’ performance, including its financial performance.

· Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

· Accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.

Previous board/trustee experience is not necessary, as training will be provided.