Support Volunteer Roles

Volunteering with Independent Choices, the domestic abuse helpline for Greater Manchester

Do you;

Have an interest in supporting survivors of domestic abuse?

Want to have a rewarding volunteering experience?

Want to volunteer within a supportive and caring team?

Have 3 hours a week to commit to making a difference?

We are looking to recruit female Helpline Volunteers to support callers on the Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline. On the helpline, volunteers provide high-quality, empowering, emotional, and practical support for survivors of domestic abuse and their friends & family members as well as professionals.

About Volunteering

•     Our shifts are 3 hours a week between 10 am – 4 pm Monday to Friday

•     Office-only volunteering

•     Training at your own pace

•     Based in Hulme

•     Reasonable adjustments can be made

Volunteering with Independent Choices Greater Manchester can be a very rewarding experience and you will gain many useful skills, as well as making a positive difference to survivors of domestic abuse. We provide:

•     Full and ongoing, training

•     On -site support and regular supervision

•     Flexible shifts

•     Expenses are paid in cash on the day of volunteering

•     A friendly office spaces

Who we are looking for,

Whilst there is no experience needed, we would ask that our volunteers have the following skills:

•     Good listening skills and the ability to communicate well with a variety of people

•     Punctuality, reliability, and a commitment to volunteering

•     Ability to empathise and be non-judgmental

•     Ability to learn new information and a can-do attitude  

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds, and are keen to hear from women who:

•     Speak another language including Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Polish, and Arabic  (but please do contact us if you do not have another language!)

•     Women aged over 50

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on families affected by childhood cancer in Yorkshire? Candlelighters, a charity that provides vital financial, emotional, and practical support to over 150 new families each year, is seeking an Independent Trustee to join our Board and help guide our work.
Term: 3 Years
Time Commitment: There are a minimum of three scheduled meetings across the year, in person in Leeds or via Microsoft Teams, with extra time needed for preparation.  We have an annual Board Away Day in November. There are opportunities to join sub-committees - Finance and Audit, Family Support, Research, Nominations and Remunerations. 

Why Join Our Board?
As an Independent Trustee, you will bring fresh perspectives and help shape our future. We are particularly looking for expertise in Law/Legal, Health and Safety, and Safeguarding.

No prior board or trustee experience? No problem! We offer comprehensive training and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive Board. We encourage applications from women, young people, people of colour, and other underrepresented communities.

The Statutory Duties of a Trustee 

• To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations 

• To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document 

• To ensure the organisation uses its resources in pursuance of its objects: the organisation must not spend money on activities which are not included in its own objects, no matter how worthwhile or charitable those activities are 

• To give firm strategic direction to Candlelighters, setting policy, defining goals and evaluating performance against agreed targets 

• To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation 

• To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation 

• To ensure the financial stability of the organisation 

• To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity’s funds. 

You will also be expected to: 

• Scrutinise board papers thoroughly. 

• Lead and contribute to discussions on key issues. 

• Provide guidance on new initiatives. 

• Apply any special expertise you bring to help the Board make informed decisions. 

This role requires an enhanced DBS check and a ‘Fit and Proper’ person declaration.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is committed to the purpose and strategic objectives of Candlelighters
• Understands or has experience working with diverse communities
• Is approachable, engaged, and ready to offer sound, independent judgment

Join us in making a lasting impact on the lives of families affected by childhood cancer. Your skills and insights could be exactly what we need to help guide our mission forward!

As the commissioned Restorative Justice Service for London and a Registered Service Provider with the Restorative Justice Council, Calm Mediation are committed to providing safe, high quality support to RJ participants.

If you are a Restorative Justice Council Registered Practitioner – at Foundation, Intermediate or Advanced level – and have availability for casework across London and the wider prison estate, volunteering with Calm Mediation is for you.

You will be joining a dynamic team at an exciting time, contributing to shaping the landscape of RJ in London as we scale up and diversify our service to best meet the needs of a vibrant city.

We offer an attractive volunteer support package including: meeting the cost of your RJC registration renewal & level progression; regular high quality case supervision with an experienced Practitioner; group supervision and support; skills development & training opportunities; CPD and social events.

If this volunteer role suits your skills, kindly apply by sending your CV along with your RJC Registered Practitioner certificate.

At MHA Communities South London we support older people to live independently in their own homes and communities. We offer a variety of social activities and services for people aged 55 and over.

Some of our MHA community members are socially isolated and feeling lonely. As a Befriender you’ll be matched with a member and visit them regularly in their own home to bring friendship, company, and a chance to chat. You may also offer practical support, such as reading a newspaper or their favourite book or accompany the member shopping or to a recreational activity.

Benefits for you:

• Help improve the quality of life for older people
• Help reduce loneliness and isolation
• Support your community
• Keep socially active
• Be part of a friendly team

Skills and qualities desired:

• Good communication and people skills
• Enthusiasm
• Patience, empathy and understanding of the needs of older people
• Reliable and punctual
• Clear sense of personal boundaries and able to maintain confidentiality
• A willingness to engage with training and development
• A good understanding of your personal strengths and limitations

Times and Commitment:

• Days and times are flexible and are based on your availability and the needs of the member.
• Each visit last around 1-2 hours
• We ask you to be able to commit on a regular basis for a minimum of 6 months

Training, support and requirements:

• You need to be aged 18 or over
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two character references are required
• We will provide you with a full induction for the role
• Training on safeguarding, health and safety and other training and updating of skills and knowledge relevant to the role
• Ongoing support from a named contact

*Please note- we can only accept applications from volunteers who currently live in the UK*

The Diocese of London is seeking an experienced leader, for our next Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, to play a key role in the work of the London Diocesan Fund (‘LDF’), as we seek to do everything we can to support the church in London as it contributes to the flourishing of people and communities across the city

The size and missional opportunity of the Diocese of London is huge. The population of around 4.8 million is served by 400 parishes, around 100+ additional worshipping communities, around 1,000 clergy and ministers and approximately 70,000 regular worshippers.  The LDF is the central support organisation and has a staff of over 100 people.

We want to see the church building communities, transforming lives and being a constant presence in an ever-changing city and our 2030 vision is ‘for every Londoner to encounter the love of God in Christ’.

We are looking for an experienced leader to:

- Help ensure that the charity’ external and internal audit functions are operating efficiently and effectively

- Ensure that the risk management process adopted by the charity enables the identification of key risks as well as internal controls to mitigate these risks.

- Help the charity in maintaining adequate and effective financial controls and processes.

We are seeking someone who is a committed Christian with a track record of being an effective Chair with extensive experience of audit and risk management frameworks to help mature the Board’s exercise of stewardship, helping trustees and clergy without financial management experience understand and participate in this aspect of their responsibilities.

The Diocese of London is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce which represents our context and wider community. We know that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME), women, and disabled people are currently under-represented among our clergy and workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those with the relevant skills and experience that will increase this representation.

We are looking for somebody who will share our values. This post is subject to an occupational requirement that the holder be a practicing Christian under Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010. Candidates should ideally worship at an Anglican church within the Diocese of London.

The time commitment is approximately 8 to 12 days a year. This includes four Committee meetings per year, preparation and reading of papers and informal ad hoc interactions.

The Diocese of London is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, therefore any appointment is conditional upon the successful completion of a DBS check.

If this opportunity excites you, we look forward to receiving your application and discussing this opportunity with you further.

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

Our data entry and admin volunteers keep all the Abbey cogs turning, keeping our various databases and systems up to date which is vital for our monitoring, fundraising and project management. Gain valuable office experience while making a difference to a local community organisation. Help us once a week for up to 2 hours max between 11am and 1pm (minimum 2 month commitment) and we'll shower you with gratitude, cuppas and biscuits! 

Qualities you need for this role 

• This role is suited to you if you enjoy working with data, are meticulous with a good eye for detail 
• Basic IT skills and ability to learn new software 
• Reliability and punctuality 

When you'll be needed
Two hours a week for a minimum of six months.

Do you want to support a young person in the care system?

Would you like to help build a positive relationship, providing holistic support, and potentially advocating for them?

Do you drive and are you 21 or older?

If so then Bolton Lads and Girls Club want to hear from you! As a Befriender, your role is to provide a young person in the care system an organised friendship with boundaries. Ensuring that they feel heard, and that they have a constant in their life. You can take the young person out for activities to build their trust and ultimately ensure that they have support from someone separate of both the local authority and the care system, an Independent Visitor. Typically the minimum length of time we would expect a volunteer to be in the role is 18 months, however the nature of the role means it could vary. Meetups are normally every 2 to 3 weeks, at a time that is convenient for both people.

Whilst no experience is required as training is provided, previous experience with children/young people can be advantageous.

There is a budget available for activities, and mileage expenses are covered.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Marie Curie Companion Service is a professional service provided by trained volunteers who offer one-to-one companionship and support to people with a terminal illness and their families. The service would not be able to reach those most in need if it was not for the commitment and hard work of the volunteers delivering the service.

Companion volunteers provide companionship and emotional support, practical support, short breaks for carers and help with signposting for information and support.  These sessions can take place both in person and over the phone.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING.

Your role will include some of, but not be restricted to, the following tasks:

• Carry out weekly visits with the person(s) you’re supporting, as agreed with the Volunteer Co-ordinator. This could be in a variety of settings, e.g. family home, a care home or in the community.
• Provide one-to-one companionship and support. For example: 
• Offering a listening ear and spending time engaging in every-day conversation, activities or hobbies with the person you are supporting. 
• Driving clients to pre-arranged health or social care (e.g. to medical appointments) or taking short trips out. 
• Helping with small, daily tasks, e.g. making tea or accessing the internet. 
• Allowing carers to have a short break. 
• You may be supporting your client’s family or carers before or 

during bereavement.  This may involve offering emotional 

support, signposting to relevant local support services or finding out 

information as requested 

(This is only an outline as support will vary according to individual needs. Companion 

volunteers do not provide nursing or personal care, or offer counselling or advice)

• Keep your manager informed of any changes to the situation, or any significant happenings in connection to the person you’re supporting and/or their family, either in person or by phone 
• Submit regular visit reports to your manager and update relevant computer systems as required 
• Be reliable and committed to regularly spending time with someone and offering support
• Attend individual sessions with your Volunteer Co-ordinator, training and group events as required 
• Represent the Marie Curie Helper service positively to those using the service

THE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE YOU WILL NEED.

• Commitment and reliability - able to keep appointments and volunteer for about 3 hours a week 
• Patience, empathy and emotional stability 
• An understanding of the importance of confidentiality 
• Respect for an individual’s privacy, dignity and independence
• Willing to be flexible to the needs of the individual
• Ability to operate within the boundaries of the role 
• A friendly and sensitive approach with strong skills around building rapport and empathy
• Excellent listening skills and an ability to build a rapport with others 
• Respect for individuals, regardless of their disability, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or faith, or gender reassignment

WHAT YOU CAN GAIN FROM THIS OPPORTUNITY.

• An excellent opportunity to build on your skills in a charity environment
• An induction, training, support and supervision in your role
• Agreed reasonable out-of-pocket expenses

WHAT WE ASK OF YOU.

• To provide two references from non-family members and other relevant documents related to the role
• To keep to all the charity’s policies and guidelines 
• To complete an induction and any training related to the role
• Complete mandatory training and role related renewals, as requested

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.

ABOUT US

Every day of your life matters – from the first to the last. When you volunteer for Marie Curie, you understand that better than ever. We’re a passionate, committed and diverse team of more than 4,400 staff and  6,500 volunteers, here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support, to help them get the most from the time they have left. 

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work.  We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

Marie Curie is committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early.

Position Overview

Based in the coastal town of Fort Dauphin in the southeast of Madagascar, this post will provide support to our Environment and Conservation projects implemented by the NGO. The successful candidate will work within a combined national and international team to assist in the development of projects, from initial planning stages to final evaluations. Primary responsibilities include the writing of donor reports and proposals, providing additional support to the project team surrounding project management and monitoring and evaluation. The role is predominantly office-based with some bush travel. The diversity of activities undertaken will provide a wide-ranging experience for an early career development professional who can effectively and efficiently deal with a comprehensive range of tasks related to the complex world of overseas development.

Title: Programme Intern for initial three months, change of title and responsibilities to Programme Officer subject to passing probationary review
Location: Fort Dauphin, Anosy Region, Madagascar
Probationary Period: Three months
Contract: Voluntary for twelve months; contribution to accommodation and insurance costs
 

Duties and responsibilities

• Write project reports, to a high standard of English, that clearly demonstrate the successes and challenges of the Environment and Conservation projects, learning and providing clear budgetary information 

• Compile funding proposals based on past evaluation, team discussion and International best practice in an engaging and professional manner 

• Conduct internet searches and searches through SEED’s funder database for potential donors to fund projects 

• Take a leading role in gathering statistics and ensure that all existing statistics relating to the projects are accurate 

• Work alongside the Communications and Media Officer to build a communications plan for the Conservation and Rural Livelihoods projects, writing regular Facebook, blog posts and website copy 

• Support the development of projects that fulfil local need and sit within the aims of SEED taking into account research findings, local needs and constraints, government objectives and SEED’s previous experience 

• Conduct research into international best practice with regard to Conservation and Rural Livelihoods programmes and take the lead in discussing these with the team

• Monitor and update project trackers according to project activities, ensuring the project is on track to meet project indicators and objectives 

• Take an active role in project management meetings, leading these where appropriate 

• Take an active part in international team meetings and support to other members of the team

• Work with national staff in increasing their skills and capacity, providing mentoring or training where appropriate 

• Assist in data collection and basic analysis where required and where there is an Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer in post assist them in developing monitoring and evaluation tools and completing MEL reports for projects 

• Work alongside the Head of Programmes and Head of Finance in developing and managing the budgets relating to projects 

• Maintain a database of projects and funders alongside the UK team in London 

• Form part of the team representing projects or SEED when required

• Liaise with the UK team in London ensuring clear communication at all times 

• Ensure all of SEED’s policies and procedures are evident throughout the work of the department, including those for safeguarding, whistleblowing, and anticorruption, and undertake continual training to ensure these are promoted at all times 

• Complete other ad-hoc tasks as required by the Conservation and Rural Livelihoods Project Coordinators, Head of Department, Head of Programmes, or Director of Programmes and Operations to further the aims and work of the organisation

Person specification

• Hold an undergraduate in or relating to conservation, environmental studies, related disciplines or have equivalent experience

• Demonstrate strong writing skills. Previous experience in grant-writing is an asset

• Demonstrate sound knowledge and keen interest in Conservation and its interface with international development; previous experience of Conservation or community-based work would be an asset

• Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to SEED’s ethos and approach and be a good ambassador for SEED at all times

• Have passion, curiosity and motivation for the job and the ability to enthuse others

• Have the ability and desire to work with teams from different economic and cultural backgrounds and across multiple language barriers

• Demonstrate proven ability to recognise and appropriately deal with challenging situations

• Demonstrate an awareness of and comfort with increased social and professional responsibility, working at all times with cultural sensitivity and respect

• Demonstrate the ability, social skills and confidence to give clear guidance and support to other members of the team in respect of the philosophy and procedures of SEED in order to protect both their safety and the reputation of the NGO

• Be able to work to and advocate for all of SEED’s policies and procedures, safeguarding those that SEED works with and reporting any concerns appropriately

• Be punctual and be able to work to tight deadlines in an organised manner and to a high standard

• Have a flexible and patient attitude

• Have excellent problem-solving skills

• Be able to work both independently and as part of a team

Practicalities

The successful candidate will be able to financially support themselves for the full duration of this post 

About the Organisation

SEED Madagascar is a British Charity working in partnership with communities in the southeast of Madagascar. We integrate high quality community health, rural livelihoods; education infrastructure and conservation programmes to support long term, sustainable change and add to international best practice through research and publication across all programmatic areas. We are now looking for entry level interns and officers to work alongside national staff and expand our team.

Application Procedure

Interested applicants should send a CV and covering letter in English outlining why they wish to take up this position and how their skills and experience match the requirements in the job description criteria to SEED Madagascar Director of Programmes and Operations, Lisa Bass by email on lisa@seedmadagascar. org.

Please note: AI generated cover letters and recruitment exercises will not be processed. 

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Candidates will complete an exercise, long-listed applicants will have an initial informal interview with Madagascar based staff and short-listed applicants will then be offered an interview with the London team.

*Please note that the expected in-country start date for this position is 13th January.

SEED Madagascar actively encourages equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and aims to create a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination, where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued.

Terms and conditions: Voluntary roles, expenses paid

Closing date: This advert will close on 7th October 2024

SEED Madagascar is looking for two new Trustees to work on its Board of Trustees and with the Managing Director and his team.  One role is to be the Vice Chair to support our Chair across her role, and the second role is to bring fundraising expertise to support SEED in its vital work in Madagascar.

SEED is growing and rising to the challenges that the country and its people are facing, and these Trustees will play an important role in SEED’s development.

SEED delivers impactful projects with communities in the southeast of Madagascar in the fields of community health, sustainable livelihoods, conservation and school infrastructure.  More recently SEED has responded to the famine affecting many families in the areas it works with emergency food distribution. 

The new Trustees will bring experience of working at a senior level in the not-for-profit sector. The Vice Chair will bring governance experience, and the fundraising trustee will have experience of fundraising in organsiations of a similar size. We are looking for a passion for, and understanding of, international development, along with strong people skills and a good grasp of strategic planning.

Please see our Candidate Pack for full details of the role and the recruitment process. 

We are seeking to appoint a trustee with senior safeguarding expertise and experience, this may be from areas including social care, the Police, other statutory services, or the not-for-profit sector. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

The role of the Trustees is to develop Scouts in keeping with its charitable objectives and in the parameters of good governance. We are particularly looking for a Trustee to contribute their extensive senior level skills and experience in the area of Safeguarding and to Chair the Safeguarding Committee.

Main responsibilities

• To take part in formulating and regularly reviewing the strategic aims of the organisation, and in providing direction for its ongoing development, in accordance with the Bye Laws.
• To provide support as the Board’s safeguarding-focussed Trustee contributing specialist skills, experience and knowledge as required.
• With other Trustees, to ensure that the policy and practices of the Association are in keeping with its aims.
• With other Trustees, to exercise effective control, ensuring that the Association functions within the legal and financial requirements of a charitable organisation and strives to achieve best practice.
• With other Trustees, to fulfil all other duties as laid out by law and in accordance with the Bye Laws.
• To chair the Safeguarding Committee which is responsible for the strategic oversight and challenge to the organisation on the discharge of its safeguarding responsibilities.

Main duties

Developing and reviewing strategic aims

•  Consider the Association’s strategic plans and make sure they reflect safeguarding legislation, relevant regulations, statutory guidance, and the safeguarding expectations of the Charities Commission
• Work with the senior staff and volunteers to regularly review whether the practice of the Association is creating a safer culture and keeping people safe.
• Check that the Association’s risk register reflects current safeguarding risks appropriately and has put in place effective risk mitigations.
• Abide by the principles laid down in the person specification (and code of conduct).
• Attend meetings of the Trustee Board and the reporting committees (frequency varies).
• Reflect the Scouts’ vision, strategy, major policies and values at all times.
• Contribute specific skills, experience and contacts in support of our activities.

Ensuring policies and practice are effective and in keeping with aims

Make sure there is an annual review of safeguarding policies and procedures and that this is reported to trustees.

• Scrutinise the performance of the Association relating to safeguarding to see whether policies and procedures are effective.
• Make sure there is a regular effective (internal and external) quality assurance framework using qualitative and quantitative data to monitor the effectiveness of safeguarding practice.
• Learn from case reviews locally and nationally, to improve the Association’s policies, procedures and practices.
• Reflect the Trustees’ policies and concerns in all interactions with the Movement.
• Assist in the implementation of the Association’s strategic goals.

Creating the right culture

• Champion safeguarding throughout the Association.
• Attend relevant safeguarding training events and conferences.
• Support the trustees in developing their individual and collective understanding of safeguarding.
• Attend meetings, activities, projects to engage with staff, volunteers and young people to understand safeguarding on the ground.
• Support regular safeguarding updates for staff, volunteers and young people.
• Make sure you have ways of gathering the views of staff and volunteers in relation to safeguarding and sharing these with the Board.
• Work effectively as a team member of the Trustee Board in exercising its responsibilities and functions.
• Protect the assets and integrity of the charity, with regard to best practice.
• Maintain good relations with Association staff.
• Fulfil such other duties and assignments as may be required from time to time by the Trustee Board.
• Engage with members of the Movement at other levels in the organisation.

THE PERSON

As a Trustee of the Board, you should be able to demonstrate and provide evidence of the following criteria listed under Part 1 within your written application. This will be tested further at the preliminary interview stage, along with the criteria listed under Part 2.

We are particularly interested in applications from candidates with strategic safeguarding experience in sectors such as Social Care (e.g. service manager to director role experience), Health (e.g. deputy or chief nurse experience), Police (e.g. Superintendent to Chief Constable experience) and Education (e.g. Head Teacher experience).

Part 1

• The successful candidate will be able to give evidence of:
• A record of proven and significant achievement and executive background in operational and strategic safeguarding.
• An understanding of the type of work undertaken by the Association and commitment to the values and ethos of The Scout Association.
• Successful experience of operating on a board or a major committee in a charitable, public sector or commercial organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues to achieve organisational objectives.
• Confident and effective communication skills with a range of audiences, including Trustees, the Chief Executive, senior staff, senior volunteers and others, and the ability to challenge in a constructive way.

 Part 2

• An understanding of how to motivate and enthuse volunteers.
• A proven track record of sound judgement and effective decision-making.
• An understanding of the respective roles of the Chair, Trustees, UK Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive.
• A track record of commitment to promoting inclusion, equality and diversity.
• Wider involvement with the voluntary sector and other networks.
• Enthusiasm, energy and time to commit to this role.

Other essential criteria

• Commitment to attend four Board of Trustee meetings each calendar year, one of those will be a two-day residential held over the weekend).
• Attendance at the Annual General Meeting of the Council (AGM) held in the first week of September each year (this will be on a Saturday).
• Availability to chair the Safeguarding Committee, who meet four times per year. Three of these meetings are virtual and outside 9-5 working hours – the fourth meeting will be a full-day face-to-face session.

 APPOINTMENT TERM

Appointments are typically for an initial three-year term, with the possibility of a further term of three years subject to a satisfactory appraisal.

REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES

In common with other registered charities, there is no remuneration directly associated with the role, although the Association will reimburse fully for all reasonable and properly documented expenses incurred in performing duties.

Woodlands Hospice is an independent charity committed to delivering the best possible practice and development of Specialist Palliative Care for people with cancer and other life limiting illnesses with complex needs. We are here to provide care and support to people when they need it most. By joining us and volunteering, you can help us to be there for more people, now and in the future. 

Role Description

• Sort, hand and steam stock
• Keep the shop clean and tidy
• Serve customers and answer any queries
• Meet and greet customers 
• Use the till system (if confident to do so and willing)
• Answer telephone calls 

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. 

One of the greatest challenges for many older people is access to suitable transport. As we age, our mobility decreases and sometimes we can lose confidence in our ability to leave the house independently. 

Our network of volunteer drivers provide a vital lifeline to many older people to help them get out and about and keep them connected with their local community.

We are able to provide transport to and from Link Age Southwark social groups. This role is all about providing an unhurried door-to-door service on either a regular or one-off basis. 

This role requires:

• owning a car with a full and clean driving license and suitable insurance cover (most insurance companies are charity friendly - we can help verify your car use if required)
• ensuring the vehicle you are driving is safe and legal
• sufficient fitness to drive - please inform us if there are any issues that may affect your driving ability
• patience and understanding towards the needs of older people, particularly those with mobility issues
• attendance at a volunteer induction and other relevant training opportunities
• completion of a full Disclosure Barring Service and character reference check
• a commitment to working within the policies of Link Age Southwark, in particular health and safety, confidentiality, safeguarding and equality & diversity

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. 

UK Reads is looking for passionate individuals to join our team as Volunteer Literacy Workshop Facilitators. As a Workshop Facilitator, you'll have the rewarding role of delivering engaging literacy workshops to children and young people in schools, primarily focusing on the East London area.
 

About us:

Established in 2013, the United Kingdom and Europe World Literacy Foundation have been dedicated to building strong communities through literacy and education. In 2018, UK Reads was introduced to provide literacy support through distributing books and resources nationwide while delivering author-led workshops to children to inspire the next generation of readers who lacked resources and opportunities to develop and excel. Additionally, UK Reads works to facilitate a global pen pal project, inspiring young writers and offering them a platform to connect, fostering cultural awareness and enhancing writing skills.

About the Project:

UK Reads: Literacy Impact East London specifically  focus on children and young people aged 11-18 years. The project is designed to reach young people from diverse, low-income backgrounds and ethnic minorities. We have observed that approximately 85% of our beneficiaries come from low-income families, 10% of our users are students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), reflecting the diverse range of learners we aim to support. Additionally, 45% of our beneficiaries come from Black minority communities, highlighting the importance of promoting inclusivity and addressing potential disparities in literacy outcomes.

We acknowledge that low literacy rates often vary through boroughs and are committed to reaching the most underserved, underrepresented, and marginalised young people across East London. We collaborate with schools and community organisations to implement a tailored intervention that addresses the specific needs of each group, offering a diverse range of services to expedite the development of foundational literacy skills. 

Responsibilities:

Support in delivering literacy workshops to children and young people in schools, creating a safe, collaborative, and enjoyable learning environment.
Offer encouragement and motivation to participants to enhance their literacy skills and confidence.
Assist in setting up activities and managing logistics to ensure smooth workshop days.
Implement workshop activities safely and professionally.
Reflect on workshop practices with school staff to identify areas for growth and improvement.

Requirements: 

Individuals from educational backgrounds, teaching, youth support roles, and tutoring may find this role particularly compelling.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage and motivate participants.
Genuine passion for supporting disadvantages children and young people.
Valid DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance or willingness to undergo checks.

If you're passionate about literacy education and making a positive impact in the lives of children and young people, we encourage you to apply for this exciting volunteer opportunity.