Volunteer Roles in West Midlands

Are you a male who has recovered from a long-term or chronic illness?

Bright Futures UK (BFUK) is looking for someone like you to make a difference in the life of a young person who is currently battling a similar illness.

What You'll Do:

• Provide companionship and support to a young person who understands the struggles you’ve faced.
• Offer encouragement and share your journey to inspire hope and resilience.
• Engage in regular, meaningful conversations to help them feel less isolated.
• Share coping strategies and advice based on your personal experiences.

Why You'll Love It:

• Make a profound impact on someone’s life by offering your unique perspective and support.
• Be a part of a compassionate community that values your experience and dedication.
• Experience personal fulfillment by giving back and helping others through their challenging times.

What You'll Learn:

• Enhance your communication and mentoring skills.
• Gain insights into the ongoing challenges faced by young people with long-term illnesses.
• Receive free safeguarding training, volunteer training, and a DBS check.

What We're Looking For:

• Male volunteers who have experienced and recovered from long-term or chronic illness.
• Empathy, understanding, and the ability to relate to young people going through similar experiences.
• Commitment to regular interactions to provide consistent support.

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Thank you for considering this opportunity to share your strength and support!

Home-Start Trustees Recruitment  - Trustees including Chair of Trustees

Home-Start Epsom, Ewell and Banstead (HSEEB) is a voluntary organisation committed to promoting the welfare of families and children.  Staff and Volunteers offer regular support, including providing emotional and practical help to families in the families’ own homes and connecting families with specialist services within the community.

We are looking to recruit a new Chair of Trustees and additional Trustees; who will increase the range of skills and experience on the Board. This is essential for us to make the best decisions for HSEEB and our families.  For the Chair role, you will need leadership skills and a good understanding of governance. For the Trustee roles, there is no requirement for you to have  been a trustee before, however, you do need to be passionate about improving the lives of children and the families we support.

You will be good at working with others, ready to speak up and ask questions, be thoughtful and open to learning and able to stand back to see the bigger picture. You must take the responsibilities of a Trustee seriously.

We are looking to better reflect the experiences of our community, to bring the skills and experiences of diverse Trustees to the Board, as well as recruiting Trustees with lived experience of or insight into socio-economic disadvantage.

We would like to hear from people who can bring some of the following skills and expertise: Contracting; Governance; Event Planning; Bid Writing; Early Years; Mental Health; IT and Media

An enhanced disclosure check will be required.

Closing date for applications: Monday 29th July 2024 at 5pm

 Interviews:  August/September

 For more details about how to apply, please see our website.

 Please note: We do not accept CVs

 Registered Address: 128 Great Tattenhams, Epsom Downs, Surrey, KT18 5SE

 Home-Start is committed to equality of opportunity and diversity.

Home-Start Epsom, Ewell and Banstead is committed to safer recruitment practice as an important part of safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults

Home-Start Epsom, Ewell and Banstead is a Company Limited by Guarantee No 8765689 & a Registered Charity No 1156539 

The Witness Service provides practical and emotional support and information to witnesses so that they feel valued, respected and informed and able to give their best evidence in court.

The role is court based and will involve providing support to witnesses, and their supporters, by explaining the court procedures and legal terminology, showing them around the courtroom before trial and sitting in the courtroom with them, when permitted.

What will you do?

- Give witnesses and their supporters emotional support, guidance and information at court (e.g. explain court procedures and legal terms, support them with completing expense forms).

- Show witnesses and others around the courtroom before a trial so they are familiar and at ease in the environment.

- Go into the courtroom with a witness on trial day if permitted.

- Identify additional support to which we can signpost or refer witnesses.

- Work as part of a team with other Witness Service volunteers and staff as well as liaising with court personnel.

What skills do you need?

You don’t need specific qualifications but you’ll need to:

- Be caring, mature, supportive and empathetic towards others.

- Be friendly and approachable with good listening and verbal communication skills.

- Be non-judgemental, impartial and have a confidential approach to supporting others.

- Have respect for the diversity of all people, which includes commitment to the service’s objective of ensuring equal access is offered to all witnesses and and their supporters.

- Be committed, trustworthy, discreet and prepared to adhere to Citizens Advice Witness Service standards to ensure we deliver a high standard of service to our witnesses and victims.

- Have the ability to handle challenging situations and use your initiative, experience and training to solve problems and make appropriate decisions.

Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds and we particularly welcome application from people with physical or mental health conditions, and people from Black, Asian Minority Ethnic (Global Majority) and LGBTQIA+ communities. We are committed to offering a welcoming and inclusive environment to witnesses, staff and volunteers.

 Role Profile – Chair of the Board of Trustees We seek an experienced individual with strong governance skills and strategic ability who is enthusiastic about the invaluable role and impact that volunteers have across all of our communities. Someone who will be an ambassador for Volunteering Matters, who can help us maximise the potential of our programmes and replicate these across the UK and who can help us to grow the organisation. As Chair, your commitment to Volunteering Matters will include chairing Council meetings (usually four a year), an annual trustee strategy session and the Annual General Meeting. We encourage all of our trustees to visit local operations and to meet volunteers and staff to build their understanding of our work and increase their visibility within the organisation. Purpose The role of the Chair is to provide leadership and constructive challenge to the whole Council of Trustees, the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership team.

Principal Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to the organisation and the Council, ensuring that the volunteering and social action mission and vision are delivered.

• Uphold the fundamental values that underpin all activities of the organisation

• Work with the Council and Executive Leadership Team to deliver the strategic plan for the organisation and ensure ongoing monitoring and challenge.

• Ensure collective delivery of the trustee Code of Conduct and Teamship Rules as well as proactively identifying areas of change to grow and develop as a Council and an organisation.

• Have a full understanding of Volunteering Matters’ financial position, and provide scrutiny of accounts with the Finance Committee

• Ensure the trustees represent the charity in a professional manner internally and externally, and live the values of Volunteering Matters

• Where possible, use own networks to raise the profile and increase networks and income to Volunteering Matters

• Develop an effective relationship with the Chief Executive, providing regular support through online and face-to-face contact

• Champion equity, diversity and inclusion within the charity

• Conduct the Trustees and the Chief Executive’s annual appraisals

• Chair all Council meetings, and wider Members’ meetings – ensuring proper governance and record keeping of all decisions. This is a pro bono appointment which brings rewards other than money. All expenses directly incurred in your role as Chair on official business are refundable.

Person Specification You will bring:

• A commitment to the vision, mission, values and strategic aims of Volunteering Matters

• A passion for the work of Volunteering Matters

• An enthusiasm and ability for networking, and the capacity to apply this to building relationships on behalf of Volunteering Matters

• Great communication and negotiation skills – ready to apply both internally and externally on behalf of the charity

• A broad knowledge of the civil society space, the issues that affect it

• Experience of championing equity, diversity and inclusion at leadership level

• Either a good knowledge or ability to quickly understand charity finance and governance

• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of the role

• A willingness to give the necessary time and effort

• A proven track record of sound judgment, effective decision making, and corporate responsibility

• Qualities of integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and effective leadership.

Above all we seek a Chair who can help us raise the profile of Volunteering Matters and support our volunteering and social action mission

A bit about this role

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats each year thanks to our dedicated and passionate volunteer groups and teams, all of which help our feline friends in a different ways. They take in stray and abandoned cats and ensure they receive the veterinary care and attention they deserve, help raise funds, promote neutering and help spread cat welfare messages. Our volunteer treasurers maintain the finances of local groups and teams, ensuring they hold the funds needed to continue their vital work. Cats Protection relies solely on donations from generous members of the public, and our volunteer treasurers help make sure these funds are spent in the most effective way.  

What can you expect to be doing?

• Preparing budgets
• Keeping accurate financial records
• Reporting financial records via ‘Cashlog’ (Cats Protection supplied software)
• Paying invoices and volunteer expenses
• Being part of a team which ensures there are sufficient funds to meet expenditure
• Updating and advising others on income received, expenditure and available funds
• Managing and monitoring donations made to the group
• Following financial procedures e.g. Gift Aid returns and VAT claims

SAAUK are looking for a passionate and knowledgeable BABCP registered CBT therapist (with an interest in social anxiety) to join the small team. We are looking for someone who can commit a small amount of time per week - an average 2 hours a week but this is very flexible.

Social anxiety involves an excessive fear of social situations. Sufferers will often fear being embarrassed, or worry about being negatively evaluated by others. Anticipatory anxiety and situational avoidance are common, and individuals may endure social situations with a high level of discomfort. The scope of the anxiety may be focused on specific types of social situations or generalised to almost any social encounter.

This role will be key in helping SAAUK (a young and developing charity) expand its information and resources for those who suffer from social anxiety. Social Anxiety is under recognized both publicly and clinically and you will play a key part in helping develop and review the content to help spread awareness whilst providing accurate and up-to-date information. 

Please note BABCP accreditation is required for this role.

Sooty, the famous loveable bear and national treasure, has featured on RNIB’s collection boxes for more than 50 years. With your support, RNIB has raised more than £13 million in public donations collected in our iconic Sooty boxes. 

Join our community of amazing volunteer Sooty box collectors and help us to provide blind and partially sighted people with the support they need. RNIB urgently needs volunteers to collect and bank donations received through our Sooty boxes, which play a vital role in generating income and raising our profile in local communities. This role is completely flexible, can be performed by individuals, pairs or groups and the time you dedicate to it is entirely up to you and your commitments. You can give your time as little or as often as you like!

Please note: Volunteers will be expected to use their own transportation and ideally should have access to a car. Mileage or transport costs will be reimbursed.

Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You will give talks in person or virtually, sharing your own story to improve understanding of sight loss to local service providers and community groups.  You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to improve accessibility and inclusivity, creating a world without barriers. 

What you’ll be doing:

• Giving talks to groups of people to raise awareness of sight loss in your local community by sharing your story to audiences, for example, local businesses, community and voluntary groups. 

• Delivering talks to raise awareness of RNIB services as a trusted source of support for blind and partially sighted people

• Representing RNIB as an Ambassador for the Community Connection service 

 What you’ll gain from the role: 

• An opportunity to give something back. 

• A chance to build a strong community. 

• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.

• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people 

• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. 

In return for donating your time we will provide: 

• A supportive route to building your confidence in presenting and sharing your story with an audience. 

• A rewarding experience. 

• A great Induction and training. 

• A supportive manager. 

• Regular updates and catchups. 

• Expenses. 

• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers. 

Join our amazing team and make a real difference to people living with sight loss. Help create a welcoming and safe environment for people to share their experiences, ask questions and support each other and connect with a local community in a group setting via Facebook.

In this role you will be: 

• Managing group membership – authorising Requests to Join. 

• Creating a warm and welcoming environment. 

• Supporting group conversations. 

• Working with a Volunteer Moderator Team to create engaging content for the Group. 

• Ensuring House Rules are followed and content is appropriate. 

What you’ll gain from the role: 

• An opportunity to give something back. 

• A chance to build a strong community. 

• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.

•  A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people 

• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. 

In return for donating your time we will provide: 

• A rewarding experience. 

• A great Induction and training. 

• A supportive manager. 

• Regular updates and catchups. 

• Expenses. 

• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers. 

Join our amazing volunteer team in this flexible opportunity that puts you at the heart of our work supporting blind and partially sighted people. You’ll make taking part in events and carrying out volunteering easier and more enjoyable for our customers and volunteers with sight loss.

You’ll take some of the stress and anxiety out of getting around and taking part in activities as a blind or partially sighted person. The help you give will encourage people to do more.

What you’ll be doing

• Sighted guiding / giving practical help to individuals in and around venues, so they can take part in events. 

• Supporting volunteers with sight loss with their volunteering activities which range from facilitating a regular community group to delivering a talk about sight loss to a local business.  Your role would involve things like guiding; Meeting and greeting at group activities or creating a welcoming and interesting display stand at events.

In this role you will only be helping individuals in places open to the public, often in a group setting.  We will provide training in sighted guiding techniques and understanding sight loss.

What you’ll gain from the role:

• An opportunity to give something back.

• A chance to build a strong community.

• A sense of achievement through the difference you make. 

• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people

• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.

In return for donating your time we will provide:

• A rewarding experience.

• A great Induction and training.

• A supportive manager.

• Regular updates and catchups.

• Expenses.

• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You will give talks in person or virtually, sharing your own story to improve understanding of sight loss to local service providers and community groups.  You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to improve accessibility and inclusivity, creating a world without barriers. 

What you’ll be doing:

• Giving talks to groups of people to raise awareness of sight loss in your local community by sharing your story to audiences, for example, local businesses, community and voluntary groups. 

• Delivering talks to raise awareness of RNIB services as a trusted source of support for blind and partially sighted people

• Representing RNIB as an Ambassador for the Community Connection service 

 What you’ll gain from the role: 

• An opportunity to give something back. 

• A chance to build a strong community. 

• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.

• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people 

• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. 

In return for donating your time we will provide: 

• A supportive route to building your confidence in presenting and sharing your story with an audience. 

• A rewarding experience. 

• A great Induction and training. 

• A supportive manager. 

• Regular updates and catchups. 

• Expenses. 

• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers. 

Do you enjoy speaking to people and working with computers? Are you organised? You could support our Talk and Support team to run our award winning befriending groups by matching blind and partially sighted people from our waiting list into our telephone befriending groups. You would be helping people to get into one of our groups as quickly as possible and helping to end the isolation of sight loss. We are looking for someone who is available one day each week who is comfortable using computers and computer based telephony systems and who is familiar with Microsoft Office 365.

What skills and experience are needed?

• Ability to use your own initiative
• Good Attention to detail
• Good communication skills
• Treat information confidentially
• Willingness to work as part of a team

Social Anxiety Alliance UK aim to provide information and resources for individuals suffering from social anxiety and social phobia.

Our charity aims to raise awareness of this common condition that is publicly and clinically under-recognised. We seek to promote a better understanding of the disorder, where appropriate treatment options, support and information are easily available.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and develop the UK’s first dedicated Social Anxiety charity.

We are ideally looking for trustees with previous charity trustee experience or experience working in the mental health and charity sectors.

Trustees will typically lead on a particular project depending on their skill set e.g. editorial content, website development, social media, networking with other charities, policies and procedures, funding/grants, human resources, writing articles for the website, review of online social anxiety courses and resources. Other opportunities are available depending on your experience and skill set.

Please see the charity website and use the feedback form if you have other skills the charity might need.

We are a friendly board, getting involved will mean that you can work with us on particular projects that suit your skills. We hold trustee board meetings for approximately 90 minutes each month and work on additional projects as per the actions from board meetings.

As part of our board you will support and shape our work and strategic direction, as well as help us achieve our aim of helping people who experience social anxiety.

We are a Kingston-based social marketing enterprise using creative thinking to build community cohesion.

We aim to attract knowledgeable individuals encouraging different cultures to unite which enables us to share and celebrate essential lessons. 

Partnering with local organisations, we put on programmes of training, workshops and other events that promote unity and tolerance.

We conduct research to support our cause to challenge preconceptions around race and stereotyping. As well as delivering workshops on unconscious bias in the workplace. 

Ready for an adventure? Dive into the heart of Quilombo UK by exploring our website and videos! Explore the values that guide our mission, values, and the impactful work we do to make a difference in our community.

Join us in leading positive change!

The Admin Assistant role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to: 

• Gain experience in the Third Sector. 
• Develop their skills and management experience; or just simply 'give something back to their community'. 

The role provides you with flexibility and autonomy at work. Where necessary, specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

Main Responsibilities

• Managing organisation of meetings and appointment
•  Organising events and conferences
• Managing databases
• Implementing and maintaining procedures and administrative systems
•  Liaising with staff
•  Miscellaneous tasks to support the team.

General tasks

• Contribute to staff meetings and other internal meetings with views and suggestions etc.

Essential:

• You will need to have good written skills. 
• Well organised, proactive, and able to deliver tasks efficiently.
• Good time management
• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments
• Strong team player
• Ability to work independently and ask for clarification when needed.
• Able to participate at least 12 hours a week (2 days, 6 hours each day)

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Excel

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK runs over a period of 16 weeks, is UNPAID and requires a minimum of 12 hours commitment per week across Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday.

Upon successful application, our HR team will contact you to arrange an interview. Following a successful interview, we'll initiate the onboarding process by sending you the necessary documents. Once your onboarding and identification documents are received and verified, you'll be invited to a 6-hour HR and System Induction. Subsequently, you'll meet with your Head of Department or Assistant Manager for your First Day.