Care Management Volunteer Roles

Empower adults with disabilities and help them reach their dreams, building a world where they are valued and included as the Chair of the Board of Share Community.

Applications close at 9 a.m. Monday 7th October

Who we are.

Share was founded in 1972 by a group of physically disabled adults who were facing barriers to work. We now primarily work with adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs because this group still faces the most significant barriers to work, education and training and suffers from significant health and societal inequalities.

We are based in South London. We work out of two training centres, in Battersea and Brixton, a garden – in Tooting – and a community café and sports hub in Vauxhall. We provide a range of programmes, activities and qualifications aimed at supporting our students to live happier, healthier and more independent lives.

Our vision is to live in a world where disabled adults are genuinely valued and included, can make choices and have the freedom to achieve their ambitions. We currently work with 178 students each week, and also provide support for their families and carers.

About the role.

Share is seeking a Chair of our Board of Trustees, who will work alongside the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team and other Trustees to ensure the charity delivers its mission and vision. Supported by the sub-committee chairs, the Chair of Trustees ensures that the Board has oversight of the Charity’s governance and strategic direction.

Who we are looking for.

The Chair will role model Share’s organisational values of respect, support, ambition, kindness, integrity and inclusivity and be committed to reducing the social injustice disabled people face.

You will have a successful track record as a senior leader, with experience at board level (either as a Trustee or Company Director). You will be comfortable chairing meetings and events and will promote a collaborative team environment.

In addition, you will be a confident ambassador, able to advocate for Share’s work and the students it supports to a wide range of audiences.

We welcome applications from people with a broad range of backgrounds and from all sections of the community. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria as outlined in the role description will be invited to interview for this post.

• Time Commitment

Board meetings occur six times a year at 5:30 PM on the first Tuesday of even-numbered months in person. The Chair also regularly meets with the Chairs of the three Board Sub-Committees and the Chief Executive. Additionally, there are two away afternoons each year focused on strategic planning, held locally.

While the Chair is not required to attend the virtual sub-committee meetings, they may choose to do so.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 7th October.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.
Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.
We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.

A bit about this role

Across the UK, many cats are cared for by volunteer fosterers who provide a stable, safe and loving environment in their homes or in purpose-built pens in their gardens. They provide vital hands-on care and accommodation to stray or abandoned cats or cats whose owners could sadly no longer keep them, and are part of a dedicated team of volunteers committed to finding new homes for cats in need. Our fosterers carry out this role with support from their local branch or centre.

Most of our fosterers care for one or two cats at a time and enjoy providing lots of TLC to those cats, who have been pre-loved or have had a difficult start in life. Some of our fosterers look after new mums and kittens and provide round-the-clock care to newborns to give them the best start in life.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Meeting the needs of the cats and kittens in your care
• Cleaning and looking after the cats’ environment and equipment
• Feeding, grooming and administering medication
• Spending time enriching the cats’ experience in care including; play, exercise and stroking
• Maintaining high standards of animal welfare

A bit more information about this role and the team...

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens in need by caring for them before they find new, loving homes. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• A dedicated suitable spare room in your house or space in your garden for a purpose-built pen – you can read more about this here
• Basic knowledge of cats, cat care and understanding their needs
• An appreciation of cat welfare and hygiene standards
• Good interpersonal skills
• Patience, commitment and empathy
• Willingness to be part of a team

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend one and a half hours per day on average (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care. In order to help you feel confident in your fosterer role we ask that prior to looking after your first foster cat you complete some online cat welfare learning modules.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

At Sense we know that it's not easy being a young carer or sibling of a disabled child. Their wellbeing and happiness are just as important. That’s why Sense supports activities and sessions specifically for young people aged 5-18 who have a caring role for a parent, carer, or sibling.

We run a range of virtual and in person activities throughout the month. Our sessions are based on what the young people tell us they like doing, giving them a break, and also providing opportunities to meet and develop friendships with other young people in a similar situation.

Our Siblings and Young Carers in person activity group sessions take place once a month. Activities include picnics, bowling, arts and crafts and rock climbing, enabling the young people to spend time doing fun things with other siblings and young carers with similar experiences.

You do not need to have any previous experience working with siblings or young carers as we will provide you with training and ongoing support to equip you for your role.

About Sense

Sense is a national disability charity that supports people with complex communication needs and their families to be understood, connected, and valued. We are here for every person who faces communication barriers in a world that relies on being able to see and hear well to be connected.

Will the role suit me?

Yes, if you have:

• ·Willingness to develop or learn new skills
• Reliability and good communication skills
• A sense of fun and adventure!
• Respect for others and their diversity
• An interest in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind and their families

Practical Considerations

This project is based in Loughborough, either at our Sense College or out in the community . Our activity group runs once per month, for 3.5 hours on a Saturday. Ideally you would be able to commit to at least 6 months of volunteering.

An essential part of getting ready to volunteer is attending a training session where you'll learn more about your volunteer role, the specific needs of children and young carers and how to keep young people on the project safe.

Your travel expenses will be covered by Sense. 

You must be 18 or over to volunteer. We collect two references for this role as well as complete a Child and Adult Enhanced DBS. 

We are looking for a new Clinical Trustee to help us deliver our purpose - to give every local child with a life-threatening condition and their family access to professional care and improve their quality of life from the point of diagnosis.

It is our mission to achieve our purpose by: 

· Providing professional care and support

· Reaching every child with a life-threatening condition as soon as possible to give their families informed choices about accessing our services; and

· Raising the money we need and targeting those resources in the best way to make the biggest impact.

With a dedicated team of almost 300 staff and more than 600 volunteers, we support over 650 families every year by providing respite care, antenatal and neonatal support, end of life care and immediate care after death, sibling support, and counselling and bereavement support from our two hospices based in Oswestry (Shropshire) and Conwy (North Wales).

As a Trustee, you will play a vital role in making sure our charity is well run in the interests of the children and families we are here to support. You will also ensure we deliver our purpose by setting the strategic direction, managing the performance, and having responsibility for the governance of Hope House Children’s Hospices.

Ideally you will be:

· An experienced medical or nursing professional, with a background in general practice, obstetrics, paediatric care, or palliative care

· Motivated to help the charity deliver its purpose most effectively and for public benefit

· Motivated to actively support the charity to raise the money it needs

·Committed to good governance; to follow the Trustee’s Code of Practice and adopted principles of the Charity Governance Code at all times and to uphold the legal responsibilities of trustees

· Committed to serving a minimum three-year term as a trustee and to giving sufficient time to carry out your responsibilities effectively, including actively participating in face to face board and committee meetings (normally held in our Shropshire hospice)

· Reflect the charity’s values in your way of working and behaviour

About Kith & Kids
We provide activities, opportunities, information, and support for people with a learning disability or autism, their parents, and siblings.
For all our projects and activities we are dependent on volunteers.

Our Employability Project
10am to 3pm, Monday and/or Friday during term-time

Our Employment & Life Skills Project (ELSP) helps adults with learning disabilities or autism to access further education, work experience and visits to mainstream community opportunities. 

What you’ll do
You’ll act as a mentor to the members of the group.  You’ll be helping the group(s) develop a range of life skills, things that many of us take for granted.  These include Maths and English skills, independent living, the use of public transport, social skills and even the sourcing of employment. 

For the people in these groups, these things can be very difficult to develop and achieve without regular support. Through regular support and meetings, members and volunteers develop greater trust, skills, and confidence together.

Come along and get involved!

Requirements

What you need
You do not need experience. Full disability awareness training will be provided before you begin volunteering with us.
The only requirements we ask of you are enthusiasm, energy and to be open-minded.
Minimum age for volunteers is 20.

How much time?
The project runs from 10am to 3pm, Mondays and/or Fridays during term-time.
Everyone gets the most out of the project if you come every week for at least a term as you'll build a close relationship with the members you'll have been supporting and will create the most impact.

What we can offer you
ELSP represents a fantastic opportunity for you to share your knowledge and experience built up through a lifetime to a group that is continuing to develop and achieve their targets.

We’ll reimburse your travel expenses and will provide excellent training and lots of helpful support.

By volunteering on our project you'll also:

• Use and develop your skills: time-management, working within a team, problem-solving and adaptability.
• Learn something new, get involved in fun activities with others.
• Increase your confidence.
• Meet like-minded people and make friends.
• Gain experience for (other) work
• Give something back to the community.
• Do something fun and satisfying in your spare time
• Challenge yourself. 

What about training?
Volunteers must attend two training sessions and complete a free DBS check before you begin volunteering.

This is a great opportunity to get to know everyone at Kith & Kids: your fellow volunteers, some of our members you will be working with, and also gives the opportunity to develop some new skills and expand your knowledge in our workshops.

Topics we cover include:

• Autism
• Safeguarding
• Creativity & Participation
• Negotiation & Boundaries
   

When do I need to come?

Volunteers must attend two training sessions and a DBS check before taking part.

We'll be running face-to-face training in north London from mid-October with lots of dates to choose from.

Training will take place in North London – once we have met you online for a chat, we will send you confirmation of our training venue details.

About Kith & Kids
We provide activities, opportunities, information, and support for people with a learning disability or autism, their parents and siblings.
For all our projects and activities we are dependent on volunteers.

Our Summer Project
Fri 27th – Tue 31st December, 9:30am – 5:30pm in North London.

We are currently looking for energetic and enthusiastic volunteers, to join us on our fantastic fun-filled Xmas Social Development Project.

Volunteers and our members who have disabilities get to know each other as they take part in fun and challenging workshops including sports & games, arts & crafts, cooking and enjoying a day out in London.

What you'll do
On the project you and a fellow volunteer will be paired with one of our members with a learning disability or autism. You'll support and encourage them to take part in a wide range of activities led by professional therapists and workshop leaders.

Our core activities are sports & games, arts & crafts, drama and music. Previous additional workshops have also included photography, football and cooking and you’ll plan your own exciting outing around London with a fellow volunteer and the Kith & Kids member you're linked with.

Not only is it a week full of fun and games for you and our members, you are a vital part in supporting them to develop their social skills in a day-to-day environment.

Come along and get involved!

Male volunteers especially welcome (we need more)!!

Requirements

What you need
You do not need experience. Full disability awareness training will be provided before you begin volunteering with us.
The only requirements we ask of you are enthusiasm, energy and to be open-minded.
Minimum age for volunteers is 18.

How much time?
The project runs for 5 days, Fri 27th – Tue 31st December, 9:30am – 5:30pm in North London.

Everyone gets the most out of the project if you come for the full five days as you'll build a close relationship with the member you'll have been supporting and will create the most impact.

What we can offer you
We can reimburse your travel expenses and provide a delicious lunch each day.
We'll also provide excellent training before the project, and lots of helpful support.

By volunteering on our project, you'll also:

• Use and develop your skills.
• Learn something new, get involved in fun activities with others.
• Increase your confidence.
• Meet new people and make friends.
• Gain experience for (other) work
• Give something back to the community.
• Do something fun and satisfying in your spare time.
• Challenge yourself.
   

What about training?
Volunteers must attend at least two training days and complete a free DBS check before you begin volunteering.

This is a great opportunity to get to know everyone at Kith & Kids: your fellow volunteers, some of our members you will be working with, and also gives the opportunity to develop some new skills and expand your knowledge in our workshops.

Topics we cover include:

• Communication
• Autism
• Supporting emotions
• Safeguarding
• Creativity & Participation
• Epilepsy
   

When do I need to come?

We'll be running face-to-face training in north London starting in mid-October with lots of dates to choose from.

In the meantime, we'll be meeting volunteers online.

Training will take place in North London – once we have met you online for a chat, we will send you confirmation of our training venue details.  

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.
Cats are at the centre of everything we do and our objectives are: homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.
We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters.

A bit about this role

Across the UK, many cats are cared for by volunteer fosterers who provide a stable, safe and loving environment in their homes or in purpose-built pens in their gardens.
They provide vital hands-on care and accommodation to stray or abandoned cats or cats whose owners could sadly no longer keep them, and are part of a dedicated team of volunteers committed to finding new homes for cats in need. Our fosterers carry out this role with support from their local branch or centre.

Most of our fosterers care for one or two cats at a time and enjoy providing lots of TLC to those cats, who have been pre-loved or have had a difficult start in life. Some of our fosterers look after new mums and kittens and provide round-the-clock care to newborns to give them the best start in life.

What can you expect to be doing?

• Meeting the needs of the cats and kittens in your care
• Cleaning and looking after the cats’ environment and equipment
• Feeding, grooming and administering medication
• Spending time enriching the cats’ experience in care including; play, exercise and stroking
• Maintaining high standards of animal welfare

A bit more information about this role and the team...

North Hertfordshire Cats Protection formed in the year 2000. We cover a wide area for cat welfare (postcodes SG1 to SG7 and some areas of SG8) and we aim to help as many felines as we possibly can. 
We have a small team of fosterers, some with outdoor cat pens, others fostering indoors in a spare room or whole house foster if they have no other pets.
While they are with us, our cats and kittens are health-checked, vaccinated, microchipped and neutered (if they haven't been already).
We are looking for more fosterers, as well as volunteers to help in all sorts of areas.

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens in need by caring for them before they find new, loving homes. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• A dedicated suitable spare room in your house or space in your garden for a purpose-built pen – you can read more about this here
• Basic knowledge of cats, cat care and understanding their needs
• An appreciation of cat welfare and hygiene standards
• Good interpersonal skills
• Patience, commitment and empathy
• Willingness to be part of a team

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend one and a half hours per day on average (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care. In order to help you feel confident in your fosterer role we ask that prior to looking after your first foster cat you complete some online cat welfare learning modules.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams.
We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

people and create opportunities for them?

By joining a WEA Local Advisory Panel, you could play a critical role in helping the largest adult education charity in the UK understand local need and do just that.

Many think technical skills and higher education are the solution to their community’s challenges. But approachable, friendly education in core employability and community engagement skills could just unlock the confidence, team-working, talent and interest of local adults and are just as important.

The WEA’s mission is to bring adult education in reach of everyone who needs it, fighting inequality and promoting social justice.

We believe in creating opportunities. You could help us understand and respond to the areas of greatest need local to you. 

What is in it for you?

• Influence and impact: Your ideas and recommendations will directly shape our strategies and initiatives and unlock the potential of local people, service-users, future and current employees. You can help us do our life-changing work even better! 

• Networking: Connect and collaborate with like-minded experts, forming valuable relationships that can open doors to new opportunities. 

• Professional growth: Develop your knowledge of the education sector and fine tune your ability to advise, negotiate, collaborate with and consult multiple stakeholders. 

• Recognition: Your valuable contribution will be acknowledged and celebrated. You will also receive access to the WEA’s award-winning lecture series, with a 12-month membership of the WEA. 

What we are looking for:

• Passionate individuals: We seek individuals who are deeply passionate about the success of their local community or business and the importance of education to achieve this. 

• Diverse perspectives: We believe that the power of collective wisdom lies in embracing diversity. We welcome individuals from various industries, backgrounds, and cultures. 

• Expertise: We particularly value prior experience of WEA learning, but this is not essential. Experience in the following would be hugely valuable too: Work in the education, voluntary or public sector, business or commercial, fundraising or marketing, finance or law, HR or learning & development. 

• Collaborative Spirit: We are keen to recruit those able to work effectively within a team, listen actively, and constructively contribute to discussions. 

• Active advocacy: We are looking for people with an interest in forging meaningful and productive connections with community organisations, employers and local leaders to advance the WEA’s mission to bring education in reach. 

Join one of our Local Advisory Panels as a volunteer and shape the future of adult education near you. Together, we will create a better tomorrow for the communities we serve.

Would you welcome the opportunity to ensure neurodivergent young people and adults, people with learning disabilities and their families, lead healthy, happy, and fulfilling lives? 

Would you be interested in becoming a Trustee and applying your skills, expertise, and knowledge to ensure we have a brighter and more sustainable future and continue to grow to meet the ever-increasing need and changing demands of the community we serve? 

If the answer to these questions is YES, we would love to hear from you.

Hamelin was founded 40 years ago by two families raising children with learning disabilities, in order to provide life-enriching support that was not readily available, affordable, or easy to access for families just like them. This mission still drives us today and sits at the heart of what we do.

We proudly support families and the community across Essex through our specialist and community outreach services. Our aim is to help the people we support to navigate all aspects of their life; providing care and access to training, employment and leisure opportunities, together with respite for families in need of a much-valued break.

We also have an eye on the future and seek to appoint two new trustees to our board, a dedicated, passionate, and high-performing team who are incredibly proud of being part of Hamelin.

We are looking for individuals who can help us sharpen our thinking and bring new and diverse voices and backgrounds within CARE to support, drive, and help us deliver our plans.

Previous experience as a Trustee is not necessary, as we are committed to full and appropriate induction, mentoring, training, and support for all new Trustees.

Closing date: 30th September 2024

Charity Trustee

Location: London and the South-East | Commitment: Six evening meetings per year (plus occasional ad-hoc engagements) | Term: Minimum three-year commitment

Are you passionate about making a real difference?

Our client is a charity dedicated to helping people who have, or have had issues with drugs and alcohol use, working to improve and sustain their health and wellbeing in order they can recover to lead fulfilling lives.

They're looking for dynamic and committed individuals to join their Board of Trustees. If you’ve experience in the health care sector or in customer-facing digital services development, then you could help them take the organisation forward. 

Why Join Our Client?

• Impact: Your experience can help transform lives. As a trustee, you’ll play a crucial role in guiding their strategy and ensuring they continue to provide life-changing support to those in need.
• Innovation: They’re at the forefront of developing innovative, peer-led services across London and the South-East. Your insights could drive new initiatives that challenge the status quo.
• Diversity & Inclusion: They are committed to building a Board that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We especially welcome applications from underrepresented groups, including individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities, LGBTQI+ communities, and younger people.

The ideal candidate

Trustees are expected to have the below qualities:

• Share our clients values and aspirations along with having empathy with those seeking to rebuild their lives from addiction.
• Have the expertise, skills, life experience and personal qualities to form an effective and diverse Board.
• Roll up their sleeves to provide practical support to the CEO to achieve our strategy.
• Be able to fully discharge the legal requirements of being a trustee and company director.

Experience Required in one or more of the following areas:

• Working in the health care sector and/or the substance use field (strategic or operational).
• Experience of Information technology and digital development with customer-facing services.
• Experience of training, education and employment support for people with limited work histories.
• Lived experience of dependency and addictions.
• Experience of charity governance or an interest in gaining that experience.

Your Role:

As a trustee, you’ll be instrumental in:

• Shaping the strategic direction and ensuring governance reflects the needs of those that they support.
• Supporting and overseeing new service developments, working closely with the CEO and management team.
• Acting as a custodian of their values, ensuring they remain accountable, financially sustainable, and true to their mission.
• Using your networks to forge new partnerships and raise the profile of our work.

What’s in It for You?

• Board Experience: Ideal for those seeking to gain board experience or those new to senior management or the charity sector.
• Personal Fulfilment: Make a tangible impact in a grassroots charity that values your professional and personal experiences.
• Inclusive Environment: Be part of an organisation that truly values co-production and peer support, using lived experience to drive positive change.

Apply by Friday, 4th October.

Are you a skilled therapist looking to make a profound impact? We invite you to volunteer your time and expertise to support hospice patients as part of our Complementary Therapy team. Your contribution will bring immense comfort and care to those in their final stages of life.

Why Volunteer with Us?

• Your skills can transform the lives of patients and their families.
• Be part of a passionate group of over 4,400 staff and 6,500 volunteers committed to exceptional end-of-life care.
• Continue your development with training and learning opportunities.
• We foster a safe, inclusive, and rewarding workplace.

Your Role

As a volunteer therapist, your responsibilities will include:

• Providing holistic care to patients and their families.
• Understanding patients' diagnoses and treatments to tailor therapies effectively.
• Adapting therapies as needed to meet individual needs.
• Adhering to ethical codes and our policies for complementary therapists.
• Engaging in ongoing professional development.
• Attending relevant training sessions.

Complementary therapies offered in Marie Curie may include any/ or all of the following:

Acupuncture

Aromatherapy

Hypnotherapy

Massage (Holistic/Indian Head /Remedial)

Reflexology

Reiki

Yoga and Relaxation Techniques

HEARTS Process

Finance Trustee | n-compass via Peridot Partners

Applications close at: 9 a.m. Tuesday 5th November 2024

Location: Preston, Lancashire

Time commitment: Up to 1 day per month

Join the board of n-compass as a Finance Trustee, a dynamic charity providing exceptional support for vulnerable adults and young people across the North of England.

About n-compass

n-compass provides a range of services that support vulnerable adults and young people. We operate across the North of England to help people regain control of their lives, providing hope and a sense of purpose through the provision of five main service areas: Carers, Advocacy, Well-being, Counselling and Volunteering Services.

Originally working exclusively in Lancashire, n-compass now operates in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Cumbria and Staffordshire.

The charity has an annual income of around £6m. It employs 150 staff across all its sites and has an additional 200 volunteers who support people in living better-quality lives and work together to improve their well-being.

About the role

This is an exciting time to join the Board and play a significant part in supporting our three-year strategy, which focuses on continuing to help more people stay well through our five key support services.

We are keen to recruit people who share the passion, energy, and values of our unique and dynamic organisation.

As a Finance Trustee, you will be part of the Audit Committee.

Who we are looking for

We seek a professionally qualified and strategic finance leader with good business acumen.

You will be an empathetic individual with an innovative approach, bringing fresh thinking, ideas, curiosity, and healthy challenge to the Board.

Importantly, you will be passionate about improving people’s well-being.

Please click 'Apply via website’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Tuesday 5th November 2024.

About the Role 

As a result of increased awareness and signposting for individuals receiving a positive CACNA1C diagnosis, our community is increasing in size. Therefore, we are seeking new Trustees who will take an active role in the board, bringing new skills and ideas for how to support our community, advocating for improvement to CACNA1C diagnosis, outcomes and quality of life and to support CACNA1C research initiatives.

Our new Trustees will be responsible for setting the overall strategy and direction for TSA, as well as monitoring the charity’s activity to evaluate progress towards our objectives and goals. 

This can include making sure the charity complies with regulations, overseeing financial management and monitoring financial performance, creating and implementing policies and procedures to mitigate risk, and supporting the charity’s operations. Additionally, you will also have the chance to help develop fundraising strategies, including applying for funding and grants to support TSA’s work. Whilst representing the charity externally, there will also be plenty of opportunities to advocate for TSA’s mission of supporting individuals and families affected by CACNA1C-related disorders and raising awareness for this rare disease.

FAQs

How big is the current Board and what opportunities might there be in the future?

• The board currently consists of 7 Trustees. As the charity’s turnover continues to grow, they are currently going through an evolution in their structure and the operations of the charity. This means the new Trustees will be presented with enormous opportunities to shape the future of the charity and to play a leading role on the board moving forward. As a result, it is expected that there will be an opportunity for a new Trustee to develop into the Chair of Trustees role soon.

What are you looking for in candidates?

• As a small team, we are ideally seeking those who have prior experience of being a Trustee at a UK based charity or working within the UK charity sector, who can bring demonstratable experience of navigating the challenges that face small charities.However, we also welcome applications from candidates with an interest in or prior knowledge of charity law and compliance; the change management process; volunteer management; financial planning, processing and auditing; regulatory or policy issues; data management or fundraising. UK based candidates are preferred, however this is not essential. 

What time commitment do you expect from Trustees?

• As well as our Board of Trustees meetings, which currently take place 4 times a year, we ask Trustees to dedicate around 2 hours per week to the work of the charity. However, this may fluctuate during busy or quiet periods.

I haven’t heard of TSA or CACNA1C-related disorders before. Can I still be a Trustee?

• Absolutely! We are working in the rare diseases space and raising awareness is one of our key goals. Therefore, we have plenty of resources that can help you to learn more about this disorder and how it affects our community. We just ask that people have a passion for helping people and improving patient outcomes.

Benefits

As well as supporting the charity and members of the TSA community, we will provide you with opportunities to grow and develop. For example, in this role you will be able to:

• Develop new professional and personal skills: Our current Board of Trustees have expertise in leadership, safeguarding, chairing meetings, strategic planning, learning and development, stakeholder engagement, marketing and branding. This is an opportunity to work with, and learn from, a new group of people and build skills in different areas. 
• Take on a new challenge: The role of a Trustee is unlike many other professional positions, giving you the chance to take on a brand-new challenge which many of our Trustees find hugely motivating. Additionally, there are many challenges facing small charities as well as the wider rare diseases community, for example fundraising during a cost-of-living crisis as well as connecting with our members after the pandemic. Considering new and innovative approaches to tackle these issues is essential, pushing you to think creatively. 

• Delve into a selfless and rewarding role: Given the under-represented nature of rare diseases, as well as the challenges surrounding research, diagnosis and treatment, the work of charities like TSA is crucial. We can sometimes be a family’s only support network, so you will be deeply motivated by seeing firsthand the difference the charity makes to families. Real-life impact is at the heart of everything we do for our growing community. 

How to Apply 

We anticipate that the recruitment process will involve an initial telephone call, followed by an interview with members of the Board. Your application should be submitted by Sunday 1st September. Once applications have closed, we will be in touch in the week commencing 16th September regarding next steps. 

About the Charity

The Timothy Syndrome Alliance (TSA) is a charity set up to improve diagnosis, treatment and care of individuals with CACNA1C-related disorders, including Timothy Syndrome and LongQT8, and to support the families and carers of those diagnosed worldwide. The charity it is run entirely by families and volunteers, who work with scientists, researchers and medical professionals. 

Role: Welcome volunteer

Team: Tooting Hub – CARAS ESOL (Youth/Adult)

Supervised by: Team Project Coordinator

Location: Tooting Hub site

Activity times: Monday or Wednesday

Time commitment: 2 hour shifts on a rolling basis.

We ask that volunteers commit for a minimum of 4 months

About CARAS:

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community.

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives.

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support.

Our values are at the centre of all our work:

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests.

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society.

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes.

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do.

About the Role:

We are currently recruiting a team of volunteers to join our new Welcome team at Tooting Hub. This is a new role. Welcome volunteers will provide a friendly face to existing community members attending our regular projects. They will also be the important ‘face of CARAS and our welcome at the door’ to people attending projects for the first time, to visitors and to people dropping in unannounced to enquire about CARAS’s service. Volunteers will meet and greet, and ensure all visitors are responded to appropriately and introduced to the relevant member of staff, activity, project, or meeting. There will be an administrative element to the role (updating registers and emailing enquiries to CARAS staff, for example).

Who will you be?

We work hard to ensure our services feel welcoming and inclusive. It is important that this new team is representative of our diverse local and internal CARAS community. Whether you are new to volunteering with CARAS or are a regular volunteer looking to vary your role or a community member wanting to develop some leadership skills or volunteering experience, this might be the exact project for you.

Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities: 

· Signing up to a shift/s on the Tooting HUB welcome team rota

· Able to be at Tooting Hub in person to complete agreed shifts

· Welcoming staff, volunteers, existing and potential new community members and visitors

· Ensuring all visitors are responded to appropriately and introduced to the relevant member of staff, activity, project, or meeting

· Ensuring everyone completes the onsite register on arrival to comply with safeguarding, health and safety and fire evacuation policies

· Taking agreed initial intake information for new / drop in visitors wanting to attend a taster activity

· Conducting induction tours of the building and introductions to facilities, key staff, and partners

Requirements (all experience can be from paid or voluntary roles): 

Essential: 

· A calm, friendly, kind, and patient approach

· Happy and confident to meet new people and put them at their ease

· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English

· To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds

· Confidence in using one’s own judgement to follow agreed policy

· Good IT admin skills in using Microsoft office, outlook, Google search, online forms etc

· A commitment to confidentiality and data protection

· Punctual and reliable

· To be able to volunteer on Mondays or Wednesdays for a minimum of four months

Desirable:

· Lived experience of seeking sanctuary and/ or the UK immigration system.

· Personal experience of working with people seeking asylum.

· Proficiency in one or more of the following community languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu, or Vietnamese.

We will prioritise applicants with lived experience of the asylum process.

Benefits to Volunteering:

· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum.

· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team.

· Develop your skills and competencies.

· Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training.

· Obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months’ regular volunteering

· All volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check for working with young people and attend training with us before starting. *

· You will also receive training and support relevant to your specific role.