Crime Volunteer Roles

Our outreach service provides enhanced support for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses who may need additional support and preparation ahead of trial day so they can give their best evidence in court.

What will you do?

Support a diverse range of vulnerable and intimidated witnesses and be their key supporter before, during and after the trial to help them prepare and cope with their experience of giving evidence.

Work collaboratively with witnesses to identify their needs and deliver a tailored package of preparation and support.

Meet with witnesses via video call and phone.

Show witnesses around the court before the trial so they are familiar and at ease in the environment.

Attend court on the day the witness gives evidence, accompanying them when giving evidence where permitted.

Make contact with the witness post trial to talk about their experience of giving evidence and facilitate referrals to other agencies.
 

What skills will you need?

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

- Be friendly, caring, supportive and empathetic towards others.
- Be non-judgemental and impartial.
- Have good communication skills; both written and verbal, as well as being a good listener.
- Be able to work effectively as part of a diverse team
- Be reliable, committed and flexible, with an ability to plan and organise your own time and tasks.
- The ability to handle challenging situations and use your initiative, experience and training to solve problems and make appropriate decisions.
- The ability to travel within your local area (in some areas this may require a vehicle).
- Have access to good internet connection and a laptop/ computer with a camera to use in a private space. This enables you to facilitate video calls with witnesses, and undertake training and communication tasks.

You’ll also need an Enhanced level DBS disclosure (a criminal record check), which we will arrange. Having a criminal record is not in itself a barrier to volunteering with us.

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.

We are a dedicated legal charity committed to providing practical and emotional support to defendants and their family members as well as providing legal education.  Often, by the time individuals reach out to us, their mental health is incredibly low and they are in a very dark place. Our mission is to provide appropriate support and knowledge so people don't feel so alone at such a difficult period in their lives. Secondly, we aim to empower individuals through knowledge, ensuring that everyone has access to the knowledge they need to ensure a fair and just legal process. 

Position Overview:

We are seeking a passionate and creative Social Media Manager to join our team on a volunteer basis. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and executing our social media strategy to raise awareness of our services, write about current news, engage our community, and promote our events and initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

- Create and curate engaging content for our social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn).

- Develop and implement a social media strategy 

- Monitor and analyze social media performance metrics to inform future content and strategies.

- Engage with our online community by responding to comments and messages in a timely manner.

- Collaborate with team members to promote upcoming events and initiatives.

- Stay updated on social media trends and best practices to keep our content fresh and relevant.

Qualities:

- Strong written and verbal communication skills.

- Creativity and a passion for social media.

- Knowledge of social media analytics tools.

- A commitment to our mission and values.

What We Offer:

- An opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community.

- Gain valuable experience in social media management within the nonprofit sector.

- Flexible hours and the ability to work remotely.

- A supportive and collaborative team environment.

How to Apply:

If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity and want to make a difference, please send   a brief cover letter outlining your experience and why you would be a great fit for our team. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Join us in our mission to promote justice and empower individuals through accessible legal support!

Synergy Theatre Project is looking to appoint a new trustee to join our Board and chair our Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

Synergy is an award-winning arts and criminal justice organisation. Over the 25 years since the company was founded, we have developed a ground-breaking, interrelated programme of artistic work that builds a bridge from prison to social reintegration, prevents young people from entering the criminal justice system, and inspires change by capturing the imagination and affecting the feelings, behaviours and attitudes of participants and the public. We also seek to influence systemic change in the arts and criminal justice sectors.

Applicants for the role should have a chartered accountancy qualification or the equivalent, experience of working within the Creative Arts or Charity sectors and be prepared to chair our Finance, Audit and Risk Committee. They should also have an interest in the arts and social justice and a belief in the transformative power of theatre.

The role of Finance, Audit and Risk Committee Chair is crucial to ensuring we meet our legal responsibilities and, as a trustee, you will help to shape the growth and direction of the organisation.  Our Board meets quarterly, ideally in person at our office at Brixton House, and attends our events and productions during the year.

Essential criteria for the role

• Understanding of finance, audit and risk management, ideally in a charity or not-for-profit organisation
• Membership of the CCAB (Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies) and/or a qualified accountant
• Experience of chairing meetings

Desirable criteria

• Experience in the arts and/or charity sectors
• Understanding of the criminal justice sector
• Experience of holding a trustee or board level role

We are committed to bringing together people with diverse skills, knowledge, and experience to reflect the work of the company and the change we seek to make.  As some groups are under-represented on our board, we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, in particular members of the Global Majority.

Please follow the link to our website to download the trustee recruitment pack with full details of the role and application process.

We are looking for volunteers from across London.

User Voice, a charity run by and for people with lived experience of the criminal justice system, in partnership with the NHS, have a fantastic opportunity for people with experience of prison and/or NHS Liaison and Diversion services in the last 12 months, currently living London

Successful applicants will join our existing London delivery team, working alongside liked minded peers, working in both prison and community settings, to embed lived experience into the evaluation, design and commissioning of health justice services across London.

Volunteers will have full training, which includes Peer Research Skills, Research Methods, Safeguarding Adults, Mental Health Awareness, Equity Diversion & Inclusion and General Data Protection Requirements (GDPR). 

Volunteers will be working as part of a team to gain an insight into healthcare in prison and in the community, and will work in probation offices, prisons and third parties to engage with service users to get their honest feedback on healthcare services that are provided or that they have been sign posted to. They will get to work directly and collaboratively with the NHS Health and Justice London team, prison governors and probation directors to create ideas for change, training tools, review policies/procedures and help to implement any changes that are made on the back of the feedback we receive. 

Tasks include:
• Undertake a range of activities to support the projects progress.
• Engaging and communicating with service users in prison and the community.
• Collecting information on common issues faced by service users and staff.
• Presenting identified issues and suggested solutions to the NHS.
• Making sure that identified key issues are prioritised.
• Ensuring that the service user population is kept up to date with the projects progress.
• Contribute to the recruitment, onboarding, and training of new volunteers.
• Effective, safe, and secure data collection for monitoring purposes
• Promote the value of lived experience to all stakeholders.

Benefits of role
• Full induction and accredited training to help you in your role (and future roles).
• Out of pocket expenses paid (travel and subsistence).
• The opportunity to contribute to making a real change in health and justice services across London.
• Support and encouragement from User Voice Staff.
• Peer support from fellow panel members.
• The opportunity to use your skills and learn new ones.
• The chance to engage with other peers.
• Support in your personal and professional development 

We are looking for volunteers from across the East Midlands.

User Voice, a charity run by and for people with lived experience of the criminal justice system, in partnership with the NHS, have a fantastic opportunity for people with experience of prison and/or NHS Liaison and Diversion services in the last 12 months, currently living in the East Midlands. 

Successful applicants will join our existing Lived Experience Panel, working alongside liked minded peers, working in both prison and community settings, to embed lived experience into the evaluation, design and commissioning of health justice services across the East Midlands.

Panel members will have full training, which includes Peer Research Skills, Research Methods, Safeguarding Adults, Mental Health Awareness, Equity Diversion & Inclusion and General Data Protection Requirements (GDPR). 

The Panel needs people who are committed, passionate about helping others and looking to gain skills and experience to help them progress. 

Tasks include:
• Attending monthly panel meetings in person or online.
• Undertake a range of activities to support the panels progress.
• Engaging and communicating with service users in prison and the community.
• Collecting information on common issues faced by service users and staff.
• Presenting identified issues and suggested solutions to the NHS.
• Making sure that identified key issues are prioritised.
• Ensuring that the service user population is kept up to date with the panels progress.
• Contribute to the recruitment, onboarding, and training of new panel members.
• Effective, safe, and secure data collection for monitoring purposes
• Promote the value of lived experience to all stakeholders.

Benefits of role
• Full induction and accredited training to help you in your role (and future roles).
• Out of pocket expenses paid (travel and subsistence).
• The opportunity to contribute to making a real change in health and justice services across the East Midlands.
• Support and encouragement from User Voice Staff.
• Peer support from fellow panel members.
• The opportunity to use your skills and learn new ones.
• The chance to engage with other peers.
• Support in your personal and professional development 

Criminal justice charity Belong provides hope, rehabilitation and recovery for victims and perpetrators of crime through mentoring, restorative justice and psychotherapy interventions, in prisons and communities.

Me Time is a new service for people with criminal convictions from Global Majority Ethnic backgrounds, which aims to improve wellbeing and reduce re-offending amongst participants. Me Time offers short-term emotional well-being support and medium-term community and through the gate creative psychotherapy to people who are under probation supervision in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. The programme is open to male, female, gender diverse, and transgender individuals of all ages, from Global Majority Ethnic backgrounds. Priority will be given to referrals for people facing multiple and complex disadvantages.

This 1 day per week role provides an exciting opportunity for a reliable, organised, resilient volunteer psychotherapist to join Belong's committed, specialist team. The successful applicant will be a qualified counsellor and/or be working towards a Masters qualification in e.g. Art psychotherapy, dance movement psychotherapy or integrative psychotherapy. They will deliver one to one psychotherapy interventions to people accessing Me Time at HMP The Mount, Hertfordshire Probation Units, Bedfordshire Probation Units, and/or remotely.

Applications for this position are particularly welcomed from people from Global Majority Ethnic backgrounds, with lived experience of the criminal justice system, and/or with current enhanced prison security vetting.

The successful applicant will offer people the opportunity to engage in psychotherapy using verbal and non-verbal, creative techniques such as movement, visual arts, creative writing and drama. They will integrate psycho-dynamic and psycho-educational techniques into sessions, tailor support to individuals needs, be responsive to risk and safeguarding issues and use an assets based approach. Working as part of Belong's multidisciplinary team, they will engage proactively in regular reflective practice, clinical supervision and line management sessions. 

Please apply for this position through CharityJobs, with a CV and a detailed covering letter outlining how you meet the skills, experience and knowledge requirements outlined in our Job Description and Person Specification document. We are unable to consider applications received without a detailed covering letter. Please submit your application as soon as possible as we will be shortlisting and interviewing applicants on an ongoing basis. Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert if a successful applicant is appointed before the closing date.

Place of work: HMP The Mount, Hertfordshire or Bedfordshire Probation Units, depending on participant locations.

Hours of work: 1 day per week, including occasional evening and weekend work

Pay scale: This is a voluntary role with reimbursed travel expenses to/from community locations.

Contract term: 6-9 months minimum

Reports to: Lead Psychotherapist

National Security and DBS Vetting Required: Enhanced (the successful applicant will be supported to apply for this)

Responsibilities

➢ Provide specialist one to one psychotherapy interventions, over 12 weeks, and tailored well-being support sessions over 3 weeks, as part of the Me Time service to people with criminal convictions from Global Majority Ethnic backgrounds.

➢ Work flexibly at HMP The Mount and/or Herts/Beds probation units, depending on participant locations, holding a case load of 3 to 5 participants depending on number of days worked.

➢ Support participants to improve their wellbeing and to identify and tackle issues related to their offending behaviour e.g. relationship problems, substance misuse issues, adverse childhood experiences and racial trauma.

➢ Maintain detailed, high quality records of psychotherapy sessions in accordance with Belong, HCPC and UKCP guidelines and standards.

➢ Build excellent working relationships and communicate effectively with other members of Belong’s team, and with members of prison and probation teams.

➢ Model and encourage the use of non – verbal, creative methods e.g. visual arts, music, movement and writing as part of psychotherapy to enable participants to process their thoughts and feelings.

➢ Integrate several approaches to psychotherapy including psychodynamic and psycho-educational models and if appropriate, a mentalization - based approach in order to meet participant's needs.

➢ Manage difficult and demanding clinical situations including exploring complex, sensitive and disturbing personal issues with participants.

➢ Apply evidence based practice in being attune to and assisting participants to process transference and counter-transference feelings, for example in relation to daily experiences, creative work produced, the therapist, and others.

➢ Write progress reports at the end of each participant's engagement with psychotherapy, for reference during participants parole hearings and sentence planning processes.

➢ Share risk and safeguarding information appropriately with other professionals. 

➢ Assess participant's mental state and identify any significant risk and protective factors, collaboratively undertaking and contributing to risk assessments with other professionals.

➢ Actively participate in relevant meetings e.g. team meetings, line management meetings, clinical supervision meetings, service reviews with participants.

➢ Ensure that participant's records and any art work produced are adequately stored and, if necessary, transported in line with Belong, Prison and Probation Service, and HCPC guidelines.

➢ Carry out administrative and evaluation tasks as required for the sustainability and smooth running of the service, actively encouraging participants to participate in evaluation and service development activities.

➢ Exert physical effort in moving equipment and furniture, e.g. when setting up a room for one to one work.

➢  Implement the professional standards and policies of Belong, the Prison and Probation Service and the HCPC.

➢ Keep abreast of new developments and research in Psychotherapy and Forensic Psychotherapy.

➢ Undertake any other duties as may be appropriate to the level and nature of the post as determined by Belong’s Management and Trustee Board.

Required Qualifications

➢ Good honours degree (2.2 or above) in psychology or equivalent.

➢ Undertaking training at Masters Level in Psychotherapy and/or completed Counselling qualification

Required Experience and Knowledge

➢ At least 1 year experience of working with people with criminal convictions or facing other significant disadvantages.

➢ At least 1 year experience of working within the criminal justice sector, the prison service or a related sector.

➢ Commitment to integrating several approaches to psychotherapy including psychodynamic and psycho-educational models.

➢ Willingness to manage difficult and demanding clinical situations including exploring complex, sensitive and disturbing personal issues with individuals.

➢ Good understanding of the issues faced by people who have committed offences and the specific issues faced by people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Backgrounds in contact with the criminal justice system.

➢ Good knowledge of peoples' emotional and mental health needs.

➢ A strong understanding of the principles of confidentiality and of instances when this should be breached.

➢ Strong awareness of appropriate boundaries to be maintained with service users and of personal safety issues.

Required Skills and abilities

➢ Ability to form therapeutic relationships with people who have committed offences and are serving prison sentences or sentences in the community.

➢ Ability to apply a variety of models and theories to work with individuals.

➢ Ability to work with participants psychological, non-verbal and symbolic expression and consider these as meaningful communications where appropriate.

➢ Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries with participants and to manage personal safety whilst working in prisons and probation units.

➢ Ability to be attune to and process transference feelings and work with emotional projections from people to aid individuals understanding and communication of conscious and unconscious processes.

➢ Ability to work effectively under pressure of the psychological impact of highly charged situations eg. disclosure of sexual or emotional abuse and maintain the capacity to think clearly in these conditions.

➢ Excellent interpersonal, communication and listening skills.

➢ Good organisational skills.

➢ Basic artistic skills in using a variety of art materials and media in a variety of styles. 

➢ Ability to work well with members of Belong’s multi-disciplinary team, members of the Probation and Prison Service and key stakeholders.

➢ Ability to produce and file high quality, detailed records of work completed.

Required Personal attributes

➢ Honest

➢ Resilient

➢ Hard working

➢ Organised

➢ Self-motivated

➢ Confident

➢ Non-judgmental

➢ Flexible

➢ Reliable

➢ Committed to confidentiality and equal opportunities

➢ Willing to learn and develop

YSS's mission is to help people facing life difficulties by providing practical and emotional support. We have specialised expertise and experience of supporting people involved in the criminal justice system, veterans, young carers and those most poorly served by public and statutory services.

We have a minimum of 3 positions available, focusing on finance, criminal justice and regional knowledge of Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

What will you be doing?

Principal Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic direction and challenge.
• Monitor performance. Ensure compliance.
• Safeguard reputation and values.
• Ensure financial viability.
• Contribute to MD's appointment, support, and performance monitoring.
• Participate in appraisal, recruitment, and disciplinary panels. 
• Stakeholder & public engagement & marketing.

Summary of the Role: 

All trustees have a shared responsibility for setting strategic aims, objectives, and direction. You'll ensure YSS achieves its objectives, represents stakeholders' interests, and act as an ambassador for the charity.

Support and challenge the management team to deliver the strategic plan of YSS.  Always acting in the Charity’s best interest with care and skills to ensure the organisation is accountable.  This would be accountable to its purpose, staff and volunteers, funders, users and the law. 

The trustees have responsibility for helping to ensure the aims and objectives of the charity are aligned with the financial position of the charity and providing guidance on the financial planning and management for the organisation.  Specific duties include liaising with the management team on financial matters and supporting any engagement with the charity’s auditors or other such regulatory requirements.

Terms of Appointment:

Tenure: All Board members will be elected for an initial term of one year, after which they may be eligible for re-appointment for additional three-year terms, for a maximum of 10-year term.

Induction: New Trustees receive a full induction and relevant training.

Remuneration: Trustees are volunteers; the position is unpaid. Reasonable expenses are reimbursed per the volunteer expenses policy.

Time Commitment: 1 day per month. The YSS Board currently meets face to face, 6 times a year with up to 2 strategy planning days per year. 

What are we looking for?

Key Attributes We Seek in Trustees:

• Commitment to the YSS Mission: A keen belief in YSS's mission of fostering independence and empowerment is vital. We believe our Trustees should be driven by a passion for effecting positive change in people's lives.
• Integrity and Ethical Conduct: Upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability is non-negotiable. Trustees must embody honesty and ethical behaviour in all endeavours.
• Strategic Thinking: Effective trustees possess strategic foresight and the ability to analyse complex issues. They contribute valuable insights to shape YSS's long-term direction and goals.
• Leadership Skills: Demonstrating strong leadership qualities is essential. Trustees should inspire others, foster collaboration, and proactively identify opportunities and challenges.
• Financial Awareness: Understanding financial matters is crucial for fulfilling a Trustee’s financial responsibilities to the organisation. Trustees should actively review financial reports and plans to ensure YSS's financial health.
• Diversity and Inclusion: YSS serves diverse communities, and we value diversity in our Trustees. A commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion is paramount.
• Effective Communication and collaborative approach: Trustees should possess strong communication skills, articulating ideas clearly and engaging with stakeholders effectively.
• Commitment and Availability: Serving as a trustee requires dedication of time and energy. Trustees must commit to attending meetings, participating in discussions, and engaging in relevant activities.

Trustees can help us strengthen and deepen our reach with stakeholders, communities, and funders.

We have a minimum of 3 positions available focusing on the following areas:

• Finance experience – professional operational experience of working within finance, such as overseeing budgets and forecasting
• Criminal Justice - professional operational experience of working within the criminal justice system
• Regional knowledge and experience of Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.

Ideally you will also have some professional experience within the third sector or a personal connection with what we do. However, wherever you are now, you will recognise how significant our organisation is within our community and will share our desire to further strengthen our impact and ensure we continue to be a sustainable provider of services to people with complex needs.

How to apply:

• Deadline for applications is 28th February 2025.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Appointment is subject to eligibility in line with The Charity Commission criteria.
• To express your interest, please send your send your CV and covering letter to us via the Reach Platform.

Ref CVV-241

Are you a dynamic, collaborative and creative individual with a proven record of engaging positively with young people vulnerable groups and families?  Do you have experience of providing support, advice and advocacy and the ability to assess clients’ needs?

If so, join St Giles Trust as a Community Violence Volunteer Mentor working on our CIRV service, supporting young people, adults and families who have been or at high risk of being affected by violence offending and or exploitation.

About St Giles Trust and Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV)

An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need. Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others. 

The Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) is a pilot service running across Wolverhampton and Coventry which seeks to engage children, young people and adults at risk who are within the criminal justice system due to criminality and violence and provide them with effective interventions to reduce the risk of reoffending and violence.

CIRV project is run through the Violence Reduction Unit and is a collaboration between West Midlands Police and a variety of agencies, including St Giles Trust. The service is for children and young people aged 14 years and older that are at risk of, or are experiencing, group-based violence and exploitation. St Giles Trust mentors will engage and support these young people and when their risk of violence has reduced, the young person will work with a volunteer mentor before exiting the service

About this key role

Our CIRV Volunteer Mentor will engage and support young people, adults, and families once they have been identified as being involved in a violence-related incident, being at risk of exploitation or gang-affiliated and build positive relationships with the clients and their families, plus work directly with them in order to promote positive change, build resilience, and prevent young people from experiencing significant harm.

As a mentor, you will be non-judgmental, reliable and respectful of the young person’s autonomy. You are not there to tell them what to do, your role is to explore options with them, support them to make good decisions and act as a transfer of trust between the young person and other agencies.  

What we expect from you:

• To strive for the best that you can do and complete your volunteering activities with dedication and commitment
• To attend any briefings and training that we think will help you in your placement
• Be positive about and support the work of St Giles
• Follow and operate within the policies and procedures of the organisation, including Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities
• Act responsibly and within the law
• Maintain confidentiality of St Giles activity, our clients, our team and our procedures
• Value and respect the rights of clients
• Work in partnership with staff and volunteers to make society a better place for our beneficiaries
• Let your volunteer manager know if you are having any problems or if you have any complaints, concerns or feedback
• Meet agreed time commitments and give reasonable notice when you’re not available so that arrangements can be made.

In return you will be introduced to how our organisation works and your role within it. Give information about St Giles work, policies, and procedures. Offer training, group supervision and support. Deliver a Level 2 Mentoring qualification.

Please note this role requires Enhanced Adult and Children DBS with the Child Barred List.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

Please apply early as interviews will be conducted when suitable applications are received.

Fine Cell Work (FCW) is a charity and creative social enterprise training people in prison, and prison-leavers, in high-quality commercial needlework skills. FCW stitchers create beautiful handmade products, designed by world renowned artists, and are paid for the work that they do. Products are sold to the public, designers, artists, and heritage organisations, many of whom commission bespoke pieces.

Prison-based volunteers are the backbone of the organisation, and this exciting role will involve supporting FCW staff in the delivery of textiles-based training in a small workshop space in a women’s prison.

Volunteering in a prison workshop for Fine Cell Work requires not only a good level of machine sewing skill but also some teaching experience. Our preferred candidates will also have experience of working or volunteering in some capacity with women, people in contact with the criminal justice system, or other marginalised groups.

Successful candidates will undertake FCW volunteer training.

Prison Bike Workshop Volunteer

Do you have a passion for bikes? Could you use your bike maintenance skills to help prisoners turn their lives around?

We’re looking for people with competent bike maintenance skills to volunteer on our Bikes Beyond Bars programme.

About this role

As a volunteer, you’ll work alongside prison-based bike maintenance course participants, helping them refurbish a wide range of donated bikes. Working at our workshops at HMP Bristol or HMP Fosse Way, you’ll help residents to develop cycle maintenance skills and earn a professional Cytech qualification. These new skills will equip them for better job opportunities upon release.

You’ll support our dedicated Prison Bike Mechanic Tutors, providing hands-on assistance in the workshop and making a meaningful impact on the participants’ journey toward rehabilitation. This is a great opportunity for those who enjoy working with people from all walks of life and want to use their bike know-how to help make a real difference in their community.

"Life Cycle helped me massively in prison, keeping me occupied and out of the cell… I contacted Life Cycle when I was released because I wanted to give back something to the people that helped me. I felt respected and treated as a valued member of society, not just an ex-con." – Jon (name changed).

About Life Cycle

Life Cycle is a charity that works with people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds at every stage of their cycling journey, from learning to ride, to building a career in the cycle industry.

In this role, you’ll be working on our Bikes Beyond Bars programme, Life Cycle’s innovative bike recycling project based at HMP Bristol and HMP Fosse Way. Unwanted bicycles are taken to the prisons, where the men learn how to strip down, clean and refit them, giving them a new lease of life.

The bikes are taken to our community Hub in Bristol where they are quality assured ready for sale by Life Cycle’s mechanics and our team of volunteers. Anyone can buy a bike; however, many go to local people on low incomes, enabling them to get a bike and start cycling.  

About you

We’re looking for someone with competent bike maintenance skills, who’s confident working on bike refurbishments with light support from our friendly Prison Workshop Tutors. If you’re unsure, please feel free to give us a call.

Due to the nature of the role, you must have an open, non-judgmental attitude and believe in the possibility of change for those who’ve been involved in the criminal justice system.

Bikes Beyond Bars wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers! So, if you enjoy meeting people from all walks of life and you’re enthusiastic about Life Cycle’s charitable mission, we’d love to hear from you.

How to apply: please apply via our ‘Volunteering and Jobs’ page on our website.

Can you offer your support to a young person via mentoring?

FCCT are looking for volunteers of the Christian faith to play a supportive role by actively mentoring young offenders (aged 15-21 in HMP/YOI Feltham) and to offer support under the ‘7 pathways to Reducing Reoffending’:

FCCT offer support under the seven pathways to reducing reoffending, including signposting to relevant organisations:

• Accommodation
• Education, Training and Employment (ETE)
• Health
• Drug and Alcohol Misuse
• Finance, Benefits and Debts
• Children & Families
• Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour
• Faith

Our aim is to help young people overcome hardships and make the positive transition back into wider society and to help to reduce reoffending rates.

Scope of Volunteer Main Role and Duties (not exhaustive):

Mentoring Arm:

1. Work through a ‘Discharge List’ systematically, cross referencing with the Operations Manager, so as not to duplicate any work or contact with the young people (primarily of Christian faith).
2. Hand out and (where needed) help complete ‘Questionnaires’ given to young people from the ‘Discharge List’, in order to ascertain what type of job or education sector the young person would be interested in going into. Forms to be given to the Operations Manager afterwards.
3. Follow up with a one-to-one session – register the young person to the FCCT programme and completing relevant paperwork, which will include our ‘Client Profile Form’ and ‘Consent Form’.
4. Update a shared ‘Client Spreadsheet’ which will be used to capture data information, as to the young people that FCCT are engaging with.
5. If required, identify relevant Churches etc for the young people to attend post release and contact said religious establishments, to understand their referral criteria and then make relevant referrals, where required.
6. Collect testimonials from the young people in relation to the support FCCT have offered them.
7. Mentoring of young people 
8. Make or facilitate family contacts for resettlement purposes, in relation to the young people.

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate the following attributes:

• Commitment: Shows commitment to the organisation, its values and its clients, understanding that the building of trust and consistency is key, in terms of the clientele FCCT work with.
• Communication: Communicates well both verbally and in writing. An ability to communicate effectively with young people would also be an added benefit.
• Resilience: Demonstrates patience and understanding in the face of challenges.
• Professionalism: Complies with all FCCT policies and procedures, particularly regarding Safeguarding, GDPR etc.
• Non-judgemental: Demonstrates empathy and openness and does not impose personal values or conscious or unconscious bias.
• Solution focused: Can help to identify issues and meets challenges with optimism and offers solutions, seeing them as an opportunity to learn.

Training and Support

We will provide all the necessary training. Training will be provided on an ongoing basis and volunteers will be given a full induction of the organisation and how the projects run.

Time Required

FCCT ask for a minimum of 8 hours a month. Due to the flexibility of the role, the hours can be distributed over different days between the core hours of 9am - 5pm, including Sundays. We are for a commitment of at least a year with the project, due to the flexibility of the role.

Benefits for Mentors Include

Volunteer Expenses will be paid

Training given, which includes modules such as an Introduction to Mentoring, The Criminal Justice System, Communication Skills etc

FCCT staff can provide references for other job/opportunities

Client front-facing work with people with complex needs

Liaison with statutory agencies within the prison

Liaison with community organisations

Liaison with other volunteers

Student Placements

Can you offer your support to a young person via mentoring?

FCCT are looking for volunteers to play a supportive role by actively mentoring young offenders (aged 15-21 in HMP/YOI Feltham) and to offer support under the ‘7 pathways to Reducing Reoffending’:

FCCT offer support under the seven pathways to reducing reoffending, including signposting to relevant organisations:

• Accommodation
• Education, Training and Employment (ETE)
• Health
• Drug and Alcohol Misuse
• Finance, Benefits and Debts
• Children & Families
• Attitudes, Thinking and Behaviour
• Faith

Our aim is to help young people overcome hardships and make the positive transition back into wider society and to help to reduce reoffending rates.

Scope of Volunteer Main Role and Duties (not exhaustive):

Mentoring Arm:

1. Work through a ‘Discharge List’ systematically, cross referencing with the Operations Manager, so as not to duplicate any work or contact with the young people.
2. Hand out and (where needed) help complete ‘Questionnaires’ given to young people from the ‘Discharge List’, in order to ascertain what type of job or education sector the young person would be interested in going into. Forms to be given to the Operations Manager afterwards.
3. Follow up with a one-to-one session – register the young person to the FCCT programme and completing relevant paperwork, which will include our ‘Client Profile Form’ and ‘Consent Form’.
4. Update a shared ‘Client Spreadsheet’ which will be used to capture data information, as to the young people that FCCT are engaging with.
5. If required, identify relevant Churches/Mosques etc for the young people to attend post release and contact said religious establishments, to understand their referral criteria and then make relevant referrals, where required.
6. Collect testimonials from the young people in relation to the support FCCT have offered them.
7. Mentoring of young people 
8. Make or facilitate family contacts for resettlement purposes, in relation to the young people.

We are looking for individuals who demonstrate the following attributes:

• Commitment: Shows commitment to the organisation, its values and its clients, understanding that the building of trust and consistency is key, in terms of the clientele FCCT work with.
• Communication: Communicates well both verbally and in writing. An ability to communicate effectively with young people would also be an added benefit.
• Resilience: Demonstrates patience and understanding in the face of challenges.
• Professionalism: Complies with all FCCT policies and procedures, particularly regarding Safeguarding, GDPR etc.
• Non-judgemental: Demonstrates empathy and openness and does not impose personal values or conscious or unconscious bias.
• Solution focused: Can help to identify issues and meets challenges with optimism and offers solutions, seeing them as an opportunity to learn.

Training and Support

We will provide all the necessary training. Training will be provided on an ongoing basis and volunteers will be given a full induction of the organisation and how the projects run.

Time Required

FCCT ask for a minimum of 8 hours a month. Due to the flexibility of the role, the hours can be distributed over different days between the core hours of 9am - 5pm, including Sundays. We are for a commitment of at least a year with the project, due to the flexibility of the role.

Benefits for Mentors Include

Volunteer Expenses will be paid

Training given, which includes modules such as an Introduction to Mentoring, The Criminal Justice System, Communication Skills etc

FCCT staff can provide references for other job/opportunities

Client front-facing work with people with complex needs

Liaison with statutory agencies within the prison

Liaison with community organisations

Liaison with other volunteers

Student Placements

Working as a member of the Family Services team, across all areas of the service, you’ll be offering information, guidance and support to families and loved ones of those in prison. Based in the prisons visitor's centre meeting and greeting visitors, you will provide practical and emotional support to families ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect and their voices are heard. As well as supporting in the visitor's centre, you will also be required to support Pact's play and children’s services, including our family days, and potentially with our refreshment service in the prison visits hall.

What you will be doing

• Offer a friendly and welcoming environment within the Family & Visitors’ Centre, where people visiting the prison can spend time before and after their visit
• Assist with booking/checking in of visitors in line with Pact and the prison’s procedures
• Encourage families to access support or signposting them for their needs by interacting with visitors, offering information and advice as appropriate on a confidential basis and ensuring first time visitors are provided with enhanced support and reassurance
• Help maintain an area in the visitors’ centre for children, which may include displays of children’s artwork, relevant posters and information, as well as toys and other materials to engage children before and after a visit
• Liaise with prison staff, including visits and security staff, to ensure close co-operation in the smooth and efficient reception of visitors at the prison
• Promote opportunities for children to engage with their loved one who is in prison in an appropriate way during a visit and family days
• Ensure the play equipment is safe, clean, and able to fulfil its requirements, storing and restocking as required
• Provide an excellent, friendly, and welcoming refreshment service to prisoners and their families in the visitors centre and/or visits hall
• Support the planning and delivery of an agreed number of family/teen days per year and to help Pact deliver high quality facilitated play/activities appropriate for the age ranges attending the family days
• Support the Family Services team with other ad-hoc tasks
• Adhere to policies and practices relevant to this role: Confidentiality; Health & Safety; Child Protection and Safeguarding; Equality and Diversity; and Prison security rules etc
• Report any incidents and concerns related to Health and Safety or Safeguarding to a member of the Pact staff team

The skills you need

• Ability to communicate effectively
• Sociable and friendly
• Non-judgemental and empathetic attitude
• Flexible and willing to do any of the service tasks
• Solution focused and resilient
• Good understanding of safeguarding, professional boundaries and confidentiality

What's in it for you

• Feel connected to those you are helping in your local community
• Full training and induction provided with regular ongoing support
• Develop skills and enhance your experience for future volunteering / employment opportunities
• Some out of pocket expenses covered in line with our expenses policy

Disclaimer

This role is subject to the completion of Pact's mandatory training and checks which our staff will be on hand to support you through.

Training

Safeguarding, Professional Boundaries, Equality and Diversity, Data Security and Health and Safety training is required for this role, as well induction training related to the role. We anticipate the entire training will take between 10-12 hours to complete in total, of which most can be completed in your own time. You will also have access to a range of other training opportunities.

Checks

3 years of employment history or other activities (e.g., studying, travelling) Enhanced DBS check (Disclosure & Barring Service) with child barring Security Vetting by His Majesty’s Prison Service.

Because of the recruitment process which can take several weeks, Pact hopes you will commit to volunteering for a minimum of 1 shift a week (approx. 3-4 hours) for at least 6 months from when you your onboarding is complete.

Working as a member of the Family Services team, across all areas of the service, you’ll be offering information, guidance and support to families and loved ones of those in prison. Based in the prisons visitor's centre meeting and greeting visitors, you will provide practical and emotional support to families ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect and their voices are heard. As well as supporting in the visitor's centre, you will also be required to support Pact's play and children’s services, including our family days, and potentially with our refreshment service in the prison visits hall.

What you will be doing

• Offer a friendly and welcoming environment within the Family & Visitors’ Centre, where people visiting the prison can spend time before and after their visit
• Assist with booking/checking in of visitors in line with Pact and the prison’s procedures
• Encourage families to access support or signposting them for their needs by interacting with visitors, offering information and advice as appropriate on a confidential basis and ensuring first time visitors are provided with enhanced support and reassurance
• Help maintain an area in the visitors’ centre for children, which may include displays of children’s artwork, relevant posters and information, as well as toys and other materials to engage children before and after a visit
• Liaise with prison staff, including visits and security staff, to ensure close co-operation in the smooth and efficient reception of visitors at the prison
• Promote opportunities for children to engage with their loved one who is in prison in an appropriate way during a visit and family days
• Ensure the play equipment is safe, clean, and able to fulfil its requirements, storing and restocking as required
• Provide an excellent, friendly, and welcoming refreshment service to prisoners and their families in the visitors centre and/or visits hall
• Support the planning and delivery of an agreed number of family/teen days per year and to help Pact deliver high quality facilitated play/activities appropriate for the age ranges attending the family days
• Support the Family Services team with other ad-hoc tasks
• Adhere to policies and practices relevant to this role: Confidentiality; Health & Safety; Child Protection and Safeguarding; Equality and Diversity; and Prison security rules etc
• Report any incidents and concerns related to Health and Safety or Safeguarding to a member of the Pact staff team

The skills you need

• Ability to communicate effectively
• Sociable and friendly
• Non-judgemental and empathetic attitude
• Flexible and willing to do any of the service tasks
• Solution focused and resilient
• Good understanding of safeguarding, professional boundaries and confidentiality

What's in it for you

• Feel connected to those you are helping in your local community
• Full training and induction provided with regular ongoing support
• Develop skills and enhance your experience for future volunteering / employment opportunities
• Some out of pocket expenses covered in line with our expenses policy

Disclaimer

This role is subject to the completion of Pact's mandatory training and checks which our staff will be on hand to support you through.

Training

Safeguarding, Professional Boundaries, Equality and Diversity, Data Security and Health and Safety training is required for this role, as well induction training related to the role. We anticipate the entire training will take between 10-12 hours to complete in total, of which most can be completed in your own time. You will also have access to a range of other training opportunities.

Checks

3 years of employment history or other activities (e.g., studying, travelling) Enhanced DBS check (Disclosure & Barring Service) with child barring Security Vetting by His Majesty’s Prison Service.

Because of the recruitment process which can take several weeks, Pact hopes you will commit to volunteering for a minimum of 1 shift a week (approx. 3-4 hours) for at least 6 months from when you your onboarding is complete.