Volunteer Roles

Independent Visitor - Befriend young person in care 

The Role

“My IV is very caring and has helped me a lot. She is really important to me.” Young Person

Could you volunteer and make a difference to a young person in care?

An Independent Visitor is a positive adult role model who provides support and friendship to a young person in care. You will enjoy fun activities together which will give the young person unforgettable memories and experiences. Your consistent friendship will help the young person raise their aspirations, learn new skills, build self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.

“Acting as an IV makes me feel special, especially when the young person enjoys our activities. It is extremely rewarding to see the pleasure that they get from our time together.” Volunteer IV

We are looking for fun, reliable, and enthusiastic volunteers from all different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. You do not need any formal qualifications to become a volunteer, but it is helpful if you have some knowledge and practical experience of involvement with children and young people.

Children and young people who are looked after need an adult who has time to spend with them, take them on activities and be someone they can talk to and trust. You can fit your visits in around your own time and work commitments. We only ask that you can commit to a few hours once per month for a minimum of 2 years. Activity and travel expenses are covered.

“It provides an opportunity for young people to try things they may not otherwise building confidence and aspirations.” Volunteer IV

As part of the recruitment process you will need to complete an application form, interview, enhanced DBS check, references and digital risk assessment.

We offer a full support package including induction training, online mandatory training and one to one support by your IV Coordinator throughout your volunteer journey.

If you’re interested in becoming an Independent Visitor, we’d love to hear from you. 

Bath Welcomes Refugees (BWR) is seeking a Volunteer who will sit on the Management Committee and be the overall Coordinator of the social events we run and social activity opportunities we are offered.

Who we are:

BWR harnesses the goodwill of the community in welcoming and supporting refugees and asylum seekers to thrive in their new community.  BWR is a small inclusive charity. Volunteer-led and non-partisan, we help refugee families out of desperate circumstances and into a promising future. Our volunteers provide hands-on support with English-language teaching, resettlement support, helping with our creche and at social events. We also have volunteers who help with employability, DIY, gardening, fundraising and more.

Expectations for this volunteer role include:

• Coordinate one of the regular monthly social groups we run.

• Maintain an overview of the other social groups and support volunteers running these.

• Respond to occasional ad-hoc offers and opportunities  regarding social, sporting and leisure activities (e.g. from theatres, universities, football clubs), coordinating activities as appropriate and depending on priority and capacity  within BWR.

• Liaison with other organisations and facilities, to support both specific BWR activities and to further social integration of our clients in community activities.

• Maintain recording systems regarding social activities.

• Be a member of the BWR Management Committee.

Your skills and experience:

• Understanding of refugee issues

• Sensitivity to other cultures

• Experience of coordinating team work and working within a team

• First aid training desirable

• Car driver/owner desirable

Time commitment:.

• Attending monthly BWR Management Committee meetings (evenings, approx 2 hours)

• Coordinating and attending monthly social group (approx 5 hours, including coordinating volunteers, setting up and clearing away)

• Wider Management Committee and BWR issues, mostly via email (variable)

• Responding to ad-hoc offers (variable)

Benefits:

• Induction Training Day and further training opportunities (e.g. first aid)

• Volunteer social events - summer picnic, volunteer walk

• BWR Newsletter

• Support in your role

Volunteering Opportunities with GT Scholars

Are you passionate about social mobility? Would you like to make a lasting impact in a young person’s life? Could you volunteer for 1 hour a week to help a young person achieve their full potential?

About us: GT Scholars is a not-for-profit social enterprise and registered charity that tackles educational inequality and improves social mobility for young people from low-income backgrounds. We run programmes, workshops and courses that give ambitious young people the support, skills and strategies they need to achieve their academic and career aspirations. 

What makes us different? There are many charitable organisations that offer programmes to improve the life chances of young people. However, GT Scholars works with a range of young people attending state schools, not just those on Free School Meals. This means that we are able to help any young person from a disadvantaged background and they do not need to be referred by their school in order to qualify for support.

Becoming a Volunteer Tutor

By joining us as a volunteer tutor, you’ll be helping young people align their academic grades with their aspirations and you’ll be using your skills to transform a young person’s life!

As a volunteer tutor, you’ll need to:

• Have a passion for helping young people discover their true potential

• Provide one-to-one online tutoring support for 1 hour a week in each 12-week term

• Build a young person’s confidence and knowledge in Maths or English

• Have strong subject knowledge (confident enough to tutor up to GCSE)

• Work collaboratively with other tutors and mentors

Volunteer tutoring can be extremely rewarding. As a volunteer with GT Scholars you’ll:

• Have a flexible volunteering schedule, volunteering in the evenings or at the weekend 

• Be able to tutor from anywhere online and choose your own weekly online tutoring schedule

• Receive training and support and be part of a community of like-minded volunteers

• Gain interesting and new perspectives by working with young people from diverse backgrounds

Additional information: We ask tutors to commit to a minimum of 2 academic terms (6 months) of volunteering.

We will need to conduct reference checks and you will need an Enhanced DBS for this role as you will be working directly with children. We can process this for you or you may submit one if this is less than 2 years old.

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in or you’d like to know more, then get in touch with us.

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

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

What can you expect to be doing?

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

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 by overseeing the finances of a local volunteer groups or team. You will meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Experience or knowledge of accounting, book keeping and/or good numeracy skills
• The ability to collect and present information clearly and logically
• Good communication skills
• Willingness to be part of a team
• Basic IT skills to use Cats Protection systems - training and support can be provided
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to use own initiative  
• Committee volunteers need to be aged 18+

Time expectation

Our current volunteer treasurers usually spend between 2 to 4 hours per week in this role. More hours may be required at certain times, such as towards the end of the financial year but support is always available. 

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.

Do you enjoy meeting people and engaging with them? We are looking for volunteers to join our team to provide a friendly face as people arrive at our Services. You will help people to connect with others, make them feel welcome whilst assisting our staff to run services for people that require support. Get in touch and make a difference!

What you will be doing:

• Work alongside staff to support people living in the service or accessing one of our drop-in sessions
• Welcoming and engaging people using the Service
• Holding conversations with people using the Service, checking in on their wellbeing and providing a listening ear/friendly face
• Motivate and inspire people to take part in activities
• Opportunities to deliver activities alongside the staff team and other volunteers
• Support with preparing light refreshments to create a relaxed environment
• To support with ad hoc and administrative tasks to ensure smooth running of the Service

The skills you need:

• Good communications skills
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation
• Calm and patient approach
• Maintain discretion and judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential information

What's in it for you:

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!

GT Scholars mission is to empower and develop the next generation of leaders and change-makers and we’re looking for Ambassadors that are passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives! 

As an Ambassador your duty would be to contribute anything to help with the growth of GT Scholars: 

Events: Participate at our events by greeting parents and seating scholars: work closely with the programme manager to set up events and work collaboratively with workshop facilitators, venue owners, volunteers, parents and young people to ensure that each event is successfully executed.

Getting more volunteers: Reaching out to your network and spreading the word about GT Scholars and the work we do. This is to attract more volunteers and potential sponsors to support the cause. 

Fundraising: Use your network or skills to reach more sponsors and potential partners who want to improve social mobility.

Corporate contacts: Use your network or skills to spread the word about GT Scholars and reach more volunteers and potential sponsors. 

The role: Our scholars are eager to meet graduates and professionals that can support them in achieving their ambitions. Mentors are mainly responsible for providing support and career advice to pupils. 

Availability: Mentors must be available for approximately 6 hours throughout the 12 week period to meet with their mentee, discuss via phone, email or in person. There is a minimum commitment of one year (three terms). We recommend that you meet with your mentee in person at least once per term.

Location: Mentoring sessions take place online. 

Responsibilities:

• Working collaboratively with parents to give students guidance and advice on how to achieve their aspirations

• Informing pupils of opportunities to them so that they can achieve their aspirations

• Meeting with pupils for one to one mentoring sessions

• Supporting pupils with university, sixth form or job applications

• Monitoring and reporting on each pupils progress

• Giving feedback to parents and programme coordinators

• Working collaboratively with other tutors and mentors

Person specification:

• Be passionate and committed to tackling educational inequality

• Enjoy working with children and young people

• Be educated to a minimum of degree level or equivalent

• Possess strong communication skills both written and verbal

• Be punctual and organised

• Be able to remain calm under pressure

• Have excellent time management skills

Additional information:

Please note that this is a volunteering role and we will need to conduct an Enhanced DBS check before you can join us as a mentor. You will be provided with support and training for your role. 

The Auriga Academy Trust aims to provide outstanding special needs provision for the local community in South West London. The Trust works in a supportive partnership with local special schools with each school maintaining its unique identity and ethos. Through the Trust the schools work collaboratively together to ensure maximum benefit for all students through shared best practice, resources and economies of scale. We are seeking a like-minded individual to be our new Chair of Trustees, providing effective leadership of our organisation.

About The Auriga Academy Trust

Our goal is to continually improve the quality of provision and experience to enhance outcomes for the pupils in our schools; to secure, develop and retain the dedicated and innovative workforce needed within our schools to ensure that our pupils can continue to flourish and learn; and to develop current and new partnerships to provide further opportunities for pupils, staff and stakeholders and to ensure that Auriga initiates creating capacity.

What will you be doing?

The new Chair will be responsible for:

· Ensuring the Board and CEO have a clear vision and strategy for the trust

· Leading the Board and ensuring strategy is implemented and monitored, with support from the Vice Chair and the governance professional

· Championing high standards of governance and continuous improvement

· Setting and agreeing the Board meeting agenda with support from the senior executive leader and the governance professional

· Line management of the senior executive

· The performance review of the governance professional in their governance role within the trust

· Setting expectations for professional standards of governance, creating the right conditions to support the Board’s discussions and decision-making

·Ensuring that Trustees and committee members are committed and effective in their roles

· Where required, representing the Trust in its dealings with external partners and being an advocate for the Trust

· Regularly communicating with Committee Chairs including Chairs of LGBs providing a link to the Trust Board

· This role is mainly office-based

What are we looking for?

Candidates for the role of Chair should be able to demonstrate the following skills and attributes:

· Commitment to the trust and its mission.

· Personal integrity.

· Good understanding of the environment in which the trust is operating (education or Charity). 

· Good understanding of the role and legal responsibilities of the Board and Trustees.

· Strong relationship-building and communication skills.

· Negotiation and diplomacy skills with the ability to have courageous conversations.

· Ability to think strategically and objectively, take the long view and prioritise

· Capacity to process information quickly and understand relevant data, drawing valid conclusions with a considered approach to risk. 

· Ability to Chair meetings well, encouraging debate and facilitating decision-making. 

· Ability to build and get the best out of a team while addressing any skills or experience gaps. 

· Ability and willingness to delegate and trust others.

What difference will you make?

The new Chair of the Board will profoundly impact The Auriga Academy Trust by providing visionary strategic leadership, ensuring high standards of governance and accountability, and positioning the Trust as a center of excellence and innovation in special needs education. They will foster strong community engagement, promote sustainable and ethical practices, and enhance supportive partnerships with local special schools, all while respecting each school's unique identity and ethos. Through these efforts, the Chair will help the Trust achieve its mission of providing outstanding special needs education to its community. 

Commitment:

Initially a time commitment of 7 to 15 hours per week which will then reduce to 3-7 hours a week. 

The Chair of Trustees is expected to attend a minimum of 6 Board meetings per academic year, either during the day or evening, predominantly in person. Additionally, the Chair will sit on and attend or lead at least 3 committee meetings annually. Preparation for and active participation in these meetings are essential. The Chair will also engage in network meetings alongside the Vice Chair.

Help us to grow brand-new online charity platform A Good Thing in your local area! Come on board as a community champion: use your communications skills to drive more businesses and charities to sign up.

A Good Thing is a not-for-profit set up with one mission: to send less to landfill, and more to a good cause. We are rolling out fast across the UK, momentum is building, and we are growing a network of passionate local volunteer champions right across the country to drive our growth.

You’ll be using your connections (friends, family, colleagues, neighbours...), as well as your insights into the local area, to help us to build the numbers of businesses and charities signing up in your part of the UK. You might do this through making connections with businesses in your area, taking A Good Thing to the doorstep. Or you could approach businesses virtually, using your expert written communication skills to create communications that will engage and inspire them. You’ll definitely be using social media and your brilliant online networking skills to build links and relationships where you live.

Come with us on our journey towards reducing waste and boosting wonderful local charities at the same time.

Would you like to join our board and help us protect and grow the Kingston Women’s Centre? The Clinical Trustee role ensures the Clinical practice of KWC staff and volunteers are kept in line with BACP ethical standards and KWC’s Policies and Procedures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategic 

·  To assist and advise in the formation of the KWC’s strategy with particular regard to ensuring KWC has the clinical expertise to deliver the strategy. 

2. Clinical 

·To offer advice and support to the Clinical Manager in the development of KWC’s clinical services.

·To support the Clinical Manager in the development of innovative and developmental concepts for volunteers, staff and service users where appropriate.

· To assist the Clinical Manager, staff, and Board members in networking within the clinical sector.

· Where needed to support the Clinical Manager in the recruitment of Supervisors.

· To make recommendations to the Board of appropriate clinical changes to KWC’s Policies and Procedures and controls.

· To ensure the Board receives appropriate information on the activities that affect the clinical running of KWC. 

3. Governance

· To ensure the Board is aware of its clinical duties and responsibilities and the need to comply with legislation and BACP code of ethics. 

· To ensure all clinical policies, procedures and any appointment of external clinical advisors are reviewed on a regular basis.

· To monitor and report to the Board and offer solutions to any clinical concerns.

5. Key Qualities/Experience 

· Experience in a Senior Clinical role; ideally currently working in counselling, psychotherapy and or supervising counsellors and psychotherapists.

· Experience in developing Clinical Services and of working within the community.

· Good communication/interpersonal and decision- making skills.

· Ability to work collaboratively and constructively as a member of the Board.

· Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role of Trustee.

· An understanding and acceptance of legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.

· Good independent judgment, strategic perspective, and vision.

An exciting opportunity for someone to be involved in the development of our family grantmaking foundation, as we integrate a new generation of family trustees and strengthen our environmental grantmaking to help restore the UK’s rivers and coasts.

Do you have bags of enthusiasm and are good at organising events? If yes, volunteer for the RSPCA as a Fundraiser and have fun and meet new people whilst raising vital funds for animals in need in your area!

As a Fundraising Volunteer, you will play a vital part, in organising and assisting with our fundraising activities. All the proceeds from these activities go directly towards the essential animal welfare work that we do at branch level. We rescue and rehome around 200 animals each year and provide community help and support with animal welfare in all DA postcodes plus BR8 postcodes.

Volunteer Fundraising Volunteer responsibilities:

• Organise, advertise, and promote fundraising activities to raise vital funds to improve animal welfare.

• Plan and participate in organised events for fundraising over an agreed time period.

• Communicate all planned activities with staff and other volunteers.

• Work alongside other volunteers, staff and members of the public, ensuring excellent customer service at all times.

• Ensure best practice in fundraising and that it is legally compliant.

What we are looking for in a Fundraising Volunteer:

• Someone who is flexible and can offer an ongoing commitment 4 hours weekly.

• Lots of enthusiasm to help us raise much needed funds

• Good communication and organisational skills

• Friendly and approachable

• Ability to work on own initiative

• Applications are particularly invited from people residing in DA postcodes or BR8 postcodes

What we can offer you as a volunteer Fundraising Volunteer:

• You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the animals in your area..

• Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.

• Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and training programme.

• Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

•  Join our small but friendly team of staff and volunteers

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch. 

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

Track Acadermy is a small but highly respected sport for social change charity in North West London. We are essential in the local community and are currently seeking a proactive and postive Chair of Trustees to lead and bolster our board and give the support to staff, volunteers and coaches to help change young lives in London.

The Chair will hold the Board and Executive Team to account for the Charity’s mission and vision, providing inclusive leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the charity. The Chair will also support, and where appropriate, challenge the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the entire Executive of the charity to achieve agreed objectives. They will act as an ambassador of the charity in partnership with the Chief Executive.

Principal responsibilities:

• Strategic leadership
• Governance
• External Relations
• Efficiency and effectiveness
• Relationship with the Chief Executive and the wider management team

For more detail see attached job description.

We are particularly keen for a Chair with expertise in:

• Strategic leadership
• Charity governance.
• Charity fundraising.
• Service delivery and community work.

Desirables:

It would be great if a candidate has insight into any of the following: 

• Youth sports and athletics.
• Education sector.
• Small charities.

This is an exciting opportunity to pass on your human resources and employee relations expertise whilst helping the RSPCA; promote kindness and prevent animal cruelty, reach out to more supporters, and influence how we do things.

RSPCA Milton Keynes and North Bucks have two retail outlets, a cattery and storage facilities. We are looking to grow our retail footprint and open an education centre.

Use your skills learned in a professional environment to benefit your local community by becoming a trustee for MK & North Bucks RSPCA.

As a trustee of the MK & North Bucks branch, you will have the chance to influence how we care for the animals in our care and prevent cruelty to animals.

It's a great way to meet like minded people who share your enthusiasm for animal welfare. You will have the opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.

As a HR & Employee Relations expert you would be supporting the branch by helping them maintain and develop staff throughout the organisation. You would play a key role in advising Trustees on the long-term and strategic direction of human resources and contributing towards policy setting.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether the trustee takes on additional duties.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee – HR & Employee Relations

• Advise Trustees on the long-term vision and strategic direction for investment in human resources.

• Support the Branch grow, maintain, and develop staff throughout the organisation.

• Contribute to HR policy setting, strategic direction, goal and target setting, and evaluate performance against targets, budgets, plans and charitable objectives.

• Ensure that HR activities and interventions are linked to the RSPCA Isle of Wight Branches charitable objectives and complement the company culture.

• Advise on and help improve management of HR.

• Ensure the Board of Trustees properly remunerates staff, reviewing and rewarding performance and  development opportunities.

• To work with the Branch Manager to review current HR management arrangements and provide guidance on HR strategy and short and long-term direction.

• Receive progress reports on HR and any recurring staffing issues.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are committed to creating a Board which is representative of our society and in particular, our community and surrounding areas so encourage people from any background to apply for any of our opportunities.

Alongside Human Resources experience, including a CIPD membership, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action.

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee – HR & Employee Relations

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you will everything  you need to carry out the role.

• Ongoing support is also provided by regional and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.

• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.

• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.

• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.