Volunteer Roles

We are looking for a new Trustee to join our welcoming and dynamic team at an exciting time and to make a meaningful difference through our work supporting disabled people to live with greater independence.

Designability is a national charity who for over 50 years have created equality of opportunity for disabled people, by removing barriers to independence, enabling them to live the life they choose.

Following a person-centred design approach, and by including disabled people at each point of the design process, we ensure their ideas and lived experiences are taken onboard and that what we create reflects people’s needs as well as products and services they want to use. We are best known for the iconic Wizzybug powered wheelchairs for very young disabled children. To date, they have been loaned to over 1,400 children, typically aged between 14 months and 5 years, across the UK completed free of charge thanks to the support of our generous donors. 

Designability has a strong leadership team and we appointed a new Chief Executive at the beginning of 2024 who has over 20 years of experience as a founder, leader and consultant in a wide range of start-ups, commercial, public sector and not-for-profit environments. As we come the end of the first year of an ambitious three-year strategy, we are in a strong financial position with healthy reserves, and celebrated the end of 2023 with a highly successful televised BBC Lifeline Appeal demonstrating the impact of our work to a new and wider audience.

Having reviewed the skills, experience and diversity of current trustees, we would welcome candidates with experience in the following area:

Clinical expertise with experience of working with disabled people. This could include experience gained through a senior position in occupational therapy, physiotherapy or rehabilitation engineering or rehabilitation medicine.

Working as a team, trustees have three main responsibilities:

· To set a clear direction for Designability.

· To make sure that the charity’s plans are being carried out appropriately.

· To ensure that the charity meets its legal responsibilities .

All new trustees take part in an induction programme with the Chief Executive and Directors of each department and are offered ongoing training and support.

You will be joining an independent, national charity based in Bath. Our creative and inspiring team includes engineers, technicians, product designers, occupational therapists, fundraisers and administrators. We are led by strong values: we are creative, inclusive and practical, with our vision being to create a future where every disabled person has the products they want to live the life they choose.

For an informal conversation about this role, please contact us through Charity Job. 

To apply: Please submit a CV and covering letter/statement detailing why you wish to apply and how your skills and experience meet the criteria for the role.

Closing Date for applications:  31/07/24

Interview date:  Successful applicants will be offered a mutually convenient interview date, following the closing date. 

About Foster Care Matters

Foster Care Matters is a brand-new fostering agency with a therapeutic emphasis which is being set up as part of the Adoption Matters family.  We will assess, train, approve and support foster families and the children placed with them in conjunction with our Centre for Fostering and Adoption Support (CFAS).

Adoption Matters is a registered children’s charity and one of the largest voluntary adoption agencies (VAAs) in the UK. We recruit, train and support individuals and families as adopters and offer them ongoing support and training for as long as they need it.  We also provide support to birth families and adopted adults. Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ since 2008, the ONLY adoption service in the North of England rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted 5 times in a row. 

For more information on the management team and our board of trustees, visit the Adoption Matters Website. 

Volunteer Adoption Panel Members 

We are looking for voluntary panel members for the central list of our brand-new fostering service, Foster Care Matters.  You will need either personal or professional experience of foster care/residential care or adoption. If you have experience as a panel member that is great but not essential.

Foster Care Matters panels are held regularly both in person and remotely online via Teams. The panel reviews every fostering application and makes a recommendation to our Agency Decision Maker regarding the applicant’s suitability to foster. This is part of the legal process to be an approved foster carer.

At Foster Care Matters, we want to make sure that our panels are warm, friendly and approachable and we know how much prospective adopters appreciate the sense of their applications being considered by people similar to themselves. We also recognise that we place children with a wide range of needs from a huge variety of backgrounds. As such, we encourage expressions of interest from all areas of the community. Under adoption regulations, people who have adopted need to wait at least 12 months after the making of any adoption order before they can join a panel.

Please be advised that our panel members are volunteers and as such while travel expenses can be claimed, it is an unpaid role

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

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

What You'll Do:

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

Why You'll Love It:

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

What You'll Learn:

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

What We're Looking For:

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

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

PECAN is seeking to appoint a new Chair of Trustees as the previous Chair has stepped down after many years of devoted service. Under PECAN’s governing articles of association its trustees, including the Chair, are appointed for a three-year term, which may be renewed for a further two terms (so a maximum of nine years’ unbroken service).

Key tasks:                              

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 the management team and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely to achieve agreed objectives. They will act as an ambassador and the public face of the charity in partnership with the CEO.

Key responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the organisation and the Board by ensuring that everyone remains focused  on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes to provide greater public benefit.
• Chair and facilitate board meetings, oversee and ensure proper record-keeping
• Ensure that decisions taken at meetings are implemented.
• Give direction to board policy-making.
• Ensure that the charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic plan, and that there is a common understanding of these by the management team and the Trustees.
• Develop the Board of Trustees including induction, training, appraisal and succession planning
• Ensure that the Board is able to regularly review major risks and associated opportunities and satisfy itself that systems are in place to take advantage of opportunities and manage and mitigate the risks.
• Ensure that the Board fulfils its duties to ensure sound financial health of the charity, with systems in place to ensure financial accountability.
• Encourage positive change where appropriate and address and resolve any conflicts within the Board.
• Act as an ambassador for the cause and the Charity.
• Bring impartiality and objectivity to decision-making
• Address conflict within the Board and within the organisation and liaise with the CEO to achieve this.
• Foster, maintain and ensure that constructive relationships exist with and between the Trustees.
• Liaise with the CEO to keep an overview of the organisation’s affairs and to provide support as appropriate.
• Lead the process of supporting and appraising the performance of the CEO.
• Sit on appointment and disciplinary panels where required.

With the CEO:

• Plan the annual cycle of board meetings and other general meetings where required, for example annual general meeting.
• Set agendas for board and other general meetings.
• Ensure that the Board receives sufficient and timely information to make informed decisions.

Relationship with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the wider management team:

• Establish and build a strong, effective and a constructive working relationship with the CEO ensuring they are held to account for achieving agreed strategic objectives.
• Support the CEO, whilst respecting the boundaries which exist between the two roles.
• Ensure regular contact with the CEO and develop and maintain an open and supportive relationship within which each can speak openly about concerns, worries and challenges.
• Liaise with the CEO to maintain an overview of the charity’s affairs, providing support as necessary.

About you:  

PECAN is a Christian charity whose values are kindness, belief and hope. There is a requirement for all Trustees, including the Chair, to sign a statement of belief. The CEO is also required to be a Christian.

In addition to the qualities required of a Trustee of the charity, the Chair should have the following qualities:

• Leadership
• Experience of committee work, including at least one previous Trustee role.
• Tact and diplomacy, with the ability to listen and engage
• Good communication and interpersonal
• Impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect
• Ability to foster and promote a collaborative team
• Empathy

It would be desirable to demonstrate experience of the Chair role and/or be willing to join the Association of Chairs to increase their knowledge that will help with the role.

This is an exciting time for the Fundraising Team as we aim to grow income and continue to provide our services to families. We work hard to deliver many income streams. These include community fundraising, corporate fundraising and individual giving.

We are looking for volunteers to join the Fundraising team and help with a variety of administrative duties. You will play an important role in giving supporters the recognition they deserve, and helping to organise fundraising events for those looking to take on a challenge to raise money for Candlelighters!

Key Activities

• Writing thank you letters, emails, and sending certificates.
• Providing administrative support & helping prepare resources, merchandise & equipment for events.
• Responding to supporter enquiries.
• Answering the phone, transferring calls and taking messages.
• Updating supporter database.
• Processing mailings (including mail merge) and dealing with returns.
• Franking letters/parcels & arranging courier companies for large deliveries.
• Assisting the Fundraising and Finance Teams with other activities as required.
• Adhering to Candlelighters’ policies and procedures.

We're looking for volunteers who:

• Strong administrative skills
• Strong IT skills, including the ability to use Microsoft Office and databases
• Experience of communicating in a professional capacity via telephone, email and in person.
• Able to demonstrate the Candlelighters values on a daily basis

This role is subject to a basic criminal record check, which is processed through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Candlelighters is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. We are actively building diverse teams and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

Home-Start Trustees Recruitment  - Trustees including Chair of Trustees

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

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

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

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

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

An enhanced disclosure check will be required.

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

 Interviews:  August/September

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

 Please note: We do not accept CVs

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

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

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

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

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

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

What will you do?

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

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

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

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

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

What skills do you need?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Principal Responsibilities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Champion equity, diversity and inclusion within the charity

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

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

Person Specification You will bring:

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

• A passion for the work of Volunteering Matters

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

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

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

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

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

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

• A willingness to give the necessary time and effort

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

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

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

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

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

What will you do?

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

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

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

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

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

What skills do you need?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What will you do?

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

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

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

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

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

What skills do you need?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system  
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.  

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbally.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered. 

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system  
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.  

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbally.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered. 

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system  
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.  

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbally.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered. 

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system  
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.  

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbally.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.