Social Care / Development Volunteer Roles

Join us in making a difference in our community by ensuring everyone has access to the food they need. Your help can bring a positive change to many lives!

Role Overview:

Join our dedicated team at Abbey Community Centre to help combat food insecurity in our community. As a Community Food Club Volunteer, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that food donations are efficiently received, sorted, and distributed to local elderly people and families with young children aged 5 and under. Your efforts will directly contribute to providing much-needed support to those experiencing food insecurity.

Key Responsibilities:

Receiving Food Deliveries:

  - Welcome and assist delivery drivers.

  - Check and record the received items against delivery notes.

  - Ensure all food items are handled and stored according to safety guidelines.

Sorting and Bagging Food Donations:

  - Sort donated food items by type and ensure they meet quality standards.

  - Organize and pack food items into bags or boxes for distribution.

  - Ensure that the right quantity and variety of food is packed for each family and elderly recipient.

Distribution Preparation:

  - Help set up the distribution area.

  - Ensure all packed bags are ready for distribution days.

  - Assist in maintaining a clean and organized workspace.

Record Keeping:

  - Help maintain accurate records of food received and distributed.

  - Assist with inventory management to track stock levels.

Skills and Experience:

Essential:

  - Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

  - Ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively.

  - Physical ability to lift and carry bags/boxes of food.

  - Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and respecting the privacy of recipients.

Desirable:

  - Previous experience in a similar role or in food handling.

  - Knowledge of food safety standards.

  - Basic record-keeping skills.

Personal Qualities:

- Compassionate and empathetic attitude towards people facing food insecurity.

- Reliable and punctual.

- Willingness to follow instructions and adhere to health and safety guidelines.

- Positive and proactive approach to volunteering.

When you'll be needed:

Between 2-3 hours on Tuesday afternoons

Benefits:

- Gain valuable experience in food distribution and community service.

- Make a meaningful impact on the lives of local families and elderly individuals.

- Meet new people and become part of a supportive and friendly team.

- Receive training and ongoing support from our project coordinator.

Abbey Community Centre is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

The role

Become a Trustee for Fresh Visions Charity!

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young adults facing extreme disadvantage?

Then this just may be the role for you!

Fresh Visions, a subsidiary charity of Southern Housing, is seeking a dedicated Trustee to join our team and help us support those in need. We are particularly keen to attract candidates from ethnically diverse backgrounds to ensure our board reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.

About Us:

Southern Housing is one of the largest housing association providing over 80,000 homes across London, the Midlands, and south-east England. Fresh Visions focuses on supporting children and young adults who face challenges such as poverty, domestic abuse, lack of education, and social exclusion. Our projects aim to remove barriers and create opportunities for those in some of the poorest areas in the UK, helping them build successful lives through confidence, motivation, and skill development.

Who We Help:

• People at risk of or facing trauma from domestic abuse, violence, intimidation, or anti-social behaviour.
• Isolated, lonely, or vulnerable individuals, especially those leaving care or in social housing.
• People needing help with life skills to break away from poverty.

What We Do:

In 2023/24, Fresh Visions' funded activities generated a £5.56m social impact value on wellbeing in local communities, with a ratio of £1 charity investment to £7 impact value. We continually innovate to heighten our impact and benefits for residents, ensuring efficient investment and significant outcomes.

Role Purpose:

The Board of Trustees is collectively responsible for ensuring the success of Fresh Visions and compliance with all legal and regulatory obligations. Trustees set and monitor the strategic direction of the organisation, ensuring its work is effective, responsible, and legal. They safeguard finances, resources, and property to further the charity’s purposes and ensure financial sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Further the charity’s overall purpose and set its direction and strategy.
• Ensure the charity’s work is effective, responsible, and legal.
• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory obligations.
• Safeguard finances, resources, and property to further the charity’s purposes.
• Ensure the charity is financially sustainable.

Key Duties:

• Ensure the charity is carrying out its purposes for the public benefit.
• Manage the charity’s resources responsibly (“duty of prudence”).
• Act with reasonable care and skill.
• Ensure the charity is accountable.
• Adhere to and work in accordance with the charity’s safeguarding policy.

If you are committed to making a positive impact and have the skills and dedication to help guide Fresh Visions, we would love to hear from you. Join us in our mission to support those facing extreme disadvantage and help them achieve their potential.

What you’ll need

• Strategic Fundraising experience,
• Previous / current Trustee/NED experience
• Business management experience
• Demonstration of empathy with FV social purpose

**Please note this is an unpaid role. The successful candidate will not be entitled to any employee benefits** 

About us

At Southern Housing, our residents are at the heart of everything we do. As one of the largest housing providers in the UK with over 77,000 homes across London, the Southeast, the Isle of Wight, and the Midlands, we give over 167,000 people somewhere affordable to call their own! We also understand the difference that safe, secure, and affordable homes can make to people’s lives.

A career at Southern Housing will allow you to make a difference every day you come to work. Working in the housing sector with us will bring fresh challenges and give you the opportunity to grow and develop, too. 

What’s in it for you

• Full induction programme
• Enhance your career
• Develop your skills
• IT equipment provided
• Paid expenses
• Fully funded training
• Giving something back 

Inclusion and Diversity
We work hard to create a diverse and inclusive culture and environment where people are respected for who they are. Encouraging inclusion is not just about protected characteristics, it’s about celebrating differences of thought, opinion, experience and perspective of each individual. We’re all different in our own way and we want our colleagues to feel comfortable, that they belong, and are safe to be themselves at work, without fear of being judged or excluded, but valued for their contribution to our One Team approach.

Read Easy provides free, confidential, one to-one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, through a network of volunteer groups. Read Easy groups are changing the lives of individual adults across the country by providing them with the support they need to learn to read, and in turn opening doors for them to all sorts of new opportunities in life. You can read about the difference Read Easy makes here on our website.

Outline of the Coordinator role

The Coordinator is the first point of contact for those who want to learn to read. Using a simple assessment, the Coordinator will explain to a potential new ‘Reader’ how Read Easy may be able to help them. The Coordinator pairs up new Coaches with those who want to learn to read and provides ongoing support to these reading pairs. They visit reading sessions occasionally and maintain support through regular calls with both Reader and Coach to check all is going well, calling on the group’s Literacy Specialist to respond to any literacy related difficulties a pair may be having. Being a Read Easy Coordinator is very flexible. You decide how much time you have to offer, and this will determine the number of reading pairs you look after. The role provides lots of variety, is home-based and can work well around other commitments.

How we will support you

You will be provided with the Coordinator Handbook, training, induction, policies, resources and guidance specifically needed for this role, including access to support from a Read Easy UK Regional Adviser. In addition, the Coordinator Supporter will meet with you regularly to provide support and find out how your Reading Pairs are getting on. You will be invited to Read Easy UK’s volunteer forums and National Conference which gives volunteers an opportunity for networking with those from other groups.

What you will be doing:

● Help interview new Coaches when recruited and shortlisted by the Volunteer Recruiter.

● Enrol and assess new Readers, using the simple resources provided.

● Match Readers with Coaches, make introductions, and help them organise their reading sessions (which will take place in an approved venue or online).

● Visit your reading pairs to provide encouragement, presenting certificates on occasion.

● Work collaboratively with any other Coordinators in the group.

● Contribute to Coach meetings where volunteers discuss their experiences and receive further support. (Run by the Management Team typically every 8 weeks.)

● Attend Management Team meetings when invited, typically every 6-8 weeks either in person or remotely.

● Record progress of your reading pairs using resources provided, sharing these with the Management Team to keep them fully informed and submit expenses for payment egularly.

The skills you will need:

● A passion for supporting others achieve either their reading or coaching goals;

● A willingness to become familiar with the methods of the phonics based Turning Pages coaching manuals, so that you can confidently guide others;

● Good communication and people skills, with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality. Strong organisational, time management and record keeping skills;

● Self-awareness, personal responsibility and a professional approach;

● Reasonable confidence in using IT(accessing documents, completing electronic forms and records, email, Teams/Zoom meetings);

● The ability to use initiative and willingness to work independently and as part of a team;

● A willingness to abide by Read Easy policies and procedures;

● An open attitude that encourages two-way communication and willingness to ask for support from the Management Team;

● A non-judgemental attitude and respect for others, with a commitment to equality and diversity, so that you can make everyone feel valued and included;

● Energy and enthusiasm with an average of 2-3 hours a week to commit to the role.

What's in it for you? You will:

● receive outstanding Reading Coach Training;

● meet and work collaboratively with new people, and

● be active and engaged, adding value to your local community.

“It’s been a life-changing experience. Last week I read a book to my grandson. I never read to my children because I couldn’t.” Peter, from Read Easy Poole Witnessing these transformations are one of your greatest rewards as Coordinator.

Interested?

If you think you can offer the time, skills and experience that we are looking for and would be interested in taking up this role, often described as ‘the best role in Read Easy’ because it is so rewarding, please contact the person who sent you this role description.

Please note: All Read Easy volunteer roles are subject Safer Recruitment procedures which include verification of identity and two references. This role also requires an Enhanced without barring DBS Check (in line with DBS Code of Practice)

Dimensions is proud to be one of very few social care organisations that are accredited by the Great Places To Work programme in 2024 – now 6 years in a row!

The Dimensions Group exists to change the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people – we do this well but are constantly looking for ways to innovate and develop our organisation, including in our corporate governance arrangements.

Associate Committee Members strengthen our Committees, which are an important element of our governance structure, bringing a new and different perspective to our meetings and contributing to our aim of continuous improvement.

The people we appoint to these positions will be dedicated and passionate about the rights of people with disabilities and be motivated to understand what we do and how we work.

In return they will get excellent experience of how a large and complex organisation is governed, what being a Non-Executive is all about and they will have the opportunity to help us to create Better Lives for More People.

We are looking for people who are independent from Dimensions and who could be Associate Committee Membersfor;

• Our Human Resources Committee. This Committee provides strategic oversight and scrutiny of HR, including workforce development, remuneration and organisational performance.
• Our Quality & Practice Committee. This Committee provides scrutiny and challenge in respect to all aspects of quality and safety for the people we support and tenants.

More information

If this opportunity is for you, the details are in the attachment which provides more information about the role, what we're looking for and the commitment you would need to make.

Equally if you think this could work for other people in your networks, please feel free to share.

If you have any questions, please call Jo Greenbank, Head of Corporate Governance, on 030 030 390 65.

Application Process

To apply, please complete the application form via the 'apply now' button.

This application includes some key questions which will help us assess your suitability for the role. Please do not provide a CV as part of this process. We’re looking for passionate and committed individuals who can demonstrate why this opportunity will help them develop and bring their own perspective and experience to the table – CVs won’t give us what we need in that regard.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 10th February.

Longlisted applicants will be invited for a virtual conversation on 19th or 21st February.

Virtual Interviews will take place on 18th March.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Promoting equality, celebrating diversity and ensuring inclusion is fundamental to us in Dimensions.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all, and applications are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

As we are committed to being representative of the communities, we serve we would particularly welcome applications from young people, people with a disability, people from minority ethnic backgrounds and people from the LGBTQ+ community.

As part of our commitment to making reasonable adjustments we can offer support to complete your application – please contact us. 

What Will an Engagement Support Volunteer Do?

It’s simple—your role is to bring joy and support to our weekly sessions! You’ll help welcome people, set up session rooms, serve refreshments, play games, run quizzes, support attendees, and make sure everyone feels comfortable and included. It’s a mix of activities, and you’ll be supported by the BCF staff while making new friends along the way. Our sessions run Monday to Friday, so you can volunteer around your other commitments.

We have a variety of fun groups you can volunteer with - here are just a few examples:

• Breakfast & Browsers

• Lunch Club

• Cooking Club

• Dance Sessions

• Women's Group

• Travel with Confidence

• Telephone Befriending

• Home Befriending

• Men's Group

What Experience Do You Need?

You need to be a UK resident. We are not accepting overseas applications. None at all! We’re not looking for any previous experience. All you need is a positive attitude, a desire to help, and a willingness to get stuck in. We’ll provide the rest!

Tasks and responsibilities

• Welcome Members - Make sure members feel warmly welcomed when they attend
• Set Up & Pack Down - Help with setting up and packing down the group(s)
• Serve Refreshments - Assist with serving refreshments and checking in on members
• Facilitate Activities - Play games, run quizzes, or assist with group activities
• Provide Encouragement - Offer a listening ear, positive reinforcement, and motivation during activities

What Will a Call Companion Do?

As a Call Companion, you'll offer friendship and support over the phone to members who are feeling isolated or lonely. You’ll provide a friendly ear, chat with them, and help them feel connected. Your calls will last anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, giving your member something to look forward to each week!

Key Tasks:

• Make calls to members on Thursday afternoon

• Provide companionship and help meet social needs

• Work with BCF staff, share information, and keep members safe

• Complete necessary paperwork and report any concerns

• Respect members' dignity, privacy, and choices

• Attend training and meetings as required

What Experience Do You Need?

You need to be a UK resident. We are not accepting overseas applications. No experience necessary! All you need is a positive attitude, a willingness to help, and the desire to make a difference. We’ll provide all the training you need. We're based near the city center, with great transport links.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Be the friendly ear they can count on!
• Spark up conversations and keep the chat flowing
• Chats that could be a quick 10 minutes or an hour
• Kickstart fun conversations, build a friendly bond, and give your befriendee something to look forward to every week
• Jot down all your chats in the logbook

What Will a Travel Buddy Do?

As a Travel Motivator, you'll play a key role in helping our service users become more confident and independent when traveling locally. You’ll receive all the training you need to support them on their journey, with the goal of empowering them to travel independently within 12 weeks. It's all about motivation, encouragement, and helping them gain the confidence they need to navigate their community on their own!

What Experience Do You Need?

You need to be a UK resident. We are not accepting overseas applications. No specific experience required! We’re looking for passionate individuals who want to make a positive impact and are eager to learn. Whether you’re retired and looking to make use of your spare time, a student or job seeker wanting to develop new skills, or someone who lives locally (or nearby – our location is super easy to reach from the city centre), we want to hear from you! Local knowledge is a bonus, but it’s not essential – we’re all about making a difference, no matter your background.

If you’re excited about helping others and being part of a fun, supportive team, apply today!

Tasks and responsibilities

• Helping with travel, public transport, and unfamiliar places, while offering a friendly chat and support.
• Providing a friendly chat, emotional support, and a positive presence throughout the trip.
• Being ready to handle emergencies and respond quickly.
• Inspire members to make positive choices.

Havering Young People’s Mentoring Service provides support, advice and guidance to young people aged 10-18, encouraging them to make positive choices and achieve their goals.

Mentors are matched with a young person and meet with them on a weekly basis, for a period of up to 6 months. During this time, a strong relationship is built through a variety of activities and trips, including a monthly group meeting with other volunteers and young people engaged in the Service.

In order to become a mentor, potential volunteers will be required to attend a two day training programme before being accepted onto the programme. Volunteers will need to be over 18 years old and be willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check plus provide references.

This role includes:

• Attending an initial matching meeting with a young person
• Committing to 6 months of mentoring with a young person
• Meeting a young person once a week for around 2 hours
• Providing brief recording following meetings to the Volunteer Team
• Working with a young person to review their goals and plan for mentoring
• Accompanying a young person to monthly group meetings
• Acting in the best interests of a young person

Skills and experience required::

• Confident and able to communicate well with young people from a range of different backgrounds
• Can engage with staff and partners to promote the aims and quality of the Early Help Service, and comply with relevant policies and procedures
• Commitment to act in the best interests of young people and comply with jointly-agreed plans
• Experience of working with children or young people, in any capacity
• Willing to undertake training where necessary
• Enthusiasm and commitment towards child development and keeping children safe

Join the Board of this leading charity delivering vital substance use, mental health and well-being services across the UK, and help provide high-quality, person-centred care to people affected by addiction.

Time commitment: The equivalent of a day a month

Who we are.

Via is an exceptional charity that puts people at the heart of everything we do. Over three decades, we’ve evolved from our origins as Westminster Drug Project, with a new name and brand, into a dynamic, multi-service organisation delivering vital support across substance use, mental health, employment, sexual health, smoking cessation and youth services. With a turnover of £36m for 24/25 and remarkable growth of over a third in 2023/24, we’re now supporting over 10,000 service users annually across an expanding geographical footprint from London to Gloucestershire.

Our commitment to excellence and innovation is evident in our industry-leading 26% successful treatment completion rate, significantly above the national average. In 2023, We’re particularly proud to be pioneering the development of the UK’s first women-only detox facility, demonstrating our commitment to addressing crucial gaps in service provision.

The opportunity.

As we have experienced growth and are launching our new strategy, a number of our Trustees will come to the end of their terms in the next 18 months we are keen to build on their legacy and succession plan. Initially, we’re looking for three new exceptional trustees to join our Board during this exciting period of growth and innovation. We’re particularly interested in individuals who can bring expertise in:

• Finance & Accountancy: We’re seeking an experienced finance professional to join our board and, in time, chair our Finance & Resources Committee when our current chair of the committee, Richard Paul comes to the end of his term later this year. You’ll bring senior-level financial expertise, strong analytical skills, and the ability to provide strategic financial oversight during a period of significant organisational growth. Experience of charity finance would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Clinical Professional with experience in addiction: We’re looking for a clinician, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, with experience in addiction to join our board. This trustee will subsequently chair our Service Delivery & Governance Committee when our current committee chair, Raj Boyjoonauth completes his term at the end of 2024. You’ll bring deep understanding of clinical governance, quality assurance, and service development in addiction treatment settings.
• Business Development: Our third trustee will bring commercial acumen and business development expertise to support our continued growth. You’ll have experience in developing and implementing growth strategies, ideally in health, social care, or related sectors. We’re particularly interested in individuals who understand both commercial imperatives and social impact, and can help us think strategically about sustainable growth while maintaining service quality. This person could bring experience in the charity or commercial sectors.

What Makes a Great Via Trustee

The ideal Via Trustee brings not just expertise but a passion for improving lives and reducing inequalities. You’ll be someone who understands the complexity of our work yet can think strategically about our future. We need individuals who can both support and constructively challenge, bringing fresh perspectives while respecting the expertise of our staff and service users.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Diversity in governance isn’t just a goal for Via – it’s a necessity. Our services support people from every part of society, and we want our Board to reflect this diversity. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of addiction/recovery (whether personal or as family members/carers), and people from communities currently underrepresented at board level.

Time Commitment

The Board meets quarterly, usually in person. Trustees join one sub-committee, which also meets quarterly, usually online. Including preparation time, representation at events, and strategic input, we estimate a commitment of the equivalent of a day a month. This includes:

• Four Board meetings per year
• Quarterly committee meetings
• Annual strategy and away day
• Occasional representation at events and meetings with key stakeholders, including at services.

We understand many trustees balance this role with other commitments. Board and committee meetings are scheduled well in advance to help with planning.

Making a Difference Together

This is an extraordinary time to join Via. As we implement our new 2025-29 strategy and expand our geographical reach, innovate our evidence-based offer and increase access to more people. We’re not just growing – we’re evolving. You’ll help shape innovative services like our women’s detox facility while ensuring we maintain our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and person-centred care.

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

Join our board and together make it possible for people with myeloma to live longer and better lives.

Location: London and Edinburgh

Time commitment: The equivalent of a day a month

Closing date: Monday 17th February

Who we are.

At Myeloma UK, we are making it possible to live longer and better lives with myeloma. Through research and treatments, we find new ways to a cure. As the only UK charity focused exclusively on myeloma and related conditions, we have transformed treatment and care over the past 25 years, helping quadruple life expectancy for many patients. But we need to go further, faster – because people with myeloma can’t wait. We are uniquely placed as an organisation to improve the lives of people affected by myeloma by investing in innovative, life-changing research, advocating for patients to get access to new treatments on the NHS, and providing free information and support services to patients and their families.

We are at a pivotal moment in our journey. Our new strategy, developed in collaboration with the myeloma community, alongside clinical, research, and policy leaders, focuses on three core areas: preventing myeloma, treating myeloma, and living well with myeloma. In the first year of this strategy, we have already made significant impacts: Convening global leaders in early-stage myeloma to investigate prevention, securing the provision of three next-generation treatments on the NHS, and launching the Myeloma UK Survivorship grant of up to £170,000 to fund research into improving patients’ quality of life. There is more work and achievements to come.

We’re enhancing our ability to address emerging and unmet needs while implementing comprehensive plans to reach more people, improve engagement, and grow our income as right now, the vast majority of our income is from donations. Through our innovative research programs, advocacy work, and comprehensive support services, we unite researchers, healthcare professionals, and patients in our mission to find a cure while ensuring no one faces myeloma alone.

About the role.

We’re seeking a Trustee to join our Board in 2025 and assume the role of Treasurer in 2026 as our current Treasurer ends his term in 2026. As Treasurer, you’ll play a crucial role in leading Myeloma UK into the next stage of our development, providing strategic financial leadership during an exciting period of growth and change. You’ll lead the Board’s duty to ensure financial resources are controlled, invested, and economically spent while advising on the financial and risk management implications of our strategic plans.

Working closely with our Chair, Board, and executive team, you’ll take an active role in our governance structure, including chairing the Finance and Audit Committee. You’ll build an effective relationship with our CEO and Director of Finance, providing both challenge and support as we pursue our ambitious goals.

Who we are looking for.

Ideally, you will bring substantial experience in commercial and financial management at a senior, strategic level, either as a finance professional or a senior business leader with financial and investment expertise. You’ll have experience chairing meetings and an excellent understanding of best practices in governance. Your personal and professional credibility will command confidence with the Board and stakeholders.

Most importantly, you’ll be collaborative and highly inclusive, fostering trust and valuing different perspectives throughout with a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. You’ll ensure all voices are heard and respected. Your unwavering dedication to fostering an equitable environment will enhance our board culture.

We’re looking for a clear and independent thinker with sound judgment and an appropriate approach to risk. Your excellent influencing and negotiation skills will be complemented by your solution-focused mindset and ability to see the big picture while remaining pragmatic. As an intellectually curious individual, you’ll be comfortable navigating complexity while building strong relationships through your high emotional and cultural intelligence.

Experience serving on the Executive Leadership Team of a growing organisation would be valuable, as would prior experience as a charity Trustee. An appreciation of the wider health, social, and political landscape, along with knowledge of charity fundraising practices, would be advantageous.

Time commitment.

The role offers a balanced mix of virtual and in-person engagement designed to maximise effectiveness while being mindful of trustees’ time. The Board meets quarterly, with two online meetings (approximately 3 hours each) and two significant in-person gatherings that form the cornerstones of our governance calendar. Our November board meeting is in London and includes a full-day session where we engage in board development and conduct strategy sessions. The second in-person meeting takes place in Edinburgh each May – a rich, one-and-a-half to two-day residential event combining formal board meetings with strategic planning, board development work, and our annual staff awards celebration.

As Treasurer, you’ll chair the Finance and Audit Committee, which meets online four times a year. Traditionally, there’s also a monthly catch-up with the Finance Director – this can be conducted virtually or in person, depending on location and preference. Overall, including reading board papers and ad hoc conversations, we expect the time commitment to be the equivalent of a day a month.

We provide comprehensive onboarding support, which can include listening to our Information Line calls to understand our frontline services, briefing sessions with Executive Leadership Team members, and deep dives into our research and services – all designed to bring our mission to life and ignite your passion for our cause.

This is an unremunerated voluntary position, though reasonable expenses, including overnight accommodation for the Edinburgh meeting, will be reimbursed.

Join us in our mission to transform the lives of people affected by myeloma. Together, we are the cure.

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

Applications for this role close on Monday 17th February 2025.

We are seeking enthusiastic and experienced fundraisers to work in a brand new team. An exciting opportunity to make a real difference in over 1000 people’s lives. Help to raise vital funds through a range of fundraising initiatives including individual donations, community events and grant applications.

About Bounds Green Food Bank: 

Open since June 2020, we serve over 1,500 children and adults in the community. We are committed to improving lives by providing food and essential household items to build a healthy, hunger-free tomorrow. We strive to promote social inclusion by supporting people who find themselves in a crisis situation where they need assistance to feed themselves and their families.

The role: 

• Support fundraising initiatives including a communications campaign, individual donations, community fundraising events and grant writing.

• Build good relationships within the community and with actual and potential donors.

• Provide guidance to other teams that support fundraising initiatives e.g. the Events and Projects Team, the Communication Team and Grant Writing Team.

Person specification: 

• Experience working in a fundraising role

• Passion and commitment for the cause 

• Excellent communication skills and ability to create and maintain relationships

Benefits:

• Give back to the community - one of the NHS’ 5 Ways to Wellbeing!

• Gain access to free workshops for volunteers and upskill on a range of topics (conflict resolution, mental health first aid, arts and crafts, and more)

• Join free social events for volunteers (such as picnics, walks, games nights and celebration events)

• Gain a sense of community and meet the huge team of volunteers

If you have experience in the private, public or voluntary sectors and the drive to make a difference, we have an opportunity for you to join our Clinical Governance Committee (and one other) in a voluntary role to make a positive contribution to the work we do.

Trustee - Clinical Governance
Salary: Voluntary Role
Location: East Anglia
Hours: Voluntary - Trustee Role

Who are we?

We are the largest provider of palliative and end of life care and support children and their families in East Anglia, delivering a comprehensive range of services across our three hospices as well as in family homes, hospital and in the wider community.

Our primary focus is on meeting the needs of babies, children, young people and their families, working alongside them as they face complex, health, social and emotional issues. Over the past 30 years, EACH has developed an enviable reputation in the field of children’s palliative care, both in the UK and internationally.

We are very proud that our three hospices; The Nook (Norfolk), The Treehouse (Ipswich) and Milton (Cambridge) are rated OUTSTANDING by the Care Quality Commission.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a talented, qualified nurse, allied health professional, wellbeing or clinical specialist to join our board of trustees to bring strong knowledge of clinical governance frameworks and healthcare regulations. You’ll bring valuable previous experience at a senior level to give specialised input on clinical governance to ensure safe, effective, and ethical delivery of EACH’s healthcare-related objectives. You will work with the Care leadership team to monitor adherence to healthcare standards, including those set by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Prior experience of maintaining clinical and quality standards and risk management in a clinical setting will be key to this role.  Ideally you will also be familiar with clinical safeguarding and regulatory compliance.

Our trustees drive our strategic development and hold our management team to account and the range of perspectives and lived experience trustees bring to board-level discussions helps us respond more effectively to our service users and the children and young people we support.

We would particularly like to hear from individuals who are well networked in our local communities across East Anglia (and the Cambridgeshire region would be advantageous).

We value hugely the contribution trustees make to EACH helping us to ensure our service users and families receive safe, well-led compassionate care.  You should be able to commit to four full day committee meetings per year (held in person at our hospice near Norwich) as well as four half day meetings held at our Milton (Cambridge) hospice. There is normally an additional one-day awayday meeting annually and some ad hoc activities, such as hospice quality visits or attendance at fundraising or community events in the East Anglia region.  Applicants will need to have their own transport.

You must be over 18 and eligible to act as a Charity Trustee in England.  We are looking ideally for a start date in around Spring 2025 with some flexibility.

What can a trustee role give you?

Being a trustee can be extremely rewarding. You will have:

• A comprehensive induction and training plan
• Opportunities to influence important strategic decisions
• Opportunities to gain new skills and to collaborate with senior managers across a variety of functions at EACH
• Influence to shape innovative projects
• Opportunities to build broader business awareness and professional development
• The chance to improve the palliative and end of life care of children and young people and the support we offer to their families

 Recruitment Information:

Trustee positions are un-remunerated although reasonable out of pocket expenses will be paid. This role offers a person the chance to make a strong valuable contribution to a respected community organisation with exposure at Board level.

Appointment to the Trustee Board will be subject to a selection process and satisfactory references and an advanced DBS check.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 9th February 2025.
Interviews are expected to be held via MS Teams initially during w/c 18th February 2025.

Interested?

If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website. 

Please note:

EACH reserves the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications.

This post is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check prior to appointment.

It is a criminal offence for people who are barred from working in Regulated Activity (under the Safeguarding and Vulnerable Groups Act 2006) to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with that particular group.

EACH has a legal responsibility to ensure that its employees have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Therefore, if you are made an offer of employment, this will be subject to verification that you are eligible to work in the UK before you start work.

Diversity statement

At EACH we believe in fostering a workplace where every individual feels valued and respected. We are committed to building a culture of inclusion where differences are embraced. We are actively seeking talent from all walks of life, recognising that diversity drives innovation, creativity and success.

Join us on a journey to create a more inclusive workplace, where everyone has equal opportunities to grow, contribute and succeed. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply for opportunities at EACH and adjustments will be made to facilitate the application and selection process.

Do you have a passion for using your beautician skills and expertise to support those who have experienced crisis? People in our services would benefit from social engagement, relaxation, and joy from learning about simple treatments they could use for themselves such as hand, foot massaging, manicures, pedicures, hair styling, cutting, overall hygiene tips and routines.

We have an exciting opportunity for a volunteer to coordinate online workshops on beauty/pampering to enhance good hygiene practice, promote confidence within oneself and positive wellbeing.

What you will be doing

• Facilitate weekly sessions via zoom
• Encourage group discussions around wellbeing, self-esteem and looking after themselves
• Inspire and motivate the group to be involved in future planning/designing of the session
• Share basic beauty tips and routines with group members
• Offer relaxation techniques that can be used to de-stress and promote positive mental wellbeing

The skills you need

• A skilled and qualified beautician
• Calm and patient approach
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation

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!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

We are looking for experienced volunteers to support with sessions teaching about sewing and designing, including things such as pattern cuttings and sewing techniques.

Research shows that craft activities release the feel-good hormone dopamine, provide a distraction from worries, gives people a creative outlet and sense of accomplishment and helps people feel happier.

What you will be doing

• To support with sewing sessions, involving individuals in the planning process where possible
• Inspire and motivate individuals to develop their sewing skills, assisting them in the creation of their projects and supporting them to brainstorm and use their own initiative
• Encourage individuals to continue independent activities
• Sharing skills for designing such as pattern cutting and sewing techniques.

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!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.