Volunteer roles for the Human Rights sector

Applicants must live in Watford, Hertfordshire or the surrounding area.

At Watford & Three Rivers Refugee Partnership, our objective is to provide practical and emotional support, ultimately helping our clients achieve a sustainable position as full members of our society. Many of our clients are destitute, homeless and have no access to assistance from the government. Our mission is to provide access to advice and essential services until statutory services are in place.

Volunteering at the Drop-In centre provides an opportunity for you to help our refugee clients with any issues they might have. We have sessions running every Tuesday between 11:30am and 1:30pm at St Mary’s Church, High Street, Watford. The Drop-In provides an opportunity for refugee clients to come and discuss any issues they have and to be listened to by one of our volunteers. Many of our clients are likely to have lived here for a while but an issue or crisis in their lives means that they need to discuss it and seek some help. They may also be in the process of seeking asylum. We can provide advice and sometimes resolve their issue there and then and at other times we refer them to another agency or invite them to come back once their issue has been looked into.

The Drop-In Centre could not function without our team of committed volunteers, and we are always looking for additional help.

Full training given on starting the role as well as regular training sessions and continual support from more experienced volunteers.

Responsibilities:

· Help with filling in forms and interpreting official documents.

· Liaising with statutory and voluntary agencies.

· Referring clients for follow up action by our Case Review Team and linking them with a befriender.

· Referring clients to our partner solicitor who specialises in immigration law and comes to the Drop-In 4th Tuesday of the month.

· Advice on how to access appropriate housing and free food in the area.

· Access to the charity’s other services, such as free English classes.

Requirements:

· Able to attend at least one Tuesday Drop-In a month.

· Complete training as required and attend bi-monthly volunteer support meetings.

Skills:

· An ability to communicate and empathise with people from a variety of backgrounds and needs.

· Basic IT skills.

· Assist clients in accessing essential services such as legal, housing, financial and food.

· Can work well as part of a team.

· Enthusiasm to help refugee clients.

Desirable experience: 

· Previous volunteering experience.

· Previous experience working in a people-facing role.

If you are interested in becoming a Drop-In volunteer please apply via Charity Jobs or contact us and a volunteer coordinator will contact you to discuss this further.

We are seeking people with an interest in improving access to justice and opportunity for refugee and migrant individuals and communities to join our committed Trustee Board here at South London Refugee Association.

What will you be doing?

Our organisation

South London Refugee Association was established in 1991 and is a well respected and trusted local resource. We are a front line community organisation providing advice and support to people who find themselves in extreme difficulty because of past trauma or because of restrictions related to their current immigration status.  As a relatively small charity with a wide reach, we support those who hold an aspiration of a normalised safe life here in the UK yet who face numerous obstacles in realising their dreams of settlement and safety.

We ‘re able to evidence excellent outcomes and value for money to the numerous Trusts, Foundations and public agencies which fund or commission our services.

Our Board

We have a committed Board of Trustees who bring a range of experience and expertise to the organisation. 

The role

Strategic Direction and oversight

• To ensure that SLRA fulfils its objects and set out in its governing documents and complies with regulations issued by the Charity Commission, charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• To contribute actively to giving strategic direction to SLRA.

Decision making

• To ensure that funding received is used for purposes agreed with funding bodies.
• To review and approve the annual audited accounts.
• To manage the organisation’s assets responsibly.
• To contribute to management decisions as and when they are required by the Chair and CEO.

Responsibilities

• To ensure that SLRA is managed efficiently by appointing and supporting the CEO and monitoring performance.
• To keep informed about the work of SLRA and the issues that affect our work.
• To raise the profile of SLRA and foster our excellent reputation.

Trustee Person Specification

Trustees need to be:

• People of integrity with good judgement and an ability to think strategically.
• Able to work constructively as part of a small team.
• Open minded with a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Able to access the internet and to receive and send emails.

Ideally applicants will also have a knowledge of the local area gained through work or residence, however this is not essential if the trustee has other valuable and relevant experience.

What are we looking for?

Trustees need to be:

• People of integrity with good judgement and an ability to think strategically.
• Able to work constructively as part of a small team.
• Open minded with a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Able to access the internet and to receive and send emails.

Ideally applicants will also have a knowledge of the local area gained through work or residence, however this is not essential if the trustee has other valuable and relevant experience.

We are particularly interested in applicants who have specific knowledge and experience of Human Resources or of Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable adults, however, we are happy to consider applications from potential trustees with other skills and experience.

What difference will you make?

As an SLRA trustee you will help to shape our strategic direction and to ensure that we continue into the future as a vital and trusted local resource.

Before you apply

Please apply through Reach in the first instance. Our Trustee Information Pack provides detail of our recruitment process.

Independent journalism gives us the facts we need to make the big decisions. We're looking for someone to join our board, chair our Finance, Audit & Risk Committee and help us us protect your freedom and our democracy.

Over the past three decades, the Rory Peck Trust has supported more than 3,000 freelance journalistts,, before, during and post assignment – over 500 in 2024 alone.. We fund training to equip them to report from the world’s most dangerous places, crisis assistance when things go wrong, and mental health support to help them rebuild their lives. Sadly, more freelance journalists than ever need our help so they can continue reporting from places as diverse as Myanmar, Haiti, Sudan and Gaza.

Trustees have ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the Rory Peck Trust, ensuring it is solvent, well run and delivering its mission. They are expected to attend Board meetings, sit on one Committee of the Board, attend meetings of these Committees and contribute to the direction of the Rory Peck Trust by supporting the Management Team in particular projects or areas on request, e.g. recruitment of Board members or senior staff roles. 

The Trust is entering an exciting time, developing a new revenue strategy and overhauling our governance. 

Key tasks:

• As a Trustee, operate as the key conduit between the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and the Board, as set out in the Committee’s Terms of Reference (attached).

• As Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, provide strong, independent leadership, setting the tone for the work of the  committee.,

• Ensure the Trust has an effective risk management framework and ability to understand and manage all risks. Ensure risk and performance management is monitored and managed through effective systems of internal control and delegation.

• Develop a strong and supportive relationship with the management team – in particular the Business Manager.

• Ensure the Trust has an effective system of internal controls and appropriate internal and external audit arrangements to manage the organisation’s performance.

• Support the Board in undertaking statutory duties, which include approving the annual report and accounts, and providing an appropriate statement for inclusion in the annual report on the effectiveness of the company’s systems for risk management and internal control.

• As part of the board, set the strategic direction, in partnership with all stakeholders, including ambition and values, and ensure effective plans are established to achieve the corporate objectives.

• Represent the Trust as necessary to key external stakeholders.

• Agree policies and make decisions on matters that might create significant financial, operational and reputational risk to the Trust, ensuring effective systems of control and delegation.

• To uphold the principles of good governance at all times

• Lead the periodic appointment and review of terms of External Audit

Person specification:

• A qualified accountant with senior experience in an organisation of similar complexity.

• The ability to recognise, assess and stress test risk.

• Demonstrable financial acumen and experience of business planning.

• Ideally experience of being part of a non-executive Board, dealing with governance considerations, ensuring high performance and good decision-making.

• Exposure to internal and external audit functions.

• An excellent working knowledge of audit committee practices and risk management and assurance frameworks.

• An understanding of the media industry, particularly journalism, would be beneficial.

Key relationships:

• Chair

• Other Trustees

• Executive Director

• Business Manager

Our values:

The Rory Peck Trust is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion – we strive to ensure we reflect these principles in our policies and workplace culture. We believe that diversity is an essential enabler in engaging those we assist, and in finding innovative solutions in times of crisis. We treat everyone with respect, put people first and we work as a team, building alliances and seeking partnerships to advance our common cause.

Equity, diversity and inclusion:

We believe in creating a positive environment where our differences are respected and each of us feels valued for our contribution. All qualified candidates will be considered regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or belief, age, socioeconomic background, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity and caring responsibilities, marital status, nationality and disability including invisible disabilities and neurodiversity.

Applicants must live in Watford, Hertfordshire (UK) or surrounding area.

 Befriending Coordinator for Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership (WTRRP)

Job Summary:  A befriending coordinator role is available WTRRP. Befriending is one of the longest running services at the charity and it has recently been reviewed so that volunteers and clients are receiving the best and most supportive experience possible. A coordinator is required to ensure the smooth running of the service and that the new Befriending vision and policy is carried out.

Principal Responsibilities:

● Be a point of contact to all Befrienders.

● Help with the organising and allocating of befrienders with befriendees, with the support of Casework Coordinator, in a timely manner.

● Encourage befrienders to empower clients and create a self-sufficient service.

● Communicate with befrienders and Casework Coordinators to determine whether the befriending relationship is suitable or needs to end.

● Raise any safeguarding issues immediately with the Safeguarding Lead and/or a member of the Committee.

● Develop a good, trusting and listening relationship with befrienders and remain in regular contact with them to ensure they feel supported in their time volunteering.

● Forward on any volunteers to the Emotional Support Counsellor, if needed.

● Liaise with others involved in the partnership such as Drop-In Volunteers, Casework Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator and Committee members.

● Be fully aware of, comply with, and promote, safe systems of work to protect the health, wellbeing and safety of all volunteers and clients whilst befriending.

● Work constructively as a team member to make a positive contribution with all volunteers from the Partnership.

● Attend bimonthly volunteer, coordinator meetings and casework meetings if required. All based in Watford and/or via Zoom.

● Facilitate frequent befriender meetings to create a supportive culture.

Requirements of the Role:

● 7-10 hours a week with some attendance on Tuesdays 11.30-1.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Watford.

● Empathetic, patient and well organised.

● Act as an ambassador for WTRRP and uphold its vision.

Skills:

● An ability to communicate effectively in writing, over the telephone, face to face and in an appropriate manner with volunteers and clients.

● Ability to work respectfully and modify behaviour in relation to volunteer’s and client’s different needs.

Desirable experience: 

● Previous befriending experience.

● Previous volunteering experience.

● Experience of people management or of a people-facing role.

If you are interested in becoming a Befriending Coordinator and would like an application form please contact us.

If you want to have a chat about this role, please let us know and someone from the Partnership will contact you. 

Are you passionate about issues relating to gender inequality and ending violence against women and girls? 

If so, come and volunteer with Women and Girls Network’s Sexual Violence Helpline!

Women and Girls Network (WGN) is a London based, feminist organisation, offering specialist wrap-around support for survivors of all forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

We are seeking Sexual Violence Helpline Volunteers who will thrive in a multi-cultural feminist environment. In this unique role, you will provide emotional support for self-identifying women, girls, and non-binary people affected by sexual violence. You will create a safe space where survivors are free to be themselves, have their voice heard and safely explore the impact of their experiences. 

As a Sexual Violence Helpline Volunteer, you will make a difference to survivor’s lives, gain valuable front-line experience within London’s VAWG sector and join a friendly, committed and passionate team. We also offer a comprehensive induction programme, access to specialist training courses and ongoing support.  

For further information about this opportunity, and to download an application pack, please visit our website. 

Interviews are expected to take place on a rolling basis until all posts are filled, early applications are highly encouraged. 

These posts are subject to pre-volunteering checks including DBS, references, and social media background screening.

WGN is an equal opportunities employer.

The above posts are exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

Come join our team working to help change the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in society. Ranked 2023 Q4 by Best Companies as the 8th best charity to work for in the UK, Medaille Trust is one of the UK’s leading charities in the fight against modern slavery. Our innovative model is based on three principles: Prevent, Protect and Pursue.  We are one of the UK’s largest providers of survivor services, with ten safehouses and six outreach hubs, staffed round the clock by specialist staff, working with more than 600 men, women and dependent children each year.  We work to raise awareness in the UK and to provide preventive work in source countries. Our Pursue work helps survivors to engage with police and within the legal system to seek justice and to secure convictions against their perpetrators

We are looking for a volunteer to help support us with gardening and working alongside our service users to support them with all things gardening related. Tasks will include:

•Digging, planting, maintaining, harvesting of plants

•Trimming hedges and bushes

•Weeding, planting and watering plants

•General vegetable patch maintenance

•Sharing knowledge of plant, flower and food cultivation with service users

•Offering a safe and comfortable experience for all service users, showing awareness of service users’ varying physical and mental well-being needs

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and have a wide range of experience and motivations. Whatever your reason for deciding to volunteer, we want to make sure you enjoy your time with us and know just how much we value your support.

This role requires maturity, and an ability to engage with female adults in a trauma informed way, while working alongside staff members to deliver the activities in line with agreed procedures and systems.

Volunteers need to:

•Be at least 18 years old

•Be able to get to the venue which is based in Swindon

•Have experience or qualifications in gardening, cultivation, harvesting of plants

•Have a good standard of spoken and written English

•Be able to regularly commit on a weekly basic

•Be willing to have an enhanced DBS check

•Have knowledge and understanding of human trafficking issues or willingness to learn

•Have knowledge and understanding of mental health conditions or willingness to learn

•Have an understanding of the importance of professional boundaries in the role

•Have the ability to maintain confidentiality

Enhanced DBS is required for this role

Chair of the Charitable Trust Board

Amnesty International UK

Lead With Purpose. Chair the Board of One of the World's Most Recognised Human Rights Movements.

Amnesty International UK is seeking a visionary, inclusive and values-driven Chair to lead the Charitable Trust Board at a pivotal moment of change and opportunity.

With nearly half a million supporters across the UK, the mission is to stand up for humanity and human rights. The Charitable Trust plays a vital role in funding Amnesty's work globally and in the UK - supporting individuals, communities, and movements where justice, fairness, and freedom are at stake.

As Chair, you will provide strategic leadership to the Board, oversee key governance responsibilities, and guide the Trust through an exciting period of transition - including responsible investment, growing the grant making impact, and advancing digital and cultural transformation.

About you:

• Proven governance or board leadership experience (e.g. Chair, Vice Chair, Trustee)
• Strong understanding of charity governance, risk, and compliance
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and chairing skills
• The ability to lead with curiosity, compassion and strategic clarity
• A deep personal commitment to human rights, anti-racism, equity and inclusion
• Familiarity with ethical investment, grant making, digital transformation, or complex organisational change would be highly beneficial.
• Lived experience of injustice or marginalisation, and younger voices in leadership, are especially welcomed.

Practicalities:

UK-wide (with London-based meetings)
Voluntary, with expenses covered
Approx. 15-20 days/year
3 years (renewable once)

Join the Conversation

We're hosting a live Q&A Webinar on Monday 28th April 2025 at 6:30 pm where they will share further insights and answer any additional questions you may have. In the first instance, please send your CV to and we will forward you the recruitment pack as well as the link to register to attend this webinar.

Timeline:

Closing date: 5pm 23^rd May 2025

First Interviews: w/c 30^th June

Final Interviews: w/c 7^th July

This is your opportunity to lead with integrity, shape the future of human rights work, and ensure Amnesty International UK is governed with accountability, vision, and courage.

This is an exciting time in our growth as we look to grow our governance systems, build on our successes and ensure we are a radical, dynamic organisation rooted in our anti-racist and anti-oppressive values.  We are looking to recruit 2 new trustees.  We are looking to diversify the experience and expertise of our Board, and we believe that there are people out there who have knowledge, skills and passion in different areas that will help SWWB. Areas for organisational development include:

· Embedding lived experience expertise into the design, delivery and evaluation of our work

· Developing our campaigning and strategic work

· Building up our social media and comms presence

· Stepping up our fundraising game

If you think you can help with any of these things (or something else), and you are interested in being a trustee, please get in touch, we would love to hear from you!

Background

Indigenous peoples and local communities are grappling with the constant threat of displacement from their lands in Tanzania. The Maasai communities in Tanzania's Loliondo and Ngorongoro regions are currently facing significant challenges, primarily due to government-led eviction efforts aimed at designating these areas for conservation and tourism purposes. The violations of human and land rights have left thousands of people vulnerable and in need of urgent assistance. These evictions not only disrupt the livelihoods of the affected populations but also undermine their cultural heritage and traditional ways of life. As these communities are forced from their ancestral lands, many lose access to vital resources such as grazing lands, water, and shelter, leading to severe socio-economic hardships. Not1More is working with a partner organisation, Traditional Ecosystems Survival Tanzania (TEST), in Tanzania to support their essential fundraising, advocacy and community development activities.  

Your Role

We are looking for a volunteer who can dedicate time to this role through to December 2025. You will be a part of a team that works directly with Tanzania’s indigenous Maasai, and help to make a difference in key areas such as protecting ecosystems, preserving Indigenous knowledge, community capacity building and advocating for Indigenous rights.

The main objective is to help TEST diversify and increase their funding sources. This will include connecting with other enthusiastic team members online to develop a fundraising strategy and implementation of a fundraising campaign, including identifying grant funding opportunities, assisting in the preparation and submission of grant funding proposals, and pursuing philanthropic and corporate partnership funding opportunities.

Desirable Skills and Experience

Ideally you are a compassionate, organised, and resilient individual with strong communication and relationship-building skills, along with a passion for the cause. A proactive, positive personality with a can-do attitude, would highly suit this role.

Previous experience with fundraising activities, preferably with an NGO is desirable but not necessary.

Mentoring

Support and mentoring to develop your skills will be available in this role as we aim to help you bring out our talents in this team.

Hours

As this is a volunteer role, time is flexible, but you would be expected to attend a bi-weekly check-in with someone from the Not1More team to ensure we are working in the same direction.

Exciting Treasurer opportunity with a growing charity that supports victims of modern slavery.

West Midlands Anti Slavery Network brings together partner organisations to combat modern slavery, human trafficking, and exploitation. Through direct victim support, identifying gaps, influencing change, and facilitating solutions, we strive to protect and advocate for the vulnerable in our community.

We are seeking a Treasurer to join our Board. 

What will you be doing?

Our Trustees play a vital role in making sure that WMASN achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that WMASN has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision.

As well as fulfilling the duties of a Trustee, the Treasurer maintains an overview of our financial affairs. The Treasurer ensures that effective and appropriate financial measures, controls and procedures are put in place and reports to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation.

Your expertise, advice, and guidance would be invaluable in shaping and implementing our financial strategies.

This role is mainly home-based.

Please request the candidate pack attached for further details.

Time commitment

· Attend quarterly Board meetings: These meetings typically last around 3 hours, held between 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Most meetings are conducted online, with one in-person meeting held annually in June at the charity's offices in central Birmingham.

· Participate in Finance Sub-Committee work: The Treasurer is expected to join the finance sub-committee which meets quarterly for approximately 2 hours.

· The overall time commitment varies depending on the charity's activities, with an average of 10 hours per month, including preparation and follow-up tasks.

Trustees are also expected to contribute ad hoc and occasional time outside of Board meetings, the majority of which is done remotely.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for individuals who can bring energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to the role, and who will help broaden the diversity of thinking on our Board. No prior Trustee experience is necessary – we will provide a comprehensive induction and training.

Qualifications and Experience:

· A finance professional. A knowledge of charity finance is an advantage. Otherwise an enthusiasm to learn, drawing from sound commercial experience and an understanding of SMEs.

· A strategic thinker with an ability to balance risk and opportunity.

· Clear communicator with the ability to bring the financial information alive to non-finance specialists.

· Willing to play an active role in areas such as forecasting, setting budgets, liaising with auditors.

What difference will you make?

As a small charity we recognise the great work, time and commitment of our Board. This position is an opportunity to:

· Give back to a charity that is dedicated to creating positive impact

· Enhance your CV and open doors to new career paths

· Make a difference to those in need

· Learn about the management and strategy side of charities

· Utilise your experience and skills within the voluntary sector

· Work with an interesting team from diverse backgrounds

Salusbury World is a small refugee-support charity working in Brent and neighbouring London boroughs. We support refugee and migrant children and families to develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive in London. We believe every refugee should be given the chance to come to terms with the loss they have experienced and to build a hopeful, fulfilling life in the UK. We exist to help overcome practical challenges - and to give opportunities to experience joy, intellectual and creative fulfilment, and hope for the future. 

Aim 

We haven’t been able to devote enough time to developing our digital presence. We’d love your help to spread the word about the great work we do and the impact it has. 

We are looking for a passionate and creative volunteer to help us plan, update and deliver our social media strategy, specifically focusing on Instagram, X and LinkedIn. The role involves contributing to our social media strategy and developing content that tells the story of Salusbury World’s mission, projects and impact in an engaging way. 

Skills and Experience 

• Experience in social media content creation and strategy, preferably in a nonprofit or community-focused environment. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills,

• Ability to create compelling and persuasive content 

• Ability to write content for a range of platforms 

• Confident and competent IT skills including MSOffice, Canva, Mailchimp and digital platforms 

• Basic video editing skills are a plus. 

Tasks will involve: 

• Collaborating with the Salusbury World team to understand our mission, values, and target audiences. 

• Collaborating with the team to develop a strategic plan for social media, including content themes, posting frequency, and engagement tactics. 

• Creating engaging social media content

• Creating content for use on our website, leaflets, fundraising/promotional materials etc. 

• Support with our branding initiatives 

This is an exciting time in our growth as we look to grow our governance systems, build on our successes and ensure we are a radical, dynamic organisation rooted in our anti-racist and anti-oppressive values.  We are looking for a new Treasurer for our Trustee board, to join us and help lead and shape the future of the organisation.

This is an exciting time in our growth as we look to grow our governance systems, build on our successes and ensure we are a radical, dynamic organisation rooted in our anti-racist and anti-oppressive values.  We are looking for a new Chair for our Trustee board, to join us and help lead and shape the future of the organisation. 

We are working in partnership with New Citizens’ Gateway, a charity that empowers refugees and asylum seekers to foster a sense of belonging, integrate into the UK and rebuild their lives. They provide support for refugees and asylum seekers across London and beyond through a holistic model and multifaceted approach, which acknowledges the whole person and all their physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs. Their services including advice and guidance, campaigning, ESOL classes, community classes and groups, counselling, wellbeing services, youth activities and mentoring. 

New Citizens’ Gateway (NCG) are actively developing their Board and are now seeking new Trustees, bringing fresh skills and professional backgrounds to help continue their growth. The new trustees will join a collaborative and ambitious team and will be responsible for providing strategic support related to their area of expertise and support overall governance and leadership of the organisation.

NCG wants its Board to reflect the people it serves, so they actively encourage candidates to apply with lived experience of the refugee and/or forced migration journey to rebuilding your life in the U.K.

Key skills and experience are sought, although not limited to, the following areas: 

• Finance / wealth management
• Fundraising
• Marketing and communications
• Youth work
• NGO leadership

However, the Board is open to expressions of interest from candidates who do not possess skills in these areas, but that would like to be considered as a Board member. 

Board meetings are held four times a year (hybrid) in addition to attending occasional networking, fundraising and ceremonial events and meetings. All reasonable expenses will be covered by the charity. We anticipate a 1-2-hour monthly time commitment. 

If you do not match the criteria for this role, please don’t be put off from applying - training and support can be agreed for the right candidate.

For more information, please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Associate Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your expression of interest should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Closing date: 12th May 2025

Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by the EOD on Monday 19th in preparation for submission to NCG on Tuesday 20th May.

Interviews with NCG: TBC