Volunteer Roles

Why we want you

Our vision is a society in which Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive. When anyone in the Armed Forces community finds themselves in need, SSAFA is the charity they can turn to – no one’s service is ever forgotten. More and more people need help, so we are growing our network of dedicated caseworkers.

Come and join our team! You will be making a real difference to the lives of those who need financial, practical, and emotional support. We value all our volunteers and the unique skills and experience they bring.

What you will be doing

• Arranging to talk with potential beneficiaries (on the phone or face to face) at a mutually convenient time
• Understanding peoples’ support needs and gathering information to assess their circumstances
• Typing written case reports to apply for financial assistance
• Sign-posting to services providing specialist support, such as mental health or housing support
• Keeping beneficiaries and the SSAFA regional office up to date with progress

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Non-judgemental
• Reliable
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Be part of a friendly and supportive SSAFA team
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Access a range of training and learning opportunities

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment. This role qualifies for a criminal record check, which will be carried out at no cost to you. If you have a criminal record, it won't necessarily stop you from becoming a volunteer. Please read our Volunteer Vetting Guidance for more information.

What's involved?

Lock keepers have been a fixture on Britain’s canals for hundreds of years and are one of the oldest traditions of the waterways. As ‘the face of the waterway’, modern-day volunteer lock keepers play an integral part in the visitor experience. Their role is to provide a polite and friendly welcome to waterway visitors, assisting boaters through the locks and helping to maintain the area.

It’s a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working in the outdoors and are perhaps looking for something different to do and want to help support the Canal & River Trust. The key qualities we’re looking for are enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Anyone can join as long as you are over the age of 18 and can aim to be available for at a least a day a week. Following appropriate selection, training and induction sessions we expect the role to commence fully around April and run through to October (local variations may apply).

What's in it for you?

Whether it’s helping a boat through the lock, talking to customers, litter picking or undertaking vegetation works, it can really make a great difference to a visitor’s appreciation of the waterways.

It's a great way to meet other local volunteers, learn new skills, and hear about other volunteering opportunities if you fancy getting more involved.

What skills are we looking for?

To carry out this role, you’ll ideally have an interest in the waterway and/or the local area, but this is not essential. The most important attributes are an ability to interact with and help others; a friendly manner and the ability to make a good first impression; a hands-on approach and can-do attitude, and flexibility to work on your own or with others. Ideally we are looking for someone who is locally based; and be available to work as part of a team.

We are particularly looking for individuals to volunteer on weekends here at Long Buckby.

Lock keepers have been a fixture on Britain’s canals for hundreds of years and are one of the oldest traditions of the waterways. As ‘the face of the waterway’, modern-day volunteer lock keepers play an integral part in the visitor experience. Their role is to provide a polite and friendly welcome to waterway visitors, assisting boaters through the locks and helping to maintain the area.

It’s a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working in the outdoors and are perhaps looking for something different to do and want to help support the Canal & River Trust. The key qualities we’re looking for are enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Anyone can join as long as you are over the age of 18 and can aim to be available for at a least a day a week. Following appropriate selection, training and induction sessions we expect the role to commence fully around April and run through to October (local variations may apply).

We are particularly looking for individuals to support us on weekends at this site.

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. 

We are Penderels Trust, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting people with disabilities and long-term health conditions to live independently. Our vision is for a world where disabled individuals can simply get on with their lives. One way we make this possible is by helping people manage the process of purchasing their own care. Based in Coventry, we support over 15,000 individuals across the country, with a team of 200 staff in six offices. Most of our work is delivered under contracts with local authorities or the NHS.

We are looking for someone to join us who has experience of sitting on a Board of Trustees and ideally, someone looking to become Chair within the next 12 months.

What will you be doing?

Are you passionate about making a difference to people with disabilities who live independently? Do you have the skills and dedication to help steer our organisation towards an exciting future? If so, we want to hear from you.

As a trustee, you will: 

• Provide strategic direction and oversight. 
• Ensure the organisation is financially stable and compliant with legal requirements. 
• Support and challenge the executive team to achieve our mission. 
• Act as an ambassador for the organisation, promoting our work and values.

Mostly during office hours. Estimate of time needed: 0-5 hours / month

What are we looking for?

We are seeking individuals who have:

• A strong commitment to our mission and values. 
• An understanding of governance, excellent financial acumen and experience of strong leadership. 
• Vision and be able to inspire others to work towards it. 
• A strategic focus and able to guide the board and management team to set and achieve long-term goals. 
• Integrity and accountability to stakeholders. 
• Experience and knowledge of the health and/or social care sector.

What difference will you make?

We are a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities or long-term health conditions to live independently. As a member of our board you will be helping to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities using our independent living services. 

Before you apply

Please contact us via the Reach platform for an application pack. Or If you are interested in joining our board of trustees, please send us your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest and what you can bring to the role via the Reach platform by 7th January 2025.

You'll join our enthusiastic board of volunteers, inputting on strategy and promoting our work. YAF’s Communications Team underpins all of the organisation's outputs by managing our communication channels and brand identity. They are instrumental in providing a voice for our Board and our members. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work as part of a creative and proactive team, with the autonomy to devise innovative content plans and company-wide messaging. It’s a great opportunity to develop a combined fundraising, marketing, and digital skill-set, offering tangible and versatile professional experience.

Applicants do not need prior experience in this area - we are looking for enthusiastic, passionate board members who want to develop new skills, and play a role in supporting Young Arts Fundraisers. Whether you are just starting out in the sector, have years of experience, or want to move into it, we want to hear from you.

Wintercomfort is seeking to appoint new Trustees to our Board of Trustees. We are particularly looking for a Charity Secretary (training provided) to support the effective governing of the charity but are also interested in hearing from people with knowledge and experience of the homelessness sector or with HR skills and expertise.

Trustees
Location: Cambridge, CB4 1EG
Time Commitment: Attending Board meetings (currently we schedule five a year).
Attending strategy and training days (approximately half a day once or twice a year).

Wintercomfort is an advice and support hub for homeless and vulnerably housed people in Cambridge. Open daily throughout the year, we provide services to aid every stage of recovery - from immediate basic welfare needs to long-term help people overcome challenges and fulfil their potential. We offer housing and tenancy support, debt advice, support with training and employment, access to a range of mental and physical health services, a dedicated women’s programme, and extensive work to promote social inclusion.

We are looking for people to join an experienced and passionate Board of Trustees who work collaboratively in providing strategic oversight and governance of Wintercomfort, to ensure its financial stability and that it achieves its mission. You will have a strong empathy with our values and be willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.

This is a voluntary, unpaid, position for an initial term of 3 years. Reasonable travel expenses can be paid.

We are welcoming applications until 5pm on Monday 23rd December 2024.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

No agencies please.

World Land Trust seeks new Trustees who will be engaged, ensure good governance, and help deliver its ambitious growth strategy. The successful candidates must bring expertise in one of the following areas:

Fundraising – we are keen to hear from candidates with significant fundraising experience at large UK charities. Current knowledge of fundraising strategy and best practice is essential. It is also desirable to have experience in one or more of, regular giving, major giving, or trusts and foundations, with a strong preference for experience in donor acquisition, preferably in the environmental space.

 Conservation – we are particularly interested in candidates from high-biodiversity countries in tropical regions with first-hand experience of conservation on the frontline. In particular, we’re looking for fresh perspectives on one or more of the following: strategic landscape prioritisation and planning, area-based mechanisms for effective land protection, community-led conservation, innovation in conservation, and/or payment for ecosystem services. We would especially welcome applications from early-career conservation professionals to complement our existing Trustee expertise.

 We would also welcome applications from people open to taking on the role of Chair in the future and those interested in chairing sub-committees or advisory panels.

World Land Trust would like to receive applications from those who have not held a board role before now, provided they can demonstrate that they have the ability to work at a strategic level, think creatively and criticise strategies and 

Our fundraising target is one thing that is always increasing! We organise a fantastic range of fun, family friendly events throughout the year to help meet this challenge. Many of our events are also an opportunity for people to do something positive in memory of their loved ones. The spirit of giving continues into the New Year as people generously donate to us for coming to collect and recycle their Christmas trees.

As Christmas Tree Collection Volunteer you will be supporting us to collect and recycle Christmas Trees in January. You’ll be assisting Driver and visiting residential properties to collect trees, pruning them to enable easier loading, loading them onto a van, and offloading them at drop-off locations for recycling.

This is a short-term volunteering role, taking place between 8 January – 11 January 2025 in 15 different postcodes across our care area. You can sign up to help us for a half day or whole collection duration. Make sure you have appropriate clothing and accessories to protect yourself from any harsh weather conditions. We will have snacks and drinks available to last you throughout the day!

Our shop volunteers are an important part of the work we do at Princess Alice Hospice. On over 40 high streets, they help our shops turn takings directly into outstanding care.

Volunteering in one of our shops not only makes a difference to those we care for, it will make a difference to your life too. In our vibrant, sociable shops you will find new friends, colleagues, whilst gaining a wealth of valuable experience and also bagging a bargain for yourself!

If you’re comfortable interacting with the public, enjoy working as part of a team, and have an eye for tidiness and detail, we’d love to hear from you.

Full training and guidance will be provided to support you with your volunteering journey at Princess Alice Hospice.

Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 600 shops. Our stores sell lots of great donated & new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.

Our retail stores are the face of our charity on the high-street and in local communities. We have loads of amazing stock donated to us every week, and this all needs to be sorted, tagged and put on the shop-floor for sale!

Making sure our shops look fantastic is another task you can get involved with. You may also be required to help out on the till too, but we will show you how that works during your time volunteering with us. We value the contribution of everyone who supports Barnardo’s.

You will be a friendly face of Barnardo’s by volunteering in one of our shops. It would be great if you could volunteer one shift a week (or even more if you want) but we’re always happy to be flexible to work around your availability.

Why we want you

Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 700 stores. Our stores sell lots of great donated and new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.

What you will be doing

• Work on the till processing sales and returns
• Prepare stock, including sorting, steaming and pricing
• Create stylish window displays
• Replenish stock on the shop floor
• Stock-take and other administrative tasks

The skills you need

• Friendly and helpful
• Happy to be part of an amazing team of staff and volunteers
• Enthusiastic about the work of Barnardo’s
• Flexible and willing to do a variety of the shop tasks

What's in it for you

• Have fun and meet new people
• Develop skills for your CV including confidence, teamwork and problem solving
• Make a difference to the lives of children, young people and their families
• Learning and development opportunities through our Volunteer Academy which includes access to Level 2 Qualifications and other accredited courses
• Full training and experience of working in retail as a volunteer

Disclaimer

We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the above, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. If you are unable to apply online through the link on this page, please visit your local store for a paper application form or contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on our website.

Location:

Unit 2, Anglia Way, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 4TB, United Kingdom

Minimum age: 14 

Enthusiastic, reliable and compassionate volunteers with good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. Confident working with young people between the ages of 16 - 24.

To provide social and practical support to customers. Helping towards improving the life chances of people with experience of homelessness.

Clarion Housing Group operate a number of supported housing schemes, to support people to live independently, by providing residents with the life skills they will need to eventually go on to their own tenancy.

This opportunity is based in Strood, Rochester and Gillingham (Medway).

Volunteers empower our customers to identify their existing strengths and skills so they can achieve their goals and aspirations. As a volunteer, you can support customers to achieve their full potential by developing new skills and accessing opportunities.

Activities:
-Building an empathic and person-centred relationship with a young person who may be socially isolated or lack confidence.
-Provide opportunities for young people to become more self-confident, maintain contact with important people in their lives and build-up their social networks.

Practical activities could also include:
-Empowering young people to develop independent living skills and to access educational and employment opportunities
-Helping the young people to complete forms and paperwork including developing their CV and job applications
-Helping the young people to build important life skills e.g. cooking, cleaning and budgeting
-Organising activities within the schemes i.e. art/painting, games/quizzes, cooking

Support for Volunteers:

- To attend four half days of training, receive an induction and have access to any other relevant in house and external training

- Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed

- Volunteers will have a check in with the Volunteering Officer every 3 months to ensure they are happy with the role and to resolve any issues

Gentle Exercises Volunteer in our Live Smart Scheme for over 55s. 

Facilitating a regular Gentle Exercise group to promote the health and wellbeing of residents.  Activities could include armchair aerobics, yoga or walking

LiveSmart schemes provide affordable, comfortable and secure housing for the over-55s.  Our purpose is to enhance the lives of the people we work with.  Volunteers run activities that promote happiness, health, inclusion and independence.

Activites:

Getting to know an interesting and diverse group of older residents in one or more LiveSmart schemes

Listening to residents and planning with them the type of gentle exercise activity they would prefer

Practical considerations:

Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training.

- Volunteers have a named supervisor providing day-to-day support and encouragement.

-Reasonable travel and lunch expenses with be reimbursed

- A DBS check will be required for this role.

Adapting exercises to the different abilities and needs of the group

Promoting the activity to increase the numbers of people participating

Commitment:

Commitment can be flexible to suit your availability, from about 1-2 hours per week. The commitment may increase as more residents become interested in activities, but a maximum should be 4 hours per week. Ideally this volunteer will commit to a minimum of

Amy’s Place is a partnership between the Amy Winehouse Foundation and Clarion Housing, providing supported living accommodation for young women aged 18-30 in recovery from drugs, alcohol and other addictive behaviors.

As a great communicator with ‘green fingers’ you will create a calm, nurturing environment in which to support the residents to gain gardening skills and to explore the possibility of growing their own food. 

Activities

Inspire the residents to take an interest in the outdoor space at Amy’s Place and involve them in the development of a regular gardening and/or food growing club.

Help residents to develop their gardening skills and knowledge specific to growing food, through group workshops and individually tailored support, guidance and encouragement.

Commitment 

This is a flexible opportunity and volunteering times and frequency will vary depending on the volunteer’s availability and the needs of the residents. It might be every week or fortnight ideally for a minimum of 3 months.

Requirements 

This role will require us to carry out an enhanced check through the disclosure and barring service.

Support 

•  Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training
•  Reasonable travel and lunch expenses will be reimbursed
• The role is based at the service in East London. The exact address cannot be given until the volunteer starts due to safety and privacy reasons