Housing And Homelessness Volunteer Roles

Crisis Birmingham are recruiting Lead Advocate Volunteers which are apart of our Homeless Health Peer Volunteering Team. 

Our Homeless Health Project focuses on supporting individuals experiencing homelessness to better access health care (GPs, Eyecare, Dentists, etc.) through peer volunteering. 

Our Lead Advocates support a small caseload of clients to attend health appointments and communicate their health needs to professionals. Alongside being a Lead Advocate, Volunteers will also get the opportunity to support our Education project.

As this project is focused on peer volunteering, you must have lived experience of homelessness (current or previous) to apply.

This role requires you to undertake 5 training days, and during this time you will find out more about the project and the role of a Lead Peer Advocate.

VOLUNTEER CHARITY TRUSTEE

Do You…

• Want to support vulnerable people in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
• Have the skills we need to join our board of trustees

DHA are an established and successful charity. As we approach our 30th year in 2025, we are looking for new trustees to join the Board and help drive the charity through its next chapter.

We provide:

• Specialist legal advice on a wide range of issues such as housing, debt and welfare benefits
• Money, bills and debt management training plus benefits entitlement support.

We focus on the needs of the individuals, families and communities we support, as well as the colleagues and volunteers we work alongside.

We have an excellent Board of Trustees and are looking to expand their skill sets.

So if you have a passion to help people facing challenges such as homelessness, serious disrepair, management of household bills and debt we’d love to hear from you!

We are seeking people with the following skills and experience:

• Strategic financial management
• Fundraising, particularly securing grants, corporate partnerships and high net worth individuals
• Legal representation, particularly Legal Aid
• Risk management and governance

Whether you are an experienced Trustee or wanting to take your first step at Board level, please get in touch.

As a trustee you will:

• Have an induction and ongoing training opportunities to support you in your role
• As this is a voluntary, unpaid role, any reasonable expenses incurred can be reimbursed
• Have opportunities to develop new skills and to network with like minded professionals
• Know your contributions are paving the way for a positive future for individuals and families in our community

The expected time commitment is a bi-monthly, 2 hour board meeting. These usually take place online or in-person. As well as preparing for the board meetings, trustees have the opportunity to join a sub-committee or ad-hoc working group and may be called upon for specific advice in their areas of expertise.

For more information including the role description, please contact us!     

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Board Member of English Rural Housing Association.

As part of our approach to succession planning, we are currently looking to appoint one exceptional candidate to join the Board. The ideal candidate for this role will bring a wealth of experience in asset management and procurement. 

Job Title: Board Member 
Hours: Typically, five board meetings a year, plus three committee meetings, and two- or three-days visiting sites or attending external events. 
Term(s): For up to two terms of three years each. 
Responsible to: Chair of the Board 
Salary: Currently unremunerated with associated expenses paid (The Board have agreed that a £2.5K per annum salary be introduced from September 2025) 
Location: Board and committee meetings are usually facilitated by remote video access with at least three board meetings in person. In person meetings are generally held in London. 
Induction: All incoming Board Members benefit from a comprehensive induction process, including meeting staff, being assigned a board ‘buddy’, up to three professional coaching sessions and Insights Discovery personality profiling. 
Appraisal: Board Member appraisals are carried out annually and incorporate a 360-degree approach.

About Us
English Rural is a leading specialist rural housing association with an active development programme. We build and manage homes in village locations, principally across the South of England. We currently own and manage around 1,600 homes in almost 200 villages. Our ambition is to build a further 150 homes as part of our Business Strategy.

All the homes we build are enabled in partnership with local communities and are designed to help local people. Our developments are high-quality and have a small footprint, with an average scheme being only six homes. We are also one of the prominent national advocates of affordable rural housing, with HRH The Princess Royal as our Patron.

About the Role
This is an exciting time to join the Board, as English Rural continues the successful delivery of an ambitious Business Strategy, which supports our position as a leading provider of affordable rural homes. Through the Strategy we are investing more than ever in our agreed purpose – ‘The provision and management of affordable housing for local people in rural villages in England and to be an advocate for affordable rural housing’.

As well as meeting the general requirements of the role, we are particularly looking for candidates who can contribute in one or more of the following areas:

• Expertise in asset management within a housing or similar sector
• Sound knowledge of procurement and contract performance management
• Experience of implementing sustainability and environmental aims within a housing or similar sector

We hope on reading the recruitment pack (availble at the next step, on our website) you will find yourself inspired by the valuable work that we do, and we look forward to receiving your application.

The closing date for applications is: 10:00am on Monday 24th March 2025. 
Your application will be acknowledged and treated with strictest confidence. 
Interviews: Week of 7th April 2025 
Board meeting to confirm appointments: Thursday 1st May 2025

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.

English Rural recognises the positive value of diversity and promotes equality. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.

No agencies please.

To support the housing staff team with a range of functions in order to ensure the smooth running of the hostel based in Comet Way, Hatfield.

Tasks could include but are not limited to:

·Supporting with the resident’s café by building a rapport with clients and serving teas and coffees

·Assisting clients in ad hoc admin tasks such as booking appointments

·General befriending 

·Identifying resident training needs and signposting as necessary

·Misc. paperwork

·Recording contact on a database

·Escalating any concerns to the line manager 

Skills you will need:

·Be a good listener with the ability to show empathy

·Passionate about working with people from diverse backgrounds

·Willing to work with challenging people and situations

·Good communication skills in English; in person & over the phone

·Reliable, punctual, organised and able to maintain confidentiality

·A willingness to learn new things and get stuck in

·Ability to work as part of a team and attend team meetings

·Working knowledge of local support agencies and IT packages

·Good organisational skills

Full training and an induction will be given as well as ongoing opportunities for your learning and development. We also have an exciting and varied calendar of events for volunteers and staff alike!

Please note you will be required to undergo a DBS check and we will require two references.

Shop Volunteering Opportunities

Harrogate

Our shops are at the heart of local communities raising vital funds for our fight against homelessness and bad housing - and they’re powered by our volunteers!

Suggested Involvement: It’s up to you! We have volunteers who support for one hour a week and others who volunteer more. Many people volunteer for a morning or an afternoon each week, but we’ll have a chat about your availability after you’ve applied.

Availability: The shop is open Monday - Saturday 09:00-17:00.

Location: Shop in Harrogate, HG1 1UB

Supervised by: Community Shop Manager/Assistant Manager

 We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need to have volunteered or worked in a shop before as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and willing to follow Shelter’s policies and can be an excellent ambassador for Shelter. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of bad housing or homelessness.

Induction, Learning and Development:

To enable you to take part in this opportunity Shelter will:

• Welcome you with a Volunteer Handbook
• Provide training, induction, and ongoing support from your Shop Manager to help you feel confident in your role
• Refund any out-of-pocket expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter…

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness
• Gain valuable experience in a retail environment
• Getting involved in your local community and being part of a great team
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills

We aim to respond to all applications within 14 days

As an Enhanced First Response Volunteer, you will drive our hire car and go out with a partner volunteer to look for referrals made by StreetLink, engaging with those found sleeping rough, and passing on information to the Outreach team. Enhanced First Responders play a crucial role in ensuring people sleeping rough receive vital support from the Outreach team to move away from the streets and get connected to other local services. Please note, you have to be 25 years old or over to drive the hire car, but if you don't meet this criteria, please still apply as you can support with note taking and navigation between referrals.

About Crisis

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We believe everyone should have somewhere safe and warm to call home and are committed to ending homelessness. Every year we work side by side with thousands of people from all sections of our communities to help them rebuild their lives and leave homelessness behind for good.

You will contribute to ending homelessness by...

Helping us better respond to the needs of the people accessing our services. You know your community better than we do - by identifying and creating connections with a network of Eritrean organisations and community groups, such as churches and support groups, we’ll be better able to support Eritrean people who are experiencing homelessness or who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless.

Timings

Flexible, but approx. 7 hours per week – this may include evenings and/or weekends depending on the availability of community groups/organisations.

Location

Mainly remote/community-based plus Skylight London, 50 Commercial St, London E1 6LT.

Responsible to

Eritrean Community Connection Volunteer Supervisor.

Core tasks

• With the Volunteer Supervisor, hold focus groups with Crisis members to identify potential contacts within Eritrean community groups and increase our knowledge and cultural awareness of the Eritrean community
• Proactively source and arrange meetings with different Eritrean community groups to:

1. Help link these organisations with Crisis so that information can be shared about the realities of homelessness in London and the work of Crisis Skylight
2. Gain valuable knowledge about cultural sensitivities so that we can improve staff awareness and better support people from the Eritrean community

Who we are looking for

To be successful in this role we’re looking for someone who:

• Is fluent in English and Tigrinya and/or Amharic and can translate and interpret between them
• Is knowledgeable about the culture and practices in the countries where Tigrinya/ Amharic are spoken
• Has the confidence and motivation to source opportunities to link with Eritrean organisations and community groups and represent Crisis independently
• Has excellent communication skills and is confident networking and talking to new people
• Has good IT skills with the ability to use email and the internet proficiently
• Is organised and reliable, non-judgemental, patient and friendly
• Is passionate about ending and preventing homelessness for people from the Eritrean community
• Understands the importance of adhering to policies and processes, including confidentiality, safeguarding, data protection and professional boundaries
• Is able to commit to the role for 6 months

What you will gain

Engaging your community with a cause you are passionate about is an incredibly rewarding experience. It is a good way to affect change at a local level, improve services and inspire others to consider how they too can take action to end homelessness.

• This is a new volunteering role, which you have the unique opportunity to help develop
• Opportunities to learn about the causes and effects of homelessness and how to engage others in the conversation
• Networking experience for a national organisation including public speaking and relationship management
• The opportunity to share your existing or develop new skills in a friendly and supportive environment
• Regular meetings to discuss how your volunteering is going and what other opportunities and training may be available to you
• Being part of a wide network of staff, volunteers and supporters all working together to end homelessness
• A reference for volunteering at a national organisation

Additional information

• Following a successful interview and references, completion of essential e-learning and training is required before starting the role
• A Crisis IT account will be issued for the role and must be used for all communications and record keeping connected with the role
• Out of pocket travel expenses and meal allowance will be reimbursed in line with our expenses policy
• We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply and particularly welcome Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, LGBTQ+, disabled and male applicants as well as those with lived experience of homelessness as these are currently under-represented groups in our volunteer pool

Applications will be considered as they're received so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

St Ignatius Housing Association looking for new board members to join on a voluntary basis where you will share our passion for reducing homelessness among vulnerable adults and provide housing support service to single adults.

Who we are

St. Ignatius Housing Association provides accommodation for rough sleepers and other homeless applicants. They may have a CHAIN number, but this is not necessary. The accommodation is for single men and women aged 18 and over. The accommodation is not staffed 24 hours. Visiting support is provided during office hours Monday to Friday. We have an out of hours service 7 days a week 365 days of the year with evening welfare checks on residents and telephone numbers for clients to call for welfare.

The role

1) Be passionate about the need to reduce homelessness among single vulnerable adults and providing supported housing services to our residents living in their home

2) to help play a important part in the governance and strategic direction and growth of our organisation and contribute to our mission of reducing homelessness in the borough of Harringay.North London.

3) St Ignatius Housing association is committed to providing a culture of inclusivity and diversity which is fundamental to our values and welcome applications from all sections of the community

4) While experience of working in housing or local government is helpful, we would be not see this as a barrier to a application and would be interested if you have skills and experience in financial sector, NHS , educational and legal work or social work sectors would be an advantage.

Individuals will be required to attend board meetings in person or remotely and in return we will provide personal development through training and support .

As a voluntary position it will not be paid however any reasonable travel and expenses for attendance at meetings will be covered.

5) Most importantly we are looking for those who can demonstrate that they are fair,rational and impartial : have a genuine interest in our services and our customers needs and are able to understand and analyse information and data and can communicate and share views and ideas in a constructive and objective way.

As a First Response Volunteer, you will help find those rough sleeping quicker, and enable Outreach workers to spend more time supporting those found to move away from the streets and get connected to other local services. First Responders play a crucial role to ensure people sleeping rough receive vital support. This is not a client-facing role and therefore is well suited to somebody looking for their first role in the homelessness sector. However, we do also offer development opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge about rough sleeping for those interested.

On shift, you and a partner volunteer will be given a list of people who have been seen sleeping rough. Your role is to identify those who are sleeping rough, and pass information about referrals to the Outreach team to follow up on – they will help the person find accommodation and link them into non-accommodation-based support for example around physical or mental health. 

Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Services is a registered charity providing a range of services to adults and children fleeing domestic abuse across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Having recently undertaken a governance review we currently have a vacancy for a volunteer to join the Board of Trustees who ideally has had some experience of being involved at a board level. 

The skills and expertise we will consider particularly are:

• Finance
• Safeguarding

We would welcome any applicants from ethnic minority groups and in addition those who have had some previous experience in chairing meetings or have been a chair of another organisation in the past.

Board meetings are at present held in Norwich approximately six to eight times per year for a maximum of two hours in the evening.

Other information:

• Expenses: paid in accordance with the Leeway volunteer expenses policy and following provision of receipts
• Insurance Cover: Trustee Indemnity Insurance in place
• Training: Trustee induction and ongoing training
• Recruitment method: Application form and skill-based Interview process

Applicants must support and have awareness of the aims and purposes of Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Services. 

• Closing date Friday 14th March 2025

Please see email when you click to apply to get an application form. Successful candidates will be subject to a Disclosure Barring /DBS check.

We are looking for a team of Welcome and Reception Volunteers to join us on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at Crisis Birmingham.

You will be supporting our Engagement and Assessment Room, and will be our first point of contact for new member sign-ups and members visiting our office on that day. You will also be given other tasks to do whilst the room is quiet, such as contacting new referrals, supporting to answer the phones and other administration.

As this role needs to have access to member data, it is not suitable for current members of Crisis.

Shop Volunteering Opportunities

Hampstead Heath

Our shops are at the heart of local communities raising vital funds for our fight against homelessness and bad housing - and they’re powered by our volunteers!

Suggested Involvement: It’s up to you! We have volunteers who support for one hour a week and others who volunteer more. Many people volunteer for a morning or an afternoon each week, but we’ll have a chat about your availability after you’ve applied.

Availability: The shop is open Monday - Saturday 10:00-18:00 and Sunday 11:00-17:00. 

Location: Shop in Hampstead Heath, NW3 2QB

Supervised by: Community Shop Manager/Assistant Manager

Skills and Experiences Required:

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need to have volunteered or worked in a shop before as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and willing to follow Shelter’s policies and can be an excellent ambassador for Shelter. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of bad housing or homelessness.

Induction, Learning and Development:

To enable you to take part in this opportunity Shelter will:

• Welcome you with a Volunteer Handbook
• Provide training, induction, and ongoing support from your Shop Manager to help you feel confident in your role
• Refund any out-of-pocket expenses in line with Shelter’s volunteer expenses policy

Benefits of volunteering with Shelter…

• Supporting Shelter in our fight against bad housing and homelessness
• Gain valuable experience in a retail environment
• Getting involved in your local community and being part of a great team
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills

We aim to respond to all applications within 14 days

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Could you prevent loneliness and isolation in your community and become a befriender?

• Do you have 2-3 hours a week to give to a client suffering from loneliness or mental health? (For a mutual agreement of time and locations that meet clients’ needs)
• Can you offer support, through a listening ear and be a positive influence in a client’s life to help build self-esteem and confidence?
• Will you enable our clients to benefit from knowing someone is there to listen, be a friend, and check in on their wellbeing?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include, but is not restricted to the following tasks:

• Carry out weekly checks with the clients you are supporting. This can be in a variety of settings, e.g., family home, support home, or in the community (via face-to-face meetings, phone or video calls)
• Have fun, take clients on outings, and maybe share a hobby, sport, or an interest
• Collect prescriptions for clients and assist with their weekly shop
• Help clients rediscover social skills and confidence by building up and maintaining a close relationship
• Report any concerns to the Volunteer Coordinator

Skills required

No qualifications or volunteering experience is required; however, the below skills are essential:

• A non-judgemental approach
• Good listening and communication skills
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Be able to work on own initiative
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

Are you passionate about social impact and want to help companies make a meaningful difference? Unify Giving is transforming corporate giving by enabling companies to directly connect their donations to individuals facing adversity.

We’re building a dynamic volunteer sales team to engage with corporations and introduce them to our innovative platform, where donations go directly to individuals experiencing hardship, creating immediate and measurable impact.

Why Join Us?

 •  Be part of a mission-driven initiative revolutionising corporate giving
 •  Gain valuable experience in sales, corporate engagement, and social innovation
 •  Comprehensive training and mentorship from industry leaders
 •  Potential to transition into a paid, commission-based role with growth opportunities

What We’re Looking For:

 •  Passionate changemakers who believe in ethical innovation
 •  Excellent communicators with a knack for building relationships
 •  Motivated individuals who can engage corporates in CSR and ESG-aligned initiatives
 •  Team players who want to be part of a purpose-driven movement

Together, we can revolutionise how companies give back, making donations more transparent, impactful, and directly beneficial to individuals in need.

If you’re ready to be part of this movement and gain valuable experience in the process, apply now
Let’s change lives—one donation at a time