Youth Children Volunteer Roles

Barefoot and Free are looking for a creative volunteer who has fresh ideas with the expertise and passion to make them a reality.

What will you be doing?

A wonderful opportunity for a vibrant creative individual to come up with new fundraising ideas and put them into practice.

We would love to hear from anyone who is passionate about fundraising and loves organising events, from cake sales to fun runs. If you feel you are someone who can motivate others, steer current and new supporters to sign up and support them to organise their fundraising events and organise our own fundraising charity events then get in touch..... we need your help.

This event organising role is an important role, it will help bring in much needed funds to support what we do.

What are we looking for?

We’d love someone who is passionate about supporting the families we serve, someone who is creative and can put a plan in action, someone who has had experience in successful fundraising activities, events or online success. Bringing in new supporters, organise events or comeup with some new ideas.

What difference will you make?

We are a small charity fighting hard to support our families, as we grow, we need to bring in more funding, could you be the person to support us? Are you creative with vibrant ideas that could work boost our fundraising?

Your support will help us to grow and support more families, our families are extremely important to us, we support amazing children and young people fighting big issues due to neurodiversity or trauma resulting in mental health issues, we work hard as a team to fund staycations so our families can breathe and take a break so they can recuperate to face the challenges they so unfairly face. You will have the chance to make a huge difference to the lives of the vulnerable families we support at Barefoot and Free.

We can’t wait to see what you can do! Please get in touch.

2025 is a pivotal time for our small, family centred Charity as we move into our 22nd year. This year our Board will be defining our new mission and preparing for implementation. We're seeking new trustees to join us to contribute to our new mission and define the Charity's direction as we conclude our first mission in late 2025.

The Muscle Help Foundation (MHF) is a small multi-award winning, family-centred charity, delivering both in-person and virtual interventions and experiences in the UK - these moments-in-time are called Muscle Dreams, designed specifically for children & young people (8-28yrs) with the muscle wasting disease, Muscular Dystrophy (MD).

MHF’s impact is felt by beneficiaries and their families across the UK – from improved confidence, greater self-esteem, and an increased sense of hopefulness to a powerful shared identity that connects families, giving a platform to share knowledge, memories and establish lasting friendships.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

We are looking for Trustees who have a passion to take the charity forward, to grow impact, to leave a personal legacy and to feel the sense of personal fulfilment from the time they volunteer.

AS A TRUSTEE, YOU WILL

• Have an opportunity to help improve the lives of children, young people and their families
• Contribute to the governance of our small, well respected, national charity
• Have strategic responsibility for a specific skill area
• Act as an advocate/champion in promoting the charity's work across your network
• Receive induction, support and training
• Bring your lived experience, in using and further developing your skills for the benefit of others
• Be a part of the team that will help the charity achieve its overarching 657 Muscle Dream mission

REQUIREMENTS + KEY CRITERIA

Commitment to the charity’s values, bags of enthusiasm, an understanding and passion for our work, great comms skills and a real desire to want to make a difference to the lives of our vulnerable community. You may have experience of living with muscular dystrophy, other disabilities or life limiting conditions, but this is not essential.

MAIN BOARD MEETINGS + EXPENSES

Trustee Board meetings take place virtually. They are usually 2hrs. Over and above this time commitment, trustees on average, depending on their role, may give additional time in being directly involved in occasional ad projects – MHF Trustees ‘own’ a ‘bucket’, in other words, an area of responsibility like HR, Fundraising, Safeguarding, Marketing, Finance, Digital, Risk or Campaign Management that allows an individual to bring their skills, experience and talents to the charity. Reasonable expenses will be covered.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR – PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Absolute belief in the cause
• Desire to learn the trustee role, previous governance expertise is an advantage
• Excellent communicators with great listening, responding and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to both empower and challenge supportively.
• Strong commitment to equality, and an understanding of disability and how for example this may impact on the quality of life and life choices for disabled people and their families.
• Commitment and time to dedicate to the role and responsibilities of being a Trustee.
• Commitment to the charity’s vision, mission and values.
• Strong desire to make a difference to the lives of our vulnerable beneficiary community.
• Understanding of the context/environment in which the charity works - it is estimated that some 96% of MHF's beneficiaries are those with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the most severe variant of muscular dystrophy - it is life limiting.
• Understanding the importance of ensuring public confidence and trust in the charity.
• Collaborative working (part of a team), using sound independent judgement and collective decision making.
• The capacity to grasp issues outside ones personal experience.
• The ability to think creatively both in terms of high level strategy and development.
• Commitment to equality and diversity with other trustees, staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders.

WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL YOU MAKE?

To provide strategic leadership in line with our values and goals. Trustees will use their knowledge, skills, passion and experience to ensure that the charity achieves its objectives – as a Trustee, you will represent the interests of all stakeholders and act as an ambassador. 

AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO BRING YOUR UNIQUE SELF

As an MHF Trustee, this is an exciting opportunity to bring your unique skill set to help the strategic progression of the charity in reaching its overarching goal to deliver 657 Muscle Dream interventions, that's one experience for every muscle in the human body, cherished moments-in-time that truly changes lives and give hope, and beyond as we reach this goal.

IN RETURN FOR YOUR COMMITMENT

• You will have an opportunity to help improve the lives of children, young people and their families
• Be part of a team all supporting the charity and rowing in the same direction
• Contribute to the governance of a national charity, that's worked tirelessly over the past 20 years
• Have your voice heard and listened to
• Attend events, meet beneficiaries & families and directly witness the impact of the charity’s work
• Have strategic responsibility for a skill area such as: HR, Fundraising, Corporate Partnerships etc
• Network with other like-minded individuals with common values
• Receive induction, support and training
• And much more…

INCLUSION - PROUD OF OUR BOARD DIVERSITY

Our greatest strength as a board and as an charity is in our community's diversity. We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants with diverse skills and experiences that reflect the diversity of our beneficiaries and welcome applications from first time Trustees.

Enthusiastic, hands-on volunteers needed to help provide food to the community. A key role, you will work at the main hub of the food bank and help the food service run as smoothly as possible. An exciting opportunity to make a real, immediate impact to those in need of support. 

Hours: Tuesdays and/or Thursdays, 10:00-12:30, 12.30-15:00 or 14:45-17:00. 

Book shifts to suit your own schedule!

Location: St Michaels Church Hall, 37 Bounds Green Rd, London, N22 8SD

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: 

• Help with setting up the food service and replenishing goods when needed, including decanting and repacking items.

• Warmly welcome guests, serving them the appropriate number of items depending on their household size and needs.

• Follow food bank policies including Health and Safety procedures e.g. wearing gloves when handling fresh food and lifting boxes safely. 

• Keep the hall tidy throughout the food service e.g. tidying away boxes and neatly restocking items. 

Person specification: 

• Patient and flexible

• A team player 

• Understands and is sensitive to the challenges and difficulties faced by guests accessing the food bank e.g. food and fuel poverty, feelings of shame and embarrassment, language barriers.

Benefits:

• Flexible - book shifts to suit your own schedule!

• 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

The Vice Chairs’ role is to support the Chair in executing their duties. The Vice Chair continues to fulfil all those duties assumed when he/she became a trustee as outlined in the document The Trustee Board, Role and Responsibilities. The Vice Chair will assume the role of Chair in the absence of the chair. To this end, their duties are similar in that the Vice Chair will be expected to provide leadership in giving firm strategic direction to the charity and will be responsible for ensuring that the board meets regularly, keeps transparent records, agrees priorities, and ensures that the charity’s income sources, and expenditure allow it to meet its charitable aims. This includes:

• Ensuring the Chair has all information he/she requires in order to carry out their role to the best of their ability.
•  The Vice Chair will discuss and offer his/her advice to the Chair based on her understandingof the charity’s’ vision, values, mission, strategy and policy when the documents are due to be reviewed. 
• The Vice Chair may be, on occasion expected to represent the Chair at external functions and events. The Vice Chair must always act in the best interest of the charity.
• The Vice Chair will act as a point of contact for the trustees and others between formal meetings when the chair is unavailable. 
• The Vice Chair will ensure that regular meetings are held between the Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to discuss any managerial issues and strategy. 
• The Vice Chair must remain abreast of the laws and regulations relating to the charity’s’ activities. 
• The Vice Chair will support the Chair in monitoring the financial stability of the charity. 

About the role

The UK Friends of Scouting in Europe Team Leader is responsible for leading and coordinating efforts in the UK to support and grow Friends of Scouting in Europe (FOSE). This role ensures programme, financial and strategic contributions to strengthen Scouting across Europe by engaging potential donors, fostering relationships with supporters, and promoting awareness of FOSE’s impact on young people and local Scouting initiatives. 

This role plays a key part in ensuring that FOSE’s work is championed, supported, and sustained within the UK.

Key tasks

Collaboration & Coordination 

• Work closely with FOSE representatives across Europe to align strategies and share best practices.
• Coordinate with the Chief Volunteer for International (International Commissioner) and other key figures in The Scouts to maximise reach and impact.

Fundraising

• Develop and implement strategies to encourage individuals and organisations to join or contribute to FOSE.
• Cultivate relationships with existing and potential donors, ensuring they understand the impact of their support.
• Organise and promote FOSE in the UK.
• Identify and engage with key stakeholders 

Advocacy & Representation 

• Act as the primary FOSE ambassador within the UK, liaising with The Scouts.
• Represent FOSE (UK) relevant events (Gilwell Reunion, FOSE meetings), ensuring alignment with broader Scouting goals
• Promote FOSE’s mission and success stories to encourage greater participation and engagement.
• Manage communications, including social media, newsletters, and presentations to key audiences.
• Ensure that UK supporters are informed about the impact of their contributions. 

Financial Growth & Sustainability 

• Work towards increasing the number of UK-based FOSE members and sustaining long-term financial support.
• Support the European Scout Foundation in achieving its educational and fundraising goals. 

Could you help to change a care-experienced child's life by reading with them for just an hour a week over a six month period?

We're looking for new volunteers to read online. Reading Heroes is a highly individualised initiative - every book that you read has been chosen specifically for you and the child.  All books are provided, and you will receive ongoing personal support from our dedicated Reading Heroes team, as well as opportunities to meet with other volunteers.

The number of care-experienced children in the UK growing; research tells us that these children are more likely to experience social, emotional and mental health problems, so we believe that Reading Heroes is a more important project than ever.

We have found that the Reading Heroes scheme has helped the children involved with their reading and other literacy-based skills, but these are not our primary purposes. Reading Heroes simply promotes reading for pleasure, and giving some of our time to children who need a little extra support - along with a kindly, friendly listener!

As a Reading Heroes volunteer, you’ll be instilling a love of stories which can have a lifelong positive impact. 80% of participants tell us they enjoy reading more after taking part.

Find out more: https://ow.ly/FVts50SBrIm

“Thank you for helping me read better and for making reading fun and not stupid boring!" (Reading Heroes participant)

Brief

Helping to educate over 4,000 students a year is a rewarding task, and the Education team brings the past centuries back to life for children.

This front of house role is for you if you are approachable, know a thing or two about our local history and enjoying working with children and young people. No past teaching experience required!

Purpose of Role

Under the direction of the Education and Outreach Officer there are several tasks that are carried out:

· To deliver high quality educational visits to schools of different age groups and abilities by leading site tours and education sessions that are part of the school visit

· To be an ambassador of Milton Keynes Museum by informing our visitors about the Museum and the collection

Key elements

After relevant training has been provided:

· Help to prepare for and deliver guided tours and educational sessions as part of a school’s fixed learning visit, using Museum exhibits, interactive activities and storytelling

· Able to adapt your delivery to children of different abilities and age groups: keeping time and maintaining student engagement

· Facilitating and supervising family activities and workshops

· Support of other educational activities / group bookings

· Creating educational resources and notify the Education and Outreach Officer of any materials and resources that are worn or out of order

· Maintain Health and Safety standards and follow the procedure for reporting incidents and hazards

Your profile

What we are looking for:

· Interest in the museum, its historic collections and its ongoing story

· Strong communication skills and confidence in conversing to the public

· An understanding of how children learn and an ability to adapt your communication style to suit different age ranges and learning needs

· Ability to work as part of a dedicated team and individually

· Common sense and initiative

· No prior teaching experience, but an ability to enthuse and facilitate learning

Educators and facilitators wanted to help East London Waterworks Park deliver its environmental learning goals.

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

We are looking for educator and facilitator volunteers to participate in our community-led working group, who are collaborating with schools, universities and youth groups that help the design of the park. 

Examples of projects are: 

• collaborating on nature walk activities for schools
• supporting university students interviewing teachers
• creating lesson plans to co-design the park. 

Schools, universities and youth groups we've collaborated with include:

• Buxton School, Leytonstone
• Kingsmead School, Enfield 
• UCL 
• Royal College of Art
• University of Westminster 
• Project Zero
• Voyage Youth 
• Loyola University Chicago 
• Vanderbilt University Nashville. 

We're looking for people to lead on these projects and facilitate the direction of the learning working group.

The Learning Circle currently meets monthly on a Wednesday evening at 8pm for an hour on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

You should be an experienced teacher, educational consultant, forest school leader, training and development specialist, learning designer, facilitator or any other kind of role creating learning projects, programmes and experiences. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role. 

Your support will help young people and learners improve their environmental knowledge of design and research as well as contributing to our community-owned park. This will in turn provide a sense of stewardship over the land once the park is created and student's ideas have been built into the park. 

Creating learning projects with educational institutions will also help our charity with the strategy to buy the land through showing the value of our environmental education programme before we create the park. 

While gaining invaluable experience in recruitment, human resources and NFP Social enterprise,                           practice your passion within real-life scenarios.

We are looking for Recruitment Managers to join our team. The ideal candidate will play a vital role in sourcing, engaging and will help us build a diverse and dedicated team to support our brand messages and visions.

If you are enthusiastic, passionate and dedicated about building a dynamic volunteer team and are excited to contribute your recruitment skills to a meaningful cause, join us as a Recruitment Manager Volunteer. Together, we can create a positive and lasting impact in our community.

Please note the role is a voluntary position and could be entirely remote. Any incurred reasonable expenses will be paid.

Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with HR and leadership team to understand volunteer needs, roles and requirements.
- Develop and implement effective recruitment strategies and campaigns.
- Utilise online platforms, social media, and community networks to advertise opportunities.
- Assist with review volunteer applications and inquiries, and assess candidate suitability.
- Conduct interviews with potential candidates to determine their skills, motivations, and alignment with our values and visions.
- Coordinate volunteer orientation, ensuring all are well-informed and equipped for their roles.
- Maintain a database of potential and current candidates and keeping track of their skills, interests, and availability.
- Work closely with leadership team and other team members to ensure a seamless transition from recruitment to engagement.
- Regularly report on recruitment metrics and effectiveness to the leadership team.
- Continuously seek opportunities to improve recruitment process.

Requirements:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to effectively market and promote volunteer opportunities.
- Experience in recruitment, human resources, or volunteer management is a plus.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively.
- Proficiency in using online platforms, social media, and communication tools.
- Dedicated and willing to learn.
- Committed to our values and mission 

Please send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience. We look forward to reviewing your application and discussing how you can become a vital part of our team.​

ABOUT TESYouth 

TESYouth (Training, Employment Opportunities & Social Development for Youth) is a NFP social enterprise which focuses on improving the rate of youth employment, through volunteering, interactive and skill-based workshops, work-experience and training programmes. Together with our strategic partners, we collaborate with organisations to provide youth to develop their skills, and to assist in achieving their career aspirations.

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!

About the opportunities

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. 

About the service

As part of the Ascent partnership within the London Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Consortium, the SVHL provides free and confidential emotional support to self-identified women aged 14+ and based in London, and who has been affected by any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives.

The SVHL consists of a specialist team of women, including trained counsellors and volunteers, who provide a safe space for survivors to explore their feelings. Support is also provided to the friends and families of survivors and other professionals to understand how best to support survivors of sexual violence.

Services provided by the SVHL includes a Freephone Helpline, Emotional Webchat, and Emotional Services Session (for those on the counselling wait list).

About WGN

Established in 1987, Women and Girls Network (WGN) is a community-based organisation providing women with a comprehensive range of therapeutic services which facilitate healing and recovery from experiences of violence. We work with all forms of gendered violence, whether physical, sexual or emotional.

The crimes of violence committed against women and girls usually involve assault and violation of both mind and body with devastating consequences. Where women’s lives may have been shattered and fragmented by gendered violence, our services provide a holistic healing journey engaging all aspects of self: mind, body and spirit.

We are committed to offering services which empower women with a choice of therapeutic activities that encourage them to be self-nurturing, creative and active participants in their healing process.  We recognise the individuality of every woman and the uniqueness of her experience; we view healing as a partnership where women retain control by choosing specific programmes which meet their needs.  Our work is intended to inspire and facilitate growth, resolution and change, moving a woman from survivor to thriver.

Interview details

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

Further information

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. 

Home-Start Croydon offers parents the support they need to help give their children the best start in life. As a Parent Champion Volunteer you will be engaging with families from your own community, providing peer to peer support and promoting services for children under 5 and their families. By connecting with other parents and carers, Parent Champions help communities thrive, breaking barriers and reducing isolation.

Key activities

• Engage with parents with children under 5 years old
• Build good knowledge of own community and links with local families
• Signpost parents to children’s centres and local organisations providing services for families
• Talk with parents in groups
• Facilitate parents to build peer to peer support groups
• Provide information on childcare options including the free early learning for two year olds
• Record accurate information manually
• Attend training and personal development activities
• Meet the Parent Champion Coordinator and other Parent Champions to share good practice

Person Specification

• Have experience of being a parent or carer
• Ability to talk and listen to other parents and understand their world
• Have a non-judgemental attitude
• Have an understanding of the difficulties parents face when looking for childcare
• Have a positive experience of using formal childcare and family services
• Have an understanding about confidentiality
• Have an awareness on the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults
• Have knowledge of and commitment to equal opportunities, fairness and diversity
• Be able to keep basic records as requested by Home-Start

INDEPENDENT READING GROUP VOLUNTEER (FACE-TO-FACE) 

CARAS Youth ESOL Programme – Monday, Wednesday mornings  

About CARAS: 

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community. 

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives. 

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support. 

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests. 

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society. 

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes. 

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do. 

About Youth ESOL: 

Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to young people at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling young people to do well at school or college.

About the Role: 

• CARAS is looking for Reading Group Volunteer to support our face-to-face study programme for young people.
• The reading group is in Tooting and is an important element of a study programme for young people aged 14 to 18 who are out of formal education.
• Students will be supported to read at length and complete challenges that are adapted to their ability level.
• The reading group aims to foster independence and a joy of reading among the young people and requires volunteers to learn about the young peoples' interests in order to help them select an appropriate text.
• The ESOL teacher will provide volunteers with tips to support reading and understanding for emerging learners of English, such as phonics and elicitation strategies.
• Volunteers will work with 1-5 students, mostly reading out loud with them or helping them to decode unfamiliar language.
• Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates. 

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities: 

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within the Reading Group sessions; 

• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources; 

• Contributing to debriefs to inform the ESOL teacher how each student found the lesson/task and the students’ areas of greatest challenge and success;  

• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session; 

• Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class; 

• Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project; 

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential; 

• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements; 

• Listening and supporting students to select, read and understand a text; Showing flexibility to the wide range of ability levels in the classroom; 

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements: 

Essential

• To be 18 years or older; 

• An interest in education and English language teaching;

• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum-seeker or refugee status 

• * Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; *DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK.  

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role 

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (food and travel expenses can be reimbursed); 

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds; 

• To be reliable and punctual; 

• Good communication skills, especially with people who are new to English; 

• An interest in books and stories, writing and poetry 

• The ability to volunteer on Wednesday during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of four months; 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish; 

• Experience of reading with young people or learners of English, or teaching ESOL or phonics. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• Meet new members of your local community; 

• Learn about different cultures; 

• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum; 

• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 

• Develop your skills and competencies such as literacy and phonics strategies for emerging learners of English; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering. 

We are looking for passionate individuals with a variety of skills and expertise. Currently, we are specifically looking for Trustees who can support the following areas:

Children & Young People
Digital & IT
Finance
Human Resources
Legal & Compliance

However, we will welcome applications from anyone who is keen to transform lives and join us on this exciting journey with us. You don’t need prior experience of sitting on a Board, a dance background or specific qualifications to become a Trustee. What matters most is your passion for supporting people with learning disabilities, your commitment to building a more equitable society and your willingness to contribute to our work, our vision and our future success.

Trustees play a crucial role in shaping what we do, helping us stay clear on our purpose and offering ideas that guide our organisation as we grow. We’re looking for Trustees who can bring fresh perspectives and valuable insights from their lived and professional experiences. We want our Board to reflect the diversity of our work, our participants, and our supporters.

We are based in Lancashire, with national and international reach, and we welcome applications for remote Trustees. We currently have Trustees based in Portugal and the Netherlands.

The role of Trustee is a volunteer role and is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although reasonable expenses for travel may be claimed.

The role requires attendance & contribution at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and four Board meetings per year (plus any required preparation and pre-reading). Quarterly Board Meetings take place mostly online and periodically in person at a North West location.

There will also be potential additional engagement in strategy work and sub working groups throughout the year and occasional representation of the charity at various events with key stakeholders.

Overall purpose

Assist the Activities Lead to support children and young people with complex medical needs and special educational needs (and their siblings) at our inclusive activity clubs. We currently run a weekly sports/games after school club.

What will you do?

• Assist with various sports, games and/or musical activities as requested by the children 
• Work with children 1:1 or in small groups depending on the needs of individual children
• Help set up and clear away at the beginning and end of the sessions
• Participate in a briefing and de-briefing session before and after the club to help evaluate the skills, strengths and weaknesses of the children after each session 
• Attend initial training (2 hours)
• Attend a 2 hour supervision monthly meeting
• Liaise with the Activities Lead in case of questions/difficulties
• Follow The Maypole Project policies and guidelines at all times whilst volunteering

Location

Activity Clubs – Bromley

Time Commitment

After-school clubs take place on Wednesdays 4.45pm - 6.15pm in term-time. Ideally we are looking for volunteers who are interested in volunteering every week at one or more of these sessions. We are happy to discuss other arrangements with individual volunteers. We also havea  youth club on Thursday evening. 

Benefits to the Volunteer

• High quality training and support
• Experience of working with children with disabilities 
• Experience in the field of sports development 
• Become part of a friendly staff and volunteer team at The Maypole Project

About The Maypole Project

The Maypole Project provides a lifeline of support for children with complex and life threatening illnesses and their whole family. We provide a range of support services to all members of the family from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

Person Specification

Education & qualifications

• Good general education (essential)
• Coaching qualifications and badges (desirable)
• Counselling, and/or childcare qualifications (desirable)
• First Aid training (desirable)

Previous experience

• No previous experience is required as training is provided (essential)
• Experience of working with children and young people (desirable)
• Experience of sports training with children of mixed ability (desirable)
• Working with people from a diversity of backgrounds (desirable)
• Working with diversity of disability in families (desirable)

Skills & knowledge

• Good communication and interpersonal skills (essential)
• Teamwork skills (essential)
• Knowledge of disability and how it can impact on families (desirable)

Attributes

• Remain calm under pressure (essential)
• Ability to deal with challenging behaviours (after training and with support) (essential)
• Ability to empathise with families in difficult situations (essential)
• Discreet and able to adhere to confidentiality procedures (essential)
• Commitment to equal opportunities and a non-judgmental attitude (essential)
• Reliable and punctual (essential)

Thanks for your interest in volunteering for The Maypole Project

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.