Latest Volunteering Opportunities

Title of Volunteer Role:

LGBTQ+ Schools Session Support Volunteer

Description of the Volunteer Role:

Sessions are arranged as and when we are able, this role is adhoc and depending and school availability. The main purpose of the sessions are ‘To support young people in schools through education and awareness raising of LGBTQ+ Issues and history. To attend and contribute to schools-based diversity groups. All of which will be alongside a member of staff who leads sessions’ .

Possible tasks and activities in this role: Include:-

– Contributing to pre session planning meetings
– Involvement in preparing session information.
– Deliver educational content to young people in a school setting.
– If appropriate, sharing ‘lived experience’ to education and support attendees.
– Listen to views and feedback provided by pupils and teaching staff.
– Contribute to session debrief.
– Pass on any concerns, including any perceived risks or safeguarding concerns to the session staff member.

Contact information for applicants:

Title of Volunteer Role:

LGBTQ+ Youth Session Volunteer

Description of the Volunteer Role:

The role aims to ‘Enhance the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth (13-19 yrs) in a peer group setting through encouraging engagement in activities, promoting discussions to help create connections’. Tasks may include:-
– Contributing to pre-session planning meetings.
– Involvement in preparing session information and circulating to group members.
– Enhance the session facilitation by welcoming those attending and offering support and signposting. Particularly welcoming any new group members.
– Support the session facilitation.
– Listen to views and feedback provided by attendees.
– Pass on any concerns, including any perceived risks or safeguarding concerns to the session staff member.
– Support the session lead with preparing ‘Health and Safety’ risk assessment if required.
– Helping with packing up after the session ends.
– Opportunity to contribute to the planning and delivery a range of events and projects for the benefit of LGBTQ young people aged 13-19 across the area, e.g. Youth Pride and Bristol Pride.

Contact information for applicants:

Title of Volunteer Role:

Generalist Adviser x10

Description of the Volunteer Role:

Want to help your community? Why not become a Volunteer Generalist Adviser with Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire?

The rewarding role would involve training to help with a vast range of problems. These include but are not limited to benefits, debt, housing and employment.

The charity is particularly keen to encourage applications from people with a diverse range of backgrounds. This is especially the case for people from BAME backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

The role would involve giving advice to clients both face-to-face and over the telephone.

Main duties and responsibilities may include:
Interviewing clients, both face-to-face and on the telephone, letting the client explain their enquiry and helping the client to set priorities
Finding, interpreting and communicating the relevant information and exploring options and implications in order that the client can come to a decision
Acting, where necessary, on behalf of the client, negotiating, drafting or writing letters or making appropriate referrals
Completing clear and accurate case records
Recognising the root causes of problems and participating in taking appropriate action
Keeping up to date on important issues by attending the appropriate training and by essential reading
Attending team meetings
Personal skills and qualities needed to become a Volunteer Generalist Adviser:
A commitment to the aims and principles of the service
Excellent communication skills
Being open and approachable
Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing
Ability to sift through information and extract what is relevant
Basic mathematical skills, including percentages
Respect for views, values and cultures that are different to their own
An understanding of why confidentiality is important
Being open to using computers on a regular basis
A positive attitude to self-development and assessment
Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to recognise their own limits and boundaries in the role
Good IT skills essential – ability to use websites/ databases/ research information
Applicants should be IT competent and able to commit to two sessions per week for at least two years.

Training will be held over a full day – probably a Wednesday – each week starting in January 2025. There will be additional training time when new recruits can observe experienced advisers.
There will be opportunities to help out for a few sessions prior to training starting so that applicants can check the role is right for them.

Contact information for applicants:

Title of Volunteer Role:

Trustee

Description of the Volunteer Role:

One25 began in 1995 in response to the unmet needs of women who were street sex-working in Bristol. Over the last 29 years we have learnt much about working with this marginalised group. One25 is still the only organisation specifically for street sex-working women in the city.

From May 2023 – April 2024, we provided vital services for 260 women. Of the women we supported:

• 36 exited street sex work
  • 213 were healthier
  • 127 were safer
  • 104 were connected to the specialist services they needed

We work with some of Bristol’s most marginalised women, supporting them to move from crisis and trauma to independence in the community. Wherever they are in their journeys, we give love and practical support, without judgement or expectation.

Women’s needs have become more complex, so our work is more important than ever. The impact we make as a charity saves lives.

About the role
This is an important time to join the Board as we work to deliver our strategic goals and continue to focus on the positive steps One25 can take to increase and diversify income to sustain our vital work. Being a Trustee is an excellent way to develop your skills and can be a fascinating and rewarding experience.

“As a Trustee and Treasurer, being able to play a small part in One25’s development and successes over the past 5 years has been hugely rewarding and fulfilling. I will be looking to pass the baton onto a new treasurer in the future and am so grateful for the experiences and relationships that have enriched my time as a Trustee.”

Our new Trustees will be joining a talented Board, working alongside an inspiring CEO and senior management team, and our dedicated colleagues and volunteers. You will be able to connect with staff and gain insight into our work with the women.

You will attend four two-hour board meetings and four 1.5-hour committee meetings a year, plus two annual away days with our staff team and senior management team. There will be an additional time commitment to review meeting papers which are circulated in advance of board and committee meetings.

This is a voluntary role, and we are able to reimburse expenses.

We are seeking new Trustees for specific roles, but also welcome applications for other areas of skill and expertise:

• Finance expertise (who will succeed our current Treasurer after a period of induction)
  • HR expertise (who will also benefit from an induction with our current HR lead)

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The organisation and the Board are committed to learning around ED&I and are dedicated to a continuous process of challenging ourselves to increase inclusivity across every area of our work with the women and within our internal systems. We welcome and encourage applications from all sections of society and from those with the potential to make great Trustees. We particularly welcome applications from people from ethnic minority, LGBTQ and disability groups, and those who have lived experience of multiple disadvantage as these groups are currently underrepresented on our board. We also welcome applications from first-time Trustees.

How to apply
Please submit an expression of interest in your preferred format – CV, written statement, video, etc to office@one25.org.uk.

For an informal introduction with the Chair or CEO, or if you have any other questions about the role, please contact office@one25.org.uk or call us on 0117 909 8832.

Closing date: 9am, Monday 28th October 2024

Interviews: Between 11th and 22nd November 2024

Contact information for applicants:

Title of Volunteer Role:

Transperson – specific project volunteer

Description of the Volunteer Role:

Trans person needed to contribute to the exploration of the reporting on trans people’s experiences in menopause. This is a flexible short-term research project exploring and reporting on trans people’s experiences in menopause for a white paper insert.

MAIN TASKS AND ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE:
Attending and participating in planning meetings.
Help identify some volunteer peri/post-menopausal interviewees (3-5) from the trans community (these will become case studies, be quoted from and inform any recommendations for practice)
Help provide some description of the peri/post-menopausal experience for trans people as this is not widely known about and therefore not understood by the general public (one of our staff team members is willing to provide some pointers; this can be augmented by other conversations, research etc). This will also include any pre-existing references from a literature review undertaken by a member of the staff team.
Helping to provide some guidance for employers for their trans staff team members who are menopausal.

Contact information for applicants:

Title of Volunteer Role:

Home Visitor

Description of the Volunteer Role:

Can you spare a few hours a week to brighten someone’s day?

We are committed to supporting our blind veterans no matter where they are. Our community home visitors provide crucial social interaction for our veterans who can’t reach our centres, and can often feel isolated or lonely. We have a gentleman in Yate who would really benefit with a visit as he has dementia and really enjoys face to face meet ups.

By popping by once a week or fortnight to see a veteran in their area, home visitors are a friendly face that can make all the difference to our veterans. A visit could be a simple chat and a cup of tea, helping out with odd jobs around the home that can otherwise be a struggle for our veterans to complete or getting out and about in the local area. You will never be asked to do any personal care.

Although you will be working in the community independently, your manager is only a phone call away and there is a network of other volunteers for you to link in with too. Volunteers must be over the age of 18 years and understand the importance of confidentiality and relationship boundaries. The role can be flexible around your other commitments, but we ask that you are reliable and punctual for our veterans. You will be fully trained and supported so you feel comfortable and confident in your volunteering.

Contact information for applicants:

Title of Volunteer Role:

Trustee

Description of the Volunteer Role:

We are seeking new people to become trustees of our well established and life changing charity: Cerebral Palsy Plus. We support our members and their families with everyday life as well as enabling opportunities for connection, personal development and fun. As a trustee you will join a team focused on the strategic growth and direction of the charity whilst gaining experience volunteering within the charity sector. As a group you will ensure that the work we do is in alignment with our purpose and that we maintain a clear vision for the future. Together you will identify and assess risks and opportunities for the organisation and decide how best to deal with them, including assessing whether they are manageable or worth taking.
Our team of Trustees have experience in a range of vocations. To support the charity best, we would be particularly interested in those with skills in one of the following areas: business, governance, finance, healthcare, occupational therapy or physiotherapy. Applicants who have an interest or personal experience of Cerebral Palsy or experience in supporting someone with Cerebral Palsy are also greatly encouraged. We also welcome applications from our members who would like to get involved in the planning of the future of the organisation.
Personal skills and qualities

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
  • Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.
  • Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
  • A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
  • Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.

If you have no previous experience of working with a charity, we can mentor and train you via our partnership with Voscur, a leading organisation in the voluntary sector. In terms of career progression, being a trustee is seen as a highly valued asset and really proves your ability to give back to the community whilst also becoming part of a community yourself.

This is a voluntary position, and trustees are expected to attend monthly management committee meetings. These are generally on zoom and in the evening- there is also the occasional in person meeting. As a trustee you will also be invited to our volunteer socials for example our Christmas celebration, where you will get the chance to meet other volunteers as well. If this role appeals to you, please get in touch.

Contact information for applicants:

Title of Volunteer Role:

Enhanced First Response Volunteer

Description of the Volunteer Role:

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.

Contact information for applicants:

Closing Date:

30.11.24

Organisation Name:

St. Mungos

Title of Volunteer Role:

One World’ LGBTQIA+ Group Volunteer

Description of the Volunteer Role:

What will I be doing?
As a “One World Group” volunteer you will be volunteering with St Mungo’s Assertive Contact & Engagement (ACE) Service to facilitate group sessions with clients who identify as LGBTQIA+ and who are experiencing Mental Health issues.
In this role, you will be supporting us with all or some of the following tasks:
• Setting up / preparation in the kitchen.
• Providing hot food and drinks to group members.
• Ensuring the group is a safe and calm space for everyone
• Promoting community ties and friendly relationships for group attendees.
• Helping staff to clear away after the group finishes.
• Participating in weekly pre-brief and de-brief check ins with staff before and after group time.
• Signposting group attendees to appropriate support services.

Where/ When will I be volunteering?
You will be volunteering the first and third Thursday of every month, in the afternoons, 2:30pm – 5:30pm in Redcliffe, Bristol

Do I need to have any specific skills?
• A desire to help people who are going through a very challenging time and need some respite from the demands of everyday life, in a supportive environment.
• An understanding and awareness of mental health issues and their impact.
• Identify as part of, or be an ally to, the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Being reliable, resilient and respectful.
• Good communication skills and an empowering attitude towards our clients.
• An understanding of the causes of homelessness and its impact.
• Genuine interest in and commitment to St Mungo’s work and client group.
• An understanding of and commitment to diversity & equality.
We particularly welcome applications from people living locally or working within the local community. Lived experience of mental health or addiction issues, as well as homelessness are welcome

Contact information for applicants:

Closing Date:

Ongoing

Organisation Name:

St. Mungos

Title of Volunteer Role:

Puppy Raiser

Description of the Volunteer Role:

Are you a dog lover? Do you have some spare time? Would you like to make a difference to someone’s life? If so, and you are based in the South Gloucestershire area, then this role could be perfect for you!

What you’ll be doing:
– Engaging with our world-class Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) training programme to prepare your puppy for the next stages of becoming a guide dog.
– Providing care and support for your puppy at home e.g., loving, grooming and feeding him or her.
– Socialising your puppy and introducing him or her to a variety of environments to increase confidence – this can be as simple as taking your puppy with you to the shops, office or park as you go about your everyday life.
– Teaching your puppy to be comfortable alone – gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of four hours.
– Taking your puppy to monthly puppy classes, and interacting with other puppy raisers in your community whilst refreshing your training and sharing tips.
– Meeting with your volunteer manager as frequently as needed to discuss any changes or issues with your puppy.
– Completing short questionnaires about your puppy’s development.

You’ll ideally have:
– A loving home with enough time to invest in raising a puppy and attending to their needs (e.g. toilet training). If you work from home or have hobbies, you’ll need to be available to give the puppy regular attention alongside these.
– Someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg).
– Access to a car, so that you can get your puppy used to travelling.
– The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you rent your home.
– A safe secure area outside for your puppy to go to the toilet.

If you don’t feel you tick every box, but are sure this role is the one for you, we’d love to hear from you! We’re always open to suggestions and are very happy to chat with you to discuss what’s possible, so please just get in touch at volunteersouthwestwales@guidedogs.org.uk

What you’ll get:
The satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
The rewarding feeling of watching a mischievous puppy learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog.
The opportunity to participate in our bespoke world-class training programme – this can help you train your own dogs or advance a future career in dog handling.
The opportunity to have a loveable, canine companion, proven to reduce feelings of stress and improve fitness – you’ll be out walking rain or shine!
The chance to be part of the inspirational Guide Dogs Family, meeting like-minded people and interacting with a community of puppy raisers in your area.
Puppy training classes and regular support
As a volunteer you’ll have access to our world-class training programme, Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP), to implement with your puppy in training, a great bonus for any dog owner! This training includes:
– Food manners
– Greeting new visitors
– Being home alone
– Settling in new environments

You’ll receive plenty of support from your volunteer manager who will help you work through these training modules with your puppy. We also offer puppy classes for puppy raisers in the local area to get together, share stories and provide refreshers on training techniques.

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs for the puppy and other materials needed for the puppy’s training.

If you have questions about the training requirements, we’ll be very happy to answer these at your interview along with addressing any other support or accessibility needs you may have.

We ask that applicants for this role are aged 18+.

Contact information for applicants:

Closing Date:

Ongoing

Organisation Name:

Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Title of Volunteer Role:

Volunteer

Description of the Volunteer Role:

Join our network of trained volunteers, helping families with young children through tough times. We work across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Our volunteers, who usually have parenting experience themselves, support families through home visits, group meetings or telephone support.
Our next volunteer training course starts on Thursday 25th April 2024 and runs every Thursday 9.30am – 2.30pm (apart from half term) till Thursday 6th June at Hartcliffe Children’s Centre, Hareclive Road, Bristol, BS13 OJW. 

Contact information for applicants:

Contact us for more information by emailing admin@homestartbristol.org.uk or call 0117 9501170 to speak to someone on our friendly team.

Closing Date:

Ongoing

Organisation Name:

Home-Start Bristol

Title of Volunteer Role:

Volunteer Project Assistant 

Description of the Volunteer Role:

To provide mobility scooters and wheelchairs to people with either a permanent or temporary disability allowing access the shopping centre, people places and services., To enable people with physical disabilities the ability to go on holiday or provide mobility for people visiting relatives in the area.
To develop effective working relationships with members and their carers.

• Help people access facilities at Yate Shopping Centre and use on holiday through access to a mobility scooter
• Help users/carer’s on wider issues by signposting and providing information
• Undertake admin tasks and handling small amounts of money.
• Take phone enquiries.
• Delivering and returning mobility scooters to users and to the garage.
• To undertake lone working after training.
• To undertake relevant training
A DBS will be required by shopmobility before being accepted for the role to ensure we meet our safeguarding obligations..
Health information may be requested to make any necessary adjustments under health and safety legislation.

Contact information for applicants:

Sheridan Crew Email shopmobilitysouthglos@yahoo.com Tel 01454 868718 Mob 07999574474

Anyone interested can pop into the office on either a Thursday or Friday between 10am and 3pm for a informal chat.
WE are based at Yate library in the shopping centre

Closing Date:

Ongoing

Organisation Name:

Shopmobility (South Gloucestershire)

Title of Volunteer Role:

Befriender (Face to Face or Telephone)

Description of the Volunteer Role:

Could you provide a regular call or visit for a lonely older person? Help us support those who are experiencing loneliness in South Gloucestershire by becoming a Befriender.

Befriending volunteers get matched with an older person in the community to visit them or give them a call regularly to provide companionship.

What you will get out of it?
It’s a great way to make a real difference in someone’s life
You’ll be giving something to your community
You get to be part of Age UK South Gloucestershire’s friendly volunteer team with regular social events
Further volunteering opportunities and experiences that can help you with personal/professional development.
Volunteers tell us they find befriending really rewarding

What is expected of me?
Befriending volunteers are expected to contact their match regularly; this usually works out at least once a week.
For Befrienders who visit a client in person, a commitment of around an hour visit per week is expected. With telephone befriending, this can be more variable depending on the client. Some clients appreciate a couple of short check-in calls in a week, while others are happy for one long chat.
All volunteers will also need to attend relevant training sessions, provide references and undertake a DBS check appropriate to the role.
No formal experience necessary.

When can I visit?
We have volunteers who visit in the daytime, evenings and at weekends. Feeling lonely can happen at any time of day. The majority of our clients are looking for daytime visits, but we can accommodate other times as well.
If you study, work shifts or irregular hours, we are always happy to work with you and accommodate your availability.

Contact information for applicants:

Closing Date:

Ongoing

Organisation Name:

Age UK South Gloucestershire

Title of Volunteer Role:

Digital Champion (Basic IT Support)

Description of the Volunteer Role:

In the digital age we live in, you can make a real difference by helping to build someone’s confidence online. Could you spare some time to support an older person in getting to grips with a phone, tablet or computer as a Digital Champion volunteer?

Our Digital Support Service is available to support anyone over the age of 50 living in South Gloucestershire who would like to know how to access the internet, use new technology, stay connected or access vital services.

What you will get out of it:

It’s a great way to make a real difference in someone’s life
You’ll be giving something to your community
You get to be part of Age UK South Gloucestershire’s friendly volunteer team with regular social events
Further volunteering opportunities and experiences that can help you with personal/professional development.
Volunteers tell us they find befriending really rewarding

What is expected of me?

The ability to work patiently and supportively with people and work towards their goals – in either a group or 1-1 setting (Groups run in Yate, Thornbury and Hanham)
All volunteers will also need to attend relevant training sessions, provide references and undertake a DBS check appropriate to the role.
No formal experience necessary.

Contact information for applicants:

Closing Date:

Ongoing

Organisation Name:

Age UK South Gloucestershire

Title of Volunteer Role:

Walking Group Assistant

Description of the Volunteer Role:

Do you enjoy spending time in the fresh air, exploring parks and gardens? Could you support one of our Walking Groups? Our short group walks are inclusive and flexible enough to adapt to older people’s lives and abilities and act as a gateway to enjoying more regular physical activity. We are looking for willing volunteers to accompany client on the short planned walks. We are particularly needing volunteers in Filton and Longwell Green.

Older people can experience barriers that prevent them from engaging in local activities and hinder them from keeping active; this may be because of a significant life event like a bereavement or periods of ill health, which result in a lack of confidence. You could help older people reintroduce activity into their daily lives and boost their confidence by becoming a walking group volunteer with Age UK South Gloucestershire.

Volunteers attend a weekly group walk in the community and support this walk by providing encouragement and companionship to the older people participating.

What you will get out of it:

You will be making a real difference in the lives of older people.
You will be helping improve the health of older people, which has a positive impact on the wider community.
You get to be part of Age UK South Gloucestershire’s friendly volunteer team with regular social events.
Further volunteering opportunities and experiences that can help you with personal/professional development.
What is expected of me?

Walking group volunteers are expected to commit to attending and supporting one walk per week, which will be approximately an hour long. Part of the aim of this project is to help reduce loneliness and social isolation; therefore, after the walk, the participants will be taken to a café for tea or coffee. The walking project staff team would strongly encourage volunteers to join us for this as well, as it is a great opportunity to build bonds with the clients. This will last for approximately half an hour.
The majority of walks will be taking place during the day, between Monday to Friday, with the possibility of some evening walks as we move into the summer months.
All volunteers will need to attend relevant training sessions, provide references and undertake a DBS check appropriate to the role.

Contact information for applicants:

Closing Date:

Ongoing

Organisation Name:

Age UK South Gloucestershire

Title of Volunteer Role:

Engagement and Feedback, Information and Guidance Volunteer

Description of the Volunteer Role:

Engagement and feedback provide an important link between Healthwatch and the residents of Bristol, North Somerset, or South Gloucestershire. You will be the first person a member of the public will engage with, and using your communication skills will gather feedback and experiences about health and social care services. Feedback gets shared with providers such as the NHS and local council, so they know what works, what does not work and what people want in the future. There is also the opportunity to help with specific projects, such as focus groups of looking at a particular service or area.

Providing information and guidance is an important link between a person and local services that can support them e.g. around food or fuel poverty, housing, immigration, or a specific health-related issue. Healthwatch BNSSG holds a directory of many organisations that can support a person further. We use the directory to signpost people so they can make contact to receive the support or information they need.

Location

Within our Bristol Hub (Unit UG21, Union Gallery, The Galleries (middle floor, next to WH Smith and opposite Boots), Bristol BS1 3XE) and at events city-wide.

Commitment

A minimum of 2.5hrs in the morning or afternoon once a week or every two weeks

Responsibilities 

• To work alongside staff and other volunteers
• To greet and meet members of the public
• To listen to and gather what people are saying about their experiences of health services e.g. at GPs, hospitals, dentists, opticians and community mental health settings
• To enter feedback accurately onto our database within the Bristol Hub
• To take on other administrative tasks within the Bristol Hub
• To promote Healthwatch at our Bristol Hub, within community groups and various events, festivals etc.
• To adhere to the Volunteer Agreement and Code of Conduct

Skills needed 

• An ability to describe and explain the mission of Healthwatch
• Active listening – a considerate, respectful, and non-judgmental approach
• Confidence in talking to people who may have a difficult story to share
• The ability to separate personal experiences from those of others
• Accuracy in collecting verbal information in written formand computer skills (Google search, printing and basic Excel)

Training and support 

Full induction, training and ongoing support will be given.

Benefits

Volunteering with Healthwatch will give you the opportunity to:

• Involve yourself in your community
• Meet new people
• Play an important role in improving health and social care
• Learn new skills or improve existing skills
• Gain experience that could be a steppingstone into employment or training

We can provide a reference for volunteers after 3 months volunteering.

Contact information for applicants:

Please complete a volunteer application form and equality and diversity monitoring form. If you are offered a volunteering role we will need to check references from people who know you well.

Return your form to: jacqui@healthwatchbnssg.co.uk

If you would like to have an informal chat, please let Jacqui know via email or pop into the Bristol Hub, UG21 Union Gallery, Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 3XD

For more information visit:

www.healthwatchbristol.co.uk

www.healthwatchnorthsomerset.co.uk

www.healthwatchsouthglos.co.uk

Please call Jacqui Reeves on 03300553251 if you have any questions.

Closing Date:

Ongoing

Organisation Name:

Healthwatch

Title of Volunteer Role:

Volunteer Community Mentor

Description of the Volunteer Role:

Community Mentor (South Glos)
Become a Community Mentor and help young people to grow

About The Role
When done right mentoring can transform lives, both for the Mentor and the Mentee.
We are currently looking for individuals interested in volunteering as a Community Mentor in South Gloucestershire. You will receive training to enable you to mentor a young person aged 16 to 24 develop confidence, self-esteem and improved interpersonal skills and wellbeing.

You’ll do this by bringing a positive attitude, a fresh perspective and your own personal experiences. Sharing your knowledge, hobbies and interests you’ll support a young person to develop their own. You will also act as a positive, reliable role model and responsible adult in their life.
Mentors are a reliable and motivating figure in a young person’s life. Mentoring offers young people the chance to be inspired, supported and encouraged to seek out opportunities that they might not have previously considered.
The young people we work with have all either been at risk of homelessness or have been homeless. They may be care leavers, have spent time in custody or be deemed at risk of custody. They may have experienced poor mental and/or physical health, addiction, been the victim of a crime or exploitation. They may be a young parent. They may be an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child. This may be the first time they’ve lived in South Gloucestershire or they may have grown up and have family here.
The length of the mentoring relationship will vary from individual to individual. We ask Community Mentors to commit to at least 2 hours a fortnight for at least 12 months alongside semi-regular supervisions and reflective practice sessions. There will also be some ‘admin time’ required.

About You
You don’t need to have had any formal experience of mentoring to be considered for this role as full training is provided. As well as regular time to give and an ability to commit fully to this role, you will need an ability to listen and have patience and enthusiasm.

You’ll have empathy and understanding of the needs of young people who have experienced a disrupted education, insecure housing and other forms of social exclusion.
You’ll be flexible, assertive and resilient and able to develop positive mentoring relationships with young people.
We welcome applications from everyone, but due to the backgrounds and interests of our young people we are particularly interested in hearing from people who:

– Live in South Gloucestershire and engage with the local community here
– Spent time in care
– Describe their ethnicity as Black, Asian and/or consider themselves as part of a minority ethnic group.
– Have lived experience of homelessness, and/or unstable accommodation including sofa surfing
– Have previously been an offender or were at risk of offending in their youth. Have professional experience of offenders / those at risk of offending.
– Please note: despite us feeling it is often helpful for mentors to have lived experience that relates to mentee’s experiences, this is not essential for a successful match.

Appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check and any offending history will be considered on a case by case basis.
We are not expecting any volunteer to be an expert in a young person’s unique needs and 1625 and other agencies provide dedicated professional support – with mentoring an additional offer to some young people. We will discuss with you and assess your preparedness to work with a mentee throughout the application, interview, training and matching process.

What we offer:

• Full induction, initial training programme and ongoing training opportunities
• Regular support, supervision and reflective practice sessions
• Reimbursement of out of pocket expenses such as travel and costs associated with mentoring,
• References available upon request after 6 months of volunteering

For more information on this role contact Max Harris on 0117 969 5763 or max.harris@1625ip.co.uk

To apply for this role please go to https://www.1625ip.co.uk/volunteer/community-mentor-south-glos/

Interviews and Training
Rolling advert
Informal interviews will be conducted as suitable applications are received. Interviews will take place face to face or via Zoom as agreed with the interviewee.
Comprehensive training will be delivered in person / via zoom as agreed with successful applicants.

Contact information for applicants:

Max Harris on 0117 969 5763 or max.harris@1625ip.co.uk

Closing Date:

No closing date – rolling advert

Organisation Name:

AbilityNet

Womankind provides a befriending service for women who are struggling and in need of some support and encouragement. We hope to give women a better quality of life by improving their mental health and well-being. Befrienders help women do everyday things like going for coffee and getting the bus, we aim to help build confidence and self esteem so women can establish new interests and broaden social networks.

You will need to be a good listener and want to help a woman change her life for the better.

The Commitment:
We expect volunteers to commit to 2-3 hours per week for a year, plus attend group supervision on a monthly basis.

What we offer:
– Comprehensive training and induction;
– Support and supervision;
– Experience of working in mental health;
– Out-of-pocket expenses.

Contact information for applicants:

Ashleigh Riddell 
Volunteer Service Coordinator
ashleigh@womankindbristol.org.uk

Closing Date:

Open ended

Title of Volunteer Role:

Description of the Volunteer Role:

As a Volunteer in a ‘Circle of Support and Accountability’, you will make an important contribution to preventing sexual abuse and creating safer communities.

A Circle of Support and Accountability is a small group of carefully trained and selected volunteers who meet regularly with an individual who has sexually harmed. Volunteers hold the individual ‘core member’ to account for their behaviour, supporting their safe integration into the community. They work closely with relevant organisations including the police and probation.

Circles South West needs more Circle Volunteers from all walks of life. We are looking for adults who are approachable and emotionally stable, with a mature outlook. The ability to maintain firm boundaries is essential. Circle Volunteers commit around 2-4 hours per week for 12-18 months. We provide full training, ongoing professional support and reimburse expenses. Appointment is dependent on suitability assessment, satisfactory references and criminal records checks.

Contact information for applicants:

volunteering@circlessw.org.uk

Closing Date:

No closing date – rolling advert

Organisation Name:

Circles South West