Home-visiting volunteers come from many different backgrounds and vary in age but all are either parents themselves or have parenting experience and are carefully selected for their friendliness and understanding. They provide informal, friendly emotional support and practical help to families. 

All our home visiting volunteers attend a preparation course, undergo an enhanced DBS check and provide two references before being matched with a family who they will visit once a week, for approximately 2-3 hours.

Volunteers take their own individual skills and experience to the families they visit. Talking and listening can empower families to overcome their difficult situations. Visits might include holding the baby while mum has a shower, playing with twin toddlers while mum has a sleep, taking parents shopping and showing them how to budget, being a listening ear to relieve isolation, modelling positive parenting and play.

Volunteers are offered on-going training and support activities including specialist speakers, as well as informal social gatherings.

What we offer you:

• An ongoing commitment to help volunteers fulfil their roles to the best of their ability
• Comprehensive and up-to-date information about Home-Start
• Individual interview with one of our co-ordinators before commencing training
• Free initial training before you commence as a home-visiting volunteer
• Opportunities for regular ongoing training
• Appropriate support and supervision, both individually and at volunteer support group meetings
• A thorough matching service when matching volunteers to new families 
• Re-imbursement of travel expenses
• Annual volunteer social events 

What we ask from you:

• To be familiar and committed to the Home-Start ethos
• To attend the preparation course, ongoing training and individual / group support meetings
• To reliably visit and support at least one family on a regular basis (minimum 2-3 hours per week), for a period of at least one year
• To keep and return Home-Start records promptly 
• To abide by Home-Start guidelines on confidentially
• To complete annual safeguarding training and to annually sign the Code of Conduct
• To be aware of and work within Home-Start's guidelines on Child Protection
• To understand and implement Home-Start's polices on Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety
• To ensure your car is adequately insured, if transporting families

If you would like to find out more, to make an enquiry, please fill in an application and someone will be in touch with you. 

The Role and What We Are Looking for in a New Trustee

We are looking to recruit new Trustees with experience in marketing and fundraising, and/or with a strong Guildford network.

There is no requirement for you to have been a trustee before, however, you do need to be passionate about improving the lives of children and the families we support. You will be good at working with others, ready to speak up and ask questions, be thoughtful and open to learning, and able to stand back to see the bigger picture. You must take the responsibilities of a Trustee seriously.

We are looking to better reflect the experiences of our community, to bring the skills and experiences of diverse Trustees to the Board. We are looking to better reflect the experiences of our community, to bring the skills and experiences of diverse Trustees to the Board. We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals with experience around marketing and fundraising, and/or with a strong Guildford network. 

Trustees are the people who make the top-level decisions for our charity. Our Board includes people with experience and skills in early years, education, and business. We expect new trustees to have empathy with our cause and our beneficiaries. Support from local charity-support organisations is always available, and a full induction to our organisation will be provided, including access to external training.

If you can think strategically and plan long-term, you have the primary skills needed by our trustees. You’ll also need to be able to work collectively with other Board members. Support from our paid employees is always available, as they handle the day-to-day running of the organisation.

We are a charity, not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to join our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our board in all meanings of the word and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups.

We ask for about six hours of your time per month, and the ability to join face to face board meetings in Guildford that are usually held every 6-8 weeks on a Monday or Friday morning.

What does becoming a trustee involve?

As part of the trustee role, you will be expected to:

• Attend, and prepare for, a minimum of six meetings per year.
• Undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
• Undergo a selection process as outlined by Home-Start Guildford.
• Commit to the legal and financial responsibilities of the role, as outlined in the charity’s Constitution (‘Foundation’ model constitution).
• Visit and engage with the office and staff to enhance your understanding of how Home-Start Guildford works.

Training and Support?

Trustees are fully inducted into Home-Start before beginning their new role; they will receive:

• An online welcome event and e-learning, introducing Home-Start’s service and your responsibilities.
• Training in key areas including safeguarding.
• Reimbursement of paid expenses.
• Access to Home-Start’s online community via HSUK intranet – full of information and guidance on running a local Home-Start.
• Tailored support by other trustees and staff.

• Research opportunities and appropriate events where HSG can promote their services / recruit volunteers
• Organise a HSG stall and the volunteers to support this
• Plan, organise and run fundraising events eg coffee mornings, craft events
• Support others who are fundraising for us
• Build networks with local businesses to raise our profile and encourage them to support our work

• A chance to learn new skills
• A chance to gain experience in event management
• The opportunity to make new friends and build social networks
• The opportunity to contribute to vital work supporting families with young children

Family Support Volunteers for Ash and Ash Vale with Home-Start Guildford

Being a parent is hard for everyone and for some it can be overwhelming.  With your knowledge and experience as a parent, you could be the vital support a family needs in their child’s early years and make a big difference to their lives.

Can you spare 3 - 4 hours per week to help a family with young children?

Our friendly FREE Preparation Course will give you the skills to use your knowledge and experience to go into a family home once a week to give a family the additional support they need to thrive and enjoy family life.

Our 6 session Autumn Prep Course starts on: Wednesday 16th October in Guildford.

For more information, visit our website www.hsguildford.org.uk or fill in the application form and a member of staff will contact you.

Home-Start Guildford is looking for a Digital / Office Volunteer. If your interests and skills lie in social media or are office based, we are always happy to welcome anyone who has regular availability to volunteer, or who can offer ad hoc one off sessions.

As a digital / office volunteer you will have the opportunity to: 

• A chance to learn new skills
• Skills and experience to add to your CV
• Share and develop your knowledge, skills and networks 
• Be part of the wider Home-Start movement in Surrey 

Training and Support:

Volunteers are the heart of Home-Start Guildford. In joining our dedicated and friendly team, you will:

• receive a full induction
• meet other like-minded people
• meet regularly with, and be supported by, one of our members of staff
• have access to training activities including specialist speakers
• be invited to volunteer social events (including a free Christmas Lunch event)
• receive regular updates and newsletters
• be able to claim travel expenses when visiting a family

All our volunteers are required to sign the Safeguarding and Protecting Children Code of Conduct, which is introduced to volunteers as part of their induction and indicates that they fully understand and are committed to Home-Start’s Policy and procedures for Safeguarding and Protecting Children.

All volunteers are also required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring check, at a level relevant to the position.

What does the time commitment look like?

We are grateful for any time you can spare, whether this is a few hours on a regular basis, one day a week or just an agreed amount of time for a set project. Our offices are open 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, however as our staff follow a hybrid working pattern, there are occasions when the office is unmanned.

Depending on the type of role you do, once you have completed your induction, you may be able to do some of your volunteering working from home.

Visit our website for more information: www.hsguildford.org.uk

Treasurer for Mediation Surrey

We are looking for a Treasurer to join our committed team as a Board member and Trustee of Mediation Surrey. The role is voluntary and reports to the Chair. 

On an on-going basis the Treasurer will be responsible for:

• The financial and accounting policy of the Charity
• Playing a leading role on the Board on issues such as strategy, financing and risk management
• Working with the DOS in the production and Board approval of the Annual Budget (approx. £200,000) and its monitoring thereafter
• Liaise with the Funding Trustee on the financing strategy of the Charity
• Monitor and approval of expense payments submitted by the DOS
• Maintain up to date financial records and quarterly summary accounts
• Oversee production of year end accounts for the annual AGM

Skills required:

Ideally the candidate will have worked at a senior level in an organisation, have good communication and interpersonal skills, have a basic working knowledge of accounting/finance and knowledge of Excel/accounting software.

Time commitment

The position will require a regular time commitment of approximately 10 hours per month.

Mediation Surrey provides an important public service to the residents of Surrey. It is largely funded by the Police, local, borough and County Councils and Housing Associations because of the complementary role it plays in helping these organisations to attain their goals. Specifically, community mediation helps solve neighbourhood disputes and issues of anti-social behaviour before they can escalate into more serious problems. Intergenerational mediation helps solve family disputes, typically between a teenager and their parents, before it becomes an issue for social services. Support coaching builds resilience in victims of anti-social behaviour to help them cope with the situation. 

The Treasurer plays an important role in ensuring that the organisation is run in a professional and transparent way. They will also have the opportunity to fully contribute to the strategy of the Charity and the growth in its services.

Objectives

Mediation Surrey is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) established for the purpose of minimising the mental, physical and social impact of interpersonal conflict and anti-social behaviour on the residents of Surrey through building improved resilience, communication and understanding, to help them cope with, prevent or resolve disputes.

It does this by offering free services for community mediation, intergenerational mediation and victim support coaching from over 100 trained volunteer mediators and coaches.

In addition, Mediation Surrey offers an affordable Family Mediation service for divorcing or separating couples.

Mediation Surrey employs 6 part time staff, led by a Director of Services (DOS), to run the operations of the charity.

Mediation Surrey provides an important public service to the residents of Surrey. It is largely funded by the Police, local, borough and County Councils and Housing Associations because of the complementary role it plays in helping these organisations to attain their goals. Specifically, community mediation helps solve neighbourhood disputes and issues of anti-social behaviour before they can escalate into more serious problems. Intergenerational mediation helps solve family disputes, typically between a teenager and their parents, before it becomes an issue for social services. Support coaching builds resilience in victims of anti-social behaviour to help them cope with the situation. 

Please complete our volunteer application form via the link below.  If you would like further information please contact Helen McGowan on the following email helenm@mediationsurrey.org 

https://forms.volunteero.org/view/cf05c638-17ce-4fa8-afd4-8575777644a9

Support Coaching for those affected by Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)

A rewarding volunteer opportunity for volunteer coaches

About the Role

At Mediation Surrey, with funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, we offer a supportive coaching service for those impacted by Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and those facing challenges with their neighbours. Since launching in 2017, our service has grown steadily to meet the increasing demand, and we’re now looking for compassionate, capable volunteers to join us.

How it Works

Our service provides clients with coaching that’s tailored to their needs. After our casework team completes an initial phone assessment to ensure that we are the appropriate service to meet the client’s support needs, coaches typically offer one to three coaching sessions, each lasting around an hour. These sessions are scheduled at times that work for both you and the client, providing the flexibility you need to support them in the best way possible.

Training and Support

We understand the importance of feeling prepared and supported when working with clients affected by ASB and other challenges, so all our volunteer coaches receive comprehensive in-house training before taking on cases. You’ll also have access to peer support groups, two supervision sessions each year, and additional training opportunities throughout the year to help you grow your skills.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking people who want to make a difference by volunteering their time and expertise.

Ideally, you will:

• Have experience working with vulnerable adults or in other high-stress situations
• Be skilled at recognising and navigating strong emotions, both at the surface and below
• Encourage clients to create their own solutions while taking ownership of their situation
• Commit to supporting at least 6 clients a year, helping us meet the growing demand and allowing you to build your coaching confidence
• Attend regular supervision sessions and continue your ongoing development with us

If you’re passionate about helping others and want to make a positive impact, we’d love to hear from you.  Please complete our volunteer application form via the link below.  If you would like further information please contact Helen McGowan on the following email helenm@mediationsurrey.org 

https://forms.volunteero.org/view/cf05c638-17ce-4fa8-afd4-8575777644a9

Role Purpose

Our Event Volunteer role is vital in ensuring that we can help families of seriously ill children keep moving forward. From Cheer Squads - providing encouragement at cheer points for those participating in challenge events; running stalls at markets and events; helping with bucket collections; attending local events to raise our profile to getting into character as ‘Mo’ our owl mascot. The gift of your time is invaluable to our charity.

What we are looking for in our volunteers

We are looking for enthusiastic, friendly, trustworthy people who enjoy being in a group with other volunteers. Depending on the event, you will need to be able to withstand all weather conditions and be happy to be on your feet… or not! Flexibility, self-motivation and the willingness to motivate others are all great traits for Event Volunteers.   

What’s in it for you?

You will be part of the Momentum team of volunteers and will meet plenty of other like-minded, friendly people at whatever event you choose to get involved in. You will gain satisfaction knowing that you have made a difference to the participants and raised the profile of Momentum at the event.

Hours required

Hours will vary, but it could be anything from 2-6 hours per event. This is an ad-hoc role and we will keep you informed of dates/times that we are looking for volunteer support. We will contact you when we need you and you are under no obligation to accept if you are otherwise busy.

Location

The locations will vary but much of our work and events are based in Surrey, Sussex and South West London.

How we’ll support you

There will be a key point of contact for you from the Momentum office and we’ll give you all the information you need prior to the event, such as meeting points, required resources and points of contact.

All our supported children are given a pebble painted with a character/design of their choice. 

We are always looking for people to paint these pebbles for us.

This is super flexible and can be done at home in your own time!

Are you are keen to help local people living with Motor Neurone Disease in the Guildford and surrounding areas?

We are seeking people who are able to provide support to families living with MND in Guildford and the surrounding areas. Support volunteers can provide face to face home visits, email and phone support, helping people to have the best quality of life for as long as possible.

You'll need to be caring, reliable and able to carry out home visits on your own. This is a challenging but rewarding role and you will be supported by your local branch and regional staff team.

We will do a DBS check, reimburse expenses and provide training and support.

If you would like to have an informal chat about this role please click on the application tab and we will be in touch asap. 

Do you want to have fun, meet new people and help a local charity?

We are recruiting for volunteers to join our Events Team, helping Rainbow Trust by representing us at a wide range of fundraising and awareness events, such as the London Marathon and Royal Parks Run. 

Every day as an Events Volunteer is different - you get to pick and choose what events you would like to attend. 

We simply could not run the huge range of events we do without the support, energy and enthusiasm of our loyal volunteers, so why not join our team? This is a great opportunity for people who work or students who are not able to make a regular commitment.

We are particularly looking for volunteers to support our runners at the London Marathon on 21st April, cheering runners, welcoming, stewarding for example. We welcome volunteers from 18+.

The Digital Team is responsible for the digital content for Rainbow

Trust. 

We are looking for an intern to work with us for 2 or 3 days per week, to

support our Digital Team in our head office in Leatherhead.

The Digital Intern will help support the Digital Team to include content

update for the website, Facebook updates, supporting email content and

supporting graphic design work.

Your role may include:

•  Scheduling content for social media
•  Editing photographs in Photoshop
•  Making edits to the Rainbow Trust website 

We’re looking for people who are/have:

• Experienced in Adobe packages to include photoshop and premier.
•  Passionate and interested in Digital Marketing
•  Have a basic level of understanding of photo editing.
•  Good written English.
•  Energy and enthusiasm and a pro-active approach

Your commitment:

Duration: 2 – 3 months

Hours: Flexible – 2/3 days per week

Training and Support

• A dedicated member of Rainbow Trust staff will guide and support you in

your work

• You will receive a full induction to the charity and a programme of training

relevant to your role, to help you get the most from your time with us

• Training will cover areas such as safeguarding, health and safety, confidentiality and GDPR, as well as our IT systems
• All volunteers will receive regular opportunities for informal and formal catch ups with their manager

Why choose Rainbow Trust?

• We are a Sunday Times Top 100 Not-for-Profit organisation and a leading

charity for children and young people

• Professional training and opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge
• The enjoyment of becoming part of our friendly and welcoming team, knowing you are making a valuable contribution to the lives of the families we support
• A calendar of social events for volunteers, including Christmas events and celebrations for Volunteers’ Week
• We will reimburse your out-of-pocket travel expenses up to £10 per day and up to £4.00 per day for lunch

Ready to apply?

• Get in touch by clicking the ‘fill in an application’ button.

Selection process:

• Enrolment form, informal interview, references.

About the Charity

The Cedar House Charity was set up for mothers experiencing prenatal and postnatal depression in 2004 and offers support to mothers by holding free weekly group therapy sessions. The groups provide a safe, supported, and confidential environment where mothers can get together with others who may be feeling similar to themselves and are facilitated by our specialist postnatal depression counsellor, Liz Wise. Liz has thirty years’ experience in facilitating groups, providing counselling and has personal experience of the illness. The groups aid their recovery by making them feel normal and reducing the sense of isolation that postnatal depression can bring.

​The charity has been running since 2004 in Surrey, and now also provides a support group in South London. Each group provides creche facilities and both this and the group are free of charge. We get no funding from the NHS or local authorities and rely solely on private donations, grants and fundraising events.

Charity Trustee

Purpose of role:               

Key purpose of the charity trustee role is to function as one of the key decision makers of Cedar House, providing leadership, guidance, support and making decisions for the benefit of the charity and the work that it does. The charity trustee’s will safeguard the charity's assets – both physical assets, including property, and intangible ones, such as its reputation. Cedar House is a small charity, and we rely on the time given generously by our volunteers, including our trustees. These roles require a positive, active input to the shared responsibility of overall governance and fundraising efforts, vital to keeping the charity going.

Key Responsibilities:      

Cedar House Charity Trustees are required to attend 3 board meetings per annum, where the financials including accounts, funding/grant applications and other related topics will be discussed. All trustees must be an active member of the board as it is small. The board members may also share the board roles including Treasurer, Secretary, Chair, safeguarding and communications/fundraising.

Key duties include:

• Ensure the charity is conducting its purposes for the public benefit
• Comply with the charity's governing document and the law
• Acting in the charities best interest
• Managing the charity's resources responsibly (including finances)
• Acting with reasonable care and skill
• Ensuring the charity is accountable.

Eligibility criteria:             

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must not have been previously disqualified
• Fit the criteria of ‘fit and proper person’ under Finance Act 2010 HRMC
• Can undertake and pass Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
•  Able to travel to Guildford, Surrey for the 3 Trustee Board meetings per year

Key Experience:  

•  Worked in teams of people
•  Experience of making objective decisions, based on factual evidence
•  Understanding of financial information

If you are interested in supporting Cedar House and you are able to provide some time by volunteering, please click on the Fill in an Application button to volunteer or if you wish for further details.   

About the Charity

The Cedar House Charity was set up for mothers experiencing prenatal and postnatal depression in 2004 and offers support to mothers by holding free weekly group therapy sessions. The groups provide a safe, supported, and confidential environment where mothers can get together with others who may be feeling similar to themselves and are facilitated by our specialist postnatal depression counsellor, Liz Wise. Liz has thirty years’ experience in facilitating groups, providing counselling and has personal experience of the illness. The groups aid their recovery by making them feel normal and reducing the sense of isolation that postnatal depression can bring.

​The charity has been running since 2004 in Surrey, and now also provides a support group in South London. Each group provides creche facilities and both this and the group are free of charge. We get no funding from the NHS or local authorities and rely solely on private donations, grants and fundraising events.

Charity Trustee and Secretary

Purpose of role:               

Key purpose of the Charity Trustee role is to function as one of the key decision makers of Cedar House, providing leadership, guidance, support and making decisions for the benefit of the charity and the work that it does. The charity trustee’s will safeguard the charity's assets – both physical assets, including property, and intangible ones, such as its reputation. Cedar House is a small charity and we rely on the time given generously by our volunteers, including our trustees. These roles require a positive, active input to the shared responsibility of overall governance and fundraising efforts, vital to keeping the charity going.

The Charity Secretary's overall role includes secretarial duties such as organizing board meetings, taking the minutes, managing correspondence, managing updates and background information required by the board of trustees, keeping records of membership, and other similar administrative responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:      

Cedar House Charity Trustees are required to attend 3 board meetings per annum, where the financials including accounts, funding/grant applications and other related topics will be discussed. All trustees must be an active member of the board as it is small. The board members may also share the board roles including Treasurer, Secretary, Chair, safeguarding and communications/fundraising.

Key duties include:

• Ensure the charity is conducting its purposes for the public benefit
• Comply with the charity's governing document and the law
• Acting in the charities best interest
• Managing the charity's resources responsibly (including finances)
• Acting with reasonable care and skill
• Ensuring the charity is accountable.
• Arranging 3 board meetings per annum to ensure all trustees are able to attend.
• Take minutes at board meetings, including any actions or follow up activity and share with the board after meetings.
• Arrange necessary paperwork for new trustees and leaving trustees.
• Update information packs for new trustees so they understand responsibilities.

Eligibility criteria:             

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must not have been previously disqualified
• Fit the criteria of ‘fit and proper person’ under Finance Act 2010 HRMC
• Can undertake and pass Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
•  Able to travel to Guildford to attend the 3 annual trustee board meetings.

Key Experience:               

• Worked in teams of people
• Experience of making objective decisions, based on factual evidence
• Understanding of financial information

If you are interested in supporting Cedar House and you are able to provide some time by volunteering, please click on the Fill in an Application button to volunteer or if you wish for further details.