Volunteering

Why bother?

We know volunteering makes the world a brighter place but why bother?

Volunteering gives you the opportunity to experience a huge range of different professions and in turn gain you a huge range of different skills. We have a varied range of voluntary roles, open to all sections of the community.

From gardening to working in our Charity Shops; there are many opportunities. Volunteering can be a great social network and you can meet people from a diverse range of backgrounds and often make really solid friendships.

Volunteering Opportunities

What is Befriending?

Befriending is the development of a one-to-one friendship which offers isolated people an opportunity to socialise and be supported.

Our befriending scheme

...works with residents in Westminster who may be isolated for different reasons; perhaps due to a long term illness or maybe a single parent in need of some company. Other user's may be isolated due to cultural or economic barriers.

The Volunteer Befreinder spends an hour a week with the user and we ask for a commitment of 3-6 months. You will need to be a good listener, empathetic, reliable and encouraging. Full training will be given but many of the personal qualities needed are very simple and natural.

Befriending can involve a range of different activities. Some users may choose to maintain routines. Others may want to go for a walk, visit a place of interest or have a chat.

This project is funded by the Octavia Foundation and NHS Westminster.

How do I apply to be a Volunteer Befriender?

Contact Zoe Howes and fill in an application form supplying 2 references. After the intial 'chemistry' meeting either the user or the befriender can choose to be placed with a different person if they feel the match is unsuitable.

Do you need a Volunteer Befriender?

Would you like someone to have a chat with? We have a wide range of carefully selected volunteers, male and female, from different backgrounds. If you feel the volunteer is not right for you, we can easily match you with another.

Contact Zoe Howes for further information or click here for our Befriending leaflet.

Retail Opportunities?

We have vacancies in our 21 Charity Shops in central & west London. The work often involves a range of tasks; working on the shop floor, operating tills, handling cash, unpacking deliveries, sorting and pricing donated goods and dealing with customers.

If you are interested please contact Jim Brooks or Zoe Howes.

We also have a range of Employment & Training volunteering positions. For further information contact Wray Bennett.