Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to meet people, learn new skills, practice skills necessary for your future career, use skills gained over a lifetime and give something back to the community.
As a growing charity, our volunteers are involved with all aspects of our work from administration through gardening work to front line service delivery. Ideally we would ask for a minimum of 4 hours a week on a regular basis across all roles, a 'can do' attitude - we all help each other whatever the task - and a passion to play a part in your local community. Find our more below.
All staff and volunteers will be required to provide references and some may be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
My take
Stephen, Volunteer Receptionist
As many will be aware, mental health problems have shown a significant increase in recent years amongst all age groups, but particularly among young people. Trained counsellors at The Counselling & Family Centre provide the appropriate assistance to transform the lives of their clients. As a receptionist you can ensure that the counsellors can maximise their time with their clients by performing a wide variety of administrative tasks, such as ensuring clients are warmly welcomed, making appointments and preparing paperwork.
You will be a vital cog in the process that undoubtedly helps many to overcome their problems. As a volunteer receptionist for 4 years, I have found it a most worthwhile experience.
Volunteer housekeeping helper
Do you have a spare few hours a week to help out a local charity?
We are looking for a Volunteer housekeeping helper to join our small, friendly team at The Counselling & Family Centre.
Providing counselling to underprivileged groups within our community is at the heart of what we do, and our centre is not only where counselling sessions take place, but also where our clients’ lives are transformed. We are looking for a volunteer who is happy to spare an hour or two a week to help keep our centre tidy and neat for our clients.
What does this involve?
We need a helping hand with the simple things that would make a big difference, these can include:
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Vacuuming our counselling rooms
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Wiping down surfaces
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Wiping down windows
Is this for you?
This is not a high-pressure role at all, and your help would go a long way in helping us to maintain our operation and keep this charity running. There is a very supportive team who not only normally cleans up after themselves already but will be extremely grateful for the extra help you offer. We are also here to provide any support you may need.
What’s in it for you?
Not only would you have a chance to give back to a local charity, but you would also be very welcome to help yourself with any tea and coffee while you are here! You will be working in a calm and respectful environment as well where everybody is peaceful and friendly.
If you are someone who likes to keep a place tidy, and is keen on supporting a local charity, we would love to hear from you. Please drop me an email at lawrence.chung@thecfc.org.uk
Volunteer DIY / Handyperson
If you have a knack for fixing things or doing some decorating, and have a spare morning or afternoon a week, we would love your help! We are looking for a Volunteer Handyperson to help us with the little bits and bobs around our centre. We will provide the equipment (wrench, hammer, paintbrush, screwdrivers, etc.)
What does this involve?
The things that need help out on DIY and decorating can include:
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Fixing a squeaky door or wobbly chair
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Repairing door handles
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Repainting the walls
We’re looking for someone who:
You don’t need to be a pro and can be inexperienced. If you are happy to learn a new skill from a YouTube video and put it into practice, you are exactly who we need. It would be extra helpful if you have an interest in learning to DIY
Is this for you?
This is a low-pressure role. You can work through the list of things that need maintenance at our centre at your own pace in a supportive and friendly environment. It’s a great way to pick up a new skill at a local charity that dedicates to providing mental health support for people within the community.
What’s in it for you?
Not only would you have a chance to give back to a local charity, but you are also welcome to help yourself to free tea and coffee while you are here. You will also be working in a calm and friendly environment where our team is more than happy to give a helping hand when needed.
If you are interested, we would love to hear from you. Drop me an email at lawrence.chung@thecfc.org.uk
Volunteer Receptionist
We know the first step toward counselling for our clients can be the most difficult, so we are looking for a friendly face to be part of our administration team as a Volunteer Receptionist. If you have a few spare hours each week, we would love to have you onboard to provide a calm and welcoming environment as a first point of contact for our visitors, clients and counsellors.
What does this involve?
We are looking for someone who is happy to be a friendly face at our reception desk to welcome clients, visitors and counsellors.
This role involves:
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Welcoming guests and visitors, making them feel at ease when they arrive
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Answer phone calls to clients making queries or signposting them to the right contact
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Monitoring our email inbox and helping with daily office clerk tasks
Is this for you?
We don’t need you to have years of office experience. All we ask for is the following essential qualities:
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Willingness to learn the way we work
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Confident with IT (e.g. responding to emails)
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Fluent in spoken and written English (for handling phone calls and welcoming guests)
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Compassion for others (sometimes, people come to us when they are not at their best, being able to sympathies with others will help you thrive in this role)
Why join us?
You’ll be a part of our administrative team, which is at the heart of what we do to help others and change lives. We offer a supportive environment and provide full training. This is also a great chance to give back to a local charity. You will be working in a calm and friendly environment in a small office.
If this sounds like something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you. Please drop me an email at lawrence.chung@thecfc.org.uk
Volunteer Café Helper
We run a community café at our centre where people can rest and connect. If you have a few hours a week to spare and are looking to pick up some new (barista) skills, you may be interested in joining as a Volunteer Café Helper to keep things running.
What does this involve?
You don’t need to be a professional barista to join our team. It's not a problem if you are inexperienced, we give training. The tasks of a café helper can include:
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Serving brews and food to customers
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Keeping the café squeaky clean and hygenic)
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Stock-taking (to help us keep our inventories on-track)
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Speaking with customers and working with the team (from taking ordering to coordinating with our café team members)
Is this for you?
If you are someone who enjoys working in a busy environment and likes meeting people from all walks of life, you will fit right in. All we ask is that you are happy to communicate with customers, willing to learn and are happy to work within a team. We will provide full training.
Why volunteer with us?
This is a great way to gain experience in learning and doing the practical bits of a café’s day-to-day work. You will also be working with a friendly team and receive full training. Plus, you will be fueled by the best coffee in the building!
If this sounds like something you are interested in, please drop me an email at lawrence.chung@thecfc.org.uk
