Find paid and voluntary vacancies with Kingston Voluntary Action as well as with our local colleagues and partners below.
Volunteering Offers at Kingston Voluntary Action
The Larch
Help us to run our social club for adults with autism - The Larch
The Larch is a social club for adults with autism that opened in August 2023. Its aim is to create a sociable and inclusive space for adults with autism to feel at home, take part in activities and build positive social relationships.
What experience is required?
Some experience or understanding of adults with autism is preferred. As a volunteer support worker, you will be assisting the group with running activities, helping new members settle in and be a catalyst for peer-to-peer support. Members of the Larch attend on a drop-in basis and organise their own travel arrangements.
When does the Larch run?
The Larch runs every Thursday from 6-8 at Kingston Library. Staff and volunteers typically arrive shortly before 6 to help prepare the space.
For more information:
Contact Leeni Szalay-Winter on leeni@kingstoneco-op.org.uk or call on 07393 378 833.
Buddy Scheme
What will volunteering involve?
As a volunteer with the Buddy Scheme, you will be matched with a service user on a one-to-one basis, meet that person regularly, and try different leisure activities together.
We try to match volunteers to service users who are a similar age and, ideally, with similar interests.Our Buddy pairs enjoy a wide variety of activities, including cycling, walks, going to a football match, boat trips on the river, bowling, shopping, meals out, gym classes, etc. The qualities a befriender needs are enthusiasm, friendliness, commitment, patience, understanding and reliability. No previous experience required and you will receive training for your role.
Why are befrienders needed?
People with learning disabilities/autism are amongst the most socially excluded and vulnerable people in society. Friendship and enjoying leisure/social activities is something we can take for granted. Befriending your Buddy will help them access and enjoy leisure facilities they might not otherwise be able to.
Time Commitment:
Time Commitment We ask for a commitment of a few hours at least once a month for at least a year. Meeting someone regularly for a year allows time to build up trust and a good befriending relationship. The Buddy Scheme is a flexible form of volunteering and you will be able to arrange meetings for a time that suits both you and your buddy.
Training:
Before you begin volunteering you will attend some informal training, which will provide you with some useful information to help you in your befriending role. On-going support is provided. The Project Co-ordinator will be available to help with any difficulties you might have, and to monitor the progress of your befriending relationship. Expenses All volunteer expenses are paid for. Volunteers only need to donate their time and enthusiasm.
What happens next?
After completing a Buddy Scheme registration form you will be invited for an informal interview, where you can find out more about the Buddy Scheme and have any questions answered, and we can find out a little about you and your interests.
KVA Office
Become a volunteer and give support to our central team by doing various office tasks. No experience is required.
Paid Offers at Kingston Voluntary Action
We are recruiting Community Voice Champions for The Abundance Project!
About the Project
The Abundance Project aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of ethnically diverse communities in Southwest London by connecting them with cultural and green spaces like museums and parks, which can improve their health and wellbeing.
For more information, please visit The Abundance Project
Community Voice Champions’ Role
Community Voice Champions (CVCs) will be the ‘voice’ of their communities, drawing on their own lived experience and collecting stories, testimonials and feedback from others. The role will involve liaising with their communities, participating in storytelling workshops, identifying challenges and opportunities, and contributing to developing new models for addressing mental health inequalities.
Commitment required
We are asking for a 1-year commitment, with the possibility of an extension for two more years.
It is important that you commit to attending the following programme, which includes in-person and online sessions:
- 6 September 2024 – CVCs Training Session
10am to 12:30pm
Location: Kingston Voluntary Action, Siddeley House, 50 Canbury Park Road, KT2 6LX - 11 September 2024 – Workshop 1
2pm to 4:30pm
Location: Kingston Voluntary Action, Siddeley House, 50 Canbury Park Road, KT2 6LX - 24 September 2024 – Workshop 2
10am to 12:30pm
Location: Online – we will send a meeting link closer to the date - 2 October 2024 – Workshop 3
10am to 12.30pm
Location: Kingston Voluntary Action, Siddeley House, 50 Canbury Park Road, KT2 6LX - 16 October 2024 – Workshop 4 (TBC)
10am to 12:30pm
Location: Online – we will send a meeting link closer to the date
Please note that more workshops will be arranged later in agreement with CVCs.
Benefits of taking part and support available to you
You will not receive a salary, however you may be eligible to receive payments and reimbursement for your direct involvement in the research, following National Institute of Health and Care Research NIHR payment guidance for researchers and professionals.
- We will pay £75 for involvement in activities amounting to half a day (3.5 hours) for those with the right to work in the UK
Please speak to Kingston Voluntary Action about potential payment as it will depend on your circumstances. Receiving payment can affect benefits and for people going through the asylum process who don’t have permission to work, it is not possible to receive payments due to government restrictions.
If you would like to have an informal chat about the role, please email Eneida.capaldi@kva.org.uk.
Requirements
Enthusiastic about making a difference to your community and a willingness to undertake relevant training.
Job Offers in the Voluntary Sector
Kingston Women's Centre are recruiting a Clinical Trustee.
Dyscover are recruiting a VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR & COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING
COORDINATOR