Volunteer with us
We are so thankful for our wonderful volunteers and there are many ways you can get involved!
Our Volunteer Roles
We have different opportunities to get involved within our programmes. See details below.
Engage Befriending helps people feel less lonely by connecting them with friendly volunteers, building stronger communities by bringing people together.
Want to know how you can help? Here are a few ways…
SEE THE VOLUNTEERING ROLES
Face to Face Befriending
Overview
The Engage Befriending Programme matches a volunteer befriender with an individual who is isolated or alone in their local community. They meet for approximately an hour a week to engage in conversation and build a positive friendship.
Time involved
1-2 hrs weekly/Fortnightly as agreed with client.
Training required
Volunteer Induction & safeguarding training.
Who we’re looking for
Friendly person with a non judgmental attitude & good listening skills.
Where it’s based
Clients home & coffee shop.
Telephone Befriending
Overview
The Engage Befriending Programme matches a volunteer befriender with an individual who is isolated or alone in their local community. They talk on the phone to engage in conversation and build a positive friendship.
Time involved
1-2 hrs weekly/Fortnightly as agreed with client.
Training required
Volunteer Induction & safeguarding training.
Who we’re looking for
Friendly person with a non judgmental attitude & good listening skills.
Where it’s based
Anywhere on the telephone.
Monthly Drop In
Overview
Time involved
2 hrs monthly (currently 2nd Thursday of the month)
Training required
Sent safeguarding & confidentiality policies & chat with coordinator.
Who we’re looking for
Someone who is friendly and able to chat to different people who attend the drop in/order the refreshments.
Where it’s based
Atrium coffee shop.
Client Check In
Overview
Time involved
Training required
Safeguarding training & chat with coordinator.
Who we’re looking for
Someone who is friendly on the telephone/Updating the database with details of your call.
Where it’s based
Office or home based.
Telephone match review
Overview
Time involved
1-2 hrs weekly
Training required
Safeguarding training & sent safeguarding & confidentiality policies
Who we’re looking for
Someone who is confident on the phone and confident to complete word documents after training by staff.
Where it’s based
Office or home based
Newsletter Voluteer
Overview
Someone to send out monthly newlstter & putting in envelopes etc.
Time involved
2-4 hrs monthly
Training required
Chat with manager & administrator.
Who we’re looking for
Someone who can compile our monthly newsletter to clients – looking out for input as well as ideas from staff.
Where it’s based
Home or office.
Office Volunteer
Overview
Helping in the Engage office, with various tasks.
Time involved
2 hrs monthly.
Training required
Chat with manager & administrator.
Who we’re looking for
Someone to send out monthly newsletter & putting in envelopes etc.
Where it’s based
Mustard Tree office.
We want to help young people reach their full potential, through mentoring, listening to their ideas, and giving them opportunities to shine. Want to help put a smile on a young person’s face? See the different roles below…
SEE THE VOLUNTEERING ROLES
Mentoring
Overview
Providing one-to-one mentoring for a young person facing disadvantage, to enable them to see lasting transformation, and support them on a journey to a brighter and more hopeful future.`
Time involved
1 hour weekly for 1 year minimum
Training required
Mentor training, Safeguarding training, DBS Enhanced with Child Barring.
Who we’re looking for
Anyone over 18 who can provide a listening ear, and has patience.
Where it’s based
Around the Reading area.
A&E Navigators
Overview
Providing one-to-one support for young people (13-25) in A&E who are involved in violence or risk-taking behaviour & helping them to access support within the wider community.
Time involved
2 hour shifts, minimum of 2 a month.
Training required
Navigator training, Safeguarding training, DBS Enhanced with Child Barring, Hospital Induction, Hospital ID.
Who we’re looking for
Anyone 18+ who can provide a listening ear, talk to young people and be a friendly face.
Where it’s based
Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Creative Opportunities
Overview
We are looking for people with experience in design/media to help out on our creative projects.
Time involved
Flexible and dependent on the project.
The Hub
Overview
Supporting activities and conversations with young people aged 11-25 to improve their confidence, social skills & overall wellbeing.
Time involved
2 hours every week.
Training required
Safeguarding training, DBS enhanced with Child Barring.
Who we’re looking for
Anyone 18+ who can provide a listening ear, patience, and have fun!
Where it’s based
Greyfriars Centre.
Rahab is a Christian charity, offering care and support to women sex workers in Reading. We’re a group of passionate volunteers who want to bring hope to these women. Want to join our team?
SEE THE VOLUNTEERING ROLES
Nighttime Outreach
Overview
Our teams take refreshments and supplies with them, which we hand out to those we see. These include chocolate bars, drinks cans, hot drinks, wet wipes, contraception, rape alarms, and clothing depending on weather. These chats are an opportunity for us to talk to clients about how we can further support them.
Time involved
3 hours monthly.
Training required
Level 1 safeguarding, sexual exploitation training, Induction training.
Who we’re looking for
Christians with empathy, a capacity to listen and not judge.
Where it’s based
On local streets.
Daytime Outreach
Overview
Our teams take refreshments and supplies with them, which we hand out to those we see. These include chocolate bars, drinks cans, hot drinks, wet wipes, contraception, rape alarms, and clothing depending on weather. These chats are an opportunity for us to talk to clients about how we can further support them.
Time involved
1-2 hours a month.
Training required
Level 1 safeguarding, sexual exploitation training, Induction training.
Who we’re looking for
Christians with empathy, a capacity to listen and not judge.
Where it’s based
On local streets.
Donations Coordinator
Time involved
1-2 hours a month.
Training required
Sexual exploitation training, Induction training.
Who we’re looking for
Someone good at speaking to potential donors, able to organise, practical, enjoys shopping.
Where it’s based
Mustard tree office and Oasis store.
The Mustard Tree help people in Reading who face disadvantage, isolation and other challenges. We believe people in our community can make a big difference by supporting each other.
SEE THE VOLUNTEERING ROLES
Events and Community Fundraiser
Time involved
1-2 hrs weekly/Fortnightly as agreed with client.
Training required
Reference, chat with CEO, can shadow events initially.
Who we’re looking for
Someone who is friendly and professional, enjoys meeting people and can use their initiative. They will attend community events and help organise and run fundraising activities.
Where it’s based
Office/home and remote
Social Media Volunteer
Time involved
Ongoing for 1/2 hours a week. Initially a little more to get things set up.
Training required
Reference, chat with CEO and SP Creative Lead.
Who we’re looking for
Someone familiar with different social media. Can create content and work with the team to pull together what is needed.
Where it’s based
Office/home.
Trustee
Time involved
Dependant on skills and availability there are different things that can be done within the role. There are 5 trustees meetings a year lasting approx. 2hrs
Training required
Meet the team including the Chair and CEO. References and DBS check. Training provided as needed.
Who we’re looking for
Someone with passion for the work of the charity who understands the needs of our communities and can use their skills and experience to add value to the team and actively support our Christian ethos.
Where it’s based
Atrium coffee shop.