Community Action Fair

Y2Y is a peer coach volunteer scheme for young people who are NEET. We need volunteers to try to motivate young people to improve their lives, whether it is getting a job or going back to college.

Skills you will need Communication; a good motivator; lived experience of achieving something.

Skills you will developCommunication; teamwork; supporting a young person to achieve.

Opportunities available Peer coaching young people (16-21 year old). Promoting Y2Y, Motivate the young people, meet weekly with young people and contribute to meetings. Complete all relevant forms and records.

Training provided One full day and online, involving coaching skills, team working and communication. Volunteers will be trained to show an awareness of safeguarding issues, confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Expenses covered Travel

Time commitment 10 hours per month minimum. This includes 1 hour per week one-to-one work with the young person and a briefing session once every 2 weeks with other volunteers and the project worker. Flexible depending on the time commitment of the volunteer.

DBS check required? Yes

Distance from campus 3.7 miles

Avenue House is a grade II listed mid Victorian mansion with extensive grounds landscaped by Robert Marnock. These contain a unique collection of trees forming an attractive backdrop to the House. Today, the mansion provides comfortable facilities for conferences, business functions, exhibitions, commercial filming, charity fundraising events, weddings and family celebrations as well as lush grounds for the public to enjoy free of charge.

Skills you will need Gardening; landscaping; management.

Skills you will develop Manual labour; gardening; events.

Opportunities available We have opportunities in the gardens to help with maintenance and upkeep, and when we have fundraising events for ticketing and general stewarding. Also we have received lottery funding and there may be opportunities in the future for different skilled students to apply their trade. We can take as little to 1 volunteer to a much larger number.

Training provided Health and safety; stewarding

Expenses covered None

Time commitment Completely flexible

DBS Check required? No

Distance from Campus 1.7 miles

Advocacy in Barnet (AIB) exists to provide free, independent, confident and impartial advocacy services that will enable and empower local people to have their say, communicate their needs and make informed choices in obtaining community and health services in the way they want them.

Skills you will need Organisational, interpersonal, communication, computer, negotiation, mediation skills and customer service, leadership, problem solving competencies.

Skills you will develop Further organisational, interpersonal, communication, computer, negotiation, mediation skills and customer service, leadership, problem solving competencies.

Opportunities available Knowledge surgeries, hospital advocacy service, financial advocacy: to provide knowledge surgeries in the community at places such as post offices, day centres, banks and hospitals to older Barnet residents; visiting patients on wards at the Royal Free Hospital, Barnet General and Finchley Memorial hospitals; to provide financial advocacy support and representation to older Barnet residents.

Training provided Advocacy skills training provided over 2 days; half day training on Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults.


Time commitment 4-6 hours per week

DBS Check required? Yes


Energise London CIC / Energise Barnet. We help residents and businesses make and save energy and money through energy switching and installing energy saving measures and renewable energy systems. See our websites for details.Energise Barnet is a project of Energise London CIC which aims to establish community energy initiatives in every London borough. Currently, EL runs Energise Barnet, Energise Ealing, Energise Harrow and Energise Waltham Forest. Energise Barnet project involves promoting our services and engaging residents to install energy saving measures/renewables on a street-by-street basis particularly around Hendon, Edgware, Burnt Oak and Colindale.

Skills you will need Interpersonal, communication, knowledge of the internet/social media. An interest in ‘renewable’ energy, housing regeneration, fuel poverty, the environment/climate change would be a plus.

Skills you will develop All-round business skills – operations, marketing/communication, sales, IT and administration.

Opportunities available 10 Green Energy Champions with broad responsibilities including promoting our services to Barnet residents and communities. Making presentations at community organisations, working in our office on administration/customer service/marketing, leaflet distribution, stands at events and much more.

Training provided Full training on activities and responsibilities and learn all about the energy industry – renewables, energy efficiency, smart metering, collective buying and fuel poverty.

Expenses covered Travel and food




Home-Start Barnet is a registered charity which supports parents living in the borough of Barnet who are experiencing difficulties. At the heart of our work are volunteers who we recruit and train from the local community to visit families at home. Volunteers offer time, practical support and friendship, helping to prevent crises and breakdown. The support is informal and flexible and meets the differing needs in our culturally diverse community. We also provide community coaches who support individuals in crisis for 10 targeted sessions. Finally, we are mentoring young people at risk of offending or first time offenders. This will also be for 10 sessions.

Skills you will need Can do attitude. Enthusiasm. Reliability. Empathy. Understanding.

Skills you will develop Inter-personal skills. Communication skills. Problem solving. Understanding of others. Analytical thinking

Opportunities available Home visiting volunteers. Community coaches. Mentors for young people at risk of offending. Administrative and IT support to redesign our website.

Training provided Interview process and full training of 30-40 hours depending on type of volunteering. For IT and administration there would be a 1 hour induc-tion and no formal training.


Time commitment 3 hours per week

DBS Check required? Yes for home visiting; no for IT and admin.


The Alzheimer’s Society’s Art and Culture Dementia Café is an informal meeting place for people concerned about their memory and their carers. It is an opportunity to receive peer support and information whilst taking part in activities such as pottery, dance, photography, film making, theatre workshops and much more. There will be three Cafes running each month, one is New Barnet, another in Mill Hill and one more in Golders Green.

Skills you will need We are looking for volunteers who really care about the needs of people with dementia. We would like outgoing and social people who are happy to have a cup of tea and a chat. In an ideal world volunteers would be looking to peruse a career in Music Therapy, Social Work, Art Therapy or Occupational Therapy. Ideally we would like volunteers who have a skills or interests in the Arts so they could be trained to lead sessions.

Skills you will develop Interpersonal skills; experience working with a diverse range of people, learning about the challenges and needs facing people with dementia; and an understanding of the charity sector.

Opportunities available We are looking for volunteers who have an interest in working with Older People and those living with dementia to assist at our new Art and Culture Cafés, making hot drinks, talking to carers and people living with dementia, and taking part in - or leading - group activity.

Training provided Training and information sessions every 6 weeks keeps volunteers up to date with changes to our services, policies and procedures.

Expenses covered None

Time commitment 2 hours once a month. Or more if they are happy to commit to more than one café.



The Larches Community, based in Edgware, creates opportunities and provide essential life skills for young people and adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.

Skills you will need Any additional help for our learners, some of whom have profound needs and challenging behaviour, is most welcomed.

Skills you will develop Supporting people with learning difficulties and autism.

Opportunities available We have daily educational programmes for adults with learning disabilities and autism who need support during class time.

Training provided Volunteer can sit into any of the courses for 2 sessions before deciding which programme they want to support.

Expenses covered Travel and lunch

Time commitment 2 hours a week (same time every week)



Homeless Action in Barnet has been working hard for over 20 years to change the lives of homeless people within Barnet. The HAB Day Centre in North Finchley supports homeless people in several ways – from offering advice and casework support to serving lunch five days a week; and by providing practical support such as showers and medical help/advice. We have a tenancy support service to help people keep their home once they have secured it and we manage a ‘move on’ supported housing facility. Our mission is to work with vulnerable people so that they gain access to housing, health and other services in order to achieve dignity; to make their own effective choices; and to express themselves as fully independent members of society. HAB should be a ‘Place of Change’ – enabling and facilitating practical change for individuals and promoting the needs of Homeless people within our society.

Skills you will need Marketing / IT / Fundraising experience and/or willingness to set up fundraising events and activities.

Skills you will develop Working with vulnerable adults, team-working, communication skills.

Opportunities available Assisting service users, helping staff members, kitchen.

Training provided Induction morning is once every month for 1-2 hours and then ongoing training.


Time commitment 3 hours per week (minimum)



Love Burnt Oak CReSH. We are a small and young charitable collaboration whose aim is to improve the life chances of the residents of Burnt Oak. We represent a cross-section of organisations from the voluntary sector that cover religious, health, and social care. Our funders are Barnet Homes (part of the London Borough of Barnet) and the Innovation Bank (a national funding organisation). Burnt Oak is an ethnically diverse community with extremes of wealth and poverty next to each other. There are multiple challenges with poor health and educational outcomes, high levels of drug and alcohol use, and a population that is transient. We conduct our work out of refurbished premises on the Watling Avenue in the heart of Burnt Oak with close proximity to local transport, library and recreation facilities

Skills you will need Literacy and numeracy, IT and internet related skills, written English, creative, energetic enthusiasm, people skills.

Skills you will develop Engaging with people who are in need of support. Seeing how a small voluntary sector organisation achieves its aims against difficult financial circumstances. Learning about supporting others.

Opportunities available We have opportunities for 2 volunteers to assist with our youth club and our work club.

Training provided We will seek to provide the relevant training so that volunteers can adequately support clients.


Time commitment 2 hours a week (minimum) for each of the clubs.



THE READER ORGANISATION is an award-winning charity and social enterprise that has pioneered the movement of shared reading as a practical way of improving wellbeing, building stronger communities and extending reading pleasure. Our mission is to build a ‘reading revolution’, connecting people with great literature and each other through weekly shared reading groups, facilitator training, events and literary publications. There are currently over 350 shared reading groups across the UK, for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Skills you will need In addition to excellent communication skills in English Lan-guage, volunteers will need to be good listeners and effective communicators, and able to facilitate rather than dominate. A willing-ness to allow reading to affect the way they think or feel, interested in what life can throw at us all, and open to new ways of approaching literature.

Skills you will develop • Facilitation and leadership• Personal and interpersonal confidence• Organisation skills (planning)• Effective listening• The ability to work independently and also as part of a team • Sensitivity

Opportunities available The Reader Organisation is looking for a number of volunteers to facilitate Shared Read Aloud reading groups and to read One to One. There are opportunities both in Care settings for people living with Dementia and their Carers and also in open Community Settings with whole populations groups.

Training provided Full induction and a Read To Lead training course which runs over three full days.


Time commitmentHalf-a-day per week to deliver the group; and one morning a month to attend a support meeting. Volunteers will need to do some preparation outside of these times.


Distance from Campus Across Barnet

One Housing Group. One Support supports vulnerable people access the wider community, to live their lives to the fullest potential and achieve self-confidence and self-esteem. We welcome and value our volunteers and will support volunteers into their role, offer training and supervision so they will find their volunteering experience enjoyable and valuable, building on existing skills and developing new ones for the future.

Skills you will need A willingness to make a difference to a vulnerable person’s life; com-munication and people skills.

Skills you will develop Working as a team member, people skills, negotiation and communication skills, IT skills and others depending on the service.

Opportunities available We have various opportunities from office base to befriending, group activities.

Training provided We have induction about the organisation, induction into the service, diversity training and getting to know our services. Plus various training as and when required.

Expenses covered? Travel and lunch.

Time commitment From 2 hours per week.



Kisharon provides the Jewish community with vital support for hundreds of people with learning difficulties and their families. The services, located over seven sites, cater for the needs of the learning disabled at every stage of their lives – from a nursery and school, right through to residential services and work opportunities. Kisharon provides support for each individual to develop their potential and live a fulfilling life within the community.

Skills you will need Experience working with a range of people that have learning disabilities.

Skills you will develop Further specialist experience working with a range of people that have learning disabilities.

Opportunities available Jewish Buddy volunteer; and Social Media volunteer

Training provided Full Induction about Kisharon, its policies and procedures as well as any relevant training to the role will be provided.

Expenses covered? TBC


DBS Check required? TBC


Altogether Better is a local community programme working in four localities across the borough of Barnet which is helping connect residents, businesses and projects in a local area and ultimately help to reduce isolation and create community resilience. Each locality has an active steering group of local residents and businesses who make decisions on the direction of the project, how to publicise the programme, develop and co-ordinate locality based events and take an active role in getting groups and activities off the ground. At the moment there are around 15-20 activity groups being supported, however this is going to increase dramatically over the coming months.

Skills you will need Steering/activity group members/leaders need energy, commitment and the drive to help make a difference to the local community. Local knowledge an advantage.

Skills you will develop Good leadership, communication and networking skills, Good leadership, communication and networking skills.

Opportunities available Steering Group Members/ Activity Group Members/Leaders.

Training provided Each volunteer will work closely with a member of staff and an expe-rienced volunteer. Each volunteer will meet the programme manager/officer on a regular basis to ensure they are being supported and that any training needs are identified and supported.

Expenses covered? Travel and food

Time commitment Minimum of 2 hours a fortnight - preferably 2 hours per week

DBS Check required? Some roles

Distance from Campus 3.2 miles (East Finchley), 2.0 miles (Burnt Oak), 4.4 miles (Edgeware), 5.8 miles (High Barnet)

Your Choice Barnet is a social care local authority trading company. We are part of a larger organisation called The Barnet Group and have a sister company, Barnet Homes, which manages 16,000 council homes on behalf of Barnet Council. We offer specialist care to adults with a wide range of learning and physical disabilities. Helping people to live their lives as they choose by giving them support to become as independent as possible. We are specialists in learning disabilities ranging from visual and hearing impairments to autistic spectrum conditions and profound learning disabilities. To meet people’s different needs we provide four different day services, as well as support for people to live independently in their own homes and a short breaks respite service.

Skills you will need A willingness to be flexible and follow guidance from the management team and staff. Able to commit reliably to volunteering on a week-ly basis for a minimum of three months. The applicant friendly and approachable and have good communication skills. An ability to relate well to people on a one to one basis. Ability to work effectively as part of a team. A commitment to improve service users experience and en-courage independence. To value each service user as an individual and promote their dignity, self-esteem, independence and choice.

Skills you will develop Health & Safety, epilepsy, autism and manual handling. Good understanding of how to working with people with a range of disabilities, which could lead to a support worker job in the future.

Opportunities available Activities Volunteer

Training provided All volunteers will be given a full induction. Basic understanding in Health & Safety, epilepsy, autism and manual handling, confidentiality.


Time commitment Flexible. During the day and can include early evening and weekends for some services.


Distance from Campus N/A

Age UK Barnet is a voluntary organisation existing to serve and promote the interests of all older citizens of the London Borough of Barnet, from all walks of life and ethnic communities. Formerly known as Age Concern Barnet, the organisation provides a wide range of activities, services and information about issues of interest to older people through its centres and in the community.

Skills you will need IT knowledge – email, internet use, Microsoft Office. Interest in older people, ability to engage with others. Communication skills. Reliable and trustworthy.

Skills you will develop Communication skills, organisation, time management.

Opportunities available Befriending, IT mentoring, Information & Advice, Admin.

Training provided Training offered in different areas – general Age UK, safeguarding, mo-bility, Protection of Vulnerable Adults.

Expenses covered Yes

Time commitment Anything from 2 hours to 22 hours

DBS Check required? Some roles

Distance from Campus Across Borough

The Barnet Enterprise Centre provide support and advice for start up business and established businesses. We run a program called The Barnet Youth Business Incubator (BaYBI) which help young people aged 16-24 get started in business. We provide workshops, mentoring and on going support as well as office facilities.

Skills you will need Administrative support, Research, Project scoping & Development

Skills you will develop Business skills, Communication skills, Project Management experience, Consultancy experience.

Opportunities available Project Administration and Project Development

Training provided On-going training provided on site

Expenses covered TBC

Time commitment 8 hours per week



Jewish Care is the largest health and social care organisation serving the Jewish community in London and the south east of England. We run over 70 centres and services, caring for more than 7,000 people every week. We provide services for; Older people, People with mental health problems, a physical or sensory disability, including those who are visually impaired, Holocaust survivors and refugees, People caring for others (Carers), Younger people. A dedicated support and advice line for referrals and service information.

Skills you will need Students who are doing a degree / Diploma in Health and Social Care. People with artistic background and skills would bring a real added value to our clients. We are always looking for more people to do arts and crafts, who sing, dance, play an instrument, etc. who can join our activates together with our clients, or even facilitate a new group of their own. Students who are doing a degree in Arts and Education or Therapy would be more than welcome to come in and gain practical experience while engaging with our clients. Charismatic people who can deliver activities.

Skills you will develop Through Jewish Care’s wide range of volunteering opportunities volunteers can enhance and develop various skills such as, relationship building, Communication, Listening, People skills, Organisational skills, Networking, Office and business, fundraising and marketing, presentation, research and writing skills, etc.

Opportunities available Variety of opportunities

Training provided All volunteers must attend ‘Introduction to Volunteering at Jewish Care’ which is divided to two sessions on two afternoons (on consecutive weeks). We also run special training sessions according to the need of our volunteers about Dementia, Wheelchair training, etc..



DBS Check required? For some roles


Barnet Voice for Mental Health is an independent voluntary organisation. Our staff and volunteers have all suffered from mental health distress (and may still be doing so) as have all members of our Management Committee. We believe that those who have suffered from mental health problems are in the best position to know which services would best help them and we also find out what other people think in a variety of ways. We are involved in the recruitment and training of mental health professionals (including psychiatrists) - again ensuring that the voice of those at the receiving end of care is heard. Having a mental health problem can sap one’s sense of self worth. Our in-house training offers the opportunity to regain it and get involved in the work we do. Support is important when you are feeling vulnerable through mental health distress.

Skills you will need We work on the basis that everyone has something to offer us and whatever a person’s skills or competency they have something to offer which we can make use of.

Skills you will develop Overall they would learn to be part of a wider whole contributing to the mental well being of people in Barnet.

Opportunities available Admin; drop-in support; website; advocacy.

Training provided We provide training for those getting involved in our drop-in or within the group advocacy. Induction in more administrative tasks would be given by those members of the organisation who have the skills to do so.

Expenses covered? Yes




Barnet Community Transport / CT Hub is a local, independent charity and social enterprise. We own and operate a fleet of minibuses and mobile youth vehicles. Minibuses have carried over 80,000 disadvantaged, disabled and elderly people since 2004, helping them to go on outings, shopping journeys and day trips they would otherwise not be able to participate in.

Skills you will need Common sense, logic, those willing to take initiative and who are sen-sitive and understanding to the needs of the elderly and those with a variety of disabilities.

Skills you will develop Self-esteem, teamwork and a working knowledge of our specialised computer tracking, booking and invoicing systems.

Opportunities available Fundraising assistants, office/admin/customer services, accounts, website and social media support, drivers (aged 25+) and vehicle prep asst.

Training provided Volunteers are given a full induction with a paid member of staff including a guided tour of the facility and our vehicles. They are given training , ongoing support and guidance in their specific roles.


Time commitment Varies from 5-20 hours per week.

DBS Check required? For some roles


The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable people vulnerable to crisis in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives.

Skills you will need You need to have good interpersonal, diplomacy, communication and teamwork skills and full training can be given for any necessary tech-nical requirements. Also, sensitivity when working with people vulner-able to crisis and an interest in their well-being. An ability to provide patient, positive encouragement with the aim of helping people to help themselves.

Skills you will develop The chance to work with a variety of different people from different walks of life and make a real difference to their lives. Recognition of the skills and experience you bring to the organisation with additional training given as required, so you can represent the Red Cross with confidence. A great opportunity to develop your existing skills and to gain new ones. The company of a warm and friendly team of like-minded people. Being a volunteer for the British Red Cross means that you can proudly say you are part of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, and one of our 13 million volunteers across the world.

Opportunities available The aim of the Support at Home service is to place the person at the centre of what we do and help them get through a crisis by offering positive encouragement, practical help and emotional support, for a few days or for longer, depending on their needs. We enable people vulnerable to crisis in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives.

Training provided Interview, additional learning modules - around 30 hours of training in total.

Expenses covered? Travel




Barnet libraries provides a comprehensive range of public library services within the London borough of Barnet. We have 14 static service points, a mobile and home library service, a schools library service and a dedicated early years literacy team. Activities delivered by the service and supported by volunteers include: literacy and reading events, ICT classes, early years, schools and education events.

Skills you will need This is dependent upon the specific role. There are opportunities relat-ing to a wide range of skills. We are especially interested in those with ICT skills or early years experience.

Skills you will develop Volunteers develop a range of skills from event management, early years knowledge (particularly useful for those seeking real life placements for early years qualifications), experience of delivering a public service.

Opportunities available We have a range of volunteer opportunities to support work and events that take place within Barnet libraries.

Training provided Each volunteer undertakes a group induction session and introduction to the library service. This covers an understanding of the service, safe-guarding and data protection considerations and practical volunteering arrangements. This is followed by local site specific induction at the library in which the volunteer is based.


Time commitment Commitments vary according to volunteer opportunity but most are approximately 2-3 hours per week



Barnet Centre for Independent Living (BCIL) is a peer-led organisation that promotes accessibility for disabled people by breaking down barriers to employment and social inclusion. It aims to provide a peer-led, multi-service one-stop-shop for people with any form of disability living or working in the London Borough of Barnet. It brings together community organisations, service users and carers to offer services that are based on the social model of disability and is aimed at promoting independence, social inclusion and equality.

Skills you will need Professional manner, sensitivity when dealing with confidential infor-mation, empathy, conscientious, attention to detail, general administra-tion experience, good IT skills and excellent communication abilities.

Skills you will develop Working experience with the public and within the voluntary sector, general office administration skills, food bank administration, hands-on real-time experience of being part of an information and advice helpline , website management of Barnet Social Care Connect website, professional care liaison with external organisations and all-round communication skills development

Opportunities available Basic office administration roles and duties and representing the organisation and meeting the public who require BCIL services. Administration Assistant - duties to include document production, food bank voucher distribution to members of the public, answering general telephone calls, filing, up-dating internal records and general data inputting , telephone support and advice; Research Assistant - web research to support work teams, data logging, website maintenance of Barnet Social Care Connect; General Administration Assistant - reception duties, assisting with PR events, supporting in-house teams with general work and assistance

Training provided Full induction programme for BCIL


Time commitment From 6-26 hours per week



Friend in Need Community Centre (FIN) is a voluntary organisation founded over 30 years ago for the purpose of serving the needs of the local community. Being a part of the local adults’ safeguarding network, FIN provides a range of Neighborhood Services for the elderly and disabled people that aims to promote independence, minimise risk, deliver practical services and acts as the local hub for information and advice.

Skills you will need Organisational, planning, coordination, presentation, interpersonnal, communication.

Skills you will develop Further organisational, planning, coordination, presentation, interpersonnal, communication.

Opportunities available Fundraising event – supporting roles and will be supervised by the Fundraising Committee. Befrienders – visit homebound or socially isolated elderly or disabled people at their homes for a chat, tea/coffee. Performers – design, prepare-, organise, coordinate and present your own play for our Neighbourhood Service’s clients (who are mainly elderly or disabled people) in our community centre. Activity Leaders – design, prepare, organise, coordinate and facilitate your own activity for our Neighbourhood Service’s clients (who are mainly elderly or disabled people) in our community centre. Transport Assistants – supervised by the Transport staff and assigned minibus drivers, helping our clients travel safely from their homes to the community centre. This include making sure they board the minibus safely.

Training provided Health & Safety briefing. Introduction to workplace, key staff, supervi-sors and other volunteers through a 3 hours placement at the centre of Neighbourhood Services. Allocated a supervisor or coordinator for ongoing supervision and support. Additional for Befrienders – discus-sion of clients’ needs and ongoing supervision and support. All clients are risk-assessed before placement.

Expenses covered? Travel (bus)

Time commitment1-3 hours per week

DBS Check required? Not for ad-hoc; yes for longer-term


Community Action Fair

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