Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people, and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference. Barnardo’s Family Support - Helpline Volunteers provide an essential support service to children and families in our local communities. Our volunteers provide confidential and impartial information, advice, and support for parents, carers, children, and young people (up to 25 years) about local services and provision that may be useful to them. Contact will be mainly through our helpline, but may also be via email or face to face on occasion. We are looking for volunteers to respond to enquiries, who are excellent communicators and looking to make a difference in the lives of young people and their families. Are you able to offer information, support, and signposting to children and young people accessing our helplines? Tasks Providing information and advice to children and young people who access our service via our helpline. Encouraging children and families to access resources, groups, and activities within their local community, such as after school activities, youth groups, and sports clubs. Promoting and encouraging service users to make active choices and informed decisions. Providing emotional/moral support for children and families, while maintaining an appropriate volunteer/service user rapport. Adhering to Barnardo's policies and procedures at all times, including Barnardo's: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures. Participating fully in training and supervision. Volunteering within Barnardo's Values and Behaviours. Skills Reliable, punctual, and trustworthy. Approachable and welcoming. Good communication skills and ability to support children and families from a range of backgrounds. The ability to ask questions and take feedback. Good IT skills and be computer literate. Flexible, committed, and responsive to the needs of young people and families accessing the service. Being self-disciplined, self-motivated, and self-reliant. Benefits Full induction and training. Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role. Regular supervision and support. Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance. Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing. Experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity. If you're unable to apply online through the link on this page, please contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on volunteeringbarnardos.org.uk or call us on 0208 498 7320