Support Volunteer

Support Volunteer

This voluntary role supports women and children living in residential refuge services, offering one-to-one mentoring and group support to survivors as they rebuild their lives in a safe, supportive environment.

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you:

• Volunteer Support Worker
• Voluntary Support Worker
• Refuge Support Volunteer
• Community Mentor
• Family Support Volunteer

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the gender‑specific nature of this role, applications can only be accepted from women candidates. This includes all women whose legal gender is female, including those who hold a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). Gender is considered to be a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

SALARY: Voluntary Role – Expenses Paid

LOCATION: East Sussex – there are opportunities available in Bexhill, Seaford and Eastbourne

JOB TYPE: Part‑Time, Voluntary

WORKING HOURS: Minimum of 4 hours per week during office hours

Cover Letter

Required:

Please provide a brief summary of why you would like to volunteer and what skills and experience you have that would make you a good fit.

We have a rewarding new opportunity for a Support Volunteer to help women and families living within residential refuge settings. This role plays a vital part in helping survivors feel safe, supported, and empowered.

As a Support Volunteer you will work alongside experienced staff to provide practical and emotional support, including one-to-one mentoring and group activities such as coffee mornings. Your contribution will directly support individuals as they rebuild confidence and independence.

This role offers specialist training, ongoing supervision, and the opportunity to develop valuable skills within an evidence‑based support framework. The organisation is committed to supporting volunteers throughout their journey.

The Support Volunteer role requires reliability, empathy, and a genuine commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of survivors.

• Providing One-to-One Support: Offering mentoring and emotional support to survivors in a safe and respectful manner
• Supporting Group
  
  Activities:
  
  Assisting with coffee mornings and group sessions within residential settings
• Working Collaboratively: Supporting staff members to deliver positive outcomes for women and families
• Building Trusting Relationships: Creating a consistent, reliable presence for participants
• Promoting Independence: Encouraging confidence, resilience, and positive life skills
• Maintaining Professional Boundaries: Working within safeguarding policies and confidentiality guidelines
• Engaging in Training and Supervision: Attending specialist training and regular supervision sessions

Essential

• Due to the gender specific nature of this role, applications can only be accepted from women candidates. Gender is considered to be a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010
• A genuine desire to support women and families affected by domestic abuse
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Reliability, punctuality, and commitment to agreed hours
• Ability to work sensitively with vulnerable individuals
• Willingness to complete training and enhanced vetting
• Availability to commit for a minimum of 12 months

Desirable

• Previous experience supporting survivors or vulnerable groups
• Experience in mentoring, volunteering, or community support roles
• An understanding of safeguarding and trauma‑informed practice

• Specialist training opportunities
• Paid volunteer expenses
• Ongoing support and supervision from a Volunteer Coordinator
• Opportunity to gain experience supporting survivors
  
  Being part of a supportive and dedicated team

To be considered for this job vacancy, please submit your CV and covering letter to our Recruitment Team who will review your details. CV’s of Job Applicants meeting this requirement will be submitted to our Client for consideration. By submitting your job application to us you are hereby giving us your express consent to submit your details to our Client for this purpose.

JOB
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This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check. All required checks will be undertaken as part of the pre‑employment process for any successful candidate.

The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share and uphold this commitment in conjunction with the requirements of the Prevent Duty and the positive promotion of modern British values.