VOLUNTEERING
Thank you for your interest in Joining us at Ascension Community Trust. Volunteers are vital to the work we do in the community. Your efforts can help transform people’s lives, whether through offering a listening ear, helping provide admin support or running sessional work with children
Volunteers are valued as members of the ACT team and gain valuable experience in the process. Lunch and expenses are always provided. If you would like to start volunteering
please contact us and we will meet with you to discuss this further. The opportunities
currently available are listed below. To find out more or apply please contact:
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES:
CAFE ASSISTANT
Days and Times Available: Monday to Friday 8.30am – 3.30pm
Hours: From 4 to 14 a week
The Garden Community Cafe is a vibrant space which acts much like a community centre. However, with the benefit of being a cafe we meet much more people in the local area than a community centre might. We look at the needs of the area and see where we can make an impact, whether that be through clubs, training opportunities or advocacy work. Your role may include taking orders, making drinks, preparing and serving food, supporting volunteers with learning difficulties, general cleaning and tidying.
YOUNG ADVENTURERS AFTERSCHOOL CLUB
Days and Times Available: Monday to Friday 3 – 6pm
Hours: 3 -15 a week.
Every week day we run an after school club for children aged 5 – 11. This involves collecting them from school, walking them back to Ascension, running activities, supporting homework and providing a hot snack until they are collected by parents. If you have children in one of the schools we collect from you are welcome to volunteer with us and receive free spaces at the after school club. Your role may involve supporting homework, preparing food, playing games with the children or walking with them from the school. Volunteers for this role will require a DBS check and a minimum commitment of 12 weeks volunteering.
COMMUNITY WORK GARDENING
Days and Times Available: Wednesdays 10.00am – 2pm
Hours: Flexible
Every Wednesday we run a gardening activities at Ascension Church Centre. This work is primarily for young people and adults with additional needs or experiencing poor mental health. In the morning we run therapeutic and educational gardening activities for young people, followed by an open session for adults. For the adult group volunteers with these support needs and those without are both welcome. Your role will involve general gardening activities such as cutting back hedges, planting vegetables, turning over soil and sweeping paths. Volunteering for the young peoples group will also involve leading educational sessions and will require a DBS check.
FOOD BANK VOLUNTEER
Days and Times Available: Wednesday and Thursday 10.00am - 1pm
Hours: Flexible
The London Borough of Newham has above average poverty levels and for a variety of reasons many who cannot currently afford all the food they need. Our food bank provides a warm welcome and an efficient service through engaging, registering and supporting those that attend. Taking part involves sorting donations, distributing food parcels and working with the team to help with administration. We are looking for committed and empathetic volunteers who can help support the running of our food bank, offering hope and dignity to those experiencing
food poverty.
YOUTH CAFE VOLUNTEER
Days and Times Available: Monday to Friday
Hours: 2.30pm - 5.30pm
We run sessions Monday-Friday from 3pm-5pm for young people between the ages of 11-16. Activities include arts and crafts, movie nights, board games, dance mat and FIFA competitions. This project is specifically aimed at engaging young people in after school hours where often many do not have a safe space to go or free activities to take part with. Our focus is on building relationship skills, growing creativity and linking young people with training opportunities. All this takes place in our community cafe with a whole range of resources in one place. Please be aware a DBS check will be required for this volunteering opportunity. Hello! We are looking for a calm, cool, creative, committed individual to volunteer with us at the Youth Cafe. Prior experience of working with young people is preferable but not essential.
ADMIN SUPPORT
Days and Times Available: Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm
Hours: Flexible
Are you wanting to improve your administration skills or move into this as a career? Join our office team and support the important work of Ascension Community Trust in the community. Without vital behind the scenes work our charity could not operate and your help could make a difference.
Your role could involve greeting visitors to the site, managing the social media accounts, using our monitoring software, answering the phone, contacting suppliers, contacting volunteers and donors. We will tailor the role to best suit your skills and teach you how to use any software you may need to use. We are looking for a person who is keen to learn and develop their administration skills. No prior experience is needed, but good levels of written and verbal communication are important.