Family Support Volunteer - Colchester, Essex

Rainbow Trust Children; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization is seeking Family Support Volunteers in Essex to assist families at home and in the community. Responsibilities include accompanying families to appointments and engaging in activities. Candidates should have strong communication skills, a non-judgemental approach, and the ability to work with children with complex health needs. Commitment of at least one year required.

Qualifications

• Ability to build relationships and listen actively.
• Car driver essential.
• Non-judgemental approach.

Responsibilities

• Accompany families to hospital appointments.
• Provide practical support in the family home.
• Engage in craft/play activities with children and families.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Experience with diverse backgrounds

Working with children and young people

Empathy with families

Flexible and adaptable

Job description

Family Support Volunteer - Colchester, Essex

Rainbow Trust is looking for volunteers to assist our Essex based family support team supporting families at home, in hospital and in the community. We are particularly looking for volunteers in the Colchester area.

• Location:
  Chelmsford, Essex
• Closing date:
  30 January 2026
• Salary:
  Reasonable out of pocket travel expenses

We are looking for volunteers to assist our Essex based family support team supporting families at home, in hospital and in the community.

We are particularly looking for volunteers in the Colchester area.

Main activities:

• Accompany family to hospital appointments
• Accompany family on outings
• Participate in craft/play activities with children and families inside and outside the home
• Listening to parents, children and young people
• Provide practical support in the family home, including domestic help, cooking and recreational activities
• Provide respite for the family.

This role could also include some independent working

Experience/Skills:

• Ability to build relationships based on excellent communication and active istening skills
• Experience of interacting with people from a wide variety of backgrounds
• Experience of interacting with children and young people
• Ability to work with children and young people with complex health needs
• Flexible and adaptable manner
• Ability to empathise with families in stressful circumstances
• Non Judgemental approach
• Flexible approach with the ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
• Warm, friendly and a sense of humour
• Car driver essential.

All ages welcome from 18 onwards

Commitment:

We are looking for volunteers who would be available to support families either once a week or once a fortnight. Primarily Monday – Friday between the hours of 9am and 5pm. This is flexible and will be arranged between yourself and your line manager.

To enable you to get the most out of your training and volunteering we ask you to commit to volunteer for Rainbow Trust for a minimum of a year.

To apply for this role please email our volunteer team on [e-mail].

Please note that we will only process applications from volunteers who are resident in the UK and who have already obtained the relevant immigration permits. We are unable to sponsor Charity Worker Visas.

Share this page:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• WhatsApp
• Email

Related vacancies

• Sibling Support Volunteer - Chelmsford, Essex
• Volunteer Driver - Various Locations in and around London
• Volunteer Driver - Surrey