What we do 

Our Volunteers provide us with support as well as bringing a wide range of experience, skills and knowledge to the organisation. Without their assistance, we would not be able to support as many people as we do.


Our Approach 

We think that everyone has something valuable to offer.  Our volunteering roles are as varied as the people who give us their time and are found at every level of our organisation, from the Trustees that steer our strategic direction, to the one-to-one work with service users. When a Volunteer joins us, they become a valued part of the n-compass team. 

Here are our Volunteer Survey Results for 2023

Our Impact

165Volunteers have provided support through 2022-23

9,188Hours have been donated by volunteers in 2022-23

1483calls between volunteers and carers on our Carers Help and Talk (Chat) Line in 2022-23

Where we do it 

We have volunteering opportunities across all our services in different parts of the North of England. We provide a comprehensive induction and training package to all our volunteers. We offer a range of different roles which you can view below:

Our team of advocates enables clients to represent themselves, where possible, or speak up on their behalf to liaise with statutory organisations as directed by the client. Advocates build and maintain relationships with clients based on mutual respect, dignity and honesty and empower whilst involving clients as much as possible in decisions that affect them. Our volunteers work in the community including self-advocacy groups and citizen involvement groups, this important service can make a huge difference by empowering clients and making sure their wishes are heard, in addition to providing a rewarding experience for our volunteers.

Role requirements

  • Knowledge of advocacy desirable 
  • Able to commit to agreed amount of time to support our work in the community
  • Adhere to n-compass policies and procedures at all times

Key skills and abilities 

  • Ability to listen, communicate and engage with clients 
  • Confident with IT 
  • Reliable, punctual, and non-judgemental
  • Positive attitude to working with individuals from different backgrounds
  • Compassionate, understanding and open-minded 

Role specific training provided

  • Safeguarding 
  • Advocacy 

Hours

This is a flexible role, typically 1 day a week and agreed with the team 

Locations

We have 5 Advocacy hubs across the Northwest 

  • Blackburn with Darwen Advocacy
  • Bury
  • Cumbria
  • Knowsley
  • Liverpool
  • Wirral



    Other

    The role is to support our work in the community

    CHAT line is our Carers Help and Talk Line, a telephone service that offers support to unpaid Carers. Our outgoing chat line volunteers provide Carers with regular befriending support by offering a listening ear and social contact on a weekly basis. Our incoming Chat line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, our volunteers provide a listening ear and emotional support to our Carers calling our helpline. Both CHAT lines are led by volunteers from all ages and backgrounds, this important service provides a lifeline to Carers which can make a huge difference their health and wellbeing, in addition to providing a rewarding experience for our volunteers.

    Role requirements

    • Access to either a mobile phone or landline 
    • Able to commit to agreed amount of time to support a Carer on the phone
    • Adhere to n-compass policies and procedures at all time

    Key skills and abilities 

    • Ability to listen, communicate and engage with Carers 
    • Reliable, punctual, and non-judgemental
    • Positive attitude to working with individuals from different backgrounds
    • Compassion, understanding and open-minded 

    Role specific training provided

    • Safeguarding 
    • CHAT line 

    Hours

    This is a flexible role, typically 30 minutes a week and usually agreed with the carer for our outgoing CHAT line and 1 hour a week for our incoming CHAT line

    Locations

    UK – All our Carers are based in the Northwest, however as this is a remote role our volunteers can be based anywhere in the UK 

    Other

    Both CHAT lines are run through our communications system that keeps both our volunteers and Carers telephone number private

    The Butterfly and Phoenix Project is our national award winning programme that supports children and young people (11 – 18 years old) to improve their emotional health & wellbeing and reduce the risks of engaging in self-harming and/or self-destructive behaviours. Counselling young people is rewarding work, our volunteers are part of a supportive team of counsellors, gaining hours of experience working in schools. 

    Role requirements

    • Manage a caseload of clients aged 11-18 who are engaging or at risk of safeguarding behaviour
    • Arrange initial appointments with new clients and assess risk
    • Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with schools, and signpost and refer clients to other agencies where appropriate
    • Undertake day-to-day administration for the role e.g. client notes, and complete and maintain paper and electronic records
    • Work within the n-compass safeguarding policy and liaise with staff and other agencies as appropriate
    • Attend external, clinical supervision and regular case reviews 
    • Adhere to n-compass policies and procedures at all time

    Key skills and abilities 

    • Level 4 Diploma in Counselling or Equivalent 
    • Registered with the BACP and working towards Accreditation
    • Driving license and access to a car is essential
    • Confident with IT – Microsoft Office
    • Reliable, punctual, and non-judgmental
    • Positive attitude to working with individuals from different backgrounds
    • Compassion, understanding and open-minded 

    Role specific training provided

    • Safeguarding 
    • Access to CPD training 

    Hours

    This is a flexible role and will depend on your availability - Counselling usually takes place in schools during term time

    Locations

    Fylde and Wyre, Preston, Chorley and South Ribble

    Other 

    The team has monthly Case Management Review (CMR) meetings to support both you and your client

    Sitting in service volunteers allow Carers a much needed break from their caring role so they can do something for themselves. It is essentially a respite and befriending service that is entirely led by volunteers from all ages and backgrounds. Our volunteers spend an agreed amount of time each week participating in various activities, from playing board games to sitting and having a chat with a cared-for person, enabling their carer an opportunity for a break. This important service provides respite for our Carers which can make a huge difference their health and wellbeing, in addition to providing a rewarding experience for our volunteers.

    Role requirements

    • Able to spend an agreed amount of time at the home of a Carer and the person they care for
    • Activities may include sitting and chatting, going for walk, playing a board game, or just sitting watching TV
    • Adhere to n-compass policies and procedures 

    Key skills and abilities 

    • Ability to communicate and engage with Carers and their families 
    • Reliable, punctual, and non-judgemental
    • Positive attitude to working with individuals from different backgrounds
    • Compassionate, understanding and open-minded

    Role specific training provided

    • Safeguarding 
    • Sitting in service 
    • Orbis – our lone worker alert service to protect you while you volunteer 

    Hours

    This is a flexible role, typically 2 hours a week and usually agreed with the Carer

    Locations

    Across Lancashire and Rochdale

    Other

    Volunteers are NOT required to administer medication or undertake personal care

    We try to match you with a carer based on your interests and location

    Prior to undertaking this role independently, we arrange a ‘match’ meeting to ensure you are comfortable with the carer and the person they are for

    Our head office is a friendly environment and a hub of activity, the role of our office support volunteers is to assist the Volunteer Hub or indeed any other department at our office in Preston with a range of administrative tasks. Our volunteers provide us with a variety of assistance from organising mail shots and updating databases to generating creative ideas for activities and social media campaigns and everything in between, enabling us to provide the services we do. This important volunteer role makes a huge difference to n-compass and the people we support, in addition to providing a rewarding experience for our volunteers.

    Role requirements

    • Organised and good attention to detail
    • Confident with IT – Microsoft Office 
    • Knowledge of organisational systems, processes and databases is desirable
    • Adhere to n-compass policies and procedures at all time

    Key skills and abilities 

    • Adaptable 
    • Ability to listen, communicate and engage with staff
    • Reliable, punctual, and non-judgmental
    • Positive attitude towards working

    Role specific training provided

    • GDPR
    • Safeguarding 

    Hours

    This is a flexible role and will depend on your availability 

    Locations

    Head Office – Riversway, Preston

    Our young carers’ services support young carers through one to one and group activities which provide opportunity for peer support and give young carers the chance to access respite from their caring role. Our volunteers support young carers to access activities through accompanying them in transport and providing any help to young carers who may need it.

    Role Requirements

    • Able to commit to agreed amount of time to support our Young Carer groups
    • Adhere to n-compass policies and procedures at all time
    • Experience of working with young people
    • Experience of working with young people

    Key Skills and abilities

    • Ability to listen, communicate and engage with young Carers 
    • Reliable, punctual, and non-judgemental
    • Positive attitude to working with individuals from different backgrounds
    • Compassion, understanding and open-minded 

     Role Specific training provided

    • Induction training
    • Safeguarding Training
    • Young Carers training

    Hours

    • 1 or 2 evenings/month 4pm-7pm dependant on location and availability.
    • 1 day/week in school holidays dependant on location and availability.

    Location

    Staffordshire or Rochdale  

    Other

    We will reimburse you for any travel expense, paid into your bank account each month. Other arrangements can be made if needed.

    Please view details of our Citizen Involvement Board on our vacancies page.

    Citizen Involvement Board

    The Citizen Involvement Board (CIB) is made up of current and ex n-compass service users who wish to continue in a voluntary capacity and through this Board help inform decision making at a strategic level click for more.

    Nisma's Story

    Nisma's Story

    I didn’t realise it made such a difference to someone else’s life so that’s the rewarding part for me knowing that I do make a difference.

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    The work has been rewarding and has fuelled my passion to help others even further.

    Volunteer

    My time at n-compass has greatly improved my skills and confidence, my experience has now helped my secure full time employment while still volunteering on the chat line in my spare time as the role is very versatile and fits easily around my life.

    Volunteer

    It’s been great to be part of something that can really make a difference to carers lives by simply chatting to a volunteer over the phone to help combat loneliness.

    Volunteer

    By taking part in the Sitting in Service I am able to use my experience as a Carer to be able to support other Carers and to give something back following the support I received from other Carers and professionals.

    Volunteer

    Volunteering has given me back my self-esteem, given me back a purpose in life.

    Volunteer

    After a difficult time I was retired medically from work. I really wanted to get back into the work place and have been able to do that with n-compass – they are fantastic!

    Volunteer

    I get great satisfaction from volunteering, doing something for free, and I feel very proud to volunteer.

    Volunteer

    Volunteering has taught me how to handle different situations.

    Volunteer

    I supported a caller through a difficult time and they told me how thankful they were. It was a very rewarding experience, and I realised that giving my time, which is easy for me, can mean so much to people.

    Volunteer

    It’s a pleasure knowing that I’m giving a carer a break, it’s so lovely to be a part of something.

    Volunteer

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    Volunteering Opportunities

    To view our volunteering opportunities please click the link below.

    Making a Complaint