Volunteer Hub
Village Angels
Organisation Details
LGBT Foundation - Volunteer Programme
Activity type: Advice, Information and Support, Counselling and Listening, Drugs, Alcohol and Addictions, First Aid, Health and Wellbeing, LGBT+, Mental Health
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: LGBT Foundation are a national charity with LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. We celebrate and empower LGBTQ+ individuals and our diverse communities to realise their full potential, every day.
We provide services and activities that give a lifeline to those in need, offering hope and support on their journey towards achieving their aspirations.
Our vision is a world where queer liberation enables meaningful and lasting change and plays a vital part in a more equal and just society.
We recognise the diversity and strength of our communities. We create safe spaces, amplify voices and work with our partners and allies to drive positive change.
Since 1975, we’ve been transforming the lives of LGBTQ+ people across the UK. The same spirit that fuelled our beginnings still drives us today. We are committed to championing the unique voices, experiences and cultures of LGBTQ+ people across the UK.
We know that challenges still exist, but we remain optimistic about the progress we can make together, towards a fairer and more inclusive world where queer hope and joy flourish.
We provide services and activities that give a lifeline to those in need, offering hope and support on their journey towards achieving their aspirations.
Our vision is a world where queer liberation enables meaningful and lasting change and plays a vital part in a more equal and just society.
We recognise the diversity and strength of our communities. We create safe spaces, amplify voices and work with our partners and allies to drive positive change.
Since 1975, we’ve been transforming the lives of LGBTQ+ people across the UK. The same spirit that fuelled our beginnings still drives us today. We are committed to championing the unique voices, experiences and cultures of LGBTQ+ people across the UK.
We know that challenges still exist, but we remain optimistic about the progress we can make together, towards a fairer and more inclusive world where queer hope and joy flourish.
Description of role: Please apply via our online application form: https://form.jotform.com/220763317176355
About the Role:
The Village Angels provide support and assistance to patrons of Manchester’s Gay Village on a Friday and
Saturday night, helping vulnerable people and maintaining a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.
Village Angel volunteers and staff patrol the Village each weekend from 9pm until 3.30am in their trademark
hot pink high-vis. They provide all sorts of services, from directing people to a great club, to connecting those
in need with the many channels of support offered by LGBT Foundation, to offering help in reporting hate
crime or responding to mental health crises. Whether someone needs a plaster, a drink of water, or help
getting home safely, the Village Angels aim to be there.
Typical duties:
We ask volunteers in the Village Angels team to complete a minimum of 2 shifts per month. This helps us to
keep the service running smoothly and you to keep your knowledge and understanding up to date. In these
shifts you will be provided with all necessary equipment. Whilst on shift, we’re looking for you to be:
• a friendly presence in the Village
• representing yourself in a professional manner as an ambassador for LGBT Foundation
• supporting those in need during Friday and Saturday nights, and making the village a safe place to be
• advocating for community safety in a calm and non-judgemental way
Skills & knowledge we ask you to have:
We think this role would suit someone who has the following skills. If you’re not sure if you have these skills or
would like to chat to us about developing these skills, please still apply!
• Strong communication skills and a good understanding of the English language is vital to the role,
because you’ll potentially be in high pressure situations with vulnerable adults and need to give and
follow instructions quickly
• You must have compassion and the ability to support those in need
• Knowledge of the current issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, including understanding of mental
health
• A willingness to learn, you’re not expected to know everything, and training will be offered, but we
need volunteers to have an open mind.
• Understanding about safeguarding and signposting vulnerable people.
Benefits of volunteering with us:
• You’ll have opportunities to develop your confidence and will be fully supported on every shift
• You will always work as part of a team, so will have the opportunity to develop your teamwork skills
• Training Opportunities like first aid training
• Make new connections and as part of volunteering in a nationally recognised team
• Making a difference; the Village Angels support hundreds of people a year to stay safe.
Training we provide for this role:
To prepare you for this role, you will complete three observation shifts. We aim to help you develop your skills
on-shift and organise additional training for the team. If you’d like any specific training, please let us know!
How to apply:
Complete our application form here; https://form.jotform.com/220763317176355
If you need support completing this form or have any questions, email volunteer@lgbt.foundation. We
particularly welcome applicants who identify as a person of colour, women, and/or people aged over 40 as
they are currently underrepresented in our volunteer team.
Please be aware that the Village Angels service only operates Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm until
3.30am, so if you’re not able to commit to those hours please consider another of our volunteering roles.
About the Role:
The Village Angels provide support and assistance to patrons of Manchester’s Gay Village on a Friday and
Saturday night, helping vulnerable people and maintaining a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.
Village Angel volunteers and staff patrol the Village each weekend from 9pm until 3.30am in their trademark
hot pink high-vis. They provide all sorts of services, from directing people to a great club, to connecting those
in need with the many channels of support offered by LGBT Foundation, to offering help in reporting hate
crime or responding to mental health crises. Whether someone needs a plaster, a drink of water, or help
getting home safely, the Village Angels aim to be there.
Typical duties:
We ask volunteers in the Village Angels team to complete a minimum of 2 shifts per month. This helps us to
keep the service running smoothly and you to keep your knowledge and understanding up to date. In these
shifts you will be provided with all necessary equipment. Whilst on shift, we’re looking for you to be:
• a friendly presence in the Village
• representing yourself in a professional manner as an ambassador for LGBT Foundation
• supporting those in need during Friday and Saturday nights, and making the village a safe place to be
• advocating for community safety in a calm and non-judgemental way
Skills & knowledge we ask you to have:
We think this role would suit someone who has the following skills. If you’re not sure if you have these skills or
would like to chat to us about developing these skills, please still apply!
• Strong communication skills and a good understanding of the English language is vital to the role,
because you’ll potentially be in high pressure situations with vulnerable adults and need to give and
follow instructions quickly
• You must have compassion and the ability to support those in need
• Knowledge of the current issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, including understanding of mental
health
• A willingness to learn, you’re not expected to know everything, and training will be offered, but we
need volunteers to have an open mind.
• Understanding about safeguarding and signposting vulnerable people.
Benefits of volunteering with us:
• You’ll have opportunities to develop your confidence and will be fully supported on every shift
• You will always work as part of a team, so will have the opportunity to develop your teamwork skills
• Training Opportunities like first aid training
• Make new connections and as part of volunteering in a nationally recognised team
• Making a difference; the Village Angels support hundreds of people a year to stay safe.
Training we provide for this role:
To prepare you for this role, you will complete three observation shifts. We aim to help you develop your skills
on-shift and organise additional training for the team. If you’d like any specific training, please let us know!
How to apply:
Complete our application form here; https://form.jotform.com/220763317176355
If you need support completing this form or have any questions, email volunteer@lgbt.foundation. We
particularly welcome applicants who identify as a person of colour, women, and/or people aged over 40 as
they are currently underrepresented in our volunteer team.
Please be aware that the Village Angels service only operates Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm until
3.30am, so if you’re not able to commit to those hours please consider another of our volunteering roles.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Oral Communication Skills, Practical Skills, Team Working
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Friday Evening, Saturday Evening
DBS required: On
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 2 shifts per month
Location:
Canal Street
Manchester
M1 3HE