This week there are volunteering opportunities with Lambeth Education, AgeUK and the Bright Morning Star Prisons and Homeless Outreach. Even under Tier 4, volunteering safely is allowed - more information is available from https://www.gov.uk/volunteering/coronavirus-volunteering - and the volunteer co-ordinators for the roles below all confirm that volunteers will be in settings that meet coronavirus safety standards and will adapt to all or any further restrictions as needed.

Lambeth Education – Secondary Schools Covid test marshals

Note: with the now delayed reopening of secondary schools, some dates below may change. On the last day of term, schools were asked to provide Covid-19 testing for all students between 4 - 15 January 2021. Students who have permission from their parents, or who are old enough to give self-consent, will be tested twice during this period to reduce any risk of onward transmission. As you can imagine, some schools will need help to ensure that all students who would like to be tested are able to do so. Volunteer roles include managing queues or processing tests. Training will be provided in the form of a government video and support from Lambeth Public Health and School Nursing team via online sessions at either 9:00am or 1:30pm on Monday 4 January 2021. Personal Protective Equipment will be provided. Schools will also provide you with additional induction specifically for their site.

Further information is available from the government Q&A document and with greater detail in Schools and childcare settings: return in January 2021. Since this guidance was originally published, London moved into Tier 4 – you may need to be flexible in case requirements change in the interim. You will need to work within government and school guidance to keep yourself and students safe.

There are several criteria for this volunteering role – please return this form by 5pm on Saturday 2 January 2021.

Age UK – Phone Friends and helping the elderly

Age UK is still actively recruiting volunteers. Whether you would like to volunteer to have a 'phone friend' and be matched with an elderly member of the community and have a weekly conversation that will help and reduce isolation and loneliness, or you have some extra time and would like to help elderly members of the community who may be shielding or isolating - whatever way you may able to help, they would love to hear from you. Find out how to volunteer for Age UK Lambeth.

The Bright Morning Star Prisons and Homeless Outreach

The Bright Morning Star Prisons and Homeless Outreach help to rebuild, support and elevate the lives of the most vulnerable people on the street and at their Walk-In Centres. They provide basic and immediate physical, emotional and spiritual help to the public, and provide a free counselling service. They signpost vulnerable adults towards housing, social care and treatment options, raise local awareness of the needs of the homeless and socially excluded people, and increase the ownership of the project by the community. The Bright Morning Star Ministries are looking for volunteer support with several roles; see full details and registration form here.