Volunteers help STRM – SEND the Right Message Charity keep support local, welcoming, and accessible for disabled and neurodivergent children, young people, adults, and their families.
Whether you can offer a little time or a regular commitment, we’ll help you find a role that fits.
Enquire about volunteering: [email protected]
Volunteering with STRM means being part of a community-led charity that is rooted in lived experience.
Volunteers help us to:
create calm, friendly spaces where families feel welcome
keep sessions running smoothly and safely
offer practical help, signposting, and encouragement
build community connection and reduce isolation
support fundraising activities and event
attend community events and help raise awareness of STRM’s work
Support STRM’s fundraising and outreach by helping with:
local fundraising events (including bingo nights, quiz nights, coffee mornings, and stalls)
collections, donation pots, and community days
school non-uniform days and community-led fundraisers
attending networking opportunities and local meetings
raising awareness of STRM at community and professional events
Fundraising and networking volunteers help ensure STRM can continue providing early, practical support to families and reach new communities.
Trustees are volunteers with legal responsibility for the charity. Trustee roles involve providing strategic oversight, safeguarding the charity’s purpose, and supporting good governance. Trustee opportunities are advertised as they arise and follow safer recruitment processes.
Help set up and pack down sessions, welcome families, offer a friendly presence, help with refreshments, and support the smooth and safe flow of activities.
Help with light administrative tasks, organising resources and stock, preparing session materials, and supporting the practical work that keeps services running.
If you have professional skills (for example HR, marketing, finance, IT, design, data, or communications), you may be able to support STRM through project-based or time-limited support.
We want volunteering to feel safe, clear, and supported. You can expect:
a clear role outline and boundaries
an introduction/induction
training relevant to your role
named support and regular check-ins
a culture that welcomes reasonable adjustments
STRM is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults at risk.
All volunteers are expected to work within our safeguarding procedures and professional boundaries. Depending on the role, we may require:
references
a DBS check
basic training before starting
Volunteers are never expected to provide therapy, advocacy, or professional advice. Clear role boundaries, induction, and support are always in place.
We welcome volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds, including people with lived experience of disability, neurodivergence, and caring.
If you’re not sure what role would suit you, please get in touch we’re happy to talk it through with our Volunteer Coordinator.
Email us to find out what opportunities are currently available and how to get started.
As a lived-experience led charity supporting neurodivergent and disabled children and their families across Castle Point, Rochford, Southend and Essex-wide, we are now strengthening our Board of Trustees to support our next phase of development.
We are looking for committed, values-driven individuals to join our Board and help guide STRM strategically, ethically and sustainably.
Good governance isn’t paperwork. It’s what protects families, strengthens trust, and ensures our impact lasts.
Bringing your professional experience into decisions that affect local families
Guiding services that families rely on, through steady oversight and good governance
Using your skills in a way that has practical impact within the local community
Supporting strategic planning in collaboration with the wider Trustee Board and operational team
Helping ensure STRM is financially responsible and properly governed
We are building a balanced Board combining professional skills with lived experience.
You might bring experience in:
We also warmly welcome people with lived experience of disability, neurodivergence or caring for a disabled child.
You don’t need to tick every box. We are looking for individuals who can think strategically, act with integrity and work collaboratively as part of a Board.
