Volunteers are at the heart of SMART CJS.
Their time, skills, and commitment make a vital difference to the lives of people facing homelessness and housing insecurity. Whether supporting our frontline services, assisting with central operations, or lending expertise remotely, every volunteer helps us extend our reach and impact.
Volunteering with us is not only a chance to give back to your community, but also an opportunity to develop new skills, meet like-minded people, and be part of a team working towards lasting change.
Your contribution – no matter how much time you can offer – plays a crucial role in ensuring that everyone has access to warmth, safety, and hope.
The Reception Support Volunteer is a vital part of SMART CJS’s day service, providing a warm welcome and practical assistance to visitors and service users. This is a front-facing role that requires excellent interpersonal skills, patience, and the ability to remain calm and confident when managing challenging situations.
As the first point of contact, you will play an important role in creating a safe and supportive environment, ensuring that individuals can access the help they need while also supporting the smooth and secure running of the service.
At SMART CJS, our Street Outreach Team plays a crucial role in identifying and engaging with people sleeping rough, offering immediate support and a pathway away from the streets. As a Volunteer Outreach Worker, you will work alongside a dedicated team to locate rough sleepers across Bedford and help them access essentials such as food, shelter, and wider support services.
This role calls for resilience, patience, and compassion. It is physically demanding, involving early morning shifts, walking between locations, and engaging with individuals who may be vulnerable or in distress. At the same time, it is deeply rewarding, giving you the opportunity to witness the positive impact of helping someone take their first steps towards safety and stability.
SMART CJS prepares up to 40 meals each day for those in need, offering both essential nourishment and a sense of care to our service users. As a Kitchen Support Volunteer, you will work alongside our cook to assist with food preparation, uphold high standards of hygiene, and help ensure the kitchen operates smoothly.
This is a practical, hands-on role where you will make a direct contribution to delivering nutritious meals in a safe, clean, and well-organised environment.
At SMART CJS, our focus is always on supporting those in need, which can mean that day-to-day maintenance tasks are sometimes delayed. We are seeking a practical and reliable Handyman Volunteer to assist with general DIY and maintenance, helping to ensure our facilities remain safe, functional, and welcoming for service users.
This is a highly flexible role that can be tailored to your availability. Whether you are able to give a few hours each month or contribute more regularly, your support will make a valuable difference in keeping our Prebend Street service running smoothly.
SMART CJS takes part in key community events to raise awareness and vital funds for our work supporting people experiencing homelessness. As a small team, we rely on committed Event Support Volunteers to help us engage with the public, collect donations, and promote our cause at these events.
This role is essential in helping us reach new audiences and generate support, while enabling our frontline team to continue their vital work with those in crisis.
SMART CJS receives a large number of donations each week, including clothing, food, and toiletries, which are vital in supporting our service users. As a Donation Support Volunteer, you will play an important role in sorting, organising, and distributing these items to ensure they reach those who need them most.
This role is key to maintaining an efficient donation system, ensuring all items are stored appropriately and that unsuitable or excess donations are managed effectively.
At SMART CJS, we recognise that meaningful activities can have a powerful impact on mental health and overall well-being. While our staff focus on casework, mental health, and housing support, we are seeking enthusiastic Activities Coordinator Volunteers to help keep our service users engaged, motivated, and entertained.
This role is all about bringing creativity and energy to our Prebend Street service by offering activities such as:
🎤 Karaoke
🎨 Arts & crafts
📖 Quizzes & bingo
🛠️ Life skills and DIY workshops
🍳 Cooking sessions
🌱 Gardening projects
…and any other activities that help create a positive, fun, and welcoming environment.
If you are interested in volunteering with SMART CJS, please complete the form below and select the opportunity that appeals to you most. A member of our team will be in touch to discuss current openings (please note that not all roles may be available at the time of your application).
As part of the process, we will arrange an informal interview, verify your ID, and complete a DBS check.
Thank you for your interest in supporting SMART CJS, we look forward to welcoming you to our team.
For any questions, please contact us at volunteering@smartcjs.org.uk
