You could take a college course, which may help you when looking for work.
Courses include:
- care
- health and social care
- T Level in Health
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
A Support Worker in a charity helps people who are facing challenges such as homelessness, mental health issues, disabilities, or social isolation. The role often involves providing emotional support, helping clients access services, assisting with daily tasks, and advocating for their rights. Support workers might work in community centres, homes, or outreach services, and good communication and empathy are key skills. This career is rewarding for those who want to make a difference in people's lives and support some of the most vulnerable in society.
Support workers in the charity sector typically earn between £18,000 and £25,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
There were over 9000 advertised positions for support workers in the UK charity sector in 2023.
Most support workers work around 37 to 40 hours per week, with some roles requiring evening or weekend shifts.
Work specifically with people experiencing mental health issues, providing emotional support, practical help, and guidance within a charity setting.
Focus on supporting children and young people who care for family members, offering advice, activities, and advocacy through charity projects.
Work directly with individuals experiencing homelessness, helping them access shelter, healthcare, benefits, and other services through a charitable organisation.
Learn about the daily duties, types of charities, and people you might support as a charity support worker.
Look at job profiles, read about real experiences, and visit charity websites to understand what support workers do. Consider shadowing someone or volunteering at a local charity to gain firsthand insight into the role.
Think about which causes you care about, such as homelessness, disability, mental health, or young people.
Many charities focus on specific groups or issues. Choosing an area you are passionate about can help you stay motivated and find a good fit for your values and interests.
Start volunteering with a charity to build practical skills and experience supporting people.
Volunteering is a common entry point into charity work. Look for opportunities via local organisations, national charities, or school programmes. Tasks may include befriending, organising activities, or providing basic support to service users.
Work on your listening, communication, and empathy skills, as these are essential for support workers.
You can develop these skills through customer-facing part-time jobs, school clubs, or by attending relevant workshops. Charities value people who can relate to others, show patience, and communicate clearly.
Some support worker roles require qualifications, such as a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care.
While many entry-level roles do not require formal qualifications, having a relevant diploma, certificate, or NVQ can improve your chances. Colleges and adult education centres offer these courses, which often include work placements.
Start applying for entry-level support worker positions at charities that interest you.
Prepare a CV highlighting your volunteering and any relevant qualifications. Tailor your application to the specific charity and role. Be ready to discuss your motivations and experiences in interviews.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Support Worker (Charity). Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Support Worker (Charity) often provides practical and emotional support to individuals with various needs, similar to a Care Worker. Both roles involve delivering personalised care, assisting with daily activities, and ensuring individuals' well-being in a community or residential setting.
You can get into this job through:
You could take a college course, which may help you when looking for work.
Courses include:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a care organisation or the NHS.
Apprenticeship options include:
These can take between 1 and 2 years to complete and combine workplace training with study in the classroom.
There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:
You can volunteer with an organisation that supports vulnerable people, like a care home, charity, hospital or hospice. This can help you when applying for paid work.
You can find volunteering opportunities through:
You can apply for care worker jobs directly. If you get the role, you'll be given on-the-job training by your employer.
It's important to be kind, caring and have a respectful attitude towards people who need care and support.
Some employers might want you to have GCSEs in English and maths at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent. However, many will offer training to applicants who have the right personal qualities.
Time spent caring for someone you know also counts as having experience in a caring role.
You can find out more about careers in care from:
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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