Work experience opportunities with us and/our partners:
If you’re looking for work but don’t have the experience required, take a look at these adult work experience vacancies from us and/or our local partners.
You can learn more about each opportunity currently available by tapping on the tabs below. Work experience can be useful for anyone, at any stage of their career. It can help you to gain further skills and decide what to do if you’re:
- Out of work.
- Changing career.
- Looking for your first job.
- Returning to work after a break.
We know getting into work can seem quite scary if you’ve been out of work for a while or if you’ve never had a job. Our adult work experience programme can help you to build your confidence and gain work related skills, which all helps to make you more employable.
We want you to succeed, so our adult work experience programme is tailored to your needs. As well as part time work experience, we’ll give you the tools and support to track and record your new skills and experience and show you how to use this to get the job. Expect:
- Support to build your confidence.
- CV and application support.
- Dedicated time to search and apply for jobs.
- Career and life coaching.
- Interview clothing and preparation.
Work experience opportunities with us in construction/trades (through the Trailblazer programme*):
- *These voluntary opportunities are part of a government-funded program called the Greater Manchester Trailblazer Fund, delivered in partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
They’re designed to support local people in neighbourhoods across Greater Manchester who aren’t currently working and/or are finding it hard to get a job.
Our Trailblazer volunteering opportunities are open to any person living in Bolton. They provide real work experience and training to help increase the prospect of job-seekers getting into employment.
You can apply if:
- You live in Bolton and are aged over 16 years.
- You're not currently in work.
- You might not have much (or any) work experience.
- You might lack certain skills needed to get into work.
We welcome applications from individuals living in social housing, from an ethnic minority group, people with disabilities, young people not in employment, education, or training, and people who are over 50.
Tap here for details on our Trades Mates volunteering opportunities
We have Trades Mate volunteering opportunities available through the Trailblazer programme:
As a Trades Mate Volunteer, you’ll work alongside experienced tradespeople and learn by doing. The tasks you take on will depend on your skills and how confident you are at following instructions safely.
You’ll gain experience in teamwork and communication and learn about workplace health and safety, including using the correct PPE, and taking part in toolbox talks and safety briefings.
Relevant uniform and full PPE will be provided, including steel toe safety boots. We can also provide support with travel costs.
- Joiner's Mate (offices located in BL6, BL1, BL3): helping measure and cut wood, holding materials in place, passing tools, and assisting with assembling basic structures.
- Bricklayer's Mate (office located in BL6): mixing mortar, carrying bricks and materials, setting up work areas, and supporting the bricklayer during building work.
- Plumber's Mate (office located in BL1): assisting with fitting pipes, carrying tools and materials, helping prepare work areas, and supporting basic installation tasks.
- Scaffolder's Mate (office located in BL2): passing and organising scaffold parts, helping to move materials safely, and supporting the team as they put up or take down scaffolding.
- Plasterer's Mate (office located in BL3): mixing plaster, preparing surfaces, keeping tools clean, and helping to set up or tidy the work area.
- Trades Mate (office located in BL1): you decide the trade.
Interested in any of our Trailblazer volunteering opportunities?
Please email your name and phone number to kickstart@beonehomes.com.
You’ll receive a phone call to take some further details from you, so please keep an eye on your phone and answer calls from unknown numbers.
Please note that we may take up to a one week to call you.
Tap here for details on our Labouring volunteering opportunities
We have Labouring volunteering opportunities available through the Trailblazer programme:
As a Labouring Volunteer, you’ll work alongside experienced staff and learn practical skills on the job. The tasks you take on will depend on your ability to follow instructions safely and your confidence in a working environment.
You’ll gain experience in teamwork and communication and learn about workplace health and safety, including using the correct PPE, and taking part in toolbox talks and safety briefings.
Relevant uniform and full PPE will be provided, including steel toe safety boots. We can also provide support with travel costs.
- Damp and Mould Operative Assistant (offices located across Bolton): helping clean and treat mould-affected areas, preparing surfaces, assisting with painting, and making sure work areas are safe and tidy.
- Property Maintenance Labourer (office located in BL1): supporting general repair and maintenance work, carrying materials, helping with basic tasks, and keeping tools and workspaces organised.
- Void Property Labourer (office located in BL1): clearing out empty properties, removing unwanted items, preparing spaces for new tenants, and helping get properties ready for maintenance or refurbishment.
Interested in any of our Trailblazer volunteering opportunities?
Please email your name and phone number to kickstart@beonehomes.com.
You’ll receive a phone call to take some further details from you, so please keep an eye on your phone and answer calls from unknown numbers.
Please note that we may take up to a one week to call you.
You'll get training and support throughout your Trailblazer placement:
You’ll be fully supported throughout your placement to help you build skills, confidence, and move towards employment.
You’ll be matched with an Employment Coach who’ll work with you one-to-one to create a personal action plan. Together, you’ll set goals based on what you want to achieve and work towards finding work.
You’ll also attend one day of training each week, which will include the following:
- Settling into work: to help you understand what's expected in the workplace and build your confidence.
- Communication skills: to learn about different types of communication and a chance to practice early interview skills to help you feel more confident.
- Health and safety training: including IOSH Level 1 in Construction and working towards your CSCS card, Manual Handling, Asbestos Awareness, Working at Height, and other courses as appropriate.
- Mental wellbeing support: so you're familiar with the local support available to you if you ever need it.
- Money management: we'll provide budgeting skills and tips how to manage your finances, as well as personalised advice about benefits, debts, or moving into work.
- CVs and job applications: you'll get support from the National Careers Service to create a strong CV and tailor it for different roles, along with one to one support to help you apply for jobs.
- Driving support: most construction roles require a driving licence, so we'll help you to apply for a provisional licence, practice for your theory test, and make links to a local driving instructor when you’re ready.
- Maths, English, and IT skills: we'll help you to improve the key skills you need to apply for and gain work.
You'll also get a guaranteed job interview for a role in construction:
After your placement, you’ll get a guaranteed interview for a role in construction – but please note that paid work is not guaranteed after your placement.
The contract length for the paid role would be four months, working three days a week (no weekend work), and a salary of £13.45 an hour (the Real Living Wage).
Looking for more opportunities?
Tap here for details on the Volunteer Reading Coach role with Read Easy
Read Easy provides free, confidential, one to-one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, through a network of volunteer groups.
“It’s been a life-changing experience. Last week I read a book to my grandson. I never read to my children because I couldn’t.”
- Peter, from Read Easy Poole
Read Easy groups are changing the lives of individual adults across the country by providing them with the support they need to learn to read, and in turn opening doors for them to all sorts of new opportunities in life.
You can tap here to learn more about the difference Read Easy makes on their website.
What you'll be doing as a Volunteer Reading Coach:
- Developing the literacy skills of an adult Reader who has difficulty with reading.
- Meeting with your Reader for two separate half hour sessions each week face to face in an approved venue or remotely on a video call or a combination of both.
- Providing non-judgemental literacy support to your Reader.
- Utilising your empathy and understanding to support your Reader.
- Delivering the phonics based Turning Pages programme with guidance for coaches on every page and using other approved resources.
- Keeping records of your meetings.
- Liaising with your allocated Coordinator and Literacy Specialist.
- Attending Coach meetings approximately every two months.
- Working within Read Easy policies and procedures.
Skills Read Easy are looking for:
- Confident reading skills.
- Clear communicator.
- Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding whilst maintaining boundaries.
- Ability to talk and listen to the person you coach in a patient, positive, encouraging and purposeful way.
- A non-judgemental attitude and a positive respect for others, regardless of abilities, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or age.
- Ability to focus on your Reader and their needs.
- Ability to work alone, seeking support when necessary.
- Reliability, consistency, and an ability to handle disappointment.
- A commitment to maintain confidentiality and volunteer within Read Easy’s guidelines and policies.
- Willingness to commit to the required training.
- Ability to utilise the Zoom meeting platform to attend remote coach training.
- Ability and confidence to use a computer to access documents online, or the willingness to learn to do so.
What's in it for you:
- You'll be provided with outstanding Initial Coach training in two sessions before you commence coaching, each lasting three hours.
- A supported induction period at the commencement of coaching.
- Consolidation training once you've been coaching for a couple of weeks, again in two sessions each lasting three hours.
- Working with other enthusiastic volunteers to change the lives of the individuals you support.
- Regular support from the group Coordinator.
- Literacy support from the group Literacy Specialist.
- Repayment of agreed expenses for travel and parking.
When you've finished:
The completion of the Turning Pages manuals will mark the end of your coaching sessions with your new Reader and will be celebrated by a presentation of certificates.
You’ll have a discussion with your Reader to gather feedback about the difference learning to read has made to their lives. Your Reader will be offered the opportunity to access the free Touch Type Read Spell resources to further their learning and you can speak to your Coordinator about coaching another Reader if you’d like to.
Interested?
If you think you can offer the time, skills, and experience that Read Easy are looking for and would be interested in taking up this rewarding role, please contact Sandra, Read Easy’s Bolton and District Volunteer Recruiter using: bodirecruiter@readeasy.org.uk.
Please note: all Read Easy volunteer roles are subject Safer Recruitment procedures which include verification of identity and two references. This role also requires an Enhanced without barring DBS Check (in line with DBS Code of Practice).
Read Easy are often looking for people with various skills and experience to join them. If you’d like to know more about the other roles they currently have available, please tap here to visit the Read Easy website or get in touch using the email address above.
I'm unemployed and want to volunteer with Be One Homes to improve my chances of paid work
If you’re interested in volunteering with us (Be One Homes) to improve your chances of paid work, please contact Niki Meikle on 07775 826422 or email niki.meikle@beonehomes.com and we’ll explore any available option
I'm in education (school, college, or university) and want to volunteer with Be One Homes
If you’re currently studying and would like to volunteer with us (Be One Homes), please contact niki.meikle@beonehomes.com and we’ll explore your options.
I have time to give and would like to volunteer with someone else
We’d recommend checking the volunteering webpages on our partners’ websites, listed below:
- See opportunities with Bolton CVS
- See opportunities with Bolton Activities, Health and Movement (Let's Keep Bolton Moving)
- See opportunities with Bolton Cares (volunteering with older people)
- See opportunities with Bolton Wanderers in the Community
- See opportunities with the NHS
- See opportunities with Bolton Hospice
- See opportunities with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
- See opportunities with Greater Manchester Police
- See opportunities in the Army Reserve
- See opportunities with Special Needs Under Fives Support
- Or, tap here to get matched with roles for you based on your skills, availability and the causes you care about on the Doit Life website.
The opportunities on this page are delivered in partnership with:
"During my placement everyone was very accepting. But importantly it was the right environment for me and the right people to be around for which I'm so grateful.
"This opportunity has helped me get a job and has built my confidence. I now know I can hold down a job with my health conditions.
I feel less isolated and less vulnerable after volunteering and working with Niki (Volunteer Coordinator for Be One Homes).
"I've gained so much confidence, as being so unwell strips your confidence and this has enabled me to be hopeful again and looking forward to what the future may bring!"
"Thanks for letting me know the outcome of yesterday's interview. So many employers don't do that and I’m grateful you did.
"I'd also like to thank you for your call to reach out and keep me in the loop for future opportunities.
"It's really good to know that there are hardworking people out there who really care and have such a passion for their jobs."
"Today me and Niki discussed my first-month progress and looked in-depth at the skills I’ve developed. We looked at areas like confidence, organisation, technical skills, and problem-solving.
"I gained a further insight into the STAR technique and how I can use it to its greatest potential in interview scenarios, as well as how to use examples to strengthen my points. Niki also gave a lot of very useful tips and techniques to further improve and develop myself."
"Thank you so much for your emails and your amazing support. I really enjoyed volunteering for Be One Homes.
"Just wanted to let you know that I have a job now. I’m going to be Personal Assistant and covering reception at the spa. It’s a wonderful place to be!"
"Since completing my admin work experience placement with Be One Homes, I've not been limiting myself when applying for jobs. Having pushed myself outside of my comfort zone, I now feel more confident walking into a new organisation. Knowing that I've done it once means I can do it again.
"I also have a job interview tomorrow and although I'm still a bit nervous, I feel more prepared as I have more knowledge about the interview process, how to answer questions, and what employers are looking for."
After a successful interview, we're delighted to share that Chloe was offered the job.